The Scoop Online – October 2011

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

Insights and Information for Green Industry Professionals

Tell the Story of Permeable Paver Systems PAGE 14-15

MNLA Snow Day! PAGE 11

New MNLA CEO Symposium PAGE 21

Two Standout Varieties PAGE 36

VOLUME 34, NUMBER 10 October 2011

THE

From the Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . 8 Landscape Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MNLA Snow Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Stormwater Management . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Arborists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Career Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-24 Northern Green Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . 25, 38 Awards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-27, 44 Irrigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-30 Government Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32-34 Greenhouse & Herbaceous Growers . 36 Business Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Recycling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Plant of the Month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

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www.MNLA.biz | OCtOBER 2011

ADVERTISER INDEX Ancom Communication & Technical Center ............................................4 Aspen Equipment ..............................15 Baker Lake Nursery............................38 Belgard Hardscapes - Northfield .........17 Bridgewater Tree Farms .....................10 Carlin Horticultural Supplies/ ProGreen Plus ...............................12 Casualty Assurance ............................22 Central Landscape Supply ..................42 Central Wisconsin Evergreens, Inc. ......40 Cherokee Mfg. ...................................45 Crysteel Truck Equipment...................41 Cushman Motor Co. Inc.......................18 Dayton Bag & Burlap..........................40 Fireside Hearth & Home .....................34 Gardenworld Inc. ...............................28 Golden Valley Hardscapes/ Xylem, Ltd.....................................44 Gopher State One-Call........................40 Great Northern Equipment Distributing, Inc................................................43

Haag Companies, Inc. ..........................5 Hal Tiffany Agency.............................28 Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies.......................39 Jeff Belzer Chevrolet............................7 JRK Seed and Turf Supply ...................19 Kage Innovation................................45 Klaus Nurseries..................................16 North Central Truck Equipment...........38 North Country Ford ............................44 Out Back Nursery ...............................42 The Builders Group ............................37 The Mulch Store.................................35 Titan Machinery (formerly Carlson Tractor and Equipment Co.)............13 Titan Machinery (formerly St Joseph Equipment Inc.) ............................48 Truck Utilities & Mfg. Co. ....................16 University of Minnesota Continuing Education .......................................9 Wheeler Landscape Supply.................29 Ziegler Cat ..........................................3

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Upcoming Events October 5 – Landscapers Extravaganza. Fireside Hearth and Home Technologies, Maple Grove. For more information, call 763-425-9656 or e-mail olerayj@fireside.com.

12 – MNLA Snow Day. Minnesota State Fairgrounds, St. Paul. For more information, see page 11 or visit www.mnla.biz.

12 – Ornamental Grass Collection Open House. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska.

For more information call 952-443-1447 or e-mail meyer023@umn.edu.

November 3-5 – TCI Expo. Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT. To learn more, or register, please visit www.tcia.org.

18 – MNLA/MTGF Pesticide Recertification. University of Minnesota Continuing Education & Conference Center, St. Paul. For more information, see page 23 or www.mnla.biz.

December

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

18-20 – Mid-Am Trade Show. Navy Pier, Chicago. More information available online at www.midam.org.

20 – MNLA Certification Exam. Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park. For more information, visit www.mnla.biz.

Reserve Booth Space Now!

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

www.MNLA.biz | OCtOBER 2011

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

January 4-6, 2012

3 – MNLA CEO Symposium. Hyatt Regency Hotel, Minneapolis. For more information, see page 21 or www.mnla.biz.

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MNLA Mission

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.

3 – Super Tuesday. Minneapolis Convention Center. For more information, see page 24 or www.mnla.biz!

GR EN E

www.MNLA.biz • GardenMinnesota.com

NorthernGreenExpo.org or call 651-633-4987

January

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651-633-4987, fax 651-633-4986 Outside the metro area, toll free: 888-886-MNLA, fax 888-266-4986

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

12 – Lunch ‘n Learn: PGRs on Woody Plants. MNLA Office, Roseville. For more information, see page 23 or visit www.mnla.biz.

THER R O

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the Scoop | FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Cutting Costs/

But Still Delivering Value to Members

By Bob Fitch, MNLA Executive Director e recently received a short note from a company who was renewing its membership in MNLA. On the renewal form, the Bob Fitch member expressed concern about where MNLA is spending its income and stated the association needs to cut costs. These are legitimate questions and expressions of concern. The MNLA Board of Directors and staff know that times are difficult. All of you who choose to join MNLA or renew your membership are entitled to know that the association is a worthy investment of some of your hardearned dollars.

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I thought it would be a good idea to provide to all of you a report similar to the letter I sent to this concerned member. What changes have been occurring at MNLA during the Great Recession? n MNLA’s annual revenues and expenditures have decreased from approximately $2.2 million to $1.6 million in the last three years. n MNLA’s dues rates are comparable or below the dues rates of similar green industry organizations.

Because MNLA has worked hard to develop non-dues revenue sources over the years, dues make up only about 17% of our gross revenue, compared to the association industry median of 40-45% for organizations of our size, according to the American Society of Association Executives.

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www.MNLA.biz | OCtOBER 2011

n MNLA has cut its staff from 5 fulltime/4 part-time employees to 4 full-time/3 part-time employees in the last four years, yet no regular programs have been cut or reduced.

We are proud of the efficient nature of our staff. In fact, the American Society of Association Executives says the median expenses for salaries for an organization of our revenue size should be 31-34% of our annual budget. MNLA’s budget is far below that at 21%. n MNLA’s full-time staff lost some of their benefits in the past fiscal year and part-time staff had hours reduced. n Staff and officer travel expenses are down about 43% vs. four years ago. n Administrative expenses (postage, supplies, phone, utilities, etc.) have been cut about 23% in the past four years. n Financial support for research grants and safety programs have been eliminated. n Expenses for The Scoop have been substantially reduced with little effect on the quality of the publication because of creative editorial management. n Development expenses for our Plants for Outdoor Living catalog program have been reduced. n Publicity expenses for Expo were cut significantly this past year – yet we were able to increase attendance through the efficient use of webbased promotion. n The quality of the seminar program has increased, yet education expenses for Expo have been cut over the past two years through better coordination among the various committees who determine educational programming.

n Expenses for committee meetings have been cut 80% in the past three years. n Our website/database expenses were reduced this past fiscal year and will be reduced again in the current fiscal year.

Even with less paid staff and fewer financial resources, MNLA’s volunteers and staff have continued to innovate.

Hard work, new programs and creative problem-solving continue to be hallmarks of MNLA: n The Irrigation Industry Committee recently completed a major update of the Landscape Irrigation Municipal Licensing and Permit Guidelines for the Twin Cities metro area. It is available for free at www.MNLA.biz. n Growers, landscape professionals, and irrigation professionals are represented on the state’s Minimal Impact Design Standards Board to ensure representation and protection of our industry’s interests on issues related to stormwater mitigation and water management. n MNLA has increased its promotion of members to the general public via an improved GardenMinnesota. com website and expanded circulation of Garden Minnesota Yearbook. n MNLA has garnered more media coverage for the association and its members in the past year alone than in the previous 85 years combined.

Green for Life, the State Fair, the Landscape Design Tour and more have all been featured by the press. n MNLA’s State Fair Landscape Garden showcases plants, design, hardscapes, irrigation and more to hundreds of thousands of homeowners.

n MNLA is a growing force at the State Capitol, with requests for input coming from committees and agencies that govern environmental, agricultural and pollution control issues. n MNLA held its first webinar this spring in an effort to increase the amount of quality education available in a time-efficient and fiscallyresponsible manner. n The association and the MNLA Foundation are national leaders in the promotion of green industry careers. n The Irrigation Industry Committee and the Landscape Education Committee have developed and implemented irrigation-specific and landscape lighting-specific courses to satisfy the requirements of the power limited technician license. n MNLA offers a host of money-saving services that have been requested by members, including: discount shipping; credit card services; vehicle rebates; fuel savings; PLANET publications; Spanish pocket guide; workers compensation insurance; and legal assistance.

MNLA’s Board of Directors, volunteer committees, and staff welcome your ideas for new programs or services, or even ideas for programs that you think should be discontinued because they have outlived their usefulness. With the input and support of members, we know there are many ways that the association can be improved.

Never hesitate to contact me at bob@mnla.biz or 651-633-4987; or MNLA President Bert Swanson at btswanson2@gmail.com or 218-7323579; or any MNLA committee chair or committee member.

Successful businesses grow here!

Thanks for helping us achieve that mission through your continued membership in the association. q ________________________________ Bob Fitch is executive director of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association and can be reached at bob@mnla.biz.

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the Scoop | LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT

Understanding Your Client’s Snow Plowing Needs

By Joel Butler, Suburban Services or those living in association maintained communities, snow plowing can sometimes leave you quite frustrated. Knowing what your association has contracted for services and understanding the guidelines are crucial for each home owner. Making sure the snow plowing happens on time takes planning, organization and constant communication between the landscape management firm, board members and property manager. A solid

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winter maintenance plan is an integral part of an association’s day to day operation.

In most instances, homeowner associations will contract with a landscape management firm to handle the snow removal within their community. For budget purposes, most associations simply do not have the resources to employ individuals to handle the operations in house. For larger associations and for mixed use developments, an in house maintenance/groundskeeper may be

available to assist the outside contractor with winter maintenance. In these instances, it is very important that all parties know who is responsible for what tasks/areas before the snow season.

Typically, the association will contract with a landscape management contractor for a year contract which covers lawn maintenance and snow removal. Most associations will elect to sign a contract where they pay a set fee monthly. This allows them to budget accurately and to Continued on page 12

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www.MNLA.biz | OCtOBER 2011

October 12, 2011 | 10am—3:30pm | MN State Fairgrounds

MNLA Snow Day Equipment, Supplies & Education to Gear Up for the Next Snow Season!

H E L P I N G Y O U R B U S IN E S S S U C C E E D A N D P R O F I T D U R I N G T H E N E X T S N O W S E AS ON !

Schedule-at-a-Glance 10:00-3:30—Exhibits Open 10:00-11:30—Trade Show Time, Donuts, and Drawings (must be present to win) 11:30-12:30—Lunch (included with attendee registration) 11:30-12:15—Bidding & Estimating Snow Removal, Mike Anderson, Snow and Ice Pros, Inc. Join Anderson to learn how to measure parking lots, and factor in other things like speed bumps, recessed truck docks, cart corrals, plant islands, asphalt vs. concrete vs. brick pavers, and time completion deadlines to determine an accurate bid. Should you bid it per push, per event or seasonal? What about multi-year contracts? There's a lot to consider before getting back to the potential customer.

12:30-1:00—Understanding Chemical Deicers 101, Scott Koefed, Cargill Salt How do we make sense of the enormous variety of The options available for sidewalk, driveway, and parking lot deicing are often far more complex than those for highway deicing. This session will provide a simple, easy to understand explanation of how all

Exhibitors (as of September 1) AccuSpread, Inc. Aspen Equipment Associated Insurance Agents Central Turf & Irrigation Supply Crysteel Truck Equipment Fahey Sales Auctioneers & Appraisers Fertimix Gertens Wholesale Great Northern Equipment Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies JRK Seed & Turf Supply

chemical deicers work, how the commonly used ingredients compare in their ice melting performance, how blending

Only $39 for MNLA member s!

performance, what are the inherent limitations in deicer performance (i.e. what is possible and what is not), how the common performance enhancers (e.g. corrosion inhibitors, freeze point depressants) work and what their limitations are.

1:00-1:30—Dedicated Trade Show Time 1:30-2:15— as Possible, Mike Anderson, Snow and Ice Pros, Inc. to keep your business streamlined for maximum

on the road.

2:30-3:00—What Are Your Legal Responsibilities When it Comes to Snow/Ice Removal? – Liability and Contracts, Patrick McGuiness, Zlimen & McGuiness Do you know what your snow contracts say? There are many important elements to make sure are in your snow contracts, including addressing snowfall triggers, haul out, timing, seasonal caps and much more. Find out the best way to protect your company with well written contract language!

3:00-3:30—Dedicated Trade Show Time. Social hour. Drawing for grand prize (must be present to win).

Niebur Tractor & Equipment Inc. North Central Truck Equipment Reinders, Inc. Saxon/New Brighton Ford Specialty Turf & Ag The Tessman Company Tri-State Bobcat Titan Machinery Truck Utilities Waconia Farm & Home Supply Ziegler Cat

Register online now at www.MNLA.biz!

Event Sponsors

To exhibit contact Betsy at 763-295-5420 betsy@pierreproductions.com.

Continued from page 10 finance the maintenance and snow plowing out over the term of the 12 month contract.

This way the contractor, property manager and board members can work together thru the seasons and build relationships essential to the success of the operation.

Timely and effective snow plowing is crucial to those living within the association. Contracts will set forth a trigger depth, the amount of snow which must fall before the contractor is required to perform. Contracts will designate a specified “open up” time which is typically prior to 7am or 5pm depending on when the snow starts to fall.

Emergency vehicles need to have access should the need arise. Associations rely heavily on their contractor to ensure there is a clear path allowing access in and out of the community.

A full width plow is generally completed within 12 hours after the complete cessation of snowfalls of 2” or more and within 18 hours after snowfalls exceeding 8.” Shoveling of sidewalks, garage aprons and mailboxes are completed within 18 hours after the complete cessation of snowfall. With snow events exceeding 10,” snow removal efforts including full width clean up and shoveling are completed on a “best effort basis.” It is common in those associations where space is limited the contractor will have to haul snow off site and/or move snow to another location within the

community. This is billed out on an “hourly,” as needed, basis separate from the contract so the association does not have to cover this expense unless it is needed. These prices should be provided to the association beforehand so when the need arises all parties are aware of the costs involved.

Communication between homeowners, management and the contractor is very important. Many service concerns can be eliminated if the homeowners know what to expect. We suggest to those associations who don’t already send out letters to the homeowners to get letters out in early Fall which clearly define the specifications of the contract. For those homeowners who have never lived in an association maintained community, they will not be familiar with what their role is in the process. Many assume “Maintenance Free Living” means just that, when in fact, a homeowner is responsible for snow removal on their sidewalk and driveway for snow falls which are below the contract trigger depth. We at Suburban Services will often be invited to homeowner association meetings so we can review the contract and answer questions before the snow season begins.

“Lifestyle Centers” or residential/commercial mixed use developments require a much different set of specifications. Most often the trigger depth will be ½” to ensure the areas are free from ice and snow buildup.

The association and property manager need to have complete confidence in

their contractor to keep the sidewalks free of snow and ice. Slip and fall claims are all too common. Therefore, it is crucial the contractor keep accurate records as to the time, date, weather conditions, materials applied, and team members completing the work should an incident occur. Most often, associations will hold homeowners responsible for ice removal on their own driveways and sidewalks. Ice can accumulate so quickly it is simply not cost effective for the contractor to come back repeatedly to ensure the area is clear. We include in our contracts at the request of the association sand barrels for residents' use.

Some associations select a “per occurrence” contract. This simply means they do not pay a monthly fee. The association is billed on an hourly basis for the removal of the snow for any occurrence over a specified trigger depth.

This can be a real gamble for those willing to take the risk, with snowfall averages above normal, an association should be prepared to spend a significant amount more than if they had a monthly contract with a set monthly fee.

Our mission is to provide our associations with exceptional service at a fair price. We do this by being proactive with all aspects including service, communications with homeowners, board members and property managers. q ________________________________ Joel Butler is a member of the MNLA Landscape Education Committee and can be reached at joelbutler2004@msn.com.

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Call us or talk to your sales representative for more information.

Outside Sales Representatives: Darren Kellar Adam Eull 612-597-9261 612-597-9613 dkellar@carlinsales.com aeull@carlinsales.com

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www.MNLA.biz | OCtOBER 2011

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the Scoop | STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

MNLA Introduces New Permeable Paver System Resources

By Bob Fitch, MNLA Executive Director

he Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association is pleased to introduce a new resource for members looking to influence the acceptance of permeable paver systems as a stormwater mitigation tool. A volunteer sub-committee of the association’s Stormwater Management Task Team worked for about a year to develop a brochure and packet of information designed to educate engineers, architects, municipal officials and others about the environmental value of permeable paver systems (PPS).

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e packet includes a 12-page brochure which outlines: • An overview of stormwater concerns.

• A visual representation of major best management practices often provided by our industry (PPS, trees, raingardens, holding ponds, and bioswales).

• PPS components including an explanation of the types of pavers available (concrete, clay, and composite).

• How PPS Function.

• 6 case studies of local projects that are successfully utilizing PPS.

The case studies are the heart of the brochure and include a mix of residential and commercial sites in Minnesota.

Construction and finished photos are included as well as background on the site, materials, soil conditions, and the designers/architects/engineers involved.

In addition to the brochure, the packet also includes a fact sheet specially designed for municipal officials on permeable interlocking concrete pavement systems by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI); plus a brochure of project profiles from across the U.S. and Canada compiled by ICPI. Finally, the packet provides three fact sheets: (1) Construction Inspection Checklist; (2) In Service / Maintenance Inspection Checklist; and (3) Permeable Systems Comparison (comparing pavers with porous asphalt and pervious concrete).

You can preview the brochure and checklists at www.MNLA.biz. A pdf of the materials can be found in the members only section – log in with your email address and 14

www.MNLA.biz | OCtOBER 2011

then click on the “member only pages” in the left-hand column.

The sub-committee is now in the process of finalizing a PowerPoint presentation that will go along with the packet.

The goal is to make the presentation to decision-makers across Minnesota who influence or decide on accepted stormwater best management practices. MNLA does not try to make the case that PPS is a magical solution, but rather that PPS is one of the legitimate tools that cities, developers and others can use to maximize the useable area on a property, while still addressing stormwater concerns.

• Nick Tamble, Lawn & Landscape Gardens • Tim Power, MNLA Regulatory Consultant • Jon Horsman, MNLA Communications Director

When the presentation is finalized, MNLA will announce the list of presenters who you can call on to help you educate your own local city council and officials.

A great debt of gratitude is owed to the PPS SubCommittee which continues to put forth an extraordinary effort to develop this tool which will ultimately benefit many MNLA member contractors and suppliers. Subcommittee members are: • • • •

Patrick McGuiness, One Call Property Care, Chair Matt Mallas, Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies Tim Oberg, Southview Design Bob Race, REAssoc LLC

Funding for the project came primarily from several manufacturers and distributors which had the foresight to believe in MNLA and stick with the project even when there were bumps in the road over several years. Thanks to: • Anchor Block • Belgard Hardscapes • Central Landscape Supply • Gertens Wholesale • Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies

OCtOBER 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

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the Scoop | ARBORISTS

MNLA Companies Use Research To Help Save Minneapolis Trees

By Greg Krogstad, Rainbow Treecare ecently, the Urban Forestry Institute (UFI) created a partnership with its corporate members to help the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB) save 96 mature Bur Oak trees in Minnehaha Park. The oaks were original trees when Wabun Picnic Area was developed as part of the park in the 1930's WPA employment program during the great depression. The trees have been in a state of decline for the past seven years due to drought and two-lined chestnut borer attacks. Most recently they were stressed by new construction at the park that damaged roots and compacted the soil over their root systems.

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Ralph Sievert, Minneapolis City Forester asked for assistance from MNLA and UFI members: Rainbow Treecare Companies, Sylva Forest Products and The Mulch Store to save the trees.

The MPRB is currently partnering with the companies on

research examining the impact of organic matter amendments on tree health in several parks in collaboration with faculty and staff from the University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point.

In response to the request, Rainbow Treecare provided training and assistance for Park Board arborists on a process called the Root Enhancement System. The process uses an Airspade to loosen compacted soil and Prescription Organic Matter to increase soil water holding capacity and enhance tree root development. Sylva and The Mulch Store provided three semi-truck loads of Prescription Organic Matter to support the operation. The MPRB crews then spent two full weeks in July de-compacting the soils and creating a better rooting environment for the trees.

According to Dr. John Lloyd, the Director of the Urban Forestry Institute, "The key aspect of the project is that it is research in action." Prior to the application of the Root

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Enhancement System, all of the oak trees were assessed for their canopy quality (chlorophyll content, leaf size and mass), as well as the amount of starch in their roots. Now, each year the canopy and roots of the trees will be re-evaluated to see if the trees are improving and see how long it takes for the worst impacted trees to recover.

The Wabun Park project is a prime example how communities, industry and educational institutions can collaborate to learn about new technologies, and research the impacts of these technologies in urban forests. Once we learn how to save trees, we can then apply those lessons to all our clients' trees and lead the way for other companies in our industry to adopt the practices.

"This project wouldn't have been possible for the MPRB to do on its own," said Sievert. "Without the resources and expertise provided by the corporate partners of the UFI, I would have had to work with our city to pay for removing and replacing the trees in two years. It would have changed the entire character of the park and not in a good way."

The Wabun Root Enhancement project allows us to truly quantify the positive effects we have observed with individually treated trees. It also provides an opportunity with the MPRB and UFI to educate park goers about urban soils and what urban trees need to thrive in the often harsh urban landscape.

Researchers working on the project will continue to collect data over the next ten years. Drs. Les Werner, Dimitri Mollov and Yvonne Boldt, all with the Urban Forestry Institute and the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, University of Minnesota and Providence Academy in Plymouth, respectively, plan to analyze the soil microbial DNA profiles to see how the Prescription Organic Matter influences native soil microbes to increase the root health of the trees. "It's rather simple," says Boldt, who has a Ph.D. in Microbiology, "We know that the microbes and trees depend on each other, so once we identify the mechanisms of this symbiosis we can better manage the soil for the trees sake."

Understanding and managing the environment for the tree is the whole goal of the project, says Lloyd. "The Urban Forestry Institute was formed to facilitate these kinds of collaborations between public and private organizations to advance the science that is integral to managing our urban forests and landscapes."

To read more on the Urban Forestry Institute and current research, log on to: www.UrbanForestryInstitute.org. q ___________________________________________________ Greg Krogstad is a member of the MNLA Commercial Arborists Committee and can be reached at GKrogstad@RainbowTreecare.com.

OCtOBER 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

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the Scoop | NURSERY

Only 24 Hours in a Day

By Cory J. Whitmer, CP, The Mustard Seed Landscaping and Garden Center n the green industry we all have peak times of the year where you just seem to fall farther behind every day. In our seasonal business we all have times that are busier than others. During the peak times you feel overwhelmed, stressed, and even helpless. So how do you handle these times?

One of the best ways is to manage your time wisely; after all we all have the same 24 hours in a day.

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Cory Whitmer

We all know by managing our time wisely we will get more done in a day. It will also help minimize our stress levels and possibly, even give you some time for a personal life. I know, not everyone is a natural time manager and it can get intense trying to figure out where to start. I recommend taking one of the following suggestions and try it for two weeks. If it helps, great; then try another one.

Suggestion #1: Schedule your day. This can be taken to any level of detail you want. You can plan out every step of the day or just certain parts of the day. Just remember, any little bit helps. One example of this is to schedule a time for e-mails.

Turn off your e-mail notification and only look at your e-mails during this scheduled time. This will help keep you focused on the task at hand without any interruptions. It depends on how many e-mails you get in a day as to how long you need to schedule for this. I personally do a lot of communication through e-mails and schedule 15 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon. Have you ever tried to schedule your lunch? How often have you said, I’ll get one more thing done before lunch? The next thing you know, it’s 3:00 and you still haven’t eaten. We all know that we’re not as productive when we haven’t eaten properly. The other benefit to a scheduled lunch is that it is a natural interruption to your day, which can be a benefit. If you already have to come in from the field to eat, why not schedule that meeting or phone calls right after lunch. That way, you have more focus time on the task at hand.

Suggestion #2: Make a "to do" list. Spending a couple of minutes to prioritize your list is another great way to save time.

A lot of time in a day can be wasted on small relatively unimportant tasks. Also by prioritizing your list, you might realize that some things, although important, might not be as crucial to get done right away as others.

My favorite thing about making a list is that there may be things on my list that someone else may be better suited for and I can take it off my list and add it to someone else’s list.

Suggestion #3: Examine your time. Keep a daily journal of your time. This can be done for just a few days to get a feel where the day went. I bet you will be surprised at how much time you “waste” in a day. Just the knowledge and awareness you gain from this is priceless. It might make you stop one less time at the water cooler the next day or make you look a little closer at routing out appointments.

I’m sure none of these suggestions are totally new information. However, I know how a simple reminder can spark a great movement towards change. Hopefully, one of these suggestions gives you that little nudge in the right direction and make those peak times less stressful. q ____________________________________ Cory Whitmer is the chair of the MNLA Nursery Committee and can be reached at coryw@themustardseedinc.com.

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www.MNLA.biz | OCtOBER 2011

CAREER DEVELOPMENT | the Scoop

The Power of a Click You’re only one ‘click’ away from helping to recruit the next generation of green industry professionals.

MNLA knows that you need quality workers to ensure the future success of your business and has been expanding their web presence to help to reach those potential employees. To keep these efforts going, we need your ‘clicks’. Here is what you can do: Check out the Minnesota LandLovers page on Facebook and ‘like’ us: facebook.com/MinnesotaLandLovers Join our conversations on Twitter: twitter.com/theLandLovers

Check out theLandLovers.org, a great resource on green industry careers, and put a link to it on your company’s website.

You’ve found a field you love, now you can help others do the same… all with just a ‘click’.

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OCtOBER 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

19

the Scoop | EDUCATION

October Classes at 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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Harvesting from Nature for Winter Decorating Tuesday, October 4, 6:30 to 8 p.m. $15 members, $25 nonmembers Location: MSHS classroom, 2705 Lincoln Drive, Roseville.

Collecting natural botanicals to create holiday décor indoors and out. Now is the time to harvest, while it is still fresh and colorful. Mary Beth will be bringing specimens in from her farm and will demonstrate how to preserve and prepare the botanicals for seasonal creations.

Instructor: Mary Beth Gullickson with Cedar Brook has 35 years of experience in horticulture. She is a master designer and worked at Bachman’s for many years.

Planting the Right Tree in the Right Place Tuesday, October 11, 6:30 to 8 p.m. $15 Members, $25 Nonmembers Location: MSHS classroom, 2705 Lincoln Drive, Roseville.

When choosing a tree, there are a lot of things to consider, including appearance, mature size, health, hardiness, and soil conditions. Planting the right tree in the right place and in the right way will get your tree off to a good start and help to ensure its health for generations to come.

We will also send you home with a great handout for future reference.

Instructor: Kent Honl, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist and Consulting Arborist for Rainbow Treecare.

Gathering: Memoir of a Seed Saver ursday, October 13, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Location: Bachman's Garden Center, 6010 Lyndale Avenue S, Minneapolis. $15 members, $20 nonmembers Join us for a reception with hors-d'oeuvre and beverages and a presentation based on the recently released Gathering: Memoir of a Seed Saver by Diane Ott Whealy of Seed Savers 20

www.MNLA.biz | OCtOBER 2011

Exchange in Iowa. A book signing with the author will follow.

This is the story about Seed Savers Exchange, the nation's premier nonprofit seed-saving organization that began humbly as a simple exchange of seeds among passionate gardeners and how the membership has grown from a small coterie to more than thirteen thousand. This story captures what is best in the American spirit: the ability to dream and, through hard work and perseverance, inspire others to join the effort. Gathering: Memoir of a Seed Saver will be available for purchase by cash, charge or check for $25 plus tax. MSHS members will receive their 15% discount with their membership card. Preregistration is requested.

Sample the Local Harvest ursday, October 27, 6 to 8 p.m. $30 per person, deadline to purchase tickets is October 20.

Location: Bachman’s on Lyndale, Heritage Room, 6010 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis.

Join us for a delightful evening of tasting local wine, cheese, apples and more. Talk to the experts about how they produce some of our favorite things locally and which varieties grow best in Minnesota. Last year we sold out, so call early.

Proceeds from this event support the Minnesota State Horticultural Society’s Garden-in-a-Box program, which helps low-income families grow their own produce at home.

Growing Cacti and Succulents in Cold Climates Tuesday, November 1, 6:30 to 8 p.m. $15 members, $25 nonmembers Location: MSHS classroom, 2705 Lincoln Drive, Roseville.

Cacti and succulents take many fascinating and unique forms, but are often not winter hardy in the North. In this class we cover the wide range of succulents which take well to growing indoors in Minnesota with tips for care, maintenance and use outside in summer.

Instructor: Dr. William Cook is a biology professor who teaches a variety of courses on ecology, wildlife and environmental issues.

He has tried his luck gardening in New Hampshire, Kansas, Arizona and Minnesota, and is now associated with Stearns County Master Gardeners. He is a general interest gardener but currently has particular interests in growing cacti and succulents, sustainable gardening, and vermiculture.

the Scoop | EDUCATION

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October Events at the Arboretum ere's a brief summary of classes and special events in October at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. To register for classes, call 952-443-1422 or visit the website at www.arboretum.umn.edu.

For general info, call 952-443-1400.

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CLASSES/LECTURES Gardening School: Growing Grapes.

Saturday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Horticultural Research Center.

Learn about grape cultivars, how to grow, pruning techniques and more.

Instructor: Sue Riesgraf, former HRC vineyard manager. Fee: $35 member/ $45 non-member.

Gardening School: Botanical Latin Saturday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Snyder Building. Learn to decipher the meaning and logic behind the lyrical Latin botanical plant names.

Fee: $35 member/ $45 non-member.

Ornamental Grasses Viewing.

1-4 p.m., Wednesday Oct. 12 Ornamental Grasses Collection on Three-Mile Drive. Informal viewing of the Arboretum's renowned ornamental grasses collection, including new plantings. Growers and retailers are invited to walk through the collection. Mary Meyer, U of M horticulture professor and manager of the collection, will be present to discuss new grasses and answer questions. Refreshments provided.

Lecture: GMOs / What Consumers Should Know.

Saturday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Oswald Visitor Center. Learn just what are genetically modified

organisms (GMOs) and why they are giving rise to controversy in farm fields and grocery stores. Lecturer Esther McGinnis, J.D., has worked in environmental issues extensively and is a doctoral candidate in plant science. Fee: $35 member/ $45 nonmember.

Horticultural Exhibit: Pumpkin Palooza Cucurbit Display Sept 24-Oct. 31.

Check out this eye-popping display of thousands of cucurbits grown at the Horticultural Research Center.

Includes rarely seen varieties. Great Hall, Oswald Visitor Center.

FUN EVENTS New this year - Ghouls & Goblins at the Maze.

1-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 Arboretum Garden Maze & Oswald Visitor Center. A spookfriendly Halloween adventure for the whole family. Dress in a fun costume!

Walk the half-mile Trick or Treat Trail to the Maze Garden - chockful of surprises! Then head back to the Visitor Center for family activities and "spook-tacular" music! Free gate admission during the event hours (1-5 p.m.). Registration required. You can register at www.arboretum.umn.edu or by calling 612-625-9456. Ghouls & Goblins at the Maze is presented by RBC Wealth Management.

Friends of Andersen Horticultural Library Used Book Sale.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 7-9 Synder Building Auditorium. Shop for gently used books of all types, plus magazines, CDs and more. Proceeds benefit the horticultural library. q

OCtOBER 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

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9am – 3:30pm Permeable Paver Systems

9am – 3pm Communication Strategies il ta Re rs: me sto Cu l Al g llin Ca

munications—The Message, The The morning session, “In-Store Com s on making the message concise Placement, The Production” focuse st be cise and why the production mu and consistent, the placement pre

Permeable pavers are the fastest growing segment of the paver industry. By attending this seminar you will learn: The three types of permeable systems and their components; installation techniques; and how to choose the right system for your residential installation.

We will also compare bidding and estimating of a permeable system to a non-permeable paver system. If you’re interested in pursuing further education on the topic, this seminar will help prepare you for the ICPI Permeable Installation

The a concise and consistent message. e nag ma to le ilab ava ent ipm equ es and Tools to Take Your Marketing, Sal afternoon session, “Using Online closer to your customers before, you ng bri l wil el” Lev xt Ne the to Service ping the technology is simple, develo during and after the sale. While les of le more work. You’ll hear examp a strategy to use it requires a litt and social media in innovative ways and l ita dig ng usi are t tha es ess busin mbers of a It is recommended that two me leave with resources and ideas. employees. store attend: For managers and

Instructors Jennifer Kane,

Instructor on, Growing Places Marketing Kane Consulting and Judy Sharpt

Bill Gardocki, Interstate Landscape Co., Inc. $99 for MNLA/MTGF members when registering

by Dec. 9

stering by Dec. 9. en registe

$99 for MNLA/MTGF members wh

GARDEN CENTER

HARDSCAPES

January 3, 2012 | Minneapolis Convention Center

Register online at MNLA.biz!

There will be NO onsite registration. Note that registration fees are separate from those for the Northern Green Expo.

8am – 3:30pm Weeds, Trees & Turf Diseases

rists, and sports turf

Golf course personnel, lawn care companies, arbo

on Turf Diseases; topics will be covered: Impact of Cultural Practices Update; and Managing Grassy Weed and Broadleaf Herbicide Research be included.

Trees in Urban Soils. A case study on Imprelis will

Instructors

The Ohio State James Urban, Urban Trees & Soils, Dave Gardner, University, and Bruce Clarke, Rutgers. | $60 for MNLA/ $80 for MNLA/MTGF member full day registration ded) MTGF member half day registration (lunch not inclu

TREES & TURF Sponsored by:

8am – 5pm What’s on the Horizon for La ndsca Lighting (PLT Relicensure) pe This class provides eight hours of Pow er Limited

the landscape lighting specialist . The 8 hour class will Code training; and 6 hours of tec hnical training. Topics will include: Principles of 12 Vol t Outdoor Lighting Design; Landscape Lighting Installation – Wiring and Circuit; Low Voltage Lighting and the NEC; Ele ctrical System Formulas and Calculations; and LED vs. Ha logen: A Case Study.

Instructors Darin Ayres, FX Luminaire, and Dic

k Johnson, PLT Services.

$99 for MNLA/MTGF members wh

en registering byy Deec.c. 9.

PLT: LANDSCAPE LIGH TING

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THE OR R

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GR EN E

OCtOBER 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

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the Scoop | AWARDS

Landscape Awards 2012 Top Four Reasons for Entry Disqualification

By Jon Horsman, MNLA Communications Director

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hen filling out the Landscape Awards application, it is worth your time to carefully read all parts of it. Too often, entries are rejected because instructions were not followed. An incomplete application is not permitted to be judged, so make sure you give yourself enough time. Don't wait until the last minute to begin putting your entry together. Landscape Award Committee members have noticed these top four reasons for entry disqualification:

1. Lack of signed permission slip from property owner.

2. Company logos on plans or on company trucks in photos.

3. Not providing at least 10 photos of the DURING phase of construction for Installation entries.

4. Not indicating which areas of the project for which you were responsible.

If you’re an MNLA member company, you are eligible to submit multiple entries, but they must be from a different designer or project manager. Any project that shows outstanding design, installation or management should be entered. The type, size and cost of a project are not part of the criteria for judging. Judges work from digital photos, a written narrative, and a work performance chart without knowing who entered the projects. A complete Landscape Awards Application can be found online at www.MNLA.biz.

Application Due November 16 Completed applications are due at the MNLA office no later than November 16, 2011. Winners will be notified during the second week of December. Awards will be presented at the MNLA Landscape Gala on March 10, 2012 at the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis, at 410 Oak Grove Street in Minneapolis.

Landscape Awards Program Sponsors:

Save 15-65% on Telecom and Merchant Services Contact Dan Bauman, The Credit Card Dr. Office: (877) 272-0741 | Direct: (651) 207 6867

OCtOBER 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

27

the Scoop | IRRIGATION

Large Area Sprinklers as Water Conservation Devices?

By Steve Pallas CLIA, Hunter Industries Incorporated uite often people will see large expanses of turf in parks and on athletic fields, and think of how wasteful they are in regard to water. That perception is increased when they see the irrigation system running, and spraying large amounts of water into the air. What they don’t understand is that those lush, green turf areas are more than just important recreational sites, they are air purifiers, contaminant filters, oxygen producers, air conditioners, and carbon sinks. They also provide us with pleasing green space, so important to human happiness, and help to offset the effects of hardscapes and buildings in our urban environment.

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What about the water they use? Yes, water is needed to keep these surfaces in top shape, but the water used is for a

good cause, as evidenced by the paragraph above. Everyone agrees that we need to clean our air, sequester carbon, offset the heat we create when we develop land, and provide safe play surfaces, and sports turf does all these things extremely well. The perception of some is their reality, and that water is being wasted. But is it true? Professionally managed, wellmaintained sports turf, watered by a professionally-designed, installed, and maintained irrigation system actually uses water very efficiently, and that is what we will explore here.

Perception: Large rotors spraying great amounts of water are inefficient.

Fact: Manufacturers of sports turf sprinklers spend huge amounts of engineering, testing, and development time and money to produce emission devices that rate in the excellent

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category as far as irrigation efficiency, as defined by the Irrigation Association. A properly designed and installed irrigation system operating at the appropriate pressure distributes water with a high degree of uniformity, ensuring the system only needs to run for the optimum amount of time to provide adequate water. Inefficient sprinklers that do a poor job of applying water must run for extended time to make sure the driest area receives enough water to keep it green, while wetter areas are overwatered - sometimes by more than twice what they need. Concerning the large amounts of water coming out of the sprinkler, just remember, they are covering a greater amount of area when compared to spray sprinklers as well.

Spray sprinklers by their nature apply a lot of water quickly, and only need to run for a short time to get the job done.

Large rotors, by comparison, apply water at very slow rates, normally in the range of .5 inches per hour - one third the rate of sprays. They do need to run three times longer than spray sprinklers to apply the same amount of water to an area, but they do it with greater efficiency. Not only is their distribution of water superior to spray sprinklers, but the lower application rate ensures more of the water is absorbed by the soil, and is available for the plants. Soils, in general, cannot accept water at high rates, so some of the water applied by spray sprinklers may not reach its intended destination - the root zone.

Perception: Large rotors operate for long periods of time compared to spray sprinklers, and that wastes water.

Of course, there are areas of the landscape where spray sprinklers are the best irrigation method. Under the pressure of legislative measures, and out of a desire to contribute to the conservation of our precious natural resources, irrigation manufacturers continue to work on developing more efficient small area heads and nozzles. But for large turf areas such as sports fields, rotors remain the sprinkler of choice. q

Fact: Large rotors do run for much longer times than typical spray sprinklers, and they need to. Small area spray sprinklers apply water at a high application rate, generally around 1.5 inches per hour. Some are much higher than that as well, but just imagine a rain storm that measured 1.5 inches in one hour - that’s a lot of rain, at a rapid pace.

___________________________________________________

Steve Pallas is a member of the MNLA Irrigation Industry Committee and can be reached at Steve.Pallas@hunterindustries.com.

Wheeler Landscape Supply OCtOBER 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

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the Scoop | IRRIGATION

Seasoned Veterans

By Rick Walters, Northway Irrigation Editor's note: A printer's error clipped this article in the September Scoop. Our apologies to Rick. Here is the article in its correct form.

'm writing this after meeting with a bunch of "Old Timers" for lunch. This is a small group of long time Guess who these people are... irrigation professionals who not only have been in the irrigation business a long time, but are well seasoned. Some are retired or semi-retired and some are still active in irrigation or in some other type of business. We meet three or four times a year, and have been doing this for several years. Sometimes there are only four of us and sometimes 10. We have no official name and have no dues or agenda. This is just a group of friends meeting and having a good time talking mostly about the good old days in and out of irrigation. Over the years we have invited many people who have never came to the event because of one reason or another.

I think they might not want to see someone who just might be there. That is too bad, but that is their choice. There was one who first said he did not want to be involved with any organization that had regular meetings and paid dues. We explained that this was not the case. He finally came to a get together, and now asks when we are having the next one, because he really enjoys the time together, There is a lot of experience and knowledge in this group, so I thought I would bring up the topic of licensing of irrigation contractors and get their thoughts on the matter. I mentioned that the MNLA Irrigation Committee was thinking of bringing this up to the state legislators before they do it on their own (this was before the government shutdown). There are many states that are licensing landscape and irrigation contractors because of shady work some sell to the public. You know that might be here next. That subject always comes up in our group; how do these companies get away with installing such poorly designed systems, and stay in business? The MNLA and IA have been trying for years to get the contractors, through education, to install the right way, but the economy has set the industry back. That is another story, so back to the group.

They naturally had different opinions about the licensing, but they all expressed their worry about enforcement. Most

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agreed that licensing without enforcement is kind of what we have now. We have a rain sensor that is, by law, supposed to be installed on a new system, with no way to enforce it. There are a lot of systems being installed without one just to keep the price down. There again, the customer just looks at the low price and does not realize what he is getting. The back flow is supposed to be installed by a licensed plumber. Although some cities do a good job with this, it is wildly abused. In some cases, the contractor (I use this term loosely) has the homeowner pull the permit and will do the plumbing after inspection hours. The PLT license that is policed by the state is not a priority of the Electrical Board, and is not enforced even when there is a reported abuse. With the problems that the State of Minnesota has with the budget and not being able to get any of their regular work done, this might not be the right time to bring this up before them. I have been in a Linkedin discussion about government involvement with water related issues, and as Andy Smith stated: "The inefficiency and lack of understanding of government seems to always create more problems than it solves through regulation and mandates."

The Old Timers group had no real answer to the problem but suggested we try to police ourselves. Like I said, we have tried to teach the industry to give the customer a good product at a reasonable price so we can pay our employees a good wage and make a small profit, and be able to sleep at night. There is nothing wrong with making a profit. After all, isn’t that what we are in business for? You see every day that another contractor goes out of business. Why? I’m sure glad I’m not a supplier selling to these people and trying to collect money they don’t have. With the cost of business going up every day, we don’t understand how these people stay in business bidding so low on these projects. I’m probably preaching to the choir here, but it might reach some. The MNLA offers classes on installation and general business but the people who really need this are not there. One way to get them there is licensing. Then they have to attend these classes to get their CEU’s. If there are any other ideas you might have, please let us know. This industry is out of hand and needs help. q ________________________________________________ Rick Walters is a member of the MNLA Irrigation Industry Committee and can be reached at rick@northwayIrrigation.com.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS | the Scoop

Turf & Landscape Irrigation Standards Being Developed

By Timothy Malooly, CID, CLIA, CIC, Irrigation by Design, Inc. his information is somewhat technical but very important to the entire green industry:

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The International Code Council (ICC), a standard and code-developing body based in Illinois has announced three ANSI consensus standards related to landscape irrigation: Timothy Malooly

1. Standard for Turfgrass and Landscape Irrigation Sprinklers and Emitters 2. Standard for Devices to Control and Operate Automatic Irrigation Systems 3. Standard for Rainfall Sensors for use with Automatic Irrigation Systems (ANSI is an acronym for American National Standards Institute www.ansi.org) ICC announced the intent to develop these standards for reference as needed in codes, standards and regulations. One such example is the International Green Construction Code (http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/IGCC/Pages/default.aspx ), which is currently under development and is intended to provide guidelines for “sustainable construction.” Details such as meeting notices and minutes can be found at http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/standards/ISTLS/Pages/default.aspx.

What is a Standard?

A standard is essentially a formal process of consensus of stakeholders of how a product will be manufactured or how it will perform so as to meet certain (minimum) specific and measureable criteria. Standards are referenced in codes, the guidelines used to build and inspect construction in Minnesota. A building code is a specification intended to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the public and addresses the manner in which systems or structures are assembled or constructed in the field. Standards strengthen codes since they function as references of codes.

A committee has been formed for the “Standard for Landscape Irrigation Emission Devices” (IS-IEDC), a renamed version of item 1 above. Committee membership consists of a mix of individuals covering the irrigation industry, government, and users (http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/standards/ISTLS/Documents/misc/roster.pdf ). Importantly, the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), also a standard developing organization with several standards relating primarily to agricultural irrigation, is also participating in development of this standard. Meetings are open to the public and the public is encouraged to participate in the committee and subcommittee meetings. ICC will post notice of these events on the IS-IEDC website. Meetings will be by telephone/web as well as in-person. As standards are developed, there are periods of public comment where anyone can provide formal comments on the draft document(s) for consideration by the committee.

The first IS-IEDC committee meeting took place August 31 – September 1 in Chicago, IL (http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/standards/ISTLS/Documents/notices/083111_Meeting.pdf ). As a result of this meeting, several task groups were formed. Task groups will meet by conference call in the coming weeks to discuss technical details associated with the standard. A face to face meeting of some task groups is being planned for October 4, 2011 in advance of the WaterSmart Innovations conference in Las Vegas. Check the ICC website for the latest information on the upcoming meetings, as details are subject to change.

It is important that irrigation professionals and those who are interested in or feel “subject-to” landscape irrigation outcomes participate in this important process. I serve on the IS-IEDC and will be happy to answer questions and help you make constructive contributions. q _________________________________ Tim Malooly is the Chair of the Government Affairs Committee and can be reached at TimM@watermotion.com.

OCtOBER 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

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the Scoop | CERTIFICATION

Certification Training Magic from the Manual:

Plant Winter Protection

By Bert T. Swanson, Swanson's Nursery Consulting, Inc. nder natural conditions, fall seasonal cooling temperatures generally decrease at relatively slow rates.

Under such conditions, water in plants begins to freeze. This occurs first in water located outside and between the living cells. These locations are called intercellular spaces. The freezing in the intercellular spaces is called Bert Swanson extracellular freezing. Under natural conditions, as freezing progresses, water continues to move out of the cell and continues to freeze extracellularly. If temperatures drop very quickly, ice may form within the living cell, which is called intracellular freezing, resulting in death of the cell. Examples of this occurring in nature include injury to evergreen foliage and sunscald damage on the south and southwest exposures of plant materials.

During a short sunny period in the winter, tissues can thaw and become active. If the sun should become blocked by a building or a cloud, tissue temperatures can drop quickly, resulting in intracellular freezing and death.

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Once developed, the continued internal maintenance of cold hardiness depends on the same environmental factors responsible for the inhibition of growth, induction of dormancy, and initiation of cold hardiness development. If temperatures remain low after internal dormancy has been broken, plant material will retain cold hardiness levels. If periods of warm temperatures occur after the internal genetically-based and physiologically-based dormancy requirements have been satisfied, cold hardiness may be reduced or lost. This will result in injury if temperatures fall again rapidly. Again, the site where the plant is naturally adapted plays a role in the relationship between frost hardiness and dehardening during the spring.

Other factors such as supercooling, cyclic freezing and thawing, and prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can affect plant survival. Further understanding of the complex biochemical and physiological responses to environmental stimuli resulting in cold hardiness development and maintenance is needed to completely understand this critical factor in plant survival.

Winter Protection î “e most important factors that enhance winter survival are: 1. Selection of plant materials which have been proven to be cold hardy.

2. Locating plant materials on sites to which they are adapted.

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3. Providing proper production cultural practices throughout the growing season to ensure optimal plant health and vigor.

Selecting plant materials that are genetically hardy and locating them on sites where they are adapted and will grow well, is the best insurance against winter injury. Always determine the geographical source of the plant material, whether it is seed, cuttings or other forms of transplants, since cold hardiness is genetically determined. The timing of acclimation and deacclimation is also genetically controlled and is crucial to survival.

A good example of the importance of site to plant cold hardiness and survival would be the location of plants on north facing slopes. One of the characteristics of north slopes is greater frost penetration which one might think would result in greater root injury. However, snow is less likely to melt on northern slopes and subsequent snow accumulation insulates the soil and roots from injurious temperatures. In addition, snow cover remains on northern slopes longer in the spring which delays deacclimation and growth. This prevents injury from late spring freezes.

Adequate fertility and moisture is necessary to promote strong, balanced and healthy growth and development.

Pruning should be timed properly so as not to promote succulent growth late into the fall. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization in late summer and fall to reduce succulent growth and to promote hardiness. A gradual reduction in watering will also help to harden plants in preparation for winter. Avoidance of herbicide injury, and stress due to insects and diseases, which may weaken the plant and reduce its ability to acclimate adequately, will also help insure proper hardiness development.

Ensure that plant material enters the winter with adequate soil moisture by watering thoroughly after plants have hardened off, but prior to freeze-up. A moist soil also acts as a buffer against rapid changes in soil temperature due to the specific heat of water as compared to that of air.

Planting a cover crop such as oats or rye in field situations will facilitate hardening-off of plant materials through competition for moisture and nutrients. Competition with a cover or companion crop will also promote the development of a deeper root system resulting in less injury to surface roots.

Cover crops will also catch snow which provides moisture and insulation. Cover crops can also reduce damage caused by windblown snow and soil particles especially on evergreens, young plants, and field-stuck cuttings.

Mulching will help moderate soil temperature and reduce cyclic freezing and thawing. Mulching also conserves soil

moisture. Winter mulching with straw or hay is critical to the survival of many herbaceous perennials, and it reduces soil heaving of newly transplanted stock, particularly in open winters.

Shading of sensitive plant materials from winter sun and wind with burlap, wrapping, or through proper landscape plant placement relative to buildings, other plant material and topography, will decrease injury from sunscald, desiccation, and temperature extremes.

The potential for winter injury to plants produced in containers is especially high because plant roots in containers are exposed to much lower temperatures than when roots are insulated by soil in the field. Container grown plants require special attention to insulate roots from injurious winter temperatures. At the very least, containers should be consolidated and tipped with the plant tops pointing west or south using the tops of the plants to cover the row of containers ahead of them. This arrangement increases the potential for collection of snow resulting in increased protection. It also reduces temperature fluctuations in the container by shading the containers from winter sun.

Although snow is an excellent insulator, reliable snow cover throughout the winter is not consistent. Therefore, additional protection for tipped container stock is required. Plants may be covered with an insulating layer of straw or specifically designed insulating blankets such as microfoam. A layer of plastic, followed by an eight to 12-inch layer of straw and a second layer of plastic to keep the straw dry, provides excellent winter protection for container stock. Refer to the chapter on Container Production for more detailed information on winter protection of container stock.

Although not a low temperature problem, salt damage and rodent damage are also usually associated with the winter season. The use of salt for deicing purposes during the winter can cause problems for plant materials growing adjacent to streets, driveways, and sidewalks. Plants can be injured by salt carried in runoff or by salt spray from passing vehicles. The best solution to this problem is to avoid the use of such materials. If this is not possible, only plants which are tolerant of high salts should be used in these areas (Tables 1 and 2).

Thorough and deep irrigation of areas prone to salt accumulation in early spring may reduce salt injury by leaching salts below the root zone.

To protect container stock from winter rodent damage, place rodent bait in and around the parameters of the area.

Start placing the bait in the parameters in early September and continue until the plants are covered. For planted trees, tree wrap is somewhat effective, but a one-quarter inch wire mesh may be required in heavy infestations. It should be inserted two inches into the soil and extended up to the lowest branch or beyond the average snow level. Properly applied barrier techniques are necessary to prevent damage from rabbits, voles, mice, deer feeding, and deer rubbing.

The best way to avoid winter cold injury and physical damage to nursery and landscape plants is to select reasonably hardy plants and to employ proper production and cultural practices.

CERTIFIED Professional Examples of MNLA Certification Examination Questions 1. Freezing of water outside and between living cells is called: A. Free Water.

B. Extracellular Freezing.

C. Intercellular Freezing.

D. Intracellular Freezing.

E. Super Cooled Water.

2. Intracellular Freezing results in death of a cell.

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3. If periods of warm temperatures occur after the internalgenetically-based and physiologically-based dormancy requirements have been satisďŹ ed, cold hardiness may be reduced or lost. T F 4. Important factors that enhance winter survival include all but which one of the following?

A. Selection of plant materials which have been proven to be cold hardy.

B. Extremely low fertility levels.

C. Locating plant materials on sites to which they are adapted.

D. Providing cultural practices throughout the growing season to ensure optimal plant health and vigor.

E. Keeping plants properly hydrated four to six weeks prior to freeze-up.

5. î “e potential for winter injury to plants produced in a good growing medium in containers is less than for plants that are growing in the ďŹ eld or in the landscape.

T F Answers: 1. B; 2. T; 3. T; 4. B; 5. F. ___________________________________________________

Bert Swanson is a member of the MNLA Certification Committee and can be reached at btswanson2@gmail.com.

Certification Training Magic from the Manual is a monthly article written by the MNLA Certification Committee as a study tool for the MNLA Certification Exam. Information from these articles is taken directly from the chapter in the MNLA Certification Manual. It is an outline and does not replace studying the entire chapter in the manual.

OCtOBER 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

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the Scoop | CERTIFICATION

Are You Giving Yourself Credit?

By Tim Vogel, Bailey Nurseries ontinuous education and intellectual updating of our technical and managerial skills are essential for professionals in the Green Industry. It is essential to maintain a current professional status in a rapidly changing world of professional green industry activity. This is the reason for the MNLA Certification Re-certification requirement after you have achieved the initial certification. Recertification is an acknowledgement of the importance of continuous learning in the horticultural profession. MNLA Recertification requires that you earn 18 Recertification Credits over a three-year period. The many opportunities to earn these credits are described in the Certification Manual, and a blue Recertification Card is provided to record and document your achievements.

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The existing important and convenient opportunities to recertify have just been expanded to include one more important area of earning Recertification credit. This is: Recognition of the impact that CNLP's can make through superior job performance in your particular job position. You can now earn Recertification credits by exhibiting a superior effort of any sort that is recognized by your immediate supervisor and/or the owner of the company. Many of you do superior work with customers, some of you evaluate and find new plants, some of you find more efficient ways to accomplish

tasks, some of you develop or implement cost saving measures, and many others do excellent job performance activities that can be recognized by your supervisors.

This performance is important and of value, and should be recognized in the daily experience in the workplace.

This is special and valuable experience, and this contribution should be rewarded as professional Recertification.

Therefore, you will now be able to earn two Recertification credits per year for doing superior work in your job description. You can earn a maximum of six Recertification credits over three years, as recognized and signed for by your supervisor.

Watch for another article, which further describes in more detail, the specific Recertification opportunities that are presently offered in the MNLA Certification Manual. This information will also be posted on the MNLA Certification Website and the new MNLA Certification Facebook page. “Like us� on the new MNLA Certification Facebook Page and check out all these ideas. Make Recertification an opportunity to Stay Professional! q ___________________________________________________

Tim Vogel is a member of the MNLA Certification Committee and can be reached at tim.vogel@baileynursery.com.

landscapers, contractors, garden centers

763-425-9656 The Fireplace Experts Indoors and Out! 34

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Need information on environmental topics?

Check out the Sustainable Environment Resources on MNLA.biz! Titles include A Stormwater Primer, Native Plants, Rain Barrels, Permaculture, Business Energy Efficiency, and Low Input Lawns. More resources are coming soon!

Compiled and reviewed by the MNLA Sustainable Environment Committee

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the Scoop | GREENHOUSE & HERBACEOUS GROWERS

Testing New

By Debbie Lonnee, Bailey Nurseries, Inc.

ne of the pleasures and perks of being a large wholesale grower of bedding plant crops is being able to test new annuals the summer

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Debbie Lonnee

before they are released. Not only do we get to see how the plants perform in the greenhouse, we get to see how they perform in the landscape. It’s important that a plant look good on the garden center shelf, but it’s also important that a plant performs for the end consumer – we want them to be successful and come back and buy even more the next year!

I have quite a few new varieties at home this year, but two are really standouts for me.

The first is a new series of Angelonia from Ball Horticulture, called the Archangel™ series. There are four colors in this series – pink, purple, raspberry and white. I have the pink at home, and have it growing in my

Angelonia

Verbena

Angelonia

Verbena

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www.MNLA.biz | OCtOBER 2011

the Scoop | GREENHOUSE & HERBACEOUS GROWERS

Varieties for 2012 window boxes on my deck, combined with petunias, sweet potato vine, bacopa, calibrachoa and ivy geraniums.

I thought it might be swallowed up by some of the more aggressive plants in my boxes, but they are holding their own and I’ve been so impressed with the flower power on these - they just haven’t stopped blooming all summer long. They are short (only about 1214” in height) and really well branched with the large flowers that are produced along the stems. They’ve really taken this summer heat we’ve had extremely well. Vegetatively propagated, we’ll be growing these for next spring's sales in a 4 ½” pot. I think they are just great for container

culture. I hope other growers will pick up this fine new series.

The other standout plant is a new vegetative Verbena from Syngenta, in their Lanai® series – it is called ‘Twister Pink’ and has a very unusual and different flower. The round flower has a bicolor effect – the inner two petals of the flower are a bright pink, while the outer petals are pure white. It has been a very heavy bloomer all summer long for me and has done extremely well with our heat and rains this year.

It was selected for its heat tolerance and high resistance to powdery mildew.

It has been a blooming machine for me and even now in late summer the

foliage is clean and it is loaded with flowers. I have mine in the ground, mixed with other annuals, but I think this would also be a great plant for mixed container culture. q _________________________________

Debbie Lonnee is a member of the MNLA Greenhouse & Herbaceous Growers Committee and can be reached at debbie.lonnee@baileynursery.com.

OCtOBER 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

37

the Scoop | NORTHERN GREEN EXPO

The Quality of Your Performance

By Carr Hagerman, Top Performer

or the past few years I've been talking and writing about “natural energy,” the idea that when we choose to fully engage with another person it is energizing and exciting, and it awakens us to the present. It's common for us to feel this “natural Carr Hagerman energy” exchange when, for instance, we share a goal, interest or outcome with a co-worker or customer. Garden centers, as an example, are perfectly situated to encourage “natural energy” with customers because they share a love of things green, the smell of soil, the blooming plant or the landscaped garden. When we connect with them, we feel their excitement grow, the conversation becomes more animated and we have a sense of joy around the interaction. That is “natural energy.” When we build on that energy, we create more excitement and provide the kind of service moments that will be memorable and remarkable and it is the core of every great service encounter, business and brand.

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I wrote Top Performer: A Bold Approach to Sales and Service, a book that follows the work of professional street performers and how they use “natural energy” to gain focus, gather an audience, build energy and excitement, work with disruptions and collect tips at the end of each successful show. The protagonist in the book is a business professional who is distracted, burned out and used up in his work life. While on a vacation he happens to meet several working street performers who show him that even in the most chaotic and disordered environment, like a city park, street or festival, it's possible to create irresistible energy and focus. How? By blowing away expectations with remarkable, sometimes radical, and always entertaining encounters. They do this while maintaining a powerfully positive and hopelessly optimistic attitude. While most performers are entertaining, Top Performers win with more audiences because they focus their attention on this energy; making every performance a collaboration.

How do you create Top Performers? Foster an environment of participation and inclusion, attitude and

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THER R O

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GR EN E playfulness, leaning towards the customer to do whatever it takes to make a customer crazy happy, to fully engage them. Use the street performer as an example and let them know they have a great deal of freedom to collaborate and work with customers, seeing each encounter as a short performance designed to make the customer, like the audience, happy and delighted. As one business owner that I spoke with said, “I want my people to be the best 5 minute performance in each customer’s day!” Energizing and memorable performances require that we connect, engage and entertain our customer, even if all we have is a few modest moments with them.

The quality of our performances will rest on how well we engage customers with attitude and playfulness.

We live in a chaotic, competitive and financially challenging world. Every dollar from every moment counts and no business can afford to cultivate ordinary, forgettable or average performances. The top street performer knows that every performance has the potential to create a true fan, a follower or a zealot. Our performances reflect who we are, they tell the customer, the audience, a story about what we are about, what our business values are, and what we believe. To be a Top Performer, make sure every performance is about your customer, includes and delights them and leaves them wanting more.

Come and hear more of Carr Hagerman’s philosophy at the Northern Green Expo. Hagerman is will be the keynote speaker on Wednesday, January 4, 2012. More information on this and other Green Expo sessions is now available online at www.NorthernGreenExpo.org. q OCtOBER 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

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the Scoop | BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Liability for Imprelis Damage

By Patrick McGuiness, Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC nless you have been living under a rock, you have at least heard a mention of the problems that are being caused by DuPont’s herbicide Imprelis.

In short, Imprelis was marketed as an environmentally friendly herbicide and was shown to be very effective for weed killing turf applications. Unfortunately, Imprelis has Patrick McGuiness caused damage to thousands of conifers in areas that it was applied. This damage ranges from killing new growth to completely killing trees.

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I have had many questions from green industry business owners about what possible legal implications this situation will have for DuPont. Additionally, many are concerned about their responsibility to customers for tree damage.

You’ve heard of “Call Before You Dig”

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

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

It’s Safe

It’s Smart

It’s the Law

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Call for Spring Specials

Potential DuPont Liability The area of law which is most applicable to this situation is Products Liability Law. Generally speaking, this area of law holds manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, retailers, and others who make products available to the public responsible for the injuries those products cause. The question of who is responsible, i.e. manufacturers or applicators, is complex and fact dependent. However, as a general rule in Minnesota, innocent parties who distribute a faulty product are not responsible for the harm that product causes. In fact, those distributors and applicators may have claims against DuPont.

There may be some evidence that DuPont knew Imprelis would damage conifers. If DuPont was aware of this, they failed to add anything to the Imprelis product label to warn contractors and others about the possibilities of damage. Even if DuPont did not know about the possible side effects of Imprelis, they may still be held liable for the damages Imprelis caused, including damages to applicators. However, DuPont will do everything it can to argue that its liability is limited as a result of disclaimers it put on the product brochures.

Potential Contractor Liability If your company used Imprelis on properties with evergreen trees, there is a good chance that those trees sustained some degree of damage. This damage may have hurt your company’s relationships with customers, caused you to lose money because of the time you spent dealing with customer complaints, or caused a variety of other problems for you and your business.

As the applicator of Imprelis, you may be able to pursue claims for damages against Imprelis.

of Imprelis. Keep good records of customer complaints and of the losses your business has suffered as a result of Imprelis.

Protect your rights. DuPont claims to be looking out for you and your customers, but they haven’t offered to reimburse any contractors for the time and energy that has been expended to deal with all of the damage.

There are multiple lawsuits pending on this matter, but the vast majority of them focus on the tree damage sustained by property owners, and not the damage sustained by business owners who applied Imprelis. Zlimen & McGuiness, the premiere green industry law firm, would be happy to talk with applicators whose business has been negatively affected by Imprelis. For more information, contact Patrick McGuiness of Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC at pmcguiness@zmattorneys.com q ___________________________________________________

This article provides general information on legal matters and should not be relied upon as legal advice. A qualified attorney must analyze all relevant facts and apply the applicable law to any matter before legal advice can be given. If you would like more information regarding Imprelis litigation or other legal matters, please contact Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC at 651-206-3203 or pmcguiness@zmattorneys.com Please be advised that participation in any lawsuit may result in legal fees being awarded to Zlimen & McGuiness, and that your case may ultimately be handled in partnership with additional law firms.

These days, many grounds maintenance companies are relying on the strong customer relationships they have built over the years to sustain their businesses through the down economy. In order to retain these valuable customers, contractors are doing all they can to assist the property owners with the damage caused by Imprelis. As you know, this involves many hours of customer service, follow up and headaches.

DuPont’s Follow Up DuPont has said that it will be working with contractors and property owners to assess the damage caused by Imprelis. They may have retained arborists to go to affected properties and assess the damage caused. At the time of writing this article, the amount and adequacy of compensation that DuPont will offer to both applicators and property owners is not known. No matter how much DuPont compensates those with tree damage, I am not aware of any offers from DuPont to reimburse contractors for all the time, material and energy they have expended in their efforts to handle the damage caused by DuPont’s product.

What To Do Next It is very important to preserve the evidence of Imprelis damage. Take detailed pictures of damaged trees and obtain soil and foliage samples that can be used to analyze for the presence OCtOBER 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

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the Scoop | SAFETY

Scissor Lift Safety Injury Analysis: Cause, Outcome, and Solution

By Adam Tripp – TBG Loss Control Representative cissor lifts have become increasingly popular in recent years. They generally provide safe and efficient access to elevated work areas. However, as with any equipment, there are potential hazards regardless if you are using a rough terrain scissor lift for outdoor use or the seemingly safe indoor version on safe level ground. Safe use of the machines requires competent and trained personnel, as well as appropriate equipment maintenance. Without such training or user knowledge, accidents are sure to happen.

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Recently there was a scissor lift accident where an employee tipped over a lift resulting in multiple traumatic injuries which will affect this individual for the rest of his life. The injury was caused when the operator of a fully extended lift dropped one wheel into a four inch deep unmarked hole in the concrete

A Deeper Shade of Green Local Genetic Origins

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floor. Little to no controls were in place to indicate that the hole in the floor was there, even though it was said to have been known by those working in the area.

What can be done to assure this won’t happen to you or other employees around you?

Most importantly, don’t assume anything. Employees often do not like to admit that they don’t have the proper level of training to safely operate scissor lifts. It is the employer’s responsibility to make sure each operator goes through appropriate user instructions and safety training. To achieve this, a complete written program stating all user expectations is essential.

Below is a list of some topics that each operator needs to fully understand/address prior to using a lift:

Training and Pre-use Procedures/Maintenance • Is the operator properly trained?

• Was a jobsite pre-task planning inspection performed to identify potential hazards? (i.e. holes, uneven grades, steps, other drop-offs, debris present, overhead exposures, traffic, electrical exposures, etc) • What needs to be done to safely abate the exposures? (i.e. proper hole coverings, set up warning lines, or put up cones around holes, power disconnects, etc) • Has the overall working area been roped off to keep other employees out?

• What equipment inspections need to be done annually, quarterly, and daily?

• Has proper maintenance and upkeep been performed?

• Is the owner’s manual available?

• Etc… Safe Operation • Have proper operating procedures been discussed? (i.e. employees must keep their feet on the ground, not operate a lift on uneven ground, move the lift while extended…)

• Do employees know proper Lockout/Tagout procedures?

(Also start up and shut down techniques) • Are the rail and chain securely fastened when using the lift?

• Are the safety rules and regulations being followed?

• No reaching beyond the base of the lift, lower the lift prior to moving, etc…

• Etc…

Written Safety Program • Does the program effectively address all potential hazards?

• Is the complete program up-to-date?

• What OSHA requirements for scaffolding apply to scissor lifts?

• Etc… This is just a partial list of what needs to be addressed in training and in a company’s scissor lift safety program. If these and other jobsite specific exposures were addressed by the injured employee and his employer, the near fatal injury could have been prevented. Sample programs are easily obtainable as well as options for training employees. Good places to get help with starting a scissor lift safety program would be to contact your insurance company, equipment manufacturer, or rental company. Don’t overlook this simple step in keeping your employees safe. q ___________________________________________________ The Builders Group (TBG) is a selfinsured workers’ compensation insurance fund that has been protecting Minnesota’s construction industry for more than 10 years.

For more information, go to: www.tbgmn.com

OCtOBER 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

43

the Scoop | AWARDS

Nominations Open for 2011 Friend of the Environment Award and Todd Bachman Award

ominations are now being accepted for the fourth annual Todd Bachman Award for Innovation in Horticultural Business. Created by the University of Minnesota, MNLA, and the MNLA Foundation, the award annually recognizes a young individual whose innovation in private enterprise has positively influenced one or more horticulture and/or green industry businesses in the region.

The award recipient will receive a plaque and will be recognized in trade and consumer publications. In addition, the MNLA Foundation will make a $1,000 cash award in the recipient’s name to his or her alma mater.

Nominations are also open for the MNLA Friend of the Environment Award, which honors an MNLAaffiliated 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.

Both applications are now available online at www.MNLA.biz. If you have any questions, please read all the details at www.MNLA.biz, or call 651-633-4987. q

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OCtOBER 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

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Special Invitation:

OWNERS NETWORKING DINNER Join us for the "Landscape Business Owners Networking Dinner” on Wednesday, January 4, 2012.

Space is limited to the first 15 landscape business owners who sign up. It is hosted by Jeffrey Scott, a national author, speaker and consultant in the green industry (www.jeffreyscott.biz). Jeffrey is in town to speak at the Northern Green Expo.

Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC have over 20 years combined experience as small business owners in construction and landscaping. They understand what green industry business owners face on a regular basis: Contracts, Construction Law, Mechanics Liens, Business Formation, Collections, and Employment Law. MNLA members receive a discounted rate.

At dinner you will enjoy: • Getting to know other like-minded contractors in the area.

• Hearing success stories, plans and strategies from other companies.

• Gaining inspiration and good ideas you can use in your company.

BONUS – Each attendee will receive a complimentary copy of Jeffrey’s new book, "e Leader's Edge" Where: When: Who: Cost:

At a restaurant in Minneapolis tbd January 4, 2012, 7:00 pm Landscape business owners only Pay your own way

Space is limited to the first 15 who sign up. To reserve your spot you must email Jeff@JeffreyScott.biz.

A $25 deposit will be required to hold your spot.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity!!!

CLASSIFIED FOR SALE Rebates range from $1500 − $5500 on your choice of Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler vehicles. Available to all MNLA members! Contact Mary at the MNLA office for more information 651-633-4987.

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www.MNLA.biz | OCtOBER 2011

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the Scoop | PLANT OF THE MONTH

EASY ELEGANCE® SUNRISE SUNSET

Plant of the Month

By Vickie Pondell, Bailey Nurseries, Inc. oses possess the ability to create emotions. They portray elegance, breathtaking beauty, romance, and nostalgia. Regrettably, in addition to these sentiments, the old-fashioned varieties had a reputation for high maintenance. In the past, nurturing these flowers was a test for gardeners to prove their dedication. This Vickie Pondell practice alienated many busy homeowners.

Fortunately, there is a new generation of roses. One of these easy to grow standouts is Easy Elegance® Sunrise Sunset. This own root shrub rose is attractive, a repeat bloomer, disease resistant, compact, and cold hardy.

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An own root rose is just as the name implies, a plant grown on its own root. Own root roses have an advantage over budded roses, where a tender top is fused onto a hardy understock. This is because they do not need extensive winter protection. The own root roses are initially smaller than budded roses, but grow more vigorously. Sunrise Sunset is a shrub rose- a loose term for a modern group of roses that are usually hardy. Shrub roses can be grown as flowering shrubs and not just confined to a formal rose garden.

Sunrise Sunset is a stunning pink blend with fuchsia outer petals that encompass an apricot center. The petals eventually fade to light pinks and white. The blooms are a 2-2.5” semi double with 13-19 petals.

They are slightly fragrant and born on clusters that flower from spring to fall. The color lasts all season long since the roses are everblooming. An everbloomer consistently produces new flowers throughout the growing season.

The beautiful blooms are backed by blue green foliage that is resistant to black spot and powdery mildew.

This dense plant has a spreading habit making it ideal for borders

and as a specimen plant. This compact grower grows 2-4’, the perfect size for smaller gardens. It is vigorous, hardy in zones 49, and may die to the crown after the winter. This controls the size of the plant and reduces or eliminates pruning.

Sunrise Sunset flourishes in full sun for a minimum of six hours a day. This boosts flower production. Like all roses, it should be watered regularly especially for the first two years. Watering less frequently and more deeply encourages deep root growth.

Watering in the morning and near the base of the plant prevents diseases from settling on wet foliage. Practice proper sanitation by removing any dead leaves from the garden and pruning dead canes to prevent any diseases. An organic mulch is also recommended to reduce weed pressure. Near the end of the growing season, cease watering and fertilizing to help the plant “harden off ”. This is because any late growth is tender and dies during the winter. Sunrise Sunset is a great pick for the garden with its beautiful, everblooming flowers, disease resistant foliage, cold hardiness, and compact size. q ______________________________ Vickie Pondell is a member of the MNLA Nursery Committee and can be reached at vickie.pondell@baileynursery.com.

OCtOBER 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

47

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

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