The Scoop Online - August 2010

THE

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION

Insights and Information for Green Industry Professionals

Connecting with Consumers at the Great Minnesota Get Together pages 46-47

Create Efficient Handling and Delivery Systems

Minneapolis Resolution Stirs Green for Life Ire of Arborists a Month Away!

PAGE 14

PAGE 28

PAGE 47

VOLUME 33, NUMBER 8 August 2010

THE

Education . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 34-37, 44 MNLA Foundation. . . . . . . . . . . 12, 13 Business Management . . . . . . 14, 43 Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-19 Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 22 .

Greenhouse & Herbaceous Growers. . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Stormwater Task Team . . . . . . . . . . 24 Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 University of Minnesota . . . . . . . . 27 Arborist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32, 50 Hardscapes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Landscape Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Irrigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Recycling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 State Fair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46-47 2010 Green for Life . . . . . . . . . . 48-49 Supplier Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Research Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Northern Green Expo . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Plant of the Month. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Arbor Day Poster Contest . . . . . . . 58

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ADVERTISER INDEX AgStar Financial Services - 47 Anchor Block Company - 2 Belgard Hardscapes-Northfield-Bend - 4 BFG Supply - 21, 30-31 Borgert Products, Inc. - 60 Bridgewater Tree Farms - 58 BW Insurance Agency - 20 Carlin Horticultural Supplies/ProGreen Plus - 36, 41 Carver-Hennepin Insurance Agency LLC - 43 Casualty Assurance - 56 Central Landscape Supply - 22 Central Wisconsin Evergreens, Inc. - 15 CENTS 2011 - Central Environmental Nursery Trade Show - 19 Cherokee Mfg. - 17 Chippewa Farms - 17 Crow River Greenhouse & Nursery - 43 Cushman Motor Co., Inc. - 32 D. Hill Nursery Co. - 14 Floral Plant Growers-Natural Beauty - 20 Fury Motors - 37

Gardenworld Inc. - 22 Gertens Wholesale - 23 Haag Companies, The - 59 Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies -7 J.R. Johnson Supply, Inc. - 9 JRK Seed and Turf Supply - 18, 25, 35 Kage Innovations - 44, 55 Klaus Nurseries - 22 Laborforce Specialists, Inc. - 14 McKay Nursery Co.- 18 MN Equipment Solutions - 26 Out Back Nursery - 36 Plaisted Companies - 12 Rock Hard Landscape Supply division of Brian’s Lawn & Landsaping, Inc. - 39 Scharber & Sons - 5 Stonebrooke Equipment Inc. - 34 Truck Utilities & Mfg. Co. - 42 Xylem, Ltd. - 42 Ziegler Cat - 3

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Scharber & Sons I-94 and Hwy. 101 Rogers, MN

(763) 428-4107

Upcoming Events August 5 – Garden Center Tour. Inver Grove Heights to Red Wing. For more information, see page 10 or www.mnla.biz.

13-14 – Exploring Garden Design, Plant Selection, and Maintenance of the Mixed Border – Lecture and Tours. MN Landscape Arboretum, Chaska, Minn. For more information, call the Perennial Plant Association at 614-771-8431.

26-27 – JR Johnson 2010 Buyer’s Fair. St. Paul, Minn. For more information, call 651-389-3500 or 1-800-328-9221.

26-Sept 6 – MNLA State Fair Display Garden. St. Paul, Minn. For more information on volunteer opportunities contact MNLA at 651-633-4987 or e-mail mnla@mnla.biz.

31-Sept 1 – BFG Hort Expo. Earle Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center, Minn. For more information see http://hortexpo.bfgsupply.com/.

September 9 – Perennial Growers Tour. Southeast Metro. For more information, see page 10 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 10 or visit www.mnla.biz.

16 – Green for Life – an MNLA Public Service Event. For more information, see page 48-49 or visit www.mnla.biz.

16 – MTGF Field Day. . University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus. For more information, see page 36 or www.mtgf.org.

21 – MNLA Foundation Sporting Clays Tournament. For more information see page 13 or www.mnla.biz.

28 – Credit Management Tips for the Green Industry. Bailey Nurseries, Inc., St. Paul, MN. For more information see page 11 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 11 or visit www.mnla.biz. Sponsored by Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies.

November 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 11 or visit www.mnla.biz.

January 4 – Super Tuesday. Minneapolis Convention Center. More information coming soon!

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.

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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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.

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.

The Scoop | FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

What if MNLA had a PAC? Political Mutual Fund Payoff would be ‘Fast Pass’

By Bob Fitch, MNLA Executive Director he great American experiment continues this year with another general election. In Minnesota, we’ll choose a new governor, Bob Fitch maybe change the balance of power in the state legislature, and perhaps re-elect our entire Congressional delegation.

T

After the election, MNLA will resume its on-going efforts to encourage lawmakers to give favorable consideration to issues of importance to growers, garden centers, landscapers and hardscapers, irrigators, and lawn/tree/garden care professionals. In theory, every constituent and every constituent group like ours has equal opportunity to express opinions to their elected representatives.

But theory and reality are two different things.

Leaving the U.S. Congress and the Governor aside, Minnesota’s state legislators are approached with messages from dozens, if not hundreds, of constituents every day. As they sort through what messages to listen to, they are going to naturally gravitate to those people who have supported them in some fashion. In the United States, nothing says support more than money.

A very common means of expressing that monetary support is contributions through a political action committee, or “PAC.” Despite what you may think, a PAC is NOT about “buying votes.”

While we get frustrated with our state legislature as a whole, the fact is that the individuals who serve as our state representatives and state senators are, for 8

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the most part, just regular folks who have a calling to serve the interests of their friends and neighbors. When a PAC donates money to a legislator, they recognize that the donation represents a group of interested citizens who have come together to jointly speak with their pocketbooks.

In other words, a PAC operates like a political “mutual fund,” pooling dollars from small investors to enhance their influence.

If MNLA had a PAC, the return on investment in our political mutual fund would occur when the legislature was in session and an issue of importance arises for our association’s members. e PAC investment yield is like a Disney World fast pass. We move to the front of the line to make our case. e MNLA Government Affairs Committee believes that a PAC could very well be the next step in sophistication of MNLA’s legislative and regulatory affairs program. If an MNLAPAC existed, its mission would be to financially support and/or formally endorse candidates who are in leadership positions affecting the green industry and those candidates who have proven records of support for or service to the green industry.

Our membership includes folks on both ends of the political spectrum and everything in between. It’s important to note right up front that an MNLA-PAC would NOT be a front for Republican causes or Democratic causes . . . the MNLA-PAC would be about supporting candidates who support green industry causes.

And, despite what you might think, we’re not talking about big money. PAC contributions to Minnesota state constitutional officers and state legislative candidates are limited to $500 per candidate in an election year and $100 in the off-years.

MNLA’s resources would likely be focused on state legislative candidates, especially those in key committee positions in areas such as the environment, agriculture, and construction law.

If MNLA had a PAC, no association general fund revenues would be used for administration or promotion. All PAC expenses would be paid by PAC receipts – i.e. voluntary contributions from members who chose to donate. e MNLA Board of Directors wants to know what you think about creating a political action committee to help move green industry interests to the front of the line. What’s your reaction: good idea; bad idea; go for it; or don’t even think about it. Your input is important.

Should we take this step so we’re holding a “fast pass” the next time an issue like Green Acres, EAB, or water use restrictions arises? Or is this a ride that we don’t want to even think about getting on?

You can share your thoughts about a PAC in the survey you’ll receive with the Aug. 15th MNLA eNews Or send your opinions or questions to me at bob@mnla.biz; or MNLA President Bert Swanson at btswanson@gmail.com or MNLA Government Affairs Committee Chair Tim Malooly at timm@ibdmn.com. q ________________________________ Bob Fitch is executive director of MNLA. He can be reached at bob@mnla.biz.

Featured Presentations Tuesday, August 24th 10:30AM John erwin Floriculture Physiology Professor, University of MN “The 7 Most Common Mistakes Growers Make”

Wednesday, August 25th 10:30AM Judy Sharpton Retail Garden Center Expert Nationally recognized in garden center merchandising

Annual Roseville Buyer’s Fair Tues., August 24 8am - 4:30pm

| Wed., August 25 8am - 3pm

l a n o i t p e Exc Free Lunch Served 12 - 1:30 PM Both Days!

Water and Soil Sample Testing Bring your samples to Brian Cantin, Senior Grower mobile lab. Get your results and discuss with him on the spot!

Prizes to Win! Call Drew at 1-800-328-9221 or email drew@jrjohnson.com to RSVP 2582 Long Lake Rd. Roseville, MN 55113 • (800) 328-9221 • www.jrjohnson.com

Regional Upcoming Buyer’s Fairs: Hayward, WI - Aug 10 LaCrosse, WI - Aug 12 Spirit Lake, IA - Aug 17 Fargo, ND - Aug 19

2010 GARDEN CENTER TOUR August 5, 2010 | 9:00am—3:30pm | Inver Grove Heights, West St. Paul and Red Wing

Join your colleagues to tour several garden centers in Inver Grove Heights, West St. Paul and Red Wing including: ! ! ! !

Gertens Southview Garden Center Sargent’s Nursery, Inc.; and Hallstrom Florist and Greenhouses

The stops are sure to excite horticultural enthusiasts and the event will provide great networking opportunities. Bring back ideas to implement at your own garden center and share your ideas with your peers!

New this year: There will be short sessions and featured speakers at different locations on the tour!

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, and Bailey’s. 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

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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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!

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.

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.

AUGUST 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | MNLA FOUNDATION

Sponsor a Scholarship: The Gift that Keeps Giving!

By Cassie Larson, MNLA Education & Industry Advancement Director Why Give?

Giving to a student will not only provide you the satisfaction of knowing you made a lasting difference in a young person’s life and the future of the green industry, but there are additional tax charitable deduction benefits to you, as well. Consult your tax advisor with regard to your own situation, but in general the following guidelines apply.

Establishing a Scholarship Gift By partnering with interested member companies, over 25 scholarships are awarded each year to deserving students.

The MNLA Foundation will contribute up to $250 as a match for each $500

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contribution received from members; for example, if an MNLA member sponsors a $500 scholarship, MNLA will match that contribution with up to $250 and award the student with a $750 scholarship.

Selection Process A selection committee will be determined for each college. Award winners will be chosen based on: • Interest in the industry, as described in a letter written by the applicant.

• Recommendations from two teachers and/or employers.

• Good citizenship as determined by the committee.

• Average or above average academic achievement.

• Employment experience.

Recognition MNLA will provide the following to scholarship sponsors: • Press releases to media • Recognition in college publications • Plaque for the schools that will list the honored student and the sponsoring company • Sponsoring company has the opportunity to present the scholarship at awards ceremonies, where allowed Want to make a tax deductible contribution for a scholarship at the college of your choice? Contact Cassie Larson at 651-633-4987 or cassie@mnla.biz for more information. q

SHOOTOUT

!

AUGUST 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Business Wastes: Unnecessary Transportation #6 in a Series by Craig Chilstrom, Prairie Edge Nursery s a business waste, transportation is defined as unnecessary movement of product from one location to another. It may be 10 inches or 10 miles. The Craig Chilstrom goal is to reduce the distance and number of times any item is moved. On the surface this may seem easy, but it requires planning and forward looking vision to accomplish.

Moving product from one location to another within a business or worksite location can become normal and

A

considered necessary. Look at your business system and see how many times a product is touched and moved before the customer receives it. The customer is not willing to pay for you to move product around within your business.

Reducing the number of times product is moved reduces costs.

In a production environment that requires multiple steps, moving product to a staging area and then moving again to the location where the next step is performed is a waste. In a perfect system, product is handed directly from step 1 to step 2 without any additional handling. Locating these steps as close as possible to each other reduces space and labor requirements.

Every time a product is touched by someone it costs the business money.

Reducing touches reduces costs.

A business waste is defined as anything a customer is unwilling to pay for. The conventional definition of transportation is the delivery of goods from a supplier to a customer. Customers are, or should be, willing to pay for this service. “Free� delivery is not possible.

Someone must pay for it. If the costs are not separated, they are hidden in the price the customer pays for the product.

If your business is dependent upon providing this service to gain new, or service existing customers, it is critical for you to focus on this area and eliminate as much cost as possible to become

You find the contracts and we provide you TRAINED LANDSCAPING LABORFORCE

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www.MNLA.biz | AUGUST 2010

competitive. The costs involved in delivery can be controlled by focusing on creating an efficient handling and delivery system. You must eliminate unnecessary movement of product within your organization and minimize distance product is moved through efficient scheduling of deliveries.

product moved to the final installation site?

In a lean environment, the product is delivered directly to the worksite. When unloaded it is moved directly to the final installation site. Several handling steps are eliminated.

"Reducing the number of times your business handles and moves products reduces costs."

Each landscape project is unique in the challenges faced. The landscape contractor handles large, bulky, and heavy products such as landscape supplies and plant materials.

The more difficult the product is to handle, the larger the cost savings that can be realized by reducing handling. Do you have the product delivered to your main place of business, unloaded, loaded again on to your vehicles to be delivered to the worksite, only to be unloaded and put into a holding area until you are ready to install? Then is the

Some questions to consider are: • Who can most cost effectively deliver product, your business or your supplier?

• What are the true costs to send yourself or employees to the supplier’s site to pick up materials, compared to their delivery charges?

• Could the time involved in picking up supplies be used to reduce employee count or used to generate profits greater than the perceived savings from picking up the materials yourself?

• Is delivery of product to the worksite one of the core competencies you want your business to focus on?

Businesses involved in the green industry may benefit by shifting delivery services to the supplier of the products, combined with just in time delivery (JIT). Good business relationships are key for this to be successful. You must be confident you will receive what you expect, when and where you expect it.

Reducing the number of times your business handles and moves products reduces costs. q ________________________________ Craig Chilstrom is a member of the MNLA Nursery Committee and can be reached at cchilstr@Wildbluecoop.com.

AUGUST 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | CERTIFICATION

Magic from the Manual: Insect Management Part I: Insect Problems on Trees and Shrubs

By Tim Vogel, Bailey Nurseries, Inc. nsects cause many kinds of plant disorders in the nursery and landscape and it is important to distinguish insect damage from disease and environmental damage. Symptoms of destructive CERTIFIED insects are usually Professional observed before the insects themselves are found. In many cases, suspected insect injury can be confirmed by locating the causal insect.

However, locating an insect on a plant does not necessarily mean that particular insect is responsible for the plant’s symptoms. In addition, damage is not always observed until after the insects have completed the damaging part of their life cycle and have left the plant.

Some common insect-induced plant symptoms may be confused with plant diseases. A careful comparison of all possible causes of plant symptoms is necessary to make a correct diagnosis of the plant problem. The insects mentioned in this chapter are among the most common insects found in Minnesota. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) which includes the use of pesticides is the most effective treatment for insect problems. Follow the label when pesticides are necessary for effective treatment. See Chapters on Pesticide Usage, Health and Safety, and Landscape Management for additional information.

I

Leaf Spots Although leaf spots are most frequently caused by plant pathogens, they may occasionally be caused by sucking insects, such as plant bugs and leafhoppers. When the insect’s saliva is toxic to the plant, a dead spot may develop around the point where the insect feeds. Occasionally, holes may 16

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develop when the damaged tissue becomes brittle and falls from the leaf.

Holes produced in this way are ‘BB’ shot to pencil sized and are round.

Branch Dieback Wood-boring insects such as the bronze birch borer may cause significant damage to plant vascular tissue. This results in dying back of the infested limbs or branches. Branches damaged by other causes, or weakened trees in general, may be particularly susceptible to insect borers. Branch dieback may be caused by diseases, environmental factors, cultural factors, insects, or a combination of two or more of these factors.

Another type of branch dieback is twig dieback caused by twig girdlers or twig pruners. Twig dieback may be caused by beetle larvae boring inside of twigs or by the feeding of adult beetles that completely girdle the twigs. This type of damage occurs most frequently on oaks and maples.

Bronzing From a distance, trees heavily infested with spider mites may appear discolored.

Closer examination of the affected foliage reveals a bronze discoloration of infested leaves. Confirm a diagnosis of spider mite injury by tapping infested branches over a white piece of paper.

Dislodged spider mites will appear as tiny specks moving on the paper.

Cankers and Swellings Many beetle larvae and caterpillars bore into tree trunks or limbs, causing them to swell. When these spindlyshaped galls are cut open, insect tunnels and frass should be visible. Insect borers often attack trees that are weakened or damaged by other causes.

In some cases, borers and plant pathogens are associated with the same canker.

Chewed or Skeletonized Leaves Leaf beetles and some sawflies, chew the plant tissue off the upper or lower side of the leaf, while leaving the opposite leaf cuticle and the veins intact.

The damaged leaf then looks like a lacy skeleton of a leaf. Most caterpillars and adult beetles chew through the entire leaf. The damage may appear as tiny to large holes in the leaf, or as irregularly shaped leaves with jagged edges. If plant leaves are still growing when the insect feeds, the damage may later appear to have smooth edges around the feeding holes; only insects cause this type of damage.

Leaf Drop Leaf drop is generally caused by plant pathogens, squirrels, or environmental problems. One exception is the early summer leaf drop of maples caused by the maple petiole borer. Diagnose leaf drop caused by insects by looking for tunneled or chewed leaf petioles. Heavy infestations of spider mites may also cause premature leaf drop. Euonymous plants infested with the two spotted spider mite, or honeylocust infested with the honeylocust spider mite will drop leaves in response to mite feeding injury.

Leaf Curling, Puckering or Rolling The saliva of some sucking insects, especially aphids, may cause plant leaves to fold, curl, or pucker. These insect symptoms can be confused with some plant diseases that cause similar symptoms. Diagnose the damage as insect damage if the aphids themselves are inside the curled leaves. Some caterpillars, called leafrollers, use silk threads to hold leaves in a curled or rolled shape. These leafroller caterpillars may also be found inside the rolled leaves.

Leaf Miners Trees heavily infested with leaf miners may appear brown, as if portions of the tree are dying. Upon examination of

damaged leaves, the leaf miners become apparent. Leaf miners feed inside the leaves between the upper and lower leaf surfaces, leaving only a paper thin cuticle covering the mined areas.

Brown frass and the wormlike larva can be found between the leaf surfaces.

Stem and Leaf Galls Several groups of insects have gall-forming species. These include the gall wasps, gall midges, aphids or adelgids, eriophyid mites, and sawflies. Stem and leaf galls may also be caused by plant pathogens. Leaf galls, however, are usually caused by an insect or mite. A small aphid or midge-like larvae may be found in a fresh leaf gall. In other cases, the causal agent may be too small to see without magnification.

Witches’ Brooms Some eriophyid mites and aphids cause a witches’-broom effect on infested plants. A good example is the dense, twisted foliar growth of honeysuckle twigs induced by infestations of the honeysuckle witches’-broom aphid. Similar dense, irregular growths can be caused by mites or plant pathogens.

Erinea Leaf Patches Some microscopic mites, called eriophyid mites, give off substances that cause plant tissue to grow in an irregular manner. One common type of induced growth is fuzzy or spongy patches on leaves, called erinea. These patches usually appear between leaf veins, are irregularly shaped, and may be red or silver. Because the mites are too small to see without a microscope, the damage may be incorrectly blamed on a mysterious plant disease.

Common Groups of Insects That Damage Landscape Plants Although thousands of insect species have been identified as pests of landscape plants, most of them can be artificially placed into 26 groups within seven major categories: sucking, leaf-chewing, casemaking, gall-forming, root-feeding, stemboring, and scale insects. The same classification system can be used to recommend control strategies. Knowing what kind of insect is responsible for plant damage is critical to successful control of insect problems because various insects are more susceptible to some insecticides than others. Classifying insect pests into these categories is adequate for effective control of 95 percent of the insect problems likely to occur on landscape plants. q ________________________________________________ Tim Vogel is a member of the MNLA Certification Committee and can be reached at tim.vogel@baileynursery.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.

Pitch Flow Many trees respond to trunk or twig injury by producing sap or pitch around the injured area. The pitch flow is believed to be a tree defense mechanism to prevent additional injury from insects and diseases. Wood-boring insects and bark beetles usually induce the plant to produce pitch at the location where the insects are actively causing injury. Plant pathogens and mechanical injury can also induce a pitch flow.

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for avail. & info. call 320-834-5111.

AUGUST 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

17

The Scoop | CERTIFICATION

Enhance Your Professionalism

By Robin Fruth-Dugstad, Rochester Community & Technical College ne of the benefits of becoming a Certified Professional is that the certification “enhances your professionalism.” What exactly is professionalism? Professional skills are not tangible and can be difficult to judge or grade objectively.

We installed a large pond with a bog Robin Fruthfiltration system in the SMART Garden at Dugstad Rochester Community and Technical College this spring. We started digging in mid-March and didn’t put our shovels down until May13, which was the last day of classes. We like to give our students hands-on, but when you work on one large project every class period for 2 months, the students start to grumble: “Free Labor” “I’m paying for this” “The college should be paying me” “It’s not fair that he/she stands around while I work.” I remind the students that it is not just about the technical skills they are learning or developing but also the professional skills or “soft” skills they develop working together on a project this size. I use a rubric to evaluate professional skills. The rubric helps students understand what “professionalism” is. The rubric helps me to grade the students objectively. My rubric includes the following: • Work Ethic: Performance, Enthusiasm, Morale, Motivation, Initiative, Independence • Dependability: Follows directions, Punctuality, Attendance, Organization • Critical Thinking: Resourceful, Problem solving, Conflict resolution • Works well with others: Cooperation, Collaboration, Leadership; Poised, Courteous, and Tactful

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The following definitions of a professional align with the benefits of the MNLA Certified Professional program. All of the definitions in quotations are from Wikipedia.

“A professional is a member of a vocation founded upon specialized educational training.”

Certification proves to yourself and your peers that you have a solid knowledge of and dedication to your profession. The recertification requirement is an incentive for on-going professional development and continuing education for lifelong learning.

“The word professional traditionally means a person who has obtained a degree in a professional field. The term professional is used more generally to denote a white collar working person, or a 18

www.MNLA.biz | AUGUST 2010

person who performs commercially in a field typically reserved for hobbyists or amateurs.”

The horticulture industry has its share of amateurs.

Becoming a Certified Professional will set you apart from the amateurs. The certification will increase your credibility with your customers. A Certified Professional will stand out in the hiring process. The certification distinguishes you from other applicants.

“In western nations, such as the United States, the term commonly describes highly educated, mostly salaried workers, who enjoy considerable work autonomy, a comfortable salary, and are commonly engaged in creative and intellectually challenging work. Less technically, it may also refer to a person having impressive competence in a particular activity.”

Passing the certification exam is a great personal achievement and will earn you respect and recognition in the horticulture CERTIFIED industry. The certification becomes a Professional marketing advantage for your company.

“Because of the personal and confidential nature of many professional services and thus the necessity to place a great deal of trust in them, most professionals are held up to strict ethical and moral regulations.”

There are federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to ethical and professional business practices. MNLA has a constitution and bylaws that members are expected to follow.

All of these laws, regulations, and guides are covered in Chapter 5 of the MNLA Certification Manual.

Order the study materials today, start a study group, ask a Certified Professional to mentor you, and read the manual. If you are from the Rochester area, contact me at robin.fruthdugstad@roch.edu to find out when the RCTC study group meets. The next exam is in January. q ________________________________________________ Robin Fruth-Dugstad is a member of the MNLA Certification Committee and can be reached at robin.fruth-dugstad@roch.edu.

CONNECT

Network with people who can say Perovskia atriplicifolia, Berberis thunbergii, and Metasequoia glyptostroboides.

Lloyd Bachman Dies at Age 90

• Build relationships with buyers and key prospects •

NLA extends its condolences to the family of Lloyd Bachman, who died Friday, July 16. After graduating from Washburn High School and serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, Lloyd worked in the family floral and garden center business, overseeing plant production at Bachman's Growing Range in Lakeville.

Lloyd was recognized for his outstanding achievements and contributions to the University of Minnesota College of Agriculture and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. He served as a charter member and advisory member to the United Minnesota Horticulture Committee, North Central Florists' Association, Society of American Florists, Minneapolis Men's Garden Club and numerous floricultural associations.

Lloyd was preceded in death by his first wife, Marion, and son, Todd. He is survived by wife, Margaret Lindquist Bachman of Buffalo, and daughter, Lynn Bachman of Eden Prairie; daughter-in-law, Barbara Bachman of Farmington; as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren.

• Raise your profile in the industry • Generate leads •

M

• Showcase your products • Add value to your brand •

January 24-26, 2011 Contact the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association

800-825-5062 • onla.org AUGUST 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

19 11:54:36 AM

The Scoop | NURSERY COMMITTEE

Great Trees & Shrubs Seminar on Sept. 15!

By Rick Reimer, Dundee Nursery & Landscaping Co. he past few years have been difficult for many retailers, growers and landscapers. But customers still expect new and better plants. For that reason, the Nursery Committee is sponsoring “Trees and Shrubs for the Landscape,” September 15 at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. This will be an information filled day, focusing on woody plants.

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Debbie Lonnee, Bailey Nurseries Inc., will start the day off with her talk “What’s New in the World of Woodies.” There has been no shortage of woody plant introductions the past several years. Debbie will draw on her experience working at the nursery, as well as her general plant knowledge, to help sort out some of the best of the newer shrubs and trees.

Harold Pellett, the retired executive director of the Landscape Development Center, will follow with “New Introductions from the Landscape Development Center.” The Center is well known for it’s introductions of Centerglow Ninebark and Cool Splash Bush Honeysuckle. Harold will discuss both trees and shrubs that are currently being evaluated.

A large number of these plants may be introduced in the next several years.

Even before the ash borer struck, there wasn’t a surplus of good shade tree choices. Mark Stennes of S & S Tree Specialists will discuss “Positives and Negatives of Ash Replacements.”

After lunch, Stan Hokanson will lead tours of the Horticultural Research Center and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Tour participants will see several woody plant breeding projects at the Research Center. The Arboretum tour will emphasize several woody plant cultivar trials and woody plants not often seen in zone 4.

Seminars on newer trees and shrubs, upcoming introductions, replacements for ash, tours looking at plants sounds like the perfect day! The Nursery Committee hopes to see you at the Landscape Arboretum on September 15th. q ________________________________________________ Rick Reimer is a member of the MNLA Nursery Committee and can be reached at nursery.dundee@embarqmail.com.

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www.MNLA.biz | AUGUST 2010

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August 31 - September 1, 2010 Earle Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center, MN 800-883-0234 • www.hortexpo.bfgsupply.com • expo@bfgsupply.com

The Scoop | NURSERY COMMITTEE

Slowing Down to Check on Your Staff

By Brandon Kalland, Grove Nursery, Inc. s in every season we hustle and push to get through all the work that needs to be done. We are in an industry where there are definite time schedules and we need to find time to fit it all in. As we do this, we often lose a few things on the way. It is important to stop and pick back up the little details left behind.

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In a time when we are doing more with less, it is important not to forget about all of our employees and co-workers. Often the schedule and pace leaves us little time to see how they are doing. The pace is so fast, and we do not take the time to see if they are keeping up.

If you, as a leader, take an interest in your employees, it may show through in every ounce of work they give back to you.

Little things can mean the world in a season where we are doing more with less. q ________________________________________________ Brandon Kalland is a member of the MNLA Nursery Committee and can be reached at brandonkalland@yahoo.com.

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www.MNLA.biz | AUGUST 2010

The Scoop | GREENHOUSE & HERBACEOUS GROWERS

Thermal Fogging in the Greenhouse

By Jesse Hawker, Malmborg's Garden Center ow do you spray baskets after they are hung up? It can be tricky applying pesticides with a hydraulic sprayer and getting sufficient coverage on the plant material. Fogging can be a great tool for getting good pesticide coverage on hanging baskets.

Even the most effective pesticides are useless unless the chemical comes in contact with the pest. Generally, better coverage happens with smaller pesticide droplet size. Smaller droplets cover more surface area which requires less solution needed to spray your crop. Smaller droplets drift on air currents and have a better chance of reaching the undersides of the leaves. Good coverage under the leaves can further be accomplished by pointing the fogger underneath the benches so the fog can plume upwards and come in contact with the undersides of the leaves.

Thermal fogging is a low volume chemical application that propels a fog up to 200 feet. Application time is greatly reduced when using a thermal fogger which means less exposure for the person applying the chemical. Thermal foggers work according to the pulse-jet

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principle. The pulse jet engine has no moving parts and takes advantage of both kinetic and thermal energy. The pesticide is injected into a hot stream of air that vaporizes the chemical into small fog particles. A carrier is mixed with the pesticide to improve uniformity of droplet size, distribute the solution throughout the area, and retard evaporation of fog droplets. Before application, remember to turn off your HAF fans so the fog can spread and settle on the plant material. Also close all the vents so the fog does not escape outside.

Low humidity and high temperatures result in more rapid settling of the chemical which results in more chemical falling on the upper side of the leaf.

Make sure not to point the fogger directly at plants to avoid scarring Droplet Diameter (microns) 10 20 50 100 200 400 1000

Droplets per square inch 123,219 15,400 987 123 15 1.9 0.13

flowers or literally burn them. These machines put out a lot of heat, so be careful.

Different situations call for different ways to apply pesticides. For example, a Hydraulic sprayer might be more effective than a thermal fogger at penetrating into a gerbera or dahlia flower to kill those pesky thrips. A combination of machines is often the best way to control the pests in your greenhouse. With the right combination of equipment and technique, thermal fogging can help significantly with your pest management strategy. q ________________________________ Jesse Hawker is a member of the MNLA Greenhouse & Herbaceous Growers Committee and can be reached at jesse@geraniumsbygeorge.com.

Pesticide particle size Droplet Diameter Application Method (microns) Hydraulic 100 to 400 Cold fogger 30 Air-assisted 40 electrostatic î “ermal pulse-jet 0.5- 25 fogger Aerosols 1-15

AUGUST 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

23

The Scoop | STORMWATER TASK TEAM

MNLA Members are a Force for Good in Stormwater Issues

By John Moe, Pangaea Design irst, thanks to Dan McGuinness for his research on stormwater and the resulting report "Stormwater Management in John Moe Minnesota - Current Status and Emerging Issues." This work was requested by your trusty Stormwater Management Task Team to better identify the various entities involved in stormwater issues here in Minnesota.

You'll be surprised at the large number of groups (both governmental and private) dedicated to water. Well, you would have been before I just warned you.

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More important to you as an MNLA member is the fact that many of the groups working on water issues identified MNLA and its members as a force for good when it comes to protecting our state's waters. We are the companies with direct contact to home and business owners. Groups like The Freshwater Society; Minnesota Erosion Control Association and Friends of the Mississippi River recognize MNLA members are perfectly positioned to educate the public (our clients) about water. We are the companies working in the field to design and implement water protection technologies, correct and improve existing water management devices and take a leadership role in establishing standards and practices for the future.

In his interview with Dan McGuinness, Bruce Wilson of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency stated; “The MNLA could be at the epicenter of a huge growth industry [as a result of regulatory requirements and emerging private and public demands]�

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If all this sounds like an opportunity for your business, you are correct. I would like to mention however, that rain gardens, permeable paving and the other "best management practices" are more than simply the latest hydrangea release.

They are systems which require knowledge and experience to successfully design, implement and maintain. If you're considering offering rain gardens for your customers, you'll want to do some research before jumping in. There are plenty of on-line resources, and some good books on the subject. But certainly attend a seminar or two, being able to ask questions (and hearing other's questions) is a huge value. And beef up on your soils knowledge. If possible, you should also try and get some hands on experience even if you have to experiment on your own property. The good news for rain garden construction is these features require no special equipment (if you've already been installing non-rain gardens).

With all the excitement about things like green roofs and rain gardens, it's easy to forget about the less sexy side of stormwater management: erosion control protection during construction.

Four years ago, I attended a Green Expo seminar about erosion control measures like silt fences and erosion control blankets. The focus of the session was more about the regulations on erosion control than it was about the actual installation methods. There was a lot of good information on design, installation, record-keeping and inspections of erosion control systems and I was impressed by the dramatic impact a simple landscape project could have on sediment loads to local waters if not properly managed.

I could tell by the speaker's comments and the questions from the audience that

erosion control was perceived as a burden by the contractor. Understandable considering the extra time and cost involved in permit applications, record keeping and of course the installation and maintenance of the erosion control elements themselves. All that work and most of it temporary. A lot of the concerns seemed to be about how the erosion control responsibility would be passed down from contractor to contractor during the course of the project. I've been on plenty of large scale residential sites where the silt fence (along with that orange plastic control fencing) looks more like a prop from the movie Twister.

If you're starting to work on some larger residential landscape projects, and especially if those projects are standalone (you're doing a landscape remodel of an existing home for instance), you'll probably need a permit from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

The general threshold for a permit is a site larger than 1 acre, but this can also be a smaller site that's part of a larger project. For example a town home site on a larger development that's all under construction. There are also special circumstances that would require permitting for smaller sites (if they're located near protected waters for instance). That's very simplified, but it's a start. Right now, the best place to go for information is the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's web site.

They provide a wealth of information, and even have a hotline to help guide you through the process. Here's the link to the specific page you'll be most interested in (Stormwater Program for Construction Activity): www.pca.state.mn.us/water/water-typesand-programs/stormwater/constructionstormwater/constructionstormwater.html#spermit.

The Stormwater Management Task Team will be maintaining a close relationship with the MPCA to ensure MNLA members have the latest information regarding erosion control measures for their construction projects. One thing I've noticed when attending various seminars on erosion control for construction is the absence of smaller projects in the training material.

To that end, I'd like to make two requests. First, include erosion control measures in the photos and descriptions of your MNLA awards entries. And if you're working on a site that required you to obtain a permit, mention it. Second, consider submitting some of your photos of erosion control measures to the MPCA itself. This may seem a bit scary considering the situation, but the MPCA is actually looking for good examples of smaller site projects using erosion control measures. In fact, if you have an interesting project (permit-requiring or not) they'd be interested in having you present your work at one of their seminars. Seriously, there are very few recorded examples of residential-scale erosion control.

Finally, still in the suggestion department, I'd like to recommend to you a slight change of mind-set (I'm including me at Pangaea Design here as well): Realize every place is part of a larger watershed. Make decisions that will protect our waters on every project you undertake. I was on a mediumsized residential project over the past few weeks and, as is my standard practice, swept the street off each night after everyone left. Normally that would have gone unnoticed, but I realized I had generated just over 6 wheelbarrows full of soil and other site debris over the course of as many days! Operating by my old mindset, I was happy to have a clean jobsite that looked good to the homeowner and the neighbors. However, now I'm also very aware just how much stuff could have been washed down the storm sewer. I'm also aware that the storm sewer doesn't lead to some magic processing facility in the sky. It most likely leads directly to a river or a lake with no stops in between. Here is a brief list of suggestions from the Minnesota Erosion Control Association: • • • •

Never let "chocolate milk" leave your site.

Cover your exposed soils (No naked dirt) Put your sediment control at the bottom of your site.

Keep your dirt, rock, mulch, etc. piles away from the streets, ditches, wetlands, etc.

• Never pump "chocolate milk" off your site.

• If it is not working or 1/2 full, fix it (as in sediment collection bags, silt fences etc.).

• Keep your streets clean.

• Protect your inlets.

• Don't wash out concrete improperly. q ________________________________________________ John Moe is a member of the MNLA Stormwater Management Task Team and can be reached at pangaeadesign@comcast.net.

AUGUST 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | SAFETY

MN OSHA Consultation Services

By Wayne Peterson CSP, TBG Loss Control Representative here are times where additional and specialized assistance is needed to help fulfill your company’s safety efforts. This is just what several businesses have done; yes they invited Minnesota OSHA Consultation into their business! These businesses have contacted OSHA Consultation making the request for service.

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MN OSHA’s Description of Consultation Services Using the Department of Labor and Industry's free consultation service, MNOSHA Workplace Safety Consultation, employers can find out about potential hazards at their worksites, improve their safety management systems and even apply for a safety grant of up to $10,000 to abate safety hazards. This program targets small, high-hazard businesses. It is completely separate from the OSHA compliance inspection activities. No citations are issued as part of an OSHA consultation visit.

Employers that request this service must commit themselves to correcting serious job safety and health hazards in a timely manner. A telephone call or written request sets the consultation process in motion.

Employers may request a complete review of their worksite or limit the visit to one or more specific problem or hazard.

An OSHA Consultation visit consists of an opening conference, a walk-through of the worksite or jobsite and a closing conference. The employer will receive a written report explaining the consultant's findings and an outline of abatement periods.

Employers benefit in many ways from this free service.

Operations can run more efficiently when hazards are identified and corrected. Lost work-time due to injuries and illnesses may decrease, saving money and human resources.

Workers' compensation premiums may decrease due to fewer claims and lower experience modification rates.

Services offered: • On-site safety consultation visit • On-site health consultation visit (airborne contaminants, noise, etc.)

• Workplace violence prevention on-site assistance • Labor-management safety committee on-site assistance Testimonials A central Minnesota granite company said: “Everything went great with the OSHA visit and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to be pro-active with their safety programs.”

A central Minnesota cabinet/wood shop said: “Jeff from MN OSHA was very knowledgeable, professional and did a great job for us.”

How to Request MN OSHA Consultation Services To request assistance from the MN OSHA Consultation just ask your TBG Loss Control Representative or contact MN OSHA directly at 651-284-5060,1-800-657-3376 or by email at osha.consultation@state.com. q ________________________________________________ The 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.

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The Scoop | UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

U of M Mast Program Helps Fulfill American Dream

by Marcelo Porcinelli, Bachman's Inc. was born and raised on a small farm in southern Brazil. Back home, I had the opportunity to earn my bachelor's of science degree in agricultural engineering and was able to work with local farmers to teach them how to use their land more efficiently, helping them increase yields and teaching them how to solve problems with soil and crops.

Other countries, people and cultures have always made me curious. In particular, I’ve always been fascinated with the people, cultures, and opportunities within the United States, which is why I decided to apply for the Minnesota Agricultural Student Trainee (MAST) Program through the University of Minnesota. Although I didn’t speak any English at that time, I arrived in Minnesota to participate in the MAST program on Valentine’s Day, 1999.

The first half of my stint in the MAST Program was spent in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Schroeder’s Flowers was my host in Green Bay, where I had the opportunity to work and learn more about ornamental plants, as well as pick up some English. The second half of my MAST Program experience was with Bachman’s in Minnesota, where I worked as a greenhouse helper and attended horticulture classes at the University of Minnesota.

My education, background, skills, and work ethic were rewarded after a few months of working as a trainee, with the opportunity to become a full-time employee at Bachman’s. Don Swenson, vice president of perishable procurement/distribution for Bachman’s, approached me and offered to help me with a work visa. I then began work as an assistant grower at Bachman’s Growing Range in Lakeville.

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The idea to come to America was to learn about its people and culture and to gain more education. Bachman’s gave me

The very special day arrived! The oath ceremony was held on Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at Bethel University, where I was honored as a new United States Citizen. I am very proud to be an American! q

MAST International arcelo Porcinelli's story is one example of the great things the Minnesota Agricultural Student Trainee program has made happen.

MAST International is an international educational exchange program that combines a practical, hands-on, learning experience in agriculture with a classroom experience through the University of Minnesota.

MAST International began in 1949 with an exchange of agricultural students between Minnesota and Sweden. Since then, more than 6,000 young people from over 65 different countries have participated in the program.

MAST International offers Training and Internship Programs in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry and Fishing. Both types of programs are designed to enhance the skills and expertise of exchange visitors in these fields, however they have slightly different qualifications and regulations.

The program offers practical experience, a semester study program at the University of Minnesota, and cultural opportunities including learning about daily life in the United States, making friends from around the world, and gaining an appreciation of different cultures.

The program is based at the St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences.

For more information contact Mast International at 612-624-3740 or visit http://mast.cfans.umn.edu/. q

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Marcelo with Citizenship Certificate this opportunity. I worked and attended school, and in December, 2005, I earned my master’s degree in international business at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. It has helped me maintain high performance standards within a diverse range of positions.

Today, I hold the position of buying coordinator at Bachman’s. In this position, I am responsible for the purchasing, receipts, and a myriad of additional functions related to annuals, perennials, blooming plants, green plants, and fresh cut flowers.

Everything in my life was falling into place, but I always felt I was missing something. I was living and working in a country I loved, but I did not feel that I was part of it because I wasn’t an American citizen.

For the last few years, I have been working on the process of naturalization, through which United States citizenship is granted to foreign citizens or nationals.

In most cases, applicants must be permanent residents or green-card holders, with the exception of some military members. Applicants for naturalization must pass a test to demonstrate that they can read, write, and speak basic English, and that they have a basic knowledge of American history and government.

AUGUST 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

27

The Scoop | ARBORIST

The Future of Arboriculture in Minneapolis

By Chris Romer, Bartlett Tree Experts n the July issue of Tree Care Industry Magazine, Mark Garvin, president of TCIA, published an editorial titled “Minneapolis Surrenders to Ignorant, Irrational Ideologies.”

Garvin states that due Chris Romer to the May 28th Minneapolis resolution, Minneapolis has surrendered its tree canopy to EAB without a fight. The Minneapolis resolution urges homeowners to refrain from using pesticides on private property to treat ash trees. Local decision-making regarding EAB efforts have been a national disappointment. The majority

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of the pressure to set these policies has stemmed from claims of “sustainability” and fear of what pesticides “might” do.

Environmental sustainability essentially means, “Maintaining the factors and practices that contribute to the quality of environment on a long-term basis.” I think everyone agrees that tree removal will be a necessary role in suppressing the spread of EAB. However, how can anyone claiming environmental sustainability not even attempt to save a portion of our ash trees?

Somehow the notion of wanting to save and protect trees has made arborists “pro-pesticide” and “anti-environment.”

No arborist wants to purposely harm the environment. Most arborists are far more involved with environmental

protection than the pressure groups that helped form this resolution. As a person that has planted thousands of trees and help save and protect thousands more, it is an unusual concept to let millions of trees die without some kind of attempt to help. These policy makers are afraid of what treating ash trees will do to our environment. They should be afraid what their policies are going to do to our environment, not to mention our local tree care industry. These decisions are going to remove the “tool belt” that professional arborists can use to help save trees, and replace it with a chainsaw for anyone that wants to cut down an ash tree in the name of “sustainability.”

I visit over a thousand landscapes every year and occasionally run into tree

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www.MNLA.biz | AUGUST 2010

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crews from other companies. I am always curious to check them out for a bit to get a feel for their level of skill and safety. I am generally pretty comfortable with what I see. After the recent storms in the metro, I am anything but comfortable with what I saw. This got me thinking about what the impact of EAB policy is going to do to our level of arboriculture and safety in Minnesota.

Recently, in between writing a few estimates, I had the “privilege” of watching seven different tree care companies tackle storm damage. What I saw from these companies hopefully is not a glimpse of the future of tree care in Minnesota. Here is what our industry looked like on that day for anyone looking out their window along one of the storm-ravaged streets: • Only 3 of the 7 companies had any kind of logo or recognition on their vehicles.

• Only 1 of the 7 companies had any kind of company uniform or T-shirt.

Baggy gym shorts and no shirt was a pretty popular look.

• Each company had 4-5 workers at each site. Between these, approximately 30 workers, I saw ZERO hardhats, ZERO safety glasses, ZERO chaps, and ZERO safety cones or signs of any type.

Not one item of PPE between them.

giving me a chance to say a word. We have reached a world where a tree climber 40 feet into a tree with no saddle, shirt or safety gear is acceptable, and arborists are anti-environment for wanting to save trees. If you are going to let millions of ash trees die, you better be prepared to take a look at who is going to do the dirty work.

After I had given a proposal to one of my clients, her neighbor came over and asked me if I would give her a price to finish removing a storm-damaged maple in the back yard. It was a 20-foot tree that had fallen on the house. It was easily 12-15 man hours of work. As I walked into the back yard with the homeowner, a “salesman” from another company came around the corner dressed in ripped up jeans and a sleeveless Metallica T-shirt. He handed her a proposal, and spouted off, “you aint beatin’ this price.” The proposal basically just had the words “$300 cash” on it and not much else. The homeowner quickly told him to do the work without even

Since we are apparently going to surrender our ash trees, what type of company stands to benefit? Will it be companies that actually own a hardhat or any company with the cheapest price?

Given these recent policies, if you want to make a good sound investment for your future, buy some stock in chainsaws and chippers. If you want to make a good investment in your environment, re-think what sustainability really means. q ________________________________ Chris Romer is a member of the MNLA Commercial Arborists Committee and can be reached at cromer@Bartlett.com.

GET THE GOOD STUFF

FOR FREE.

Point your mouse to www.MNLA.biz for free business resources!

• Post a FREE job listing at MN Job Bank • Sales Tax Fact Sheets – Nursery/ Greenhouse & Lawn, Garden Care and • Industry Wage Reports Landscaping • Get your guide to starting a business in • English and Spanish Training Manuals Minnesota and Safety Tip Sheets • Commercial Truck Regulations Fact • Work Efficiency References for Growers Sheets • Utility Locate Information

• Landscape Contractor Survey (by Kevin Kehoe) • Container Labeling Guidelines • Irrigation Best Practices • Commercial Flower Grower Reference Material • And more!

AUGUST 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

29

The Scoop | AWARDS

2011 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 any questions, please contact the MNLA office at 651-633-4987 or visit us online at www.MNLA.biz. q

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The Scoop | HARDSCAPES

Distinguish Yourself From the Competition

By Grace Pitera, Gertens Intern Susie Johnson asked her intern, Grace Pitera, to write an article on what she thought of being in the industry. "We need to remember in a down economy to keep teaching and inspire the new generation on what got us in the business in the first place." Susie Johnson t a time when business has been slow to warm up, everyone in this industry is finding themselves looking for ways to improve sales.

Although companies might see a shortterm boost with hard selling techniques and cheap deals, there are other, more profitable ways to win over customers.

After all, when everyone resorts to rockbottom pricing to create sales, there is nothing that sets one company apart from the rest, and you risk becoming another faceless vendor.

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If your goal is to generate sales over the long term, you need to give customers a better reason to choose you.

Your company has to do something special to distinguish itself from the competition. What can your company do that others cannot? How are you different? What makes you special? Offer your customers something unique like information, education, high quality, or personalization. When you prove your company's worth with something intangible, you can win sales without compromising value or submerging yourself in a cutthroat price war.

Hardscapes suppliers: Gertens, Bachman's, and Hedberg share their advice on how to stand out, especially during hard times.

As Gertens' Commercial Sales general manager, Susie Johnson has found from experience, it is possible to capture sales by providing excellent service to customers. “To me, the key to successful sales is customer service,” says Johnson.

“Selling is all about building

relationships, and you have to have good customer service to build a relationship.”

The Gertens' sales staff emphasizes that closely paying attention to customer needs is essential for nurturing customer satisfaction. One representative suggests asking a lot of questions, adding, “Let the customer do the talking. Listen to their concerns to see what they're looking for. Then you can learn about their business and their personality so you can find a way to serve them best.”

Leif Classon, hardgoods sales representative at Bachman's, also cites customer service as the most important way to maintain sales during shaky seasons. “Quality and customer service are the top priority for Bachman's,” says Classon, who hopes to make a positive impression on customers to gain their loyalty. “Keeping customers coming back is probably the most important thing when the economy is tough.”

Now more than ever, Hedberg seeks to set their company apart by serving as an educational resource for customers. As Matt Mallas, Hedberg's hardscapes' sales manager, says, “As customers have downsized, it is important for us to be a tool that they can utilize.”

rep suggests, is key to cinching a sale: “It's important to be comfortable and have confidence in whatever you are selling. Otherwise, you look like you don't know what you're talking about.”

Above all else, the folks at Gertens, Hedberg, and Bachman's alike believe that maintaining good customer relationships is the most important thing you can do to improve sales. Whatever type of business you are in, whether you are a nursery, a wholesaler, a retailer, or a landscape contractor, you do not have to compromise quality or profitability to make a sale during slower seasons.

Instead, cultivate a healthy customer base by providing excellent customer service, understanding customer needs, and proving that your company can meet those needs best. Develop the relationships you need to sustain sales, even during rough times.

“Sales is all about relationships,” says Johnson. “You have to know and care about customers so you can relate to them and make a sale.” q ________________________________ Susie Johnson is a member of the MNLA Hardscapes Committee and can be reached at sjohnson@gertens.com.

By providing educational service to customers, Hedberg's goal is to meet or beat customer's expectations, therefore encouraging sales success.

Mallas also warns of straying from your company's core purpose. “Focus on what you know and what you do best,” he says, adding, “Don't get in a panic and go outside your level of comfort.”

Johnson of Gertens heartily agrees, advising, “Never take on something you don't know because it will ruin the integrity of everything you do well.”

Other sales representatives recommend sticking to what you know and knowing it well. Confidence, as one AUGUST 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE ARBORETUM

August Classes at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum ward-winning cooking classes with top Twin Cities' chefs, gardening sessions with the experts, walks for every interest - the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum has it all! Please mark your calendar for the following classes/walks.

To register, visit arboretum.umn.edu/learn.aspx or call 952-443-1422.

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COOKING CLASSES From Farm to Fork!

Thursday, Aug.5, 6:30-8:30 p.m. $45 member/$55 non-member.

Learning Center, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Join Chef Jenny Breen on her continuing journey to use local, seasonal foods in all her summer cooking. Menu: heirloom potato gratin with local gorgonzola, chicken and roasted garlic tomato sauce over fresh polenta, simple salad and fruit cobbler.

August Harvest Plates Thursday, Aug.26, 6:30-8:30 p.m. $45 member/$55 nonmember. Learning Center, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Garden-fresh dinner: Seared beef tournedos on heirloom tomatoes with alfredo butter; Pasta with tomatoes, sweet corn and basil; zucchini pancakes; "Greg's amazing beans" with vegetables, local ice cream. Instructor is Chef Lucia Watson, chef/owner of Lucia's Restaurant and Wine Bar. GARDENING SCHOOL CLASSES Let the Arboretum gardens be your classroom as you learn from the experts. Here's a lineup of upcoming Arboretum gardening classes. To register, visit www.arboretum.umn.edu/learn.aspx or call 952-443-1422.

Botanical Latin: The Naming of Plants Saturday, Aug. 7, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $30 member/$40 nonmember, Snyder Building. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Learn the logic behind scientific plant names. Shirley Mah Kooyman is a botanist specializing in plant taxonomy.

Hostas and Companion Plants Saturday, Aug.14, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. .30 member/$40 nonmember, Snyder Building. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Learn how to select and grow hostas. Instructor Duane Reynolds, past president of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society.

WALKS FOR ALL INTERESTS To register for any of the following nature walks, visit www.arboretum.umn.edu/learn.aspx or call 952-443-1422.

Spring Peeper Meadow Walk Saturday, Aug. 14, 10:30 a.m. $10 member/ $12 non-member.

A one-hour stroll through a restore wetland with an experienced naturalist.

Fungi Frolics Saturday, Aug. 28, at 8:30 a.m. or Wednesday, Sept. 1, at 8:30 a.m. Cost per walk: $10 member/ $12 non-member. Meet in Ordway Parking Lot, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Learn about nature's wonders on this naturalist-led fall walk.

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

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www.MNLA.biz | AUGUST 2010

THE SCOOP | MINNESOTA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

August 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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Natural Shorelines—How to Avoid a Rough Landing Tuesday, August 10, 7 to 9 p.m. $25 members, $35 nonmembers. Location: Abrahamson Nurseries, 1257 State Hwy. 35, St. Croix Falls, WI. Do you have lakeshore property or live adjacent to a wetland or stream? Do you wish you had a shoreline that is more beautiful, easier to care for, and more environmentally sound while maintaining views and access? If so, this class will help you learn how native plants and other design elements can be used to create more natural shorelines that are attractive and stable, reduce erosion, and deter geese without resorting to hazardous rip-rap rock piles. Instructor: Douglas Owens Pike, Energyscapes and Jim Calkins, Horticulturalist, U of MN.

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. Harvesting Young Minds Tuesday, August 24, 6 to 7:30 p.m. $15 per child, ages 8 - 14.

Location: Muriel Sahlin Arboretum, Roseville Central Park, 2525 North Dale St., Roseville.

Learn about growing vegetables, herbs and fruits in the garden. We will provide examples of small gardens for small spaces. Whether you want to grow beans or basil or berries, we will show you how. Enjoy some fresh salsa as we create a recipe picked fresh from the garden. We will also have an activity to learn about composting and recycling. Instructor: Patti Sullivan has a degree in Landscape Design and Construction from Hennepin Technical College and has been the Horticulture Technician at the Muriel Sahlin Arboretum for the past 8 years. q

Create a Cast Bird Bath Tuesday, August 17, 6:30 to 8 p.m. $40 for members, $50 for non-members. Location: Muriel Sahlin Arboretum, Roseville Central Park, 2525 North Dale St., Roseville.

Create a beautiful and functional cast bird bath out of cement using a rhubarb, hosta or burdock leaf. All materials included, but be sure to "dress for mess". You will pick up your birdbath after it has dried on Friday August 20th between 1 and 4 p.m. It will be ready for you to paint. You can purchase a rustic stand for your birdbath and pick it up on Friday. Cost for the stand is $25 and must be paid for at Tuesday’s class.

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.

Kids’ Club: Make a Rain Gauge for Your Backyard Saturday, August 21, 10 to 11:30 a.m. $15 per child, ages 12 and under. Location: Mickman Brothers, 14630 Highway 65, Ham Lake.

When it rains, you can observe nature’s water cycle in action. Make your own rain gauge and track the amount of rain from spring to fall in a nature journal that you will make in the class. All materials are supplied as well as lemonade and treats! Adult supervision required. Instructor: Diane Lee designs for the wreath division at Mickman Brothers, as well as having her own decorating/special event business Creative EASE. Tomatoes and Peppers—Drying and Freezing for Winter Storage Saturday, August 21, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Free. Minneapolis Farmers Market, 312 E. Lyndale Ave., Minneapolis.

AUGUST 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

A Deeper Shade of Green Local Genetic Origins

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Native Minnesota Woody & Herbaceous (651) 438-2771 • Fax (651) 438-3816

www.outbacknursery.com

Call us first for all your native planting needs 36

www.MNLA.biz | AUGUST 2010

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

AUGUST 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA

-ordinary value in an -targeted distribution with an -large print run (40% more)!

READ ALL ABOUT IT: On Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 100,000 Garden Minnesota Yearbooks will be distributed across the Greater Twin Cities Area via the Star Tribune.

2010 ad rates to hold for Garden Minnesota Yearbook in 2011!

Finally, some good news.

Total distribution: 140,000. Other channels include St. Paul Home & Patio Show, Minneapolis Home & Garden Show, Minnesota Association of Realtors, Living Green Expo and the Minnesota State Fair. Contact MNLA Advertising Sales Representative Erica Nelson at 952.903.0505 x 3 or erica@pierreproductions.com to reserve your full color ad today! Deadline: December 10. Ads options as low as $450.

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www.MNLA.biz | AUGUST 2010

The Scoop | LANDSCAPE DESIGN

Here We Are Again…

By Stephen A. Volkenant, Visionary Landscape Design Inc. ere we are again. I can’t believe that it is August already. I hope that all my fellow Landscape Designers and Architects have had a prosperous year so far, and look forward to a productive fall landscape season.

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The last opportunity I had to write for the Scoop was March 2009, in the middle of the economic recession. At that time I urged every Designer, Landscape Architect, and Contractor to hold their ground. Continue to charge consultation and design fees. Don’t give your work away.

Today I would like to follow up with an addition to this subject. These ideals

have not changed.

For example, it’s not just about using the same five plants and three perennials anymore. It’s about rain gardens, outdoor kitchens, permeable pavers, to name a few. We all not only have to work harder, but smarter.

Expectations of our industry from the consumer have increased a great deal just over the past several years. This is due, in part, by the continuing efforts of designers, contractors, the MNLA, State Universities and Colleges to inform and

educate. Hopefully, we’ve weathered the worst of the economic downturn. So this is not the time to panic and lose sight of our goals.

Remember, a “professional is a person who is an expert” serving as a teacher, consultant, and performer. Let's all try to strive to live up to this definition. q ___________________ Stephen A. Volkenant is a member of the MNLA Landscape Design Committee and can be reached at sav@visionarylandscapedesign.com.

"Expectations from the consumer have increased a great deal."

AUGUST 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | IRRIGATION

Make More Green ($) When Times Are Lean in the Irrigation Industry

By Pat Cody, MTI Distributing n 2008, I wrote a similar article that is even more relevant in our current 2010 economic times.

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In our existing down economy, residential and commercial property owners are watching their finances. We have all experienced some type of effect on our jobs, businesses, or our personal life due to the sluggish economy. People are not taking as many risks such as building new homes, buying new vehicles, or traveling long distances on family vacations. During the month of June, we had record amounts of rain.

The demand for irrigation has been very low when Mother Nature is pouring her own moisture to keep our lawns and landscape watered. All of these are variables that we in the Irrigation Industry have no control over. However, we do have control over the way we do things in our business on a day-to-day basis. Take a look at some of the following suggestions that you may want to use in your company to make more green ($) when times are lean in the irrigation industry.

1. Up Selling With the advancement of new technology, there are new and better products to up sell to your existing customers. The new craze is ET base controllers that water more efficiently.

How about installing a rain sensor or moisture sensor to prevent the irrigation system from activating when it’s raining?

Having some type of rain interrupt device is a state law in Minnesota. You could offer your customers a fertilizer injector or a rust prevention system that automatically works when the irrigation system is running.

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www.MNLA.biz | AUGUST 2010

2. Setting your Company Apart From your Competitors Here are some ideas of setting your company apart from your competitors: 1) In a sales presentation for a new potential customer, provide them with colored brochures of different products you are promoting. 2) Make sure your company logo is stamped or placed on every piece of literature. 3) Carry a photo album with you to every presentation containing before and after pictures of your previous installed irrigation system.

4) Include a list of references of other sites possible in a potential customer’s neighborhood. 5) Try sending a personal follow-up letter a few weeks after a new install thanking the customer again for their business and ask for referrals of their friends and family members interested in having an irrigation system.

6) Set up your entire customer base on an e-mail or mailing list where you discuss proper watering techniques to save water, how to adjust a controller or a rotor. This will allow you to update customers on scheduling service calls, start ups, blow outs, and monthly updates on new products to offer your customers.

3. Updating Old and Inefficient Irrigation Systems There are still quite a few old hydrologic irrigation systems in our market. Since hydrologic systems replacement components are becoming harder to find, work on educating your customers into allowing you to convert them to a new modern electric system.

When larger commercial properties have multiple controllers that are scattered throughout the property, suggest an upgrade to a central control system that is capable of running all sites by one hand held or a designated computer.

Where there are older systems that may not have been installed with head to head coverage matched precipitation rates, or have not been zoned based on soil types, sun exposure and type of vegetation that is being watered can be refurbished to be come a new efficient system.

4. Be a Complete Full Service Irrigation Contractor Offer your customers a complete package by doing design, installs, service, start-up and blowouts. Offer a warranty to prove that you stand behind your workmanship. You may want to look into signing your customers up on some type of a service contract. For example, they may be set up as a monthly, bimonthly, or even weekly contract where you adjust rotors and perform a detail checkup or audit on the complete system.

5. Join Organizations that Support your Irrigation Industry. Get Certified Both the MNLA (Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association) and the IA (Irrigation Association) have been instrumental in enhancing the irrigation industry. Both work towards working on governmental affairs related to irrigation industry. They support education and are an excellent source for all type of information about the industry. The following are some certifications through the Irrigation Association: CIC = Certified Irrigation Contractor, CID = Certified Irrigation Designer and CLIA = Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor.

With some or all of these certifications, you can separate your company from your competition. Get PLT certified for low voltage wiring that is required by law in the State of Minnesota.

6. Advertising the Most Effective Way. Hands down, the best form of advertising is your customer's referring your company to their family and friends. If customers have had a positive experience with you, they will talk to others about that experience. Referrals are also one of the least expensive ways to advertise. You may want to offer 1 free blowout, start up, or service call with (some % off ) to existing customers that refer a new customer for an install.

When you are installing a new system or doing a service call in a neighborhood, take a few minutes to hang flyers on the neighbor’s doors. When you are done with that new install, leave behind a sign with your company logo, phone number and address for interested parties to contact you for an install or service work.

Another great place to advertise is the internet. People are in a hurry and always on the go. Where do most people research things that they would like to purchase? Of course, on the internet.

Potential customers are just a click away.

You may want to develop a website for potential customers to check out your products and services. Also, do your vehicles have your company information on them? When you are traveling from customer to customer you have a traveling bill board that is passing by

100’s if not 1,000s of people each and every day.

7. Preventive Maintenance on Equipment Working on a proper preventive maintenance schedule will not only prolong the life of your equipment, it will surely help to prevent costly future expenses. Follow manufacturer's recommended procedures for changing fluids & filters on all of your equipment.

Be aware of the DOT regulations.

Perform daily inspections on each piece of equipment that is driven or towed on our roadways. Performing basic inspections such as checking head lights, tail lights, and keeping trailer beds clear of rocks and mud may prevent law enforcement from pulling over your vehicle.

8. Simple Business Practices that May Help the Bottom Line Bill on time and make sure your employees bring back accurately filled out work orders to make sure your customers are billed promptly. The key is to get the money back to cash flow your business. Everyone has experienced customers who don’t pay their bills on time. You may want to apply interest charges to their unpaid balance. You may also want to consider offering a cash discount if your customers pay in full

after the service call or installation. How about offering a discount to your customer that pays their bill in full?

Since fuel prices are volatile, have you considered adding a fuel charge to your service call billing? That possible $5-$10 extra may help off-set your fuel expense.

9. Empower and Award Employees that Help Make your Company Efficient and Profitable Your employees are sometimes a great indicator of how efficient your company is running. Listen to their suggestions and concerns since they are on the front lines exposed to customers and the general public. They may see how your competitors may do things differently which may be better for your business.

Allow them to think outside the box and be creative. A creative employer and employee have a better chance to stay ahead of the competition.

This article is not to point out that you are currently doing things wrong in your irrigation business. It is simply some suggestions that may Make You More Green ($) When Times Are Lean in the Irrigation Industry. q ________________________________ Pat Cody is a member of the MNLA Irrigation Contractors Committee and can be reached at Pat.Cody@mtidistributing.com.

AUGUST 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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TRUCK UTILITIES, INC. Sales | Service | Rentals

See Us at the Minnesota State Fair!

Located on Underwood Avenue (North End of Machinery Hill)

Est. 1963

SSt.Paul

651-484-3305 651 5 -4 51

Fargo

800-972-9250

www.truckutilities.com www

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www.MNLA.biz | AUGUST 2010

The Scoop | BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

A Practical Guide to Internal Controls

by Gary Haworth, CPA, Owner of Haworth & Company, Ltd. Top Priority The risk of theft or fraud is highest in certain areas of your business, specifically cash receipts and disbursements, payroll, credit and collections, purchasing, and inventory. Make sure you establish strong internal controls in these areas.

Many Hands The best way to reduce the risk of internal theft is to spread duties and responsibilities in high-risk areas among two or more people. For example, the person opening the mail should not be the same person who records cash receipts, reconciles the cash drawer, or prepares the bank deposits. Require two signatures on checks written for more than a certain amount – one of them yours.

Be suspicious if an employee in a key position consistently makes excuses for not taking time off. Encourage employees working in vulnerable areas of your business to take their vacation time and have someone fill in for them. Or make vacations mandatory.

stepping in and taking over various employees’ duties. Open the mail on occasion. Help check in a product shipment delivery every once in a while.

Your staff will soon get used to your watchful eye. q ________________________________ is article is being republished from the monthly newsletter, Client Line®, which is available free to you from Haworth & Company, Ltd. Gary Haworth, CPA, is the owner of Haworth & Company, Ltd., a local CPA firm, and a member of the Small Business Resource Group, which helps small businesses with their bookkeeping & accounting, payroll, tax preparation and consulting needs. He started his practice over 20 years ago, growing from one person to now more than 30 employees and three locations. He can be reached at ghaworth@ haworthco.com.

MNLA Members Hit by Tornados roduction facilities were devastated by a tornado at MNLA member Hilltop Greenhouse in Ellendale. Send a note of encouragement to hilltop@smig.net.

Look at this link for a general news story on the tornado: http://albertleatribune.com/news/2010/ jun/21/biggest-tornado-reached-ef4/.

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In western Minnesota, a tornado took the life of Wes Michaels, former manager at Lee Nursery in Fertile. Wes died saving the life of his daughter. A story on Wes was featured in the StarTribune which you can read at: http://www.startribune.com/local/9672 7784.html. Send condolences to: Wes Michaels Family, 14773 Maple Inn Rd SE, Mentor, MN 56736.

The Double Check Putting internal controls in place is the first step. Checking to make sure they’re working is the next. Review receivables on a regular basis to reveal collection problems and errors that might be overlooked in the day-to-day hustle and bustle. In addition to regularly scheduled inventory counts, plan surprise counts and unscheduled inspections to uncover irregularities.

Lead by Example If you want your employees to know you’re serious about internal controls, show them. Don’t cut corners. Always follow established rules and procedures.

And set a high bar for honesty and openness. Make a habit of randomly AUGUST 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | EDUCATION

The Scoop | EDUCATION

School Presentations Don’t Need To Be Intimidating

By Jodi Larson, Project Coordinator s I’m calling for members to Adopt A School, I realize that for some the thought of giving a school presentation can be intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be. I’m thinking of a favorite school past-time: show-and-tell.

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My personal favorite memory from school was the day I teamed up with a family friend and brought a piglet in to share with the class. Show-and-tell was the perfect chance to show off something you were proud of, and you had a captive audience.

Think of these classroom visits and career presentations as your second chance. You get to talk to students about what you do. Not only that but your company and the industry get exposure. And it’s great for the school because it helps out the teacher and the students get a chance to hear about the cool stuff that goes on in the industry. Everyone wins.

Another way to ease into a school presentation is to go somewhere you know.

• Do you have kids? Go into their class. Or, if that would be too embarrassing you could at least present in their school.

• Maybe you don’t have kids, but you sure must know some….right? Get into their school.

• Or take a trip down memory lane with a visit to your old school. You could connect with a class there.

Wherever you choose to go, presenting in a class can be fun and easy. If you haven’t yet signed up to Adopt A School, do so now at http://mnnurserylandscape.wufoo.com/forms/adopt-aschool/ or visit www.mnla.biz. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by! q

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www.MNLA.biz | AUGUST 2010

U of M, St. Paul Campus Job & Internship Fair oin the St. Paul Campus Job & Internship Fair on September 22, 2010! Meet with undergraduate and graduate students as well as alumni from University of Minnesota and connect with faculty members. About 500 students attended this one-day event last year, so it’s a great opportunity to meet your potential future workforce.

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Wednesday, September 22, 2010 10:00am - 3:00pm St. Paul Student Center, St. Paul Campus For registration rates and other information please visit the St. Paul Campus Job & Internship Fair online at http://www.stpaulcareers.umn.edu/spjobfair/index.html or contact St. Paul Campus Career Center at 612-624-2710. q

AUGUST 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

45

Volunteer at the MNLA Garden During the 2010 Minnesota State Fair!

9 a.m. - 12 noon Thurs., Aug. 26 Fri., Aug. 27 Sat., Aug. 28 Sun., Aug. 29

Three-hour shifts • August 26 - Sept. 6 — Free tickets to the Fair plus a T-shirt - Call 651-633-4987 or 888-886-6652 12 noon - 3 p.m.

3 p.m. - 6 p.m..

6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Otten Brothers Nursery & Landscaping

Bailey Nursery-Tim Vogel Green Valley GreenhouseJanet Swanson

Minnesota Valley Companies

S&S Tree Specialists Larson Landscape

One Call Property Care S&S Tree Specialists Swanson’s Nursery Consulting Mickman Brothers Rainbow Tree Care Bachman’s Inc. Bartlett Tree Experts

Bever Landscaping Maddell Companies

Dundee Rainbow Tree Care

Fri., Sept. 3

The Lawn Ranger, Inc. WoodSpirit Gardens

eers We Need Volunt kend!! ee W y for Labor Da

Mon., Sept. 6

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Traverse Des Sioux Garden Center

St. Croix Tree Service

Thurs., Sept. 2

Sun., Sept. 5

Minneapolis Parks & Recreation

Whispering Gardens

Tues., Aug. 31

Sat., Sept. 4

Maddell Companies

St. Croix Tree Service

Mon., Aug. 30

Wed., Sept. 1

City of Golden ValleyTim Treynor

www.MNLA.biz | AUGUST 2010

The Mulch Store

Wild Ways To Garden

Maddell Companies

The Scoop | PUBLIC RELATIONS

What's New at the State Fair?

By Rachael Ackerman, Bailey Nurseries, Inc. he Great Minnesota Get-Together is right around the corner and I can almost smell the variety of fabulous deep fried fair food. Although I haven’t heard what the new food on-astick will be this year, I am sure it will be unique. Now that I’ve woken up your senses, I would like to bring your attention to several new things that have been “cooked up” for the MNLA State Fair Garden as there have been several changes this past year to the display.

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If you have not had the opportunity to experience this garden yet, show your support and get out and enjoy it as it includes many areas that are directly related to our members' businesses. Some of these main features include: a large waterfall centrally located; a dry river bed; a rain garden; a Minnesota native plant area; annuals and many locally grown perennials, shrubs and trees.

in the Ag- Hort Building next to our space. These demonstrations will be given by Douglas Owns-Pike and Jim Calkins. They will be covering a variety of topics such as: “Why Native Plants?”; “Lawn Care”; “Landscaping for Wildlife”; “What is a Raingarden”; “No Mow Lawns”; “Pruning in the Home Landscape”; “Proper Plant Selection”; “Planting Containers”; “Basic Landscape Design Principals”; “Proper Tree and Shrub Planting” and “How to Amend Soils”.

There are many different ways for members to participate. The garden is always changing, not only from the installation of new plant material

but also with additional hardscapes, lighting and meandering paths. There is a niche for all, so be sure to stop by.

Finally, there are opportunities for members to volunteer their time or staff for a shift during the State Fair. If you are interested in volunteering, please call or email Sue Flynn: 651-633-4987 or susan@mnla.biz. For all Display Garden volunteers, there will be an orientation lunch held on August 17th at 11:00 a.m.

So whether it’s the corn dogs or Sweet Martha cookies that draw you to the fair, we are excited to show you what we have “cooked up” in the MNLA State Fair Garden! q ________________________________ Rachael Ackerman is a member of the MNLA Public Relations Committee and can be reached at rachael.ackerman@baileynursery.com.

I feel one of the most exciting elements of this garden are all of the different “rooms” that connect the garden into one. Whether you are standing on the North end gazing out the Gazebo amazed by the unique color of some of the new annuals such as Pretty Much Picasso Petunia or just walking by only to be stopped by the sweet fragrance of Comptonia ‘Sweetfern’, this garden has a space for everyone to find a connection. It is an excellent opportunity for members to connect with our fellow peers and to the public; providing an endless opportunity for good conversations and to share our vast array of skills and knowledge we have to offer.

This year we have had a unique opportunity to do daily demonstrations AUGUST 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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Green for Life 2010: Planting Trees at Schools Every MNLA company can take an active role in Green for Life 2010!

This all-industry public service event benefits everyone involved: • Schools receive a tree with all its intrinsic environmental advantages.

• Students learn about the value of trees.

• MNLA members gain higher visibility and strengthened community relationships.

• MNLA members will have the opportunity to talk about trees, plants and other healthy components of a quality outdoor living environment.

How Green for Life 2010 works • MNLA will provide a project outline and supporting information to those who sign up.

• Let your whole company know about the program and together identify a local school with a need for a tree. The best plan is to target a school where you have an existing relational connection to school leadership.

• Make contact with your relational connection at the school, and propose the tree planting to school leadership. (Make sure the school maintenance department supports the plan, as they will care for the tree after it is planted.)

• Members will let MNLA staff know which school(s) they are working with.

• Promote your event to your local media. You will receive a press kit, a template of a press release, and the advice and tools necessary for you to contact your local media.

• MNLA staff will provide major media with specifics on the tree planting events, as well as information on trees and why fall is a perfect time for planting.

• On September 16, hold your planting event at a local school.

Where will the trees come from?

Each company is responsible to provide the trees they plant. Tree growers are encouraged to discount or donate trees to a limited number of their MNLA member-customers for this program. The number and manner of this discount or donation is up to each grower.

REGISTER BY FAXING BACK TO MNLA AT 651-633-4986.

Yes! Sign us up for Green for Life 2010. ________________________________________________________________ MNLA Member Company name ________________________________________________________________ Contact for Green for Life 2010 ________________________________________________________________ Email address 48

www.MNLA.biz | AUGUST 2010

AUGUST 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

49

The Scoop | LANDSCAPE AWARDS

What’s New With the MNLA Landscape Awards Program?

by Doug Geesaman, Otten Bros. he time is now. Even though it has rained almost every day in June and made it hard to work on some projects the plants and lawns look great. Get out there and take pictures of all your projects to add to your portfolio.

While you are doing that you need to select one to enter for the 2011 Landscape Award. The pictures you get now of that finished project will go good with the pictures you already have of the actual construction photos you should have on file. Start putting it together right now so you are ready for the November 17th deadline. You can download the entry form on MNLA.biz, just click on Awards in the menu. For the small entry fee of $125.00 the winners get great recognition from peers at the Northern Green Expo and the MNLA Landscape Gala in March as well as prospective clients at GardenMinnesota.com and on display at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Winners are also in the April issue of Midwest Home Magazine and in Garden Minnesota Yearbook. Is all that exposure not worth much more than the $125.00 entry fee? Many of the past winners are using it in their current marketing showing that they know the value of entering and winning.

T

Landscape Awards Program Sponsors

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Now that you have decided to enter one of your projects please read the rules of entry carefully and check off each item as you fill your envelope. Each year we have to eliminate a project from the judging for simple omission of materials asked for. In the installation group the biggest problem has been the pictures.

You need at least 10 that show the work in progress, while up to 20 total photos may be submitted. For installation entries, the judges are looking for construction details. Before and after shots are nice but 10 are not necessary for an installation award.

New to the Expo this year will be an area set up in the trade show area to talk to committee members of the three awards groups. You’ll be able to look at examples of how to enter and get some insight on what makes a good entry. If you are already a participant it could help make you a winner and if you just want to know how to enter we can help with that. If you are a winner stop by and see what might make your entry even better.

room are perfect for our social hour.

Don’t miss this fun night on Saturday, March 5, 2011.

Lastly, MNLA has entered into a partnership with Midwest Home Magazine for a great new opportunity for its members. For the first time ever, Midwest Home will give awards to individual residential landscape designers from MNLA companies. The Designer in Bloom award will go to an established designer of at least 15 years experience with an outstanding body of work. The Budding Talent award will go to an upand-coming designer with a minimum of 7 years experience. The most exciting component will be the articles written by Midwest Home spotlighting the winners,

We are also changing the name of the spring awards event from Landscape Awards Banquet to “MNLA Landscape Gala”. Along with presenting the MNLA Landscape Awards and Midwest Home Landscape Design Awards, we’ll also be presenting five association awards during the Gala.

Friend of the Environment, Committee Member of the Year, Hall of Fame, Special Service Award, and Download the Call for Entries at MNLA.biz the Todd Bachman Award will all be presented at the event. This night has which will appear in the June/July issue truly become an all-industry season kicknext year. This kind of coverage is a off celebration. This year we’ll be at 317 phenomenal privilege, and will be worth on Rice Park in downtown St. Paul. It’s a the hard work it takes to enter. For all very nice venue, with a beautiful room the details, download the application at for our banquet while a bar and a club MNLA.biz. q

The Scoop | SUPPLIER PROFILE

Growing Retail & Grower-Ready Flowering Plants Company Name: Floral Plant Growers LLC producers of Natural Beauty products Website address: www.natbeauty.com Year company was founded: 1971 (Greiling Farms) Key people at company: Private Equity Ownership – Blue Point Capital & Management.

Scott Lueders – President & CEO Jon O’Donahue – CFO Tom Mowbray – VP Sales and Marketing Eben Erhard and Brian Fish – Retail Ready Account managers Kathy Pantzlaff – Grower Ready Accounts Manager Kathy Nyquist – Marketing Director Business location(s) and areas served: Serving the Midwest: MN, WI, NE, ND, SD, IA, KS, MO, IN, IL, Upper MI. Corporate offices and Wholesale Greenhouse – Denmark, WI Wholesale Greenhouse location – Boyden, IA Wholesale Greenhouse location – Richmond, IN Way your company is involved with MNLA: • MNLA Shoot-Out sponsor • Greenhouse Garden Walk Sponsor Company Description: Floral Plant Growers is a wholesale grower of retail ready flowering annuals, hanging baskets, planters, perennials, vegetables

and herbs, hardy mums, and poinsettia. FPG also has a grower ready division that produces over 150 million young plants (plugs) annually.

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

Floral Plant Growers is a Veriflora Certified Sustainable greenhouse.

What do you think the future holds for the segment of the industry that you serve? Continued consolidation at the grower level.

Focus on quality and service throughout the entire supply chain.

In what ways has MNLA helped you and your business? Northern Green Expo, advertising (The Scoop), and contacts. q

AUGUST 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

51

The Scoop | RESEARCH UPDATE

In Search of the Cold Hardy Weigela

By Steve McNamara and Stan C. Hokanson, Department of Horticultural Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN or stunning visual impact in the late-spring landscape, few shrubs pack the visual punch of weigela in full bloom. Prized for their prolific spring floral displays, their adaptability to a range of soil conditions, and their relative freedom from insect and disease problems, weigela have been hybridized for more than a century, resulting in the introduction of hundreds of cultivars with flower colors ranging from white to vibrant red. In the last decade, weigela have experienced a resurgence in popularity among landscape professionals and homeowners due to the development of new cultivars offering novel foliage and flower color combinations as well as dwarf varieties that are well-suited to the small size of modern residential landscapes.

F

Native to Japan, Korea, Manchuria, and Northern China, weigela have long been grown throughout much of Europe and portions of North America.

However, many genotypes experience considerable freezing injury in colder regions of the United States. Because weigela bloom primarily from one-yearold wood, cold-induced stem dieback can drastically reduce the quality of the spring floral display and necessitate extensive corrective pruning to remove dead wood and reshape plants.

While a number of weigela cultivars were bred specifically for cold climates (e.g. the Dance Series including ‘Minuet’, ‘Polka’, ‘Samba’ and others from the Morden Research Station at Morden, Manitoba), many recent introductions originated in warmer regions of Europe where cold hardiness is not a critical concern and, consequently, 52

www.MNLA.biz | AUGUST 2010

their cold tolerance has never been characterized. As a result, growers in northern regions of the country are forced to decide between conducting expensive and time consuming performance trials or growing and marketing unproven plants to their customers. Fortunately, laboratory freezing tests using a programmable freezer can provide an effective alternative to field trials for determining which cultivars are suitable for our climate. Hardiness information obtained from these tests is also valuable to us as

plant breeders for selecting parents to use in developing new varieties for Minnesota.

From 2005-2008, we evaluated the hardiness of eleven recently-introduced weigela cultivars along with four older standard varieties we’d looked at previously. Field performance of the cultivars was evaluated in a test plot at the University of Minnesota’s Horticultural Research Center in Excelsior, Minnesota. The hardiness of each cultivar was also determined monthly from October to April by exposing internodal stem segments collected from containerized plants overwintered in a minimally-heated greenhouse to a range of treatment temperatures inside a programmable freezer in our laboratory. Following treatment, the samples were examined

for injury with a dissecting microscope to determine the lowest temperature treatment that caused no injury (i.e. the hardiness level). The results of these freezing tests are presented in Table 1.

So what did we learn from our field trials and laboratory testing? The most obvious lesson is that these new weigela cultivars differ markedly in their timing and rates of acclimation to cold in the fall, their deacclimation or loss of hardiness in late winter, and their abilities to withstand extreme cold in midwinter. In general, all of the cultivars exhibited a very limited capacity for early-season cold acclimation relative to what we see in many other woody plants. This may explain why we often see cold injury on weigela even in years when midwinter temperatures are not extremely cold.

Subfreezing October temperatures are common in central and northern Minnesota (see local historic temperature data at www.crh.noaa.gov/ mpx/Climate/MPXClimate.php) and our results indicate that a number of the cultivars tested including ‘Alexandra, ‘Evita’ ‘Rubidor, ‘Ruby Queen’, and ‘Variegata’ might be particularly susceptible to cold injury in October.

Most of the cultivars acclimated quite rapidly between Oct. 13 and Nov. 16, increasing in hardiness by as much as 41 degrees F during this period, coincident with the first occurrence of subfreezing temperatures. Again, however, several cultivars including ‘Carnaval’, ‘Dark Horse’, and ‘Rubidor’ acclimated slowly enough to predispose them to injury during this period in the fall.

Midwinter low temperature tolerance is one of the most critical factors affecting the global distribution of woody plant species. In central Minnesota, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a, we can expect, on average, a midwinter minimum temperature between -25 and -30 F. Our test

indicated that the cultivars ‘Dark Horse’, ‘Pink Poppett’, and ‘Ruby Queen’ had midwinter hardiness comparable to our hardiest standards, ‘Java Red’ and ‘Minuet’, and should be able to tolerate 30 below zero. Most of the other cultivars, however, would likely experience dieback or be killed by midwinter temperatures at the lower end of that range.

In March and April, when nighttime temperatures stopped consistently falling below freezing, some of the cultivars began to lose hardiness quite rapidly.

The rapid deacclimation measured in ‘Alexandra’, ‘Brigela’, ‘Carnaval’, ‘Elvera’, ‘Gold Rush’, ‘Rubidor’, and ‘Variegata’ during this period suggests that all these cultivars would be vulnerable to late season freezing injury. Like slow or delayed acclimation in the fall, premature deacclimation in later winter or early spring appears to be a common weakness of weigela and should be

included as a selection criterion when breeding new genotypes for northern climates.

Overall, the laboratory tests indicate that ‘Pink Poppet’, ‘Dark Horse’ and ‘Ruby Queen’ were the hardiest of the new cultivars evaluated and, along with Verweig’ (My Monet™), a more recent introduction that underwent limited testing in 2007-2008, should perform well in Zone 4a. ‘Alexandra’, ‘Evita’, and ‘Sunny Princess’ were comparably hardy to the standard variety ‘Red Prince’ and would likely experience moderate to severe injury during colder winters in Zone 4a. ‘Brigela’, ‘Carnaval’, ‘Elvera’, ‘Goldrush’ and ‘Rubidor’ appear to be unsuitable for use in Zone 4a due to late acclimation, insufficient midwinter hardiness, early de-acclimation or a combination of these characteristics.

Importantly, there was a strong correlation between the hardiness values recorded in our January laboratory tests

and the amount of cold injury observed on the individual cultivars in the field which tells us that this midwinter test alone can provide useful preliminary information for predicting how new cultivars will perform in cold climates.

The resurgent popularity of weigela as a valued landscape shrub likely will drive continued development and introduction of new cultivars. Competition within the green industry as well as expanding access to new plant cultivars originating outside of the U.S. can sometimes result in rapid introduction of new cultivars into the marketplace without sufficient trialing to determine where they can be successfully grown. While we all benefit from the availability of superior new plants, the results of this study underscore the importance of evaluating a cultivar’s low temperature tolerance along with its ornamental attributes when assessing its likelihood of success in northern regions of the country. q

Table 1. Lowest survival temperatures [C (F)] of containerized weigela cultivars as determined from laboratory freezing tests during the dormant period of 2005-2006. Plants were moved into a minimally-heated over-wintering structure on November 10, 2005 and the containers were mulched with wood chips. Minimum air temperature inside the structure was maintained at or above -21 C (-5 F).

Observations of crown injury on field-grown plants were recorded on May 25, 2007.

Collection date Cultivar

10/13

11/16

12/16 z

1/19

Crown 2/16

3/16

4/17

Injury (%)

‘Alexandra’ (Wine & Roses™) 11aby

-2 (28)

-20 (-4)

-27 (-17)

-32 (-26)

-32 (-26)

-21 (-6)

-7 (19)

‘Brigela’ (French Lace ™)

-4 (25)

-22 (-8)

-29 (-20)

-31 (-24)

-33 (-27)

-20 (-4)

-7 (19)

30b

‘Carnaval’

-4 (25)

-15 (5)

-26 (-15)

-30 (-22)

-31 (-24)

-18 (0)

-2 (28)

29b

‘Dark Horse’

-4 (25)

-15 (5)

-29 (-20)

-35 (-31)

-35 (-31)

-28 (-18)

-10 (14)

‘Elvera’ (Midnight Wine™) -4 (25)

-18 (0)

-30 (-22)

-26 (-15)

-33 (-27)

-22 (-8)

-7 (19)

68c

5ab

‘Evita’

-3 (27)

-25 (-13)

-32 (-26)

-32 (-26)

-33 (-27)

-25 (-13)

-6 (21)

5a

‘Gold Rush’

-4 (25)

-17 (1)

-21 (-6)

-27 (-17)

-25 (-13)

-18 (0)

0 (32)

34bc

‘Java Red’

-6 (21)

-29 (-20)

-34 (-29)

-36 (-33)

-36 (-32)

-35 (-31)

-15 (5)

5a

'Minuet’

-4 (25)

-27 (-17)

-31 (-24)

-35 (-31)

-34 (-29)

-25 (-13)

-8 (18)

5a

'Pink Poppet’

-6 (21)

-27 (-17)

-31 (-24)

-35 (-31)

-35 (-31)

-26 (-15)

-7 (19)

0a

‘Red Prince’

-4 (25)

-26 (-15)

-29 (-20)

-32 (-26)

-30 (-22)

-25 (-13)

-8 (18)

15ab

‘Rubidor’

-2 (28)

-15 (5)

-26 (-15)

-31(-24)

-30 (-22)

-24 (-11)

-1 (30)

44bc

‘Ruby Queen’

-3 (27)

-17 (1)

-31 (-24)

-35 (-31)

-32 (-26)

-26 (-15)

-8 (18)

23ab

'Sunny Princess’

-4 (25)

-24 (-11)

-32 (-26)

-33 (-27)

-33 (-27)

-25 (-13)

-11 (12)

5a

'Variegata'

-3 (27)

-16 (3)

-27 (-17)

-28 (-18)

-28 (-18)

-20 (-4)

-3 (27)

33b

-------

-27 (17)

------

-35 (-31)

------

-32 (-26

------

----

‘Verweig’ (My Monet™) z y

Hardiness values represent the mean air temperature at which no tissue injury was observed on 6 stem samples.

Values are means of percent injury observed on 4 plants. Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different (P < 0.05).

AUGUST 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

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www.MNLA.biz | AUGUST 2010

The Scoop | NORTHERN GREEN EXPO

Highlights from the Northern Green Expo 2011 Seminar Schedule elow is a list of topics that will be highlighted at the Northern Green Expo in January 2011!

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Herbaceous Plants • Exciting New Perennials • Creating Eye-catching Flower Beds • People, Places, & Plants (Perennials) • Gardens of England • Grasses and Meadow plants from A-Z • Combination Containers in the Landscape • New Bedding Plant Varieties for 2011 • Plant Combinations • Greenhouse Production • PGRs- Minimizing Use for Maximum Effect • IPM Strategies for Today’s Greenhouses Trees & Shrubs • Cues, Signals & Tree Response to Pruning • Are We Choosing Disposable Landscapes? Leading Trees to Success or Failure • Hydrangeas for Minnesota • DED Resistant Elms • American Elms • Recognizing and Working with Natural Enemies of Insect Pests on Trees and Shrubs • Not the Same Old Same Old - New & Better Trees and Shrubs for Residential Landscapes

• EAB Update: US and Minnesota • Gardening for Insects - or Not! How Planting Selection Impacts Insect Populations on Trees and Shrubs Landscape • Hardscapes Panel: e Cost of Doing Business • Small Engine Maintenance • Natural Stone Walls • Natural Stone Patios • Landscape Projects: Lessons from the Field • Growing Your Landscape Business • Snow/Ice Control • A Review of Landscape Insect Management Products and Strategies 2006-2016 Water • Irrigation System Review • Promoting Water Conservation • Integrated Water Quality (Pond) Management Strategies • Irrigation Troubleshooting • Two-Wire Technologies Business Management • e Appeal of Biodegradable Containers to Consumers • Website Management: e Next Step • I-Tic Training • Lean Management • Social Media: A General Overview and Reality Check--How Can It Actually Help Your Business?

• Reinventing Yourself and Your Facility • Maintenance and Management: Creating Manuals and Documenting Procedures • Social Media: How to Effectively Use Specific Social Media Tools In Your Business.

• Too Many Laws, Rules, and Regulations. I Just Want to Work.

• Hands-On and In-Depth Training to Become an MNLA Certified Professional • MnDOT Certified Landscape Specialist • PLT Code Turf/Grounds • Options for Difficult Turf Situations • Maximizing Disease Control with Modern Turfgrass Fungicides • Trail Maintenance • Organic Turfcare - A Systems Approach and Organic vs. Synthetic Fertilizers • Wear Tolerance: How to Maintain High Use Turf Areas • Managing Dollar Spot, Fairy Ring, or Patch Disease • New Recommendations in Creeping Bentgrass Management A complete schedule-at-a-glance can be found online at www.NorthernGreenExpo.org.

AUGUST 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

55

The Scoop | PLANT OF THE MONTH

Our goal is to exceed your expectations.

Northern Pin Oak Quercus ellipsoidalis

By Susan Morlock-Jelks, Laws Nursery, Inc.

or our agency, and Auto-Owners Insurance, 99.9% just isn’t good enough...we want to provide our customers with 100% service!

Contact our agency about our “Super Outstanding Service” today—we’ll work hard to exceed your expectations!

We have coverage for growing stock!

Tom Stuewe, CIC 952/556-4864 t.stuewe@casualty-assurance.com

ne of the most majestic trees that grows in our lovely state of Minnesota is the oak tree.

There are many varieties of oak trees that do well here, but this article will be about Quercus ellipsoidalis, the northern pin oak.

O

Northern pin oak is native to the upper Midwest. It really likes sandy, well drained soils, but tolerates heavier soils as well. It prefers acidic soil, but will tolerate some alkaline, unlike the eastern pin oak. At maturity, it can reach 50’60’ high and 45’ wide. It grows in zones 3-6.

Northern pin oak is a fairly straight growing tree that may need some staking when young. It grows at a moderate rate. The horizontal branching structure gives the tree a nice form.

The leaves of the northern pin oak are beautiful. They usually have seven lobes, with bristle tips. The lobes are pretty deeply cut, giving the leaves a lacy appearance. The new leaves emerge reddish in the spring, turn a glossy green in the summer and have a gorgeous rich red color in the fall. They dry to brown and hang on until late winter.

Acorns take two years to mature. They have a finely hairy cup

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www.MNLA.biz | AUGUST 2010

Plant of the Month

that encloses half of the acorn. The bark of the northern pin oak is gray and mostly smooth with some narrow ridges.

Northern pin oak is susceptible to oak wilt. Placement of this tree and pruning in the winter should avoid this problem.

Northern pin oak is an underutilized tree that would make a great specimen tree or boulevard tree. q ________________________________ Susan Morlock-Jelks is a member of the MNLA Nursery Committee and can be reached at susan@lawsnursery.com.

CLASSIFIED FOR SALE Dansplants.com your one stop source for great container grown nursery stock from Northland Farms, Alta, Kraemer's, Stockdale, Barr Evergreen and Van Meter Nurseries. dflotterud@aol.com, P:612-867-5728 or F:888-396-8733

FOR SALE BLACK DIRT, RAIN GARDEN MIXES, BOULDERS - FOR DELIVERY – Matt 651-398-5890

BUSINESS PROMOTIONS Promote your Products, Services and Business with HGVids.com Call 612.819.7995 for Action

651-633-4987 Executive Director Bob Fitch • bob@mnla.biz Membership Director & Trade Show Manager Mary Dunn, CEM • mary@mnla.biz Education & Industry Advancement Director Cassie Larson, CAE • cassie@mnla.biz Communications Director Jon Horsman • jon@mnla.biz Executive Assistant Susan Flynn • susan@mnla.biz Accountant Norman Liston • norman@mnla.biz Receptionist Jessica Pratt • jessica@mnla.biz Advertising & Sponsorship Sales Pierre Productions & Promotions 952-903-0505 Betsy Pierre, Advertising Manager, betsy@pierreproductions.com Erica Nelson, Advertising Sales, erica@pierreproductions.com Government Affairs Consultants Boland & Associates John Boland, Legislative Affairs McGrann, Shea, Carnival, Straughn & Lamb Doug Carnival, Regulatory Affairs

THE OR R

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In addition to association activities, the MNLA staff provides management for:

e nn Mi

Over 2,000 industry professionals receive THE SCOOP each month. Put your message in their hands!

Display ad as low as $190.

Classifieds $3 per word ($30 min). Call Betsy today 952-903-0505 ext 1 or betsy@pierreproductions.com

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her Expo i s now Nort

Ex po

SM

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Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association 1813 Lexington Ave. N. Roseville MN 55113 651-633-4987, fax 651-633-4986 Outside the metro area, toll free: 888-886-MNLA, fax 888-266-4986

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

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

BBS – Better Business Solutions 651-330-9804 877-272-0741 (Toll Free) Business Legal Services (Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC) 651-331-6500 Business Succession (AgStar) 507-386-4620 Credit Card Processing (Approval Payment Solutions) 763-521-7851 Fuel Discount Card (Speedway/SA/Marathon) 651-454-7776 ext. 203 Fuel Savings (Holiday Stationstores) 952-830-8889 Horticultural Books (MN State Horticultural Society) 651-643-3601 Small Business Resource Group 651-783-5754 Workers Compensation Insurance (The Builders Group) 651-203-6793 Contact the MNLA office at mnla@mnla.biz or 651-633-4987 or toll-free 888-886-6652 for information on the following products or services.

Catalogs/Outdoor Living publication series Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge Fleet Program Educational Programs/MNLA Academy Employee Recruiting/ Greenworks On-Line Job Board Employee Training Manuals (PLANET) Garden Center Plant Posters Garden Center Carryout Trays Irrigation References. (“industry references” at www.mnla.biz.)

Northern Green Expo Trade Show Booths MNLA Certified Professional manuals, exam Sales Tax Rules / Nursery-GreenhouseLandscape (“industry references” at www.mnla.biz.)

Spanish Pocket Reference Guide

AUGUST 2010 | www.MNLA.biz

57

The Scoop | ARBOR DAY

Arbor Day Poster Contest

By Susan Flynn, Executive Assistant

• The top 3 posters will be on display at the 2011 Minnesota State Fair.

• Recognition on GardenMinnesota.com.

he kids will be back to school in about a month and it's time to start thinking about the 2011 Arbor Day Poster Contest.

T

For the past 8 years, MNLA has been the state coordinator for the National Arbor Day Foundation Poster Contest. Now, the Arbor Day Foundation has made the decision to discontinue the national contest, but MNLA will continue to hold the local poster contest and help to teach students about the importance of trees to the environment.

The information packet including an activity guide and lesson plan that correlates with National Standards for fifth grade will be available to download from GardenMinnesota.com in mid September.

Please contact Sue at 651-633-4987 or susan@mnla.biz for more information. q

The contest is open to 5th graders in the state of Minnesota.

If you know of a 5th grade art or science teacher, please let them know about this fun and educational contest so they can add it to their classroom plans for the fall or winter.

Community activities involving 5th grade students such as girl scout or boy scout troops are also invited to participate.

The student who wins the contest will receive: • 2 Unlimited Ride Tickets to Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park at the Mall of America • A tree will be donated by an MNLA member and planted on the school grounds or public property in the winner’s community.

• A poster honoring their achievement will be presented to the student and their teacher at the tree planting ceremony.

Bridgewater Tree Farms Currently Digging Evergreens Please call for Field Direct Pricing.

Delivery Available 5’ to 14’ Spruce & Pine 5’ to 9’ Techny Arborvitae

Carefully grown on heavy southern Minnesota loam soil.

Just off Interstate 35 in Northfield, Minnesota.

Dave Maloney office (507) 663-0393 • cell (612) 221-0514 or email davem@bridgewatertreefarms.com 58

www.MNLA.biz | AUGUST 2010

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SOD, BLACK DIRT, MULCHES DECORATIVE ROCK Pick Up or Same Day Delivery Large or Small Orders For Field Pick Up at Elk River Farm, Please Call!

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(612) 866-0430• Fax 612-866-6181 Your one-stop shop for all your concrete and landscaping needs!

• Keystone Retaining Wall Systems • Borgert Pavers • Boulder Creek Stone Product • Real Stone Product • Natural Stone • Stucco Product • Decorative Rock • Cement Block • Concrete Tools • Landscaping Tools • Jackson Wheel Barrows • Ames Tools • Wacker Power Equipment • Stihl Power Equipment

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KLIER’S NURSERY

5901 Nicollet Ave. S. • Minneapolis, MN 55419 (612) 866-8771 • Fax (612) 866-2156

Wholesale & Retail: Sod • Topsoil • Decorative Rock • Mulches • Landscaping Tools • Firewood & Accessories • Garden Chemicals • Mowers • Trimmers • Other Power Equipment • Concrete Steppers • Boulders • Natural Stone • County Retaining Walls

SCHAFER EQUIPMENT COMPANY

6025 Pillsbury Ave • Minneapolis, MN 55419 (612) 861-2268 • Fax 612-869-8021

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: Bartell Power Equipment • Gilson Mixers Masonry Tools & Equipment Partner Concrete Saws Target Masonry Saws • Diamond Blades Jackson Wheelbarrows

PICK UP OR SAME DAY DELIVERY

• FORMS • LARGE SELECTION OF CONCRETE STAMPS & CONCRETE TOOLS

SERVICE & REPAIR OF EQUIPMENT

RENTAL EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE

• Toro • Lawn Boy • Echo

SERVICE & REPAIR OF EQUIPMENT

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

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