Groundswell | December 21

Volume 32 Number 9 December 2021 PUBLISHER NURSERY & GARDEN INDUSTRY VICTORIA PRESIDENT Simon Gomme CEO Craig Taberner CONTRIBUTORS Simon Gomme, Leigh Siebler, Craig Taberner, Matt Ross, Clive Larkman, Bobby Birch, Craig and Debbie Goodman, Jyri Kaapro ADVERTISING NGIV T: (03) 9576 0599

CONTENTS 4 EXECUTIVE UPDATE 6 GCP: PLASTIC SMART PROGRAM 9 JD PROPAGATION OPENS SUPPLY UP TO AUSTRALIA 12 LOOKING FORWARD TO THE 2021 AUSTRALIAN HORTICULTURAL TRIALS WEEK 18 NURSERY FUND: CONSUMER USAGE AND ATTITUDES RESEARCH 22 SUPERCHARGE PRODUCTIVITY WITH ROLE CLARITY 24 PARTNERING UP TO DELIVER THE SEASONAL WORKFORCE INDUSTRY SUPPORT PROGRAM 29 NGIV NEW MEMBERS

Our front cover: GCP, Norwood and polymer hlep tidy up hort industry.

P.O. Box 2280, Wattletree Road LPO,

30 BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICE FOR MEMBERS

www.gcp.com.au

Malvern East VIC 3145.

33 NEW MEMBER PROFILE: GROW MASTER TRARALGON

ADDRESS Unit 3, 307 Wattletree Road, Malvern East VIC 3145.

MAILING ADDRESS

TELEPHONE (03) 9576 0599

26 NGIV’S 117th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

FAX (03) 9576 0431

35 SPECTICLE HERBICIDE FROM BAYER

EMAIL ngiv@ngiv.com.au

37 COMMENTS ON OUR INDUSTRY

www.ngiv.com.au

38 NEXTGEN: LUKE WILSON

FINISHED ART Vale Graphics M: 0409 88 77 06 E: angie@valegraphics.com.au PRINTING Norwood Industries 6 Wedgewood Road, Hallam VIC 3803.

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Executive update Welcome, everyone to our December Groundswell and the start of our summer months.

Simon Gomme President, NGIV

For some time now, the challenges posed by COVID-19 have been mounting for all of us; for our retailers that might have been the restrictions to trade and for our growers and allied members it might have been the difficulties of managing vaccinations amongst staff. But it feels like we might be at the start of our recovery and return to ‘normal’.

Let us remember that ours is an industry used to dealing with the unknown, whether it be extreme weather events or biosecurity threats, there’s a resilience and adaptability amongst us that will get us through this.

Craig Taberner CEO, NGIV

With Victoria’s Road to Recovery being dependent upon vaccination rates, we must look forward with a sense of hope and optimism that our industry, our businesses, and indeed our personal lives, will have a sense of normality in 2022.

And that a new customer base, and a renewed appreciation for plantlife and the natural world, will fuel demand for our products and expertise, and breathe new life into our industry.

Much like our members, it’s been a busy time for NGIV. Whether it’s advocating on behalf of the industry to the Victorian Government, communicating the evolving demands of COVID restrictions, introducing new communities to horticultural employment, or staging informative events to help members navigate the pandemic.

Another service which we’ve been delighted to offer our members is the Small Business Wellbeing Project, which provides our members with free and confidential wellbeing, financial and business support. We’d like to welcome Gerard Tan to NGIV. Gerard has over 20 years of

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GROUNDSWELL DECEMBER 2021

experience in social work, his role is to support our members to cope with the challenges that COVID poses to social and emotional wellbeing and will facilitate referrals to the small business financial counselling and business advice and mentoring services. If you’re an NGIV member, find out how you can receive free and confidential support on page 30.

On 23 September, over 50 NGIV members joined our webinar to hear from Dr John Parkes, on COVID-Safe practices for horticultural businesses.

Dr Parkes, Senior Medical Advisor for the Department of Health, delivered a detailed presentation highlighting the steps horticultural businesses can take to minimise the risk of a positive COVID case and how to adapt operations if there is one.

Preparations for MIFGS are ramping up. There’s a real sense of optimism amongst the event decision makers that 2022 will see the largest and most impressive flower and garden shower in the southern hemisphere return. The Show means so much to so many, and we’re convinced the 2022 events will be embraced by visitors and industry alike.

Make this the year you choose to get involved; we need growers to supply stock to gardens, garden centres could exhibit a balcony display or promote their garden consult services, and allied businesses and specialty growers could book a retail site to promote their products to a highly engaged audience. Start planning now and book with confidence knowing that there’s a refund policy in place. We look forward to experiencing MIFGS together in 2022. If you have any enquiries about MIFGS 2022 contact Trent Cornish at IMG – Trent.cornish@img.com.

The Australian Horticultural Trials are just around the corner. It’s a true celebration of the innovation

and ingenuity that permeates the horticultural industry in Victoria.

Find out from some of this year’s exhibitors why you should visit the Australian Horticultural Trials 2021 on page 12.

It was fantastic to read Garden City Plastics feature article (page 6) and learn more about the PP5 recycling scheme they’re delivering with Norwood and Polymer Processors.

Horticulture and sustainability are inextricably linked, to now have a recycling scheme that recycles pots and plant labels and diverts them from landfill is a huge step in the right direction.

The scheme has been embraced by consumers, retailers and growers, and with GCP, Norwood and Polymer Processors at the helm, we expect it to go from strength to strength.

Our Seasonal Workforce Industry Support Program (SWISP) is well underway. We have delivered an ‘Introduction to a career in horticulture’ webinar to an audience of Khmer-Cambodian participants and will be looking to place them into rewarding horticultural employment this year.

Our Industry Statistical Report: Realisation of Growth Opportunities, is also progressing. Upon its completion we will have a clear understanding of the contribution our industry makes to the Victorian economy, the limitations and opportunities of our workforce, and recommendations for future industry growth. The NGIV, our members and the industry as a whole, stand to benefit from the completed Report.

Both the SWISP and the Statistical Report have been funded

by Agriculture Victoria. We’re working closer than ever with them, it’s a relationship we value enormously, and its hugely beneficial to our industry that we have those close ties with the political leaders in our space.

Our 117th Annual General Meeting took place online on Thursday 21 October 2021. As well as reflecting on NGIV’s performance in 2020/21, it was a chance to thank a departing Board member and welcome two new faces to the Board. It was also the perfect opportunity to honour three of our industry’s outstanding contributors with a NGIV Life Membership, Young Horticulture Leader of the Year Award, and the Horticulture Student of the Year Award. Find out more on page 26.

It can be hard to look through the challenges of this moment and see the many positives. In writing this update it brings to the fore, how much good work we’re still able to do, despite all of the difficulties. Stay strong and look for the positives in your sphere, and if you do need support, be it wellbeing, financial or business, we can offer you that.

On behalf of the NGIV Board and team, we’d like to wish all our members a wonderful holiday season with loved ones; and we look forward to going from strength to strength as an industry in 2022.

Simon Gomme

Craig Taberner

President, NGIV Powerplants Australia

CEO, NGIV

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PROFILE: GCP

Plastic Smart Program a big hit with Victorian horticulture industry

By Matt Ross The problem with plastic is that it is all lumped together into one category that comes with a negative reputation.

But what if the story wasn’t like that? Most of the bad press is simply what the mainstream media has used to push a narrative that is ill-informed, and agenda based. Plastic is not simply going to disappear, but it can definitely be managed correctly.

Not all plastics are equal. They are not all the same and they should be treated differently. A supermarket bag is very different to a tag or a plant pot.

We can reduce the waste sent to landfill. We can stop importing more bio-products and actually use what we already have at our disposal. In treating plastic as generic, we are wasting opportunities. We need to treat it by code.

The fact is plastics already exist. They are part of our everyday lives. We have spent energy making them and turning them into household items. How we dispose of them in order to reuse them is the real issue.

It makes perfect sense to take something that already exists and turn it into a product so it can be used again, and again, and again. And that really is our ultimate goal. To create

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Australian made, Australian bought and Australian consumed closed-loop packaging.

What if there was a group of people and companies that are already doing the right thing? Who are trying to improve the way that we use plastic and how we recycle it. Who can actually take waste and turn it back into a usable product again.

Garden City Plastics, Norwood, Polymer Processors, Astron and the Australian Packaging Convent Organisation have banded together with the Australian horticulture industry to ‘Be Plastic Smart’.

“We are driven by the knowledge that every kilogram of plastic recycled is contributing to reducing waste that may otherwise go to landfill, end up in the oceans, or littering our environment. We have teamed up with other businesses who are equally passionate about recycling as we are,” said John Wilson, Polymer Processors.

‘Plastic Smart’ means recycling the polypropylene products already in existence into something functional and beneficial.

PROFILE: GCP

The horticulture industry has been doing this for decades and has an appetite to do even more.

Did you know that Greenlife Industries, Australia wide, are today already keeping over 10 million kilograms of PP5 out of landfill through recycling? Pots, stakes and tags are all PP5.

“In Australia, plant pots and labels are predominantly made from PP5 plastic; a plastic that is clean and non-toxic and can be recycled over and over again. However, currently only eight per cent of PP5 that is found in plant pots and labels is getting recycled; out of the 15,000 tonnes that is manufactured each year.

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For every ten plants purchased in Australia, one pot is recycled.

And it doesn’t have to be that way; it’s time to close the loop,” said Adam Coyle, Creative Manager at Norwood Industries.

All that is required is some awareness, co-operation and personal responsibility to be taken by all of us as consumers to ‘do the right thing’.

The ‘Plastic Smart’ program begins with simple solutions. The biggest issue facing recyclers is sorting. But if all the PP5 goes in the same bin we have instantly removed the biggest hurdle.

In order to achieve closed-loop recycling of PP5 in Australian horticulture, our goal is to place collection bins in garden centres and commercial grower sites, across the country. We hope to have a national program in place to collect, recycle and reuse all of the PP5 in circulation.

We currently have almost 350 PP5 recycling bins across Australia, at retail garden centres to benefit the consumer, and commercial growing sites for industry use. Once the bins are full Garden City Plastics collect them, empty them, and return them; without charge.

“Botanix are working with an active company, in Garden City Plastics, who are aiming to Close the Loop on PP5 plastic, which is terrific. As the plant pot is an integral part of our production process, a recycling program gives us a sustainability footprint in this area and also allows us to promote this to our customers.” Enthused Carl Soderlund, Director at Botanix Plant Supply, who are hosting a number of the recycling bins.

Announcing the MIFGS March 2022 Groundswell Consumer Edition.

March Groundswell 2022 will be a special consumer-focused edition offered to all attendees of the Melbourne Flower & Garden Show.

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to engage the army of gardening enthusiasts visiting the Southern Hemisphere’s largest and most-loved horticultural event.

Contact NGIV on (03) 9576 0599 or comms@ngiv.com.au for more information or to secure your spot.

The program is proving to be a big hit with industry and consumers alike. And as the demand grows, so to does the number of collection points and bins.

“Plantmark is proud to be involved in the Plastic PP5 Pot collection system with Garden City Plastics. The new initiative has been well supported by our trade customers, including the wholesale and retail nurseries, landscapers and councils.

It provides a much-needed avenue for our industry to be smarter about sustainability.” Said Simon Lindsay, General Manager, Plantmark. u GROUNDSWELL DECEMBER 2021

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PROFILE: GCP u

And whilst Garden City Plastics, Norwood and Polymer Processors, are driving the program, they’re quick to point out that they couldn’t achieve any of this without the support of the industry.

“The bins have been so well received, there’s been so much support for the program from industry. It really goes to show that horticulture is a sector that cares and wants to make a real difference. In Victoria we collected 4.5 tonnes of PP5 in May, by August we’re over double that. That’s an awful lot of plastic that’s being diverted from landfill and best of all it’s being recycled back into plant pots to fill with beautiful plantlife.” Said Greg Carrick, Sales Manager Victoria and Tasmania, Garden City Plastics.

Garden City Plastics, Norwood, Polymer Processors are all excited by the opportunity to take more responsibility for what we do. To be a part of this great initiative and to exceed Australia’s 2025 National Packaging Targets. To work side by side together on something as organisations. Not because it is good business.

But because it is the right thing to do. For you, for us and for the prevention of unnecessary landfill.

If you’re an NGI member business, retailer or grower, and you’d like to find out how you can get involved in the program, email your state Garden City Plastics office, check the Sustainability section on the GCP website or go to PP5.com.au.

Great selection of Victorian grown indoor stock available now!

218 – 220 Cardigan Rd, Mooroolbark. Vic. 3138 T: +613 9761 9688 | E: sales@humphris.com.au

www.humphris.com.au 08

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PROFILE: JD PROPAGATION

JD Propagation opens supply up to Australia

By Bobby Birch, JD Propagation One of the fastest growing propagation businesses in Australia, JD Propagation has recently announced their intent to supply all wholesale nurseries in Australia.

Growing young plants out of season is a challenge that needs to be fully embraced and not feared. This is a specialist part of the industry that requires 100 per cent focus on propagation in order to provide a quality plug tray. The fact is, it takes a dedicated team of passionate people seven days a week, 365 days a year to consistently produce a quality plug and reliable service.

How it all began Dan Patience has always had an obsession with horticulture.

Over 25 years ago, Dan would frequent the local nursery retailers with his mum and empty her purse in exchange for plants and potting mix. In 1997 Dan began a Diploma of Horticulture at Burnley. Six months later he had a need to get entrenched in the industry. This is when Dan secured a job at the largest bedding plant nursery in Victoria; FLORIANA. It was here that he gained a huge amount of knowledge from the likes of Dick Wall and his family, and Production Manager Bruce Wallace. Dan then moved onto Humphris Nursery where

Barry Humphris also shared a lot of his expertise and knowledge with Dan. After 10 years in the industry Dan had a brief break, but Jen knew that he would re-enter the industry again.

In 2009, an opportunity opened in the industry to supply plugs to wholesalers, so that demands could be met in the retail market. With Dan’s many years of growing experience and Jen’s business knowledge they put together a plan to create a propagation nursey. Haars Nursery were Jen and Dan’s first customer, and they provided a solid volume for JD Propagation to enter the industry.

It all began with four humble greenhouse structures which they built on Jen’s mum and dad’s farm. Back then they worked long days, seven days a week, with helping hands of family when they had time. It was a very testing time for the two of them, but with many long reassuring chats with the likes of Dave Smith from Bangalay Tubes and Carl Van Loon of Powerplants, Jen and Dan pushed on and grew to love what they did more and more each day.

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PROFILE: JD PROPAGATION

Fast growth through quality-based relationships.

Within three years JD had outgrown their four greenhouses and the pressure for more growing space grew. Holding and maintaining Motherstock in a virus free environment is critical for successful propagation. When producing plug trays and holding Motherstock, space is a constant balancing act. Within five years the nursery had grown to eight greenhouses and a dedicated Motherstock facility. This was the beginning of ongoing growth.

Seven years in and JD had outgrown the site and had to think and act quickly to keep up with the demand of their growing customer base. This is when they secured the 10-acre block just two doors down. The focus was not only on more room but putting in the right operational framework and technologies to best suit their customer base and the products they required.

The new production facility was designed from the ground up and is now separate from the Motherstock facility. The production facility has its own dedicated Tissue Culture Greenhouse to ensure these products are grown in favorable conditions.

Seek and embrace the best Jen and Dan realised very early in the piece that knowledge and supplier/customer relationships were key to a very successful business. They decided to travel overseas to trade shows like ESSEN, CAST and Week 24 Trials in Europe, to see what the benchmark was and the innovations that were available. They visited some of the highest quality growing facilities and viewed some of the best machinery, automation and of course plants. Quickly it opened their eyes to the possibilities of what they could do for their customers in Australia. One of the greatest benefits of visiting Plant Trials overseas was that it allowed them to establish wonderful breeder relationships which still ensures that JD continues to bring fresh and new products to the Australian market.

The twists and turns of the market One thing JD have learnt over the past 11 years is that the horticultural industry never stands still. JD Propagation initially started producing vegetative plugs and a small amount of seed plugs. They have since added the importation and de-flask of tissue culture on a large scale from many different parts of the world. The business has had to be flexible and ready for the next challenge on a commercial level. Indoor plants have become a huge part of the industry and something that they believe could suit the JD business model. This evolved into sourcing tissue culture to meet customer demands.

natives / exotics / grasses ornamentals / contract grow specialists

INFO@TALL A TREES.COM.AU (03) 59830 166 | TALL TA TREES.COM.A T U 10

GROUNDSWELL DECEMBER 2021

Investing in people With more people joining the organisation JD worked hard on their systems and dedicated teams were established. This gave the business a strong foundation and the confidence to meet customer demands and take on new product lines. Key Performance Indicators became critical to help schedule and

PROFILE: JD PROPAGATION

deliver the weekly production requirements. Each week sets a new challenge to be completed, keeping them on track. While the production side of the business was taking shape, they were able to concentrate on a young growing team with a thirst for knowledge and a passion for plug growing.

Implementing a continuous improvement culture With a large pool of staff and things moving so fast, it became critical that the business became more agile. The leadership team decided to implement a continuous improvement framework based on lean/six sigma principles, and within months every team leader was implementing sustainable improvements across the business. The results have been profound, and you only need to walk around to see how organised the business is today.

The business has a young team of leaders that bring individual skill sets, a desire to learn and get the job done. JD invests in supporting their leadership team with a designated business growth and improvement specialist. It’s a simple philosophy; if our people grow and improve so does the business. One of the most rewarding things for Jen and Dan is not only seeing

how the team grows and evolves in the business, but also as individuals.

Moving forward Jen and Dan believe that the industry is not going to slow down.

That is why they continue to source the best genetics and bring them to the Australian market. They have a dedicated Tissue Culture Team who are constantly looking for new products in order for their customers to stay well placed in the market.

The focus is on building relationships and growing together.

As a dedicated propagator that you can trust we will deliver a quality plug that is ready to go, so that you can grow and Motherstock that is constantly renewed. We take care of the Motherstock planning and scheduling, along with the plug production scheduling. We really look forward to helping our customers grow their business.

Our motto is simple; listen, understand and deliver.

More information Jen and Dan would love to chat with you today about how they can build a relationship and work with you.

Call – Dan 0418 147 358 or Jen 0410 655 569.

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EVENT: AHT2021

2021 AUSTRALIAN

HORTICULTURAL

TRIALS WEEK 7 – 10 DECEMBER

PRESENTED BY

Looking forward to the 2021 Australian Horticultural Trials Week It’s coming up to that time of year again. For four wonderful days in December, NGIV and Australia’s top breeders and growers, are proud to take part in the 2021 Australian Horticultural Trials Week presented by Powerplants.

This year’s Horticultural Trials Week will take place between 7–10 December. Whether you want to see how new plants or products perform, network with industry colleagues or pick up some useful tips form the experts, Trials Week is not to be missed.

This year’s Plant Exhibitors are:

19 2019 20

This year’s Allied Exhibitors are:

Now is the perfect time to reflect on the historyof this prestigious event and understand what makes the Australian Horticultural Trials Week special?

A brief history of Australian Horticultural Trials Week The Australian Horticultural Trials (AHT) has a relatively young history in comparison to the depth of Australia’s horticultural history. Showcasing the best plants and products needed a united effort and in 2001 a group of pioneering industry figures and businesses, conceived Hortivations. They believed there was a missed opportunity to show the broader industry some of the innovations coming out of Victoria, in a format similar the Pack Trials held in the United States.

Hortivations, held at Ball Australia’s former site in Keysborough, was originally designed for multiple businesses to present to the wholesale industry the variety of plants and products available.

The coming together of multiple businesses at the one site of Ball Australia, to showcase their products, is testament to the strength and unity of the industry. The shared goals of everyone made the event a success for many years.

In 2016 the Australian Horticultural Trials were conceived. The continuation of the event in a new format, with each business showcasing products on their own site, was predestined, with a rich web of growers, producing innovative and quality products, needing a solid platform from which to showcase to the industry.

Fundamentally, both events were designed to promote and drive the new varieties that have been sourced locally and internationally, but also to educate and attract, the industry from across the country, on the extensive network of breeders, both locally and internationally.

The relaxed yet professional environment the AHT participants create each year at their sites is perfect for viewing and learning about the quality plants and products, and doing business, but also for networking with old and new friends from across the country. Everyone is welcome at AHT; from wholesale growers looking for the next product to add to their schedule, to the retailers and the horticultural media searching for the next big thing to hit the shelves, and our landscapes.

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What makes the Australian Horticultural Trials Week special?

We thought we’d ask some of the key figures surrounding Trials Week; What makes the Australian Horticultural Trials Week special?

“

Australian Horticultural Trials week provides a great opportunity to see a range of plants from current favourite varieties and those performing well in the Australian market, to exciting new lines from the best propagators and growers in Australia. It is a great time to network with industry colleagues, customers and suppliers from all over Australia and overseas.

– Symone Brown,

“

”

Operations Manager, Tissue Culture Australia

Trials Week keeps our industry connected and extends the opportunity for us to network with our growers and retailers, showcasing the breeding of new varieties suitable for local garden centres and landscapers Australia wide.

Ball Australia has established long standing relationships with international breeders to develop a common objective of bringing the best to the Australian market for the Australia consumer.

The gardens at Ball Australia remain open for Trials Week, by appointment. Please register to schedule a visit to see new and exciting varieties in-bloom at our premier trials event. We've also created virtual tour videos of The Gardens at Ball Australia, where you get a front seat view of key garden areas and visit the latest products to make your business a success.

– Kate Grant,

”

Marketing Manager Ball Australia

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EVENT: AHT2021

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EVENT: AHT2021

“

The Australian Horticultural Trials Week is a great way for the industry to visit propagators and see all the new products coming through for the following season.

Nurseries can take their key growers/staff out for the day and talk to specialised propagators and get some tips. You always learn something when speaking to fellow industry people. Whether it be a growing tip, a new product or a new concept it is worthwhile.

”

– Matt Curtis,

“

Operations Manager, Majestic Young Plants.

The Australian Horticultural Trials week is a very special event as it involves, and benefits all involved in Horticulture across the country.

It is not only a great stage to showcase innovative new genetics, share trial results, landscaping & retailing ideas and also market trends from across Europe and the US, but is also an excellent event for broadening and strengthening the horticultural network. It is a great opportunity to learn from others, accelerates knowledge sharing and develop partnerships. It has been good to see individuals, new to the industry, get involved and begin to realise the scope, magnitude and diversity of our industry and the businesses involved.

”

– Brendan Haar,

“

Haars Nursery

Australian Horticultural Trials Week is a fantastic opportunity for growers and retailers to view the latest innovations in not only plant breeding but also allied products and technology. This allows attendees to have the latest knowledge and stay abreast with global trends. There are also great benefits of catching with peers from across the industry and visiting some really interesting facilities.

A week not to be missed if you want to stay ahead of the competition!

”

– Simon Gomme, Director Powerplants Australia

Durable, resilient and uniform polyolefin coating for consistent and reliable nutrientt rrelease Nutrient release pattern matches plant nutrition requirements in hot or cold co growing ng ccon nditions Almost every prill within the range is homogenous to ensure consistent nt feed feeding g Release of nutrients is not affected by soil moisture which minimises the he risk of nutrient dumping p g during g higher g frequency q y irrigation g periods p

Flexible range of controlled release NPK + trace from 40 to 700 days longevity onge i y to maximise mise plant health and vigour of many plants in different production systems

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Untreated

Introducing a new, innovative, labour saving, weed management tool for ornamental production nurseries // Weed control in ornamental production nurseries is becoming increasingly problematic due to the occurrence of difficult to control weeds, such as fleabane, as well as weed resistance to common herbicides and the high labour cost associated with frequent herbicide applications and hand weeding. Therefore, new weed control methods are required to allow the development of sustainable weed management programs that help break the cycle of difficult to control weeds across all areas of the nursery. // Specticle is an innovative herbicide that sets a new standard for pre-emergent weed control in bareground areas of ornamental production nurseries. // Specticle is labelled for use in maintaining bareground in outdoor production areas (e.g. underneath and around ornamental potted plants and benches) in access areas like driveways, walkways, and around infrastructure such as buildings and fencelines. // When applied prior to weed seed germination, Specticle prevents establishment of a range of grass and broadleaf weeds for up to 8 months. // Specticle provides long-lasting control against both grass and broadleaf weeds and can greatly assist nursery managers reduce labour and lower costs associated with weed control in the nursery. // Specticle effectively and efficiently controls weeds in the bareground areas of the nursery, reducing the risk of weed seeds contaminating potted plants. Specticle offers significant advantages compared to current industry practices which require multiple applications of knockdown herbicides or shorter lived pre-emergent herbicides. // Specticle has been trialled in nursery situations in Australia with excellent long-term weed control achieved in a number of different settings, validating the strong value that Specticle can provide for ornamental nursery managers. // Specticle offers an alternative mode of action versus many current post and preemergent herbicides, helping to break the cycle of weeds and manage weed resistance to herbicides.

Specticle Treated

Innovative Weed Management Tool For Ornamental Production Nurseries

Testimonials on using Specticle Plants Direct Queensland – Beau Hartshorn, Nursery Operations Manager We have natural bushland and farmland neighbouring the nursery, so seed can come onto the site from wind, rain and run off. At the present time, fleabane is a problem.

General herbicides haven’t been knocking that. Probably once or twice a month we would go through and spray with general herbicides, such as glyphosate. It’s pretty well a full time job, 4 days per week, making herbicide application via knapsacks or tractor. Specticle will help us cut down on labour, cut down on costs, so it is a great investment.”

Greenstock Nurseries – Mark Handy, Research Development Manager We use a knockdown every 2 to 3 months and it takes about 3 weeks to cover the property. We sprayed Specticle in late June. We applied Slasher® for knockdown and 1 week later sprayed Specticle. We reviewed in September and the site was completely clean of weeds.

We had another review in January and again the Specticle plots were completely clean of weeds. Having a product that lasts even longer will benefit us so much. It will also save time to do one application of Specticle, mixed with other knockdown products, saving time for me by allowing me to spray in one application.”

For further information contact the Bayer Turf and Ornamentals team James Royal // M: 0408 903 252 National Sales & Marketing Manager (Turf & Ornamentals) Craig Burleigh // M: 0437 840 024 Territory Business Development Manager (VIC/TAS/WA) Technical Enquiries: 1800 804 479

Jyri Kaapro // M: 0409 942 513 Senior Market Development Specialist (T&O & IVM)

Aaron Cachia // M: 0432 278 813 Territory Business Development Manager (NSW/ACT)

Wayne Ryder // M: 0456 612 490 Territory Business Development Manager (QLD/SA/NT) es.bayer.com.au © 2021

EVENT: AHT2021

“

At JD Propagation and Super Starters, we see the Australian Horticultural Trials Week 2021 as the perfect opportunity to showcase all our products, both existing and new. As plug producers this once-a-year event to see everything in full bloom is something we all look forward to. Best of all it’s a great way to catch-up with the wider industry, either in person or remotely.

“

”

– Jen and Dan Patience Owners, JD Propagation and Super Starters

The Australian Horticultural Trials are an integral way for industry participants to gain insight into product innovation, market trends and to network amongst your peers. It’s a great way for key personal within businesses to get prospective of industry scope and business practices. There is always something to learn, a relationship to develop and a great new product to find for the upcoming season.

”

– Joel Crameri, Director, Majestic Young Plants

Visit horticulturaltrials.com to find out more about the Australian Horticultural Trials Week and the 2021 event.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Nursery Fund – Consumer usage and attitudes research A closer look at consumer segments

By Matt Ross The 2021 Australian Nursery Fund Consumer Usage & Attitudes study finds that the nursery category appears to be in good health.

The nursery category is poised for growth

Outdoor plants are critical to future growth

The study found that the nursery category appears to be in good health and is poised for growth. The study found a high level of consumer participation in the category with 65 per cent of Australian adults having purchased a plant for indoors or outdoor gardens in the last 12 months. Despite this high level of penetration, there is considerable opportunity to further increase penetration and frequency of plant purchasing.

Despite the allure of indoor as a decor trend, outdoor plants are where the greatest volume and value of purchasing lays today. The findings from this study also indicate that intended future purchasing and therefore opportunities for growth will be greater for plants that can be used for planting in outdoor pots or the ground.

Consumer responses to questions about expected future spend show a strong sense of momentum in the market, with more expecting growth in spending than expecting a decline. This pattern was identified among both those who had purchased plants in the last 12 months and those who had not.

The growth of the category is supported by a core segment of plant evangelists There exists a vibrant group of plant and gardening evangelists that stretches across generations. The research identified a distinct segment labelled Enthusiasts who are both heavy buyers in the category, but equally importantly share their love of plants and gardening with other people in their lives. A category with a substantial number of passionate evangelists who encourage and support others to discover the benefits of plants and gardening is a valuable asset to the nursery industry.

In the last 12 months, people living in medium and high density dwellings purchased between 2 and 4 as many outdoor plants as indoor plants for both pots and ground planting. That pattern is likely to continue as people living in higher densities look for solutions to brighten up their outdoor spaces.

Pots play an important role An average of 4.7 plants were purchased per Australian adult in the last 12 months for potted applications whether indoors or outdoors. This number is slightly higher than the average of 4.3 plants to be planted in the ground. The high share of all plants sold for potted applications suggests this is an important consideration for people looking to purchase the category.

Consumers can be segmented by buying behaviour and category involvement A consumer segmentation model was developed using responses to questions about the category and involvement and purchase behaviour of indoor and outdoor plants. A total of eight segments were identified.

Segment size (% of Australian adults) and value (% of consumer expenditure in category)

Early Bloomers

Small Space Curators

Dabblers

Plant Curious

Unavailable

Leaf Loathers

Size

Garden Proud

6%

17%

8%

16%

17%

7%

8%

21%

Value

Enthusiasts

20%

33%

15%

19%

12%

1%

0%

0%

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Six segments offer opportunities for growth.

Enthusiasts (6 per cent of the market = $270M retail value) – passionate plant people who are heavy buyers in the category of both indoor and outdoor plants, are knowledgeable about gardening and enjoy sharing their love of plants with others through gifting and advice.

James, 45

Early Bloomers (8 per cent of the market = $205M retail value) – moderate to high purchasers of both indoor and outdoor plants who are actively building their knowledge and confidence in the category and have a passion for DIY projects.

Paul, 30

Small Space Curators (16 per cent of the market = $261M retail value) – people living in apartments and medium density dwellings who are interested in indoor plants and outdoor potted plants for balconies and courtyards to improve the decor and look of their home.

Melissa, 32

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CLIMATE CHANGE

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Garden Proud (17 per cent of the market = $451M retail value) – older homeowners who prioritise their outdoor gardens over indoor plants and greatly value growing their own produce.

Anne, 67

Dabblers (17 per cent of the market = $168M retail value) – people who want to have a nice looking garden but are not particularly interested or enthusiastic about spending time tending to plants and gardens.

Leigh, 47

Plant Curious (7 per cent of the market = $12M retail value) – underconfident and inexperienced people who haven’t purchased plants recently despite being more interested in plants than other nonbuyers.

Brett, 25

View the full report at horticulture.com.au GROUNDSWELL DECEMBER 2021

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BUSINESS NEWS

Supercharge productivity with role clarity

By Bruce Yelland, Moshie In business, labour is your biggest cost. It’s also the most common cause of waste and inefficiency, as a result of low or lost productivity. If this applies to your business, this article could save you many thousands of dollars.

In short, having simple, clearly detailed job descriptions can significantly increase the productivity and accountability of your team

At the time, if you spoke to his team, they would happily tell you he often made their jobs more difficult by getting in their way or confusing day to day operations.

From working with businesses, large and small, across Eastern Australia, I’m convinced the vast majority of employers provide poor direction to their employees. Consistently employees express frustration to me, explaining they are unclear about what’s expected of them in their job.

Simple but effective action

A lack of role clarity and expectations also makes it incredibly difficult to hold employees accountable.

I find job descriptions are often full of vague, motherhood type statements, resulting in team members being “busy, but not productive” or lacking confidence to really engage in their role.

And yet the employees want to be productive and effective in their roles.

If this applies to your business, don’t take offence. My comments aren’t meant to judge or offend. In fact, they’re intended to inspire change, as there are simple steps you can take to boost the productivity and effectiveness of your team As a point of illustration, our business is currently working with roughly fifty different business, across horticulture, engineering, transport and business services. All significantly impacted by a lack of role clarity.

The enormous impact of role clarity

We simply defined his role, the role expectations and deliverables, and his priority areas of focus. And off he went!

Four months later, I asked him what impact the process had achieved. He believed he was three to five times more effective.

That’s a whopping 300 – 500 per cent increase in his productivity! As a business leader, you can imagine the impact that had on himself, his team and his business.

Other benefits included working shorter hours and being able to step out more regularly without impacting operations.

Personally, he felt he had a better work/life balance, with more time for his family. Professionally he was leading his team and business far more effectively. His team also flourished from role clarity, process clarity and the freedom to do their jobs.

Would you be happy with that outcome? It does take time, money and effort, but the pay back is enormous.

Simplicity rather than complexity When working to achieve role clarity, the aim is to simplify in order to clarify. Now, that may seem a slight contradiction, but please let me explain.

To highlight the importance of role clarity I’d like to give you an example of a horticultural business we work with in Victoria.

This nurseryman has been running his business very successfully for approximately 12 years.

We help clients to capture job roles in the simplest, but most comprehensive way possible. In all cases, the aim is to distil the job description information down to its most simplest form, quite often in dot point form, on an A4 page.

On the day I visited he was extremely busy; taking calls, picking stock, loading trucks, directing staff and managing his business.

This was a typical day and he believed he was very productive.

By detailing this information so simply, it forces us to capture it in a clear, concise and comprehensive manner. Eliminating the temptation for grey, fluffy and unclear sentences. Providing the employee with a simple but effective outline of their role, responsibilities and expectations.

After walking him through the Role Clarity Process, he came to realise he lacked a defined job role. Much of his time was spent on lower payoff activities, resulting in many high payoff activities not being completed.

In addition, it enables greater alignment and understanding between the leader and team member.

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Busyness, does not equal productivity It has been our experience that employees with poorly defined role and responsibilities, will typically try to keep busy. But, busy does not necessarily equal productive.

In most businesses, we estimate employees to be half as effective as they could be if they had clearly defined roles, responsibilities and expectations. Low levels of productivity will cost you many thousands of dollars each year! Can you imagine being able to achieve higher levels of production, with the same labour costs, or alternatively, producing the same as you do today, with reduced labour?

These are both very appealing scenarios for all business owners.

Three critical components For your employees to be productive in their role, they need three critical components:

» A simple, clearly defined job role » Defined role deliverables, performance expectations and accountabilities for each area of the role

» Defined key objectives, or key points of focus, that are reviewed and updated every three to six months.

It is also important to note, having clearly defined roles, responsibilities and expectations for your team, allows for more effective communication, easier coaching and development, easier performance management and less confusion in the workplace.

Simplicity is key As stated above, simplifying information forces you to be specific in what you expect. Using ten words to capture a task is much more challenging than using hundreds of words. But it greatly increases clarity and ease of understanding.

In a time when we have more information than ever, I find the effectiveness of communication can be compromised. Taking time to convey clear direction for yourself and your team will eliminate much of the confusion and noise, allowing a clear space for productivity and wellbeing to thrive.

More information Bruce Yelland, Moshie – Enterprise coaching and Development If you would like further information about the substantial benefits of role clarity, please contact Bruce Yelland on m: 0412 241 801 or e: bruce@moshie.biz.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Partnering up to deliver the Seasonal Workforce Industry Support Program

By Matt Ross At NGIV we see our partnerships as an extension of ourselves. Our partners lead the way in delivering excellence and we relish opportunities to collaborate.

Having secured funding for Agriculture Victoria’s Seasonal Workforce Industry Support Program (SWISP); set up to fund peak industry bodies to boost Victoria’s seasonal horticulture workforce, it was only natural to team up with our partners to execute the Program.

We caught up with Penny Lee, Business Development Manager for NGIV Silver Industry Partner Sidekicker and Bruce Yelland from Bronze Industry Partner Moshie, to learn more about their involvement in the Program.

Penny What is your involvement in the Seasonal Workforce Industry Support Program?

Sidekicker has built a technology platform that the Seasonal Workforce Industry Support Program will be using to connect seasonal workers with businesses needing staff this peak season.

How can our industry benefit from introducing under-represented communities to employment in horticulture?

Australia is currently facing one of its greatest labour shortages in history, with over one million visa workers leaving the country in 2020 due to borders closing. No longer do we have access to a strong pool of student-visa holders or backpackers to call upon year after year.

As an industry, we need to start thinking creatively about how we get the word out about how great this industry is to work in.

With strong leadership, onboarding and training, this Program should help us be defensible and build long-term relationships with new workers, hopefully creating a strong talent pipeline of future horticulturalists.

What are the current challenges for horticultural businesses to secure seasonal workers?

There are a number of challenges currently facing not only the horticulture industry, but the wider Australian labour-market.

Due to the mass exodus of visa holders, the job market has become flooded, and candidates are spoilt for choice. Businesses are willing to pay higher than award to attract talent, creating a lack of loyalty if relationships between businesses and companies are not strong enough. On top of this, a good portion of the workforce has been supported by government relief payments and we are still battling vaccine hesitancy, which is further reducing the workforce.

Bruce What is your involvement in the Seasonal Workforce Industry Support Program?

I am fortunate to have been involved in the planning and development of the SWISP program. I will also be involved in the delivery of the program to the communities.

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As part of my role in working with and supporting many different organisations across the Horticulture Industry, I understand the difficulties many businesses face in finding staff. My hope is that this program will help bridge the gap between prospective employees and employers, so both can thrive.

What excites you about working with underrepresented communities to support them owards employment in horticulture?

As an industry, horticulture has enormous possibilities for someone looking for work. There are many casual, part-time and full-time roles available across a range of different types of businesses. Providing flexibility for people wanting seasonal work, right through to opportunities for full time employment and career advancement.

In some ways horticulture has benefited from the Covid challenges the broader community has faced over the last two years. Due to travel and movement constraints, many people have now turned to spending more time gardening and improving their homes. This increased time at home has seen huge increases in demand for horticulture products.

As a result, many opportunities now exist for people to enter the industry for employment and career growth.

On a similar note, let’s not forget the knowledge and life experience that mature aged workers can offer our industry.

Gone are the days where you could advertise a job and be swamped with applicants. To survive and thrive I encourage our industry to embrace people from all walks of life. We have so much to gain from embracing diversity across our teams and businesses.

As the Program progresses and we begin placing the participants into employment, we hope more partner and member businesses become involved and ultimately benefit from doing so.

Delivered by

I'm proud to be involved in showcasing the many benefits of working in horticulture, and hope to encourage people from all backgrounds to look at what our industry has to offer.

Being able to connect directly with communities that might be unaware of these opportunities is very exciting.

How can horticultural businesses benefit from having a diverse (be it ethnicity, age, gender, etc) workforce?

Generally speaking, as an industry, horticulture lacks the consistent depth of skill, knowledge and experience required for it to function to its full potential. Being able to attract people from all backgrounds enables the industry to benefit from that range of skills, abilities and perspectives. As someone who is fortunate enough to step in and out of many businesses, on a regular basis, I see the benefits that diversity brings.

I am often amazed at what skills, abilities and experience people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds bring to their roles. Someone I was speaking to recently held two degrees, and their employer wasn't even aware. Being able to tap into that knowledge, experience and cultural diversity can provide a richness and reward to businesses who actively pursue it. It also creates a workplace culture that actively attracts and benefits from people with different backgrounds Horticulture has long been led by men, but that is also changing.

Some of the brightest and most talented current and emerging leaders are women, helping to lead the industry forward.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

NGIV’s 117th Annual General Meeting Thanks to all those who joined our 117th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday 21 October 2021. The AGM was held online and provided an opportunity to give attendees a report on NGIV’s performance and achievements over 2020/21, to provide an update on the NGIV Board of Directors, and announce a number of awards.

NGIV’s President Simon Gomme chaired the AGM and provided a summary of what was a challenging year and thanking the Board of Directors and the NGIV team for their contributions.

Simon was particularly keen to highlight the leadership efforts of NGIV CEO Craig Taberner in navigating the association through a second year of the pandemic.

Craig then thanked the NGIV Board for their continued support and commitment in a year where they’ve been called upon to make some big decisions. We have a Board with expertise and insight that spans the entire horticultural industry, and their input, professionalism and competency has been invaluable.

There was a special mention for Matt Davis, who has stepped down as Vice President. Matt contributed a lot during his six years and two spells on the NGIV Board. Matt’s been an active contributor; helping to guide the implementation of the latest Strategic Plan, providing valuable insight to help NGIV navigate the pandemic, and guidance to manage National Association issues. Matt’s passionate about our industry and is one of the straightest shooters you will find, particularly when a tough decision needs to be made.

We’re fortunate to have someone of Carl Soderlund’s experience and expertise, to step up as Vice President for a two-year term.

Scott Buckland (Chief Executive Officer, Knoxbrooke Enterprises) and Ryan Cotter (General Manager, Anco Turf) were welcomed onto the Board after being elected unopposed for three-year terms. It’s always wonderful to welcome new faces, new thinking and fresh impetus, onto the Board of Directors.

Paul Boland

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GROUNDSWELL DECEMBER 2021

Teagan Faull

In the absence of our Gala Dinner in 2021, due to the difficulties of staging the event amidst the pandemic, the AGM provided a perfect opportunity to honour some of our industry’s most outstanding contributors with prestigious awards.

Paul Boland received a well-deserved NGIV Life Membership for the eleven years of service he gave on the NGIV Board of Directors, including four years as Vice President and three as President. He continues to offer his unwavering support and passion for our historic association. And having started out in the industry at the age of 16, Paul is truly a deserving recipient of NGIV Life Membership The Young Horticulture Leader of the Year was awarded to Teagan Faull of Nishiki Nursery. Teaghan demonstrated to the panel of interviews her true passion for the industry and her determination has seen her overcome some difficult obstacles with aplomb. She is progressing in her career and is now managing the nursery inventory, as well as the social media at Nishiki Nursery. We believe Teaghan will go on to be an inspiring industry leader.

The Horticulture Student of the Year went to Joshua Taylor of Peninsula Growers and Chisholm. Josh has gone above and beyond to further his education since leaving school at the age of 16 and pursuing a career in horticulture at Peninsula Growers. Josh actively seeks out knowledge from his peers and trainers, and translates new skills he has learned through his education, into the workplace.

The AGM concluded on a hopeful note, with Simon reminding attendees that we are entering a phase of significant industry growth. Gardening’s stock has risen attracting a new audience, it’s an exciting time to be part of the industry.

Joshua Taylor

Pr e viously Monbulk Rural En t erprises

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INDUSTRY NEWS

New members A big welcome to our latest members, who have joined the NGIV and our growing community of horticultural businesses. We look forward to helping you build your business through a long and fruitful relationship.

Coolart Nursery (Retail) Retail Garden Centre set on a 30-acre property with a vineyard.

Our point of difference is having the space and ability to grow plants from tubes, and bare root, to sell direct to the public at competitive prices, to compliment what we buy in. www.coolartnursery.com

Greenscapes Nursery (Allied) Greenscapes Nursery are providers of an indoor plant hire and maintenance service. With their professional plantscaping experience and eye for detail, Greenscapes Nursery have the ability to supply and maintain your plant display in a healthy condition, thus enhancing your company image.

Vandenberg Wholesale Nursery (Production) A wholesale production nursery growing 140mm and 180mm for retail and landscape needs. Specialising in plants required by councils for Certificate of Compliance..

VIRID Vertical Gardens (Production/Retail) VIRID Vertical Gardens skill and experience in vertical gardens and horticulture collectively spans 25 years. We specialise in designing vertical gardens for the Australian environment, taking into account water usage, plant choice and the natural landscape of your space to create unique and impressive vertical gardens. www.viridverticalgardens.com.au

As Victoria’s peak industry body, we are committed to helping our member businesses and the State’s horticulture industry to grow. Becoming a member of the NGIV is simple.

As a full member you’ll have access to many benefits, here are just a few: • Networking – Learn and connect with the best, our members are the country’s leading professional horticultural businesses.

• Promotion – Let us promote your business and our industry, we’ve got the communication channels and the audience to do it; whether it’s our monthly industry magazine , our weekly e-newsletter with an engaged audience of over 4,500 industry professionals or our social media channels that speak to the consumer.

• Advocacy – We regularly engage with Government to represent your interests, and that of our industry, educating them on issues including COVID-19, biosecurity, employment, water security, climate change and many more.

• Trade Days – Whether you’re a retailer or a grower, whether you want to trade or network; experience the largest regular gathering of horticultural businesses in Australia.

• Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS) – As the owner and operator of MIFGS we welcome your participation in Australia’s largest consumer marketing horticultural platform and offer a significant saving on exhibiting.

• Technical Advice and Education – Your NGIV membership is a gateway to discounted industry training, support from our knowledgeable team and a wealth of member only online resources.

• On-Site Visits – We look forward to visiting you, to learn more about your business and how we can help to grow it.

• Free Professional Support – You’ll receive complimentary access to industrial relations, legal, business, marketing, accountancy and insurance advice, from expert professionals.

And don’t take our word for it, here’s what our member business owners had to say about how their NGIV membership helps them.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Free and confidential wellbeing, financial and business support service for NGIV members The NGIV are delighted to have been selected to participate in the Victorian Government’s Small Business Wellbeing Project. The Project provides free and confidential wellbeing, financial and business support to our members.

Why is support being offered?

Who can receive the support?

The combination of lockdowns, uncertainty and cascading economic impacts from the coronavirus (COVID-19) are creating a perfect storm for small businesses in Victoria. For small business owners attempting to find a way forward in this environment, there are enormous stresses on their wellbeing, in business, financial, social, and mental health.

All NGIV members are eligible to receive support.

What type of support is on offer?

There are three different support offerings that NGIV members can access: Wellbeing support – Provides an opportunity to ‘unload and unpack’ one’s stresses in a safe and validating environment; support to work out what is going on, and what needs to happen; and assistance to get things back on track.

Small business financial counselling – NGIV Members who are having difficulty meeting their financial commitments, can receive free and confidential support from financial counsellors. They can help negotiate with creditors, work out financial options and provide information on available concessions, entitlements and grants.

Business advice and mentoring – Access business advisors who will provide free and confidential support to NGIV Members to identify critical challenges and opportunities within their business, and develop action plans to address and manage them.

NGIV Member business owners can access wellbeing support, small business financial counselling and business advice and mentoring.

Furthermore, NGIV Member business owners can offer the wellbeing support service to their employees and family members.

Who is providing these supports?

EACH (formerly Eastern Access Community Health) provides wellbeing support through Gerard Tan. NGIV are thrilled to have Gerard, an accredited social worker with over twenty years’ experience in the field, helping individuals and families achieve safety, stability, health and wellbeing.

EACH also provides small business financial counselling through a team of specialist small business financial counsellors.

Expert business advisors employed by the Melbourne Innovation Centre provide the business and mentoring service.

How can I access the support?

Log into the Membership Services section of the NGIV website and go to Member Wellbeing Service to find out how you can access this support.

Gerard provides wellbeing support himself, and facilitates referrals to the small business financial counselling and business advice and mentoring services.

Gerard is available from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, and by appointment outside these hours.

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Meet Gerard Tan

Gerard Tan is a Mental Health Clinician/Consultant with Partners in Wellbeing. Partners in Wellbeing is part of the Victorian Government’s support package for businesses, and Gerard’s role is to support NGIV and its members in coping with the challenges that COVID poses to social and emotional wellbeing.

Gerard offers consultations with NGIV member business owners and their family members, as well as employees of NGIV member businesses. Gerard provides a range of virtual and in-person workshops and consultancy services around mental health and wellbeing; and supports NGIV members to access specialist small business financial counselling and business advice.

Gerard is a social worker by training, and has over 20 years’ experience across family services, out-of-home care and mental health. He has a keen appreciation of the mental health benefits of engaging with nature and the roles that horticulture and gardening play, as well as the stresses that all those involved with small businesses face in the current climate of restrictions and economic uncertainty.

INDUSTRY NEWS

New member profile: Grow Master Traralgon

By Craig and Debbie Goodman Grow Master Traralgon is an award-winning garden centre at a national level.

At the helm of the much-loved store are Craig and Debbie Goodman, who continue to steer the business from strength to strength. Despite the Covid-era uncertainty, the couple are still sourcing rare plants and uncommon gifts and home wares, for a community that’s supported them for more than 35 years.

Formerly known as Van Berkels Nursery, the business was founded by Len Van Verkel in 1964. Brothers Arch and Henny later purchasing it from their father.

Craig graduated from a three-year tertiary education in Horticulture, at Burnley Horticulture College. In 1983 Craig was employed as manager of the garden centre, before purchasing the business in 1986.

In 1993 Van Berkels Nursery joined the Grow Master Nurseries Group. Craig being one of the original seven founders. The nursery changed its name to Grow Master Traralgon in the year 2000. Since then, it has grown and flourished, with home wares and garden décor given just as much weight as the plants and landscaping.

From fruit trees to flowers, natives to new varieties, indoor and outdoor – the plant range is vast. Coupled with a huge array of home and garden décor, an exquisitely styled showroom and lovingly tended garden displays filled with birdsong, Grow Master Traralgon is somewhere to lose yourself.

A lot of customers come with the intention to buy outdoor plants, but before they get there, they find themselves browsing and purchasing in the shop. They have a range of exclusive products, they look for things of quality that are different and unique.

People know there is a huge range and will find something different. Craig travels all around Australia sourcing plants and stock. Their customer base covers all ages, travelling from afar and interstate.

It’s not just the store itself that’s a draw card, but the expert advice from staff. They have qualified horticulturists at hand, with over 100 years’ experience combined. When people come in, they know that they’re going to get the right advice. They have dedicated, knowledgeable staff, who are enthusiastic avid gardeners.

In December 2012, Grow Master Traralgon was razed to the ground in a blaze that shocked the Latrobe Valley community.

Much like the Australian bush blooms beautifully after fire, Grow Master Traralgon has continued to grow since its triumphant reopening in 2013. At the core of its success is the community that returns time after time.

Grow Master Traralgon prides itself with attention to design and innovation of garden concepts. They provide quality, dependable and reputable garden products and supplies.

GROUNDSWELL DECEMBER 2021

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Specticle® Herbicide from Bayer

By Jyri Kaapro, Senior Market Development Specialist – Turf/IVM Introducing a new, innovative, labour saving, weed management tool for ornamental production nurseries – Specticle® Herbicide from Bayer.

“Weed control in ornamental production nurseries is becoming increasingly problematic due to the occurrence of difficult to control weeds, such as fleabane, as well as weed resistance to common herbicides and the high labour cost associated with frequent herbicide applications and hand weeding.

Therefore, new weed control methods are required to allow the development of sustainable weed management programs that help break the cycle of difficult to control weeds across all areas of the nursery,” said Jyri Kaapro, Senior Market Development Specialist (Turf/IVM) at Bayer.

Specticle is an innovative herbicide that sets a new standard for pre-emergent weed control in bareground areas of ornamental plant production nurseries. It is labelled for use in maintaining bareground in outdoor ornamental nursery production areas (for example, underneath and around potted plants and benches), in access areas like driveways, walkways, and around infrastructure, such as, buildings and fencelines.

Mr Kaapro said, “When applied prior to weed seed germination, Specticle prevents establishment of a range of grass and broadleaf weeds for up to eight months and can greatly assist nursery managers reduce labour and lower costs associated with weed control in the nursery. It offers significant advantages compared to current industry practice which requires multiple applications of knockdown herbicides or shorter lived pre-emergent herbicides.”

Specticle can be tank mixed with common post-emergent ‘knockdown’ herbicides such as Roundup Biactive® to control weeds that are pre-existing in the target areas for treatment at the time of application.

Specticle has been trialed in nursery situations in Australia with excellent long-term weed control received in a number of different settings, validating the strong value that Specticle can provide for ornamental nursery managers.

Mark Handy, Research Development Manager at Greenstock Nurseries said, “We use a knockdown every two to three weeks to cover the property. We sprayed Specticle in late June. We applied Slasher® for knockdown and one week later sprayed Specticle. We reviewed in September and the site was completely clean of weeds. We had another review in January and again the Specticle plots were completely clean of weeds.

Having a product that lasts even longer will benefit us so much.

It will also save time to do one application of Specticle mixed with other knockdown products, saving time for me, by allowing me to spray in one application”.

Beau Hartshorn, Nursery Operations Manager at Plants Direct Queensland said, “We have natural bushland and farmland neighbouring the nursery, so seed can come onto the site from wind, rain and run-off. At the present time, fleabane is the problem. General herbicides haven’t been knocking that.

Probably once or twice a month we would go through and spray with general herbicides such as glyphosate. It’s pretty well a full-time job, four days per week, making herbicide application via knapsacks or tractor. Specticle will help us cut down on labour, cut down on costs, so it is a great investment!”

More information.

Jyri Kaapro | m: 0409 942 513 Download the Specticle label at: environmentalscience.bayer.com.au/ turf-and-ornamental-management/products/spectacle

GROUNDSWELL DECEMBER 2021

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CLIVE’S CORNER

Comments on our industry

By Clive Larkman, Larkman Nurseries

CLIVE’S CORNER

As I have previously wrote, we work in a great industry. That doesn’t mean it is all simple and easy, there are of course good and bad days. But we are producing something that is inherently ‘good’ and giving many people simple pleasures.

It may be the basic joy of watching the emergence of the season’s first rose or the satisfaction of wandering around a multi-acre garden with a range of shrubs and trees. We are also living in a country that allows us to garden twelve months a year. We have friends with retail nurseries in northern parts of the US and Europe. They basically have to close down for three months a year. Some have great Christmas displays but once January arrives nothing happens.

Victoria is good for gardening as we have a wide climatic range that allows most of us to grow plants from cool temperate to sub-tropical. Melbourne is one of the best gardening cities in the country. We have hot dry summers, cool moist winters, and spring and autumn days with temperature ranges that cater for most plants. Due to its size and the volumes of concrete it rarely has a frost but will still get enough cold nights for fruit production and autumn colour. With clever planting we can grow tropical fruit and other warm climate shrubs.

With the 250 plus days of lockdown and the sense of restraint on what were free lives, many people have turned to the garden. At least in the garden or on the verandah people are with living things that are not bound by rules and restrictions.

For some it is just more of what they have done for years but for others it is about embracing a new hobby. Some are happy just to grow great plants, some want to collect rare plants and some wish to produce their own food. It doesn’t matter if they are novice or expert, food or visual gardeners, they are all looking for the pleasure of growing their own plants.

There is no longer an ‘average’ or ‘typical’ gardener. Whereas we used to target our marketing at middle age to senior couples, particularly women, 21st century gardeners are less clearly defined. They might be couples, families or individuals, they might be young or old, they may have large gardens or just a balcony. Overall, we have a much more diverse audience who like to garden, this makes it much harder to market our industry and our plants.

Anytime something is harder means there is an opportunity.

Perhaps it is time for us as nursery operators to have a good look at our customer base. I have a friend in the Netherlands

who talks about the ‘end consumer’ as who we should be talking to. Of course, he is referring to the person who selects the plants to put in the ground. As a propagator my customer is the end consumer. I have to sell to the grower, and they have to sell to the retailer who sells to the ‘end consumer’.

No matter how good the retailer is, if the plants are poor they will not be successful. Similarly, no matter how well the grower produces the plants if they don’t meet the needs of the person planting them they won’t sell.

This raises the next question, what is the ‘end consumer’ buying. We are selling plants in a specific pot size with a promotional label that should give some indication of the performance of the plant. However, the gardener might be buying a vital flavour to bring their favorite sauce to life, or seeking admiring comments from visiting friends, or a way to attract local birds and wildlife. Many younger people are buying a story that they can talk about over dinner, and some are buying a ‘rare’ and collectable novelty. The motives of the gardener are as varied as our range of plants and difficult to predict. It is rarely a plant in a set pot size with a fancy label that is the sole motivation of the end consumer.

We have been given a great opportunity to capture a new and expanding range of ‘end consumers’, many of whom have few preconceived notions of what to expect when they walk into a nursery. Once they come into our retail window, we need to entice them to want to know more and do more. We want to make them as passionate about their plants as so many of us are about ours. We want them to share that passion with their children, so that they too become garden lovers.

Let us all work together to supply the ‘end consumer’ with what they want and need. Let’s all help to make sure their garden (large, small, verandah or indoor) the best part of their home to spend time. We want them to go to their gardens, rather than the gym, a restaurant, or the pub. After all it is good for their health, good for the planet’s health and not bad for ours.

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GROUNDSWELL DECEMBER 2021

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NEXTGEN: LUKE WILSON

Interview with NextGen

LUKE WILSON JD Propagation Where do you work and what is your role?

I work at JD Propagation as Head of Mechanical Growing.

How long have you worked there and how has your role progressed in that time?

I started working at JD Propagation as a General Grower, then progressed to the Head of the Motherstock Growing Team, and now to my current role.

What/or who inspired you to choose horticulture?

I became interested in horticulture after I began growing and propagating succulents at home.

What do you enjoy most about working in horticulture?

Working on my feet and keeping busy, while being surrounded by greenery.

What are your ambitions within the industry?

To have a long and successful career while gaining horticultural and business knowledge.

Who has inspired you on your journey?

JD Propagation as a business and being surrounded by a motivated and hard-working team.

What is a typical day like for you?

A typical day starts with a quick team meeting then it’s my main priority to create and allocate space for the movement of plants as they progress through their growing cycle. I also manage trimming of customer orders, making sure they meet their specifications and motherstock trimming to make sure plants are conditioned to provide the desired yield. I look to provide team management and training in these areas.

Are any of your family members in the horticulture industry?

I have no family members in the horticulture industry.

Why should more young people choose horticulture as a career?

Australia

Because you’re not stuck at a desk and you’re always learning something new.

GET T A FRONT SE SEA EA AT T VIEW WA AT T THIS YEARS GROWER W TRIALS Enjoy a virtual al tour of the gardens or join us in person.

What is the best piece of career advice you’ve received on your journey?

The best career advice I received was to always produce a quality product that you’re proud of.

Are you/have you studied a horticultural course?

E STER HER REGIS Aus trali a

Our garrd dens arre e open: December 7th - 10th

Garrd den Hourrs:

I studied a Cert 3 in Horticulture while completing an apprenticeship at Swinburne in Wantirna.

What was/is the most enjoyable element of your study?

I enjoyed the practical activities and plant identification. I also had the opportunity to design and construct an achievable garden for MIFGS.

Tell us a bit about you; what you enjoy doing and where your passions lie.

I enjoy working on my house and garden, spending time outdoors and spending time with family and friends.

9am-4pm

38

GROUNDSWELL DECEMBER 2021

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PLATINUM

PRICE UPDATE

GOLD Increased by $202.95 per tonne (10.35 cents per litre) Prices effective 1st-30st November 2021 (inc GST) Cat

Cents per litre

Melbourne Geelong

Other

Mildura

A

Base Price

109.82

110.37

111.47

111.91

B

Usage below 2,500 litres

100.47

101.02

102.01

102.56

C

Usage between 2,500 – 5,000 litres

99.92

100.47

101.46

102.01

D

Usage between 5,000 – 10,000 litres

98.27

98.82

99.81

100.36

E

Usage between 10,000 – 30,000 litres

97.17

97.72

98.71

99.26

F

Usage between 30,000 – 50,000 litres

96.62

97.17

98.16

98.71

SILVER

BRONZE

GROUNDSWELL DECEMBER 2021

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