The Scoop Online – December 2014

9 Tips for Time Management

Also Inside

The Northern Green Expo Breakdown

Committee Roundup Election Profiles Out & About

Northern Green Expo Campfires Learning hubs to include hosted discussions, walkabouts, demonstrations, projects, and networking

Vol: 37 No: 12 Dec 2014 t h e o f f i c i a l p u b l i c at i o n o f t h e M i n n e s o ta N u r s e r y & L a n d s c a p e A s s o c i at i o n

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Volume 37 No. 12 Dec 2014

contents 13

54 41

IN THIS ISSUE 8

Events

10 From the Executive Director Top Takeaways from the Great Lakes Conference.

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13 Fighting Mildew with Milk Jim Calkins urges you to consider milk as an alternative to synthetic fungicides for mildew management in production systems and landscapes.   

20 Expo: The Show for Green Industry Pros Start your year off right at the Northern Green Expo 2015. New this year are campfire learning hubs, a legislative breakfast, and a featured product showcase! 

41 Do Plow Drivers Need to Be Paid for Being On-Call?

Patrick McGuiness covers the important steps to take to ensure you don’t have to pay plow drivers for on-call time.  

45 Why Building a Workforce Takes Time Certain methods work faster with certain employees, but the bottom line is developing people takes time. 

32 MDA Inspection Program Update New system improves accuracy and efficiency.

38 Committee Roundup Accomplishments and updates from MNLA’s committees.

54 Exclusive Member Resources Featuring two free printable customer education tools.

57 Green Industry Leadership Institute Applications due January 20.

60 Board Election Profiles Candidate biographies help you decide.

68 Out & About Photos from visits with MNLA members.

70 90th Anniversary Celebration Events

51 Team Up, Dream Up, and Theme Up Why a collaborative and creative monthly marketing calendar matters for your garden center. 

63 9 Tips for Time Management Explore ways to double your effectiveness and allow you to accomplish more than you ever thought possible.   Landscape & Hardscape Install & Design  Garden Services & Landscape Management  Garden Centers  Growers: Nursery & Greenhouse  Irrigation & Water Management  Arborists & Tree Services  All

The Scoop, December 2014, Issue 12, is issued monthly, 12 times per year. All original works, articles or formats published in The Scoop are © Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association, 2014, and may not be used without written permission of MNLA, 1813 Lexington Ave N., Roseville, MN 55113. Subscription price is $99 for one year, which is included with member dues. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Scoop, MNLA, 1813 Lexington Ave N., Roseville, MN 55113.

Editorial Contributions. You are invited to share your expertise and perspective. Article ideas and manuscripts should, whenever possible, reflect real and specific experiences. When submitting an article, please contact the publisher at jon@mnla.biz or 651-633-4987.

MNLA reserves the right to edit all Scoop content.

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Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association Successful Businesses Grow Here!

1813 Lexington Ave. N. Roseville, MN 55113 651-633-4987 • Fax: 651-633-4986 Outside the metro area, toll free: 888-886-MNLA, Fax: 888-266-4986 www.MNLA.biz • www.NorthernGreenExpo.org

MNLA Mission: The mission of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association is to help members grow successful businesses.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A Top Notch Equipment ................................................................................... 43 Allstate Peterbilt Group .................................................................................... 62 Anchor Block Company .................................................................................... 11 Ancom Communication & Technical Center .................................................... 49 Anderson Nurseries, Inc. .................................................................................. 55 Arborjet ............................................................................................................ 56 Aspen Equipment ............................................................................................. 11 Carlin Horticultural Supplies/ProGreen Plus ..................................................... 55

heidi heiland, mnla-cp, president

Central Landscape Supply ................................................................................ 40

herman roerick, vice-president

Cushman Motor Co. Inc ................................................................................... 49

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

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

scott frampton, secretary-treasurer

Landscape Renovations 651-769-0010 • sframpton@landscaperenovations.com

debbie lonnee, mnla-cp, past president

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

randy berg, mnla-cp

Berg’s Nursery, Landscape/Garden Center 507-433-2823 • rberg@smig.net

tim malooly, cid, clia, cic

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

patrick mcguiness

Zlimen & McGuiness PLLC 651-331-6500 • pmcguiness@zmattorneys.com

mike mcnamara

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

jeff pilla, mnla-cp

Bachman’s Inc. 612-861-7600 • jpilla@bachmans.com

cassie larson, cae

Ceres Environmental Services .......................................................................... 64

Edney Distributing Co., Inc. ............................................................................. 19 Fury Motors ...................................................................................................... 47 Gardenworld Inc. .............................................................................................. 55 Gertens Wholesale / JRK Seed .......................................................................... 2 Glacial Ridge Growers ...................................................................................... 40 GM Fleet and Commercial ................................................................................. 3 Great Northern Equipment Distributing, Inc. .................................................. 62 Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies ........................................................ 35 Hennepin Technical College ............................................................................. 55 Jeff Belzer Chevrolet .................................................................................. 36–37 Johnson’s Nursery, Inc. ..................................................................................... 40 Kline Nissan ...................................................................................................... 69 Kubota Dealers ................................................................................................. 50 Maguire Agency ............................................................................................... 40 McKay Nursery Co. ........................................................................................... 53 Minnesota Propane Association ....................................................................... 67

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

Out Back Nursery ............................................................................................. 58

Staff Directory

RDO Equipment Co. ........................................................................................ 57

Cassie Larson, CAE • cassie@mnla.biz

RDO Equipment Co. - Vermeer ........................................................................ 44

membership director & trade show manager:

Resultants for Business, Inc. (RFB) .................................................................... 19

executive director:

Mary Dunn, CEM • mary@mnla.biz

communications director: Jon Horsman • jon@mnla.biz education/cert manager: Susan Flynn • susan@mnla.biz government affairs director: Tim Power • tim@mnla.biz administrative assistant: Jessica Pratt • jessica@mnla.biz accountant: Norman Liston • norman@mnla.biz advertising sales: 952-934-2891 / 763-295-5420

Faith Jensen, Advertising Rep • faith@pierreproductions.com Betsy Pierre, Advertising Mgr • betsy@pierreproductions.com

legislative affairs consultant: Doug Carnival 6

ad list

Volume 37 No. 12 Dec 2014

➾ section title

mnla .biz

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Plaisted Companies ............................................................................................ 7

Rock Hard Landscape Supply division of Brian’s Lawn & Landscaping, Inc. .... 53 Specialty Turf & Ag ........................................................................................... 48 The Builders Group .......................................................................................... 44 Tri-State Bobcat, Inc. .................................................................................. 12, 59 Truck Utilities & Mfg. Co. .................................................................................. 53 United Label & Sales ........................................................................................ 53 Versa-Lok Midwest ............................................................................................. 4 Ziegler CAT ......................................................................................... Back Cover

➾ calendar

MNLA Event

jan13

JAN7– mar25

Low Voltage Irrigation Troubleshooting (PLT Relicensure) ➾ DOLI Course #20140502

The 2015 Great Lakes School of Turfgrass Science Online z.umn.edu/2015 greatlakesturfschool

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MPLS Convention Center MNLA.biz This class provides a total of eight hours of continuing education credits for the Power Limited technician license, with material oriented specifically towards the irrigation specialist.

See registration form inserted in this month’s issue of the Scoop.

This 12-week certificate program aims to provide participants with thorough and practical continuing education in turfgrass management.

Generously supported by:

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JAN27 CERTIFICATION EXAM

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Sit for the exam to become an MNLA Certified Professional.

New electronic format!

jan13 ➾

The Fastest Growing Landscaping Trend: Edibles!

MPLS Convention Center MNLA.biz This day is all about food! Rosalind Creasy, a garden and food writer, photographer, and landscape designer with a passion for beautiful vegetables and ecologically sensitive gardening will talk about edible landscaping and the new American garden. Emily Tepe, author of The Edible Landscape, will discuss how to incorporate edibles into containers.

We’ll also hear about the hottest trends in fruits and vegetables from local experts.

See registration form inserted in this month’s issue of the Scoop.

2014 MNLA seminars generously supported by John Deere Landscapes

MNLA Event

MTGF Event

jan13

jan13

CEO Symposium: What I Wish I Knew…

MTGF presents: BEE Aware: The Importance of Pollinators in the Landscape

Key:

MPLS Convention Center MTGF.org Topics will include: • Pollinator friendly plants • Turf that can support flowers and mowing for pollinators • Fruit grower issues • UM Bee Squad/Hives • Experts from Rainbow Treecare and Davey Tree along with perspectives from national speakers Of interest to: • Master Gardeners • Garden Centers • Homeowner Associations • Fruit and Orchard Owners • Honey Producers • All Allied MTGF Associations

MNLA Event

jan14

jan 14–16

MNLA Awards Gala 5:30 pm Millennium Hotel Minneapolis MNLA.biz Minnesota’s green industry will gather to celebrate the year’s award winners. Join the best of the best for a night filled with great food and fun.

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Millennium Hotel MNLA.biz This is an opportunity for CEO-level members to connect and network.

The evening includes drinks, dinner, and a presentation. This year, in coordination with the MNLA 90th anniversary celebration, our presenters are veterans of this great industry.

They will share what they wish they knew when they were first starting out, lessons learned, and ‘aha’ moments from their careers.

See registration form inserted in this month’s issue of the Scoop.

MNLA & MTGF Event

Northern Green Expo MPLS Convention Center Northerngreenexpo.org Attend the premier event for green industry professionals in the northern region. Exhibit Contracts are available.

Generously supported by:

Event Education ➾ ➾

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

Did you miss a webinar? ALL of our webinars are recorded and available for viewing afterwards. Login to MNLA.biz to learn more! december 14

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➾ from the EXECUTIVE DI R EC TO R

My Top Takeaways from the Great Lakes Meeting Every year in the fall, the Executive Director, President and Vice President of the nursery and landscape associations from the states and province that surround the Great Lakes gather together to share ideas and commiserate on a variety of issues over two-and-ahalf days. This experience is extremely valuable to both the Executive Directors as well as to the volunteers that participate.

Cassie Larson

MNLA Executive Director

We generally pose several questions and each association responds with their current activity in a given area. I’d like to share a very short synopsis of my top takeaways from this year’s event: 1. Why belong to an association like MNLA?

While there are a wide variety of reasons that members join their local association, I think Tony DiGiovanni of Landscape Ontario said it best, “Members join for social interaction, professional development, financial gain, and a sense of being driven by a better future.” I think most of our members do join for one of these reasons. Does one of these hit home for you or your business? If so, I’d love to hear why!

2. How can MNLA attract more volunteers?

MNLA’s delegation to the Great Lakes Meeting included L–R: President Heidi Heiland, Executive Director Cassie Larson, and Vice-President Herman Roerick.

Research shows that the number one effective recruiting method for volunteer engagement is simply a tap on the shoulder. We all need to do more outreach to engage potential volunteers.

Have you participated within MNLA? I’d be willing to bet you got more out of it than you put in. Have you tapped your colleague on the shoulder and asked how they can be involved in the future of the MNLA and the green industry?

I encourage you to reach out to others to engage them in this great association and to share in the benefits of belonging.

leadership development programs and opportunities. While MNLA has recently made significant progress in this area with the Green Industry Leadership Institute, even more needs to be offered moving forward for all levels of leaders within our member businesses.

4. What are the trends in legislation/regulation?

Invasive species protocol are being created and/ or refined in nearly every state. Phosphorous regulation continues to be a struggle. And, though water regulation is currently not at the legislative forefront, we all recognize that we are staring down impending regulation and/or usage fees.

It’s often refreshing to get together with this group and realize that we are not alone. We don’t exist on an island out here fending for ourselves. We all face similar struggles and can learn from each other to better the entire green industry through this face-to-face engagement.

We also take a moment to celebrate and borrow from each other’s successes, which helps make each of our associations stronger. Yes, associations also benefit by associating!

Thanks to our friends in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, New York, and Ontario for sharing their highs and lows with us!

3. Is there an area where MNLA should spend more time?

Almost every association agreed that member companies are looking to the association for 10

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cassie larson

can be reached at: cassie@mnla.biz.

Fighting Mildew with Milk Consider milk as an alternative to synthetic fungicides for mildew management in organic production systems and landscapes.

Dr. James Calkins | Research Information Director, MNLA Foundation

âžž mildew & milk

Figure 1. Spraying a solution of milk and water on plants that are susceptible to powdery mildew has been shown to be effective in managing powdery mildew diseases on a variety of plant species (Photo Credit: Jim Calkins).

P

owdery mildew seems to have been a fairly common malady this summer. Begonia (Begonia spp.), beebalm (Monarda spp.), common lilac (Syringa vulgaris), nannyberry viburnum (Viburnum lentago), and peony (Paeonia lactiflora) are a few of the species that appear to have been commonly affected. Even common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), a native species whose oil-rich seeds are an important food source for a variety of songbirds and upland game birds and whose foliage provides food and cover for several Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) larvae and other wildlife, but is often branded as a weed and isn’t looked upon very favorably by allergy sufferers as it is the primary cause of respiratory allergies caused by pollen (pollinosis), has been attacked in my neighborhood. In fact, when the conditions are right, the fungi that cause powdery mildew have many hosts and can be found in most landscapes. Other horticultural species that are commonly affected by powdery mildew include common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius), azaleas (Rhododendron spp.), dogwoods (Cornus spp.), alpine currant (Ribes alpinum), grapes (Vitis spp.), zinnias (Zinnia spp.), snapdragons (Antirrhinum spp.), dahlias (Dahlia spp.), cucumber (Cucumis sativa), pumpkins and other squashes (Cucurbita spp.), muskmelon (Cucumis melo), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), hops (Humulus spp.), garden phlox (Phlox paniculata), and roses (Rosa spp.).

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Powdery mildew diseases are caused by over 1000 species of closely-related, taxonomically-confused (many synonymous botanical names based on the anamorphic/vegetative and teleomorphic/sexual stages of the life cycle of the pathogen) fungi in several genera including Blumeria, Erisyphe, Golovinomyces, Leveillula, Microsphaera, Odium, Phylactinia, Podosphaera, Sclerospora, Sphaerotheca, and Uncinula and can infect a wide range of horticultural and agronomic crops. Agronomic crops that are commonly affected include sunflowers (Helianthus spp.), soybean (Glycine max), and wheat (Triticum spp.) and other cereal grains. Although a few species can infect multiple genera or families, the fungi that cause powdery mildew tend to be fairly host-specific and will typically only infect a single species or a few species that are closely related. As a result, the powdery mildew that attacks lilacs (Syringa spp.; Oleaceae/Olive Family) will not cause disease on apples (Malus spp.; Roseaceae/Rose Family) or grapes (Vitis spp.; Vitaceae/Grape family) or vice versa.

Similarly, the powdery mildew that can cause severe damage to garden phlox (Phlox paniculata; Polemoniaceae/Phlox Family will not affect squash (Cucurbita spp.; Cucurbitaceae/Squash Family) or kale (Brassica spp.; Brassicaceae/Mustard Family). From a horticultural perspective, this is fortunate as unrelated species in the landscape are not likely to be affected by the same species of powdery mildew.

The fungi that cause powdery mildew infestations are obligate parasites (require living tissues to grow and reproduce) and can infect many species of plants. They are ascomycete fungi (Kingdom: Fungi; Phylum: Ascomycota; sac fungi) that produce vegetative spores (conidia) during their anamorphic (vegetative) stage and sometimes ascospores produced in a sac-like structure called an ascus (plural = asci) during their telomorphic (sexual) stage. Unlike most of the other fungi that attack plants, powdery mildews grow on the surface of leaves and other plant tissues forming a relatively thin, web-like mat of fungal hyphae (mycelium) and conidia produced individually or on stalked, linear, chain-like formations called conidiophores. Huge numbers of conidia are produced and it is the conidia that are primarily responsible for the powdery appearance of powdery mildews and the very descriptive common name of the disease. These vegetative spores are also primarily responsible for new and expanding powdery mildew infestations during the growing season. While the fungal hyphae are restricted to the surfaces of the leaves and other plant parts, and do not infect the internal tissues of the plant, the fungus obtains sustenance by producing root-like structures called haustoria that penetrate the epidermal cells of the host plant.

The first symptom of a powdery mildew infestation typically involves the appearance of small, discrete, circular or variously angular, white to grayish patches of mycelium that rapidly spread across the leaf surface and quickly begin to produce conidia (vegetative spores). The conidia are transported within the crown of infected plants and to neighboring plants and new areas by wind, rain splash, insects (including plant pests like aphids and beneficial insects like honeybees), animals, and humans (gardeners and nursery growers).

Hyphal growth and the production of conidia continues throughout the growing season as long as plant tissues remain alive and favorable conditions persist. When the conditions are favorable, the infection centers will quickly coalesce and the entire surface of

infected leaves may quickly become covered with spore-producing mycelium. Entire plants, groups of plants in landscapes, greenhouse crops, and production fields can become symptomatic within just a few days. Powdery mildews tend to be most common on the upper surfaces of leaves, but can sometimes occur on the lower surfaces of leaves and can also infect petioles, stems, flowers, and fruits.

Leaves with severe infections may become chlorotic (yellow) and distorted (cupped) and may eventually develop necrotic (dead) areas and finally become brown and dry. Leaf abscission may also occur for some species. In some, but not all, cases, the fungus may produce sexual spores (ascospores produced in sac-like structures called asci) within rounded, dark brown to black, protective, resting structures called chasmothecia (formerly called cleistothecia). When produced, these structures appear as tiny pepper-like dots scattered within the mycelial mats on plant surfaces. The fungi overwinter on plant stems and in plant debris as chasmothecia or dormant mycelium until temperature and moisture conditions that favor infection and growth return the following year. When the conditions are right, the chasmothecia burst open to release the ascospores within whereupon they are transported to susceptible hosts by wind and rain splash.

From both a landscape and production perspective, plants may already be infected at the time of purchase or inoculum may come from overwintering fungal mats and resting structures on plants and plant debris remaining in the field, garden center, greenhouse, or landscape. Wind-blown spores from other areas may also serve as a primary source of inoculum. Remember, too that vegetative spores (conidia) can also be vectored by insects, animals, and people.

Conditions that favor powdery mildew infection and spread of the disease include a susceptible host, relatively warm temperatures, high relative humidity, low light intensities, poor air circulation, and high fertility levels (primarily nitrogen). In general, powdery mildew fungi are active at temperatures between 50 and 90°F (10 to 32°C), but temperatures of about 70 to 80°F (21 to 28°C) are considered ideal. Temperatures above 90°F (32°C) are inhibitory and infection and growth typically ceases at temperatures of 100°F (38°C) or higher. High humidity (50 to 90% or higher) is required in order for spore germination and infection to occur, but free water on plant surfaces is detrimental to disease development. Based on these needs, warm temperatures with slightly cooler nights, cloudy days (in the absence of significant rainfall), shady environments, crowded vegetation, high fertility levels, and microclimates with limited air circulation (understory and enclosed areas) tend to promote infection and disease development. Powdery mildew infestations are more likely to be common in shady environments because of the lower light intensities, reduced air movement, and elevated humidity levels that are associated with shady locations. Dense, vigorous plant growth, which is enhanced by nitrogen fertility, and crowded conditions, can also favor disease development through effects on plant proximity, succulence (succulent growth is often more susceptible than mature plant tissues), shading, air circulation, and humidity. Crowded conditions, high humidity, and reduced air circulation are common in greenhouses and for these reasons powdery mildew infestations can, unfortunately, be especially problematic

under greenhouse conditions. Once infected, plants typically begin to show disease symptoms within three to seven days. Thereafter, if conducive conditions persist, large numbers of conidia can be produced very quickly and the disease can reach epidemic levels in just a few days. Although the severity of powdery mildew infestations will vary from year to year based on environmental conditions, susceptible plants that prefer and perform best in full sun but are planted in shady locations where conditions are damp and air circulation is reduced are most likely to be affected by powdery mildew on an annual basis. Thus, problems with powdery mildew in the landscape are also a design issue and can be reduced or avoided through proper plant selection (including the use of resistant species and cultivars) and placement.

Unlike most of the other fungi that attack plants, powdery mildew infestations tend to develop and spread rapidly under dry conditions, without rainfall. Most powdery mildew fungi do not need a film of water on plant surfaces for infection and growth to occur; in fact, the germination of spores is inhibited by free water and spores can be killed by wet conditions. As a result, wet, rainy weather and overhead irrigation can suppress disease development. This is also the reason why powdery mildew is more likely to be a significant problem in warm, dry climates compared to most of the other fungal diseases of plants that require wet conditions. And although free water can be detrimental to powdery mildew fungi, high humidity is a requirement for spore germination and infection and fluctuations in humidity resulting in periods of lower humidity can enhance the dispersal of spores to new locations and the spread of the disease.

In general, powdery mildew will not kill most landscape plants, but the disease can significantly reduce the aesthetic value of plants grown primarily for their appearance like roses and purple-leafed ninebark shrubs. As a result of reduced photosynthesis, powdery mildew infestations can also reduce the yields and quality of some fruits and vegetables. Flavor can also be affected. In addition, defoliation caused by the disease can result in sun damage to fruits and this, combined with imperfections directly caused by the disease itself, can reduce the storage-life, appearance, and salability of infected or sun-damaged fruit. In addition, powdery mildew infestations can predispose plants to other diseases and result in a variety of other negative effects.

Powdery mildew is a common disease of begonia and has unfortunately been a problem on a number of container-grown tuberous begonia plants (Begonia x tuberhybrida ‘NonstopTM Deep Red’) in my garden this year. Although susceptibility does vary, powdery mildew can infect begonia plants throughout their lives and in almost any production or landscape situation and most of the cultivars that are currently produced commercially are susceptible to what can be a devastating disease when the conditions are right.

Typical of the powdery mildew diseases in general, infected begonia plants first show small white to cream-colored blotches of fungal growth (mycelium) that quickly begin to produce vegetative spores (conidia; visible with a hand lens). The conidia are windborne and thereby spread to new locations and nearby plants. If the conditions are right and the infestation is not detected quickly, the individual infection centers will expand and coalesce until the entire leaf december 14

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➾ mildew & milk

Figure 2. Examples of begonia (Begonia x tuberhybrida ‘Nonstop™ Deep Red’) leaves treated (lower left) and untreated (top and lower right) with a 50% milk solution at the first sign of infection and weekly thereafter; note the progressive damage and the white, powdery fungus that covers the untreated leaves compared to the treated leaf (Photo Credit: Jim Calkins).

surface, and ultimately the entire plant, is completely covered with fungal growth (mycelium and conidia) resulting a powdery or webby appearance. As the disease progresses unimpeded, the infected portions of the leaves will often become discolored (mottled and brownish-tan in color) and will eventually dry out and become tissue paper-like.

Infected leaves may abscise or, in severe cases, may simply collapse along with portions of the adjoining stem and plants may be completely killed. For begonia and other species these effects may not result from the effects of the powdery mildew fungus alone as powdery mildew infections can predispose plants to other diseases (e.g., botrytis on begonia).

In addition to using resistant varieties and cultural practices like proper plant spacing, a number of synthetic (various active ingredients and modes of action), biological (bio-fungicides; bacteria and fungi, including Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilis, that are antagonistic or parasitic to powdery mildew fungi), and bio-rational fungicides (milk, whey, vegetable and horticultural oils, neem oil, potassium bicarbonate, and sulfur) are available and can be effective in managing powdery mildew in production and landscape settings. Also of interest is recent research that has investigated a compound extracted from black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) trees and identified as d-Pinitol that has been shown to have antifungal activity and the ability to have a protective effect against powdery mildew on cucumber (Cucumis sativa) and tobacco (Nicotiana sp.).

In both cases, d-pinitol performed well and it has been suggested that this compound be investigated further for its potential to serve as a naturally-occurring, plant-derived fungicide. Although most of these materials are primarily used proactively to protect plants from becoming infected, unlike most other fungi which infect internal tissues where they are protected from most fungicides, eradication of minimal infestations of powdery mildew is sometimes possible because the pathogen grows externally where it is exposed to fungicidal treatments. Still, catching an infestation early is key as extensive infestations are not likely to be effectively controlled. When used, it is always a good idea to rotate fungicides based on the mode of action of the active ingredient to help avoid the development of fungicide resistance.

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Interestingly, as mentioned above, milk and milk byproducts (whey) have been documented as being effective in the management of powdery mildew on several plant species and has a fairly long history of use by home gardeners and some organic growers as a preventive measure and for managing emerging powdery mildew infestations.

Indeed, milk appears to work best as a pre-emptive measure and is unlikely to be effective once an infestation has become severe. When used as a fungicide, milk is typically diluted with water to make a 10% solution or higher up to a ratio of 1:1 (50% solution) and sprayed on susceptible plants as a preventative measure or at the very first signs of an infection. The type of milk used — skim, low-fat, or whole — doesn’t seem to matter, but good coverage is essential, being sure to reach the undersides of the leaves and the internal canopy; poor coverage is likely to result in poor control of the disease.

Repeated applications are typically recommended on a weekly basis and work best when applied on sunny days as sunlight appears to be involved in the control mechanism. Research has indicated that milk can effectively control powdery mildew on a variety of cucurbits, including cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, and melons, grapes, and roses and can be as effective as commercial fungicides. Although the mode of action is unknown, several mechanisms have been suggested as possibilities including the idea that ferroglobulin, a protein found in milk and milk byproducts, produces reactive oxygen molecules (free radicals) when exposed to sunlight that can be damaging to the powdery mildew fungus and its spores. Although not specifically designed as a scientific experiment, I decided to try milk as a treatment out of personal curiosity to see if it would be effective in controlling the powdery mildew that almost immediately started to become apparent on the begonias purchased and planted in containers on my front porch this year. I used a 50% solution of 1% milk and water and have been generally pleased with the results. The disease has been controlled on six of seven plants and the plants are growing and flowering well. Given that this cultivar has proven to be susceptible to powdery mildew, I would not plant it again, but, thus far, the milk treatment has saved the plants purchased this year.

Because the two diseases are often confused, it is important to note that powdery mildew and downy mildew are different diseases

MINNESOTA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION

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CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL

EXAMINATION now in a new format

Prove what you know.

Become a Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association Certified Professional.

When and where are the 2015 exams?

January 27, 2015, and March 10, 2015. Both will be held at the TIES Event Center, 1667 Snelling Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108.

When & Where?

Who is eligible?

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Who? You are eligible to register for the exam if you meet the following requirements: • Have either two years of study in an accredited post-secondary nursery and/or landscape program that includes a structured internship, OR • A minimum of 2000 hours in nursery or landscape-related employment.

A signature of an educational advisor or work supervisor is required on the exam registration form to verify completion of the prerequisite.

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What’s new about the Certification Exam?

What?

The exam will now be given in a brand new electronic format with immediate results and integrated photos and videos. The MNLA Certification Exam is still a two-part exam: you must pass a Basic Knowledge Exam and a specialty of your choosing (Landscape, Garden Center or Grower) to become MNLA Certified. To maintain their certification status, all individuals must compile at least 18 continuing education points every three years.

HOW TO PREPARE USE THESE RESOURCES TO PREPARE FOR THE EXAM

• • • •

Online chapters Practice test Plant I.D. webinar Watch for more online training modules coming soon!

➾ mildew & milk

caused by unrelated pathogens with different requirements for infection and growth. Unlike powdery mildews, downy mildews, including impatiens downy mildew (Plasmopara obducens) which has recently become a serious problem on garden impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) in Minnesota and other parts if the United States and the world, tend to infect the lower surfaces of leaves and produce sporangia on branched, tree-like sporangiophores. Downey mildews also grow inside the leaves rather than on the surfaces of the leaves, prefer cooler temperatures (45 to 70°F; 7 to 21°C), prefer a humidity above 85%, and require free water on the surface of the leaves for spore production and infection. Remember that powdery mildews grow on the surfaces of leaves (and other plant organs), tend to be more common on the upper surfaces of leaves, and produce their vegetative spores (conidia) in linear, unbranched, chain-like formations. Basil downy mildew, caused by Peronospora belbahrii, and coleus downy mildew, caused by Peronospora lamii, are other species of downy mildew that have become problematic for growers and consumers. All three species can be catastrophic and produce downy, white, tan, gray, or purplish growth on the lower surfaces of the leaves and distorted and chlorotic (yellow) and otherwise discolored foliage (mottled shades of brown and purple) with necrotic lesions. Symptoms can also include shortened internodes and stunting. Taxonomically, downy mildews are members of the oomycetes (Kingdom: Protista; Phylum: Oomycota), fungus-like organisms which are commonly called water molds; they produce asexual spores that are motile (zoospores) and double-walled, sexual spores (oospores) that enable survival during adverse conditions.

Severely infected plants cease flowering, lose their leaves, and become very unattractive, unsaleable, and an eyesore in the garden.

Powdery mildew can also be problematic in lawns where it is usually the result of trying to maintain turf in locations that are too shady for turf grasses and where air circulation is limited. To avoid problems with powdery mildew and the aesthetic and environmental concerns (weak, sparse turf that is subject to erosion) that typically result when sun-loving grasses are planted in shade, the best solution is to landscape these areas with plants that are resistant to powdery mildew and adapted to shady conditions rather than trying to grow turf grasses in locations where they will never perform well regardless of how much they are watered, fertilized and aerated.

To manage powdery mildew in production and landscape situations: • Purchase only healthy, vigorous plants from reputable growers and use sterile media in containers and production situations; although not a guarantee that the plants are disease free as they may have been treated with fungicides to control diseases during production, selecting healthy plants should always be standard practice.

• As for any disease or other pest, do some research and, whenever possible, select species or cultivars that are resistant to attack by powdery mildew fungi or other diseases and pests of potential concern; in a number of cases, varieties that are specifically resistant to powdery mildew have been developed; choosing resistant plant varieties is the best method for avoiding problems with powdery mildew.

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• When plants that are susceptible to powdery mildew are used, plant them in sunny locations (at least six hours of direct sunlight or more) with good air circulation and reduce the likelihood of stress by carefully choosing plants that are adapted to the conditions where they will be planted.

• Space plants carefully based on their mature size to avoid crowding and subsequently help promote enhanced light penetration, improved air circulation, and reduced humidity (especially around the bases of plants where the disease often gets started).

• Manage plants to promote good growth and vigor, but avoid excessive pruning and nitrogen fertilization that can encourage dense, young, succulent growth during the summer and increase the likelihood and severity of powdery mildew infestations; although excess nitrogen can increase the likelihood of infection, plants should be fertilized to avoid nutrient stress as inadequate nutrition can also increase susceptibility to powdery mildew.

• Remember the importance of scouting as part of an effective integrated pest management (IPM) program; check plants on a regular basis to catch powdery mildew early when preventative measures are more likely to be effective and successful; undetected infestations can spread quickly and become epidemics almost overnight and it is difficult to impossible to manage a severe infestation after the fact.

• Practice good sanitation; remove and destroy infected plant parts and severely-infested plants during the growing season (the best time to do this is when plants are wet to reduce the likelihood that spores will be dispersed through the air and bag the infested material immediately) and remove all plant debris at the end of the growing season to reduce inoculum for the following year; take care to avoid introducing inoculum to new areas on equipment, clothing, and tools and do not compost infected plants and plant debris.

• In the case of annuals in containers and landscape beds, rotate the species planted from year to year to reduce the likelihood of subsequent infestations; planting different species in a given location on an annual or, if possible, longer basis is always good practice in annual plantings and vegetable gardens; again, choose resistant varieties.

• Powdery mildew fungi thrive when relative humidity is high so management practices that help reduce relative humidity can be useful in managing powdery mildew infestations; good drainage, good air circulation, elevated light levels, and irrigating plants early in the day rather than in the evening can be helpful in this regard; shady, damp microclimates with poor air circulation should be avoided for plants that are susceptible to powdery mildew.

• Since powdery mildew does not tolerate excessively wet conditions, rainfall, overhead irrigation, and spraying plant foliage with water during the day when humidity tends to be lower can reduce the severity of powdery mildew infestations

by washing spores from the leaves and inhibiting the germination of spores and fungal growth; caution is advised, however, as most other fungal pathogens, including downy mildew, benefit from wet conditions (i.e., for plant species that are susceptible to other fungal pathogens, including downy mildew, it is best to avoid wetting the leaves). • Apply biological controls or commercial fungicides labelled for controlling powdery mildew on the specific species to be treated when justified; be sure to provide good and complete coverage and always follow the directions on the label. • With a few notable exceptions, powdery mildew rarely causes significant damage on woody plants and the use of chemical controls in landscape situations, especially on trees and shrubs, is rarely justified; siting plants properly, choosing resistant varieties and replacing existing, susceptible plants with resistant species or varieties, and maintaining good health and vigor are the best methods for avoiding problems with powdery mildew over the long-term; from a production perspective, where diseased plants may be unsalable, growing resistant varieties is also the best course of action whenever possible as dormant infestations can explode and be very disheartening to consumers once the plants are planted in the landscape.

When the conditions are favorable, powdery mildew infestations can sometimes become problematic and cause serious damage to susceptible varieties of annual bedding plants like begonias and vegetables like squash and the use of natural or synthetic fungicides may be warranted to save a planting or crop in a given year.

Remember that infestations must be caught early in order for control methods to be effective; severe infestations are likely a lost cause. Although powdery mildew can weaken some herbaceous perennial species through repeated infections year after year, continued on page 58

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January 14–16, 2015 | Minneapolis Convention Center | www.NorthernGreenExpo.org

Campfires New in 2015!

Be sure and visit Expo’s new “campfire” spaces on the trade show floor! These hubs for gathering and learning will include hosted discussions, trade show floor walkabouts, demonstrations, featured project displays, and peer networking meetings.

Lakeshore Campfire

Backyard Campfire

Lakeshore Campfire Schedule Wednesday

• 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Plant Walkabout with Allan • • • • • •

Armitage 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Show & Tell: Latest Golf Technology 12:45 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Peer Networking: Landscape and Turf Management 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. The Latest News on Pollinators & Pesticides 2:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. One-on-One with MNLA Landscape Award Winners (Group 2) 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Employee Handbooks with Patrick McGuiness 3:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Elm Pruning Demo with Chad Giblin

Thursday

• 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Q & A: The Status of Federal Immigration Reform with Craig Regelbrugge • 10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Peer Networking: Landscape Designers, with special guests Julie Moir Messervy & Greg Pierceall

• 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. One-on-One with MNLA Landscape Award Winners (Group 3) • 12:15 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. Maintaining Walls/Pavers • 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Peer Networking: Arborist & Tree Care, with special guest John Ball • 1:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Gopher State One Call • 3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. A Hosted Discussion on Fuel Mixtures • 4:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Peer Networking: Garden Center, with special guest Steve Bailey

Friday

• 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. One-on-One with MNLA Landscape Award Winners (Group 5) • 10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. MN DOT Certified Landscape Specialist: How to Become One • 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Show & Tell: Adding Air Tools to Your Toolbox • 12:15 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. Developing IPM Programs to Make Money with Vera Krischik

Backyard Campfire Schedule Wednesday

• 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. One-on-One with MNLA Landscape Award Winners (Group 1) • 1:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Peer Networking: Professional Gardening Services • 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Don’t Get Zapped – Stay Safe Around Power!

• 3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Don’t Get Zapped – Stay Safe Around Power!

• 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Peer Networking: Landscape Contractors, with special guest Jody Shilan

Thursday

• 10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Q & A: Container Sizing • 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Equipment Walkabout • 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Peer Networking: Nursery Growers, with special guest Kris Bachtell • 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Plant Geeks Unite with Debbie Lonnee • 1:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. One-on-One with MNLA Landscape Award Winners (Group 4) • 2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Q & A: Tree Wounding with Faith Appelquist • 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Reels/Blade Sharpening

Friday

• 10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Q & A: ADA Compliance for Parks/Grounds • 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. One-on-One with MNLA Landscape Award Winners (Group 6)

Other Sessions Back of 1700 Aisle

• Wednesday, 11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

MN State Patrol Commercial Vehicle Inspection Information & Demo • Thursday, 3:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.

MN State Patrol Commercial Vehicle Inspection Information & Demo • Friday, 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

MN State Patrol Commercial Vehicle Inspection Information & Demo

Landscape Awards Room

• Wednesday, 8:45 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

One-on-One with MNLA Landscape Award Winners (Group 7) • Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

One-on-One with MNLA Landscape Award Winners (Group 8)

DISCLAIMER: Although every reasonable effort is made to provide the speakers, topics, and sessions listed, some changes or substitutions may occur. Speakers and sessions are subject to cancellation or change up to and including the day the session(s) are scheduled to be held. Changes or cancellations are made at the discretion of MNLA/ MTGF and may be done without notifying attendees. If sessions are changed or cancelled no refunds should be expected. Submission of the registration form acknowledges acceptance of this provision.

Landscape & Hardscape Design-Build Speaker & Seminar Highlights FEATURED SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

JULIE MOIR MESSERVY

Julie Moir Messervy Design Studio

BILL KWASNY

JODY SHILAN

CRL Associates, LLC

Jody Shilan Designs, LLC

SESSIONS IN THIS CATEGORY INCLUDE: • Keynote: Team Building-You’re on a Team, You May as Well be Good at it!

• Home Outside: Creating the Landscape you Love • Design/Build: It’s Not the Economy, It’s You • Outdoor Lighting: Troubleshooting Made Easy • Apps for the Green Industry-2015 • Pruning Young Trees: Success Stories Start at Planting • Retaining Wall Basics • Trees and the Law: Whose Tree is it Anyway?

• Soil Classification for Hardscapes • Landscape Design Ideas that Work • The Green Industry Outlook for 2015 • Small Sites/Big Ideas - Landscape Design Concepts • Design/Build: Creating the Unbiddable Landscape Plan • Social Media Marketing and Your Business • Selecting Fruit Trees for the Landscape • Dealing with Difficult People/ Customers

Trade Show Schedule:

Wednesday, January 14 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, January 15 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Friday, January 16 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

JANUARY 14–16, 2015 Minneapolis Convention Center

www.NorthernGreenExpo.org

• Work Ethic… Is It Out There Somewhere?

• Get Paid for Your Work: Tips and Tricks to Make Sure you Get Paid at Every Job • Why Retaining Walls Fail • Design/Build: How to Perform the Perfect Kitchen Table Presentation • Negotiating Styles • Gardens & Spirituality • Tree Diversity: What We Should be Planting in the Landscape

Hundreds of exhibitors in a 178,000 square foot exhibit hall. For a full listing of exhibitors, please visit NorthernGreenExpo.org or check out the Expo app.

Pre-Register online at NorthernGreenExpo.org, or by using the registration form included with this issue of The Scoop.

Water/Irrigation Speaker & Seminar Highlights FEATURED SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

CHRIS LECONTE

Smart Watering Systems

RANDY PEARSON

The Toro Company

FRED ROZUMALSKI

Barr Engineering

SESSIONS IN THIS CATEGORY INCLUDE: • Keynote: Team Building-You’re on a Team, You May as Well be Good at it!

• How Technology and Water Availability are Changing the Irrigation Industry • No Potable Water for Irrigation: The Need to Change our Plant Palette!

• The Green Industry Outlook for 2015

• Social Media Marketing and Your Business • Dealing with Difficult People/ Customers • Work Ethic… Is It Out There Somewhere?

• Get Paid for Your Work: Tips and Tricks to Make Sure you Get Paid at Every Job • Lightning Round! 10 Topics on the Future of Water in the Landscape

• Negotiating Styles • Lake and Pond Weed Management – Aquatics Recertification • Irrigation Technologies: Keeping up with the Millennial Generation • Water, What Business Opportunities Are Available RIGHT NOW?

GET YOUR CEU’S AT NORTHERN GREEN EXPO Expo will once again afford you the opportunity to maintain many common green industry certifications and licensures.

If you’re looking to stay current, be sure to attend one of the following programs: Aquatics Recertification (category F) is available on Thursday from 2:00 pm–3:50 pm. Pesticide applicator recertification (category A & E) will be available between 7:30 am–3:35 pm on Friday. All sessions during Expo qualify for MNLA-CP recertification points, plus many others will qualify for CEUs from other organizations including International Society of Arboriculture, ASLA-MN, Irrigation Association, MGCSA, MN Tree Inspector Recertification, and National Concrete Masonry Association. Each certified or licensed individual is responsible to determine which sessions meet each organization’s differing requirements.

We have many more great seminars and speakers! To view the entire schedule-at-a-glance and seminar descriptions, visit www.NorthernGreenExpo.org.

Northern Green Expo is generously supported by:

Landscape Management/Professional Gardening Speakers & Seminar Highlights FEATURED SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

KATHERINE ABY

Espalier Services

MARLA SPIVAK

University of Minnesota

JOHN BALL

South Dakota State University

SESSIONS IN THIS CATEGORY INCLUDE: • Keynote: Team Building-You’re on a Team, You May as Well be Good at it!

• Espalier: How to Prune for Shape and fruit • Pruning: Are We Doing it for the Trees or to Them • Apps for the Green Industry-2015 • Pruning Young Trees: Success Stories Start at Planting • Composting Successes and Failures • Understanding How Neonics and Systemics Carry on to the Landscape

Campfires

• Landscape Management of Annuals and Perennials • The Green Industry Outlook for 2015 • Turfgrass Research Update • Landscape Design Ideas that Work • Can Pesticides and Pollinators Co-Exist?

• Social Media Marketing and Your Business • Dealing with Difficult People/ Customers • Work Ethic… Is It Out There Somewhere?

• Get Paid for Your Work: Tips and Tricks to Make Sure you Get Paid at Every Job • Protecting Pollinators • Vegetable Plants • Gardens & Spirituality • Composting Successes and Failures • Common Math Calculations to Effectively Manage Turfgrass Sites • Native Grass Conversion: Start to Finish • Home Outside: Creating the Landscape you Love

These new gathering and learning areas on the trade show floor will feature show and tell, demonstrations, hosted discussions, peer networking, and walkabouts. Visit these new campfire locations to get even more from your Expo educational experience.

JANUARY 14–16, 2015 Minneapolis Convention Center

www.NorthernGreenExpo.org

Pre-Register online at NorthernGreenExpo.org, or by using the registration form included with this issue of The Scoop.

Retail/Business Management Speaker & Seminar Highlights FEATURED SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

STEVE BAILEY

Bailey Consulting

MARCO PALMA

Texas A & M University

TERRI WILCOX

Resultants for Business

SESSIONS IN THIS CATEGORY INCLUDE: • Keynote: Team Building-You’re on a Team, You May as Well be Good at it!

• Visual Merchandising Trends and Techniques • Buyer, Buyer (Quite The Collector), How Does Your Inventory Grow?

• Doing Something About it…

How much Inventory Do you Really Need?

• The Year in Research • Apps for the Green Industry-2015 • Understanding Difficult Pesticide Labeling Language • The Green Industry Outlook for 2015

• Social Media Marketing and Your Business • Dealing with Difficult People/ Customers • Work Ethic… Is It Out There Somewhere?

• Pesticide Safety: Putting Pesticides in Perspective • Negotiating Styles

CONNECT WITH INDUSTRY VENDORS AT THE SHOW AND ONLINE Visit hundreds of exhibitors in a 178,000 square foot exhibit hall onsite at the Northern Green Expo. Plus, afterwards, connect with these exhibitors all year long by visiting the vendor directory online at www.NorthernGreenExpo.org.

We have many more great seminars and speakers! To view the entire schedule-at-a-glance and seminar descriptions, visit www.NorthernGreenExpo.org.

Northern Green Expo is generously supported by:

Plant Materials/Plant Care Speaker & Seminar Highlights FEATURED SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

ALLAN ARMITAGE

University of Georgia

KRIS BACHTELL

Morton Arboretum

MARY MEYER

University of Minnesota

SESSIONS IN THIS CATEGORY INCLUDE: • Keynote: Team Building-You’re on a Team, You May as Well be Good at it!

• Espalier: How to Prune for Shape and Fruit • Friends Don’t Let Friends Buy Annuals? Who are They Kidding?

• New Elms for American Cities • Perennials: Will We Ever Tire of Them?

• Pruning: Are We Doing it for the Trees or to Them?

• The Year in Research

• Pruning Young Trees: Success Stories Start at Planting • Gravel Bed Technology • Plants for the Shade Garden Beyond Hosta and Ferns • Understanding How Neonics and Systemics Carry on to the Landscape • No Potable Water for Irrigation: The Need to Change our Plant Palette!

• University of Minnesota Top Annual Performers

• Trunk Formula Method: Variation of Variable Variability • Selecting Fruit Trees for the Landscape • Work Ethic… Is It Out There Somewhere?

• Plant Roots and Soil Organisms: The Carbon Cycle • Landscape Management of Annuals and Perennials • Protecting Pollinators • Vegetable Plants • Tree Diversity: What We Should be Planting in the Landscape

THERE ARE NOW MORE HOTEL OPTIONS, BUT BOOK EARLY! The Northern Green Expo is now one week later: January 14-16, 2015. As there are a limited number of available rooms, in order to get the hotel of your choice at the best rates, we encourage you to book early. Although the Hyatt is sold out already, Expo has also secured room blocks at the Millennium Hotel, the Hilton, the Hilton Garden Inn, and the DoubleTree Suites. Find the Hotels page on www.NorthernGreenExpo.org to see rates and booking details.

JANUARY 14–16, 2015 Minneapolis Convention Center

www.NorthernGreenExpo.org

Pre-Register online at NorthernGreenExpo.org, or by using the registration form included with this issue of The Scoop.

YOU’RE ON A TEAM, YOU MAY AS WELL BE GOOD AT IT

By Kit Welchlin, Welchlin Communication Strategies

Having to work together is a fact of life. We can’t do it all alone.

Yet, working together can be a challenging and complicated task.

Teamwork is a task event and a social event. Of course we want everyone on the team to feel comfortable sharing thoughts and opinions, however that can create friction and conflict. We also want team members to encourage and support each other, which can build cohesiveness and confidence. It is a balancing act between getting it done and getting along.

I recall years ago learning that successful teams are built with people that care. Care stands for creators, advancers, refiners, and executors. Creators are idea people. Creators are great at brainstorming creative ideas, however they sometimes have a hard time shutting it off. Advancers are the people on the team that advance two or three of the ideas that seem to have merit and possibility of working. Refiners put pencil to paper and start to compare and contrast the ideas to find what idea is reasonable, feasible and financially affordable. Executors are the people that just want you to make up your mind. They execute the plan once a decision has been reached.

communication environment where people look forward to coming to working, rather than resenting the fact they have to.

OUR E KEYNOETR SPEAK

We can have quite an impact on the social tone of our organizations. This social tone is referred to as a communication climate.

You can help make the work environment more comfortable for your coworkers. You may not be able to make it warm and sunny everyday, but you can adjust the thermostat of the team and make it more pleasant for everyone. When people feel secure and trusted, they will comfortably engage in conflict. When people have been able to share their point of view, they will feel more committed to the decisions. With commitment comes accountability and attention to results.

Yes, having to work together is a fact of life. We can’t do it all alone. So, if you’re on a team, you may as well be good at it.

So we don’t want people on the team that are just like us.

We want people on the team that are different than us. We just need to focus on each other’s strengths; who cares about the weaknesses. If we do this we can build a supportive

KIT WELCHLIN is a professional speaker and communication consultant and can be found at www. welchlin.com. Kit will be speaking at the 2015 Northern Green Expo. Don’t miss his Wednesday morning keynote nor his Wednesday afternoon session: Dealing with Difficult People/Customers.

FEATURED PRODUCT SHOWCASE The Featured Product Showcase will be in Lobby D during the Northern Green Expo. This will be the first place to stop after you receive your registration badge.

Check out what’s new and what’s hot in the industry. We’re celebrating exciting green industry products!

You’ll be able find out more about each product, which company provides it, and which booth that company is exhibiting in on the trade show floor.

Don’t miss it!

We have many more great seminars and speakers! To view the entire schedule-at-a-glance and seminar descriptions, visit www.NorthernGreenExpo.org.

Northern Green Expo is generously supported by:

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS TOPICS AT EXPO 2015

By Tim Power, MNLA Government Affairs Director

Our upcoming Expo education program is loaded with great sessions on a variety of issues. A surprisingly large group of those sessions involve government affairs issues, both in the legislative and the regulatory arenas. Here is a rundown of those sessions.

Legislative Breakfast MNLA will host a Legislative Breakfast on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at the Northern Green Expo, after a several-year hiatus.

Our breakfast speaker will be Craig Regelbrugge, Senior Vice President of Industry Advocacy and Research for AmericanHort.

Craig is recognized nationally and by MNLA members as a leader on issues such as comprehensive immigration reform.

Craig will update us on national legislative issues in light of the November 2014 election results, likely to include 1) tax reform initiatives that could put at risk the cash accounting option that our growers currently enjoy and 2) the current state of national pollinator initiatives and directives, and 3) national water issues, including EPA’s effort to dramatically broaden the scope of the “waters of the United States.” Later in the morning Craig will also report to us on the status of federal immigration reform at a campfire session on the trade show floor.

Water Sessions Water is becoming more expensive for reasons that include increasing population and corresponding demand, aging infrastructure, over-pumping in some regions, changing weather trends, environmental protection and more. Some people believe the future of water in the landscape will concentrate on nonpotable sources like rainwater or stormwater. Here is a series of Expo education sessions geared toward understanding these trends: • Wednesday, 8:20AM – Topics on the future of water in the landscape • Wednesday, 12:30PM – Geared toward irrigation pros, includes the latest trends in landscape irrigation technologies • Wednesday, 2:40 and 3:40PM – Geared toward the broader green industry, these two hours will focus on the need to change our plant palette and the ramifications on design and maintenance of the outdoor living environment as we move toward green infrastructure. These sessions will include a review of recent federal and state regulations and initiatives, an ecological perspective on the use of green infrastructure,

JANUARY 14–16, 2015 Minneapolis Convention Center

www.NorthernGreenExpo.org

discussion of the plants that work in these systems and a primer on designing the green infrastructure landscape.

• Thursday, 8:30AM – How technology and water availability is changing the landscape irrigation industry • Thursday, 2:00PM – Water: what business opportunities are available RIGHT NOW? Regulatory Re-certifications In addition to CEU’s offered by several professional groups for attending specific Expo sessions, Expo is a great place to recertify or earn credits for government-run certification /licensure programs including Power Limited technician (PLT) licensure and/or pesticide applicator training.

• Tuesday, 8:00 to 5:00 – Low Voltage Irrigation Troubleshooting. PLT’s can gain continuing education credits toward their license renewals.

• Friday, 7:30 to 3:30 – Pesticide applicator recertification sessions. Applicators needing Category F – Aquatics must attend additional sessions on Thursday afternoon from 2-4PM. Campfire Sessions on the Trade Show Floor In addition to Craig Regelbrugge’s immigration session on Thursday morning, there are a number of regulatory-related campfire sessions being held on the trade show floor during trade show hours: • Wednesday, 1:30 – 2:00PM – The latest news on pollinators and pesticides • Thursday, 10:15 – 10:45AM – Q&A: container sizing • Thursday, 1:45 – 2:15PM – Gopher State One Call • Friday, 10:45 – 11:15AM – DOT certification for landscape specialists: How to get it • Wednesday, 11:15AM; Thursday, 3:45PM; Friday, 11:45AM – Half-hour presentations by the Minnesota State Patrol on commercial vehicle inspection (include demonstration) TIM POWER is MNLA's Government Affairs Director and can be reached at tim@mnla.biz or 651-644-4987.

If you know of legislative or regulatory issues that MNLA should be aware of, please contact Tim.

Pre-Register online at NorthernGreenExpo.org, or by using the registration form included with this issue of The Scoop.

DOWNLOAD OUR NEW (AND STILL FREE) NORTHERN GREEN EXPO APP Before Expo: Design your own Green Expo experience by choosing your favorite sessions to attend and exhibitors to see.

During Expo: You’ll always know what’s happening and what everyone is talking about with the new Activity Feed.

GreenExpo15

The Northern Green Expo app will help you: • Create a customized schedule and exhibitor list.

• Find out “What’s On Now” and track what people are talking about with the new Activity Feed.

• Receive Expo updates/changes in real time.

• Lighten your load – no need to carry around anything more than your mobile device!

CAREER CENTRAL This new area at the Northern Green Expo will showcase all aspects of career promotion and development. The following will be included in this space: • Booths featuring local institutions of higher learning. Talk to them about pursuing a degree or simply attending some classes good for continuing education.

• A focus on the different career paths/opportunities available in the green industry.

• Internship postings and opportunities.

• Job postings and related news.

• It is also an opportunity for you to see what’s new in the world of education and careers.

JOB BOARD POSTING GUIDELINES • There is no official form for job postings. Bring your own job posting (no larger than a 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper) to place on the boards any time after 7 am on Wednesday, January 14th.

• Please list only one job description per posting to ensure that your posting can be put under the correct category heading.

• Expo staff will place empty acrylic holders on the boards along with category headings at the beginning of the show. Feel free to bring several copies of the posting which will allow potential employees to take a copy of your posting with them for response after the Expo. Acrylic holders will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once they are full, a single posting can be tacked up to the board, but multiple copies cannot be left.

• It is your responsibility to keep tabs on the job posting. If your copies run out, Expo staff will not be responsible for filling them. However, if you’d like to make additional copies, there is a UPS Store available onsite.

Note: Please do not include confidential information that you might not, for any reason, want available to the general public.

We have many more great seminars and speakers! To view the entire schedule-at-a-glance and seminar descriptions, visit www.NorthernGreenExpo.org.

Northern Green Expo is generously supported by:

Events You Won’t Want to Miss WEDNESDAY EVENING: MNLA AWARDS GALA

The Awards Gala will begin at 5:30 p.m. on January 14, 2015 in the Millennium Hotel’s Grand Foyer and Ballroom. The MNLA Awards Gala celebrates Minnesota’s green industry and the year’s award winners. Join the best of the best for an evening full of fantastic food, outstanding projects, amazing volunteers, and lots of fun. Kick off your year in style at the Awards Gala!

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One free drink, all food stations, dessert & coffee included with ticket purchase. Cash bar available throughout the event. Note that this is a ticketed event with a separate fee from the Expo.

Cost: Tickets are $65 and are available on a first come first served basis, as there is a limit on our capacity. Go to MNLA.biz to order your tickets now.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:

Posters of the winning entries will be displayed during the Northern Green Expo in Room 102BC. Winners will present their projects in the new campfire areas on the trade show floor (check schedule in Room 102BC).

THURSDAY MORNING: MNLA LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST Time: 7:30-8:20 a.m.

Topic: National Issues with Minnesota Impact: What are some of the national issues having impacts in Minnesota? Pollinators & pesticides, invasive plants and Congress’s tax reform efforts are sure to be discussed.

Featured Speaker: Craig Regelbrugge, AmericanHort’s Senior VP for Industry Advocacy and Research Fees: This is a ticketed event with a separate fee from the Northern Green Expo. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased with your registration for the Northern Green Expo.

Come and learn about how you can have a voice on important issues that affect your business!

LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST SPONSORS:

JANUARY 14–16, 2015 Minneapolis Convention Center

www.NorthernGreenExpo.org

Pre-Register online at NorthernGreenExpo.org, or by using the registration form included with this issue of The Scoop.

THURSDAY MIDDAY: FREE LUNCH FOR ALL ATTENDEES

Be sure to take advantage of Thursday’s free lunch in the trade show café and green spaces.

Expo Lunch Supported by:

Some restrictions apply. See www.NorthernGreenExpo.org.

THURSDAY EVENING: MNLA’S 90TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY The year 2015 marks the 90th Anniversary of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association and we invite all Northern Green Expo attendees to help us celebrate!

Where: Ballroom A, Minneapolis Convention Center When: Thursday, January 15, 2014 beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Cost: Entrance, concert, and snacks are all FREE (while supplies last). Cash bars will be available throughout the event.

Relax and catch up with green industry colleagues or get your dance moves on with entertainment provided by the local band Slip Twister!

Entertainment by Slip Twister Entertainment sponsored by:

Event Celebration Sponsors:

We have many more great seminars and speakers! To view the entire schedule-at-a-glance and seminar descriptions, visit www.NorthernGreenExpo.org.

Northern Green Expo is generously supported by:

âžž NU RS ERY IN SPECTIO N

Nursery Inspection and Certific

Program Update

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ation

Steven Shimek | Nursery Inspection Program Coordinator

e

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture issued 7% more Nursery Stock Dealer certificates in 2014. This year there were 2,199 dealers compared to 2,044 in 2013.

However, Nursery Stock Grower certificates issued in 2014 decreased 5.4 percent from 283 growers in 2013 to 268 growers in 2014. The number of acres presented for certification also dropped 5.1 percent from 5,910 acres to 5,610 acres.

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➾ NU RS ERY IN SPECTIO N

Top Ten Most Reported Diseases Plant Pest Disease

Number of Times Reported

Canker

69

Fire blight

24

Virus

12

Bacterial Soft Rot

8

Rust

8

Phytopthora Root Rot

6

Verticillium Wilt

6

Powdery Mildew

5

Aster Yellows

2

Apple Scab

1

Inspection data is entered directly into the MDA database, streamlining reporting and tracking inspection activity as well as providing the most up to date information available from the MDA database.

Top Ten Most Reported Insect Pests Plant Pest Insect

Number of Times Reported

General Borer

20

General Scale

7

Linden Borer

5

Two-Lined Chestnut Borer

5

Zimmerman Pine Moth

4

Bronze Birch Borer

6

Flat-Headed Apple Borer

3

Viburnum Clearwing

2

Fletcher Scale

2

Black Vine Weevil

1

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Plant Hardiness

Nursery stock must not be labeled or advertised with false or misleading information including, but not limited to, scientific name, variety, place of origin, hardiness zone as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture, and growth habit. Some stock was found with incorrect plant hardiness labeling at a number of sites. Stock offered for sale must have accurate cold hardiness labeling and be labeled “nonhardy” when applicable. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) maintains lists of plants that are hardy in zone 5, zone 4, and zone 3. The lists have been developed over many years and have been regularly reviewed by the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum horticulturists and a wide array of industry professionals. The lists are intended to determine the minimum USDA cold hardiness zone for plants being offered for sale. The lists are available on the MDA web site (http://www.mda.state.mn.us, and search for the word “hardiness”).

Although there are a few plants that generated controversy, the correct hardiness of the vast numbers of plants listed appear to have reached a consensus.

Some incorrect labels were found and ordered to be changed or removed. A few suppliers contacted MDA to question some of the content of the hardiness lists. They were encouraged to provide credible independent hardiness information to support their claims.

Based upon information provided, some changes were made. More work will be done to include additional hardiness information as it becomes available. The lists will be combined and any changes to be made will be completed by January 1st.

Nursery Compliance Information System (NCIS).

This spring, the nursery certification program began using the Nursery Compliance Information System (NCIS), which is an electronic field-based data collection system to conduct inspections. The system allows the collection of inspection data and provides tracking of nursery inspection activities. It has improved accuracy, efficiency, communication and speed of data collection.

Josh Plunkett spearheaded the development, working with MDA information services staff to modify an existing program already in use in another program area. A long and difficult challenge to develop the program resulted in a system ready for the field in April.

The system relies on tablet laptop computers along with portable Bluetooth printers and wireless modems that allow real time contact with the MDA Licensing and Information System.

Staff set about implementing the new system in April with more than a few growing pains, mostly related to the hardware and logistical problems, including difficulty getting a wireless signal in the more remote areas of the state. The addition of portable car desks with mounts for the laptop, printer and phone helped make the technical problems such as power and charging more manageable.

Inspection data is entered directly into the MDA database, streamlining reporting and tracking inspection activity as well as providing the most up to date information available from the MDA database.

Detailed reports are printed or can be emailed to the appropriate site contact upon completion of the visit. If certificate holders have an email address and would like emailed copies instead of a paper

copy, they need to include the email address on their 2015 nursery certificate application form.

Although the system is not perfect, it is a far cry from the old fashioned triplicate paper inspection reports with no automated data collection. Inspection staff hopes to build on the success of the first year to improve the system within the confines of the software.

Field and Financial Audits

Nursery stock grower certification fees are based upon the area of all acreage on which nursery stock is grown for certification. Inspectors conducted field audits using Global Positioning System (GPS) units to measure around the perimeter of fields to assure growers have been reporting accurate growing acres. Dealer fees are based upon the gross sales of nursery stock from the previous certificate year. Some financial audits are conducted when dealer sales volume seems too low or if fee information is missing on renewal applications. Approximately 60 audits have resulted in more refunds than fee increases.

Japanese Beetle

Japanese beetle (JB) populations continued to decline across the state. This is the second year of population decline. The reduced numbers may be attributed to drought in 2013 and/or the severe cold in winter 2014.

To ship nursery stock with soil from Minnesota, which is generally infested, (category 3) to category 2 states (which have some JB but are not completely infested) or to category 1 states (which do not have established populations), Minnesota nursery stock must be certified free of JB using protocols detailed in the Japanese Beetle Domestic Harmonization Agreement (JBHP). Some container grown stock treatments were in done in early spring and into summer.

Dip, drench and foliar treatments were used. During JB adult flight season, containers were collected inside screened treatment bunkers designed to safeguard treated plants and keep adult beetles out for foliar insecticide applications before shipping. Stock is kept inside the screened area until it is loaded inside trailers. This appears to be the best option to prevent hitchhiking adult beetles. Trapping and soil sampling was conducted to certify field grown material.

2015 Nursery Certificate Renewals

Renewal applications for 2015 nursery stock dealer and nursery stock grower certificates will be mailed in early November with a December 31st due date to avoid a 10% late penalty. The penalty increases to 20% in February and 30% in March.

Steven Shimek is the Nursery Inspection Program Coordinator for the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture and is available at steven.shimek@state.mn.us or 651-201-6619.

TM

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➾ cOMMITTEE ROUN DUP

Committee Roundup MNLA exists because of the time and talents of its volunteers. Below is a summary of some of the exciting programs and projects happening at MNLA due to the efforts of these engaged volunteers.

The MNLA Board of Directors commissions committees and task teams to carry out the strategic direction of the organization, so as you read, remember that MNLA is always searching for new volunteers to help with projects both short- and long-term.

Are you interested in learning more? For more information, contact a board member, a committee chair, an MNLA staff member, or visit www.MNLA.biz to submit a volunteer application online.

Education & Certification Committee Chair:

Debbie Lonnee Bailey Nurseries

Recent activity in this committee includes: • Scheduling for 2014–2015 winter and spring educational offerings.

• Creating a line-up of online courses for 2014–2015.

• Starting to collect data and proposals for 2016 Northern Green Expo seminars.

• Finalizing the details for the 2015 MNLA Certification Exam, which will be offered in a brand new electronic format in January and March.

The following task team is currently reporting to this committee: Certification.

Membership Committee Chair:

Rob Friend The Mulch Store

Recent activity in this committee includes: • Creation of updated talking points for member phone calls and visits.

• Brainstorming ways to develop a more in-depth prospective member list.

• Performing member visits and phone calls and creating a monthly committee check in meeting via Google Hangout/phone conference.

Recent activity in this committee includes:

Communications + Technology Committee Chair:

Randy Berg Berg’s Nursery, Landscapers/Garden Center

• Review and analysis of the membership survey completed in 2014.

• Recommendation of social media education both at Northern Green Expo and via online education for the spring of 2015.

• Commissioned the first meeting of The Scoop Editorial Task Team which created the first annual calendar for The Scoop magazine.

• Oversight of the launch of the www.mnla.biz website.

The following task teams are currently reporting to this committee: Scoop Editorial, and Digital Plant Sales Tools.

The following is a list of additional task teams that are currently active and report directly to the MNLA Board of Directors: Landscape Awards, Member of Excellence Awards, 90th Anniversary, Governance, and Capital Improvements.

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Government Affairs Committee Chair:

Timothy Malooly Water in Motion

Recent activity in this committee includes: • Working to generate a list of policy priorities for the 2015 legislative session.

• Promotion of revised sales tax fact sheets from the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

• Discussion on the creation of an association policy position related to the pollinator and pesticide issue.

• Creation of a Legislative Breakfast for members at the 2015 Northern Green Expo.

• Monitoring and participating in conversations on: • Immigration reform • A change to the definition of excavation • Noxious weeds • Pollinator BMPs • Pesticide licensure categories • The MN plumbing board on backflow tester license changes and potential change to MN plumbing code • Helping implement the new MN stormwater guidelines (including permeable paver and rainwater harvest protocols).

Trade Show Committee Chair:

Bill Mielke Waconia Tree Farms

Networking Committee Chair:

Nick Sargent Sargent’s Landscape Nursery, Inc.

This committee directs and facilitates move-in and move-out for the over 400 exhibiting companies at the Northern Green Expo.

Recent activity in this committee includes: • Monitoring industry segment networking groups such as Greenhouse Growers, Retail Garden Centers, CEO, Professional Gardening Services, Arborists, Landscape Contractors, and several others. Please check out MNLA.biz for a full list of networking groups. In general, these groups meet quarterly for a loosely guided session on a specific topic.

• Creation of several regional networking groups including Rochester, Mankato, and Duluth.

• Hosted a summer social at Summit Brewery in July 2014.

• Completion of the 2014 Green Industry Leadership Institute and launching of the 2015 program.

• Discussing several other items including; • Interstate networking opportunities with groups in Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and the Dakotas.

• Creation of other “fee-based” professional institutes for other target groups.

The following task team is currently reporting to this committee: Green Industry Leadership Institute.

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Do Plow Drivers Need to be Paid for

Being On-Call?

When the snow flies, plow drivers must be ready to hit the ground running (or plowing I suppose). Many drivers are on-call, waiting for the snow to fall. It’s great to have a team at the ready. But are you required to pay on-call drivers for the hours they are on-call?

Patrick McGuiness | Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC

➾ on -call

N

o, most plow drivers do not need to be paid for the time they are on-call. As long as workers are allowed to use their time for their own purposes, you don’t need to pay them until they are called in. If your company imposes too many restrictions on on-call workers, however, you may be required to pay them for that time.

Here are some important steps to take to ensure you don’t have to pay plow drivers for on-call time.

1. Waiting

Let your workers go home or any place within a reasonable distance of the worksite. If your workers are required to remain onsite — or in the immediate vicinity — they may be entitled to pay for their wait time.

It’s fine if you ask workers to stay reasonably close to their worksite — in the metro area, for example. But if you require your workers to stay in a very small area, effectively preventing them from doing things like going to a restaurant or running personal errands, you may be required to pay them for their on-call time.

2. Response time

Any on-call worker will take a few minutes to get out on the road and start their job. How soon you expect workers to be out plowing can be an important factor in determining whether they must be paid for being on-call. There’s no hard and fast rule for how much time you must give workers, however.

In general, try to be as lenient as you can without compromising your ability to get the job done. Set general expectations rather than hard rules, and try not to penalize workers who have a good reason for responding slowly.

3. Alcohol

If your workers are going to be driving plows in a snow storm, it stands to reason that you would want them to stay sober. Luckily, reasonable restrictions on alcohol consumption do not trigger the requirement to pay on-call workers.

4. Frequency of calls

The frequency of calls is another important factor in evaluating whether workers are entitled to pay for time spent on-call. If on-call workers don’t get many calls, they probably don’t need to be paid for wait time. If workers receive multiple calls per shift, however, they should be paid for those hours. This is not usually an issue for snow services 42

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because once you call your workers in for a shift, they almost always stay for the entire snow event.

5. Penalties

Don’t penalize workers too harshly for responding slowly. If companies have strict policies and penalties for workers who miss calls, it is far more likely that a court will require them to pay on-call workers. The idea is that strict policies might prevent workers from using their on-call time for their own purposes. If workers know they’ll lose their job if they don’t respond to calls immediately, then it will be difficult for them to do anything but wait.

6. Partial pay

Even if your company isn’t legally required to pay workers for the hours that they spend on-call, you may decide to offer some compensation anyway. Many businesses pay on-call workers at a reduced or flat rate for wait-time. There are lots of business reasons to offer this perk, but you should be aware that the on-call bonus is considered part of an employee’s regular pay when it comes time to calculate overtime. If you decide to give on-call workers a special bonus, you should make sure that you are paying overtime correctly.

Conclusion

There are no hard and fast rules about when on-call workers must be paid. A good general rule of thumb is that the more restrictions and requirements you place on workers while they are on-call, the more likely it is that they are entitled to pay for that time. In general, snow plow drivers do not need to be paid for time spent on-call.

Once you decide on your company policies, you should clearly cover them in your company handbook, and you should follow those policies in the course of business. This is one case where having a good handbook can be essential to avoiding litigation.

This article provides general information on employment law and does not list all prohibitions, exclusions and regulations. Do not rely upon this article as legal advice. A qualified attorney must analyze all relevant facts and apply the applicable law to any matter before legal advice can be given.

If you would like more information regarding

employment law or other legal matters, please contact Patrick McGuiness at Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC at 651-206-3203 or pmcguiness@ zmattorneys.com

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Why Building a Workforce Takes Time Monroe Porter | PROOF Management Consultants

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➾ building a workforce

I frequently receive questions from customers regarding the difficulty in building a workforce. This runs the gamut from the crusty old 65-year-old contractor complaining about the youth of the day to the fire-eating 24-year-old owner who wants to build a more attractive place for employees to work. No matter how you spin it, building a staff is not an instant proposition. You can rework your finances and see an immediate impact. You might be able to develop a clever marketing plan and find work, but people development takes time.

To make matters worse, unemployment statistics are misleading.

Gary Burtless reported in a December 2012 article for Brookings, “Between 2007 and 2011, the fraction of the nation’s unemployed who were unemployed six months or longer increased from 18 percent to 44 percent.” What this means is that there are a lot of people looking for jobs but many of them are not particularly employable.

And the vast majority of the unemployed do not want to work in the field as a tradesperson. So to further study this issue, ask yourself the following questions and see how you measure up: Would you work for you? This is a complicated question and we could dedicate the rest of this article to it, but let’s try to keep it short and sweet. This starts with the psychological side of things.

Too many contractors start out doing contracting because they don’t know what else to do and then 15 years later at 40 years of age, they are doing the same thing. If you don’t believe your industry or your company is a good place to work, it is doubtful you will be able to convince other good people to work for you. Look at the positives of working in a small business. People get to see what their daily accomplishments are and feel good about it. Small business employment is results-driven with very little politics.

Do you look like a good place to work? Is your office and shop clean? Do your trucks and equipment look professional? If you work out of your home and have to meet people at McDonald’s or a supplier for an interview, do you really look like a good place to work?

Don’t build a shop just for hiring people, but understand that the more your business matures and grows, the easier it is to find people. Every business has an employment reputation and tradespeople 46

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talk. They know the good places to work. When I ask a customer about hiring a good guy, one thing they will say is, “well, I know the guy he works for and he can be difficult.” Don’t hire and train good people then have a management style that makes it unpleasant to work for you, forcing employees to leave the company.

Do you evaluate the big picture? We talk to contractors weekly about their employees, but few owners have taken the time to evaluate their employees for the long haul. If you have 10 field guys but only two have a driver’s license, it is going to be impossible to promote the non-drivers to foreman or to let them run small jobs by themselves. Write down all your employees’ names in order of importance. Then write their pay beside their name, grade their willingness to learn, how well they follow company practices, are on time, work safely, and other factors. All of your employees do not have to become stars, but you have to be realistic concerning their long term potential. No matter how hard you try you can’t turn chicken manure into chicken salad.

Are you always looking for employees? Contractors are always marketing and looking for work but few take the same approach for employees. Most wait until someone leaves and a new hire is forced.

You have to train your organization to constantly look for employees. Also, what is your advertising approach? How much do you spend advertising for work compared to how much you spend looking for people? Probably a very inadequate comparison. Consider putting information on your trucks, website, and asking everyone you know. Realize that you can’t do work without employees.

Do you terminate the bad apples soon enough? It can be surprising when you get rid of a difficult or problem employee as to how quickly others stand up and perform. Look to replace employees who have a poor work ethic or other attitude issues.

It is important to enforce company work rules. Think of such enforcement as a way to protect employees, not lose employees. A case where this is particularly true is where you have an employee with a lot of drama in their home life. Frequently, such an employee is not the decision maker and does not set personal boundaries well.

Maybe there are kids who have problems or a difficult spouse. If your employee is the family financial source, he or she getting fired is the last thing they want. If they are an hour late, send them home for the day without pay; if they had several issues, send a formal letter to the employee’s home. Dysfunctional employees in a large company tend to perform because strict structure and company policy enforce it. Some small businesses play the role of nice guy and pay the price.

Are you temporarily frustrated or permanently poisoned? You are a contractor. You make money by creating things. You need people to do that. People can be very frustrating, but without employees, you are not a contractor. Even if you use subs, they still have to be competent, legal and effective. There is no magic fruit tree where you can gather subs or employees.

I travel a lot for business. Years ago, when I had delayed flights due to snow storms and other issues, I would become upset and angry about it. Such behavior is foolish as it is not personal, it is just part of the deal. Now, I have learned to accept it and rarely get angry, but I never stop trying to get better at it. Employing people is a similar

➾ building a workforce

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endeavor. It will always be imperfect but it is not a personal assault, it is just part of the deal. If you think your personnel issues are all someone else’s fault, when you look into the mirror tomorrow morning, maybe you should look a little closer at the real problem. Other companies have employees; why don’t you?

Monroe Porter is president of PROOF Management Consultants (www.proofman.com) and runs networking consulting groups for contractors.

He can be reached at 804-267-1688 or monroe@proofman.com.

Welcome new MNLA members!

Corval Group; St. Paul, MN; Augie Kreye, 651-645-0451 Karin’s Lawn & Landscape; Golden Valley, MN; Chris Pitkin, 763-546-9131

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Team Up, Dream Up & Theme Up! Why a collaborative and creative monthly promotional calendar matters for your garden center.

Jonathan Matteson | Garden Marketing

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➾ garden centers

O

ne of the goals I set this year was to help my clients get 4 More In ‘14. This means helping folks like Independent Garden Centers (IGCs) get four more purchases and positive reviews from the top 20% of their customers that inevitably account for 80% of their sales and word of mouth referrals. To this end, I have put together a few ideas to inspire you to be more creative and proactive in your sales and marketing campaigns.

First, an incremental plan for growth is far better than dividing the entire year in just two parts: • in-season, where we operate reactively • out-of-season, where our sales and marketing efforts, like the perennials we promoted and sold over spring and summer, go dormant However, a monthly promotional calendar filled with creative themes produces excitement and engagement, making each and every result that much easier to measure. Can you imagine if your favorite store at the mall or online did not use or change themes?

You would be far less likely to visit them out of sheer curiosity, and only go when it was a dire necessity. Themes offer your customers and staff more than just variety as the spice of life. They provide a greater sense of progress over time, which is one of the main reasons why people set foot in your business or elect to Like, Follow and Subscribe to you in the first place.

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The majority of your current and future customers should be from the X-and-Y generations. Many of these urban latchkey kids, now grown and working moms, want to level up by providing for themselves and their family — farming, canning, and knitting — just like grandma! Yet, unlike their Boomer and Silent generation predecessors, it seems that a lush, sprawling, and thirsty lawn that requires meticulous care and lots of synthetic sprays and fertilizers is not a status symbol anymore. This is the era of the small space eco-gardener who wants to grow food organically and vertically in expressive containers that can be easily moved. With more money than time, they do not pinch pennies, but be warned; their on-demand, highly adaptable and disposable approach to life from seeing divorce and other forms of free agency on and off the field has taught them to be openly self-centered, so think global and act local if you want X-and-Y to remain loyal to you and to avoid their bad reviews.

Every month you should challenge your audience to complete at least one DIY (do it yourself ) and/or DIFM (do it for me) indoor or outdoor project. Identify those projects and market them well so both you and your customer can reap the benefits.

A monthly theme should be brief: not more than 10 words in 10 seconds. It must alert consumers about a fun and fascinating gardening activity at a particularly important time of year, like mulching before it gets extremely hot or cold. A campaign needs to show (via displays, photos, and sketches) and tell (in three concise bullet

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➾ garden centers

points) why an activity is necessary and how to do it (in three clear steps). Your goal in providing this form of education on a regular basis to your audience is to raise awareness and mobilize all possible participants into taking profitable actions like the Discovery Channel’s Shark Week phenomenon has done.

Remember, statewide industry association promotions like Plant Something are purposely vague. Their function is to provide a unifying umbrella that covers many microclimate-specific marketing campaigns within a given territory. Therefore, you should create or refine an individual or collective group of campaigns by taking the following few steps: • Identify an idea for each month and see if you can connect it to a larger theme that already has momentum. My generation is into extreme competitions like the X Games, so how about a Giant Pumpkin Growing Contest during Oktoberfest?

• List a few key products and/or services to promote that will force people to visit your business. Make sure that your vendor(s) will support your promotion with co-op advertising materials and dollars. An in-kind donation in lieu of cash will help you monetize the free tips and information you give to your audience.

• Make sure your call-to-action marketing materials (webpage backgrounds, cover photos, in-store signage, email signatures, tweets and posts, #hashtags, and on-hold phone messages

EXCLUSIVE MEMBER CONTENT Did you know that there are many member-only resources available to you for FREE? You may come across a printed promotion for these member-only resources from time to time in the Scoop but you can access all this great material anytime onlne once you log in to www.MNLA.biz. Browse the MEMBERS ONLY dropdown on the far right of the menu bar!

 GARDEN CENTERS, CHECK OUT Customer Resource Sheets Are you still using the “Northern Gardener” fact sheets as a consumer handout? We have seen these flyers on many garden center walls. High resolution PDFs are now online for you to print as many as you require. They are a great resource for your customers to learn more on a variety of topics. The collection includes 20 different sheets in full color! So, stop copying and start printing in high resolution today.

 LANDSCAPE DESIGNERS, CHECK OUT The Value of Landscape Design Flyer You know sophisticated landscape design adds true value to a home, but do your potential clients know the numbers? According to university-documented research, investing in landscape design, trees, and other landscaping features will increase the value of your home and increase the quality of life.

Go online and print a two-page colorful flyer that brings together highlights from this research with photos that illustrate the facts and provide them during your customer meetings!

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AD

THE

from the executive Director . . . . . . . . . . 8 Green for Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 foundation Scholarships . . . . . . . . . 16-20 Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 business Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-30, 32-35 Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36-41 Landscape awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 foundation research. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Government affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44-45 Landscape Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Public relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Sustainable environment. . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Northern Green expo . . 50-52, 54-55, 57 board of Directors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 recycling Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58-59 Irrigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Plant of the Month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

46043

238th

Street

•

A Top Notch Equipment.........

Albert J. Lauer, Inc................

Anchor Block Company .........

Ancom Communication & Tech Anderson Nurseries, Inc. .......

Aspen Equipment .................

Bailey Nurseries ...................

Baker Lake Nursery...............

Belgard Hardscapes - Northfie Brock White Company...........

Carlin Horticultural Supplies/P Casualty Assurance ...............

Central Landscape Supply .....

Central Wisconsin Evergreens, Crow River Greenhouse & Nur Crysteel Truck Equipment .....

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

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

Dayton Bag & Burlap ............

Evergreen Nursery Co., Inc.....

Fahey Sales Agency, Inc. .......

Fireside Hearth & Home........

Fury Motors..........................

Gardenworld Inc...................

Gertens Wholesale................

Glacial Ridge Growers ...........

Great Northern Equipment Di Hedberg Landscape & Masonr Hoffman & McNamara Nurser

WentWorth,

SD

57075

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Dependable wholesale grower of quality plants for over 30 years!

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➾ garden centers

among many others) reflect each theme. Get some graphic design advice on color, font size, and ways to use links.

• Lastly, consider my gardening-related adages included with this article to use in your campaigns. For more inspiration, please take a look at the “Signage” board and pins I’ve created for you at www.Pinterest.com/ GardenMarketing.

Good luck in your planning and may every monthly theme ensure an exceptional year of growth for you, your company, and our industry as a whole!

is the founder of Garden Marketing, which exists to help the lawn and garden industry successfully reach the highly valuable and tech savvy X & Y Generation customers like him. You can connect with Mr. Garden Marketing at www.facebook.com/FollowGardenMarketing.

Jonathan Matteson

NEW MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY TIMING

Now accepting applications for the 2015 Green Industry Leadership Institute Are you looking for help developing the next leader in your green industry business? After a successful launch with a full class in 2014, MNLA is now accepting applications for the 2015 Green Industry Leadership Institute, a year-long learning experience aimed at the up-and-coming next leaders within MNLA companies.

This unique program, professionally facilitated

by Steve and Terri Wilcox, is grounded in leadership development best practices and aims for students to leave the class taking ownership of their company’s mission and bottom line, having greater confidence in decision making, and with new skills in identifying and facilitating solutions within their company.

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN JANUARY 20, 2015.

To apply, fill out the application included with this month’s Scoop, visit www.MNLA.biz to download an application, or contact Jon Horsman at 651-633-4987 or jon@mnla.biz. Only 15 participants are accepted into the program each year, so don’t delay!

OneThirdSquareGILIPromo.indd 1

11/17/2014 11:23:43 AM

Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association

MNLA Membership Directory 2015

One Resource For All Your Green Industry Needs

Featuring MNLA member companies and Northern Green Expo exhibitors in one directory!

MINNESOTA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • 1813 Lexington Ave. N, Roseville, MN 55113 651-633-4987 • Fax 651-633-4986 • Toll Free 888-886-6652 • Toll Free Fax 888-266-4986 www.MNLA.biz • www.NorthernGreenExpo.org • Successful Businesses Grow Here!

Better timing to suit your needs; same valuable information. With the publication of the 2015 MNLA Membership Directory, we have changed the timing of this important resource so it lands in your mailbox when you need it most – the spring!

Watch for the MNLA Member Directory to arrive with your April issue of The Scoop.

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➾ mildew & milk continued from page 19

most woody species will not be killed by powdery mildew and treatment with fungicides usually isn’t warranted where reduced aesthetics can be tolerated. In both landscape and commercial production environments, choosing resistant selections is the best course of action for growers and consumers and resistant varieties should be used whenever possible.

For more detail and additional information on powdery mildew and its management, including the effectiveness of milk and other treatments (including commercial fungicides) in managing powdery mildew, consult the following selected resources: Chen, J. and G-H. Dai. 2014. Effect of d-Pinitol Isolated and Identified from Robinia pseudoacacia Against Cucumber Powdery Mildew. Scientia Horticulturae 176(11):38–44. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ article/pii/S0304423814003604 (abstract only) Perina, F.J., E. Alves, R.B. Pereira, G.C. Lucas, C.R.G. Labory, and H.A. de Castro. 2013. Essential Oils and Whole Milk in the Control of Soybean Powdery Mildew. Ciencia Rural 43(11). http://www.scielo.br/scielo. php?pid=S0103-84782013001100003&script=sci_arttext&tlng=es

40(October 2012):8-15. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/ pii/S0261219412001196 (abstract only) Crisp, P., T.J. Wicks, G. Troup, and E.S. Scott. 2006. Mode of Action of Milk and Whey in the Control of Grapevine Powdery Mildew.

Australasian Plant Pathology 35(5):487-493. http://link.springer.com/ article/10.1071/AP06052#page-1 Gubler, W.D. and S.T. Koike. 2009 (revised). Powdery Mildew on Ornamentals. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7493.html Newman, S. and L.P. Pottorff. 2013. Powdery Mildews. Colorado State University Extension. http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/ garden/02902.html Beckerman, J. 2008. Powdery Mildew. Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/ BP-5-W.pdf Koetter, R. and M. Grabowski. Powdery Mildew. University of Minnesota Extension. Accessed July 30, 2014. http://www.extension.umn.edu/ garden/yard-garden/trees-shrubs/powdery-mildew/

Chee, A.A., K.V. Wurms, and M. George. 2011. Control of Powdery Mildew (Sphaerotheca pannosa var. rosae) on Rose (Rosa L. sp.) Using Anhydrous Milk Fat and Soybean Oil Emulsions. New Zealand Plant Protection 64:195-200. http://www.nzpps.org/journal/64/nzpp_641950.pdf

Belanger R. and C. Labbe. 2002. Control of Powdery Mildew Without Chemicals: Prophylactic and Biological Alternatives for Horticultural Crops. In: Belanger, R., W.R. Bushnell, A.J. Dik, T.L.W. Carver (editors).

The Powdery Mildews. A Comprehensive Treatise. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, Minnesota. Pages 256-267. http://www. apsnet.org/apsstore/shopapspress/Pages/42910.aspx (book synopsis)

Medeiros, F.H.V., W. Bettiol, R.M. Souza, E. Alves, Z.V. Pinto, and R. Iost. 2012. Microorganisms, Application Timing and Fractions as Players of the Milk-Mediated Powdery Mildew Management. Crop Protection

Lehrer, J.M., M.H. Brand, and J.D. Lubell 2012. Layers of Intrigue: Physocarpus and Powdery Mildew. American Nurseryman (February 2012):12-16, 25. http://www.amerinursery.com/article-7868.aspx

A Deeper Shade of Green Local Genetic Origins

TM

Douglas, S.M. Powdery and Downy Mildews on Greenhouse Crops.

Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Accessed July 30, 2014. http://www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/documents/publications/fact_sheets/ plant_pathology_and_ecology/powdery_and_downy_mildews_on_ greenhouse_crops.pdf Chalker-Scott, L. The Myth of Milk and Roses. Puyallup Research and Extension Center, Washington State University. Accessed July 24, 2014. http://puyallup.wsu.edu/~linda%20chalker-scott/Horticultural%20 Myths_files/Myths/Milk%20and%20mildew.pdf DeBacco, M. 2011. Compost Tea and Milk to Suppress Powdery Mildew (Podosphaera xanthii) on Pumpkins and Evaluation of Horticultural Pots Made from Recyclable Fibers Under Field Conditions. Master of Science Thesis; University of Connecticut. http://digitalcommons.uconn. edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1146&context=gs_theses

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

www.outbacknursery.com

Call us first for all your native planting needs 58

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Bettiol, W. 1999. Effectiveness of Cow’s Milk Against Zucchini Squash Powdery Mildew (Sphaerotheca fuliginea) in Greenhouse Conditions.

Crop Protection 18(8):89–492. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ article/pii/S0261219499000460 (abstract only) Raloff, J. 2002. A Dairy Solution to Mildew Woes. Science News Magazine; September 19, 2002. https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/foodthought/dairy-solution-mildew-woes Hawke, R.G. 2011. A Comparative Study of Phlox paniculata Cultivars.

Plant Evaluation Notes Issue 35. Chicago Botanic Garden. http://www. chicagobotanic.org/downloads/planteval_notes/no35_phloxpaniculata.pdf To comment on this research update, suggest research topics of interest, or pass along a piece of research-based information that might be of interest to your industry colleagues, please email us at Research@MNLA.biz.

➾ board election profiles

Official Notice: Annual Meeting on Jan. 14 at Convention Center Notice is hereby given that the annual membership meeting of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2015, at the Minneapolis Convention Center. During the annual meeting, the results of the Board of Directors election will be announced. An electronic ballot was sent the first week in December to the primary contact provided to MNLA by each business member.

Following is a short biography of those persons nominated to be on the ballot.

officer candidates Heidi Heiland

Scott Frampton

Heidi Heiland is a candidate for re-election as president of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association. Since 1979, Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens of Plymouth has offered professional garden services for residential and commercial clients. Heidi has volunteered over the years for the Minnetonka Center for the Arts; Minnesota Landscape Arboretum; Nature Conservancy; and as a guest lecturer at area technical colleges. She is an MNLA Certified Professional, a Professional Master Gardener; graduate of Constance Spry Flower School of London; and has been recognized for excellence by a number of organizations.

Scott Frampton is a candidate for re-election as secretary-treasurer of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association. In 2000, Scott partnered with his longtime friend and coworker to create Landscape Renovations Inc., a landscape designbuild, nursery, and maintenance firm in Afton. Scott grew up working in his family’s St. Paul floral, nursery, greenhouse, and landscape operation.

At an early age he realized his passion for creating, installing, and maintaining unique landscapes. He completed his course work in Landscape Horticulture at Anoka Hennepin Technical College. Scott is passionate about the future of the landscape and related green industry professions and is active in several industry association initiatives.

Heidi is a past chair of the MNLA Public Relations Committee; and she currently serves on the Networking Committee. She has been instrumental in MNLA’s efforts at the State Fair in recent years; and has received both MNLA’s Volunteer of the Year Award and Special Service Award. She was first elected to the MNLA Board of Directors in 2006; and has served as vice president and secretarytreasurer.

Herman Roerick

Herman Roerick is a candidate for re-election as vice president of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association. Herman is owner of Central Landscape Supply Inc. in St. Cloud. He is involved with the Central Minnesota Builders Association, the University of Minnesota-Crookston Advisory Committee, and a number of outdoors groups.

He graduated from the University of MinnesotaCrookston in 1984 with an AAS degree in natural resources conservation. He is a recipient of the Alumni of the Year Award from the University of Minnesota-Crookston.

Herman has been involved with MNLA since the inception of Central Landscape Supply in 1991. He is a member of the MNLA Membership Committee.

He is a past member of the Landscape Education, Landscape Contractors and Hardscapes Committees. Herman was first elected to the MNLA Board of Directors in 2006; and has served as secretarytreasurer.

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He chaired the former Landscape Contractors Committee and continues to serve on the Government Affairs Committee. He is known regionally as a source for natural stone construction knowledge and has given many lectures on the subject. Scott was first elected to the MNLA Board of Directors in 2008.

candidates for directors-at-large Tim Malooly

Randy Berg

Tim Malooly is a candidate for re-election to the MNLA Board of Directors. Tim is president of Irrigation By Design Inc., which provides design, installation and service of commercial and residential landscape irrigation systems. He is also president of Water in Motion which provides design and consultation and program of applied technology upon landscape irrigation systems. In 2008, Malooly was named the EPA Water Sense program Irrigation Partner of the Year for demonstrating creativity and collaboration in promoting water efficiency and conservation. His professional designations include Certified Irrigation Contractor, Certified Irrigation Auditor, Certified Backflow Assembly Tester, Licensed Technology Systems Contractor, and Certified Water Manager.

Randy Berg is a candidate for re-election to the MNLA Board of Directors. Randy is the owner of Berg’s Nursery, Landscapers/Garden Center located in Austin, Minn. which he founded in 1979 after graduating from Duluth Area Technical College with a degree in horticulture and landscape design.

Berg’s company is comprised of both a garden center and landscape design/build division.

Randy has been a member of the MNLA since his graduation, and received his MNLA certification in 1981. He became an APLD Certified Landscape Designer in 1997. He is chair of the MNLA Communications & Technology Committee and is a past chair of the Garden Center Committee.

Tim has spent many hours devoted to the advancement of his industry through volunteerism in the MNLA and the Irrigation Association (IA) and as a leader of seminars and classes held by other organizations and technical colleges. In 2003, he was awarded the MNLA Committee Member of the Year award. Malooly is currently the chair of the MNLA Government Affairs Committee and is a past chair of the MNLA Irrigation Industry Committee.

He has also served on the Irrigation Association Board of Directors.

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9 Tips for Time Management Become more productive immediately by following these tips.

Jeffrey Scott

➾ time management

N

o one is ever as efficient as they want to be, however, most leaders don’t know what to do about that. I have researched the best ideas for time management, tested them out myself, and collated this list. The techniques in this article will double your effectiveness and allow you to accomplish more than you ever thought possible.

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

“Give me two alternatives.”

Teach your direct reports and employees to answer their own questions, by asking them to come to you with two alternative solutions when they want to ask you a question.

Tell them you will coach them on which is the best - and the happy truth is most of their questions will be solved by the time they develop two alternatives. Teach them to fish, and you will all eat more fish.

Carve out alone time.

If you are bombarded with interruptions and can’t seem to get any work done, carve out alone time each day (up to 2 hours), or a half day each week, where you either “close the door, pull down the shades, put a do-not-disturb sign on your door, turn off your email ping and phone buzz, and let your employees know not to interrupt you. You may choose to go off site to get the quiet you need. Train your staff to know when they can reach out to you, and when they shouldn’t.

ACTIONS Take the top three ideas, and implement one a week, or faster if they are simple to execute.

Share with someone in your company to be your accountability partner.

Ask your employees which of these ideas makes sense to implement right away.

Use a weekly meeting.

Set up a recurring weekly time to meet with certain staff, and ask them to save up their issues for that meeting, and not to ask you throughout the week unless urgent or critical to a project or client’s satisfaction (in which case, see tip one). Many issues will end up getting solved and not be relevant by the time your meeting happens.

#6

Don’t sell to shoppers.

Qualify out 60%+/- of the shoppers on the phone, and the other 40% on the first appointment. Use consultation fees and direct questions to make sure they are a good fit for you.

Use your time on your higher value leads; close more good leads at a higher value.

Delegate low-profit tasks.

Delegate any task you could pay someone $20 to $25/hr or less to do. Brainstorm a list of 5–10 things you do that someone else could. And for your key managers lower on the pecking order, have them choose a lower cut off ($10 to $15/hr). You will make more money and have happier clients if you (and they) stay focused to your high value, high profit tasks.

Build the habit of planning ahead.

If you do everything last minute, you will make more mistakes, have less chance for support from others, cause more chaos, be more stressed, and waste everyone’s time. On Friday (or over the weekend) plan ahead for the next week. At 4pm or in the evening, plan ahead for the next day. Taking time for quiet reflection improves your thinking process.

FOREMEN: Have your foremen report back to you at noon and at 4pm. Have them answer these three questions: Will they finish on time? Have they run into anything that has set them back? Do they need another kind of tool tomorrow?

#7

Make one business-building improvement a day.

Improve one thing each working day, and in 20 weeks you will have improved 100 things in your company and doubled the effectiveness of your corporation. Keep this up and within a year you will be 250% better off.

People over estimate what they can get done in a month, and under estimate what they can accomplish in a year.

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➾ time management

#8 Have people clean up their own mess.

When you clean up after others, you train them to keep making mistakes. When clients complain about workmanship, have the employees responsible go talk to the client and fix the problem themselves — your employees will train themselves to do better the next time.

#9

Outsource non-core tasks.

You don’t need to be your own website guy or social media gal.

You don’t need to be an expert in a side service (e.g. irrigation, fertilization). Understand what your core business really is, and focus your energies on building that aspect of the business.

Outsource or delegate everything else.

Treat your business as a profession, and you will attract professionals.

is an expert in growth and profit maximization in the lawn & landscape industry. He facilitates the Leader’s Edge peer group for landscape business. To learn more visit www.GetTheLeadersEdge.com.

Jeffrey Scott, MBA,

BBS Buying Group BOOTH 316 General Motors - Fleet and Commercial BOOTH 109 BLOCK

Visit MNLA member service companies at their booths!

Holiday Stationstores BOOTH 110 SuperAmerica BOOTH 107 TBG (The Builders Group) BOOTH 729 Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC, Attorneys BOOTH 1340

2015 Super Tuesday’s Power Limited Training The Power Limited Technician licensure requirement was the outcome of a law passed in 2003 requiring persons who perform low voltage work to become licensed as Power Limited Technicians (PLT).

Companies that employ Power Limited Technicians must register with the State as Technology Systems Contractors — even if the company is an owner-operator. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) administers this license. For the required biennial renewal requirements for your PLT license, you are required to obtain not less than 16 hours of DOLI pre-approved CEU credits (along with your correctly submitted renewal application and associated fees prior to expiration of your license). You are subject to money penalties if you do not submit your renewal paperwork and fees on time. If you wait too long to renew, you will be required to take the written exam. Of the sixteen hours of CEU’s, four hours (DUE’s) must be specifically be on NEC Code.

For the MNLA’s Super Tuesday Power Limited Training opportunity, the day will consist of eight hours of code and code related training, focusing on power limited situations/ applications found in the Landscape industry. Focus of training is to be able to relate the code requirements to the power limited work that you do, ensuring that you are meeting code requirements and providing top quality work.

has worked 40-plus years in the landscape and irrigation industry. He holds a Power Limited Technician license and is the Director of Continuing Education & Customized Training at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. Other positions he has held include: technical trainer for Rain Bird Service Corporation, sales and area manager for John Deere Landscapes, and landscape instructor at Anoka Technical College.

Andrew Lindquist

PLT Relicensure: Low Voltage Irrigation Wiring, Troubleshooting and Grounding is on Tuesday, January 13 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Register at www. MNLA.biz.

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Celebrate Year-End Savings Added incentives to go PROPANE

Two opportunities to go-PROPANE! - Apply for either or both.

MPA Commercial Propane Powered Mower Incentive Program

PERC Propane Mower Incentive Program Now through Dec 31st, Double Incentive

$1500 Incentive for purchase of NEW OEM propane powered mower

$2000 Incentive of $2000 for the purchase of a qualifying NEW mower.

$750 Incentive for conversion of existing gasoline powered mower to propane.

$1000 Incentive for qualifying conversion of existing gasoline powered mower to propane.

For info call the MPA at 763-633-4271

To apply go to: http://www.propane.com/commercial-landscape/programs-and-incentives/propane-mower-incentive-program/

Propane-fueled commercial grade mowers provide benefits in cost and emission reductions. Research shows that propane engines reduce harmful emissions by onethird compared to gasoline. Other benefits include: • reduced fuel cost • no theft of fuel from the tanks • refueling ease • less equipment maintenance • no ground or air contamination from spillage • and increased engine longevity

Talk to your dealer about going propane today!!

Or call the Minnesota Propane Association 763-633-4271 Mowers must be 30 inch width or greater Limit 5 mower incentives per company/person Applications available from info@mnpropane.org

âžž out & about

&

Meet some of the MNLA Membership Committee and others as they GO out and about the state to visit and listen to MNLA members.

Committee member Kelsey Sparks of Green Barn.

Committee member Katie Feckers of Nelson Nursery.

Committee member Andy Petersen stopped at Sargent’s Landscape Nursery to meet with Paul Pike and Nick Sargent.

Andy meets with Jim Whiting.

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WOULDN’T IT BE COOL IF...

YOUR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE WAS A PERFECT FIT FOR YOUR BUSINESS? Cargo-carrying flexibility and interior room are the reasons you buy a van.

NV® Cargo High Roof maximizes your opportunities with stand-up room for someone 6' 3" tall and floor space that can carry up to two 40" x 48" pallets.

Every NV® Cargo model also pays big dividends when loading, with forklift-friendly rear doors that swing 243 degrees wide open, a large sliding side door, and low step-ins and grab handles at all entry points.

6’3”!

The Rugged and Innovative Nissan NV® is available at

KLINE NISSAN

3090 HWY 61 N MAPLEWOOD MN 55109

WWW.KLINENISSAN.COM Please contact

TRACY CONNELL Commercial Vehicle Account Manager

(651)379-4300

SCAN FOR INFO

➾ last word

HAPPY 90th Anniversary MNLA! There are several events happening Expo week to help celebrate MNLA’s 90th year in 2015. You are invited to joins us for these activities and events.

Where: Millennium Hotel, Minneapolis When: Tuesday, January 13, 2015 beginning at 4:00 pm.

Who: Executive and managerial level employees of MNLA member companies

Stickers.indd 5

Cost: $129 (includes a drink ticket, reception, dinner, and seminar)

THURSDAY, JAN. 15: 90th Anniversary Party Let your hair down and celebrate with us!

Where: Ballroom A, Minneapolis Convention Center When: Thursday, January 15, 2015 beginning at 5:30pm Who: All Northern Green Expo attendees are invited to attend

T ED IN HE 60 IN

’S

The MNLA CEO Symposium has become the “place to be” on Tuesday night. This is an opportunity for CEO-level members to connect and network. The evening includes drinks, dinner, and a presentation. This year, in coordination with the MNLA 90th anniversary celebration, our presenters will be the veterans of this great industry. They will share what they wish they knew when they were first starting out, lessons learned, and ‘aha’ moments from their careers.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 14 – FRIDAY, JAN. 16: Display, Stickers, and Video Interviews at the Northern Green Expo JO

TUESDAY, JAN. 13: CEO Symposium

Look for a display in Lobby C at the Minneapolis Convention Center that will highlight MNLA activities throughout the decades. It will also feature member contributed memorabilia.

1960’s

Each decade will feature its own color and associated sticker. Be sure to stop by and pick up a sticker at the display and wear it proudly to let Expo attendees know the year your company joined the MNLA! Not sure when your company joined? Stop by MNLA Member Central and staff will tell you!

10/13/2014 5:06:10 PM

In addition, there will be a board where we encourage you to stop by and write your hopes and dreams for the green industry and MNLA for the year 2025. We hope to pull these wishes back out when MNLA turns 100 years old to see how many came true.

MNLA partnered with a local company, Video My Story, to produce interviews with several long-time members. We’ll be releasing short versions of these videos online in the coming weeks and the full videos will be featured onsite at the Northern Green Expo.

Cost: Entrance, concert, and snacks are all FREE (while supplies last)!

Relax and catch up with green industry colleagues or get your dance moves on with entertainment provided by the local band Slip Twister! Cash bars will be available and snacks provided.

Entertainment Sponsored by:

Watch the full version and other interviews at www.mnla.biz!

Event Celebration Sponsors:

1914 ·CENT ENNIA L·2 014

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CEO SYMPOSIUM: WHAT I WISH I KNEW…

LOW VOLTAGE IRRIGATION TROUBLESHOOTING (PLT RELICENSURE)

4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Millennium Hotel

Minneapolis Convention Center

Cost: $129 (includes a networking hour, dinner and presentation)

Cost: $129 for MNLA & MTGF members (includes lunch) Instructor: Andrew Lindquist This class provides a total of eight hours of continuing education credits for the Power Limited Technician license, with material orientated specifically towards the irrigation specialist. Lindquist will focus on the following topics: wiring, troubleshooting of the controller and circuits, wire location; and grounding.

Take away greater knowledge of irrigation troubleshooting and get continuing education credits for your PLT license.

Sponsored by:

The MNLA CEO Symposium has become the “place to be” on Tuesday night. This is an opportunity for CEO-level members to connect and network. The evening includes a social hour, dinner, and a presentation. This year, in coordination with the MNLA 90th anniversary celebration, our presenters will be the veterans of this great industry. They will share what they wish they knew when they were first starting out, lessons learned, and ‘aha’ moments from their careers.

Join us for a full day of education prior to the Northern Green Expo.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015 THE FASTEST GROWING LANDSCAPING TREND: EDIBLES! 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Minneapolis Convention Center

Cost: $119 for MNLA Members (includes lunch)

Landscape design, professional gardening services and garden center professionals should attend.

This day will be all about food! Rosalind Creasy, pioneer in the field of edible landscaping, award-winning professional photographer, and author of the Complete Book of Edible Landscaping, will discuss beautiful edible plants for home gardens, provide an overview of the wide variety of edible landscapes, as well as the principles of landscape design particular to edibles.

Emily Tepe, University of Minnesota fruit researcher and a former exhibit designer and mural artist, will discuss how to creatively incorporate edibles into containers and home landscapes.

The day will end with a panel of experts discussing the hottest trends in fruit and vegetables on the horizon for 2015.

Register online at MNLA.biz!

There will be NO onsite registration.

Please note that registration fees are separate from those for the Northern Green Expo.

MTGF PRESENTS:

BEE AWARE: THE IMPORTANCE OF POLLINATORS IN THE LANDSCAPE

Minneapolis Convention Center

Cost: $65 (includes lunch) Topics include: • Pollinator friendly plants • Turf that can support flowers and mowing for pollinators • Fruit grower issues • UM Bee Squad/Hives • Experts from Rainbow Treecare and Davey Tree along with perspectives from national speakers Of interest to: • Master Gardeners • Garden Centers • Homeowner Associations • Fruit and Orchard Owners • Honey Producers • All MTGF Allied Associations Go to www.mtgf.org for more info.

Sponsored by: