The Scoop Online - September 2010

THE

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION

Insights and Information for Green Industry Professionals

VOLUME 33, NUMBER 9 September 2010

PAGE 61

Licensing for Irrigation Professionals?

PAGE 26

Porous Pavements Q&A PAGES 29

Snap Photos for Award Entries Now! PAGES 58

OK O B CE 4 A F 1

on page A L See N M

THE

Nursery Management. . . . . . . . . . . 11 Business Management . . . . . . . . . . 12 Arborist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-22 Sustainable Environment . . . . 23-25 Irrigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Stormwater Management . . . 28-32 Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33, 53, 58 Public Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Hardscapes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Northern Green Expo . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40-46 Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49-51 DC Update . . . . . . . . . . . 48, 52, 54, 57 EAB Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Garden Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Supplier Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Greenhouse & Herbaceous Growers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Landscape Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 MDA Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70, 72-75 Plant of the Month. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Leadership Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

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www.MNLA.biz | SEPTEMBER 2010

ADVERTISER INDEX A Top Notch Equipment - 75 AgStar Financial Services - 72 Anchor Block Company - 2 Anderson Nurseries, Inc. - 74 Bailey Nurseries - 14 Belgard HardscapesNorthfield-Bend - 23 Berger Peat Moss - 53 BFG Supply - 62 Borgert Products, Inc. - 80 Bridgewater Tree Farms - 16 Bullis Insurance Agency - 50 BW Insurance Agency - 57 Carlin Horticultural Supplies/ProGreen Plus - 54, 78 Casualty Assurance - 69 Central Landscape Supply - 74 Central Wisconsin Evergreens, Inc. - 4 Cherokee Mfg. - 22 Crysteel Truck Equipment - 48 Cushman Motor Co., Inc. - 69 D. Hill Nursery Co. - 50 Eagle Bay Farms - 24 Edney Distributing Co., Inc. - 59 Evergreen Nursery Co., Inc. - 21 Farber Bag & Supply Co. - 48

Faribault Growers, Inc. - 57 Floral Plant Growers-Natural Beauty - 50 Fury Motors - 47 Garden Centers of America - 10 Gardenworld Inc. - 52 Gertens Wholesale - 34 Glacial Ridge Growers - 43 Gopher State One-Call - 52 Greystone Construction Company /Cover-All Building - 33 Haag Companies, The - 79 Hal Tiffany Agency - 65 Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies - 5 Hoffman & McNamara Nursery and Landscape - 54 J.R. Johnson Supply, Inc. - 14 Jeff Belzer Chevrolet - 7 Johnson’s Nursery, Inc. - 33 JRK Seed and Turf Supply - 26, 35, 43 Kage Innovations - 24, 44 Klaus Nurseries - 52 Kubota Dealers - 9 L&M Products, Inc. - 37 Maguire Agency - 20

McKay Nursery Co. - 54 Midwest Groundcovers - 46 MN Equipment Solutions - 30 Mulch ReNEW, Inc. - 36 Natural Industries, Inc. - 27 Northern Christmas Trees & Nursery - 20 Out Back Nursery - 32 Plaisted Companies - 42 RDO Equipment Co. - 25 Rock Hard Landscape Supply division of Brian’s Lawn & Landsaping, Inc. - 31 Scharber & Sons - 13 Stonebrooke Equipment Inc. - 22 The Builders Group - 51 The Mulch Store - 15 The Tessman Company - 46 Truck Utilities & Mfg. Co. - 32 University of Minnesota Continuing Education - 73 Vermeer Sales & Service - 49 Western Products-Douglas Dynamics - 17 Wheeler Landscape Supply - 19 Wilson’s Nursery, Inc. - 28 Ziegler Cat - 3

Upcoming Events September 9 – Perennial Growers Tour. Southeast Metro. For more information, see page 40 or www.mnla.biz.

10-11 – Foster's Spring Market 2011 Hardgoods Buying Show. Mayo Civic Center, Rochester. For more information or to register call 1-800-747-2756.

15 – Trees and Shrubs for the Landscape. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska. For more information, see page 40 or visit www.mnla.biz.

16 – Green for Life – an MNLA Public Service Event. For more information, see page 71 or visit www.mnla.biz.

16 – MTGF Field Day. University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus. For more information, see page 46 or www.mtgf.org.

21 – MNLA Foundation Sporting Clays Tournament. For more information see page 61 or www.mnla.biz.

28 – Credit Management Tips for the Green Industry. Bailey Nurseries, Inc., St. Paul, MN. For more information see page 40 or visit www.mnla.biz.

28-29 – OFA Disease, Insect & Plant Growth Management Conference. Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark, St. Louis, Missouri. For more information, visit www.ofaconferences.org.

October 7 – Portfolio Design & Promotion. For more information, see page 41 or visit www.mnla.biz. Sponsored by Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies.

November 17 – Low Voltage Irrigation: Two Wire Systems (PLT Relicensure). St. Cloud Civic Center, St. Cloud. For more information, see page 41 or visit www.mnla.biz.

18 – Central Landscape Supply Show. St. Cloud Civic Center. For more information, call 320.252.1601 or 1.800.772.3888.

19 – Pesticide Recertification. University of Minnesota Continuing Education and Conference Center, St. Paul Campus. For more information, see page 41 or visit www.mnla.biz.

December 2 – Lunch ‘n Learn: Invasive Plants in Minnesota. Rose Vine Hall, Roseville. For more information visit www.mnla.biz.

January 4 – Super Tuesday. Minneapolis Convention Center. For more information, see page 45, or visit www.mnla.biz.

5-7 – Northern Green Expo. Minneapolis Convention Center. Exhibit contracts available online at www.NorthernGreenExpo.org or call 651-633-4987.

19-21 – Mid-Am Trade Show. Navy Pier, Chicago. More information available online at www.midam.org.

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 Staff directory and member services directory near the back cover.

If interested in sponsoring or co-sponsoring an MNLA workshop, please call Betsy Pierre, 952-903-0505 ext 1/betsy@pierreproductions.com.

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www.MNLA.biz | SEPTEMBER 2010

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 PRESIDENT

Leadership Is All About Communication

By Bert T. Swanson, Swanson's Nursery Consulting

step up to this challenge to keep their company on track.

s our business world continues in economic undulations, we all wonder where is it going, when will the turbulence end, and what can we do to Bert Swanson ameliorate it. There are no real answers to these questions and even the supposedly knowledgeable predictors have not provided us with correct answers as these challenging times have continued far beyond original forecasts.

Yes, there is a subtle difference between being smart and wise. One definition is that wisdom is not always learned from a formal education; wisdom is the life long pursuit of it. This industry is abundant with knowledge and wisdom and it has been and must continue to be communicated from colleague to colleague and from experienced to non-experienced within our own companies and across the industry to elevate our professionalism to the next level.

A

But what do the predictions mean anyway? Do they really matter?

Someone can always find or interpret some economic data to show that we are headed in one direction or another or to say what people want to hear. But what does matter is what is going on at home!

With your inventory up, your material costs increasing, your labor situation frustrating and costly, and your sales down over and above your reduced prices, this is reality and what matters to you. Thankfully, this is not the case for everyone, as some reports are actually quite promising. However, this downward trend has continued far beyond most information communicated to us, and according to many of you, it is not going to spiral upwards any time soon.

However, we cannot give up! I know that is easier said than done, but I also know that the people in this industry are very creative, energetic, ambitious, smart and wise. This industry also has a history of communicating, sharing, teaching each other, and helping one another to become the professionals that populate this industry today. With this communicative background, good, smart and wise leaders have the opportunity to 8

www.MNLA.biz | SEPTEMBER 2010

I do not mean communicating your company secrets, but rather sharing and teaching what it takes to be a leader and be a strong ethical professional in good times and bad times. Remember, one bad apple in the basket can spoil the entire batch, your professional image, in the eyes of the public and our customers.

Yes, we must use our smarts and our wisdom to significantly increase our communications as these difficult times continue. Sometimes, it is also just good therapy.

In my last article, I cited Phillip J. Harkins’ principles of leadership in hard times. Mr. Harkins also promotes the use of a leadership GPS to communicate and manage in difficult times. He calls this a “Focus Alignment Map” (info@linkageinc.com). This map is a framework of how leaders shift from side to side and from top to bottom in planning your business focus. Mr. Harkins describes the map as a box divided into four quadrants: top left is innovation, top right is effectiveness, bottom left is productivity and bottom right is efficiency. At the top of the box is strategy, at the bottom is systems, at right is growth and at left is execution.

These business requirements provide a framework to ask four questions in hard times:

1. Strategy – What new directions are required to win during this difficult time?

2. Execution – What steps need to be put in place to mobilize the workforce to win?

3. Growth – What few new efforts are possible during these hard times?

4. Systems – How do we support execution and growth with the least cost?

However, guess what is at a center box that touches all four quadrants?

Communications! As the going gets rough, people become unnerved, worried, inquisitive, and skeptical. They need to know what is going on and where we are going. You as a leader need to keep them informed and involved.

When employees get stymied due to lack of information, misinformation or too much or too little to do, leaders should adapt Harkins’ principles as follows: 1. De-complicate strategy.

2. Set clear direction.

3. Limit key objectives and deliverables.

4. Triple communication.

Actually, all four principles deal with and require communications.

John Golden, CEO of Huthwaite, a global sales performance improvement company, indicates that there are three key elements to focus on when leading in hard times: 1. Identity – Leadership in hard times requires the ability to articulate and demonstrate a clear vision of your business identity: What is your business’ core strength? What is your business known for? How do you want your business to be perceived in the market place? If you do not know and/or communicate your identity, no one else will either.

Continued on page 10

Continued from page 8 2. Fundamentals – It is never bad policy to focus on basics, but in hard times its indispensable. Discover the “Simple Crystalline Concept” based on the following: a. What can you be the best in the world at? b. What are you deeply passionate about? c. What drives your economic/profit engine?

3. Adaptability – An organization that is flexible has the ability to adapt to changes in the market place. This means cutting dead wood and trimming under-producing branches. Even branches that do not bear abundant fruit must be pruned so that the rest of the tree may bear more fruit.

Again, all of these key elements resound with the need for effective communications, the “effective” part being particularly critical in turbulent times.

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HR World (3/3/2010) lists some traits of good leaders in hard times. One of these is “openness,” which includes the ability to listen to new ideas. Thus, communication is a two-way street as listening is a major part of communications. Listening builds mutual respect and trust between leaders and followers. It is then imperative that good leaders have not only a good clear, vivid vision for the company, but good leaders at all levels must also share this and act upon it. All of this requires significant communicative efforts.

At MNLA, our Board of Directors and staff strive for transparency, openness and an effort to keep the membership informed of all association actions and activities. If we are not doing this, you need to communicate with us because we can do a better job of this if you as a member become involved. Do not hesitate to inquire about an activity or action, or suggest how we can better communicate and serve the membership.

Effective communication is key and basic for the success of all of us.

Just as many of you are struggling, MNLA also faces some challenges at this time, yet we want to communicate to you positive progress on many fronts such as the Stormwater Task Team, the new Trees for Life Coalition, the State Fair and other exciting activities that are in progress and will be reported in the Scoop. Let’s all triple our communications, but also remember that: “A message sent is never a message received … it is the context that drives how people will interpret the message.”

Let our membership communicate with each other, with the leadership and staff and visa versa!

Have a great and profitable “Fall is for Planting, Communicating and Hunting Season!” q ________________________________ Bert Swanson is the President of MNLA and can be reached at btswanson2@gmail.com.

NURSERY MANAGEMENT | The Scoop

Business Wastes: Defective Products #7 in a Series by Craig Chilstrom, Prairie Edge Nursery veryone should recognize the creation of defective products as a waste. It causes the organization to replace or rework the end product in order Craig Chilstrom to satisfy the customer. This may be a manufactured product, a plant material, or a landscape installation. The goal is to eliminate the creation of defective products.

E

While creating defective product is inevitable, it is important to do a root cause analysis to determine the cause.

Only by addressing the root cause can you create a solution that prevents reoccurrence in the future, rather than treating symptoms.

One simple tool to use to get down to the root cause is the 5 Why’s. Asking a question, then asking why to the answer, will usually get you to the root cause. Seldom will you have to ask why more than 5 times, and often you will arrive at the root cause in less than 5 questions.

Another tool you can use is a Fishbone Diagram. A sample of this is

below. In it you list the different inputs and use it to determine the root cause.

This tool is more helpful when multiple causes are possible for the defect. More information on these tools is available on the internet.

I have promoted the idea that the supplier/buyer relationship should be a symbiotic relationship where both parties benefit and are profitable.

Communication can provide information the buyer can use when designing or bidding a project, helping the buyer be more competitive, while helping the grower move product in over supply at an attractive price for both parties involved. By working together our whole industry will benefit and thrive, even in lean times.

"Only by addressing the root cause can you create a solution that prevents reoccurence."

So what is defective product in our industry?

We work with many perishable products. If products are not handled and cared for properly, good product can become defective product.

Reducing handling, and the time a business holds product, will reduce the possibility of the product becoming defective. JIT (just in time) delivery of product can be used to reduce the possibility of some material becoming defective.

If you have product that is not the type, size and quality that your customers are looking for, it can be considered defective. If you have 4” caliper trees and your customers are looking for 2” caliper trees, they can be considered defective. Many growers are facing this dilemma. Market expectations and demand have changed dramatically during this downturn.

This has created an imbalance between supply and demand. If green goods are included in a landscape project, the size specifications are generally smaller.

Most industries are able to slow production and work through their excess inventory during slow economic times. Our inventory is not static and changes with time. In previous articles

Grower’s profits are tied directly to the percentage of good product they are able to create. They must control all input costs associated with growing the product into the size and quality their customers demand and expect.

Recognizing and eliminating defective product as early in the process as possible will minimize financial loss.

Proper and timely disposal can also control the possibility of spreading disease, if this is the cause of the losses.

While creating defective product is inevitable in any production environment, identifying the root cause, and finding solutions, will prevent creating additional defective product for the same reasons. is is continuous improvement. q ________________________________ Craig Chilstrom is a member of the MNLA Nursery Committee and can be reached at cchilstr@Wildbluecoop.com.

SEPTEMBER 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Subcontractors or Employees?

The Choice is NOT yours!

By Patrick McGuiness, Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC

ith $25 million in new funding, the Federal Government is planning to crack down on employee misclassifications by Patrick McGuiness businesses. Both the IRS and the Department of Labor are looking for companies that are misclassifying workers as “subcontractors” or “independent contractors” as a way to avoid taxes, insurance and other regulatory requirements.

W

Just because you label someone as a subcontractor does not necessarily make them one. Time after time when talking with business owners, I ask them about their employee situation and get the response “I don’t have employees, I just give my laborers 1099’s and have them sign a subcontractor agreement.” Just because a company takes these steps, does not mean that they are not in violation of the law.

The degree of control that a company maintains over workers is central to determining whether or not the worker is an employee. The answers to the following questions, when taken as a whole, give a great indication as to how a worker should be classified.

Is or does the worker: (1) maintain a separate business with the individual's own office, equipment, materials, and other facilities; (2) hold or has applied for a federal employer identification number or

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has filed business or selfemployment income tax returns with the federal Internal Revenue Service (3) operating under contract to perform the specific services for the person for specific amounts of money and under which the individual controls the means of performing the services; (4) incurring the main expenses related to the services that the individual is performing for the person under the contract; (5) responsible for the satisfactory completion of the services that the individual has contracted to perform for the person and is liable for a failure to complete the services; (6) receive compensation from the person for the services performed under the contract on a commission or per-job or competitive bid basis and not on any other basis (i.e., not hourly pay only); (7) realize a profit or suffer a loss under the contract to perform services; (8) have continuing or recurring business liabilities or obligations; and (9) the success or failure of the individual's business depends on the relationship of business receipts to expenditures.

The answers to these questions are looked at on the whole, so the fact that having a subcontractor agreement may satisfy question #3, if all the other factors make it appear that the worker is an employee, then the company is still in violation of the law.

Having employees involves many responsibilities. There are additional

taxes that need to be paid, workers compensation insurance to carry, and many other considerations. However, these considerations are small compared to the fines and other repercussions if your company is caught in violation of the law.

While it may save money in the short term, it is illegal to fraudulently treat someone as an independent contractor if they are actually an employee. In the long term this can cause a range of problems. If you are labeling someone an independent contractor and they are seriously injured while working for you, you can still be held responsible. There are many other scenarios in which the business owner does not come out ahead in the long run.

Take a look at your company. If you are improperly labeling your workers, it may be time to consider taking the step of having true employees and the responsibilities they come with. q ________________________________ This article provides general information on business matters and should not be relied upon as legal advice. A qualified attorney must analyze all relevant facts and apply the applicable law to any matter before legal advice can be given. If you would like more information regarding employment law or other legal matters, please contact Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC at 651-206-3203 or info@zmattorneys.com.

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.

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The Scoop | ARBORIST

Grow Your People and They Will Grow Your Business

By Dennis Ullom, St. Croix Tree Service, Commercial Arborists

started my company the same way many of us did. I worked for a short time for another tree service and then decided this was so easy I should do it for Dennis Ullom myself. With a working partner we did it all. We bid the job, did the jobs, billed the jobs, and collected the bill. I believed that no one could do it faster, better, and surely not cheaper than I could. I made good money compared to my friends, worked 50 hours per week in the busy season and still found time to play some golf and pursue other leisure activities. My partner moved on to other endeavors and I was the ultimate one man band. Life was good!

I

As the business grew, I needed more help to complete all the jobs I was getting (remember, I was cheaper). I

experienced all the frustrations of finding and keeping good people. I was also introduced to many government agencies that I had never met before. My work week was now at 70-80 hours per week and I felt the constant tug between family and business. I lived in this inferno for over 10 years. I was caught in a trap. If I added more people to lighten my workload, I felt I would have to increase my work hours (remember no one could do it better). Something had to change.

Although I always had an interest in becoming a better tree guy through seminars and classes, I never considered it important to become a better person.

A chance encounter led me to an 8 week Dale Carnegie Course. His time honored philosophy to “take an interest in people and they will take an interest in you” led me to other people management classes.

I came to realize that my “nobody does it better than me” attitude was a limiting factor in my company’s growth and was contributing to the time I was spending at the business. One of the speakers had

a message that I really took to heart. He said that two hands no matter how large or skilled can only do so much. “GROW YOUR PEOPLE AND THEY WILL GROW YOUR BUSINESS.” This slogan became my driving force.

Over the last 15 years, I have done a better job of selecting good people. I take an interest in growing their careers and they in turn take an interest in growing our business. My work week is back to 50 hours (more if I choose but not mandatory). Sure I still experience some disappointments, but I remind myself that I wasn’t perfect either. At our 35th annual company picnic I took a great deal of pride looking at all the individuals and families that have been influenced by and in turn have contributed to St. Croix Tree Service.

Life is Good! q ________________________________ Dennis Ullom is a member of the MNLA Commercial Arborist Committee and can be reached at dullom@stcroixtreeservice.com.

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www.MNLA.biz | SEPTEMBER 2010

The Scoop | CERTIFICATION

MNLA Certification Training Magic from the Manual: Plant Cold Hardiness

By Bert T. Swanson, Swanson’s Nursery Consulting, Inc. ou may think that winter is a long ways away, but do you know that your plants started getting ready for winter three months ago: June 21 to be exact. Since that day, Bert Swanson the days have been getting shorter and that is one of the processes used in developing winter hardiness in plants.

Are you ready to help them prepare for this critical biological process?

Y

Types of Winter Injury Some common types of winter injury associated with above ground portions of plants include sunscald, frost cracks, foliar browning, blackheart, die-back, flower bud damage, dehydration damage, heaving damage, and late spring and early fall frost damage. Winter injury to nursery and landscape plants may also result from breakage caused by the weight of snow and ice accumulation. Ice storms can result in tremendous losses.

Landscape plants may also be damaged by snow removal equipment and deicing salts.

Root cold hardiness is critically important. Roots are always less cold

hardy than top growth and root cold hardiness may be the critical factor which determines plant survival under certain conditions. Increased container production and use of above ground landscape planters makes root cold hardiness an even more important consideration because plant roots are exposed to lower temperatures than they would be if grown under natural conditions. Roots are also exposed to greater temperature fluctuations under container growing conditions. During years with very severe winters or when winter protection from snow is lacking, root cold hardiness also becomes an important factor in landscape survival.

Poor growth of trees and shrubs Continued on page 20

SEPTEMBER 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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Continued from page 19

often results in subsequent infection by wood decay fungi.

Frost injured tissue can also provide an entrance for following a severe winter is often attributed to insects and pathogenic fungi and bacteria. other causes such as drought or disease, since Cold Acclimation symptoms of the injury do not become apparent The development and maintenance of cold until midsummer when the previous winter and hardiness is a dynamic process called cold its conditions have been forgotten. Trees and acclimation. The degree of cold hardiness developed shrubs exhibiting root injury may resume growth during acclimation varies considerably between normally in the spring, sending out vegetative shoots and blossoms and they may even set fruit.

CERTIFIED species, between members of the same species adapted Later, when the tree is stressed by warmer, drier Professional to different geographical locations, and according to environmental conditions. Cold hardiness results conditions, the effects of previous winter’s root from a delicate balancing act between a plant's genetic injury become apparent. Portions of the crown, and in capacity to harden and a wide variety of environmental severe cases the entire plant, may wilt and die. factors. Any environmental factor which slows the The temperatures to which roots are subjected are growth rate of plants will generally increase freezing determined by soil temperature which in turn are influenced tolerance.

Such factors include: low temperature, reduced by many factors including soil texture, specific heat, heat soil moisture, shortened photoperiod, and reduced nitrogen conductivity, radiation, water content, organic matter availability. The opposite is also true wherein relatively high content, evaporation, soil solution concentration, levels of nitrogen and/or moisture lead to reduced topographic position, surface condition, air temperature, acclimation during the fall. Prolonged warm weather in the sunshine, wind velocity, barometric pressure, precipitation, fall can also delay the development of cold hardiness and soil or media composition. A difference of only a resulting in increased winter injury. Slight stress from degree or two can make a significant difference in root drought, fertility and heat will often increase plant cold survival. hardiness, however, severe levels of moisture, nutrient or Frost damage may not result in the direct loss of the environmental stress interfere with hardiness development plant. Many plants are vegetatively hardy while flower buds and result in increased injury. are subject to injury, such as Forsythia. These plants may Decreasing photoperiod or shortening days, and low exhibit reduced flowering and fruiting following severe temperatures are the two main factors involved in the winters. Although plants may not be killed, winter injury 11/6/06 9:18 PM initiation and development of plant cold hardiness.

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and Nationwide Agribusiness

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cessation of growth and induction of dormancy or rest caused by shortened photoperiods account for the central role of light in the initial phase of plant cold hardiness development.

Temperature is the most critical factor involved in the second developmental phase of plant cold hardiness. If environmental, cultural and physiological factors have been, and continue to be favorable, cold acclimation progresses further in response to decreasing temperatures in late fall and early winter. The end results of cold acclimation are changes in plant morphology, physiology, and metabolism which enable plants to either avoid or tolerate the formation of ice within plant tissues.

The first line of defense against the formation of ice is called freezing point depression. The freezing point of cellular water is determined by the soluble solute content of sugars, organic acids, amino acids, and proteins in the cell sap. Freezing of plant tissue can also be avoided through the process of supercooling.

Supercooled water is water whose temperature has been lowered below 32°F (0°C) without the formation of ice crystals. Supercooled water does not freeze because of compartmentalization of cellular water and the absence of either external or internal ice nucleators. Under the right conditions, a plant’s water can be Supercooled until the homogeneous nucleation point of water is reached,

which is -38ºF (-38°C). Supercooling can often be detrimental rather than beneficial since when nucleation does occur, ice formation is rapid and can cause extensive mechanical damage caused by intracellular, or inside the cell, ice formation.

Plants which are able to tolerate very low temperatures must be able to accommodate ice within the plant without disruption of their tissues.

They must also be capable of surviving severe desiccation of the cytoplasm or cell contents, and subsequent mechanical and biochemical stresses on cellular constituents. Hardening results in an increase in cytoplasmic viscosity making the cytoplasm more resistant to mechanical disruption.

Hardening may also involve increased binding of water to macromolecules and membranes. Thus, frost resistance is essentially the ability to tolerate intercellular or outside the cell ice and cell dehydration without injury. q ________________________________ Bert Swanson is the president of MNLA and can be reached at btswanson2@gmail.com Certification Training Magic from the Manual is a monthly article written by the MNLA Certification Committee as a study tool for the MNLA Certification Exam.

Information from these articles is taken directly from the chapter in the MNLA Certification Manual. It is an outline and does not replace studying the entire chapter in the manual.

Sample Test Questions: 1. Which of the following is not directly involved in winter injury to plants?

A. Sunscald B. Blackheart C. Pruning wounds D. Dehydration E. Heaving damage 2. A factor that will increase cold hardiness in plants is: A. Increased temperatures B. Increased moisture C. Increased fertility D. Shorter photoperiod E. Longer photoperiod 3. T F

Roots harden off to a greater extent than branches.

4. T F

Trees and shrubs that have sustained root injury may resume growth normally in the spring.

5. T F

Decreasing photoperiod or shorting days, and low temperatures are the two main factors involved in the initiation and development of plant cold hardiness.

Answers: 1. C; 2. D, 2. F; 3. T; 5. T.

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The Scoop | CERTIFICATION

September Is Back To School for the Green Industry

By Deb Kvamme, Hennepin Technical College

’ve always loved September. When I had my greenhouse business in northwest Minnesota, I couldn’t wait for the weather to start cooling down so I could switch gears with what I sold in the garden center. The landscapers or pro gardeners are still busy CERTIFIED Professional finishing up projects before the “outdoor” season ends. The customer is excited about the change of season too. They are ready for a new look in the yard or garden.

The month of September has another focus that we are all familiar with, and that is people of all ages are going back to school. In our industry high school students, traditional age college students and those who go back to college to learn later in life, all are trying to be more competitive in the job market by getting a “green education.” That was me. I returned to college to earn my AAS and BS in horticulture/landscape when I was in my mid 30’s. Managing my business, family and education all at the same time was challenging, but I took it serious and did well. Part of that “continuing education” was taking the MNLA CERTIFICATION EXAM. I remember studying for months for the exam. I was elated and proud when I learned I passed. So here it is… I am CHALLENGING everyone in the green industry to gain new knowledge or to refresh knowledge already gained through years of growing, designing, installing, maintaining and yes, even teaching in this industry to earn their own certification.

So start September on the right foot, and become a “student of the MNLA”!!

• Leave all the excuses behind why you can’t do it and think positive.

• Buy the MNLA Certification Manual and start preparing yourself to take the exam in January 2011.

• Remember there are only approximately 19 weeks left to study (longer then a semester of college).

• Make a personal commitment and set aside some time each week to READ the manual.

• Have fun studying…grab a partner(s), get together and talk about each chapter…maybe make up questions and quiz each other.

• Seek a MNLA certified member, such as me, to help you with areas you might find challenging.

• Remember you have been working all spring, summer and fall in this industry and experience is a valuable study tool as well.

Questions? Just email me at debra.kvamme@hennepintech.edu. q ________________________________________________ Deb Kvamme is a member of the MNLA Certification Committee and can be reached at debra.kvamme@hennepintech.edu.

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• Wreath Rings • Specialty Rings • Wire Baskets • AND MORE!

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SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT | The Scoop

Down the Kitchen Garden Path: An Edible Feast from Your Own Back Yard The following essay was written by a student in my Introduction to Sustainable Landscape Practices class at Dakota County Technical College. This course explores the issues of sustainability on a global scale and offers solutions to landscape professionals who want to create more sustainable landscapes at the local scale. Enjoy! ~ Matt Brooks

By Suzanne Gappa

e see it all the time: the container of herbs on the patio gone hopelessly to seed; the lone tomato plant, beloved of deer and squirrels; the tidy border edge of leaf lettuces that bolt at the first blast of summer heat. The kitchen garden gone awry, again. But despite these challenges to small-scale urban agriculture, many of

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us are still hungry for that “grown at home” taste and experience.

Knowing we can successfully grow some (or more than just some!) of our own food also creates a sense of satisfaction greater than just the taste of that first garden-ripe tomato.

Consider the following: in the United States alone, more than one billion pounds of pesticides are released into the environment each year as a result of nonorganic practices. In addition, we consume approximately 400 gallons of oil per year per citizen on agriculturalrelated uses and each food item in a typical U.S. meal has traveled an average of 1,500 miles.

As we become increasingly aware of the impact of our food chain on the environment—how our food is grown, how it is processed and stored, how it gets from farm to fork—we are all becoming more interested in getting our meals closer to home. Maybe even from the back yard.

So how do we embrace our inner farmer and achieve success with the kitchen garden? And is there more to the story than merely a weed-free bean patch in the back yard?

The following simple steps in the assessment and design process can help you create an edible feast from your very own yard.

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Continued from page 23 First, identify what produce you and your family like to eat daily or weekly and how much you typically consume. There’s nothing worse than a kitchen garden filled with overgrown plants producing vegetables that never get eaten. It helps to ask a few simple questions: Do you eat salads every day? Are there family favorite vegetables or fruits? Any food allergies to consider? Prior to planning your kitchen garden design, track and record this information for a few weeks based on your regular grocery-store or farmer’s market buying habits and your daily meal preparations. An easy way to do this is to keep a list of produce commonly grown in your zone and then check off the items you purchase and the quantities of each item, both in the produce section and also in canned or frozen form.

With this information in hand, it will be much easier to develop an edibles garden design that accurately reflects your own tastes and eating habits. If nobody really likes Brussels sprouts, it doesn’t make much sense to include them in the design. Conversely, if you love tomatoes—fresh, canned, frozen or in sauce—it makes sense to devote a larger area of the garden to growing them.

Step two is to assess the site: Where are the ideal growing locations for edible plants in your landscape? Are there underutilized or overlooked areas that could be turned into successful kitchen garden spots? Perhaps that alley strip that gets full sun could become a great location for raspberries or asparagus.

Most food crops require at least good partial-day sun, and

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many will only produce well in full sun conditions. If the only truly sunny location is the garden bed in your front yard, there is no need to give up. The key will be including edible plants into your ornamental landscape by applying the core principles of good design to edibles: pattern; repetition; and appealing variation in plant size, texture and color. Think bright chartreuse frisee as a border edging plant and clusters of rainbow chard for bright color accent. A trellis to support vining plants like cucumber or squash can rest against a warm wall, adding a dimension of height to the back of a perennial or annual bed. Leeks have great structure and a beautiful silverygreen color—similar to that of yucca.

Next, consider how much maintenance you are really willing to do to keep the garden in good shape. This step is critical, since plants that produce food require more ongoing attention than a typical annual or garden perennial. Allow time for planting in the spring, weekly weeding and harvest, as well as succession planting to keep your crops producing all season long. If you plan to take on a larger area for the edibles garden, this assessment should also include budgeting the time it will take to process any excess produce for longer-term storage: freezing, drying or even canning.

One great alternative to consider, particularly if time and space are limited, is the “square foot” gardening method. An achievable option, especially for novice gardeners, this approach was developed by Mel Bartholomew and focuses on a garden layout based on 1-foot by 1-foot squares with plants carefully spaced within the squares to produce an optimal harvest in a

small space, while still allowing enough room for healthy plants development.

Using Bartholomew’s approach, you can grow the following crop of vegetables in two months in just a 4-foot by 4-foot area: 32 carrots, 12 bunches of leaf lettuce, 18 bunches of spinach, 16 radishes, 16 scallions, 16 beets, nine turnips, five pounds of peas, one head of cabbage, four heads of romaine lettuce, one head of cauliflower, and one head of broccoli—all with minimal inputs of time for maintenance (from Square Foot Gardening, Rodale Press).

As in all things in the garden, soil is key. Once you have identified your ideal edible garden location (or locations), assessing and improving the quality of the soil is essential. The ideal soil for a vegetable garden is deep, crumbly, and well-drained with a high percentage of organic matter. Using basic amendments like compost, leaf mold and peat moss will help create soil that can support good seed germination and plant growth.

Careful use of nutrient supplements— either a balanced organic fertilizer or one that you make yourself—can improve garden soil and provide the best possible starting ground for your crops (see www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426313/426-313.html for a clear overview of how to prepare and amend your garden soil).

With your vegetable needs assessed, your site selected, your maintenance time budgeted, and your soil fully prepped, you are ready to plant your kitchen garden. Whether you choose to plant from seed (maybe even starting seeds indoors before the last frost) or use sets for transplant is up to you. The key is to get your hands into the earth and get started.

Don’t be alarmed if you don’t get your plant selections just right in the very first growing season. This may take several years and you will need to do some experimenting with varieties each season in order to find the ones that you like the best, that are easiest for you to grow, that work well in the spaces you have available, and that produce the right yield per plant for your consumption needs. This is one of the true joys of kitchen gardening: discovering that perfect filet bean, or the Roma tomato that you can’t live without each July and August.

It’s also a great idea to devote a certain amount of space in your edibles garden to “let’s just try this one” plants. This is often the very best way to meet the kitchen garden friends you didn’t know you had. Remember those Brussels sprouts no one thinks they like? Turns out that when harvested at a small size and cooked right way they are delicious!

And don’t forget the heirloom lettuces that will never show up in the grocery store or even the farmer’s market because of their perishable nature.

As with all growing things, success breeds success. Once you have experienced some success with your urban agricultural endeavor, you may want to expand you palette of edibles to include fruit trees like apple, cherry, plum and pear; berries, such as strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries; perennial edibles like asparagus and rhubarb, or fruit-bearing vines like grapes and hops.

But here’s the best part of all. In the process of creating a landscape that feeds your family, you’ve taken a small, but critical, step to helping tend the garden we all share: planet earth. The soil that

you prepared to grow edibles in your kitchen garden has been enriched and enlivened: it has healthy microbes, better soil structure, nutrients, and water holding capacity. If you garden using integrated pest management principles (see www.epa.gov/pesticides/ factsheets/ipm.htm for a simple overview), you will be using fewer chemicals and attracting more beneficial insects to your landscape. Every single meal you prepare with produce from your own “urban farm” is one less meal that had to be shipped to wherever you live from wherever it was grown.

By learning how to sustain ourselves, literally, from our urban landscapes, we all can take a step toward supporting a more sustainable planet. Now, doesn’t that taste good! q ________________________________ Matt Brooks is an instructor in the Landscape Horticulture program at Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, MN and a member of the MNLA Sustainable Environment Committee. Matt can be reached at matthew.brooks@dctc.edu.

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The Scoop | IRRIGATION

The Need for an Irrigation Contractor Licensing Initiative

By Todd D. Cradit, Irrigation by Design

Education

ur future as a strong viable industry depends on what we do now. Anyone who believes the current state of the economy is the hardest “battle” we fight in terms of the challenges posed day-to-day in landscape irrigation needs to see the bigger picture. Water is becoming more important than ever and our future as a trade will be at stake. The forces allied against any outdoor watering is happening within local and national government as we speak –and NOT only in the arid states!

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Education is a cornerstone of any industry that looks to distinguish itself, and an irrigator’s license will and should, embody basic and then ongoing education as a requirement.

Education will make smarter practitioners in many ways, including better business people. Education must be a requirement for licensing. Better quality contractors and installations, professionalizing industry, consumer protection, and education are the outcomes that contractors are looking forward to with licensing.

The subject of licensure was written about in the February 2010 Scoop and there was some passionate response. I believe that the word “license” is unfortunately creating a negative connotation when the motivation for licensure is exactly the opposite. Let’s consider the benefits to formulating appropriate licensure for the Irrigation Profession.

Why Now? There are several reasons, but the major reasons are to protect the consumer, protect the water supply, and to take control of an industry that is currently largely unregulated. For those that enjoy the idea of “no rules,” keep in mind the case of Illinois contractors that woke up one morning needing a plumber’s license to perform any irrigation. Doing nothing invites others to blindside the industry with restrictions that we (the rightful practitioners) may not be able to change. Without an effective voice, we may as well be content with the notion that someone else will sooner or later define our future for us.

Proactively working toward licensure gives us greater impact on the direction and meaning of the outcome.

Make no mistake, irrigation systems use water. Many of us in the irrigation industry realize the responsibility that is placed on our shoulders in terms of using water. Our efforts to responsibly maintain landscapes, parks, athletic fields, and residential lawns require all of the elements of best management practices and the willingness to stand for the right ways of doing things in the face of those who simply don’t care.

As irrigation professionals, we are stewards of the water we use, one of our most precious – and taken for granted – natural resources. Licensing establishes certain minimum standards for education, fees, insurance, and quality. Properly administered and enforced, there will be a reduction of water waste and ultimately, a greater appreciation of the irrigation tool by the end-user. Licensing will level the playing field in terms of minimum quality of irrigation system designs and installations, something we do not enjoy currently.

Conservation and Environmental Efforts Properly managed irrigation will curtail run off, minimizing the contribution of phosphorus and other contamination of rivers, lakes, and streams. Licensure that includes recognition 26

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of the importance of workable water management practices and measures will be codified formally and likely be measurable.

Licensing Benefits • Embody workable conservation measures • Implement “Best Management Practices” • Strengthen and protect the industry by formalizing irrigation practices as professional careers • Spawn new educational opportunities • Ensure efficient irrigation systems are the norm, not the exception • Most importantly, help protect the consumer end-user against unscrupulous behavior

"Perhaps the most important consideration is the means to enforce licensure effectively and fairly - and in the best interest of all parties."

The Minnesota irrigation industry has operated without any formal standards or regulatory framework, leaving the consumer and the environment vulnerable to the negative impacts of inefficient use of water resources. In order to mitigate the negative issues, we must act to establish a system of accountability for landscape irrigation professionals, focused on reducing and/or elimination of waste as well as behaving in a fashion that embodies the term “professional” in a way that consumers will understand and feel confident in.

The solution of “licensing” irrigation professionals is not something to be taken lightly. Perhaps the most important consideration is the means to enforce licensure effectively and fairly – and in the best interests of all parties. A recently enacted license in North Carolina is generally regarded by the irrigation industry as a model to be held in high regard. The North Carolina model includes education, continuing education, workable rules, enforcement and an assurance that the irrigation industry is represented in state government when state-based water issues are being discussed and policies being developed.

For more information on the North Carolina irrigation contractor license go to: www.ncicb.org. The site itself could be considered a model of clear communication and an example of the high regard the license is held by the irrigation industry. q ________________________________________________ Todd Cradit is a member of the MNLA Irrigation Committee and can be reached at toddc@ibdmn.com.

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The Scoop | STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

Bad Words Spread Fast!

By Patrick Warden, Bachman's Landscaping

ow many of us preach to our employees on customer service and it seems that we always bring up the saying “it only takes one upset customer to ruin your image.”

Well, this is how I felt after being forwarded an article from the Star and Tribune. The article was posted on Saturday, July 31st. The article, “Shakopee station to become less ecofriendly” was written by David Peterson.

If you have time, I encourage searching this article out and reading the article and all the comments after it. I cringed after I read the article for the first time and just about passed out when I read all 46 comments afterwards. Almost all the comments posted were negative towards Green Thinking and bashing the city officials for such a blunder.

It made me think about all the positive work our industry has put into permeable interlocking pavement systems and rain gardens and how this was just smudging that work. I truly felt from all the comments that the pen is truly mightier than the sword.

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After a long deep breath and a few seconds to let the old blood pressure come down, I really felt this is just why the MNLA formed the Stormwater Task Team. It has been this committee’s focus to be involved with all of the governmental agencies, engineers, architects, manufacturers and installation firms to make sure that the best possible solutions are found and then educated properly.

issue to make sure that the MNLA’s voice is heard in some shape or form. Finally, the team is also working with the ICPI’s educational materials to create a higher level of educational experience for all pervious interlocking paver installers.

"We all need to be the ambassadors for our industry and we lead that by the design and installations we do."

Currently, the MNLA has secured a voting seat on the Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS) Board, a key group within the Minnesota Stormwater Steering Committee, which is administered by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS) represents the next generation of stormwater management. The team is also in the process of mapping out all the important players involved with the stormwater

With all this work going on, we need your help to make sure that our industry is putting out quality and successful projects and spreading the positive message of the impact that this has on the land we live on. Remember it only takes a little bad press to make a whole lot of noise. We all need to be the ambassadors for our industry and we lead that by the design and installations we do. q ________________________________ Patrick Warden is a member of the MNLA Stormwater Task Team and can be reached at PWarden@bachmans.com.

The Scoop | STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

Porous Pavements Q&A: Answers From the Man Who Wrote the Book On the Subject Reprinted with permission of the American Society of Landscape Architects

By Bruce K. Ferguson, FASLA

s the use of porous pavements grows, designers and agencies all over North America are learning for the first time this new approach to stormwater management. People like me have been asked to speak to them hundreds of times in the last five years, in workshops, webinars, consulting sessions, and agency testimonies and reviews. The questions that are raised from all the diverse groups have a lot in common.

Since 2005, I have saved 230 files of porous pavement questions conveyed in e-mails, telephone calls, and conference question-and-answer sessions. This article summarizes the questions that I have received most commonly over the years. My answers to them are based on 12 years of research and experience in the field, including surveying research reports, interviews with national experts, and firsthand observations in the field.

There is a huge amount of knowledge about porous pavements now, and it is continuing to grow rapidly. The questions reported here are what people most frequently say they need to know.

Q: Is there a recognized measure, or index, of permeability for paving materials?

A: Pervious concrete and permeable pavers that are properly designed, installed, and maintained have surface infiltration rates of 140+ in/hr. An example of research suggesting this is “Study on the Surface Infiltration Rate of Permeable Pavements,” accessible through the North Carolina State University Web site listed at the end of this article.

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Q: What is the runoff coefficient?

A: Almost the only runoff coefficient that has ever been measured on properly built porous pavements is zero: There is no runoff, because the surface permeability is so high. But surface runoff coefficient does not take into account the limited capacity of the pavement’s base reservoir: in a long, intense storm, the base could become saturated and overflow, either across the surface or through a perforated drainage pipe if one is provided. At that point, the pavement would in effect be generating runoff. So it would be prudent to use some positive number—not zero—for the runoff coefficient. An example would be to set the runoff coefficient equal to that of the local jurisdiction’s “predevelopment” condition, which might be forest, meadow, or grass. To assign a coefficient larger than predevelopment would be arbitrary. A predevelopment grass surface generates some runoff during large storms, so it provides a valid analogy for porous pavement hydrology.

Q: How much credit should be given for the pavement as a “pervious” surface?

A: Correctly designed, installed, and maintained pervious pavements have surface infiltration rates higher than that of almost any natural soil, and several times greater than the maximum possible rainfall intensity anywhere in the country—in other words, greater than anything that is already called “pervious.”

So a surface of this type must be given complete credit for “100% perviousness,” as would a meadow or forest. Giving it any credit less than 100% pervious would fly in the face of scientific evidence.

Q: What is involved in maintaining the pavement “right”?

A: If you are in a municipality where sand or cinders are spread on the roads for winter traction, then vacuuming will be necessary at least once per year: in the spring, following snowmelt. The key word is vacuuming, with or without simultaneous washing, to lift material out and restore the open, permeable pores. Any washing or sweeping without simultaneous vacuuming would just drive sediment farther down into the pores. In areas where there is no sanding or other routine source of sediment, no special maintenance is needed except when something happens such as construction vehicles tracking sediment onto the surface; then the sediment can be removed by vacuuming.

Q: How long will the system last before it becomes a “non-permeable” surface?

A: Just make sure that your pavement is selected, designed, installed, and maintained correctly. If you are duly careful with all these steps, then the installation should be permeable indefinitely.

One of the vital steps in correctly installing pervious concrete is covering it quickly and securely with plastic sheets, and keeping it covered for seven days.

Image courtesy Bruce K. Ferguson.

Q: Pretreatment using a filter strip or vegetated swale is required, right?

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A: Absolutely not: Don’t do that! Any upstream soil, even soil that is grassed or mulched, can erode and generate pavement-clogging sediment sometime. Adding a grass strip or forebay would just add more erodible upstream soil. Wherever earth drains down toward a pavement edge, a swale should be added to divert runoff and sediment away from the pavement.

It is okay to drain impervious roofs or pavements directly onto a porous pavement, because those surfaces don’t produce sediment the way soil does.

Q: Should porous pavement be avoided where trees are present? Should overhanging trees be removed?

A: The only thing overhanging trees do to porous pavements is deposit their annual drop of organic debris. The debris decomposes to a minute fraction of the volume it started with.

Vacuuming might be called for after a number of years, to reopen the pavement’s pores. Trees are immensely helpful for water resource management, counteracting the urban heat island, shading urban open spaces, and absorbing carbon, and they should not be discouraged.

Q: What is recommended when you have a large chemical spill or hazardous material spill?

A: The same as if a spill occurred anywhere else in your city: immediate and complete cleanup is the legal responsibility of the industry that spilled it, at their expense. No pavement or drainage anywhere is designed for this contingency, outside of the grounds of the industry that produces the chemicals.

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Q: What are the risks associated with hydrocarbon (oil) contamination?

A: Letting oil into a porous pavement’s voids is the whole idea in water-quality improvement. In the pavement, naturally occurring microorganisms biodegrade hydrocarbons before they migrate to the bottom of the pavement. The constituents go off as carbon dioxide and water vapor, and very little else; the hydrocarbons cease to exist as water-quality pollutants. An example of the research suggesting this, accessible on several Web archives, is C. Pratt’s 1999 paper, “Mineral Oil BioDegradation Within a Permeable Pavement: Long Term Observations.”

Q: What’s the use of porous pavement on a clay soil, or where there is a shallow water table, and water cannot be absorbed into or treated in the soil? Is a subdrain necessary to ensure good performance? Can a porous pavement work here?

A: On clay soils, permeable pavements do not make the 100-year storm disappear; a perforated drainage pipe is ordinarily required to discharge excess water. But most of Permeable pavers on red clay soil in the water-quality Georgia.

Image courtesy Bruce K. benefit of any permeable pavement Ferguson. occurs within the pavement structure, without regard to the underlying soil; the soil is only a redundant “backup” system. Porous pavements on clay soils do: • Reduce runoff coefficient and impervious cover Options in discharging excess water from • Detain peak a porous pavement’s base reservoir. Image flows courtesy Bruce K. Ferguson.

• Treat water quality • Recharge aquifers by gradual infiltration of rainwater from small, frequent, year-round storms Q: What is the cost difference between standard and porous pavements in the same situation?

A: Pervious concrete costs approximately 20% more than conventional impervious concrete, because of its high cement content and specialized quality control. Permeable pavers cost about the same as pervious concrete. When you use these materials intelligently in a site plan to absorb and treat

stormwater, and the municipality gives you credit for their stormwater functions, then the use of porous paving ordinarily reduces total development cost by reducing or eliminating the need for additional stormwater facilities.

Q: How does the use of pervious concrete affect the pavement life in cold climates?

A: Properly installed pervious concrete is free from freeze-thaw issues as long as the surface concrete layer drains freely down into an open-graded aggregate base, thence rapidly into the soil or a perforated drainage pipe. The material’s durability is ensured by adequate strength, which comes from proper installation; further help comes from air entrainment and reinforcement with polymer fibers.

Q: Salt used for deicing... does it clog the paving?

A: Deicing salt does not clog porous pavements. The whole idea of deicing agents is that they dissolve readily in

snow and water, lowering the water’s A: The American Concrete Institute thawing temperature. The dissolved salt has adopted Specification 522.1, Pervious Concrete. In addition, the flushes through with meltwater and does not accumulate. Ongoing research at the National Ready Mixed Concrete University of New Hampshire Association has a specialty certification suggests that many porous program to help pavements require less salting than impervious pavements, identify qualified pervious concrete because the thawed meltwater installers. It is vital that drains so readily away through industry standards the pores. such as these be Q: Do you use traditional followed—failures trench backfill material under have occurred where porous pavement, or do you established standards use open-graded material have been ignored. instead?

Q: We need options A: The base material must for cost, appearance, be open-graded (single-sized) etc. aggregate such as ASTM No. Permeable pavers (PICP) A: A material that 57, so it can store and convey in Minnesota correctly deserves to be used water. installed with highly more is permeable Q: Are there standard specs permeable single-sized pavers, also known as (DOT type) for pervious aggregate in the joints. open-jointed block or concrete?

Image courtesy Bruce K. PICP (permeable Ferguson. interlocking concrete

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pavement). These are manufactured units with openings in the joints where single-sized aggregate gives the pavement its permeability. Pavers manufactured to ASTM standards (as almost all of them are) are extremely strong and durable units.

It is rather easy to install them correctly—just stick to the longestablished guidelines of the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute. This is not the same construction as bricks on sand!

Firmly specify that only single-sized aggregate must be used for the base, setting bed, and joint fill.

Q: For what parts of the country are porous pavement available, in terms of freeze-thaw, etc.? What site conditions, such as soil type, limit its use?

A: Properly selected, designed, constructed, and maintained porous pavements work wherever they are located. Improperly selected, designed, constructed, and maintained ones do not.

Q: How widespread is this usage? How much (and how rapidly) is it changing? What is the future for widespread adoption?

A: Porous pavements are still a small proportion of all the paving being done in the world, but they are growing at an exponential rate. Developers and suppliers are ready to install these new materials; their motivation is to meet today’s environmental requirements in economical ways. The potential future application of porous paving is vast.

Q: What can my municipality do to encourage the use of porous pavements?

A: Make sure your municipality is not an unnecessary impediment. When a developer proposes porous paving, give it credit for what it can do to satisfy your stormwater requirements: it reduces impervious cover; lowers the runoff coefficient; and absorbs, detains, and treats stormwater.

Q: Where might I find research reports? I need data.

A: Watch Web sites such as the following for broad new information, links to detailed sources, and continuing updates: • Concrete Pavement Technology Center (search for “pervious”) • Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute • PCA Southeast • Pervious Concrete • North Carolina State University • University of New Hampshire • Many additional Web sites run by proprietary suppliers q ________________________________________________ Bruce Ferguson, FASLA, is the Franklin Professor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Georgia and a member of Stormwater's editorial board. He is the author of the 2005 book Porous Pavements. He can be reached at bfergus@uga.edu.

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Call us first for all your native planting needs 32

www.MNLA.biz | SEPTEMBER 2010

The Scoop | AWARDS

2010 Friend of the Environment Award: Nominations due Oct. 1

he MNLA Friend of the Environment Award honors an MNLA-affiliated company or individual for outstanding environmental efforts, a personal commitment to environmental protection and enhancement, or demonstrated leadership on a specific environmental issue in their field of work. The application is now available online at www.MNLA.biz. Nominations are due in the MNLA office no later than October 1 and must be accompanied by a signed letter of support from the nominator. Support documentation and/or an essay are also encouraged. The MNLA Awards & Nominating Committee will meet and select a winner from among the nominees. If you have questions, please contact the MNLA office at 651-633-4987 or visit us online at www.MNLA.biz. q

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SEPTEMBER 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | PUBLIC RELATIONS

Keeping Cool with Thoughts of Christmas

By Karen Filloon, Southview Design

bout a half dozen years ago the members of the Public Relations Committee would drag the boxes of Christmas decorations out of the basement on the first Friday of December and decorate a 20-25 foot tree in the rotunda of the Capitol Building.

And…well, basically…that was it. This annual MNLA event has evolved into something wonderful over the last few years. The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities – all eight of them – have been involved with this project for the last three years...and this year is no exception. The kids are making ornaments at camp this year and are excited that the ornaments will be on display at the State Capitol.

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There is always a theme for the tree.

This year it is “Naturally Sweet.” With that in mind, we would like to thank the

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Minnesota Apple Growers Association and the Minnesota Beekeepers Association for their help and contributions to the tree decorations. The kids have made bead bees and are even making ornaments out of apples. There are 20 hives on the camp property and the staff hopes to have someone come out and teach the kids about the bees and beehives.

In addition, the staff and camp counselors are teaching the kids about good nutrition. They have planted a garden this year and are already reaping its rewards. The peppers and tomatoes have been plentiful. The kids cut up the tomatoes for their barbecues. Each Wednesday through the summer, they make homemade pizzas and put peppers

on as a topping. So, the kids are learning how to maintain a garden and the importance of vegetables as part of our daily diet and good nutrition. Plus, they are learning a few recipes using their bountiful harvest! A big Thank You goes out to Don Swenson, at Bachmans, for providing the vegetables for the Boys and Girls Clubs’ Garden. We couldn’t have done it without you!

The staff and volunteers are helping the kids work in the garden – from planting to weeding to watering. There is already some talk about next year’s garden. The kids are taking leftover food from their meals and putting it into a compost pile. From staking out the garden to planning for next year, this has been a wonderful experience for kids of all ages. Learning about nutrition and the environment will be something they can take with them as they grow into strong adults. And to think it all started with decorating a Christmas tree! q ________________________________ Karen Filloon is the chair of the MNLA Public Relations Committee and can be reached at KFilloon@southviewdesign.com.

CAREERS AWARENESS | The Scoop

Land Lovers’ State Fair Debut

By Jodi Larson, Green Industry Student Awareness Project Coordinator opefully you had a chance to stroll through the gardens and visit the MNLA Gazebo at the State Fair. If so, you probably noticed the new Land Lovers display out on the trellis.

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e poster promoting www.theLandLovers.org that was displayed at the MNLA State Fair Garden. e State Fair attracts huge crowds and this year we were able to use that to capture attention for the Land Lovers website and green industry careers. e display featured a poster highlighting theLandLovers.org and fair attendees received Land Lovers pens and bookmarks. e website was developed in cooperation with associations across the country as a resource for high school students and others. It provides information about the vast number of career options that exist within the green industry.

Our goal is to make the website more visible to students, educators and parents, and broaden awareness of careers in the industry. e State Fair display is just one of many ways we are working to do this.

Want to help us further the message? Consider giving a classroom presentation or have a is is the backside of the bookmark that was handed career fair booth at your child’s out at the MNLA State Fair school or even the school down the street from your business.

Garden and will also be To get involved, or to find out provided to classrooms to more, contact jodi@mnla.biz. distribute.

SEPTEMBER 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | HARDSCAPES

Grow, Nurture Customer Base From Top Down From Tim Huinker, Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.:

I was doing some industry reading online today and came across an interesting article by Kurt Fromherz, Sunrise Marketing, on TodaysGardenCenter.com. Many points made here are things I strive to do as a landscape designer and contractor. I thought I would pass it along here and hope that you can relate as well. As you read it, think about ways you can make your selling style a more personal experience.

By Kurt Fromherz, Sunrise Marketing arely do you knock one out of the park like I did for my wife Ann’s birthday present this year.

A week before her birthday, I went shopping. I convinced her that I had an early appointment with a client in upstate New York. So when I left the house at 5:30 a.m. she was groggy and didn’t question it.

I drove the five minutes to the mall as excited as a kid at Christmas. As I pulled into the parking lot, I came to the realization that I probably could have slept in a bit more. The lot was nearly empty except for two local TV station’s camera

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trucks. I was relieved to see that the doors were open, and as I walked towards the Apple store I didn’t know what to expect. I turned out to be the third person in line to buy the new iPad. It’s A Culture Thing Over the next three-and-a-half hours, I experienced the culture that is Apple. Although I brought a book to read, I spent the next three hours talking with Bob (the first in line) and Richard (from England). As the line grew, the group expanded to include Johann (from the Netherlands) and many more. What I learned in those three hours can explain, to some degree, how a company like Apple can engender such a fanatical following.

Yes, it is all about the product, but there is a particular identity that comes from being a Mac user. It is a culture that has been carefully nurtured over the years, through good times and bad. You might not recall that around 1997 Apple was on thin ice. Steve Jobs had left (fired actually) to start Pixar and nExt computers. About a year later, Jobs returned to introduce the iMac, and later the iPod, iPhone and a couple of other “I’s” I might have missed. Fast forward to 2010 and Apple is the cool kid that can do no wrong.

In an age where many are more concerned with Facebook fans (more on that later) than the product, Apple operates with a single-mindedness that borders on the fanatical. As detailed in the April 12th issue of Time magazine, Apple never holds focus groups. It doesn’t ask people what they want; it tells them what they’re going to want next.

Retail Is Theater And the 200 or so gathered in a mall in Connecticut were there to get what we wanted – and we really didn’t even know what we wanted. But we were willing to shell out more than $500 for a personal computer that is truly personal. Despite all the hype and the high price tag, Apple delivered more than I expected. The atmosphere was electric as they literally dropped the curtain on the iPad and as wave after wave of Apple employees came into view clapping rhythmically, smiling widely. Many were taking photos and video of the customers in line. They mixed with the crowd offering bottled water and Starbucks coffee.

It was a happening. You couldn’t help but get caught up in the excitement. The early hour mall walkers couldn’t decide what to make of it. But I was startled to see how one store in a mall of dozens of stores could generate such a buzz. Johann wondered aloud why other businesses in the mall couldn’t generate this type of excitement.

Learn From the Masters Despite the crush of a crowd of 200, Apple created a totally personal experience. There were two lines – one for those who reserved the product in advance, and one for walk-ins like Bob,

Richard, Johann and myself. I had to admit that I was a bit anxious on how they would handle it. Well, each customer – EACH customer – had a very personal experience. We were individually assigned an Apple employee who walked us through the process. I don’t know how you could sell a reported 300,000 iPads in one day and still have everyone feel so important, but they did it.

So as you consider how your company can expand, grow and nurture your customer base, remember that it is a topdown process. Apple leadership will settle for nothing less than perfection and all their employees follow their lead with enthusiasm. The employees are hardly clones, but rather are as unique a group of employees as you would find anywhere. What they have in common is the excitement of sharing something new, acting as ambassadors for the brand and coaching customers through the possibilities that the product offers. Of course, that is just the half of it.

Nobody markets like Apple. Nobody.

Rarely have you seen a company this large launch a product as complex as the iPad, to a nationwide market in such a smooth and seamless fashion. With the iPad they have delivered again.

So as you struggle with the process of generating new customers, creating “fans,” and converting all the interest in Facebook into a boost in business, remember the basics: know who you are, who your customer is, and know what you are selling.

Don’t look to sell a product. Instead, look to deliver an experience; understand that the “product” is more than dirt, pots, shovels and plants. It is beauty, creativity, relaxation and personal fulfillment.

Make It A Life If you want to create a following, then you need to be a leader. When asked by the media about his two serious health scares and the possibility of ending his career on such a positive arc, Steve Jobs replied, “I don’t think of my life as a career. I do stuff. I respond to stuff.

That’s not a career – it’s a life!”

So as I pulled into the garage having stuffed the boxed iPad into my computer bag, I literally bounded up the stairs to present my surprise. How did it go? She rarely puts it down. She is hooked; it is so much fun. In essence, she has become one of the converted. She is a fan.

About the author: Kurt Fromherz is the owner of Sunrise Marketing. Dedicated solely to the horticultural industry, Sunrise Marketing works with more than 1,000 independent retail garden centers and the growers who support them. For more information about building your seasonal sales strategy, contact Kurt directly by phone: 1-888-393-4443, 1-888-393-4443, online: www.sunrisemarketing.com, or by email: kurt@sunrisemarketing.com. q

________________________________ Tim Huinker is a member of the MNLA Landscape Education Committee and can be reached at thuinker@anchorwall.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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PERENNIAL GROWERS TOUR September 9, 2010 | 12:30am—4:00pm | Southeast Metro

This half-day, grower-focused tour offers MNLA members the chance to see some of the best perennial production operations in Minnesota: ! ! !

Gerten’s Linder’s Bailey Nurseries, Inc.

Educational opportunities abound by going behind the scenes at these outstanding growing operations. Each location will offer a short guided tour and discussion items may include: successful strategies, innovative techniques/practices, money saving tips, pest management, plant disease, insect control, potting methods, and MORE...

The tour also provides invaluable networking opportunities on the bus and during tour stops.

TREES AND SHRUBS FOR THE LANDSCAPE September 15, 2010 | 9:00am—2:30pm | Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska

Come and hear from local experts about new and interesting trees and shrubs for the Minnesota landscape followed by tours of the U of M Horticultural Research Center and MN Landscape Arboretum. Seminar topics will include: ! What’s New with Woodies for 2011—Debbie Lonnee, Bailey Nurseries, Inc. ! Recent Introductions from the Landscape Plant Development Center—Harold Pellett, LPDC ! The Positives and Negatives of Several Ash Replacements—Mark Stennes, S & S Tree Specialists

CREDIT MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR THE GREEN INDUSTRY September 28, 2010 | 10:00am—2:00pm | Bailey Nurseries, Inc., Newport

Are you frustrated with not getting paid? Come and learn tips to lending credit and collections! Two local lawyers will be present to discuss your options. Topics will include: ! Using a credit application to help ensure you get paid. ! Determining when to grant customer credit and how to secure your payment and collect when necessary. ! Roundtable discussions: Learn from your peers—what’s working and what’s not!

More details and registration for these and other programs available online at www.MNLA.biz or call 651.633.4987!

Sponsorships are available for these seminars. Call Betsy at 952-903-0505 or e-mail betsy@pierreproductions.com.

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PORTFOLIO DESIGN AND PRESENTATION October 7, 2010 | 8:00am—5:00pm | Radisson Hotel, Roseville

8:00am – 9:30am: Introductory Lecture The latest examples of visual communications for architecture/design are included in a 1.5-hour slide lecture presentation. The slide lecture and portfolio workshop include sample portfolios gathered from leading design schools and architecture offices around the country, Canada, Europe, and Asia.

9:30am – 5:00pm: Hands-on Portfolio Workshop (includes working lunch) The workshop portion of this seminar is dedicated to developing effective layout designs for the students’ portfolios using examples of design course work and/or office-related projects with standard and custom layout design formats. Students have the opportunity to prepare rehearsal portfolio layout designs using a combination of photocopies of their work, text materials, prints from the computer, and/or digital layout design software (InDesign, Quark, Photoshop) with standard (grids) in the layout process.

Instructor: Professor Harold Linton presently serves as director of the School of Art, College of Visual and Performing Arts at George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia. Publications include: Portfolio Design, Graphic Design Portfolio Strategies for Print and Digital Media, and Portfolio Design for INTERIORS.

LOW VOLTAGE IRRIGATION: TWOWIRE SYSTEMS November 17, 2010 | 8:00am—5:00pm | St. Cloud Civic Center, St. Cloud

This class provides 8 hours of continuing education credit s toward the Power Limited Technician (PLT) license, with material specifically oriented toward the irrigation specialist. (DOLI Class #: 100628.01) The 8 hour class will contain 3 clock hours of specific National Electrical Code (NEC) training; and 5 hours of technical training. The 5 hours of technical training will include: Components of a Two– Wire System; Wire Connections and Grounding; Controllers and Operating Systems; System Troubleshooting; Component and Accessory Troubleshooting; and Locating Equipment.

PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION November 19, 2010 | 9:00am—3:45pm | Continuing Education Center, University of MN, St. Paul

MNLA and the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation (MTGF) are excited to present this Pesticide Recertification session. The session will be applicable to those seeking to gain recertification credit for category A (general) and E (turf and ornamentals). This will be your last chance to recertify for 2010— so register today!

There will be two tracks available at this session, one for those interested in turf related topics and one for those interested in woody plant topics as they pertain to pesticides.

A more complete schedule is available online at www.mnla.biz.

More details and registration for these and other programs available online at www.MNLA.biz or call 651.633.4987!

Sponsorships are available for these seminars. Call Betsy at 952-903-0505 or e-mail betsy@pierreproductions.com.

SEPTEMBER 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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THE SCOOP | MINNESOTA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

September & October Classes at the Minnesota State Horticultural Society lasses are sponsored by the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, but are held at various locations, as noted. Enrollment is limited, and pre-registration is requested. To register, call 651-643-3601 or 800-676-6747, ext 211.

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Make a Whimsical Fairy House Tuesday, September 14, 6 to 7:30 p.m. $40 for members, $50 for nonmembers. Location: Muriel Sahlin Arboretum, Roseville Central Park, 2525 North Dale St., Roseville.

Create your own unique whimsical fairy house to tuck into your garden. The house, complete with chimneys and doors, will be made from cement with stones and moss and other natural elements. Your finished project will be 8 to 12" tall, with a closed roof or an open top to put a plant in it. All materials are supplied, but you may want to bring interesting old hardware like a skeleton key, old window latches or door knobs, to embellish your house. You will pick up your fairy

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house after it has dried on Friday, September 17, between 1 and 4 p.m. Instructors: Sally Lehn and Charlie Johnson of "Garden Treasures." Together they have five years of experience teaching and creating all kinds of treasures for your garden.

Abundant Harvest—Storing, Preserving and Freezing Tuesday, September 14, 6:30 to 8 p.m. $20 for members, $30 for nonmembers. Location: MSHS Classroom, 2705 Lincoln Dr., Roseville.

You can eat from your own garden into the winter months by freezing, drying and proper storage of squash, tomato, peppers, apples and herbs. Learn the most economical ways to "put away" your garden harvest for winter use. Class fee includes a recipe booklet from Grow-Harvest-Eat. Instructor: Marty Bergland is a Master Gardener in Wright County, and owner of Heirloom House-MN and co-owner of Grow-HarvestEat.

Transitional Containers: Summer into Fall Tuesday, September 21, 6:30 to 8 p.m. $15 members, $25 nonmembers. Location MSHS classroom, 2705 Lincoln Drive, Roseville.

Planters and baskets can easily be transitioned from summer to fall. Find out how to stretch your dollars from one season to the next, and have a beautiful container to last into the next season. Instructor: Mary Beth Gullickson has 35 years of experience in horticulture. She is a master designer and has worked at Bachman’s for many years.

Abundant Harvest: Using All Those Zucchini and Green Tomatoes and Apples Saturday, September 25, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Free. Minneapolis Farmers Market, 312 E. Lyndale Ave., Minneapolis.

Instructor: Marty Bergland is a lifelong gardener and Master Gardener in Wright County. She is owner of Heirloom House-MN and co-owner of Grow-Harvest-Eat. Create an Herb Wreath for Your Home Tuesday, September 28, 7 to 9 p.m. $36 Members, $46 Nonmembers. Location: MSHS classroom, 2705 Lincoln Drive, Roseville.

Instructor will demonstrate how to make a wreath using fresh herbs, then lead students through the process. The wreath will dry, and can be used to create a fragrant addition to any room in your house. All supplies will be provided for making

your own 17" wreath. Limited to 15 students. Instructor: Dalen Asche has been a florist since 1962. He has worked in all areas of the retail floral industry and has 30 years of technical college teaching experience.

Tree and Shrub Pruning You Can Do Now! Tuesday, October 5, 6:30 to 8 p.m. $15 members, $25 nonmembers. Location: MSHS classroom, 2705 Lincoln Drive, Roseville.

Proper pruning is essential to maintain healthy trees and shrubs. Find out why you should prune your trees, the right time of year, which tools work best, and several basic steps to get the job done. This class will include a how-to demonstration. Dress for a short walk to look at specific situations. Get your questions answered about your specific problems at home. You will take home a useful handout for future reference. Instructor: Amy Caldwell has a degree in Urban Forestry from the U of MN. She is an International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist, an employee with the city of Roseville’s Muriel Sahlin Arboretum, and a consulting arborist with Caldwell Landscape Services.

Vegetable Storage for Winter Consumption and Soup Ideas Saturday, October 9, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Free. Minneapolis Farmers Market, 312 E. Lyndale Ave., Minneapolis.

Instructor: Marty Bergland is a lifelong gardener and Master Gardener in Wright County. She is owner of Heirloom House-MN and co-owner of Grow-Harvest-Eat. q

Wholesale native plants in 4” pots. Wholesale perennials that are hardy for Minnesota in 32 count trays. All plants are individually tagged for resale with color photo tags. Also available, certified organic vegetable plants and a large selection of wholesale annual plants. Order early to receive discounts.

SEPTEMBER 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE ARBORETUM

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum September Events/Classes all is a lovely time of year at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Come enjoy the view and learn something new! Here are September classes and events. For more information, visit the website at www.arboretum.umn.edu.

'Apples for Minnesota Gardens' Class Saturday, Sept.18, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $30 member/$40 nonmember, Horticulture Research Center, State Hwy. 5 & Rolling Acres Drive, Excelsior (1.5 miles west of the Arboretum entrance).

Learn the basics of growing apples, suitable varieties and cultivars for Minnesota, cultural aspects, pruning, insect and disease control, when to harvest and how to store your harvest.

Meet at the HRC (near the Apple House) 1.5 mile west of the Arboretum entrance. Instructor Peter Moe is a horticulturist and former apple orchard owner. Currently he is director of operations at the Arboretum. To register, visit arboretum.umn.edu/learn.aspx or call 952-443-1422.

'Trees and Shrubs Selections' Class Saturday, Sept. 25, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $30 member/$40 nonmember, Snyder Building, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Low-maintenance gardening in the northern climate can be achieved with proper plant selection and care. Learn from an expert and gain insight into which trees and shrubs work well for Minnesota gardens. Instructor Jeffrey L. Johnson is an Arboretum horticulturist.

Annual Auxiliary Harvest Sale & Quilt Raffle Saturday, Sept. 25, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Snyder Building Auditorium & Lobby Don't miss this popular sale of one-of-a-kind dried botanic arrangements & more, all created by Auxiliary members.

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Proceeds benefit the Arboretum. Raffle of Auxiliary's handmade "Willow Tree Garden" quilt is Sept. 25 at 2 p.m.

Pumpkin Palooza Cucurbit Display Sept 25-Oct 31. Oswald Visitor Center.

Feast your eyes on hundreds of pumpkins & squash in all shapes & sizes! The Arboretum's "Autumn Unplugged" fall season also features scarecrows, weekend apple-tastings and more, all culminating in Pumpkin Palooza Weekend (Oct. 3031), featuring pumpkin-carving, screenings of "Bill's Big Pumpkins" and Ar-BOOO-retum Halloween events for the kids on the 31st.

Weekend Apple Tastings Sept. 18 & 19, 25 & 26 and Oct. 2 & 3; 9 & 10, from 1-3 p.m.

Taste & rate research apples from the Horticultural Research Center. Talk with Master Gardeners. Oswald Visitor Center.

Library Used Book Sale Friday-Sunday, Oct. 1-3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Snyder Auditorium.

Don't miss this popular sale of gently used books of all types - from horticultural texts to novels, plus CDs, DVDs and magazines. Sponsored by Friends of Andersen Horticultural Library at the MN Landscape Arboretum.

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the largest public garden in the Upper Midwest, is part of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences at the University of Minnesota and a community and national resource for horticultural and environmental information, research, and public education. It is located 9 miles west of I-494 on Highway 5 in Chanhassen. Gate admission is $9 adults; free for members and ages 15 and younger. q

January 4, 2011 Minneapolis Convention Center Register for these programs online at www.MNLA.biz!

Landscape Design Basics 8AM - 5PM

Wish you had a better understanding of landscape design basics, but don’t have time to head back to school? Take advantage of this intensive course on sustainable landscape design to learn about the techniques of the design process, the development of good bedlines, and mixing and matching wellchosen plants. The day-long seminar will focus on the principles and theory of sustainable design, site information collection, concept plan and draft design development, and plant selection. This seminar is geared toward anyone who works with landscape designers and architects including landscape contractors, nursery and garden personnel, maintenance personnel, and golf course superintendents.

The class includes lecture periods as well as in-class exercises that will help attendees to develop a better understanding of good design.

The Trend Towards Green Tree care, golf course, turfgrass, landscape and garden center professionals will all benefit from attending this entire program as means of gaining a comprehensive understanding of organic issues and practices. Topics will include: A Review of Organic History/Techniques; Integrating Organic Programs into Commercial Tree Care Services; From Tomatoes, to Mulch, to Compost: Consumers are Expanding their Green Horizons; An Organic Golf Course; and The Use of Organic Fertilizers & Biostimulants on Turfgrass.

8AM - 3:30PM

Stormwater Solutions: Rain Gardens & Permeable Pavers 8AM - 4PM

This class will focus on stormwater solutions specifically as it relates to rain gardens and permeable pavement systems. We will cover soils, plant communities and construction and maintenance of rain gardens. Then, we’ll finish up the day with an overview of permeable pavement systems including how to choose the correct system based on soil conditions.

Low Voltage Irrigation (PLT Relicensure) This class provides eight hours of continuing education credits for the Power Limited Technician license, with material orientated specifically towards the irrigation specialist. The 8 hour class will contain: 2 clock hours of specific National Electrical Code (NEC) training; and 6 hours of technical training. The sixhours of technical training will consist of topics such as: Basic components and testing equipment, troubleshooting, locating equipment, irrigation system communications, wire types and sizing, and connections at the controller. Walk away with greater knowledge about the National Electrical Code, wiring methods, troubleshooting, locating equipment, communication methods, and wire connections and grounding in addition to gaining continuing education credits toward your PLT license.

8AM - 5PM

Register now!

All programs just $99 for MNLA/MTGF members when registering by Dec. 9. Registration fees increase after Dec. 9. No onsite registration. Note that registration fees are separate from those for the Northern Green Expo.

Register for any of these programs online at www.MNLA.biz or call 651-633-4987 for more information!

SEPTEMBER 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | MTGF FIELD DAY

University of Minnesota Turf and Grounds Field Day

By Brian Horgan, University of Minnesota he University of Minnesota Turf and Grounds Field Day is scheduled for September 16, 2010 on the St. Paul Campus. Turfgrass scientists at the University of Minnesota are committed to developing environmentally sound and responsible turfgrass cultural systems. At recent field days, we have demonstrated research ranging from low input sustainable turfgrass trials to conversion of existing turf to no-mow fescues; and from new technologies to conserve irrigation water to phosphorus runoff from home lawns.

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Field Day is your opportunity to see the latest research, ask questions and

interact with your colleagues from across the state. We continue to break attendance records each and every year and we intend to do the same in 2010.

Our attendance from 2006 to 2009 increased from 90 to over 300. This increase occurred at a time when turf programs across the country are experiencing a significant decline in attendance at Field Day with some even cancelling their events. Let's build upon past successes and make 2010 the best year yet.

Some of the many great research topics presented this year will include: • Drought tolerant turfgrass screening using our new automated rain-out shelter

• Sub lethal roundup rates and overseeding protocols to establish new cultivars in existing stands • NTEP: fine fescues, Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, creeping bentgrass greens and fairway height • Putting green speed using alternative species • Emerging insects in turf: Cottony Grass Scale • Low input turf for homelawns (be a part of the research and help us rate these plots) • Fungicide trials • Late fall N fertilizer trials • Pesticide and fertilizer runoff - final report • Perennial ryegrass rust • Prairie junegrass breeding

The Tessman Company 1300 Sylvan Street, St. Paul, MN 55117 (651) 487-3850 • (800) 882-5704

The Tessman Company has been in the green industry since 1950. Serving lawncare, landscape, greenhouse, nursery, and golf industries.

We have warehouses in St. Paul, Fargo and Souix Falls.

We carry a complete line of Ice Melter products.

Distributor of Professional Ice Melter® Tessman Sioux Falls

27093 Sundowner Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 57105 (605) 368-2586 (800) 234-1965

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www.MNLA.biz | SEPTEMBER 2010

Tessman Fargo

610 39th Street North Fargo, ND 58102 (701) 232-7238 (800) 474-7238

In addition to the turfgrass portion of Field Day, we will offer a separate track for more grounds related research and demonstration. In the past, we have discussed issues related to emerald ash borer, design principles for low maintenance landscapes, stem root girdling, and American elm selections.

For those of you interested in groundsrelated research, we will offer a full range of current topics that you can take to the field.

The University of Minnesota, like so many other "communities" in Minnesota, has a significant ash (green and white) population that has been identified as harboring the emerald ash borer. This session on managing invasive pests in the urban forest will focus on inventorying and assessing the resource, assembling an arsenal of control tactics, and moving forward with a recovery plan that lessens the dependency on any one tree species.

Research highlights at the University of Minnesota’s Urban Forestry & Horticulture Research Institute will include a visit to our Dutch elm disease (DED) research plots nearly two full seasons after inoculation. We hope to present the winners (and losers) during the field day! Continuing DEDresistance selection and cloning research, covering numerous Minnesota-native elm trees, will also be presented and discussed along with novel nursery production practices to produce healthy, structurally-sound nursery stock.

Attendees will have a chance to take a closer look at structural pruning techniques for elms in the nursery and landscape setting – applying techniques discussed in Pruning Young Elms.

Finally, we will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using the Missouri gravel bed system for holding and growing trees.

Resistance to DED in many field inoculated elms has been observed. The

mechanisms for this resistance are not well understood and are currently being studied. A representative sample of trees from the field trials are being used to help identify the resistant mechanisms present using histological methods.

Morphological and physiological changes are being characterized by assessing wood anatomical structure, vascular discoloration, occlusions in the vascular tissue and xylem conductivity. Isolations are also being done on the field inoculated material using Ophiostoma select culture media to determine where the DED pathogen is spatially located in the trees.

As you can see, we have an excellent slate of new research projects and we look forward to sharing this applied research with you at the 2010 University of Minnesota Turf and Grounds Field Day. Please contact Brian Horgan, bphorgan@umn.edu, if you have any questions. q

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The Scoop | DC UPDATE

PUSHING BACK ON FORM 1099 MANDATE The American Nursery & Landscape Association is urging support for H.R.5141, a bill that would repeal an onerous provision in the new health care law that will require businesses to issue Forms 1099 to vendors for all purchases of not only services, but also products, totaling over $600. Meanwhile, concerns about the administrative burden associated with the new provision have been brought to the attention of the Treasury Department, Small Business Administration, and the White House. For more on H.R. 5141, visit www.ANLA.org, Government Relations. q

Submit Nominations for MNLA Board Now usiness members of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association who are interested in serving on the MNLA Board of Directors should request a "Nomination Commitment Form" from the MNLA office. The signed form, along with a biography and photo, must be submitted to the MNLA office by September 30 to be considered by the MNLA Nominating Committee. Board and officer elections are conducted in December. Results are announced at the MNLA Annual Meeting on January 5, 2011 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

To be considered by the Nominating Committee, a member must: (1) Be an owner or employee of a business that has been an MNLA member for at least eight years immediately preceding the election; (2) Have business member status and have paid appropriate dues; (3) Have a history of service to MNLA, which is defined as having successfully served in a leadership role in MNLA (i.e. committee service); (4) Persons nominating themselves, or being nominated by someone other than a member of the Nominating Committee, shall provide at least three written references from MNLA business members in good standing with not greater than one of the three references originating from a current Board member. Valid write-in candidates must meet requirements #1 and #2.

The nine-member Board of Directors is the governing body of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association. Five at-large members are elected for two-year terms. Officers (president, vice president and secretary-treasurer) serve for one year, but most often run for a second term. The Board sets general association policy and oversees the on-going operations of the association. For a detailed set of Board responsibilities and the Nomination Commitment Form, call MNLA Executive Director Bob Fitch at 651-633-4987 or, outside the metro, call toll-free 888-866-6652. q

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SAFETY | The Scoop

Confined Space Entry

By Katie Schofield, CSP, ARM, CHST, Loss Control Representative he nursery and landscape industry has various exposures to confined spaces and also can fall in a grey area of regulation; are nurseries and landscaping classified as construction, agriculture, or general industry? Or maybe none of the above! Currently, only general industry has specific OSHA standards in regard to confined space entry.

Construction has a specific standard currently in the rulemaking process, but is instructed to refer to the general industry standards in the meantime. Agriculture has no specific standards. However, no matter the overall regulatory categorization, the fact remains that confined space hazards do exist and employees need to be trained and protected from their dangers.

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A confined space is any space that is large enough and shaped so an employee can enter and perform work, but has limited or restricted means of entry or exit. e space also could contain a hazardous atmosphere, a material that could

engulf or asphyxiate the employee, and/or any other serious safety or health hazard. Confined space entry is when any part of the employee’s body breaks the plane of the space, and then includes all the rest of the activities that take place in the confined space. Here are some of the top things to remember when dealing with confined space entry: • A complete confined space entry program should be written and developed for your company’s activities. At this time, the program should also follow the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Standards for Construction, Chapter 5207.0300 through 5207.0310 on Confined Spaces and/or the OSHA Federal Register 1910.146 section on Confined Spaces. Once your program is written, it should be reviewed and personalized before each different confined space situation that employees may encounter.

• All confined space entry in Minnesota should be used in conjunction with an entry permit system. e permit determines where confined spaces are located and keeps unauthorized people out, identifies actual and potential

SEPTEMBER 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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hazards associated with the space, ensures that appropriate testing, monitoring, and controls are in place, and plans for possible emergency rescue. A written permit must be completed before allowing a worker to enter. e permit must contain the following minimum specific information: o Date o Location o Time of Issue o Time of Expiration o Name of Workers Assigned to Enter o Name and Position of Person in Charge of Entry o Description of Known or Expected Hazards o Atmospheric Testing Required Before and During Entry o Designated Individual for Performing Tests o Required Personal Protective Equipment (respiratory protection, clothing, harnesses for entry or rescue) o Description of any Additional Hazards Expected to be Generated by Activities o Identification of Special Work Practices to Be Followed o Specification of all means of isolation, cleaning, purging, or insertion to be done before entry to remove or control hazards OR certification that these procedures has been done.

• A major danger of confined spaces is the possibility of a hazardous atmosphere. is atmosphere can be created by a number of situations or combinations of situations. ey

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include oxygen deficient or oxygen enriched atmosphere, flammable gas or vapor concentrations, combustible particles, or toxic, corrosive, or asphyxiant substances. Usually there is no way to detect if the atmosphere is hazardous by human senses. Air testing and monitoring equipment must be used to determine whether the atmosphere is safe for employee entry. e standard testing equipment is a Four Gas Meter which monitors oxygen levels, combustibles, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon monoxide. Remember to ensure oxygen levels are between 19.5-23.5 % first, then test other gases. e meter depends on oxygen for accurate results for other gases.

• Continuous air monitoring should be done in the confined space, not just a single, initial reading. e atmosphere of the confined space can be altered by the activities of the employee and quickly become hazardous. Special attention should

be paid to using oxygen consuming equipment, welding or hot work, painting or solvent use, or gas powered equipment. Plan for extra or enhanced ventilation.

• e physical structure and components of the confined space can also be a hazard to employees. Ensure that any live or moving parts are lockout and tagged-out according to an approved, written procedure.

Determine ahead of time if the internal configuration of the confined space would allow someone to become trapped or asphyxiated (i.e. converging walls). Additionally, the structure of the confined space may make work very loud and amplify sounds, especially if the space has metallic surfaces. High sound levels could make communication difficult or exceed allowable employee doses.

Provide hearing protection for employees and use a reliable communication system.

• Don’t forget your rescue plan and confined space attendant! Depending on your entry situation, at least one person should stand by on the outside of the confined space and be ready to give assistance in case of an emergency. is person maintains visual or verbal contact will all entrants at all times. e attendant is never to enter the confined space. A rescue device with lifeline and fall protection may need to be used for those employees entering the space in the event that they cannot exit the space on their own and need rescue. e key to a safe confined space entry is a well thought-out, well planned, and well executed entry procedure. q ________________________________ e Builders Group (TBG) is a self-insured workers’ compensation insurance fund that has been protecting Minnesota’s construction industry for more than 10 years. For more information, go to their website: www.tbgmn.com.

SEPTEMBER 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | DC UPDATE

NPDES PERMITS FOR CERTAIN PESTICIDE APPLICATIONS These articles are provided by MNLA and ANLA as a Lighthouse Program partner benefit.

EPA is poised to publish its draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for applications of pesticides to, near or over Waters of the United States. While these permits must meet all of the requirements of the EPA permit, they may be more stringent than the federal permit. Under the draft the following pesticide applications would require NPDES permits: Mosquito and other flying insect pest control; aquatic weed and algae control; aquatic nuisance animal control; and forest canopy pest control.

While most nursery and landscape uses would not be subject to permits, ANLA is reviewing the lengthy draft to assess the impacts for our industry. One of the most troubling aspects of the permit is the Clean Water Act's allowance of citizen action lawsuits. We expect numerous environmental groups to file lawsuits in an effort to expand the scope of the permit to all terrestrial pesticide uses.www.uscis.gov. q

You’ve heard of

We’re digging EVERGREENS and offer…

“Call Before You Dig”

Field Direct Pricing Selection Quality Satisfaction Service

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.

It’s Safe

It’s Smart

It’s the Law

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www.MNLA.biz | SEPTEMBER 2010

From

N U R S E R I E S Growers of QUALITY B&B and container evergreen, ornamental and shade trees

17759 Kirby Avenue • Hastings, Minnesota 55033

(651) 437-5017

AWARDS | The Scoop

Nominations Open for Todd Bachman Award ominations are now being accepted for the third annual Todd Bachman Award for Innovation in Horticultural Business. Created by the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association and the MNLA Foundation, the award annually recognizes a young individual whose innovation in private enterprise has positively influenced one or more horticulture and/or green industry businesses in the region. is award honors the legacy of the late Todd Bachman, a state and national leader in horticultural business for many years. As chairman of the board and CEO of Bachman’s Inc., Todd led one of the nation’s premiere floral, garden center, nursery and landscape businesses. He was dedicated to the academic community and was a humble leader who helped build consensus among people and within organizations. e award recipient will receive a plaque and will be recognized in trade and consumer publications. In addition, the MNLA Foundation will make a $1,000 cash award in the recipient’s name to his or her alma mater.

Qualifications for Todd Bachman Award • Owner or employee of a horticultural business in the north central region (MN, WI, IA, ND, SD).

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• Recipient of an associate’s or bachelor’s degree or greater in horticulture, business or related field from an accredited institution of higher learning.

• Demonstrated innovation in business, marketing, horticultural production, floral, or landscape practices.

Nominator will submit the following by Nov. 1, 2010: • One page letter of nomination noting how the individual meets the qualifications.

• Summary document listing contact information of the nominee, relevant academic background, relevant employment history, and areas of innovation.

• Two letters of support.

Email the completed nomination packet as a PDF to bob@MNLA.biz or mail to: Todd Bachman Award, c/o MNLA, 1813 Lexington Ave. N., Roseville MN 55113.

Selection Process A panel representing MNLA/MNLA Foundation, the University of Minnesota, the Todd Bachman family, and several other green industry professionals will review the nominations. e award recipient will be notified by Dec. 15 and must be available to accept the honor at the MNLA Landscape Gala in Saint Paul on Saturday, March 5, 2011. q

SEPTEMBER 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | DC UPDATE

ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY, NEW WEBSITE FOR SBA BILL These articles are provided by MNLA and ANLA as a Lighthouse Program partner benefit.

According to Dr. Alan Hodges of the University of Florida, Dr. Charlie Hall and Dr. Marco Palma of Texas A&M, passage and funding of H.R.4509 and S.3279 would create more than 6,000 jobs, have a total economic impact of $741 million and generate more than $80 million in tax revenue for federal, state and local governments over the next five years.

Details about the report, as well as more information on the Small Business Environmental Stewardship Assistance Act can be found at www.treesmeanjobs.com.

Opportunities for reauthorizing the SBA tree planting program may present themselves after the Memorial Day recess. During National Small Business Week in late May, President Obama called upon Congress to consider a small business jobs creation package soon after the recess. Continued grassroots support will be critical to our industry's efforts to have the SBA tree planting program reauthorized. Please consider additional outreach (calls, emails, tours of your business) to your Representatives and Senators even if you have already done so. Visit www.ANLA.org, Government Relations, and "Take Action." q

HOFFMAN & MCNAMARA NURSERY AND LANDSCAPE

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EAB UPDATE | The Scoop

MNLA Stays Active on EAB Front

By Bob Fitch, MNLA Executive Director he Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association has continued to be active on government affairs and public relations issues related to emerald ash borer. In particular, the MNLA Commercial Arborists Committee has been involved protecting the interests of our industry and community forests.

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• Arborists Committee Chair Dennis Ullom, St. Croix Tree Service; MTGF President Shawn Bernick, Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements; and MNLA Executive Director Bob Fitch recently met with officials at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture(MDA) Pesticide & Fertilizer Division regarding concerns about guidance the agency issued on application rates for imidacloprid. MDA, MNLA and MTGF agreed that EPA labels are generally flawed for most common uses on tree pests. e groups agreed to work collaboratively to influence the labeling instructions when imidacloprid is re-registered.

MDA will also review application guidance provided by the Ohio Department of Agriculture which would provide some leeway for applicators. MNLA and MTGF also agreed to continue to modify its pesticide applicator recertification sessions so that there was proper emphasis on EAB treatments.

• e MNLA Commercial Arborists and Government Affairs Committee wrote letters of concern to the City of St. Paul Urban Forestry

Department and the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board regarding their decision to not use soilapplication methods for treatment of ash trees on city property.

Furthermore, MNLA was disappointed in a non-binding resolution from the Minneapolis City Council which essentially told residents to cut down their

ash trees rather than try to save them with pesticide treatments. MNLA believes this is a myopic view of the negligible environmental risk of pesticides when used according to label directions vs. the tremendous environmental value of established trees.

• Representatives of MNLA, the League of Minnesota Cities, the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, and the Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee met recently to discuss coordination of messages to the 2011 legislature regarding the need for the state to fund a matching grant program for cities that are forced to remove and replace trees due to EAB. • MNLA Executive Director Bob Fitch has been taking part in meetings of the Minnesota Forest Pest Workgroup which also includes MDA, the Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Forest Services, USDA APHIS, Minnesota Forest

Industries and others. MNLA likely will support the conclusions of a report expected to go to the state legislature which will recommend continuation of Minnesota’s current structure and success on controlling invasive forest pests because of how the state has highly leveraged federal dollars to slow the spread of gypsy moth and emerald ash borer.

Changes to the current structure or reductions in funding would likely accelerate the spread of pests such as Gypsy moth and emerald ash borer – and accelerate damage to the environment. Once the pests are widespread and the state is “generally infested,” the largest portion of the financial burden for pest control and management will shift from the federal government to state, local and private sources.

• e Commercial Arborists Committee is in the process of initiating the “Northern Trees for Life Coalition” which will create a grassroots campaign to educate citizens and opinion leaders about the value of preserving mature trees and planting new trees. e key audiences for are (1) Citizens looking for ways to "be green," i.e. improve the environment; and (2) Opinion influencers such as city foresters, media, University of Minnesota professors, and Extension personnel. e two key messages are (1) Protect Trees. Mature trees can be saved! Environmentally-tested and EPA-approved products are available to help prevent or control the effects of emerald ash borer and Dutch elm disease, as well as other pests and diseases; and (2) Plant Trees. e best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago . . . the second best time is today! Watch soon for more information about how can be a part of this effort. q SEPTEMBER 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | GARDEN CENTER

MNLA Retailers Report In: 2010 Failed to Meet Expectations

by Cassie Larson, MNLA Education & Industry Advancement Director hile 2010 started off fast and furious with a flurry of activity in March and April, MNLA retailers report that this season failed to meet their expectations. In July, we asked MNLA member-retailers how their spring went . . . everything from which categories trended upward to how their sales held up to expectations.

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The Weather vs. The Economy e majority of participants reported that they believe the stagnant sales had more to do with the weather than the economy, one stating, “ere didn't appear to be any reluctance to spend money when people were here, but we had a lot of rainy Saturdays.” But others blame it on the tenuous economic conditions, “Seems as though the tough economic times have hit us a bit.”

What is Selling?

So when people do come out what are they buying? Over half of the retailers surveyed reported that sales of annuals and perennials were up, but sales of evergreens, trees, and shrubs were down compared to their 2009 numbers.

Gift items and hardgoods are proving to be a tougher sell. One respondent says, “We continue to move plants. But, the gift items, statues, and larger items are still here.”

Overall, results indicate that retailers had high expectations for 2010, but, unfortunately weather and economic conditions forced flat sales this spring. Many are hoping the fall season helps traffic and sales!

Attracting Customers Due to the uncertain conditions, garden centers are working hard to attract customers to their stores this year including instore events, placing advertisements, and delving into new social media avenues. e chart below shows what has been working!

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Forty-two companies participated in the 2010 MNLA Garden Center Industry Pulse survey and a 32-page detailed report was provided only to the 42 participating companies. Watch for the next survey and be sure to participate so you can get detailed results that will help your business! q

DC UPDATE | The Scoop

Kohl Testifies for ANLA At House Farm Bill Hearing ashington, D.C. — ird generation nurseryman Bernie Kohl, Jr., recently testified on behalf of the American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA) before the U.S. House of Representatives on 2008 Farm Bill programs pertinent to the nursery and greenhouse industry.

Kohl, president of Angelica Nurseries, the largest production nursery in the state of Maryland, appeared before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture to discuss what is working, and what is not, as Congress moves closer to debating a new farm bill.

Much of Kohl’s testimony focused on new and strengthened programs to prevent and respond to plant pest threats. Foreign pests that have arrived in the U.S. as consequences of globalization are seriously harming the industry with production challenges, quarantines, and lost market access.

Emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, and Phytophthora ramorum/sudden oak death are just a few examples of severe challenges causing production problems and market disruption for nurseries. Section 10201 of the 2008 Farm Bill provides important new funding for innovative strategies to identify and address such threats before they establish and affect U.S. producers.

Kohl also praised the National Clean Plant Network, which provides clean pathogen-tested fruit tree and grapevine material

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to the industry. e NCPN, again enabled by the 2008 Farm Bill, is setting the stage for harmonization of state certification programs for the interstate movement of targeted plant genera.

Many state nursery and landscape associations have taken advantage of the Farm Bill’s Specialty Crop Block Grant program, which provides funding to states for specialty crop promotion and related programs. Kohl highlighted several success stories including grants awarded to the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association (to improve the success of roadside plantings for runoff mitigation), and the North Carolina Green Industry Council (for consumer awareness and education on water-efficient landscape practices).

Kohl continued by offering constructive criticism for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative and disaster assistance programs. He also strongly cautioned Subcommittee members on the severe damage that will result if the federal Biomass Crop Assistance Program pays federal subsidies that divert tree bark now going for nursery and landscape uses to energy generation. Kohl’s testimony ended with an admonition that while not a traditional farm bill issue, agricultural labor must be dealt with by Congress, or we will see a continued and expedited migration to foreign competitors of U.S. specialty crop production and associated on-farm and off-farm jobs. q

Liners We Have •• Annual Succulent Liners • Herb Liners • TrilogyTM Linerscombo’s-color3 • Grasses • Hardy Mums-Zone 4

(many old U of M varities)

• Prefinished spring items • Finished spring products • Full line of fall products

Save on • with Grower Truck Delivery, Freight! •• SpeeDee Customer Pick Up Low minimum order counts. Contact us directly or contact your favorite broker.

Faribault Growers, Inc. • 3135-227th Street E. • Faribault, MN 55021 507-334-6220-phone • 507-332-8280-Fax • faribaultgrowersinc.com SEPTEMBER 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | LANDSCAPE AWARDS

2011 MNLA Landscape Awards Program

By Jon Horsman, MNLA Communications Director

Yearbook, in MNLA issued press releases, office no later than on displays at the Minnesota Landscape November 17, 2010.

Arboretum and Northern Green Expo, Judges consider the re you currently and in Midwest Home magazine. quality of the working on an workmanship of the e MNLA Landscape Gala will be installation, design, design, installation, or held on Saturday evening, March 5, or management project management project, 2010, at 317 on Rice Park in Saint Paul. that you think is worthy and work from digital e objective of the Landscape Awards of an MNLA Landscape photos, a written program is to promote professional Award? Get started on narrative, and a work excellence and to encourage greater your application today performance chart public awareness of the aesthetic and – it's available as an without environmental benefits of an insert in this issue Look for pe knowing who landscaping.

If you have ndsca of the Scoop and Landscape Awards questions regarding the built, MNLA La lication over on Program Sponsors Landscape Awards App designed, or Awards this h www.MNLA.biz. it w entered the d program or application include Just click on Scoop! projects. Winning 's h t please contact the MNLA n o m AWARDS in the entries will receive office at 651-633-4987 or menu. promotion on visit www.MNLA.biz to Completed GardenMinnesota.com, in learn more. applications will be due at the MNLA Garden Minnesota

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SEPTEMBER 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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SELF-INSURED WORKERS’ COMPENSATION from The Builders Group Program Highlights:

• TBG staff and claims adjusters working on behalf of the member

• Aggressive Claims Management to protect your money

• Monthly claims reports on request • Member controlled through experienced Board of Trustees

• Pay exactly what you owe with monthly self-audited billing

• Ownership - it’s your insurance company (you no longer rent your workers’ compensation insurance)

• Personalized loss control services • Competitive up-front rates • All profits and investment income are returned to the members • TBG has paid 22 dividends from 10 fund years

Contact: Tina Morales TBG Marketing Association Rep. Phone: 651-203-6793 Toll Free: 888-824-3923 Email: tmorales@tbgmn.com

SAVE 15-65% ON TELECOM AND MERCHANT SERVICES MNLA has endorsed Better Business Solutions (BBS) to provide negotiating services to MNLA members. BBS can cut your expenses by reducing the profit being made by your current credit card and phone service provider.

Telecom and merchant services are two of the largest

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expense areas most businesses face, yet very few have an INDEPENDENT representative looking out for their best interests in these expense areas.

Better Business Solutions represents

you and negotiates with their vendor partners to maximize your savings.

There are NO upfront fees, so there is no risk to you. Improve your current situation and get a TRUE unbiased opinion. Savings average 15-65%!

Contact Dan Bauman, Better Business Solutions, Inc. Office: (877) 272-0741 Direct: (651) 330 9804

SEPTEMBER 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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WIDMER GOLF TOURNAMENT SPONSORS Bachman's Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes Bailey Nurseries Becker Underwood Better Business Solutions BFG Supply Co. BW Insurance Agency Bywords Printing Copeland Buhl & Co. Gertens Wholesale Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supply

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Impressive Print JRK Seed and Turf Supply Linders Greenhouses Malmborg's Garden Center Millennium Hotel Minneapolis Pierre Productions Plaisted Companies Speedway SuperAmerica LLC The Builders Group The Mulch Store Zlimen & McGuiness PLLC

WIDMER GOLF TOURNAMENT Longest Putt

Sponsored by Bachman’s Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes Van Cooley, Malmborg’s Greenhouse & Garden Center

Closest to Pin

First Place Team

Sponsored by Bailey Nurseries, Inc. Left to Right: Dennis Wessel, Todd Dilley, Jason Peterka, Joe Davis – The Lawn Ranger, Inc.

Sponsored by Linder’s Greenhouse Tony Banack, A+ Outdoor Services, Inc.

Longest Drive

Sponsored by Plaisted Companies Paul Asleson, S & S Tree Specialists

Second Place Team

Left to Right: Kurt Blauer – Anchor Block Company; Mike Philion - Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies; Tim Audette – A to Z Landscaping, Inc.; Jason Hulbert – Anchor Block Company

Team Ball Challenge Winners Sponsored by BW Insurance Above: Brad Schmid, BW Insurance, Jeremy Bickner, Borgert Products; Right: Matt Strand, Borgert Products, Jeff Spear, Spear’s Landscaping, Paul Lura, Glacial Ridge, Jeremy Bickner, Borgert Products

The Scoop | EDUCATION

MNLA Summer Tours Provide Learning & Networking Opportunities

By Cassie Larson, MNLA Education & Industry Advancement Director

oth the Garden Center Tour and Landscape Design Tour provided great learning experiences and networking opportunities for attendees this summer.

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Tour participants Judy Zierden, Bailey Nurseries, Inc. and Jeff Farber, Greenwood Nursery, converse with speaker Suzette Nordstrom, Monrovia.

The Garden Center Tour took place on August 5.

Special thanks to the following garden centers for opening their locations for the tour:

• • • •

Gertens, Inver Grove Heights Southview Garden Center, West St. Paul Sargent’s Nursery, Inc., Red Wing Hallstroms Florist and Greenhouse, Red Wing Special thanks to Garden Center Committee member Judy Zierden, Bailey Nurseries, Inc., for her work in coordinating the tour locations.

e MNLA Landscape Dave Lewis, Sargents Nursery, Inc., center, explains to the group how he keeps the trees Design tour took in his display areas from falling in the wind. place on July 29 with over 45 attendees looking to tour sites in the St. Paul and Minneapolis metro area. e tour focused on small urban design and many tour attendees commented that it was helpful to see the creative ideas for small spaces!

Members of the MNLA Landscape Design Committee, including Jan Klaus, JK Garden Design, Mark Madsen, 64

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Bachman’s Landscape Design, and Jim Calkins, University of Minnesota, worked diligently throughout Tour attendees listen intently as Scott Endres of the winter Tangletown Gardens discusses the variety of annumonths to als he incorporates into his home landscape. ensure that the sites for this tour were exciting and beautiful.

Special thanks to the following MNLA firms and designers who took the time to prepare a site for this year’s tour: • Eric Baldus, TerraVista Landscape & Design, LLC • Judy Remington, Temenos Garden Services (in collaboration with Urban Escapes) • Steve Modrow, biota A Landscape Design + Build Firm • Jason Rathe, Field Outdoor Spaces • Scott Endres, Tangletown Gardens • Gayle Fleming, Fleming Designs • Douglas OwensPike, Energyscapes

Douglas Owens-Pike, Energyscapes, presents the design for this meadow garden to landscape design tour More photos and videos attendees. from these events can be found on the MNLA Facebook page – visit us online today to see what you missed out on!

Don’t miss your chance to jump on the bus to tour some great sites in 2011. Watch for information in the Scoop and at www.mnla.biz.

The Scoop | SUPPLIER PROFILE

New Focus on Premium Evergreen Bare Root Line Company Name: Evergreen Nursery Company Inc. Website address: www.evergreennurseryco.com Year company was founded: 1864 Key people at company: Ron Amos, Owner; Vickey Vanderhoof, Vice President/Sales Business location(s) and areas served: We are located in Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin within beautiful Door County, a very popular tourist destination. We currently ship to 27 states with most of the business within our surrounding states.

growth in the years to come.

Although our products in this industry are sometimes considered a luxury product, the need will always be there and it will never go away.

In what ways has MNLA helped you and your business? “The Scoop” is one of the best state association magazines out there. The articles are always full of useful information and the MNLA events that get everyone involved, and the networking opportunities they provide, makes me jealous that I live on the other side of Wisconsin and can’t join in.

I think MNLA goes out of their way to network and once again; the trade show is fabulous. q

Way your company is involved with MNLA: We support MNLA and other state associations by being a member in good standing. We also recognize MNLA as having one of the best winter trade shows available to our industry. The classes that are offered and care of the exhibitors is exceptional.

Company Description: Evergreen Nursery is one of Wisconsin’s largest wholesale nursery growers. We propagate and grow up to 3 million plants at our nursery. We specialize in northern grown hardy evergreen liners and finished stock from 1 to 6 year old trees. We also grow deciduous shrubs in both liner and garden center ready containers. We have been known for our birch liners for many years and are always looking out for that “new” tree. A few years back we introduced our perennial line and that has exploded by leaps and bounds with few beating our high quality standards.

Is there a product or service you’ve recently introduced that you’re particularly proud of?

We have changed our focus and are introducing our premium bed run evergreen bare root line. This replaces our transplant select line, with a new lowered price to keep competitive in an every changing market, but keeping the same heavy root system and straight leaders our customers have relied on for years.

Plants now will vary from perfectly full with complete whirls to some with lighter branching here and there. The change will be slight and the savings will be huge!

What do you think the future holds for the segment(s) of the industry that you serve? We expect slow but steady SEPTEMBER 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

65

The Scoop | GREENHOUSE & HERBACEOUS GROWERS

2011 New Variety Summer Trials

By Bob Cashman, Ball Seed

summer, blooming later than other bidens in the spring. Bidens Namid™ arlier this year you got a preview of Goldeneye (Selecta) was the largest the new single flower bidens items with a unique light introduced at yellow/dark yellow the California circle pattern.

Spring Trials.

Calibrachoa Mini Every year Famous™ Lt Pink there is a Eye (Selecta) was plethora of fantastic at every new plants, location as well as the however, you slightly different but may wonder: interesting color How do they Cabaret™ Mango perform during Tango (Ball the summer?

Floraplant). Noa™ Calibrachoa Coralberry Punch This year I Black Purple (Danziger) visited several trial locations to look at looked very good although the color was old and new varieties. With limited not as dark as it was in the spring. space, I will concentrate only on some of Calibrachoa Superbells® Coralberry the best of the new items, and Punch (PW) looked stunning with a two unfortunately, some varieties I was tone color, coral with a large red eye. hoping to see were absent at these trials.

Blackberry Punch looked good at most Sites I visited included Minnesota (for locations, but flowers are smaller and not those who have the chance, really do get as tidy a habit as the Coralberry. to the trials at the U of M in Morris, However, the dark two toned color has MN), five locations Michigan and two in great consumer appeal.

Illinois. All locations I visited had very Canna Tropical Bronze Scarlet warm and wet summers.

(Takii) put on a great show every place I saw it. This is the first bronzed leaf canna from seed.

Coreopsis Punch Series (Oro) I missed these at the Spring Trials, but this summer have seen them looking absolutely gorgeous in beds and containers. They had so many flowers on them you could not see the foliage.

Colors include Rum, Mango, Lemon, and Strawberry.

Dahlia Hypnotica® (Fides) series looked awesome. All the colors looked Dahlia Long Lifes great, Coral, Purple Bicolor, Rose Bicolor, Red Bicolor, Lavender and Begonia Gryphon (Pan Am) looked Dark Night. This is a midsize dahlia for great in containers and in ground beds at 6-8 ½” pots. Another surprise was the every location. This indoor /outdoor Longlife (Fides) series. This is a very plant does need a shady location. Most compact series that would be great in of the plants finished in the 14-16” 306 market packs. Four colors called height.

Yukon (pink), Sabinas (orange), Bidens Goldilocks Rocks™ (PW) Panuco (yellow) and Balsas (lavhas nice heavy flowers during the purple).

E

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Diascia Romeo Orange Diascia was one of the biggest surprises with the heat these locations have seen. At several locations the Juliet & Romeo (BFP) series looked excellent.

Romeo White would be the one exception. It looked OK. Also the improved Darla® Salmon 11 (Syngenta) looked great.

Echinachea PowWow White & Wild Berry (Pan Am) were outstanding at every location. For a first year flowering perennial that flowers for an extended period it is great. Wild Berry is a 2011 AAS winner.

Lobelia Techno® Heat Lt. Blue 11 (Syngenta) was consistently the best at every location of the new lobelia and one of the tops of all the lobelias. Good strong habit and prolific bloomer in the heat. Lucia® Lavender (PW), Magadi™ Dk Blue & Electric Blue (Selecta) and Techno® Heat Violet Imp. (Syngenta) also showed very well.

Echinachea PowWow Wild Berry

Spring Trials was the Black Velvet (Ball Floraplant) and it did not disappoint in the trials. From Morris through Michigan Black Velvet performed great. With its upright mounded habit, it was heavily blooming at each location.

Phantom and Pinstripe (Ball Floraplant) performed similarly. Sun Spun™ Lavender Star (BFP) looked great with tight medium spreading habit. Suncatcher Midnight Blue (BFP) also looked great with the lobelia Techno Heat Lt Blue darkest blue colored flowers.

Sanguna Pink Vein (Syngenta) was Mecardonia GoldDust™ (PW) is a spectacular, solid plant of light pink great little plant that is much earlier to Patio Orchid MaiTai veined flowers bloom than the old in beds and in Mecardonia. It is a peach, yellow and light orange. baskets. fairly short plant at Verbena Aztec™ Blue Velvet (Ball Supertunia® 4-5” in height.

Floraplant) looked outstanding with dark Indigo and Great as a border rich blue flowers.

Lanai Strawberries Sangria plant, in rock & Cream (Syngenta) with a two tone Charm (PW) gardens and select pink with cream edge.

Both looked very also looked containers. clean with no powdery mildew. fantastic with Marigold Magelana Plum Frost (Syngenta) smaller Moonsong Deep looked very sharp with a different rosy flowers but Orange (Syngenta) plum color. loads of them is a 2011 AAS and Zinnia Zahara Double Cherry & on a very Marigold Moonsong Deep Orange you can easily see Fire (Pan Am), Wow! These were nicely shaped why. It is a fantastic exceptional at every location. Both have tight habit. Novela Martha African marigold with a consistent truly double flowers with solid plants Washington Pink (Oro) was very sharp orange color with a very sturdy habit and that grow 16-20” in height. Each are in beds, baskets and combinations. the tightest flower head I’ve seen in an outstanding as they both have earned Really clean flower heads for a double.

African. It is slightly taller than others in 2011 AAS awards.

In seed petunia varieties, all the new this class at 15” height.

There are a lot of new great products and improved Easy Wave™ (Red Imp, that you can Neon Rose, Mystic Pink choose to use.

Imp, & Pink Dawn-Pan Consumers are Am) looked great at all looking for locations. EW Red was plants that they one of the best in habit and can easily be color compared to other successful with. varieties, seed or vegetative.

We want them Iconic Purple Wave (Pan to come back Am) with it new Improved and purchase variety, looks much like again next year.

Purple Wave Classic in I hope this beds and has fuller tops in summer trials the baskets than the Mecardonia Gold Dust review helps you original. Key difference of in choosing the Purple Wave Orchid Patio Mai Tai (Hort Couture) some of the new Improved is it flowers was surely noticeable in Michigan Petunia Black Velvet top performance much earlier and later into although I did not see these at the Spring varieties. q the fall. trials. Mai Tai was exceptional, ________________________________ Snapdragon Twinny Peach (Hem blooming very heavily in both filtered Bob Cashman is a member of the Genetics) is another AAS winner. These light area and full sun.

Greenhouse & Herbaceous Growers have been flowering consistently through Petunia as always is a huge class of Committee and can be reached at the summer with unique double introductions. The big hype at the bcashman@ballhort.com. “butterfly” flowers with a color blend of SEPTEMBER 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

67

The Scoop | LANDSCAPE DESIGN

Neapolitan-Style Ovens For Outdoor Living

By Eric Baldus, TerraVista Landscape and Design LLC

s outdoor living and lifestyle is gaining popularity, designers are looking for “the next big thing” in outdoor cooking. SO, what is something that almost everyone loves and remembers from their youth? Pizza parties.

A

Restaurants such as Punch Pizza and Pizza Nea have brought Neapolitan pizza into the lexicon of metro pizza lovers.

What makes these pizzas unique is the oven used to cook them and how the oven affects the taste and texture of the pie. The dough is stretched very thin and the toppings are applied lightly.

When cooked properly, the crust is lightly crisped around the edge and has a chewy texture throughout. The wood-fired Neapolitan-style oven used to cook these pizzas is also known as a Pompeii oven or a masonry dome oven. In some areas of Italy, almost 60% of households have a Neapolitan-style oven. These ovens are used a couple of times a week, not only for pizzas, but also roasts, paella, vegetables and more - it is possible to cook using coals, open flame, indirect heat or stored heat.

Neapolitan ovens have a small door and dome shaped interior, and the flue that handles the smoke is located outside and just above the door. The door’s size is determined by the height of the interior and requires a particular ratio to make the oven efficient. This is one of the things that make these ovens so effective - they can heat up to 900 degrees

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Fahrenheit. To put this into perspective, it can cook a pizza in 90 seconds! In fact, Neapolitan pizza, by definition, must be cooked in 90 seconds. It also has to use San Marazano tomatoes and use Caputo type 00 flour, among another dozen requirements. These requirements are not necessary to make a delicious pizza, however, just to be certified by the Vera Pizza Napoletana Association. Such a fast cooking time is only possible because of the unique qualities of this type of oven

construction. This type of oven heats the food through three heating methods: conductive (direct contact with the cooking surface), radiant (the reflective heat from the heated brick and the fire itself ) and convective (the airflow in the oven bringing heated air across the food).

These methods are achieved by building the interior of the oven with firebrick or refractory concrete that will capture and hold the heat in the oven. These materials can withstand the high heat

and cycling temperatures from heating the oven.

A variation of this oven is the barrel vault oven. This style of oven has an interior that is shaped like a barrel lying on its side. This allows for a very large interior and very even heat distribution.

The primary function of a barrel vault oven is bread baking, although pizzamaking and any sort of baking are possible in either the dome or the barrel vault.

Because of its design, a barrel vault oven will have far more heat-holding mass surrounding the interior of the oven than the Neapolitan style, allowing for very long baking times at a consistent temperature.

This style of oven can maintain an internal temperature of 350 degrees for a couple of days. The drawback to this style of oven is that it can take up to three hours to bring the internal temperature up to 900 degrees (not very efficient for baking three pizzas, but very efficient for three dozen) A dome style oven can heat up to 900 after an hour of firing. Dome style ovens will likely be the appropriate option for most people.

These ovens can be purchased preassembled with a finished exterior, or they can be purchased in a kit, which consists of a refractory concrete shell that is assembled, insulated and covered with an exterior. It is also possible to build them from scratch using firebrick and a fair amount of skill. Oftentimes, the higher price of a kit is offset by its ease of assembly.

The exterior of the oven can take any form or aesthetic, from the very modern to the classical. Exterior considerations involve compliance with local codes regarding the oven’s location, proximity

to other structures and the flue. For the designer, important considerations include fitting the oven with the existing landscape and addressing the flow of food preparation. When considering adding a wood-fired oven to your outdoor living space, ask: Is the oven going to be used for entertaining or mainly for personal enjoyment? How many people will be using it on a given evening? Where will the wood be stored?

Where will the pizzas be prepared? The more preparation area and “landing space” the better.

Two years ago, I constructed a barrel vault oven at my home, based on a design by Alan Scott's book, The Bread Builders. We have a casual gathering once a month for clients, associates and friends. It has been a huge success in the creation of new social and professional networks, and the promotion of the local food movement. We, along with our guests, have been delighted at the opportunity for people of all ages and walks of life to create community around a common interest in food.

There are a few distributors in our area who sell pizza oven kits. One of the best resources for someone who is interested in building one of these ovens is the Forno Bravo website – www.fornobravo.com . They sell preassembled ovens and kits, as well as ingredients for authentic Neapolitan pizzas. The enthusiasm that develops around a wood-fired oven is evident on their excellent forum with thousands of posts and lots of photos. After all, if there is one thing that we can agree on, it is a love of good pizza. q ________________________________ Eric Baldus is a member of the MNLA Landscape Design Committee and can be reached at terravista@mac.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

69

The Scoop | MDA UPDATE

Thousand Cankers Disease Of Walnut: What, Where, & Do We Care?

By Kathryn W. Kromroy, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

housand cankers disease occurs on walnut trees and is caused by the combination of an insect and a fungus. It has been reported in western and southwestern United States on both native and non-native walnut trees (Juglans species). If the disease spreads eastward, it may threaten eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra) in its native range, which covers all or parts of over 30 states, including southeastern Minnesota (Figure 1). Figure 1. Native range of eastern black walnut (orange) and Given its recent discovery, there are reported locations of thousand cankers disease (pink). many unanswered questions about Map from Fowler and Newton, USDA-APHIS 10.19.2009

T

thousand cankers disease, but as we continue to learn about the value of early detection, we ask you to be aware of the disease and report locations of eastern black walnut that look suspicious.

What is thousand cankers disease?

Smaller than a grain of rice, the walnut twig beetle (Pityophthorus juglandis) introduces a fungus (Geosmithia sp.) while it feeds and tunnels in Continued on page 72

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SEPTEMBER 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

71

Continued from page 70 the inner bark of the trunk and branches.

The fungus kills the bark and phloem causing a canker which is usually visible only if the bark is removed. With thousands of beetle attacks, the cankers coalesce (Figure 2), eventually girdling and killing the branch or trunk. From a distance, symptoms of thousand cankers disease are typical of stressed and declining trees - yellowing and wilting foliage, followed by branch dieback.

Death may occur in susceptible walnut species.

Where is thousand cankers disease?

Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington are where the most notable mortality of eastern black walnut has occurred (Figure 1). All of these states are outside the native range of this species. Southwest United States and Mexico are thought to be home of the original host of this insect/fungus complex, the Arizona walnut (Juglans major). While this species suffers little damage from the disease, mortality of black walnut trees native to California has been recently observed in that state.

Do we care about thousand cankers disease?

Although still limited to western states, it seems that the walnut twig beetle has already expanded both its geographic range and its host range. At this time, the eastern-most infestation of thousand cankers disease is along the Front Range in Colorado, including areas in the cities of Boulder and Denver.

This is uncomfortably close to the western edge of the native range of eastern black walnut.

The USDA Forest Service estimates that over 200 million eastern black walnut trees occur across its native range.

The species is highly valued for lumber and veneer, nut meat industries in some states, and wildlife food. Most eastern black walnut trees grow in natural stands of mixed hardwoods, with plantations accounting for only about 1% of the total volume.

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that increase its value compared to wood from more southern areas. A close relative to eastern black walnut, butternut (Juglans cinera) also occurs in Minnesota, and preliminary inoculation tests suggest that this species is susceptible to the fungus.

What, if anything, should we do now?

Until we know more Figure 2. Cankers coalesce eventually girdling and killing the branch or trunk. Images from Ned Tisserat, Colorado about thousand cankers disease, we should proceed State University with care to reduce the risk In Minnesota, we are most concerned of its eastward spread into the native about the potential threat to eastern range of eastern black walnut. The black walnut that occur naturally and in Minnesota Department of Agriculture is plantations in southern Minnesota focusing on outreach to our stakeholders should the thousand cankers disease and we are collaborating with the Forest spread from the west. Our state has over Service in a targeted survey to locate 6,000,000 eastern black walnut trees and walnut trees in Minnesota with we harvest between one and two million unexplained dieback (see below). In board feet of walnut wood annually. addition to serving as an early detection Being on the northern edge of the native tool now, we hope the survey identifies range, trees tend to grow more slowly in sites for future trapping once a lure for Minnesota, resulting in wood qualities the beetle is developed.

In closing, we suggest the following: 1) Be aware of the potential pathways for spreading thousand cankers disease. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) has determined that the rate at which the disease will spread through the movement of timber, firewood, wood packaging material, nursery stock and scion wood is low but consistent.

2) Be aware of the symptoms of the disease and on the lookout for eastern black walnut trees or stands that are declining for no obvious reason.

3) Contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture if you find such a tree or stand. Reports will be checked to determine if a site visit is warranted. q ________________________________ Kathryn Kromroy can be reached at Kathryn.kromroy@state.mn.us.

Authors note: Information for this article was obtained from a variety of sources, including publications of and personal communication with numerous entomologists, plant pathologists and foresters with the US Forest Service, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, and the University of Minnesota.

SEPTEMBER 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

73

The Scoop | MDA UPDATE

Gypsy Moth Trapping

By Natasha Northrop, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Q) Is it mandatory for gypsy moth traps to be placed at my nursery?

A) All licensed nurseries are subject to having traps placed at any of their associated business locations, especially if the nursery meets any of the following criteria: a. stock sources listed from quarantined states/counties b. gross sales are greater than $75,000 or growers have greater than 10 acres. c. Minnesota Re-wholesalers d. Sites with past finds of gypsy moth e. Sites with previous compliance agreements or regulatory action Q) How are the density and number of traps placed at my nursery determined?

A) Where the site is in relation to the rest of our state’s trapping area and the size and business practices of the site are two key factors. For example, if MDA is setting many standard

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(non nursery) traps in the area, our level of detection is reliable and a nursery may require fewer traps to have good coverage. An example of business practices determining placement would be if the site has a large B&B growing range and a smaller retail section, many traps would surround the B&B area and fewer traps would be near the retail area. However, if these locations are separated by a road or field, both locations would be trapped accordingly due to these types of on-site observations.

Finally, our staff works to communicate with the nursery to learn about their business and where optimal trap locations would be. Records of these communications are documented so that year after year, new field staff can know where optimal trap locations may be.

Q) Won’t the traps attract gypsy moths to the nursery that weren’t already here and cause an infestation that didn’t already exist on my property? Won’t positive trap catches cause my nursery to be quarantined?

A) Gypsy moth traps do lure in male gypsy moths from up to a mile away with a pheromone that mimics the female gypsy moth. In general, male gypsy moths do not move far from the place they hatched, with a natural spread rate of about 1 mile/year. It’s the human-induced artificial transportation where the gypsy moth “hitchhikes” on outdoor materials (including nursery stock) that has greatly increased the spread rate and results in new infestations occurring far ahead of the main invasion front. Female moths can’t fly, so unless there are females already present at your nursery, then you don’t need to worry about the traps causing an infestation that didn’t already exist. The males need the females to reproduce.

Nurseries are high-risk for potentially bringing in materials infested with gypsy moth. Trapping is a proactive way to protect the nursery. The traps detect the presence of gypsy moth early on and help zero in on where an egg mass search should be conducted. Depending on location, a threshold number of gypsy moths trapped at a nursery site will trigger such a search. A quarantine would only be put into effect at the nursery if alternate life stages are found (gypsy moth egg masses, pupae, etc.). Having more traps is beneficial for quarantine reasons. For example, if moths are caught in one area of the operation that results in there being an egg mass found, but the rest of the area is “clean”, then it is likely that only the area with positive finds would be quarantined instead of the entire operation. Again, the trapping program is designed to protect the nursery, which includes the best interests of the business.

Q) My customers think that I have a gypsy moth infestation because there are traps being placed at my nursery. What should I do?

A) MDA can provide all the brochures, posters, employee training, etc. that you need to understand the trapping program and help make it as effective as possible. But it is your responsibility to educate your customers about the true meaning of the gypsy moth trapping program. The presence of gypsy moth traps does not indicate an infestation; traps are there for detection purposes. For any nursery, whether or not there have been catches in the past, trapping is the insurance necessary to keep your nursery gypsy moth free. The trapping and follow up in compliance with the regulatory protocols that MDA has put in place when gypsy moth is found is not meant to put a burden on the nursery, it’s to protect the nursery and its customers from becoming part of the cycle that spreads the pest and creates larger problems. Without the traps, infestations wouldn’t be detected early on and easily managed, infested nursery stock would continue to move out to those who buy it, and the spread of gypsy moth would continue unchecked. The resulting consequences and devastation caused by this invasive species would be much more amplified and difficult to manage. q ________________________________________________ Natasha Northrop can be reached at natasha.northrop@state.mn.us.

SEPTEMBER 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

75

The Scoop | PLANT OF THE MONTH

Foth-er-gil-a; Foth-erg-il-a? A Most Agreeable Plant: No Matter How You Say It

By Stan Hokanson, University of Minnesota

othergillas (Fothergilla gardenia Dwarf Fothergilla, or F. major Large Fothergilla) are North American native plants found in the southeastern United States. While a number of cultivars are currently in existence (over 25 are listed in Dirr’s newest edition of the Manual of Woody Landscape Plants), the plants are seldom seen in Minnesota landscapes.

Hopefully, that is a situation that will change in the near future.

F

Fothergilla gardenii has a scattered natural range of occurrence from southern North Carolina to southern Alabama and the eastern Florida panhandle, typically along wet margins on the coastal plain. The plants are generally 2-3’ in height with similar to greater spread. Fothergilla major occurs in higher elevation sites from northwestern North Carolina to southeastern Tennessee through northern-most South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama westward into one county in Arkansas. It is a larger plant than F. gardenia, growing from 6-10’ in height, but narrower in width.

Both species have been reported to be hardy to USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4, with F. major noted as being the hardier of the two. Most nursery catalogs will list cultivars as being Zone 5 hardy, but more on that later. Fothergillas will prosper in partial shade; however the best expression of fall color and flowering is seen in full sun locations. Most references stress the importance of a welldrained, acidic (pH 6), sandy/peat soil. It should be noted that other reports cite wider latitude in pH tolerance. I have seen plants growing successfully in unamended soils in the Twin Cities and environs which generally are not considered acidic. Further research on the actual range of soil pH tolerable by 76

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Photos courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden Plantfinder.

Fothergilla is certainly warranted.

For any fancier of the genus, the big attraction is the multi-season appeal of the plant. In the Twin Cities region, Fothergilla begins producing honey scented, white, apetalous (without petals) flowers on branch ends before the plants begin to leaf out, usually early to mid-May. The showy parts of the flowers are actually the male flower parts (stamens). The spike inflorescence measures approximately 1-2” long by 1” wide.

Most gratifyingly, the flowers last 2-3 weeks!

In the summer the foliage is generally clean, dark green and depending on cultivar, with a bluish cast; a most neat and tidy looking shrub. In the fall, the plant is capable of producing a foliage display similar to sugar maple, with yellow, orange and red color showing on the plant simultaneously. As mentioned previously, the fall color is dependent on the plant being exposed to full or nearly full sun.

At least 25 named cultivars are currently in existence. Interestingly,

Plant of the Month

recent research conducted by Dr. Tom Ranney at North Carolina State University reveals most cultivars are actually hybrids between the two aforementioned species and are currently referred to as F. x intermedia. For the upper Midwest, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4 locations, the best bet for a cold hardy Fothergilla cultivar would be ‘Mount Airy’. We have grown plants at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for years.

These and a newly established plant in my own yard flowered profusely after the -25 to -30° cold event that occurred in the winter of 2009. Preliminary laboratory freezing tests conducted by our project indicate this cultivar may withstand substantially colder temperatures.

‘Blue Shadow’, selected for its bluer foliage, might also be a good option given it is a sport mutation of ‘Mt. Airy’.

‘Blue Mist’, a F. gardenii selection made at the Morris Arboretum in Pennsylvania is another possibility; however Dirr suggests it may not be as hardy as ‘Mt. Airy’. It along with a number of other lesser known and newer cultivars would be worthy of trialing for cold hardiness in our climate. By the way, I say fotherg-il’a; to me it sounds more sophisticated! q ________________________________ Stan Hokanson is a member of the MNLA Nursery Committee and can be reached at hokan017@umn.edu.

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77

The Scoop | LEADERSHIP PROFILE

MNLA Grows Industry Professionalism Name: Nick Sargent Company Name: Sargent's Landscape Nursery, Inc. Position at Company: Co-owner Company description and your duties: We have 2 retail garden centers, a full service design/build landscape department, florist, greenhouse production, and B&B tree production.

My day to day work is managing one of our retail stores, although I am actively assisting our key managers in all areas of the business.

Years in green industry: I have been in the green industry with Sargent's my entire life, and 14 years full time since graduating from college.

Current and past MNLA committees/volunteer activities: I am the chairperson of the Sustainable Environment Committee.

I spent many years on the MNLA Certification Committee. I have been active in working at the State Fair, assisting in forming the recertification program, helping create the MNLA pot recycling program, and golfing in the Widmer Tournament!

Why do you volunteer your time to MNLA? I volunteer with MNLA for several reasons. First is the historical perspective I have gained from my family of the importance MNLA has had in growing the professionalism of our industry. Second is the tremendous network of high level professionals that I have met

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and continue to learn from through MNLA. Lastly, with a grandfather and father as past presidents, there is some pressure there!

What part of the green industry do you find most difficult / challenging / disappointing? The most challenging part of the green industry is thriving through difficult and unknown variables - the biggest being weather, the economy, and personnel. I was just having a conversation yesterday with a manager at another garden center that focused on how difficult it is to stay level headed in a year where April was phenomenal, May OK, June down, and July slow. I have learned to never get "too high" in the good times, or "too low" in the slower times.

What’s the best part of working in the green industry?

There are many "best parts" of my job: Good customers that become friends you see year after year, fellow employees that know the value of having fun while working hard, the feeling of accomplishment when things at work go well, and lastly, fellow vendors and green industry cohorts. I also like that no two days are the same, every day has challenges and rewards. I absolutely love a still morning when I can walk around the garden all alone before opening and see the beauty of what we do every day. q

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