Groundswell | March 2021

GROUNDSWELL RRP $8.95

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

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06 11 CONTENTS 3

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

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CEO’S MESSAGE

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NGIV 2021 GOLF DAY CLASSIC

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CARBON: BLACK GOLD OR JUST A LOT OF HOT AIR?

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WHAT’S TRENDING IN THE WORLD OF PLANTS?

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$50 MILLION IN PLANT BIOSECURITY PROJECTS

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WORKING TOGETHER TO REHABILITATE COUNTRY

Simon Gomme

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WHY IS CASH KING FOR SMALL BUSINESS?

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GRAHAM ROSS: A NATIONAL TREASURE

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TRADE DAY REPORT

President, NGIV Once again, our industry, like many others, was dealt a blow in February with the news that we were entering another lockdown, albeit a much shorter one, and hopefully by the time you read this, things have returned to normal.

I’m sure that many of us will have learnt from previous restrictions about how to operate our businesses and look after our teams in these conditions. As an industry we have shown our collective resilience and our agility to adapt how we operate.

Our front cover: GCP Pots – Innovation & Leadership in recycled polypropylene

www.gardencityplastics.com

Volume 32 Number 3 March 2021 PUBLISHER NURSERY & GARDEN INDUSTRY VICTORIA PRESIDENT Simon Gomme CEO Craig Taberner CONTRIBUTORS Simon Gomme, Leigh Siebler, Craig Taberner, Rohan Davies, Nan Cleven, Matt Ross, Dr Chris Reed, Paul Cunningham ADVERTISING NGIV T: (03) 9576 0599 ADDRESS Unit 3, 307 Wattletree Road, Malvern East VIC 3145.

MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 2280, Wattletree Road LPO, Malvern East VIC 3145.

I was offered a timely reminder only last month of the need to meet all requirements of operating in COVID-Safe fashion, after Powerplants Australia received a random visit from WorkSafe Victoria. All of our practices were checked and approved but it really highlighted the need to maintain good practices and comply with all requirements.

I’d like to thank all businesses that continue to operate within the boundaries of what is permitted. We are all in this together and we are all reliant on one another continuing to do the right thing. Stay on top of developments and if you are ever unsure, contact the team at NGIV for clarification.

It’s incredibly sad that the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show 2021 will not go ahead in March. It’s a stark reminder of the difficulty of delivering a major event in a COVID-19 climate.

After carefully considering the interests of all stakeholders, the board could not proceed with any confidence to stage an event in March 2021 that meets the high expectations of the partners and visitors. With so much planning and effort required to bring the Show to life, there was an obligation to make the decision sooner rather than later.

It cannot be under-estimated how important the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is to horticulture, it’s a platform for an entire industry and for the public to learn, be entertained and inspired. The MIFGS Board and event managers are exploring alternative options and dates, with interest being sought for a show in October 2021.

TELEPHONE (03) 9576 0599 | FAX (03) 9576 0431 EMAIL ngiv@ngiv.com.au | www.ngiv.com.au FINISHED ART Vale Graphics M: 0409 88 77 06 E: angie@valegraphics.com.au PRINTING Norwood Industries 6 Wedgewood Road, Hallam VIC 3803.

Simon Gomme President, NGIV Powerplants Australia GROUNDSWELL MARCH 2021

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CEO’S MESSAGE

Hortitech’s Frost Cloth is a lightweight premium grade UV stabilised spun bond fabric with excellent ventilation properties, water permeability, and UV resistance.

It is formulated especially for horticultural uses from spun-bonded 25gsm to 50gsm polyester fabric.

CEO, NGIV

Currently Hortitech has this in 50 GSM (1.8m Wide) and 25 GSM (1.8m Wide and 3.2m Wide).

Somehow, after a summer that never really got going, it’s Autumn already. It is of course a season that ignites the public imagination as they look to inject some autumnal colours into their own gardens.

20-30GSM WATER PERMEABILITY

85%*

AIR PERMEABILITY (cc/cm²/Second)

220*

SHADE FACTOR

approx. 75%*

TYPICAL APPLICATION

Frost control, insect control, weed control, light mulching cover, light weight shade

40-50GSM WATER PERMEABILITY

70%*

AIR PERMEABILITY (cc/cm²/Second)

130*

SHADE FACTOR

approx. 90%*

TYPICAL APPLICATION

Weed control, light mulching cover, frost cloth, insect control, light weight shade, thermal control

Product Benefits: • Longer Lasting – The use of a high UV stabilised polyester gives it better life span of polypropylene spun bond cloth • Made from high UV resistant premium spun bonded polyester • Polyester inherently resists deterioration from UV’s, plus Horticraft® Frost Cloth has the benefit of added UV stabilisers • Excellent insulating and thermal properties, for better frost protection • High water and air permeability, reducing mildew and fungal diseases • As a throw over cover: It has high light transmissions; Acts as an insect deterrent; Allows overhead watering; Provides adequate ventilation; Can rest on plants and foliage without causing damage

R! OVE C E R

Craig Taberner

REC OVE R!

Is your Greenhouse looking tired and old, is it coming away from the gutters?

Now is the time to RECOVER! Give us a call for a FREE Quote!

Hortitech T/A Monbulk Rural Enterprises

On a day that had a touch of Autumn to it, I just wanted to thank everyone for taking part in NGIV’s Golf Day Classic.

The turnout was fantastic, and it was quite a sight to see a complete takeover of the Settler’s Run golf carts from Victoria’s horticultural industry.

Usually when I’m meeting with our members we’re catching up about business matters, I always enjoy the chance to meet on a more social basis. There’s some great photos in the enclosed article and a few familiar faces.

A big thank you to all the day’s sponsors, including the major sponsor Garden City Plastics, and the organising committee consisting of Lizzie Earl, Heath McKenzie and Will McIntosh, the day was a huge success and testament to all their hard work.

I’ve been visiting lots of members as part of the consultation and engagement process, to secure a new and improved home for the NGIV Trade Day. It’s been a valuable exercise, full of insight and support of the event. We’ve also circulated a survey to our entire membership that was well engaged with.

I’d like to thank everyone who has taken part, your feedback is invaluable and will help to shape the future of trade day.

I’d like to welcome NGIV’s newest members who have joined in 2021; Balcony Gardens by Deepdale, Cocohouse Australia, Essentially Natural, Quick-Pick Seedlings, The Pot Dealer (Garden Street Garden).

Our full member group is the highest it’s been in over seven years. Thank you all for your continued support. We are currently working on member and partner surveys, that will help us to identify ways we can improve our offering, I’d encourage you all to take part.

And finally, on behalf of the NGIV Board, members and team, congratulations to Graham Ross who received a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2021 Australia Day Honours, you’re an inspiration to so many.

8 Old Emerald Road, Monbulk Vic 3793 Tel: 03 9756 6355 Email: customerservice2@monbulkrural.com.au www.monbulkrural.com.au

Craig Taberner CEO, NGIV 04

GROUNDSWELL MARCH 2021

EVENT: GOLF DAY CLASSIC

WINNERS

2021 NURSERY & GARDEN INDUSTRY VICTORIA

ANNUAL GOLF DAY

NGIV members out in force for Golf Day Classic

CLASSIC

By Matt Ross On Friday 5 February 2021 over 80 NGIV members teed off at our Golf Day Classic. Conditions at the stunning Settler’s Run Golf Course in Botanic Ridge looked precarious, but the rain never came, and we were blessed with a perfect day.

A lot of the talk on the day was whether Tall Trees made up of Joel, Jared and David Vanderuit, and Shane Male, would be crowned champions for three successive years; the ‘threepeat’.

The turnout was fantastic and it was quite a sight to see a complete takeover of the Settler’s Run golf carts from Victoria’s horticultural industry.

The course itself, designed by Greg Norman, takes the best elements of Melbourne’s renowned sandbelt courses and incorporates them into a dramatic, natural golf setting. The design takes advantage of the undulating landscape and natural wetlands to create a layout that fits seamlessly with the surrounding environment.

For the first time ever there was a nine-hole competition, with each team needing to be made up of at least two women.

Everyone had a lot of fun, and it was Karen, Linda and Sarah from Ausflora, with a little help from Matt at NGIV, that took out the top prize (just don’t ask them where their team name, The Brazilians, came from).

It fell to Gary Edwards, from the day’s major sponsor Garden City Plastics, to reveal the winners of the 2021 Golf Day Classic. In third place was William McIntosh, Matt Jansen, Matt Mansfield and Trevor Steinthal. In second place, narrowly missing out on the ‘threepeat’ were the boys from Tall Trees.

And the new champions, playing some stellar golf, are Chris England from Merrywood Plants, Grant Rankin from Carawah Nursery, Adam Delarue from Delarue Landscapes and Damian Whitten from Top Ten Trees.

There were a host of fun spot prizes given away on the day for things like, straightest drive, nearest to the pin, drive the green, beat the bunker, Hickory longest drive, and more. Thank you to all the hole sponsors; Transplant Systems, Ball Australia, Native Plant Wholesalers, Tall Trees, SureGro, Powerplants Australia, JFT Nurseries, Monbulk Rural, Piper Alderman, Australian Growing Solutions, Norwood, Gallagher, Bio Gro, Greenhills Propagation Nursery, Helix Australia, Diacos Garden Nursery, Garden City Plastics, Grow Better, ICL Specialty Fertilisers, Sidekicker, Chandler AgriBusiness, EvergreenConnect, JMK Nursery and Moshie.

A big thanks to our organising committee consisting of Lizzie Earl, Heath McKenzie and Will McIntosh, the day was a huge success and testament to all their hard work. Planning is already underway to make the 2022 Golf Day Classic even bigger.

Golf Day is the perfect opportunity to network with industry peers, enjoy some golf and let your hair down. Start practicing your swing and we’ll see you in 2022.

The winning team: Grant Rankin (Carawah Nursery), Chris England (Merrywood Plants), Adan Delarue (Delarue Landscapes) and Damian Whitten (Top Ten Trees)

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GROUNDSWELL MARCH 2021

9-Hole Winners: Karen, Sarah and Linda from Ausflora

EVENTS: NGIV GOLF CLASSIC

2nd Place: David, Joel and Jarred Vanderuit (Tall Trees) and Shane Male (Meyer Nursery)

Carts ready to go

Adam Beardall, Tom Ellis, Carl Van Loon and Michael Bednarz from Powerplants Australia

Howard Fox, Trent Caulfield, Steve Eggleton, and Howard Bentley from PGA

Ryan Sinclair (Tall Trees), Roger Boyle (ICL), Pete Chan and Garry Evans (Tall Trees)

Paul Van Ray (Great Pine Nursery), Heath McKenzie (AGS), Jon Noonan (TGA), and Damian Choate (Mt William Nursery)

3rd Place: Matt Jansen, Will McIntosh, Matt Mansfield (Mansfield Nursery) and Trevor Steinthal

Matt Paterson (Clyde Plant Nursery), Stewart Connell (Warners Nurseries), Bruce Durant (Sure Gro Tree Max) and Greg Bird (Bird's Nursery)

Fabian Capomolla (PMA), Ross Langham (Nishiki Nursery), Matt Curtis (PMA), and Dean Hill (Mt Pleasant Nursery)

Andrew Gale, Craig Taberner (NGIV) and Adrian Parsons (Helix Australia)

Stephen Lade, Paul Camilleri, Jim Johnson and Brad Rae from Oasis Horticulture

James Doria, Daryl Bechaz, Mario Diaco, and Ricky Diaco (Diacos Nursery)

Josh Kyne (Boomaroo Nursery), Kate Grant (Ball Australia) Christine McLeod and Jen Cheers (Norwood)

Nathan Rayner, James Walker and Eddie Lim from Gallagher

Daniel Parsons (Transplant Systems), Matt Plummer (Evergreen Connect) and Russell Maxwell (Ball Australia)

Simon Gomme (Powerplants Australia), Michael Warner (Warners Nursery), Marcus Gale (IMG Australia) and David Howard (Bay Road Nursery)

Lindsay Edwards, Malcolm Port, Milton Dyer, Glenn Brown from Multicrop

Aron Littlepage, Adelina Carnavale, Belinda Tardini, and Mathew Gossip from DNA Training

GROUNDSWELL MARCH 2018

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PRODUCTION: CARBON

Carbon: Black gold or just a lot of hot air?

By Rohan Davies, Australian Growing Solutions

Carbon footprint, carbon emissions, carbon tax; you could be excused for thinking carbon is a bad thing. Whilst excessive amounts of carbon in the atmosphere is causing significant issues for humanity, carbon itself is crucial within soil or growing media.

What is carbon?

Carbon in potting media is in a continual state of flux – entering and leaving the system. In general terms, photosynthesis converts and captures atmospheric CO2 into plant biomass.

This biomass can be converted into the various fractions of Organic Matter (OM) with the assistance of soil microflora – which themselves, in the process of the cycle, will release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere restarting the cycle.

To maintain themselves soil microflora will consume OM sources, thus we would see an ever-declining OM level if inputs are not sufficient to maintain soil microflora populations.

There is a lot of confusion around Organic Matter and Organic Carbon. Organic matter (OM) can be defined as all materials of biological origin irrespective of origin or state of decomposition (Baldock & Skjemstad 1999). OM is essentially broken into three pools:

Active Organic Matter (Non-living) >

Identifiable plant, animal and microorganism residues and metabolites (e.g. stubble, dead plant roots, manure, bones)

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Dissolved organic matter (e.g. sugars, amino acids, organic acids)

Stable Organic Matter >

Non-humic biomolecules (sugars, amino acids, proteins, fats, lignin)

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Humic substances (other identifiable components)

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Charcoal

It is difficult to accurately measure the OM content of soil, therefore most soil testing laboratories measure the organic carbon (OC) content and then estimate OM through a conversion factor.

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Active living (2-12%) eg. soil bugs and living plant roots,

Organic Matter (%) = Organic Carbon (%) x 1.75

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Active non-living (8-24%) eg. Breaking down roots and bugs, and,

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Stable (70-90%) e.g. humus.

This conversion factor assumes organic matter contains 57 per cent organic carbon (range is 50-58 per cent - variance caused by the type of organic matter, soil type and soil depth).

Conversion factors can be as high as 2.50 per cent.

Active Organic Matter (Living) >

Viruses, bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi

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Protozoa, (e.g. amoebae, flagellates)

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Nematodes

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Micro arthropods (e.g. springtails, mites)

What is Inorganic Carbon?

Inorganic carbon is the result of both weathering of rocks and the precipitation of carbon dioxide dissolved in water as carbonate minerals (usually found as carbonates, bicarbonates, and elementary carbon like graphite). This process occurs over thousands of years and as such is not readily influenced by manmade practices.

Why would I want good Organic Matter levels in my potting mix?

Organic matter is an important driver for overall soil health.

It is an important driver for so many of the requirements for maximum plant productivity, namely;

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GROUNDSWELL MARCH 2021

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Buffering against rapid changes in salinity, sodicity, and pH. Also reducing the overall effects of sodicity and increases the Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) of growing media

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Stabilising agent for soil aggregates – thereby decreasing propensity for soil erosion and improving water infiltration and holding capacity

PRODUCTION: CARBON

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Supplying plant nutrients and energy/nutrients for microorganisms

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Moderating extreme soil temperatures

Cation Exchange Capacity Cation Exchange Capacity Is an estimate of the soils ability to attract, retain, and exchange the main cation elements calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. OM (in particular the humus fraction) contains a large number of negative charge sites suitable for the attraction and holding of cations.

Therefore, the higher the level of OM, in construction of the media, the higher potential the CEC will be.

pH pH is one of the most important aspects of soil and potting mix productivity through its influence on the availability of basic cations and its influence on the biodiversity and microbial activity. OM, and in particular Humus, has an important effect on the pH by improving the soil’s capacity for buffering – reducing the large swings of pH. This buffering capacity is mainly governed by exchange reactions where the OM’s functional groups (e.g. carboxylic, phenolic) act as sinks for hydrogen and hydroxyl ions. The availability of these different functional groups allows OM to act as a buffer over a wide range of pH values.

Organic matter is vital in potting mix for containerised plants.

GROUNDSWELL MARCH 2021

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PRODUCTION: CARBON

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Complexation and availability Organic matter, in particular Humus, works in two ways to achieve a beneficial effect for plant productivity. >

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Components of humus form complexes with metal ions such as aluminium and iron, rendering them less available to react with other nutrients like phosphorus, thereby slowing phosphorus fixation. This process also reduces the toxic effects of Aluminium at low pH improving potential productivity.

Humus acts as a reservoir or sink for nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur when microorganisms use these minerals to form part of their structure. This removes significant amounts from chemical fixation.

Structural stability Soil structure can be described as the size, shape and arrangement of aggregates of soil (or in our case, potting mix) and the gaps or pockets in between these aggregates.

It provides the habitat and thus dictates the biodiversity of many soil organisms living in the media. The abundance and activity of these soil organisms depend on food supply and is therefore closely related to OM levels.

Organic matter and its various fractions can be found in different parts of the soil aggregates with numerous roles like, for instance, acting as binding agents to enhance soil structure

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GROUNDSWELL MARCH 2021

Organic Humate is a rich source of organic carbon that aids in cation exchange capacity, wettability and buffering pH

thus enabling plant roots to create biopores to enhance water infiltration. Furthermore, soil structure plays an important role in determining many other important plant/soil characteristics like water availability and infiltration, aeration (aerobic and anaerobic zones) and wilting and germination of plants.

At AGS there are various forms of carbon that we use in potting media construction. One very useful material we add to potting mix blends is organic humate. This extremely old material is an excellent tool for giving potting mix a concentrated form of organic carbon. Organic humate assists us to obtain many of the beneficial properties detailed in this article.

It is crucial to look upon the root zone of a containerised plant as a living ecosystem and to provide that ecosystem with as many materials as we can that encourage and stimulate the diverse microbial and fungal communities that promote healthy, prolific growth.

FEATURE: PLANT LIFE BALANCE

WHAT’S TRENDING IN THE WORLD OF PLANTS 1

COVID-19 has changed our lives and homes forever.

For workers, homes became the desk, office and boardroom; for families, a new playground and school – a place to learn and explore.

For many of us, our homes became our only sanctuary. The pandemic has fundamentally shifted how we live, learn and play.

As shelves emptied in supermarkets, people filled new home veggie patches with seeds and seedlings. The longer we spent indoors, the more we came to value the outdoors, with its fresh air, sunlight, sense of calm and everything else nature has to offer.

The local park went from something we took for granted to an essential need – a place to stay well, physically and mentally.

All this increased our desire to bring the outside in. A plant for the home office, some green for the home classroom. Something to refresh us, and the air we breathe.

We now understand the important role which nature plays within our lives.

We can’t and we won’t underestimate nature again. Our homes of the future

will be abundant with flowers, greenery and trees. We’ve brought plants back into our lives, and we’re never letting them back out again.

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Almost 1 in 3 (30%) grow food to feel connected to the food they eat, and more than 1 in 5 (23%) grow food to avoid chemicals

Research during the COVID-19 pandemic found:

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Nearly one in five (18%) purchased greenery to attract bees

1. Over half (59.9%) of Australians believe getting outside and connecting with nature is more important now than before the pandemic.

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A quarter of people purchased greenery to improve air quality (25.7%)

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Almost half of respondents (44.2%) believe the pandemic has made them more aware of the importance of nature in their family’s lives

2. Over half (54.4%) want to bring nature into their homes.

3. During COVID-19, some green spaces in our cities saw a 100% increase in demand In 2020, two billion plants were sold to communities, workplaces and homes across Australia totalling $2.44 billion, according to the nursery and garden industry’s latest annual report.

A study of 1,000 plant-buying Australians found: The top three reasons Australians buy plants are to:

Our friends at Plant Life Balance have created a Plant Trend Report for 2021, to help you understand what consumers will be looking for from plantlife this year. We’ll be sharing the five big trends across the next five issues.

It’s then down to all of us, as an industry, to communicate those trends, ensure the Victorian public can access the plants to create them them and support them to achieve success.

1. Make my space look beautiful (62.2%) 2. Bring nature into my home (54.3%) 3. Grow food to eat (39.5%)

GROUNDSWELL MARCH 2021

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FEATURE: PLANT LIFE BALANCE u

TREND 1 Greening where we work Work-from-home, flexible arrangements or hybrid working models – whatever you call it – is here to stay for the foreseeable future, with up to 60 per cent of Australians wanting to split their working time between home and office in the long term. But have we set up work spaces in our homes in the best way possible for productivity and happiness?

RMIT University and University of Melbourne have found plants can boost your mood and concentration, helping you be more productive in your space. Our study, conducted after the first wave of the pandemic, also showed 1 in 4 Australians purchased greenery to improve their air quality (25.7%)

THE PREDICTION Workspaces will be greened for greater productivity Knowing our temporary or ‘quick set up’ home desks or offices will now remain, 2021 will see Australians looking to re-create, re-imagine and evolve how these look and function for us. Big or small it doesn’t matter, the best working-from-home space has some plants.

The best plants for a big office space Philodendron ‘Brasil’ (Philodendron hederaceum) Sabre fig (Ficus binnendijkii) Fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) The best trailing plants for low light Devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum) Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum)

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GROUNDSWELL MARCH 2021

TREND 2 A daily dose of Vitamin G(arden) Over the past year, our usual health and wellness habits became obsolete as we sought new ways to find refuge from the stressors of life – with our homes becoming the ultimate sanctuary.

Our study found that during the pandemic, the majority of Australians (61%) used their home as a space for relaxation, mindfulness or fitness.

Some plant trend forecasters believe this is the start of a wellness movement in our homes coupled with the recognition that a connection to nature is a connection to better wellbeing.

THE PREDICTION Nature-based practices and remedies will offer relief When we look after our plants by caring for their needs – watering, sunlight, space – we begin to experience a reciprocal relationship with them, they give us purpose to look after something other than ourselves, which can improve our mental health.

All we need to do to access the healing power of plants is pick specific plants for our wellbeing, and create greened wellness places in our homes.

Throughout and post-pandemic, there is going to be a greater interest and awareness in healing ourselves through the power of plants. Working with plant medicines to support your body is a powerful way to build resilience.

TREND 3 Learning nature’s lessons

Throughout the pandemic, as families cocooned away in the safety of their homes, learning was brought inside and many children’s habitual daily connection with nature was lost. However, demand for nature play has never been higher.

This is with good scientific reason; a huge amount of research from around the world shows that when children play and learn outdoors, they actually learn more.

While home learning is mostly behind us now, the question for the future is: how do we take on the greatest advantages and gifts of nature and its learning potential for our children beyond the pandemic?

THE PREDICTION Introducing the Nature Station When children play in nature, they are calmer, confident and more open to learning. They show improvements in social skills, imagination, creativity, teamwork, concentration and behaviour.

In the year ahead, Nature Stations will be popping up indoors, outdoors and on balconies – demonstrating our renewed interest in nature, in homes of all sorts and sizes, particularly for our growing population of apartment dwellers.

The Nature Station is a portal from any home, immediately transporting a child out into the magic of the natural world and bringing the benefits of nature learning with it.

Here are the best child-friendly plants for children’s learning: 1. Tree aeonium (Aeonium arboreum) 2. Marguerite daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens) 3. Japanese maple (Acer palmatum)

GROUNDSWELL MARCH 2021

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FEATURE: PLANT LIFE BALANCE u

TREND 5 Growing for the glow During the pandemic the question of food security was thrown to the fore. We saw it in the empty shelves across supermarkets and hoarding in homes.

Scrambling to find some sense of certainty in such an uncertain time, Australians turned to growing our own food, many for the first time.

The study found the top three reasons people wanted to grow their own food during the pandemic were to; enjoy it as a hobby (40.4%), save money (36.8%) and enjoy the freshest food possible (34.4%)17. And a whopping 8 in 10 (80%) said they’ll continue to grow produce at home in 2021.

But there is always more to growing our own food than we know and as we emerge from the pandemic, we’re just beginning to reap the fruits of our iso-labour.

THE PREDICTION From food for fuel to inner fulfilment Growing your own produce, however much, however little, brings such a sense of fulfilment. While the final aim may be bounty for the table and food in your belly, many have newly discovered the journey involves mind, body, all the senses and soul.

Try planting native edibles. A few top natives to grow at home are:

TREND 4 Introducing the Plant-ertainer

1. Midgen or midyimberries (Austromyrtus dulcis) 2. Geraldton wax (Chamelaucium uncinatum) 3. Old man saltbush (Atriplex nummularia)

The home has become the hub for entertaining.

Coupled with a return to making and baking – and a new-found passion for self-grown produce – socialising with those we love in our homes is not going away any time soon. Our study found 1 in 3 Australians have increased home entertaining during the pandemic, and the same amount plan to continue into 2021.

Given our investment in home improvements during the pandemic, it’s a commitment we can expect Australians to make good on.

A home built for entertaining is never just about function; it’s also about form. Plant styling is a trend that is expected to increase and build momentum in the coming years. Some plant trend forecasters believe this will see a rise in the Plant-ertainer; an entertainer that utilises growing and greenery throughout their leisure and pleasure time in their home and backyard.

THE PREDICTION Entertaining is all about thegarnish from food, to table setting, to decor The best plants for entertaining areas Tree Philodendron (Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum) Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa)

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GROUNDSWELL MARCH 2021

The nursery and garden industry plant picks for 2021 And finally, here’s some of the species that the nursery industry experts expect to see popping up in homes across Australia this year: Outdoor plants: Lilly pilly (Syzygium smithii) English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Potted or flowering colour: Parrot-beak (Lotus berthelotii) Geranium (Pelargonium capitatum) Evergreen for gardens/backyards: Orange jessamine (Murraya paniculata) Bull Bay Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) Common juniper (Juniperus communis) Deciduous for gardens/backyards: Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) Weeping japanese maples (Acer palmatum var. dissectum) Low maintenance or drought tolerant: Zanzibar gem (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) Succulent senecio (Senecio barbertonicus)

Plant Life Balance is a program designed to get Australians excited and confident about styling their homes and lives with plants — while promoting the health and wellbeing benefits plants bring.

You can view the full Trend Report at myplantlifebalance.com.au GROUNDSWELL MARCH 2021

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PRODUCTION: BIOSECURITY

$50 million in plant biosecurity projects through national collaboration Managing pests and diseases is a constant issue for Australia’s plant industries, and new threats are always on the horizon. Just this year Australia has seen Fall Armyworm spread across the north, and another unwelcome visitor, the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, is regularly detected at our borders.

The protection of our $32 billion plant industries is a priority of the highest order, and this provides drive and focus for the collaborative Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative. At the end of its successful first phase PBRI has coordinated 15 national biosecurity projects including investments in preparedness, diagnostics and pest surveillance.

PBRI Program Director Dr Jo Luck said, “PBRI is driving value for industry through collaborative and coordinated activities.

Our focus on cross-industry biosecurity issues means we can create leverage and deliver more effective approaches addressing plant biosecurity challenges.

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The development of Fall armyworm (FAW) awareness podcasts which address the recent arrival of the damaging effects of the (FAW) in northern Australian maize and sweetcorn crops. Also, research on pesticide resistance and contingency planning across multiple plant industries.

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Boosting National Diagnostics project – focused on making sure we have the capability to diagnose high priority threats to our country across all plant sectors. It also includes field sampling and testing on farm in preparation for an emergency response.

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iMapPESTS – a collaboration of government, industry, and researchers developing a mobile crossindustry plant pest surveillance network, which will provide information on endemic, established, trade sensitive or exotic pests. The project rapidly monitors and reports the presence of high-priority pests and diseases.

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A post entry quarantine diagnostics research project will deliver next generation sequencing tools to fast-track screening for pathogens of imported plant material in post-entry quarantine facilities. The technology allows plants to move through the quarantine process much more quickly – allowing industry earlier access to new germplasm.

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eDNA detection of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug project that focuses on the development of environmental DNA

“During the past three years PBRI members have worked together to develop and contract 15 collaborative projects worth more than $50 million. The partners have all signed on again for another three years, and we will continue to strengthen research investment for Australia’s plant industries.”

Some of the investments include: A dedicated Xylella program manager whose focus is aimed at increasing grower awareness and preparedness for this disease which affects over 500 different plant species, including grapes, olives, citrus, stone fruit, ornamental and native species. A project has also been funded to identify insects in Australian crops that may spread the Xylella bacteria if it were to arrive in Australia.

Photo: Gary Bernon, USDA APHIS, Bugwood.org

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A project has also been funded to identify insects in Australian crops that may spread the Xylella bacteria

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GROUNDSWELL MARCH 2021

Adult Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

PRODUCTION: BIOSECURITY

assays and sampling protocols for the real-time detection of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. >

2020 International Year of Plant Health (IYPH) was supported by a national launch, profiling everyday plant health heroes and school activities promoting the message of protecting plants, protecting lives.

In May 2020, an independent review of the PBRI, by RMCG Consulting, found that “strategic international partnerships with Better Border Biosecurity (B3) New Zealand and European Phytosanitary Research Coordination (Euphresco), were considered important to PBRI’s position in global biosecurity RD&E” and recommended that further partnerships be supported where relevant.

The PBRI, established in 2017, is a collaboration of rural research and development corporations, Plant Health Australia the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and the Council of RDCs, emphasising the importance of coordinated biosecurity research, development and extension. The initiative builds critical capacity for Australian plant-based industries.

The independent review also found “that stakeholders acknowledge the critical importance of PBRI in driving collaboration of national plant biosecurity RD&E and they envisage even greater benefits from the next phase of the PBRI”.

iMapPESTS, a mobile crossindustry plant pest surveillance network

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CLIMATE CHANGE

Working together to rehabilitate country

By Dr Chris Reed Climate change has increased the intricacy of our land management. As an industry we need to look more intently at environmental rehabilitation and continue to put into place strategies that protect our ecosystems, lives and livelihoods.

I have always been a bit of a bush kid. Walking to school in the morning I would come across the local plants and interesting creatures. I got to know these familiar sights, the skinks and blue tongue lizards, all types of birds and the bush plants, the gums, purple sarsaparilla, and egg and bacon plants. When I got older, I learnt the botanical names and how to grow them.

I remember fires burning through the mountains, watching as the fire slowly burnt from one end of the range to the other.

Tragically, even then, lives were lost, and homes destroyed.

The fires now are far more dangerous, deadlier and much more frequent. Looking out across the valley I see the smoke, not from fires around us, but from fires far away. A reminder of the dreadful days not so long ago and the horror that might come our way again.

it Australia. They didn’t just manage the land they understood and utilised the environment. This was a diverse land populated by peoples with unique languages and cultures. One thing they had in common was that they did not exploit the natural world they inhabited, they honoured it and they understood it.

The more recent occupiers of this land named it Australia, our home. Like the original inhabitants, many Australians also have a close connection to the land and they too respect and understand the complexities of our environment.

We live on an extraordinary continent. One that has origins far older than all of human existence. It is enduring, it has evolved in a way that matches the existing forces of nature. Places flood and places burn, and wind can reshape the lands. On this continent over five hundred aboriginal peoples resided and developed complex human systems, none of them called

However, industries, organisations, individuals and groups cannot do this in isolation, we all need to work together. We need to work with everyone who understand the land. Parks and forest professionals, aboriginal organisations, communities, researchers, farmers and local, state and federal government, can all contribute. Together we might be able to ensure a

Climate change has increased the intricacy of our land management. As an industry we need to look more intently at environmental rehabilitation and continue to put into place strategies that protect our ecosystems, lives and livelihoods.

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CLIMATE CHANGE

better future by building resilience and protection for our environments. As a large and knowledgeable group our industry can have a key role. One that rehabilitates the land and provides habitats for a multitude of living creatures.

I have grown many plants for the rehabilitation of some areas after the Black Saturday fires in 2009. This took time and the planning skills of organisations like Landcare. One thing that was clear during the Black Saturday rehabilitation process was the importance of locally sourced indigenous seed. Every effort was made to collect suitable seeds from nearby stands of plants that were identical to those lost in the fires. Maintaining local diversity was essential. Many plants have local characteristics that are not always consistent across locations.

One of the more unusual suggestions for plant species rehabilitation is the use of seeds stored in distant seedbanks in other countries. While this may have merit, it is time for us to develop a similar system to ensure all our plant species are safe.

Collecting and storing seeds that are indigenous to each unique sector of forest or land is a huge job, but one that is needed.

Organisations like the Australian Seedbank Partnership do have seed collections. However, it is not an emergency source of seeds for rehabilitation. The National Standards for Ecological Restoration do set a criterion for environment rehabilitation.

The Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia (SERA) states “Even those places where few people tread are threatened by our actions: remote alpine and wet forests are now regularly

devastated by human-made fires intensified by a changing climate”. While this statement is admirable, we are now looking for workable strategies for growing, distributing and planting vast areas damaged by natural disasters. Regardless, there needs to be open and balanced communications between all stakeholders to develop a positive strategy for recovery. The nursery industry is well suited to be a valued contributor in protecting and restoring our lands.

While it is in our best interest to develop extensive seedbanks for rehabilitation, it could be far more difficult to grow the plants to replace lost diversity. There is no easy way to predict where re-planting may be needed. Even when an area needs renewal, it will still take months or even years to grow plants for distribution. The increasing number and intensity of natural disasters require our responses to be planned and delivered promptly and with precision. This takes an almost military approach to collect, store and distribute seeds specific to local needs. A local or regional capacity to produce plants and distribute them to rehabilitate devastated areas is also needed.

This is a massive job. We need to be in a position where we are confident that we can repair and recover the land and ensure that it is properly restored, even when nature proves to be bigger than our defences. It would be wonderful if our beautiful land, its forests and its diversity of fauna and flora could be protected. Children in the future will be enthralled by the beauty of our world, they might even see some purple sarsaparilla plants (hardenbergia) growing at the side of the road.

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BUSINESS NEWS

Why cash is king for small business

By Paul Cunningham, Associate, SMART Business Solutions Cash flow is an essential measure of a business's strength and must be regularly reviewed and improved to ensure the organisation not only survives but thrives. As one of the Associates at SMART Business Solutions, Paul Cunningham knows first-hand how a strong cash-flow position is crucial for business’ ability to weather any storm.

Most business owners understand the importance of cashflow, yet often in the day-to-day running of the business, their cash-flow is overlooked due to product or service development, or in their efforts to make another sale.” Paul said. “According to Xero Small Business Insights, only 49.8% of Australian small businesses were cash-flow positive in February of 2020 – before COVID lockdowns.

Many business owners respond to negative or low cash-flow with the response of needing to drive sales. Whilst this can help in some circumstances, sales revenue is only one driver of cash-flow. It is imperative that business owners take steps to ensure they are looking at other drivers that may be hurting their cash-flow.

In my experience in assisting business owners in improving their cash-flow, the following four actions are crucial to create meaningful change: 1. Understand how the cash-flow in your business works; 2.Prepare a cash-flow forecast; 3.Set a cash-flow improvement plan by setting goals and targets that will result in better cash-flow; and 4.Review the cash flow forecast and monitor your improvement plan.

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The first key component to understand is that cash-flow does not equal profit. Payments of GST, loan repayments and the purchase of assets will not affect your overall profit but will absolutely affect your overall cash flow.

Similarly, a sale where cash is not yet received will affect your profit but will not affect your cash-flow until the payment is received.

The second key component is the cash-flow conversion cycle.

It measures the days between when you make payment to your supplier (or other costs to produce a product) to how many days before you receive the cash from your customer.

The more days in the cycle, the longer your business is waiting before receiving the reward for funds you have already spent. For example, if after purchasing or producing your product you are unable to sell your product for 30 days, and then your customer takes 45 days to pay you, your cash conversion cycle is 75 days. For many businesses, 75 days is a long time to wait between initial outlay of funds to finally receiving cash in return.

If a business can reduce the number of days in the cash conversion cycle whilst maintaining their profit margins and sales, they will benefit with improved cash-flow.

BUSINESS NEWS

Once you understand cash conversion cycle you can begin to document a cash-flow forecast. A good cash-flow forecast should identify the points in time where cash-flow may be of concern. This in turn helps a business take steps to rectify any issues in those points to help them manage their costs better.

For example, a garden maintenance business may identify low points in their cash flow in the winter months. They may consider introducing some marketing or develop a service that targets those low points in time which is aimed to steady their cash-flow.

Start by identifying key drivers that impact the businesses cash flow and consider how they can be reviewed and improved.

Each business will be different in the types of drivers that will significantly affect its cash-flow. The following are two examples of key drivers which I believe many business owners could review to improve their cash flow.

example is whether or not you would use a bookkeeper.

Whilst you may be able to minimise your overheads by doing the books yourself, it’s important to consider the opportunity cost of the time you need to invest in self-managing your books. This is time where you are not actively working in or on your business. Unless you already have the skills and training to manage your own books it may be money well spent having a professional performing an essential task in half the amount of time that you would manage yourself.

By no means are these the only two drivers that impact your cash-flow. I would definitely recommend getting advice from a professional who can help you understand and monitor the key drivers in your business. A good accountant is worth their weight in gold. Cash-flow really is the life blood of any business.

It holds the key to business survival and adaptation, and the key to delivering overall value to business owners.

Average Debtor Days Average debtor days measures the days between issuing an invoice and receiving payment. Below is a list of essential action items you can take to improve debtor days: >

Ensure the invoice terms are clear and that your customers understand them

>

Ensure you are billing customers promptly

>

Offer easy payment options (consider online merchant facilities)

>

Use invoice reminders - accounting products such as Xero offer automatic reminders

More information Paul Cunningham, Associate SMART Business Solutions www.smartbusinesssolutions.com.au

Overhead Expenses Business owners should review their overhead costs to help improve their cash-flow. You can start by preparing a spending budget and look for areas where costs can be reduced or eliminated.

Be thoughtful with where you cut back. Some overheads will be drivers of value in your business such as marketing, accounting or business coaches. Avoid harsh spending cuts for the sake of it – consider if there is value there first. A great

natives / exotics / grasses ornamentals / contract grow specialists

INFO@TALL A TREES.COM.AU (03) 59830 166 | TALL TA TREES.COM.A T U GROUNDSWELL MARCH 2021

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Graham Ross: A national treasure Graham Ross started gardening at the age of four and has never stopped. And from humble beginnings, as a teenager he started working at his local garden centre, he has climbed the ranks to national treasure. of horticulture in Australia through ‘sustained exemplary conduct as a professional horticulturist’.

On Australia Day 2021 he received a Member of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours for; “significant service to the broadcast media, particularly to horticulture, and to the community.”

It’s one of many awards he’s racked up in a media career that spans more than 50 years.

In 2011 he was presented with London’s Royal Horticultural Society’s Veitch Memorial Medal (VMM) in recognition of his contribution to gardening and horticulture in Australia. The VMM is an international award issued annually

by London’s Royal Horticultural Society.

Ross is only the fourth Australian to receive the VMM since its inception in 1870.

He also picked up a Gold Laurel – Hall of Fame Award from the Horticultural Media Association in the same year.

In 2014 he won the Australian Institute of Horticulture’s Golden Wattle Award for the advancement of the profession

And he is the only Australian to have been appointed a Life Fellow of the prestigious Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Guild, London.

Most importantly he’s educated, entertained and inspired generations of Australian’s to enjoy the benefits of gardening. No matter what the forum and who the audience; Graham wears a broad smile, his trusty RM boots and serves up the same dependable advice.

He has loved attending the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show through the years and since his first taste has never missed a show.

Last year Graham was awarded with an honorary membership to the Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria. He has been a long-time supporter and advocate of the NGIV and whenever called upon has jumped at the opportunity to promote gardening to our MP’s.

Graham Ross

Congratulations to Graham, a true inspiration to so many.

Andrew Harford joins Transplant Systems Transplant Systems are pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Harford as our Sales and Service specialist for the NSW/ACT regions. Andrew joins a talented and experienced Team of production nursery automation specialists offering high quality advice, consultation, quoting, sales, installation and strong after-sales service to the horticultural industry.

“With lifelong experience in the horticultural industry, I’m naturally excited to join the Team at Transplant Systems. I’m looking forward to supporting the company’s drive to provide ‘best fit’ production and automation solutions to Australian nurseries – utilising machinery and technology from our Global Suppliers, Urbinati, Demtec and TTA,” said Andrew.

If you want to reach out to Andrew to congratulate him on his role and suggest ways you may be able to work together, call 0499 442 022 or email andrew@transplantsystems.com

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TRADE DAY REPORT

February Trade Day report

By Nan Cleven The timing of our February market was just right; very temperate conditions for the day after some fairly widespread rainfall across most regional areas during the week before – leading to an upbeat and brisk morning of trade.

With the Christmas holiday break now well behind us, it is back to business for most, all looking forward to capitalising on the boom in gardening in 2021.

«

Energetically declaring the start of Trade for our February market, Meika Longmuir from Alfresco took on the bell ringing task, with buyers, as always, very quick off the mark in response.

« Sunflower time – a bright and happy display on the Scotsburn stand, with Jason Randles right in the midst of it all.

On show, a sample from their vast range of indoor and outdoor pots made from concrete, glazed ceramic, rustic clay and a new lightweight fibreglass range designed specifically for indoors.

Karl and Juan very pleased with the interest shown by members to their first market, and are now keen to return on a regular basis.

Contact Karl Mandekic on 0403 151 899.

«

«

The Pot Dealer: A Melbourne based wholesaler of Pots, Garden accessories and Homewares.

Back on the Alfresco stand, Meika and her mum, Julia, share the limelight with their Valentine’s themed display. Their stock was quickly snapped up by eager buyers.

«

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Essentially Natural: Specialising in organic fertiliser, natural cleaning products, mould removal and biodegradable bags. Lachlan James and Sean Conran passing out complimentary samples of Australia’s most potent, organic liquid fertiliser – Swift Grow. They are also keen to return regularly to Trade Day to further establish connections with members. For more information please contact Lachlan James on 0409 552 331.

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A stunning display of indoor plants – we can always count on the crew from Yackandandah Valley Nursery to make an impact and it was no exception this month with buyers as keen as ever to source from their spectacular range.

Our February Coffee Cart was proudly sponsored by two of our Bronze Industry Partners, ICL Speciality Fertilizers and Native Plant Wholesalers

RETAIL STATE OF PLAY SPONSORED BY:

Representing ICL, Roger Boyle was keen to network with members during the morning. We found him sharing morning tea with Trent and Marcus from IMG, and Michael and Ian from Warners.

ICL are leaders in plant nutrition with their iconic Osmocote Controlled Release Fertiliser variants, as well as the Peters and Universol soluble ranges. They also provide growers with solutions to weed, pest and disease management, through their advances in technology, and personalised consultancy services. Contact Roger Boyle on 0418 350 984

Lovely display at Town & Country Gardens, Malvern

Inspire, Display, Inform and Delight MIFGS has regrettably been cancelled for March 2021, so it’s more important than ever this Autumn that you try very hard to promote plants and gardens to the masses. Yes, the last twelve months have been amazing, but you shouldn’t just presume they will continue. You and your staff need to make sales growth happen. Keep displays up to date and innovate.

Try new ways of displaying. Change is good.

Have you updated your online presence properly yet?

I know a number of garden centres rushed in during Stage 4 restrictions with a less than perfect online presence but got by with it, just. Winter will be the time to get it right but think about it NOW. It is interesting to see the number of online indoor plant businesses still increasing. Don’t worry about them but observe what they are doing and learn. Many of their photos are brilliant and you can see online how some of the bricks and mortar boutique shops display their plants. The way they display and promote is impressive, so learn from them and borrow their ideas Gardens & Plants are Therapy for Body & Mind

Native Plant Wholesalers is one of the larger native plant growers in Australia producing an extensive range of quality plants. They have developed a unique range of plants and labels, including many PBR varieties. Unfortunately they were unable to attend this Trade Day but please contact Jason Dawe (0407 601 420) for assistance.

Follow GCA on Facebook for updates www.facebook.com/gardenreleafaustralia

npw

Native Plant Wholesalers

Leigh Siebler Garden Centres of Australia leigh.siebler@bigpond.com M: 0409 889 779

www.gardenreleaf.com.au

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Callin ng all

NextGen’’e ers At NGIV we think it’s impo ortant to celebrate the next generation of horticulturallists. Our industry is full of peop p ple that have g gone from m appr pp entice right g up p to general manager or business owner; enjoying a career for life.

Each month in Groundswell we give a young horticulturalist the stage to share the journey they’ve been on and where they hope to get to. The article provides a bit of background on their passion and experience within the industry, their study and their personal interests. Not only is it a chance for them to share their achievements and dreams with the industry, it’s a chance for you, the employer to give them the credit they deserve.

If you’re an NGIV member and you have an employee that’s 35 or under that you think they deserves a bit of recognition, email ngiv@ngiv.com.au to find out how to have them featured in Groundswell.

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Irrigation Booms

INDUSTRY PARTNERS MAJOR CORPORATE

PRICE UPDATE

PLATINUM

Increased by $49.71 per tonne (2.54 cents per litre) Prices effective 1 March 2021 (inc GST) Cat

Cents per litre

Melbourne Geelong

Other

A

Base Price

89.87

90.42

91.52

91.96

B

Usage below 2,500 litres

80.52

81.07

82.06

82.61

C

Usage between 2,500 – 5,000 litres

79.97

80.52

81.52

82.06

D

Usage between 5,000 – 10,000 litres

78.32

78.87

79.86

80.41

E

Usage between 10,000 – 30,000 litres

77.22

77.77

78.76

79.31

F

Usage between 30,000 – 50,000 litres

76.67

77.22

78.21

78.76

GOLD

Mildura

SILVER

BRONZE

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