B&B Online - April 2014

VOL 66, NO. 4, APRIL 2014

WSNLA's Scholarship & Research Charitable Fund

Turn your yard and community into an inviting oasis. Before you pour a tall cool one, try planting one. The right trees and plants will transform an ordinary space into a memorable experience. Unearth a wealth of exterior decorating ideas at plant-something.org

The Fund distributes scholarships and grants annually to support horticultural education for students and funding for horticultural research. Donate Today!

(800) 672-7711.

The Fund is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization and accepts tax-deductible donations from both individuals and organizations. (Please consult your tax advisor for professional advice regarding deductibility of donations.) For information on contributing to the Fund, please contact the WSNLA oďŹƒce at (800) 672-7711.

(Left & Below) More great pictures of the WSNLA & WALP award winning display garden at the 2014 NW Flower & Garden Show. Pictures captured by LL Photography.

Cover Photo by Thomas Vogel.

Contents

Educating your customer on expectations AND expertise.

APRIL 2014 VOL 66. NO. 4

Published Monthly By: Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association 34400 Pacific Hwy S., Suite 2 Federal Way, WA 98003 800.672.7711 fax 253.661.6058 Subscription Price: $39 Annually Deadlines for news & advertising 5pm the 1st of the month preceding the first-of-the-month publication.

To place an advertisement, contact Breanne at (800) 672-7711 or breanne@ wsnla.org.

12 State of the Smart:

18 The Green Movement & Marketing

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association

Editor Breanne Chavez

Features Weather-Based Irrigation Controllers for Small and Medium Landscapes

The Official Publication of

Columns 4

From the President

5

Legislative Update

6

Executive Director

9

What You Missed Online

Departments 7

Member Notes

16

Industry News

18

Bugs & Blights

19

CPH of the Month

22

Chapter News

23

WSNLA Marketplace

30

Calendar of Events

WSNLA reserves the right to refuse any ads which are misleading, unethical, contrary to WSNLA policy, or which do not pertain to the nursery and landscape industry.

75 years & Growing

WSNLA www.wsnla.org

Executive Director Breanne Chavez e-mail breanne@wsnla.org Finance & Operations Director Holly Osborne, CPH e-mail holly@wsnla.org Industry Advancement Jeanne McNeil e-mail jmcneil@wsnla.org

Interested in sharing your opinions and comments with B&B readers? If you take the time to share your thoughtful comments, WSNLA will be sure to share them with B&B readers. Please submit to breanne@wsnla.org or by fax at (253) 661-6058.

Deadine: 1st of each month.

Š 2014, Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 3

[ FROM THE PRESIDENT ]

Happy Earth Day!

Megan Pulkkinen, CPH WSNLA President Megan Pulkkinen Landscape Design Bremerton

Lucky for us Earth Day is everyday. We are outside planting, sowing, teaching, growing, and enlightening people with what we produce, maintain, build, and share everyday.

Gardening can transform people. From the stressed out to the seemingly apathetic, gardens and plants work their magic like music and art to soothe us. What we do, from brightening a person’s day with a cheerful potted primula, to restoring the environment is consequential. We witness the positive effect our products, skills, and abilities bring to the people we serve everyday.

I imagine everyone in our business was influenced by the early environmental movement. The first photos of earth from space beautifully conveyed how interconnected we are to the health of our planet. From the old, “Keep America Beautiful”, campaign, to the contemporary, “Bright Green Environmentalism”, that is spreading high tech sustainability concepts globally.

Ideas, research, and information are coming at us at an accelerated rate. Our members, with their deep roots and diverse needs, are continuous adapting. They are innovating for the future of our industry, and their own sustainability in a demanding market.

While there may be times when it feels like we are not solving problems fast enough, our industry has made considerable progress and continues to do so. The speed of communication globally should quicken the pace on many fronts.

The positive environmental benefits of gardening that we share through our work will be integral to the solutions of our most vexing problems going forward. Sharing our passion, and telling our industry’s story, with people who were not brought up with an awareness of nature, or the opportunity to garden, is especially important to help increase the visibilty and strength of our industry.

From xeric’s to zinnias, hedgerows to huckleberries, encourage people to get out there and Plant Something!

It is good for them and the planet.

4 - The B&B Magazine

2014 Legislative Report Continued

Please thank your legislator, especially Representative JT Wilcox (Roy) and Senator Ann Rivers (La Center), for their support of E2SHB 2493 (ESSB 6286).

Heather Hansen WSNLA Lobbyist Olympia The legislature adjourned shortly before midnight on Thursday, March 13.

Watching the Senate pass the budget was inspiring. Member after member stood and spoke about the collaborative process and how happy they were that everyone had an opportunity to participate. Everyone gave a little, got a little, and was happy with the result.

Chair Senator Andy Hill, (R) Redmond and ranking democrat, Senator Jim Hargrove, (D) Hoquiam worked very well together and made what is typically a divisive process, a positive, collaborative process.

Long good-byes were given to three departing members of the Senate.

Senator Tracey Eide (D) Federal Way is retiring. Former Rep. Mark Miloscia will run for her seat as a Republican. Senator Adam Kline, (D) Seattle, is also retiring.

Senator Janea Holmquist-Newbry (R) Moses Lake, is running for Congress in hopes of filling the seat being vacated by the retiring Doc Hastings. No doubt there will be more before filing time to run for another term.

The highlight of the session for nursery producers was passage of House bill 2493 which allows land used to grow plants in containers to qualify for the ag land open space property tax program. This bill allows nursery

growers who grow plants in containers to be treated the same as any other type of agriculture. Retail nurseries that are not primarily growers will not qualify. Once the governor signs it, the bill will go into effect June 10, 2014.

WSNLA leadership invested significant time and energy in this bill. Ingrid Wachtler, Woodbrook Native Plant Nursery, WSNLA President Megan Pulkkinen , and Breanne Chavez, WSNLA Executive Director, all came to Olympia to testify. In addition, Mary and Dave Schactler, Eatonville Nursery testified, as did the Farm bureau.

We had wonderful sponsors.

Representative JT Wilcox, Roy called a meeting with the Department of Revenue before the legislative session began. Rep. Wilcox and Senator Ann Rivers of La Center sponsored the bill in their respective Houses. Both worked tirelessly to keep the bill moving after it was amended on both sides. Please thank them for their efforts on behalf of Washington’s nurseries.

The list below includes a wide variety of bills I tracked on behalf of WSNLA. I thought you may find the scope interesting. All but the top three died.

Some will be back next year.

Bills that Passed E2SHB 2493 (ESSB 6286) Land use/horticulture Position: Support Addresses land primarily used for

commercial horticultural purposes.

Clarifies and updates the definition of “farm and agricultural land” as it is used under the property tax open space program.

SSB 5123 Farm internship program Position: Neutral Requires the director of the department of labor and industries to establish a farm internship pilot project for the employment of farm interns on small farms in certain counties.

HB 2137 Commercial motor vehicles Modifies commercial motor vehicle provisions relating to: (1) Lamps, reflectors, and flags on a projecting load; (2) The Washington state patrol’s authority to adopt and enforce certain regulations regarding hazardous materials, cargo tank motor vehicles, and agricultural operations; and (3) Exceptions to the requirement of certain vehicles to stop at railroad grade crossings.

High Priority Bills HB 2286 Small business tax credit Repeals certain farm-related tax preferences to fund an increase in the small business tax credit.

SB 6087 Water quality & ag viability Position: Support Continued on page 8.

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 5

75 Years & Growing

WSNLA www.wsnla.org

[ FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ]

2MUST things you know...

“What a Great Industry”

1. WSNLA Is Excited to Announce FOUR New Additions to the WSNLA Board of Directors. The

2014 WSNLA Board of Directors has added Chris Sexton-Smith, CPH, Lake Washington Institute of Technology (Horticulture Educator Caucus), Ben DeGoede, CPH, Windmill Gardens (Retail Caucus Chair), Kirsten Lints, CPH, Gardens Alive Design (Seattle Chapter President), and Stephen Serafin, Quality Landscapes (Olympic Chapter President). Plus, Bill Raynolds, My Garden Nursery, has moved up the chairs to serve on the WSNLA Executive Committee as Vice President.

Your WSNLA Leadership is continuously working to serve the professional nursery and landscape industry in Washington state. Your communication plays a big part in their effective service. Be sure to reach out to them with issues, both good and bad, that are impacting your business. A complete list of WSNLA Board of Directors can be found on page 6.

2. Did you know that WSNLA recommends individuals to certain Boards, Commissions and Committees? As a leading nursery and

landscape organization it is our responsibility to ensure ongoing representation on several key industry stakeholder groups. To that extend, current openings include: Retail Nursery Representative: Nursery Advisory Committee; Landscape Representative: Nursery Advisory Committee; and WSNLA Scholarship & Charitable Research Fund.

Please contact Breanne at breanne@wsnla.org or (800) 672-7711 to find out more about these great opportunities to represent your industry.

Breanne Chavez WSNLA Executive Director On Friday, March 28, Governor Inslee signed into law legislation that WSNLA worked hard to pass during this year’s short legislative session. The bill, which addresses land primarily used for commercial horticultural purposes, clarifies and updates the definition of “farm and agricultural land” as it is used under the property tax open space program.

Our legislative efforts began late last year when it was brought to the WSNLA Board of Directors attention that nurseries growing in containers were not being allowed to participate in the property tax open space program.

Since January, Ingrid Wachtler (Woodbrook Native Plant Nursery), WSNLA President Megan Pulkkinen, and myself visited the Capitol several times to testify in support of this bill. WSNLA Lobbyist Heather dedicated countless hours of coordination and communication which was instrumental to our success. As was the work of our prime sponsor, Representative J.T. Wilcox, who pushed throughout the short session to keep the bill moving.

Partnering organizations, such as Washington Farm Bureau, showed support of these efforts, as well. Ensuring that nurseries are treated as a part of agriculture is an ongoing effort and having various industry partners that align with our diverse membership needs plays a huge part in our successes.

All this hard work payed off on March 28 when the bill was signed into law. At the bill signing, I introduced myself and personally thanked Govener Inslee. Upon stating my organization affiliation, Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association, he happily and politely responded... What a great industry.

Yes, Governor Inslee... that in fact it is!

6 - The B&B Magazine

WSNLA

Member Notes

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association

Thank You For Your Participation

Thank you to everyone that participated in the WSNLA member survey that was sent out via eNewsletter. While your comments are still being analyzed, a brief synopsis has been shared with the WSNLA Board of Directors. Next month’s B&B Magazine will feature results from the member survey. If you have not had an opportunity to respond or did not receive the survey notice, please contact WSNLA at (800) 672-7711 or breanne@wsnla.org to have a survey be resent.

New WSNLA Members WSNLA would like to welcome the following individuals and businesses to the WSNLA Community.

Rodney Pond, ecoPRO

Edmonds Community College 5453 26th Ave SW Seattle, WA 98106 206-226-6637 Rodney.pond@gmail.com Affiliate Member, Seattle Chapter

Janine Ordway, ecoPRO

Seattle Department of Transportation 10626 2nd Pl SW Seattle, WA 98146 JanineO@comcast.net Affiliate Member, Seattle Chapter

Jerome Kosman

Manager, Cambium Inc. 701 34th Ave Seattle, WA 98122 206-860-7625 Jerome@cambiumlandscape.com Affiliate Member, Seattle Chapter

Janell Patterson

11600 26th Ave SW Burien, WA 98146 206-715-4016 janellolney@gmail.com Student Members, Seattle Chapter

Plantscapes, Inc.

Dustin Madden, ecoPRO 1127 Poplar Place South Seattle, WA 98144 206-623-7100 dmadden@plantscapes.com www.plantscapes.com Regular Member, Landscape Caucus Seattle Chapter

2013 WSNLA Officers Megan Pulkkinen, CPH, President Megan Pulkkinen Landscape Design 360-698-1865 | megancph@hotmail.com Tim Gray, President Elect Pacific Stone Company 425-258-1911 | timg@pacificstoneco.com Bill Raynolds, My Garden, Vice President 206-406-3487 | mygardennursery@gmail.com Duane Job, Treasurer Job’s Nursery 509-547-4843 | duanejob@gmail.com Jan Nielsen, Past President Marenakos Rock Center 425-392-3313 | jann@marenakos.com

WSNLA Board of directors Ingrid Wachtler, CPH Woodbrook Native Plant Nursery 253-265-6271 | woodbrk@harbornet.com Mount Rainier President Ryan Carpenter, Sunbreak Nursery 360-384-3763 | ryan@sunbreaknursery.com Northwest Chapter President Stephen Serafin, Quality Landscapes 360-385-6663 | qualitylandscapes @cablespeed.com Olympic Chapter President Kirsten Lints, CPH, Gardens ALIVE Design 425-318-2971 | kirsten@gardensALIVEdesign.com Seattle Chapter President Peter Van Well, III, Van Well Nursery 509-886-8189 | pete2@vanwell.net North Central Chapter President Toni Cross, CPH, Toni Cross Seasonal Color Pots 206-781-1060 | toni@seasonalcolorpots.com Design Caucus Chair Gregory Smaus, CPH, Native Root Designs 206-227-4458 | gregory@nativerootdesigns.com Landscape Caucus Chair Mary Ranahan, Cedar Grove Composting 206-963-0428 | mary.ranahan@cgcompost.com Horticultural Supplier Caucus Chair Chris Smith | Lake Washington Institute of Technology 425-739-8424 | chris.smith@lwtech.edu Horticulture Educator Caucus Chair Scott Pringle, CPH, Paradise Lake Nursery 206-930-4132 | paradiselakenursery@gmail.com Wholesale Nursery Caucus Chair Shannon Grina, CPH, Grina Landscape Design 425-736-5170 | shannong99@comcast.net CPH Caucus Chair Ben DeGoede, CPH, Windmill Gardens 253-863-5843 | info@windmillgardens.com Open Positions: Greenhouse Grower Caucus Chair & Out of State Caucus Chair

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 7

2014 Legislative Report Continued Protecting water quality while maintaining and enhancing the viability of agriculture. Declares that: (1) The protection of normal and customary agricultural practices upon agricultural land is essential to maintaining the public welfare in its highest state, supporting the farm and ranch capacity to produce good local food, and preserving open spaces; and (2) State and federal agencies, in working to achieve nonpoint agricultural water quality improvements, must also take precautions to protect the economic viability of agricultural operations and minimize the conversion of agricultural land to other uses.

Provides that the legislature intends that normal and customary agricultural activities protected from over-regulation under federal law be granted equivalent protection from over-regulation under state law. Directs government agencies tasked with protecting water quality to work cooperatively with agricultural landowners and conservation districts in order to fully utilize new and existing voluntary incentives and promote nonpoint agricultural water quality solutions to the maximum extent practicable before taking any nonpoint water quality enforcement action.

Medium Priority Bills SHB 2230 Employee reimbursement Position: Concerns Requires an employer to reimburse his or her employee for the cost of a cell phone and cell phone plan if the employer requires the employee to use a cell phone in the discharge of his or her duties.

HB 2264 B&O tax relief Position: Support Provides tax relief on business and occupation taxes by allowing a person to deduct the greater of: (1) Thirty percent of gross income; (2) Cost of goods sold; or (3) Compensation.

2SSB 6214 Industrial hemp production Concerning industrial hemp production.

8 - The B&B Magazine

Provides that industrial hemp is an agricultural product that may be grown, produced, possessed, and commercially traded in this state. Requires Washington State University, subject to funding, to study the feasibility and desirability of industrial hemp production in this state.

Other Bills SHB 2147 Contractor certification Establishes the independent contractor certification act. Allows a person who regularly and customarily performs services at a location other than the person’s own fixed business location to apply for an independent contractor exemption certificate.

SHB 2201 State tax preferences Establishes consistent standards for the collection of data to improve analysis of tax preferences and their benefits and public policy objective outcomes for taxpayers and relevant industries.

Makes the information subject to public disclosure wherever possible to enable and improve lawmakers’ and the public’s understanding of the benefits and costs of tax preferences and ensures that the release of the information does not cause economic harm to taxpayers claiming the preferences.

ESHB 2306 Farm and ag land/current use Position: Support Concerning current use valuation for farm and agricultural land. Requires the department of revenue to provide guidance to the state’s county assessors in order to: (1) Assure fair, uniform, and consistent practices statewide in the administration of chapter 84.34 RCW (open space, agricultural, and timber lands--current use--conservation futures); (2) Provide access to the current use program for all eligible farms; and (3) Support the preservation of the state’s working lands and agricultural economy.

SHB 2331 Public works payroll records Requires contractors and subcontractors

on public works projects to submit current, complete, and accurate certified payroll records before any payment is made or retainage is released to the contractor.

HB 2672 Minimum hourly wage increase Position: Oppose Increasing the minimum hourly wage to twelve dollars over three years.

HB 2740 Vehicle loads permit fees Requires five hundred thousand dollars of the fees collected for overweight and over height permits and regular license and tonnage fees deposited in the motor vehicle fund to be used by the department of transportation to implement and maintain an automated system that maintains a database of the state’s bridge inventory and the associated structural designs, specifications, and weight limits.

SSB 6280 Farm vehicle DOT numbers Position: Support Exempts certain motor vehicles owned and operated by farmers from department of transportation number requirements.

SB 6288 (HB 2472) Water quality determinations Position: Support Addresses determinations made by the department of ecology with regard to water quality. Requires certain determinations by the department of ecology to be based on a preponderance of actual site-based, source-specific environmental testing.

SB 6464 (HB 2221) Health insurance coverage Expands health insurance coverage options for Washington citizens by: (1) Allowing health carriers to continue to offer certain individual or small group health plans in the market that do not meet the requirements of the federal affordable care act; and (2) Allowing out-of-state carriers to offer insurance products in Washington.

What You Missed Online Events, News, Research & Happenings.

North Central Chapter Presents Perleberg with Award

Gie Perleberg, and her husband Carl, have been awarded the WSNLA Harold Young Lifetime Achievement Award for her dedication and involvement in the nursery industry. A complete feature on the Perleberg’s will be included in next month’s B&B Magazine.

Green Industry Legislative Ambassadors On February 27, nursery and landscape professionals gathered at the Capitol in Olympia to build relationships with legislators, addresss business concerns and promote the benefits of the green industry. (Left to right) Patty Anderson, Heather Hansen, Wade Bartlett, Toni Cross, Megan Pulkkinen, Linda Carroll, Breanne Chavez. Not pictured: Jan Nielsen, Rick Longnecker, Robert DeWitt, Richard Casey.

Mt. Rainier Chapter Discusses Marketing with Hume & Dunn.

“So often we are so busy working in our business, we forget to work on our business”, said Josh Dunn, publisher of South Sound and 425 Magazines. “It is important to designate time to work on our business.”

It’s a simple tip, but one that resonated with the group of nursery and landscape professionals that attended the February Mt. Rainier Chapter meeting hosted at Sue Goetz’s, The Urban Garden Company in Tacoma. The informal discussion lead by Dunn incorpated consumer buying trends and a round robin discussion for the group about personal marketing success and failures. Ed Hume shared many tips that have proven successesful for him throughout the years. Spurring the most comments and discussion was his comment about ‘to never under estimate the value of a handwritten note’. Hume is legendary for his personal and handwritten notes that are valued AND remembered by all who receive them. Further discussion was given to the value of print remaining an effective communication and marketing channel.

Additional photos of WSNLA Chapter events are posted on facebook. com/WSNLA.

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 9

Factoids to Share

Help Spread the Word About the Benefits of Plants & Trees!

Did you know? One tree can remove 26 pounds of

carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually, equaling 11,000 miles of car emissions. - Virginia Cooperative Extension.

When you plant a hydrangea or maple, you get plenty more than just pretty flowers and leaves. While standing there looking gorgeous, flowers, trees and grasses are also busy doing janitorial service on the environment. In urban and suburban settings, vegetation helps reduce stormwater runoff, decreases pollutants and suspended solids in surface water runoff, and reduces sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide and particulate matter from the air.

Did you know? Adding a beautiful landscape to a home can increase its value by up to 15% and can accelerate its sale by five to six weeks. - American Nursery & Landscape Association.

GardenWashing

ton.com

A great way to put more green in your pocket is to start putting more of it in the ground. A beautiful landscape increases the value of any home or property. And it sure beats painting. Ever compare the price of houses on a tree-lined street versus comparable places on a barren boulevard? The difference will make anyone an instant plant lover.

Did you know? Just three properly placed trees can save an average household between $100 and $250 in annual heating and cooling costs. - U.S. Department of Energy

Planting greenery and enjoying its beauty have been proven to lower your blood pressure and heart rate. What’s more, they can substantially lower your home’s temperature and energy bill. By carefully positioning trees and shrubs to shelter your house from the sun and wind, you can reduce your heating and cooling energy consumption by as much as 25%, which should lower your blood pressure even more!

Did you know? The better the landscaping in common

areas of a neighborhood, the more those spaces are used by residents, hence the more opportunities there are for social interaction between neighbors. - University of Illinois One of the most important factors in neighborhood satisfaction is the abundance of trees and well-landscaped grounds. Public spaces are like backyards we all own together. Community gardens encourage community participation. Such is the power of plants to attract people – both to public spaces and to each other.

12 - The B&B Magazine

WSNLA

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association

Want to improve your quality of life? Get your hands dirty and plant something!

WSNLA Spring Plant Something Campaign Begins in April and continues through June! deadline: April 15 This year, WSNLA’s Spring Plant Something Campaign is partnering with Great Plant Picks and Ciscoe Morris! Ciscoe will select 10 plants from this year’s Great Plant Picks palette ‘Plants that Make Scents’ to promote to his enthusiastic gardening community!

Participating nurseries will have ‘insider’ information and marketing tools’ to plan ahead to create vibrant in-store displays and manage their customer promotion.

Plus, because Great Plant Picks is full of awesome plant selections, nurseries can expand their displays to include GPP any and all selections that are sure to show well, perform and encourage gardeners to Plant Something!

Below are three great opportunities for your nursery to participate, including a package that brings Ciscoe to your nursery for a 2-hour garden talk!!

1. Beginner Level. Cost. $950

Plant notification, location on map, and sign.

< CLICK HERE to listen to last year’s Plant Something radio spot. >

3. Ciscoe Appearance Level. Cost $4,500

Everything outlined above including with the following changes...

- Ciscoe appearance at your nursery for one of his popular 2 hour Garden Talks.

- 10 dedicated :10 commercials for your Nursery airing Wednesday - Sunday during prime day parts promoting Ciscoe’s appearance.

30 mentions of your Nursery and location in Plant of the Week announcements.

2. Growing Level. Cost: $2,400

One prominent Ciscoe Plant Something sign to display at nursery.

- 15 mentions of your Nursery and location during “Gardening with Ciscoe” Show. Each announcement will mention 2-3 geographically diverse IGCs.

- Mention in 12 commercials during Gardening with Ciscoe Radio Show Saturdays 10a-12n.

- Logo included in Ciscoe web ad targeted to a 20 mile radius of your location. 75,000+ impressions.

- Plant Picks notice - Notice of Ciscoe’s picks will be emailed 2-3+ weeks in advance

If you would like dedicated :30 or :60 radio spots please call Randy Foley 253-677-8777.

- Plant Picks links - This year the program is set up for you to easily push the content out over your social media and email databases.

Supporting marketing tools include: “Why Ciscoe loves it”, plant description, growing instructions. Just another opportunity to engage customers and encourage them to Plant Something!

- Location of your nursery on the Plant Something Landing Page map on MyNorthwest.com/ciscoe. This way customers can find you.

WSNLA is excited about partnering with Ciscoe and Great Plant Picks for this year’s Spring Plant Something campaign! If you are interested in being a part of this opportunity, please complete the Spring Plant Something Campaign form and return to breanne@wsnla.org or fax at (253) 661-6058 by March 31.

- In addition, your logo, address, phone number and link will be shown.

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association -11

“State of the Smart”:

Weather-Based Irrigation Controllers for Small and Medium Landscapes

by Howard Stenn | Stenn Design

Ten years ago a slew of new irrigation controllers promised to bring the functions of central control systems to easy to use models affordable for residential and small commercial landscapes. These “smart” controllers used on-site sensors and historic weather data to adjust irrigation run times based on weather conditions, and provide optimal moisture for plants. Some got data from regional weather stations using wireless connections—potentially allowing remote monitoring and adjustments.

Today the smart control pioneers— WeatherTrak, WeatherSet, AquaConserve, have faded or licensed their technologies to industry mainstays: Rainbird, Hunter and others have developed (sometimes) easier to use models that sell for $150 at big box retailers. Hunter’s Solar Sync sensors can be added to make older controllers “smart” for half as much. However remote monitoring and control are not yet common features in this market niche. Models that include these functions require special training and technical support, which pushes them into a different customer range.

As an irrigation auditor for local water utilities I have seen many smart control installations, and I routinely ask contractors for their opinions on these technologies. . Surprisingly, most contractors do not have first-hand experience with smart controls, yet they often have negative opinions about them. Most professionals who have tried simple smart controls report good results with significant savings, and effective plant-saving adjustments during hot 12 - The B&B Magazine

Most professionals who have tried simple smart controls report good results with significant savings, and effective plant-saving adjustments during hot spells. spells. The most important key—and barriers, to successful use of smart controls are: - Proper programming - Good sensor location, - Fine-tune the program during the first summer.

Programming

There are two common programming methods used for smart controllers, and each has benefits and drawbacks. There are users who swear by—and at—both programming methods, so it seems to be a matter of individual understanding and preference.

Hunter, Irritrol and Rainbird offer smart controllers that simply adjust user-set watering schedules and peak season run times. These controllers are easy to set up, however the savings can be limited by the accuracy of the base program. (Rainbird’s ET Cartridge can be programmed either way).

Smart controllers from WeatherMatic, Toro and some Rainbird models are programmed by entering information about the plants, soil, exposure and sprinkler type in each zone. These controllers calculate every aspect of the program, which may be more accurate

than programs set by homeowners and uniformed professionals. However these systems assume precipitation rates based on sprinkler types that may be inaccurate (for example all sprays are assumed to apply 1.5 inches per hour—but in practice sprays can apply 1” to 2.5” per hour), and it is time-consuming to override these default settings.

Good sensor location.

It is essential to mound on-site weather sensors for smart controls in a sunny spot that catches direct rays and rain unobstructed by trees, walls or eaves.

An open spot that gets shade for a few hours a day is not adequate. The controller adjusts a program that is set for shady conditions, so if the sensor is in shade it will double the adjustment (plus the plants may be competing for water with the trees shading them). Wireless sensors allow placement in a sunny spot.

If there is no sunny spot practical, then the schedule will need to be adjusted up to compensate—which can take a fair amount of experimenting.

Fine-tune the program during the first summer.

Effective use of smart controls depends on learning and fine tuning on the part of the operator and the equipment. Users often report that regional settings for

Commonly Available Smart Controllers Programming Set base run times for each zone on controller.

Input details about exposure, soil, root depth and plants for each zone.

Can be set using either method

Controller

Sensor

Features

Hunter PCC, Pro-C, ICC, SRC, XC

Solar Sync Module plus Sensor

Retrofit module for older controllers.

Hunter I-Core, Hunter X-Core

Solar Sync Sensor

Capacity built into controller, just add sensor.

Irritrol RainDial-R, Total Control-R or Kwik-Dial

Climate Logic Module plus Sensor

Module and sensor required.

Rain Bird ESP-SMT.

SMT Sensor

Difficult to use as standard controller if smart features don’t work out.

Toro XTRA SMART

XTRA SMART Sensor and SMART POD

Programming only on PC, transferred to controller using USB “Pod”

Weathermatic Smartline

SLW Weather Station

Uses wireless connection to retrieve weather data. Monthly fee may be required.

Rainbird LXME, LXD (2-wire)

ET Manager

location result in under-watering during peak season, and need to be adjusted up. Another commonly reported issue is that wireless sensors lose connectivity soon after initial set up, and need to be reset a few times before the sender and receiver establish a consistent connection. Both of these issues seem to be limited to start-up period, that do not recur once resolved.

Bottom Line

Smart irrigation controls have evolved to become a reliable technology that is effective at saving water and labor, and keeping plants healthy if the operator understands proper installation and programming. Advanced features that allow remote monitoring and adjustments always seem to be “just around the corner”, which hopefully really is just around the corner.

Howard Stenn of Stenn Design is a consultant and teacher who assists local utilities and private companies with irrigation efficiency and sustainable landscape management.

Carter Evans Wood Concepts The Ultimate Natural Addition To Your Landscaping Projects!

- Large selection of salvaged landscape wood. You can pick up or we will deliver.

- Outstanding old growth Western Red Cedar pieces salvaged from the forest floor.

- Use as center pieces, water features, bulkheads, seats, planters boarders & more Visit landscapewood.com to purchase by picture number, or call 360-482-5555 if you would like to come by and look.

Email: john.evans@landscapewood.com 2 miles West of Elma, take the Schouweiler exit.

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 13

The Green Movement & Marketing Educating customers and clients in sustainable practices

by Ladd Smith, In Harmony Sustainable Landscapes

“... we will be able to thrive in this new time because we have wonderful stories to tell about how we changed the course of the planet one landscape at a time.”

About In Harmony: In Harmony is a sustainable landscape company serving the Puget Sound region. They provide design, installation and care of landscapes that are healthy for people, pets and the environment.

Their mission is founded on the belief that we are all stewards of the planet and have a shared responsibility for its care. Education is key to effecting this change. In Harmony is committed to educating the public and our customers about sustainable approaches in landscapes and the environmental and human impacts of such practices. And, they strive to be a vital influence in promoting practices that will help protect our environment for future generations.

There is a lot of chatter about the green movement and how the landscape industry has been trying to move towards it. When my business partner and I started In Harmony in 1994, we said from the very beginning that we were helping our clients with an organic approach to taking care of landscapes. We kept asking ourselves, “How can we be in the green business, because most of what we do to landscapes has nothing to do with being green?”

When I started in the landscape business, about 30 years ago, our industry was an easy target for reasons that we were not green: we used a lot of pesticides, we used a lot of high nitrogen fertilizers, our equipment was loud and polluting, we used a lot of precious water to keep plants growing and we sold ourselves for the cheapest prices to get work. (The last reason made it difficult for us to make any “green”).

Much has changed in the last 30 years, while some things never change (like how to charge enough to make money). When we discuss what we do with our clients, we have changed our message from being a ‘maintenance company’ to an ‘aftercare company’. In our minds, the term maintenance means that we keep things the way they are, like a janitor who makes the bathrooms look brand new every night. As horticultural professionals, if we do our work right, we do not just maintain the area, we enhance the garden: ornamental plants get bigger and more colorful, the lawn gets thicker and lusher, more wildlife finds food and shelter in our gardens and we can use less water to achieve these results.

At In Harmony, we believe as true horticulturalists, we have the power to change how the entire landscape is managed and cared for. Now-a-days we have the knowledge to explain how we can help create a garden that becomes a tremendous environmental benefit.

- We now have the technology to create rain gardens, helping to collect and cleanse water from downspouts and runoff, with a direct result of reducing the impact on our storm water systems.

- We can create gardens that produce food, to help feed neighbors, family and friends and support our local food banks with fresh fruits and produce.

- We can create wildlife gardens and buffers, helping to preserve a little space for food and shelter for the other creatures in our world.

- We can create gardens with little or no pesticides, providing a space that is toxic-free

14 - The B&B Magazine

We are now entering a time when the industry has a chance to explain what we can do for the client and why our methods can make such a huge difference. We are the experts and we have the knowledge that they are looking for. for all people and creatures great and small to live in.

The key to all these possibilities is our communication skills. Our skills usually are tilted towards being doers. We like working with our hands and making things happen. When was the last time you went to an expert like a doctor, dentist or accountant? Did you walk in and start telling them which organs to remove, which teeth to pull or where to put your depreciation? No. We approached them as experts; share with them about our concerns and then we listened as they explain, because of all their knowledge and expertise, what is the best approach.

As professionals, we are transitioning from a time when the client told us what they wanted; no weeds, no pests, perfect green all the time, plants that were kept small and tidy, etc. We are now entering a time when the industry has a chance to explain what we can do for the client and why our methods can make such a huge difference. We are the experts and we have the knowledge that they are looking for. The only way to help them out is to be a solid communicator.

We need to explain that Mother Nature works slowly over time and our methods can take time to see results. We, as professionals, need to get them to understand that we all need to have a little tolerance for a few weeds and insects; without some aphids, what will the lady bugs eat? If a situation is getting out of hand, as experts we have the expertise and knowledge to use the methods that will help bring the situation back to balance.

If we are to survive in this new realm, we need to sharpen our written and oral communication skills. We will find as our communication skills get better, we will be able to thrive in this new time because we have wonderful stories to tell about how we changed the course of the planet one landscape at a time.

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 15

Industry News Horticultural Research Institute Calls for Research Proposals Proposals Accepted Through June 1, 2014 The Horticultural Research Institute is now accepting research project proposals designed to improve green industry efficiencies and profitability.

Proposals for the 2015 grant cycle are due no later than June 1, 2014.

The Horticultural Research Institute’s mission is to direct, fund, promote, and communicate horticultural research.

Supporting research that advances current methodologies, develops better technology, and bridges the divide between businesses and the consumer is exactly how HRI helps build prosperous businesses, advance the green industry, and fulfill its core vision.

Researchers are encouraged to submit proposals for research in the areas of horticultural marketing and consumer purchasing practices, pest and disease management and control, and sustainable production and environmental resource management.

Projects may include, but are not limited to:

- Research that expands the market for plant material; - Research that increases crop producers’ business and financial expertise; - Environmentally responsible management practices; - Radio frequency identification (RFID) in crop production systems; and - Regulatory issues and emerging opportunities in the horticulture industry.

Applicants are further encouraged to present projects that represent collaborative research efforts. Researchers are challenged to focus their research on attainable outcomes that demonstrate a return on investment for all sectors of the horticulture industry.

Grant awards typically range from $5,000 to $35,000. The Horticultural Research Institute encourages investigators to seek out matching funds as part of the proposal application process, although matching funds are not required. The grant application and procedural guidelines are available on the www.hriresearch.org.

In Memory Of Stuart Thomas MacQueen Imrie, 80, passed away on February 27, 2014 in Enumclaw. Born 1933 in Montreal Canada, he and his family moved to the Santa Clara Valley in California where he lived for the next 30-years. After a brief stint in the Army, he met and married Jeanette with whom he celebrated his 53rd wedding anniversary shortly before his passing. In 1977, Stuart, his wife, 4 children and parents moved to Bonney Lake, where he and Jeanette lived for 37 years. Stuart was a tile setter in California and many of his neighbor’s homes still retain evidence of his handiwork. While he still set tile after moving to Washington, his next passion was for fishing. He was a commercial fisherman for several years, many of those with his son Neil as his fishing companion. Later in life, rhododendrons became his greatest success. He owned and operated the Lake Tapps Rhododendron Garden and Nursery, which has been a local beauty spot for almost 30 years. Stuart is responsible for creating many new hybrids of great beauty, a tradition that his son continues today. Stuart is survived by his wife Jeanette, brother, children, and eight grandchildren. For those wishing to share their condolences and memories, please sign his guestbook at www. weeksfuneralhome.com 16 - The B&B Magazine

Make A Call To 811 Part of Your Springtime Plans Spring is finally here! Before you reach for that shovel to start digging, remember to call 811, the national callbefore-you-dig number, to ensure that buried utility lines are marked. NW Natural joins Oregon and Washington utility notification centers in recognizing April as National Safe Digging Month.

Throughout April, NW Natural will be promoting National Safe Digging Month through statewide outreach and local events.

Striking an underground utility line while digging can cause harm to you or those around you, disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, and potentially result in fines and repair costs.

A call must be placed to 811 before every digging project, from simple landscaping projects like planting trees or shrubs, to building a deck or installing a rural mailbox.

Here’s how it works: • One free, simple phone call to 811 makes it easy for your local utility notification center to notify all appropriate utility companies of your intent to dig.

• Call at least two business days prior to digging to ensure enough time for utility lines to be properly marked.

• When you call 811, a representative from your local utility notification center will ask for the location and description of your digging project.

• The utility notification center will notify affected utility companies, who will then send a professional locator to the proposed dig site to mark the approximate location of your lines.

• Once lines have been properly marked, roll up those sleeves and carefully dig around the marked areas.

Industry News February Storms Increase Washington Snowpack to Near Normal Levels Snotel Site MarkerFebruary saw two to three times normal snowfall, putting Washington State snowpack at near normal levels according to data from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in its third 2014 forecast. Well above average precipitation along with cooler than normal temperatures brought much needed relief to both the mountain snowpack and soil moisture in the valleys. Forecasts for spring and summer runoff have increased dramatically over last month as well.

In February, the National Weather Service and NRCS climate stations reported a higher probability of above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation, and longterm predictions also indicate a chance of above normal temperatures but uncertainty on precipitation. Source: United States Department of Agricuture. Natural Resource Conservation Service - Washington.

The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Pacific Northwest nursery growers of the May 1, 2014, sales closing date for 2015 Nursery MultiPeril Crop Insurance (MPCI) coverage.

MPCI Nursery insurance provides protection for wholesale nurseries producing and marketing nursery plants grown in standard nursery containers or in the field. Coverage is based on a plant inventory value report (PIVR) that declares a value of insurable plants (the lower of a nursery grower’s own prices or prices contained in a Plant Price Schedule maintained by USDA). New policy applications may be filed at any time, however, all applications, including those for new or amended coverage, are subject to a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins. Current nursery policyholders may request changes in coverage and/ or obtain the Pilot Nursery Grower’s Price Endorsement (NGPE) in Oregon and Washington before the May 1 sales closing deadline. Local crop insurance agents are available to provide program details that reflect the grower’s nursery inventory. A list of crop insurance agents is available at www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents/ .

In Memory Of It is with a sad heart we share the news of the passing of Robert ‘Bob’ Metke, 75, longtime La Conner resident and industry leader, who died Saturday, March 1, 2014 at Evergreen Hospice in Kirkland.

Bob’s mission in life was to make others smile and bring them cheer and fun, which he accomplished to the highest degree. He was well known for his vibrant and outrageous outfits, from ‘flat hats’ to tie-dye socks, not to mention his amazing collection of crocs!

Memorial donations in Bob’s name can be made to Pediatric Epilepsy Program — in honor of grandson Justin Metke, c/o Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Foundation, 1121 SW Salmon St., Suite 100, Portland, OR 97205, phone 503-552-0690; or to Pilchuck Glass School, 430 Yale Ave. N, Seattle, WA, 98109, phone 206-621-8422, ext. 26 Learn more about the colorful stamp Bob left on the industry, and this earth, in next month’s B&B Magazine.

Edmonds Community College Offering Courses in Low Impact Develpment and Restoration Work.

Edmonds Community College is offering three courses during the spring quarter that may be of particular interest to landscape professionals looking to boost their qualifications in low impact development solutions and edge into restoration work: HORT 255C: Low Impact Landscaping, Thursdays 1pm - 3:50pm, 4/10-6/19 HORT 255E: Introduction to Restoration Ecology, Mondays 1pm - 4:50pm, 4/7 - 6/16 HORT 270: Restorative Design, Tuesdays, 6pm - 8:50pm, 4/8 - 6/17.

For more information on these courses contact Timothy Hohn, Instructor & Chair at thohn@email.edcc.edu or (425) 640-1454.

South Seattle Community College Offers Nursery & Landscape Courses for Spring Quarter.

Whether your goal is professional development, personal growth, or earning a degree, South Seattle Community College is offering an array of horticulture offerings this Spring.

Courses include: Nursery Operations, Spring Plant Identification; Native Plants; Perennial Plant Identification; Landscape Management; Plant Problem Diagnostics; Advanced Plant Propagation; Advanced Irrigation—Diagnostics & Repair; Edible Trees, Shrubs & Vines; Residential Landscape Design III; Dynascape Landscape Design; Landscape Construction Project.

Find out more about these great classes at http://classes.southseattle.edu/. For more information about Landscape Horticulture classes at South, contact: - Sarah Skamser, 206.934.6718 | Sarah.Skamser@seattlecolleges.edu - Van Bobbitt, 206.934.6717 | Van.Bobbitt@seattlecolleges.edu - Daniel Dillard, 206.934.5302 | Daniel.Dillard@seattlecolleges.edu Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association -17

ecoPRO Promotion NEXT TRAINING/EXAM November 2014! ecoPRO study materials are available for purchase in hardcopy or eBook formats. Visit www.WSNLA.org/ecoPROcertified.

Who can become certified?

To be eligible for certification, you must meet one or more of the following requirements: - Be certified by a professional horticultural association (APLD, IA, ISA, WALP/PLANET, WSNLA); - Be a licensed landscape architect or a graduate of an accredited landscape architecture program; - Have 3-years landscape experience as well as a horticultural degree or a degree in a related field. ecoPRO certification requirements include attending an optional 3-day training, reading study materials, and passing a certification exam.

What will I learn and be tested on?

The training, study materials, and exam are based on 200+ sustainable best practices for landscape design, construction, and maintenance. The best practices are organized around eight key principles: - Protect and Conserve Soils - Conserve Water - Protect Water and Air Quality - Protect and Create Wildlife Habitat - Conserve Energy - Sustain Healthy Plants - Use Sustainable Methods and Materials - Protect and Enhance Human Health and Well-being Why get certified?

More and more customers are requesting sustainable landscape design, construction, and maintenance.

Earn a new designation to show customers and others that you are knowledgeable in sustainable practices.

Individuals that do not meet the eligibility criteria for certification are welcome to register for the training only. ecoPRO study materials are available for purchase in hardcopy or eBook formats. Visit www.WSNLA.org/ ecoPROcertified.

Find out more at www.wsnla.org/ ecoPROcertified

18 - The B&B Magazine

Bill Peregrine, ecoPRO of Earthdance Organics attended the Tacoma Sustainability Expo where he promoted his business and new ecoPRO certification. “ecoPRO is a tremendous program to certify landscape professionals in their eco-friendliness and give recognition to those professionals that are taking care of the Earth and leading the charge towards a more sustainable future. I feel honored that I am one of the first 30 to have gone through the program and become certified,” Peregrine shared about his new certification. An ecoPRO tool kit is being created so that each certified individual will have tools to proudly promote themselves as ecoPRO sustainable landscape profssionals.

ecoPRO Certified

Congratulations to the following individuals on their new ecoPRO certification earned February 2014.

Barrett Tripp | University of Puget Sound Richard Casey | Casey’s Landscaping Nick Blue | Titan Landscaping Katherine Taylor | Cascadia Consulting Company Brad Miller | Ragen & Associates Bart Davis | Davis Landscape LLC Mike Carey | City of Tacoma Dustin Madden | Plantscapes Craig Hamburg | City of Tacoma Steven Shook | City of Tacoma Lucas Lusier | The Grounds Professional Everett Chu | Azusa Farm & Gardens Luba Fetterman | Harmonia Landscapes Beck Koukal Leibe | Seattle University Robert Orr | Rainier LLC Ray Williard | WSDOT Anna Thurston | Advanced Botanical Resources Gregory Smaus | Rock Solid Landscapes

Bugs & Blights

Target the pest, protect the rest.

by Sharon J. Collman | WSU Snohomish Extention Spring exuberance

It begins: sun brings on the flowers and motivates gardeners; birds are building nests. Mated queen honeybees and bumblebees, and the solitary bees relatives are gathering nectar and pollen from flowers and in return for their pollination services the plants and we get fruit and vegetables. Rain brings on the fungi that attack soft new plant tissues, and the sun brings on the bugs – most good, some bad. Welcome spring.

Pesticide caution – pollinators

The exuberance of flowers also makes it necessary to be very specific in selecting and targeting pesticides to control insects, plant diseases, or weeds. Some pesticides are safer to use around bees than others.

Protect bees and nesting birds. Watch out for blooms on target trees, but also blooming perennials and weeds nearby. Go to https://pubs.wsu.edu/ In the search box, type “bee” and “poisoning”, select “How to Reduce Bee Poisoning from Pesticides” PNW591.

Bud growth stages - blueberries

Tent Caterpillar – watch for tiny tents

Tent caterpillars hatch from eggs during warm spring days. Watch for the glint of white silk tents when the apple trees bloom. Eggs in colder locations, even in the same landscape or on the shady side of a tree, may be delayed in hatching when temperatures drop, then resume hatching when the weather warms again. This hatch - then wait - then hatch pattern may be repeated. Note when the first tents are visible, then wait for the second or third wave of new tents before applying any pesticides. Tents within reach can be pruned out or squashed by pinching, leaving the undamaged foliage to continue its work. A draft tent caterpillar publication is posted at http://ext100.snohomish. wsu.edu/ Use the search function. Also, the PNW Insect Management Handbook provides life cycle, monitoring and IPM choices and registered pesticides to use if they are warranted. http:// pnwhandbooks.org/insect/hort Select Common Insects and scroll down to Tent Caterpillars.

For many fruit trees and berries, pesticide recommendations are listed by the stage of bud growth: “spray at green tip, pink or petal fall”. Whether conventional or organic, the application of a pesticide is useless unless timed to protect vulnerable plant parts before the spores can germinate and infect the plant tissues, or insects eat the leaves. Thanks to Tom Peerbolt, Peerbolt Crop Management Ag Consultant for the link to an illustrated guide to bud growth stages (for blueberries but applicable to other plants). http:// blueberries.msu.edu/growing_blueberries/growth_stages_table

Shrubs and trees didn’t bloom? Freeze damage to buds

An excellent, if a bit technical, description and illustration of how to evaluate bud damage after a freeze can be found at http://intermountainfruit.org/ htm/cold-effects/cold-damage

Photo Credit: Sharon Collman. Red Lily Leaf beetle, Todd Murray.

Red lily leaf beetle

On March 25th, 2013, the first emerging beetles were noticed on soil and new shoots of true lilies in south Bellevue, WA. The lilies were about 2” when the beetles and their first eggs were found on foliage, some were also on the soil. Todd Murray, WSU Skamania Co. Extension has posted a Pest Alert on WSU’s newly revamped gardening website http://gardening.wsu.edu under pests. Or it can also be printed from the WSU Publications website If found please notify collmans@wsu.edu to help document locations of this new invasive beetle. http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/ FS084E/FS084E.pdf Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 19

Certified Professional Horticulturist of Month A Look into the CPH Community

JH: How long have you been a Certified Professional Horticulturist?

JB: I’ve been a CPH since it was actually called WCN (Washington Certified Nursery Professional) in the late 90’s!

JH: How do you participate in WSNLA?

Jessi Bloom, CPH NW Bloom Ecological Landscapes Mill Creek

JB: I have been a speaker and writer for WSNLA, and also served on the CPH committee . More recently I’ve sat on the advisory board to help with a collaborative project between WSLNA and WALP to create the ecoPRO program and certification. That process took several years and I was honored to be one of the instructors at the second ecoPRO training! I am proud to see our industry moving in the right direction and be a part of it first hand!

JH: What is your job title/ company?

(Left) Jessi Bloom being interviewed by Fine Gardening magazine at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show.

(Below) Bloom presents to a packed house during the Mother Earth News Fair at the Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup.

JB: I am the owner of NW BLOOM EcoLogical Landscapes, which is now 14 years old. In that company I wear many hats – mainly as a consultant and designer. I’m also an author for Timber Press which involves a lot of writing/ researching and travelling nationwide to speak at events such as the Mother Earth News Fair!

JH: What is your favorite plant? Why? JB: Whoa! That is like asking which kid is my favorite! All of them really.. but I prefer plants that are multifunctional (food, soil building, wildlife/insect habitat, etc) Honestly, dandelions are pretty spectacular and high on my list with all of their ecological functions!

JH: Any publications or websites you’d like to share?

JB: Plants for a Future www.pfaf.org MY FAVE!

Q&A by: Joanie Hackett, who is a a Certified Professional Horticulturist since 2002, shortly after completing the horticulture program at Lake Washington Institute of Technology. She is employed by Plantscapes as the Seasonal Color Coordinator and Holiday Coordinator. She serves on the Certification Board for WSNLA, and is the contact person for the CPH of the Month article. Joanie can be contacted at joaniedidit@comcast.net.

20 - The B&B Magazine

New CPH Marketing Material Available!

Nursery signage, printed rate cards and online materials.

This year, the Certified Professional Horticulturist committee has been actively working to increase exposure and understanding of the Certified Professional Horticulturist designation that serves nearly 400 active Certified Professional Horticulturists.

In February, the committee coordinated a CPH presence at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show, where a small group of CPHs volunteered their time at the CPH Garden Bench. This provided CPHs a direct opportunity to engage with consumers and talk about the professional CPH certification.

Printed promotional materials, in the format of a bookmark, were created and handed out to attendees at the show. An example of the materials can be found to the right.

Horticulture Expertise

When A Beautiful Garden Is

A Valuable Resource

Important

A Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) can help solve garden challenges from pruning to selecting the proper plants for a yardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s specific cultural conditions.

Many CPH offer services in a variety of areas including garden design, garden coaching, container design, landscape maintenance & installation.

To You...

Ask for a Certified Professional Horticulturist

The CPH Committee is working hard on your behalf to increase consumer understanding and awareness. And, while many of you are also doing ongoing promotion of the Certified Professional Horticulturist certification, all CPHs are encourage help in this effort.

Therefore, for those interested in a quantity of the printed CPH bookmarks to share with customers and clients, or electronic graphics to use on their website, eNewsletters, and blogs, please contact Holly at WSNLA at (800) 6727711 or holly@wsnla.org.

Additional promotional materials are being developed for the Certified Professional Horticulturist certification.

If you have a suggestion of something that would be helpful at your business, please contact Holly at (800) 672-7711 or holly@wsnla.org.

The designation, Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH), represents professional experience, education and knowledge of horticultural principles. CPHs are experts in their field.

Finding a CPH Visit GardenWashington.com to find a CPH near you.

Ask your local nursery if there is a CPH on staff or look for the CPH logo on name badges & banners.

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association www.wsnla.org

SAVE THE DATE - June 7, 2014 Certified Professional Horticulturist Special Event Location: Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Kirkland Time: 9am More details to be shared in the coming weeks!

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 21

Are you a fan yet?

Join the WSNLA Facebook Page!

Connect with other nursery and landscape professionals and receive updates on what is going on at WSNLA and your industry.

2014 Chapter Events

Connect with industry peers. Access to professional education.

Mt Rainier Chapter

Real-time Dialogue.

April 23, 2014 Location: South Puget Sound Community College.

Program: Review the expansive Japanese Maple collection found on the South Puget Sound Community College Campus. Frank Byles, who donated the trees to the college, will lead a tour of the collection and share his expert advice about care and selection.

Generate Fresh Ideas.

For more information or to be added to the email list to receive chapter meeting notice announcements, contact Ingrid Wachtler, Woodbrook Native Plant Nursery at woodbrk@harbornet.com.

Communicate directly with WSNLA leadership and staff with your questions and comments.

Do you have a suggestions for an event, seminar, story idea or member program? WSNLA is always seeking ways to serve its membership.

Promote Your Business.

As a WSNLA member you can share special news and events about your business on the WSNLA Facebook page.

Publications & Articles

WSNLA provides links to the B&B Magazine and other relevant industry articles so that members can connect with their industry. As a member, you can do the same! Please feel free to share links to industry news and research.

Online Networking.

Get to know your industry colleagues by connecting with them online. The WSNLA facebook page is a resource to grow your professional network.

Join the Conversation.

Search Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association at www.facebook.com.

28 - The B&B Magazine

Northwest Chapter

SAVE THE DATES! June 4, September 3 & December 3, 2014.

For more information or to be added to the email list to receive chapter meeting notice announcements, contact Toni Cross, Toni Cross Seasonal Color Pots at toni@ seasonalcolorpots.com.

Olympic Chapter

For more information or to be added to the email list to receive chapter meeting notice announcements, contact Gayle Larson, CPH at gayle.larson@hotmail.com.

Seattle Chapter

April 16, 2014 Location: Seattle Solstice, www.seattlesolstice.com Program: We will have the opportunity to tour the unique production facility for this fabulous stone sculpture business in our own backyard. Mark your calendars to save the date for this late afternoon event.

For more information or to be added to the email list to receive chapter meeting notice announcements, contact Bill Collins at wjcollins@comcast.net.

[ News & Headlines ]

WSNLA Marketplace

[ Job Postings, For Sale, Plant Material Available & More! ] HOLLAND-AMERICA NURSERY. Now Available: Van den Akker weeping Alaska cedar 6’ thru 10’. Snowberry 1 gal. & 2 gal. Thuja plicata zebrina 5 gal. Red twig dogwood 1gal. Mahonia aquifolium 1 gal & 2 gal. Mahonia repens 1 gal & 2 gal.

Mahonia aquifolium 5 gal. Rosa nutkana 1 gal. Rosa Rugosa 1 gal. English laurel 1 gal. List available. (360) 794-6549, or akker4@gmail.com. WSNLA MEMBER. Specimen Street and landscape Trees in large Root Control Bags. Year around availability, easier shipping, handling and establishment.

Mount Vernon. (800) 827-4067. Fax (360) 428-1822. www.urbanforestnursery.com.

WSNLA MEMBER.

19.5K Landscape trees for sale.

15K Spruce 3 varieties, 3K to 3.5K Concolor and 1K Austrian Pine.

You harvest and transport. $25.00 each.

509-847-5287 Dominic

NW N���� �� , O ���� ������ � S����� �� T����

ph (604) 856-1264 fax (604) 856-1273 www.mainlandfloral.com

WSNLA Preferred Providers Save money with low processing fees and a variety of related benefits, including gift cards for customers, through Sage Payment Solutions.

Plus, they are committed to giving back to your organization through a rebate program.

Miah Green, Sage Payment Solutions 208-503-0561, jgreen@sagepayments.com www.sagepayments.com/wsnla

Printing & Promotional Products

Purchase your print and promotional products from Proforma because they have the buying power to provide unbeatable rates. Plus, they are committed to giving back to your organization through a rebate program.

Jim Stedman, ProForma 888-546-6028, jwstedman@aol.com

BC’s Best Delivered Fresh Specializing in supplying top quality fresh cut flowers and potted plants directly from the best producers in BC to the northwest United States.

To be listed in the WSNLA Marketplace, contact Breanne at breanne@wsnla.org or (800) 672-7711.

Credit Card Processing

MAINLAND FLORAL

Legal Access

At no charge, members may ask a question or obtain advice. More work will be performed at a discounted Association rate.

Robert Andre’, Ogden Murphy Wallace 206-447-2252, FAX 206-447-0215 randre@omwlaw.com, www.omwlaw.com

Equipment Purchases

Receive fleet like discounts on high quality commercial equiptment at participating dealerships only.

Phil Smith, Scotsco, Inc (253) 720-6420, psmith@scotsco.com

Cash Flow Management

Receive assistance in the commercial recovery field.

Bill Bosch, Cash Flow Management 503-774-1399, FAX 503-771-4202, bbosch@ cfmcollect.com, www.cfmcollection.com

Office Supplies

Order office supplies quickly and easily via phone, fax or online. Guaranteed lowest price, free next-day delivery, 4% instant discount on every invoice, 20,000 item catalog. No minimum order.

Jenn Gordon, Association Members Only 800-420-6421 x 234, FAX 800-420-6422 jgordon@goamo.com, www.goamo.com

Health Insurance

Bill Yeager, Association Benefits Corp.

206-948-9379, FAX 425-742-1474 bill@associationbenefits.us

Business Insurance

Ken Von Forell, Hortica Insurance & Employee Benefit 360-459-9411, KVonForell@hortica-insurance. com, www.hortica-insurance.com Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 23

CALENDAR OF EVENTS [ Education & Enjoyment ]

More industry events can be found on WSNLA.ORG!

APRIL 9, FROM 1:30 - 6pm. THE ART

www.cfr.washington.edu/uwbg/ call 206-685-8033. ISA, WSDA, PLANET, CPH, ASCA credits available.

OF HORT PHOTOGRAHY & POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA. Location: 21 Acres, Woodinville. Join experts in their field as they provide you with tools to be successful in photography and social media. This hands on special workshop will include instruction and time to take and access photos with an expert.

And, will be followed by gearing up your computers to leverage the power of social media! (Bring your personal computer, tablet or phone to access.)

Sponsored by Little Prince of Oregon.

Cost: $50 member, $75 non member. For more information turn to page 11. CPH Credit Available.

APRIL 16, 9am - Noon. UW Botanic Gardens: First Detector Spring Monitoring Walk. Location: UW Botanic Gardens, Washington Park Arboretum. Learn how to monitor for and submit laboratory samples of potential high-consequence plant pests in our area.Get hands-on experience identifying signs and symptoms and learn how and when to treat. In this session, we will focus on pests best diagnosed and/or treated in the spring.

We will start with a classroom session, then move out into the field to monitor these collections: Abies (firs); Balsam wooly adelgids; Balsam twig aphids; Bow-legged fir aphid; Prunus (cherries); Brown rot; Pinus (pines); European pine shoot moth; and Sorbus (mountain ash); Cherry bark tortrix; Cupressus (cypress); and Cupressus tip moth. Cost: $15; $20 after April 9. Register online at

May 1, , 8am – NOON. Woody Plant Study Group: Explore the UW Botanic Gardens’ plant collections. Location: UW Botanic Gardens, Washington Park Arboretum.

Focus on learning about important woody plant selections, optimal landscape uses, and important pruning and cultural considerations. This is an interactive program with both classroom and field segments, and participants will have the opportunity to learn from each other. Each seminar will include a group of trees, shrubs, and groundcover species with a topic themed to seasonal interest. Seminars will address themes including: right plant, right place, sustainability, design functions and aesthetics, how plants change in the landscape over time, and incorporating new plants into old landscape.

Spring Session: Thursday, May 1, 8amnoon, focus on flowers and foliage Summer Session: Thursday, August 14, focus TBD. Fall Session: Thursday, October 23, focus TBD. Class fee: $65; $75 after April 24. Presenter: Christina Pfeiffer, Horticultural Consultant and Instructor, ISA Certified Arborist.

Register online at www.cfr.washington.edu/uwbg/ call 206-685-8033. ISA, WSDA, PLANET, CPH, ASCA credits available.

MAY 12 - 16. STONE FEST X: “BUILD SACRED SPACES ”. Location: Marenakos

MUKILTEO CEDAR PRODUCTS Wholesale to the Trade 425-353-1382

M A D E I N T H E U S A

“CEDAR-TIQUE COLLECTION” Mukilteocedar@aol.com 24 - The B&B Magazine

Rock Center in Preston. This event deserves your attention now as it is among the few such events in the world devoted to the art of working with stone in construction, sculpture, and traditional lettering arts. StoneFest X brings together world renown experts in these trades to teach and work with all the participants in creating projects on the grounds of Marenakos Rock Center. CPH Credit Available.

May 28, from 9am - 4:30pm .

Sixth Annual Urban Forest Symposium: Climate Change and the Urban Forest. Location: University of Washington Botanic Gardens’ Center for Urban Horticulture.

This year’s urban forest symposium takes an in-depth look at climate change and considers the impact to the urban forest.

Learn about the climatic changes our region can expect and strategies that can be used to plan and manage for a healthy and resilient urban forest. Presenters will discuss the expected changes to the climate, urban forest responses, and what urban foresters and advocates can do to prepare. Presentations will be relevant to urban foresters, landscape professionals, restoration ecologists, tree care professionals, consulting arborists, sustainability professionals, urban planners, landscape designers, landscape architects, municipal managers, and tree advocates. Cost: $75 per person.

Lunches available for $15. Free lunch included for the first 100 registrants.

Register: http://depts.washington.edu/ uwbg/news/urban-forest. For further information, or to register over the phone using a credit card, please call (206) 685-8033. CPH Credit Available.

JULY 15. WSNLA LANDSCAPE TOUR SAVE THE DATE! Celebrate the work of your colleagues during this fun and informative annual event. Watch for more details in next month’s B&B Magazine. CPH Credit Available.

Promote your event in the B&B Magazine and on WSNLA.org. Contact Breanne at breanne@wsnla.org or (800) 672-7711

www.BIRINGERNURSERY.com

advertisersIndex Anderson Die & Manufacturing....... 25 Biringer Nursery.............................. 25 Carter Evans Wood Concepts.......... 13 Certified Pro. Horticulturist ............ 15 ecoPRO Certified............................. 16 Mainland Floral............................... 23 Motz & Sons.................................... 26 Mukilteo Cedar Products................. 24 Ogden Murphy Wallace..................... 2 Oregon Valley Greenhouse.............. 26 Plant Something.......................... 2, 10 Sawdust Supply................................. 7 Stueber Distributing........................ 25 Wetlands & Woodlands................... 23 WSNLA Scholarship Fund.................. 2 WSNLA would like to thank our B&B advertisers and encourages our readers to learn more about the products and services they offer. Be sure to visit ouradvertiser websites to find out more.

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Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association 34400 Pacific Hwy S., Ste 2 Federal Way, WA 98003 Address Service Requested

Specializing in Heavy Duty structures to cover all your greenhouse needs Standard and Custom sizes available

503-678-2700 * 1-800-347-2701 (outside OR) * FAX: 503-678-2789 www.ovg.com * ivans@ovg.com * 20357 HWY 99E * AURORA, OR 97002