B&B Online - August 2014

AUGUST 2014, NO. 8

WE’RE IN

YOUR BUSINESS Customer Jeff and Nicholas Schilter with Northwest FCS Relationship Manager Trevor Faucett.

It’s a fact. Most of our employees come from a farming or ranching background. We understand the cyclical nature of ag and know the issues producers face. Talk with a Northwest FCS relationship manager to see for yourself. We have knowledge, expertise, and the financing you need to grow your business.

Visit northwestfcs.com to learn more about the benefits of our customer-owned financial cooperative.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Columns 4 5 6 18

WSNLA President WALP President Legislative Update Bugs & Blights

Departments 20 Contractor Spolight 22 ecoPRO 23 CPH of the Month 24 Stellar Work 26 Industry News 28 Chapter News 30 WSNLA Marketplace

SECURITY IN THIS ISSUE:

The Official Publication of

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association

August 2014 VOL. 66, NO. 8 Published Monthly By: Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association 34400 Pacific Highway South, Ste 2 Federal Way, WA 98003 800.672.7711, 253.661.6055, fax 253.661.6058 www.wsnla.org | www.gardenwashington.com Subscription Pirce: $30 Deadlines (News, Advertising, PR): 5pm the 1st of the month preceding the issue it will appear.

For more information contact Breanne at (800) 6727711 or breanne@wsnla.org.

8 Human Resources

Secure Your Business Against Employment Fraud

10 Commercial Property Crime Prevention Secure Your Property & Equipment

12 Critical Control Points for Nurseries Securing Your Nursery from Pest & Diseases

16 We’ll Keep The Light On

Outdoor Lighting Brings Not Only the Landscape, But Sense of Security to Light

NWLP THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF

Washington Association of Landscape Professionals

August 2014 VOL. 29, NO. 8

AdvertisersIndex Aaaberg’s Tool & Equipment Rental.. 9 Anderson Die & Manufacturing....... 15 Bartlett Tree Experts ....................... 26 Biringer Nursery.............................. 15 Certified Professional Horticulturist.14 Coverall Stone................................. 15 Crop Production Services................ 19 FX Luminaire.................................... 31 Landscape Industry Certified........... 21 Loen Nursery, Inc............................. 19 Motz & Son Nursery........................ 32 Mukilteo Cedar Products................. 30 Northwest Farm Credit Services........ 2 Ogden Murphy Wallace................... 28

75 years & Growing

Oregon Valley Greenhouses............ 32 Sawdust Supply Company............... 15 Skookum View Nobles....................... 6 Stihl................................................. 19 Steuber Distributing........................ 11 Urban Forest Nursery...................... 21 Vibrant Plants.................................. 11 Wetlands & Woodlands................... 32 WSNLA & WALP would like to thank our advertisers and encourage our readers to learn more about the products and services they offer. Be sure to visit our advertiser websites to find out more.

The NWLP – Northwest Landscape Professional – is published and distributed monthly to WALP members. Price per copy is $4.50. Subscription service is included with WALP membership and extended gratis to select courtesy subscribers.

For more information contact: Washington Association of Landscape Professionals 23607 Highway 99, Ste 2C Edmond, WA 98026 (800) 833-2186, (425) 967-0729, fax (425) 77109588 info@walp.org | www.walp.org

ThankYou

WSNLA & WALP Joint Edition - 3

[ FROM THE WSNLA PRESIDENT ] 75 Years & Growing

WSNLA www.wsnla.org

Plant Something!

It all started with a hat. Scott Pringle our 2011 WSNLA President came to a board meeting with a Plant Something hat on. He was excited about a new program pitched by the enthusiastic Cheryl Goar, executive director of Arizona’s Nursery Association.

She fired up the attendees of a conference that fall with this new gardening promotion.

The idea was to establish a nationally recognizable brand to promote gardening similar to the, “Got Milk?”, campaign. As I recall it took the board a while to fully jump on board. We debated the simplicity of the message, pondered its potential as an effective slogan, but the advantages of a shared media marketing package were a bargain we could not pass up.

Unification Update At our July 9, 2014 WSNLA board meeting, the WSNLA Board of Directors was briefed on the history and current state of unification/merge negotiations between our two groups. The discussion was open and inclusive of all 14 board members present.

We discussed the positive impact of our joint achievements and the realities any partnership encounters when negotiating expectations and collaborating on a varied list of projects and events.

The WSNLA Board reviewed our direction as an Association and current funded obligations for the next 18 months. We considered several options going forward. A motion was made, and the vote by the WSNLA Board of Directors passed to suspend unification/ merge talks, and set no future vote date at this time.

The WSNLA Board of Directors is committed to continuing our partnership efforts with WALP that meet goals and objectives for both organizations. Current partnerships identified include: legislative activities; Northwest Green Industry Conference; ecoPRO Certification; and joint educational offerings and publications.

There are now 12 states involved in the program. Our involvement has grown through the receipt of significant WSDA Specialty Crop Grant money allowing us to spread the message through print and digital media channels, radio ads, home and garden show presence, and the member services and nursery locator guide. All of this media connects back to the consumer focused website GardenWashington.com where members are searchable by location and type of business. Your business can contribute and link content, or purchase advertising.

Projects coming soon include an improved on line industry plant buyers guide, a collection of, “Get to know your local Washington grower”, video clips for distribution, and a professionally produced Plant Something TV commercial promoting the overall activity of gardening and the benefits of creating an enjoyable outdoor living space.

This list of media outreach projects has a potential benefit for everyone in our industry. If we encourage people to get outside planting, building, enjoying, and maintaining gardens it is a winning scenario for all of us. Look and listen for the Plant Something message, put your banners up, wear your hats, and share your enthusiasm for gardening.

DONT JUST

STAND THERE

4 - B&B Magazine & Northwest Landscape Professional, August 2014

WALP President’s Message

By Wade Bartlett, CLT Rock Solid Landscapes, Seattle I am pleased to present the second joint publication of the Northwest Landscape Professional (NWLP) and B&B. These two magazines serve as WALP’s and WSNLA’s, respectively, primary voice to our memberships and are comprised of beneficial articles and information concerning our organizations and the Green Industry. The initial joint publication was the first time that I had read a B&B cover-to-cover. I found myself getting great value from the content – realizing that I did not fully appreciate what the “other” association was all about. I’m not sure reading a magazine is going to provide me with complete insight and history of WSNLA, but it was a start. That’s what the collaborative events that the two organizations have been engaging in over the past several years have offered – a chance to broaden our perspectives and see a bigger Green Industry.

And, as most of you know, WALP and WSNLA decided to do more than just collaborate.

Since early April 2012, the two organizations have been discussing unifying the associations – initially through committee work and then via formal meetings of the two Executive Committees. Throughout the discussions, the two associations have been busy collaborating on legislative activities, the Northwest Green Industry Conference, ecoPro Certified Sustainable Landscape Professional program, educational offerings, Field Day, and publications. Both associations feel that unifying has many benefits. However, the joint Executive Committee has been unable to identify an urgent and compelling reason to continue unification discussions. So for now, the WALP and WSNLA Boards have agreed to table unification discussions until perhaps a compelling reason emerges possibly at some point in the future – opening the door to resume dialogue.

What would be a compelling reason to continue the discussion? Some of the potential reasons that were identified in past discussion included: 1) The opportunity to create a combined voice and resource for the Green Industry in Washington, 2) Rebranding the new organization and leveraging combined resources to gain greater consumer recognition and legislative influence, and 3) Building critical mass necessary to draw in previously ambivalent potential members.

This joint decision has freed both associations to focus on their current tasks and commitments, while enabling WALP and WSNLA to continue to educate and enhance the Green Industry through our collaborative efforts. I would ask that you spend time getting to know both associations if you haven’t already.

Questions? Please feel free to contact me at wade@rocksolidlandscapes.com or (206) 523-7625.

Mission Statement For The Washington Association Of Landscape Professionals To promote professionalism, integrity, and education to a thriving membership within the Green Industry and the communities served.

Vision Statement For The Washington Association Of Landscape Professionals • The Washington Association of Landscape Professionals is a publicly recognized and unified industry of landscape professionals who embody business and technical excellence.

• The Washington Association of Landscape Professionals provides and promotes the opportunity to mentor and support its members.

• The Washington Association of Landscape Professionals’ members receive value and benefit by sharing knowledge, resources, and experience.

• The Washington Association of Landscape Professionals is the networking place and referral resource for “Green Industry” professionals.

“Defining Professionalism In The Green Industry”

WSNLA & WALP Joint Edition - 5

Legislative Update WSNLA Works To Protect Your Business The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is proposing to amend the rules for how they calculate penalties for health and safety violations.

SKOOKUM VIEW NOBLES is a small family

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) changed its policy for calculating penalties to increase their deterrent effect. States must comply with the federal guidance.

According to L&I, Washington currently ranks 44 out of 50 states in the amount of monetary penalties for health and safety violations.

owned business dedicated to growing, culturing and delivering quality Christmas Trees. We focus on and specialize in Noble Heather Hansen and Grand fir. We have two Christmas tree WSNLA Lobbyist farms that are favorably located in Shelton and Mossyrock, Washington.

Olympia

It’s a ‘family affair’….

My wife Karen and I have been professional foresters since 1985. Our backgrounds combined with a love of farming, got us to our current business, which we are very passionate about. We have the knowledge and are committed to growing quality trees, and are dedicated to growing our business through repeated customer satisfaction.

The changes will affect small employers the most. L&I is trying to limit the impact on employers with fewer than ten employees. Penalties for repeat offenses will increase significantly.

Proposed penalty calculation method The new proposal would condense the severity determination into three levels.

Level one would include injuries and reversible illnesses. Level two includes illness or injury resulting in hospitalization and limited disability. Level three includes, death, permanent disability and chronic illness. Another category called general violation includes conditions that could cause illness or injury but would not result in serious physical harm. No penalty is charged for general violations.

Please contact us:

SKOOKUM VIEW NOBLES Probability would also be condensed to threeWes Wasson/Karen Temen categories. Level one is low likelihood of an injury or illness occurring.

253.279.5293 Level two is moderate likelihood and level wsw63@centurytel.net three is high likelihood.

same method of multiplying the Using the Current penalty calculation method severityNorthern California: by the probability, the proposal Penalties are calculated by multiplying results in only six different penalty levels.

Jennifer (Temen) Chlebicki the severity of the violation by the The minimum of $100 and the maximum 925.783.5591 probability of an accident occurring. for $7000 remain the same. Penalties will Benefits of ‘real’ trees Severity is determined by the most still be adjusted based on the employer’s serious injury, illness or disease that history, Real Christmas trees: good faith effort and number of My family and I are looking forward to A new Benefit the environment by absorbin could be reasonably expected to occur employees. penalty reduction of providing you fresh, high quality trees, great because of a hazardous condition.

15% will be given if the problem can be carbon dioxide, and emitting oxygen. service and timely shipping to meet your needs Currently, severity is rated on a scale quickly fixed. Christmas tree farms also stabilize soi for this season. Maybe you’ll have the from 1-6. provide refuge for wildlife while creat opportunity to meet our great nephew, Jack, Currently, employers with 25 or fewer Probability is determined by the employees are green belts. eligible for a 60% reduction who’s just ‘learning the ropes’!

Under the proposal, a new frequency and amount of exposure, in penalty.

number of employees exposed, number Are renewable. Growers plant 1‐3 ne category foremployers with ten or fewer of times the hazard is identified in the employees has been added.

They will be seedlings per tree cut. Fake trees are

workplace, weather, employee training, eligible for a 70% reduction in fines. made with petroleum primarily in for the nature of the work, use of personal factories. Once disposed, fake trees s protective equipment and other If an employer has been cited for a similar mitigating or contributing circumstances. violation duringin landfills for several decades. the past three years, the Probability is currently rated on a scale fine can be multiplied by a factor of up to of 1-6. thirty. The  maximum penalty is limited to Are recyclable. Real Christmas Trees $70,000. Penalties can also be increased biodegradable, which means they can Six levels of severity times six levels of for willfulness and failure to abate. easily reused or recycled for mulch an probability equals thirty-six different penalty levels possible. These penalties L&I is gatheringother purposes. input from stakeholders. may be adjusted by the investigator In November, they will hold public hearings based on the employer’s history, good and accept comments. The new rule is faith effort and number of employees. expected to go into effect February 1, Currently, the minimum penalty is $100 2015. and the maximum is $7000.

6 - B&B Magazine & Northwest Landscape Professional, August 2014

Calendar of Events

Find more industry events at WSNLA.ORG & WALP.ORG!

Professional Development & Personal Enjoyment WSNLA & WALP members receive member registration rates at WSNLA & WALP seminars and workshops.

= Landscape Industry Certified

= WSNLA ProSeries WSNLA

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association

AUGUST 21- 23. FARWEST SHOW. Location: Oregon Convention Center, Portland. The Farwest Trade Show offers the complete trade show experience with equipment innovation demos, tours, seminars, exceptional nursery and allied supplier exhibitors, free workshops on the expo floor, new plants and products, networking and reconnecting. For more information visit www.farwestshow.com.

CPH Credit Available for Seminars.

August 22. WALP Golf Tournament. Location: Echo Falls Golf Course, Snohomish. For more information visit www.walp.org.

September 12 & 13. Landscape Industry Certified – Technician Written & Hands-On Exams. Location: South Puget Sound Community College, Olympia. For more information visit www.walp.org.

September 23, from 5-8pm.

Certified Professional Horticulturist Preview Exam.

Location: Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Horticulture Complex. For more information about the Certified Professional Horticulturist program visit www.wsnla.org/CPH or contact Holly at WSNLA at (800) 672-7711 or holly@ wsnla.org.

September 25, from 6-9:30pm.

September 27, from 8am 3pm. October 4, from 8am - 3pm.

CPH Plant Identification. Location: Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Kirkland. For more information about the Certified Professional Horticulturist program visit www.wsnla.org/CPH or contact Holly at WSNLA at (800) 6727711 or holly@wsnla.org.

= Certified Professional Horticulturist

OCTOBER 8. Environmental

WSNLA Due Diligence for Landscape

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association

PROFESSIONALS. Location: Cedar River Watershed, North Bend. For more information visit www.wsnla.org. CPH, CLT, and ecoPRO credits available.

October 15, from 5-8pm.

Certified Professional Hortculturist Exam. Location: Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Horticulture Complex. For more information about the Certified Professional Horticulturist program visit www.wsnla.org/CPH or contact Holly at WSNLA at (800) 672-7711 or holly@ wsnla.org.

OCTOBER 16 & 17, FROM 9:30AM - 4:30PM. Professional Rain Garden Workshop. Location: Bremerton Location, TBA. Register at http://ext100.wsu.edu/kitsap/nrs/ rain-garden-program/professional-raingarden-workshop/. Presented by WSU Extension Kitsap. 11 CPH, CLT, and ecoPRO credits available.

October 22. GREEN GARDENING WORKSHOP. Location: South Seattle Community College. For more information contact (206) 449-1146 or dana@cascadiaconsulting.com. CPH, CLT, and ecoPRO credits available.

October 22 – 24. 25th Anniversary Green Industry Conference.

Location: Louisville, KY. www. landcarenetwork.org. CPH & CLT credits available.

NOVEMBER 5. CUSTOMER WSNLA Service Training for Trainers

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association

& Advanced Merchandising.

Location: Sky Nursery in Shoreline. For more information visit www.wsnla.org.

CPH credits available.

= ecoPRO

NOVEMBER 10 & 11. BUILD A Better Landscape Business. In partnership with WSNLA, Caterpillar and Landscape Management Network. Location: Northern Quest Resort & Casino, Spokane. For more information visit www.wsnla.org. CPH and CLT credits available.

November 12 & 13. WALP Strategic Planning Retreat.

Location: Kiana Lodge, Poulsbo. For more information visit www.walp.org.

November 19. WSNLA Strategic Planning Event. For more information visit www.wsnla.org.

NOVEMBER 17-20. ecoPRO TRAINING & EXAM. Location: WSU Mount Vernon Research Center.

Sponsored by Skagit Conservation District, City of Anacortes, City of Burlington, City of Sedro-Woolley, City of Mount Vernon and Skagit County. See page 22 for complete registration form. For more information visit www.wsnla.org/ ecoPROcertified or www.walp.org/ ecoPRO. DECEMBER 3. BEE HEALTH:

WSNLA UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUES

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association

& ALTERNATIVES. Location: WSU Kitsap Extention, Norm Dicks Building, Bremerton. Easy access from ferry.

For more information visit www. wsnla.org. CPH, CLT, and ecoPRO credits available.

January 22 – 24, 2015.

Northwest Green Industry Conference, brought to you by WALP & WSNLA. Location: Hotel Murano, Tacoma. CPH, CLT, and ecoPRO credits available.

WSNLA & WALP Joint Edition - 7

HUMAN RESOURCES

HR Answers Employment Fraud

By Dan Fazio Director Washington Farm Labor Association

Q. Are there some quick tips and best practices I can implement with my administrative and field workforce to help prevent fraud?

A. Yes! Fraud happens all the time to small businesses, and the amount of losses are staggering.

The Academy of Certified Financial Experts (ACFE) studied workplace fraud and estimated that five percent of all revenue generated by businesses is lost due to some form of fraud each year – and that is hundreds of billions of dollars lost to the U.S. economy. Although in most cases a business is not wiped out by employee theft or some other fraud, it can mean the difference between a profitable business and one that is simply not worth it.

The ACFE classifies fraud into three primary areas – asset misappropriations, corruption, and financial statement fraud. This article will focus on asset misappropriation, including cash skimming and fraudulent disbursements by employees, because it is the most common, occurring in 85 percent of the cases studied. And although this is the least costly of all frauds, the median loss per occurrence reported was $130,000. So, unless you have an extra $130,000 you would like to give away to a dishonest employee this year, please read on!

Let me tell you about a couple of scams I have personal knowledge of in Eastern Washington.

In Sunnyside, an employer who investigated low performance at an orchard found that the orchard manager, who had hiring authority and also delivered paychecks to his crew, created two “ghost workers” and had paid more than $60,000 to these non-existent workers in six months. In Othello, a farmer who hired large numbers of seasonal workers found that the hiring manager was assigning new social security numbers to workers after the worker had accumulated a certain number of hours and was using the first social security number to file bogus unemployment claims. When caught, the manager had eight active fraudulent unemployment claims and was directing unemployment checks to most of her family members.

In both cases, diligent owners put common sense systems in 8 - B&B Magazine & Northwest Landscape Professional, August 2014

place to catch the fraud, and that is the point of these stories.

Here are five tips to help you – the owner or senior manager – detect fraud:

Institute good hiring practices. Everyone looks great at a hiring interview, but there are some quick and affordable steps you can take before making a hiring decision. Consider using an employment agency you trust, use a simple pre-employment background check, and take a minute to check references. I know you have heard all this before so I won’t labor the point.

Be aware of red flags. This is common sense. The ACFE study discovered that 90 percent of fraud perpetrators display certain common behaviors, including: Living beyond one’s means (44 percent), having financial difficulties (33 percent), keeping an unusually close connection with a vendor or customer (22 percent), and displaying control issues such as an unwillingness to share duties (21 percent). In our Sunnyside example, when the owner told his orchard manager he did not need to drive into the office to pick up checks because someone from HR would be handing out checks that day, the orchard manager argued loudly that it was his job and it was important that he pay “his workers”. In the Othello example, the hiring manager who was creating false unemployment claims rarely took vacation and never let anyone else check the mail. A bookkeeper at a non-profit in Olympia who stole over $200,000 was making $36,000 per year when she started showing up in an Audi, and her clothing was designer lines. Are you noticing a trend here?

Put systems in place. Once again, not rocket science. Is one person in your office in charge of checking the mail, sending out invoices, and making bank deposits? Does this person also have check writing authority? In our office, we randomly rotate who checks the mail, the bookkeeper cannot sign checks, and another person who does not have check signing authority makes deposits. Are you still printing worker paychecks? Most workers have their checks automatically deposited, but in the nursery and landscape business some workers still prefer to receive a payroll check. Workers should pick up their check at the office, and if that is not possible, randomly have someone from HR deliver checks to workers. Speaking of worker paychecks…If a worker loses a check and asks for another, you should immediately put in a stop payment and then wait to

double-check that the check has not been cashed. You are entitled to require a reasonable waiting period to deduct the stop loss fee from the re-issued check. For each of the danger signs noted above, challenge yourself to put systems in place to detect and prevent the behavior.

Set the tone. In some cases, this may mean a yearly audit and management attention to bank and financial statements. On the other end of the spectrum, it may be merely checking in with employees who have suffered a financial downturn. You should absolutely keep the lines of communication open and schedule quarterly talks with employees and simply ask them how it is going. And, you should also require all employees to take a vacation of at least one week every year.

Get started. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. This journey begins with a call to your accountant, banker, employment professional – or all three – to get ideas for your business. Let me know if you need a referral, and good luck!

Please contact us with questions you may have on this topic or any other labor and employment question through our exclusive member service HRAnswers! Submit unlimited questions via the member’s only tab that appears after login.

This column is produced by the Washington Farm Labor Association (WAFLA) for informational purposes only. The items contained herein are provided for general information and do not constitute legal advice. WAFLA does not provide legal advice or counsel; and readers should make their own inquiries before making any decision based on this or any other information received from WAFLA.

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WSNLA & WALP Joint Edition - 9

Preventing & Protecting Your Horticultural Company From Property Loss

Crime

Content provided by Hortica Insurance

No matter what industry you’re in, loss from theft is always a threat. What separates the horticultural industry from many others?

The theft of just a single product can cost thousands of dollars. To protect your company from theft before it happens, your business can create a preventative plan with these tips: Create a theft policy. Developing a written policy making it clear that the company will prosecute thieves who are caught is the first step in theft prevention planning. Also keep accurate records of your inventory.

Keep records. Photograph and tag expensive equipment so that, in the event of a theft, you will know exactly what was taken and you’ll be able to describe each item in detail and provide photos. Keep records of serial numbers, purchase receipts or other proof of ownership.

Address employee theft. To prevent employee theft before it starts, carefully hire and screen prospective employees. Establish and enforce clear company policies on employee theft.

Post the policy in the work area to discourage theft. Limit access to keys, computerized records and alarm codes.

Talk with law enforcement. Communication with local law-enforcement agencies is key in protecting your business from after hours theft. Talking to local crime prevention officers and making them aware of your operating hours can be helpful, because police can patrol nurseries on a periodic basis. Inform police that anyone seen on the property during non-operating hours can be viewed with suspicion.

Any loss or theft of company property can cost your business revenue and productivity. With comprehensive coverage for garden centers, retail florists, wholesale floral distributors, greenhouse growers, nurseries, landscape professionals and interior plantscapers, Hortica can give you peace of mind.

Commercial Property Crime Prevention Secure Your Property & Equipment

Protecting your property and equipment against theft, vandalism, and damage is one of the best measures you can take in preserving the investment in your business.

Equipment loss due to theft can spike project costs and, while you may be able to insure much of the loss, there are still costs associated with deductibles, replacing stolen depreciated items with new ones, and resultant work delays.

According to Jeff Graham of LaPorte & Associates in Portland, “Uninsured costs usually exceed the costs paid by the insurance coverage, adding to operating expenses.” Graham is a WALP member who has served as a member of the PLANET Safety and Risk Management Committee.

Present and former employees can be prime sources of equipment theft at the company headquarters, in storage facilities, or on the job site. Generally, theft occurs during the early evening within an hour after the workday has ended or on weekends. In addition, most thieves are looking for a quick crime and will not attempt to steal anything if they cannot enter the site, load the equipment, and get away within a ten-minute time frame.

One of the first places to start your loss-prevention effort is to make sure you have specific theft-prevention policies in place and make sure they are communicated to all workers and subcontractors. You should hold employees responsible for implementing the program and doing their part to prevent theft and perhaps provide them with incentives for applying the program. Graham advises employers to remind staff regularly both verbally and in writing.

Develop a good inventory system, document all items checked in and out, and don’t oversupply a work crew with equipment. It’s a good idea to arrive at job sites before work begins and at the end of the workday to make sure the equipment is present and accounted for.

Graham suggests attaching anti-theft devices to equipment such as steering wheel locks, kill switches, wheel/axel locks, and fueling caps, and installing

10 - B&B Magazine & Northwest Landscape Professional, August 2014

locks and an alarm system on trailers containing tools.

Part of a good system is to inscribe identification numbers and the company name on tools and perhaps paint them in bright colors that are easily identifiable. Common sense says to not store equipment overnight unless it is in a locked facility or area of your yard. Security fences are a good idea and lighting is also recommended (see related article).

“If you do experience a theft,” says Graham, “have a strategy for notifying authorities and also provide them with descriptions, identification numbers, and even photos if possible.”

At the nursery or landscape equipment yard, be sure you have adequate perimeter protection (fencing), an alarm system, and strong locks (with a covered shackle to resist bolt cutters) to provide your first line of defense.

Security cameras are a good idea and are reasonably inexpensive. It’s a good idea to limit the number of entrances intruders can use to enter your property as well.

Of course, there is no way to totally thiefproof your nursery, landscape yard, or equipment or absolutely protect yourself from vandalism. That’s where a good insurance policy comes in.

The whole process starts with you or a security consultant conducting a building and grounds survey to identify the areas in which you could be vulnerable.

Then install deterrents to protect your investment – some of which are suggested above. And remember to get your employees involved in the process.

LaPorte & Associates has provided a couple of checklists for securing your premises and protecting your equipment.

They are available by contacting Jeff Graham at (971) 404-3514 or at jgraham@laporte-insurance.com.

Northwest Green Industry Conference January 22 - 24, 2015 | Hotel Murano, Tacoma

Additional information can be found at www.Hortica-Insurance.com. Or, by contacting Ken Von Forell at (360) 4599411, kvonforell@hortica-insurance.com.

WSNLA & WALP Joint Edition - 11

p P. ramorum by 35% between the years of 2005-2014. Data from WSDA. state

Critical Control Points for Nurseries Marianne Elliott, Washington State University Puyallup Research and Extension Center

010 2011 2012 2013 2014

e that ship P. ramorum host plants interstate has declined ta from WSDA.

Do this: Notpests this: Movement of diseases and in nursery trade and on plant imports with Plants kept on gravel, pallets, or tables.

Contact can cause outbreaks resulting in the near extinction of certain host plant species.

(Top) DO THIS: plants kept on gravel, pallets, or tables.

Not this: (Bottom) Not this: contact with bare soils, weeds, and standing waters.

Contact with bare soil, weeds, and standing water.

12 - B&B Magazine & Northwest Landscape Professional, August 2014

One example is the decimation of the American chestnut (Castanea dentata) in the eastern US. This tree was once an important timber species until the introduction of the fungus Cryphonectria parasitica on Japanese chestnut (C. crenata) nursery stock in the early 1900s. Several oak species have replaced the American chestnut in eastern US forests. Of these, two species in the red oak group are at risk should Phytophthora ramorum, the sudden oak death pathogen, become established there. Phytophthora ramorum is responsible for the outbreak of Sudden Oak Death (SOD) in California and southern Oregon, and Sudden Larch Death in the United Kingdom. This organism is moved long distances on ornamental nursery stock.

Do Dothis: this:Large Largecontainers containerson onweed weedmat matwith withgood gooddrainage drainage and anddrip dripirrigation irrigation. .

DO THIS: Large containers on weed mat with good DoDo this: this: Large Large containers containers on on weed weed mat mat with with good good drainage drainage drainage and drip irrigation.

and and drip drip irrigation irrigation . .

DOthis: THIS: Do this:Keep the loading dock area sepArate from Do production areas and cull piles, with an impervious Keep the loading dockwater. areaseparate separatefrom from Keep the loading dock area surface and no standing DoDothis: this: areas production areasand andcull cullpiles, piles,with withan animpervious impervious production The cost of regulating the movement of nursery stock Keep Keepthe the loading loading dock dockarea area separate separatefrom fromto surface and nostanding standing water. surface and no water. prevent establishment of P. ramorum in eastern US forests and production productionareas areasand andcull cullpiles, piles,with withananimpervious impervious elsewhere has cost the nursery industry in lost revenue and has surface surfaceand andnonostanding standingwater. water. cost regulatory agencies in time and effort for detecting and

mitigating the pathogen. The revised Federal Order relating to P. ramorum states that as of 3/31/2014 only nurseries that have been positive since January 2011 will be required to be sampled/tested and be under a federal compliance agreement if they wish to ship SOD hosts interstate. This applies to just 16 nurseries in WA, of which only two ship hosts interstate. The overall number of nurseries that ship host material interstate has declined by around 35% since 2005.

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) is a method used in the food industry that focuses on prevention of hazards that lead to unsafe food, rather than destroying contaminated foods at the end of the production cycle. This type of systems approach has been adapted for the nursery industry for the production of clean plants initially as a means to deal with the P. ramorum issue, but in general these practices will help prevent outbreaks of many other diseases and pests.

Not Notthis: this: Pots Potsstanding standingon onsoil soilsurface surfacein inwater. water.

Not this: Pots standing on soil surface in water.

Not Not this: this: Pots Potsstanding standingononsoil soilsurface surfaceininwater. water.

Not this: this: Not this:Cull pile should not be near loading dock, Not clean pots, or production areas. control weeds as they Cull pileshould should notdiseases. benear nearloading loading dock, dock, clean clean Cull not be can pile harbor pests and Not Notthis: this: pots, orproduction productionareas. areas.Control Control weeds weeds as as they they pots, or Important Critical Control Points (CCPs) in ornamental nursery Cull Cull pile pileshould should not not bebe near nearloading loadingdock, dock,clean clean can harbor pests and diseases. can harbor pests and diseases. production pots, pots,ororproduction productionareas. areas.Control Controlweeds weedsasasthey they can canharbor harbor pests pests and anddiseases. diseases.

Buy-ins – Most of the nursery stock grown in WA starts from

material purchased from out of state. Inspection of this material before it is commingled with the rest of the stock will stop any disease or pest invaders from entering the nursery. Upon arrival, plants with symptoms should be returned, or at least tested for Phytophthora with a test strip.

Water – Water management is key for waterborne diseases like Phytophthora. Fungal and bacterial diseases also proliferate in wet environments. Provide good drainage to eliminate standing water, which is where these organisms breed. If you are using water from a stream or retention pond, ensure that it is free of pathogens before use for irrigation.

Pots – Washing used pots is a chore, but the soil clinging to pots is a source of diseases, pests, and weeds. It is important Continued on next page.

WSNLA & WALP Joint Edition - 13

Figures:

Nurseries in WA that ship P. ramorum host plants interstate 160 140 120 100 Number of nurseries

80 60 40 20 0

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

The ofof nurseries in in Washington statE thatthat shipship P.ramorum hosthost plants intersta Thenumber number nurseries Washington State P. ramorum plants by DECREASED BY 35% between the years of 2005-2014. Data from WSDA.

by 35% between the years of 2005-2014. Data from WSDA.

to remove old media from pots and sanitize in a dilute bleach solution to prevent contamination of new stock. Other methods for pot sanitation, such as steam treatment, can be used.

Substrate – Containers in a nursery should never sit on bare soil, as disease organisms can move into the pots through drainage holes. This problem becomes compounded if the soil is wet. Pots should be raised above the soil surface or on a weed mat or other barrier. When plants are sold, clean up fallen plant debris from the area.

Media – Store potting media on an impervious surface that will not get drainage from elsewhere in the nursery. Contact with bare soil or runoff water will introduce pathogens into the pile.

Unhealthy plants – Do not accept returned plants, and if you do, isolate them for a few weeks to observe development of any disease or pest symptoms. Culled plants should be kept away from the rest of the nursery and preferably downslope.

Do this: Not this: Having a CCP plan for your nursery will prevent many headaches in the future, and it will improve business by producing healthy plants thatContact people will want to buy.

Plants keptyour on gravel, pallets, or tables. with bare soil, weeds, and Further reading: Brasier, C. and Webber, J. 2010. Plant pathology: Sudden larch death. Nature 466, 824–825 doi:10.1038/466824a Osterbauer, N.K., Lewis, S., Hedberg, J., and McAnich, G. 2013. Assessing potential hazards for Phytophthora ramorum establishment in Oregon nurseries. J. environ. Hort.

31(3): 133-137.

Parke, J.L. and Grünwald, N.J. 2012. A systems approach for management of pests and pathogens of nursery crops. Plant Disease 96(9):1236-1244. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/ PDIS-11-11-0986-FE

14 - B&B Magazine & Northwest Landscape Professional, August 2014

206-937-5200

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WSNLA & WALP Joint Edition - 15

Lighting does not have to look obtrusive to make a big impact! Gone are the days where it was sufficient to place one large wattage flood lamp on the front of the home and call it lighting! Low voltage LED lighting has the technology to illuminate with minimal wattage usage. For the size of one large flood lamp, both front and back yards can be illuminated with multiple LED fixtures.

Besides creating great ambiance, landscape lighting creates safe, secure walkways, stairs, and pathways – allowing guests to move about unencumbered.

Besides looking awful, large flood lamps, when shining in your eye (which most do), will shrink your iris diminishing your vision. Well placed landscape lighting will still allow you to view the night sky and see the pathway in which you are walking because your eye is completely open.

Well-designed outdoor lighting not only highlights great landscape, it also brings to light all those great architectural features that make a home unique. Corbels, molding, and pillars really come to life and take on a whole new look in the evening time. This adds value to a home and peace of mind to those living within.

A properly installed outdoor lighting system will never leave power cords exposed for someone to trip on. A properly installed system should have discreetly buried UL low voltage cables and powered with a UL transformer. Whether a timer

16 - B&B Magazine & Northwest Landscape Professional, August 2014

Use Lighting To Beef-Up Security For Your Business As landscapers and nursery professionals, you are all aware of the value of lighting up your clients’ landscaping. Well-designed lighting systems can provide dramatic effect and provide safe access to outdoor living areas, paths, driveways, and the home perimeter.

As a loss prevention tactic, well-thought-out lighting designs and procedures have proven to be very effective according to a number of experts who advise business owners. Following are a few security tips to think about.

Many companies leave strategic lights on in the offices or shops after business hours simply to give the impression that people are still in the building. Burglars and vandals shy away from buildings that are occupied. And, the lighted areas make it easier to see and identify any unwanted guests.

or photo cell is used, landscape lighting should be on at dusk and last for as many hours as needed for safe travel throughout home and yard.

Besides creating great ambiance, landscape lighting creates safe, secure walkways, stairs, and pathways – allowing guests to move about unencumbered.

According to the National Safety Council, falls are the number three cause of home injury. Illuminating dark alleys, walkways, and stairs will help minimize the chance of accidents. A well-positioned path light can illuminate a dark walkway with a 10 foot puddle of light! By strategically placing these in an asymmetrical pattern, walkways will be completely and artistically covered with light to avoid trips and falls.

Creating soft washes of light down the side of a home can give peace of mind to the homeowner as he/she arrives at night knowing that most intruders don’t like to hang where they can be seen! And for customers who already have motion cameras, lighting assists in video recognition. Instead of a large flood motion light which advertises, “I’m afraid and need to protect what’s inside”, a complete outdoor lighting package makes your home look inviting to your guests and uninviting to others who mean harm.

Northwest Outdoor Lighting is based in Woodinville and specializes in creating customized landscape lighting designs utilizing transparent installation techniques and superior products to stylishly illuminate residential and commercial properties. For more information contact Mary Peterson at sales@nwoutdoorlighting.com or (425) 633-6074.

Directed lighting on the exterior of your premises is a good idea.

It beats the cost of leaving all the lights on 24/7. You will want to make sure that areas you might have a security camera trained on are well lit, particularly in those areas of the business that are most easily accessible to intruders.

You should place security lighting on all four sides of the business property and pay special attention to fences so that agile crooks cannot utilize the cover of darkness.

Be sure your lighting is properly protected from burglars and natural events like storms that might damage it. Heavy mesh around lighting can protect it from flying branches during high winds and also shield the lighting from having some creep breaking the bulbs. Putting your yard lights on hard-to-reach posts almost goes without saying.

Using light-sensitive photocells to automatically turn the lights on in your nursery/landscape yard is a good idea. Motion-sensitive lights have a tendency to scare the dickens out of the bad guys, and there are cost savings since the light is only used when it is needed. There are systems available that provide low intensity light during normal times and automatically get significantly brighter when motion is detected.

(In some cases, you might be able to use solar-powered lighting although we frequently suffer from sunlight shortages in the Pacific Northwest.)

One very big benefit that is derived from proper lighting is that it keeps workers, legitimate visitors and customers from tripping over hard-to-see hazards in the dark. There is no good reason to encourage calls to liability attorneys.

These are all common sense things but we may infrequently let our guard down and suffer the consequences. Security lighting can be done economically and effectively to supplement other strategies to protect your building, grounds and equipment.

WSNLA & WALP Joint Edition - 17

Wasps include these yellowjackets, (in trap).

These are the most aggressive in defending their nests.

Bugs & Blights

Target the Pest, Protect the Rest.

by Sharon J. Collman | WSU Snohomish Extention

A BEE by any other name, is a WASP “It is against state and federal law to apply insecticides to blooming plants”. Killing an individual bee in the field is not the issue. The real danger to pollinators is the potential for the bees to take the pesticide back to the nest, where all the bees are killed.

Wasps include these yellowjackets, (in trap).

These are the most aggressive defending Wasps include these yellowjackets, (inintrap). their nests.

These are the most aggressive in defending Wasps include thesethese yellowjackets, (in(intrap).

Wasps these Wasps include include yellowjackets, trap). their nests.

These are the most aggressive in defending

Honeybees are light or These are the most aggressive in defending dark brown and only yellowjackets, (in trap).

Honeybees are light or dark brown and only collect nests. their nests. pollen andpollen nectar. collect and nectar.theirThese are the most aggressive in defending ees are light or dark brown and only collect are light or dark brown and only collecttheir nests. and nectar. eybees are Honeybees light or dark brown and only collect pollen and nectar.

en and nectar.

Bees and wasps are not the same. Both bees and wasps sting with a stinger that has a venom supply. Their main homeland defense is that stinger and your fear. When not defending their social nest of workers and offspring, they are out searching for food for those workers and larvae. When they are foraging for nectar of prey Wasps include these yellowjackets, (in trap). they are not aggressive at all. Bees may circle you to determine if These are the most aggressive in defending their younests. are a flower; wasps may come to check out the shadow areas (collar, shirtsleeve) where an insect might lurk.

Honeybees are light or dark brown and only collect pollen and nectar.

Both bees and wasps have social nests, which they will defend vigorously. There are also solitary bees or wasps that use holes in the ground or old insect tunnels in wood. While the latter can sting they don’t have a nest to defend and their periods of nesting Paper wrapping around a bald-face hornet nest Paper wrapping around a bald-face hornet nest in rhododendron. This protective wrap is found activity is often limited. You have to work to make a solitary bee Honeybees entering nest behind wall. Elongate in rhododendron.

This wrap is infound PaperPaper wrapping around a and bald-face hornet around Honeybees entering nest protective also inwrapping ground nests nests cavities. nest mad enough to sting. http://www.thebeekeeper.ca/stingers.html shadows are incoming bees. Vibration or wall around a bald-face hornet nest inPaper rhododendron.

Thishornet protective wrap is found a wrapping bald-face nest behind wall. ees entering nest behind wall.

Elongate thumping brings out theElongateD defenders.

Honeybees entering nest behind wall. Elongate shadows are incoming bees. Vibration or wall thumping brings out the defenders.

Paper wrapping around a bald-face hornet nest in rhododendron. This protective wrap is found also in ground nests and nests in cavities.

innests rhododendron.

This wrap is found also in ground nests andalso in cavities. ininground nests andprotective nests inThis cavities. rhododendron.

eybees entering nest behind wall. s are incoming bees.

Vibration orElongate wall shadows are incoming ows are incoming bees.

Vibration or or wall ng brings outbees. the defenders.

Vibration wall mping brings out the defenders.

thumping brings out the defenders.

also in ground nests and nests in cavities.

protective wrap is found

also inentering ground nests Honeybees nest behind wall.and Elongate shadows bees. Vibration or wall nestsareinincoming cavities. thumping brings out the defenders.

Bumblebees are big fuzzy bee. They can be golden,

Bumblebees are big fuzzy bee. They can be golden,

August and September arenest wasp months. Wasps have the Paper wrapping around a bald-face hornet inmaximum rhododendron. number This protective is found ofwrap larvae and workers to feed and become also in ground nests and nests in cavities.

annoying scavengers at picnic feasts, garbage cans and water sources such as a faucets, swimming pools or beach. As the season closes, the wasps may switch to fruit and become more aggressive.

Honeybees and bumblebees continue to forage peacefully through the season, posing no threat to the gardener. Foraging bees and wasps usually appear to be wandering around the garden in yellowjackets, (in trap). random patterns.

Wasps include these These are the most aggressive in defending Bees and wasps returning to their social nests do so in a “beeline” bees areare bigbig fuzzy bee. can bebegolden, blebees fuzzy bee.They They can golden, theirBumblebees nests. are big fuzzy bee. They can be golden, much like planes coming and going in to and from the airport. They Bumblebees are big beeS. They around can be Paperfuzzy wrapping a bald-face nest and may have to circle when looking fly directly tohornet the nest opening golden, or black with for prey under bark flaps, in rockpiles or any dark shadow-line in rhododendron.

This protective wrap is found wall. Elongate yellow, white or reddish Mud daubers make where a dinner item may be living. They are not defensive when They are mudwall blobs; inside also inmarkings. ground nests and nests in cavities. ration or foraging.

Usually you can go right up to them. the only bees that can they provision it with pollinate some crops. rs. caterpillars, spiders or

wn and only collect

other insects and lay an egg: one egg per mud glob.

(RIGHT) Paper wasps make an open comb nest. A new paper wasp in our area, makes smaller and more numerous open comb nests.

18 - B&B Magazine & Northwest Landscape Professional, August 2014

Bees – social and solitary Most bees are gatherers of nectar and pollen. However, some will cut leaf edges in ovals or circles to line their nest tubes; others like orchard mason bees will use mud to line old beetle galleries.

Wasps – social and solitary Wasps are predators but will visit flowers for pollen and nectar or to find prey. Nests of the paper wasps are open with cells visible and yellowjackets are covered in a multilayered paper envelope.

Mud daubers make mud blobs; inside they

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WSNLA & WALP Joint Edition - 19

CONTRACTOR SPOTLIGHT

(Left) UW Medical Center Expansion – Lots of material lifted nine stories up then four stories down to build a courtyard.

(Below) UW Medical Center Expansion - Heavy lifting required.

Pacific Earth Works Strives For Good Customer Experience Under Commit and Over Deliver Jay Curcio and his crew at Pacific Earth Works in Snohomish focus on three areas of customer service – delivering a quality project, providing good value for the client’s investment, and making the construction experience as pleasant as possible.

“We provide individualized service while stressing to our staff members to always do what they say,” Curcio says. “Our motto is ‘under commit and over deliver.’ We don’t always achieve these goals, but they are what we are striving for.”

The company seems to thrive on big challenges.

One example is the Lake Union Boat House Green Roof project for the University of Washington. U.W. jobs are always challenging due to limited staging areas, tight time lines, and lifting requirements for many of their projects. They also did an award-winning Medical Center project that required lifting a whole lot of soil, rocks, timbers, piping, and plant material up nine stories and then down inside a courtyard for four more stories.

The company has taken home a number of WALP Environmental Landscape Awards Program awards over the years.

Curcio and his wife, Geri, established Pacific Earth Works in 1979 and have never looked back. They have always done a mix of commercial, municipal, and high-end residential work. According to Jay, they are strictly an “installation company” and do no design work.

They specialize in landscaping, irrigation, green roofs, drainage, and athletic fields, as well as stream work and wetland mitigation projects.

“We’re currently certified in seven different green roof systems and have installed some of the largest green roofs in the region,” Curcio says with pride.

The 35-year trajectory of success has been considerably driven by Pacific Earth Works’ 2025 employees, many of whom have been with the company for more than two decades.

“Building a good team has always been important to us since they are the ones who have the most direct contact with our clients,” he explains. “And they are extremely skilled and talented.”

20 - B&B Magazine & Northwest Landscape Professional, August 2014

UW Medical Center Expansion. The finished product was a triumph of construction logistics.

All of the company’s construction managers hold college degrees, and the inside office staff alone has more than 170 years of combined construction experience, plus all the many years of experience from the field staff. That’s a lot of tenure and professionalism. It’s resulted in a high level of client satisfaction and lots of referrals.

At the same time, Curcio acknowledges that it is always a challenge to find additional qualified and reliable people.

Sound familiar? It’s the most common challenge in the Green Industry.

Curcio is a long-time member of WALP who joined the organization in its second year of existence.

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The Lake Union Boat House Green Roof.

“It was a very small group back then, and there were some visionary thinkers among us,” he recalls. “Over the years, WALP has allowed me many opportunities to discuss the Industry and the challenges that come with it. I’ve met many colleagues that have helped me develop along the way.”

The Northwest Green Industry Conference, educational seminars, and L&I retro programs are all big benefits to Pacific Earth Works. He credits a talented group of WALP leaders at the State and Chapter levels, as well as the Association’s staff.

Congratulations to Pacific Earth Works on their growth and commitment to the Industry. To learn more, visit www. pacificearthworks.com or call Jay Curcio at (206) 625-1749.

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WSNLA & WALP Joint Edition - 21

November 17-20, 2014 | Training & Exam | WSU - Mount Vernon Research Center

Become Certified!

Deadline to Register is October 31

November 17-20, 2014 - Training & Exam

Why get certified?

More and more customers are requesting sustainable landscape design, construction, and maintenance. Earn the “ecoPRO certified” (or “EPC”) designation to show customers and others that you are knowledgeable in sustainable best practices that: 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; and Protect and enhance human health and well-being.

Who can become certified?

This is an advanced certification. 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 graduate of accredited landscape architecture program; • Have 3-years landscape experience as well as a horticultural degree or a degree in a related field.

What will I learn and be tested on?

The certification exam is based on 200+ best management practices (BMPs) and required study materials.

Why attend the 3-day advanced training?

Training attendance is not required for certification, but is highly recommended.

The training enhances the study materials, offers interactive learning, allows time for Q&A, and provides an opportunity to network with other landscape professionals. The training is open to all landscape professionals who have a basic background in horticulture and landscape management.

Certification requirements:

Read ecoPRO best practices and study materials, pass an exam demonstrating knowledge of sustainable landscaping principles and best practices.

Training/certification dates:

November 17-20, 2014 at WSU Mount Vernon Research Center.

Cost: $350, which includes 3-day training and

exam (lunch included). $150 for exam only. $75 for re-taking the exam. Individuals that do not meet the eligibility criteria for certification are welcome to register for the training only at the rate of $350. Deadline to Register is October 31

Required Reading:

Required study materials will be sent to you when you register for the training and/or exam.

For more information visit: - www.wsnla.org/ecoPROcertified - www.walp.org/ecoPRO

ecoPRO Administrators:

ecoPRO Training Sponsor:

Three Easy Ways to Register! Deadline October 31.

- For more information, or to register, contact (800) 672-7711 or www.wsnla.org.

- Fax completed form with credit card payment to WSNLA at (253) 661-6058.

- Mail form & payment to: WSNLA: 34400 Pacific Hwy, S. #2, Federal Way, WA 98003.

Including: City of Anacortes, City of Burlington, City of Sedro - Woolley, City of Mount Vernon & Skagit County.

Please tell us more about your business. (Check all that apply.)  Landscape - Residential  Landscape - Commercial  Landscape - Public Works  Design  Construction  Maintenance What eligiblity criteria do you meet? (Check all that apply.)  Licensed landscape architect  Landscape Industry Certified  Certified Professional Horticulturist  APLD Certified Landscape Designer  3-years landscape exp., plus related degree  IA Certified

 ISA Certified Arborist  Other ____________

What are you registering for?

 Exam Retake ($75)

 Training & Exam ($350)  Training Only ($350)

 Exam Only ($150)

Registrant’s Name(s): _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Business Name: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________ CIty: _______________________ Zip: _____________________ Phone: _____________________________________ Fax: _______________________________ Email: ___________________________________ Payment Information Enclosed is my check for charge my credit card:  Visa  MasterCard Card #: ___________________________________________________________ Exp. _____________________ CVV Code: ___________________ Name On Card: _________________________________________________ Signature: _______ _________________________________________

Certified Professional Horticulturist of Month

A glimpse inside the CPH community

Linda Zimmer, CPH Landscapes by Linda Owner Woodinville

had a plan to do much more than some design and gardening. You start out doing everything, design, maintenance, construction, but over the years, I narrowed it down to design/build. In 1995, I changed the company name to LBL Landscape Group, and started doing more than just plantings. We specialized in water features, walls, patios and pathways. Then in 2006, I downsized and have gone back to Landscapes by Linda. Now I do what I love again which is helping homeowners create beautiful gardens they can spend time in. I do the design or consultation and sub-contract the work.

Certified Professional Horticulturist of the Month Q&A is by Joanie Hackett, CPH. About Joanie: Hackett has been 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 Certified Professional Horticulturist Board for WSNLA, and is the contact person for the CPH of the Month article. Joanie can be contacted at joaniedidit@comcast.net.

I started my career in landscaping in the mid 1980’s. While working part time at a nursery, I got the plant fever and wanted to learn more. So I enrolled in school at Edmonds Community College.

While attending school, I worked at Cottage Creek Nursery in Woodinville.

They specialized in perennials, so that has always been my first love. During this time, I became a WSN (Washington Certified Nurseryman). I have a certificate showing the date of 1988.

When the program changed over to CPH, I was grandfathered in.

I love attending the convention, and the meetings where you meet other fellow horticulturists and the ongoing educational seminars.

While working at the nursery, customers would come in asking for advice on their landscapes. During that time I started Landscapes by Linda. I never

As far as being successful as a business, you need to pay attention to the numbers. Know what your real costs are and how you will recover them. Good employees are key, and that becomes the biggest challenge in business.

Common mistakes homeowners make are plantings that are too close together because they don’t have a vision for how large they can get. Many people just need a professional consultation to get them started.

My favorite plants just happen to start with an “H”. (Hostas, Heuchera, Helleborus, etc.) I love lots of texture in the garden with seasonal interest.

My favorite website is my own www. landscapesbylinda.net. I also enjoy the websites, houzz and pinterest and the ability to share ideas on those sites with your clients.

WSNLA & WALP Joint Edition - 23

STELLAR WORK

Drastic Deck Do-Over

Bellevue Home Undergoes Dramatic Renovation David Jensen of Native Green Landscapes had his work cut out for him. The Auburn-based company was tasked with replacing a weathered and rotting deck that was way overdue for replacement. It was a structural and aesthetic challenge that begged to be worked out.

to make the project successful, along with installation of a new drip system for the planters and waterproofing of the wood.

The result was more than dramatic and earned Native Green Landscapes a Grand Award in “Residential Construction” in the 2013 WALP Environmental Landscape Awards Program.

Jensen suggested using 24” x 24” Vancouver Bay tiles for the new deck surface. A treated timber deck frame was carefully designed to carry the considerable weight (seven tons) of the tile. They also designed block wall planters around the deck and added the covered stairs and aluminum handrails where necessary to meet code.

Native Green Landscapes is a design/build company that also does residential and commercial maintenance to high standards. David Jensen has been contracting and building yards for more than 30 years, as well as building homes from the ground up, doing remodels, patios, outdoor living spaces, and hardscapes. He also finds time to serve as President of WALP’s King County Chapter and serve on the State Board.

According to Jensen, there was also (as you might imagine) a significant amount of effort put toward grading and drainage 24 - B&B Magazine & Northwest Landscape Professional, August 2014

The Lorenz Family was more than satisfied with the quality of the project and the new look for their home.

Congratulations to Native Green Landscapes on this outstanding project. For more information on how it was done, you can call (425) 481-6889 or send an e-mail to davidjensen@comcast.net.

1. Before: Not bad looking, but the deck structures were rotting.

2. After: Looking great and everything is solid.

1

2

3

4

5

6

3. Before: The terrific lakefront setting deserves more than this.

4. After: Now that’s more like it.

5. Following 6. Benches and removal of planters were the old deck, installed on the grading and water side. drainage was theWSNLA & WALP Joint Edition - 25 next task.

HGTV’s Jamie Durie Visits Windmill Gardens & Says Plant Something!

In June, Windmill Gardens hosted HGTV’s Jamie Durie as his exclusive West Coast tour stop. The event drew over 100 attendees excited to hear Durie share his favorite plant selections and design trends. A handful of attendees enjoyed a VIP tour of Windmill Gardens as Durie walked them through and shared further gardening insight.

WSNLA was on hand at the event to promote Plant Something and the Certified Professional Horticulturist program.

GardenWashington Locator Guides and seeds stakes, as well as CPH bookmarks were handed out throughout the event.

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Our services include: • Tree & Shrub Pruning • Cabling & Bracing • Fertilization & Soil Care • Insect & Disease Management

Giving deeper impact to this effort was Sharon Harris, executive director of Colorado Nursery & Greenhouse Association’s connection with Jamie Durie at an earlier gardening event in Colorado.

When Plant Something was brought to Durie’s attention at Windmill Gardens he made the connection of the Plant Something campaign.

A huge thank you to Windmill Gardens for helping spread the Plant Something message on a national level.

FOR THE LIFE OF YOUR TREES.

Call 877.BARTLETT (877.227.8538) or visit BARTLETT.COM 26 - B&B Magazine & Northwest Landscape Professional, August 2014

(TOP) WSNLA Executive Director Breanne Chavez & Durie say Plant Something!

(MIDDLE) Ben DeGoede, CPH, owner of Windmill Gardens in Sumner and Durie. (BOTTOM) CNGA Executive Director Sharon Harris & Durie.

INDUSTRY NEWS

ASLA Releases Landscape Design Trends Survey Results The American Society of Landscape Architects just released the results of their 2014 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey, which questioned residential landscape architects on what trends they think are most popular.

No big surprises…People are looking for low-maintenance designs that emphasize relaxation and entertainment.

Add to that the growing demand for sustainability.

Ten features and design elements were ranked by consumer demand. Lighting; seating and dining areas; native plants; landscaped gardens; outdoor recreation amenities (including pools); installed seating (benches, seat walls, ledges, steps and boulders); vegetable and fruit gardens; grills; outdoor kitchens; and fire pits.

We asked some landscape designers what they are seeing as well. Linda Zimmer, CPH, of Landscapes by Linda in Woodinville cites rising demand for outdoor rooms with covered areas for barbecuing and entertaining, plus edible gardens that are either separate areas or

The Washington State Department of Revenue Adopts New Rule

incorporated into the landscape. When we asked her if her clients have a “vision” before they contact her she replied, “Most of them have a list of wants and/ or pictures that have inspired them. A lot of them are using sites such as Pinterest and Houzz and sharing those ideas that they have pinned to their board.”

Naramore echoes her observation – saying he sees more of it in nearby Portland but less in Clark County where consumers seem less willing to pay a premium for it.

Jeff Naramore of America the Beautiful Landscape Design in Vancouver thinks only about 20 percent of his clients have much of a vision for their landscape before they meet with him. He also seconds Zimmer’s experience that more homeowners in urban areas want to produce at least some of their own fresh food through gardens.

“Our clients are much more valuebased in considering landscaping,” said Naramore. “They want beautiful, lowmaintenance yards but sometimes are not willing to pay for the value they receive.”

“Sustainability” is becoming considerably more important as time goes on and the trend is expected to continue. People are simply becoming more and more conscious of the environmental impacts of residential living and yard maintenance.

“I think most clients are open to sustainability because they hear about it and want more information,” Zimmer said.

We didn’t get any argument from the other landscape designers we talked with. Homeowners are looking for more bang for the buck.

“Many people still don’t place a lot of financial value on planning and eventually learn that they will pay for the lack of planning through overspending on poor priorities and redoing things,” Zimmer adds. “Their spending is greatly influenced by media, popular opinion, and poor planning.”

WALP Pruning Workshop Drew Well and Delivered Much

Rule Adoptions (CR-103P) – Excise Tax WAC 458-20-210 (Rule 210) Sales of tangible personal property for farming – Sales of agricultural products by farmers.

Why This Rule Is Being Adopted: This rule explains the application of business and occupation, retail sales, and use taxes to the sales of tangible personal property to farmers. It has been updated to conform to existing law on the taxability of manufacturing fresh fruits and vegetables; manufacturing dairy products; purchasing nutrient management equipment and facilities; and use of reseller permits.

This rule became effective on July 31, 2014.

Does it all come down to cost? Definitely not, but it is still a major factor.

Students received instruction on rehab pruning for mature apple

trees.

More than two dozen eager students had the rare opportunity to learn and apply new skills for pruning and renovation in a June 20 all-day WALP workshop at a public park in Kirkland.

The day began at Heritage Hall with classroom instruction by local pruning guru Cass Turnbull of PlantAmnesty on how to determine the habit of any given tree or shrub and then prune accordingly. She also covered creative solutions to common maintenance problems. Following the classroom instruction, attendees moved outside to McAuliffe Park where they received English and Spanish instruction and hands-on experience. The outdoor practicum work zones included Japanese Laceleaf maple thinning, rehab pruning for mature apple trees, making a native area more attractive yet still natural looking, and selective pruning for passage.

Special thanks to Tim Werner, Parks Operation Supervisor, with the City of Kirkland for hosting the workshop at Heritage Hall and McAuliffe Park.

WSNLA & WALP Joint Edition - 27

WSNLA

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association

WSNLA Chapter Events

WSNLA Board of Directors

Connect with Industry Peers. Access to Professional Education.

Megan Pulkkinen, CPH, President Megan Pulkkinen Landscape Design 360-698-1865 | megancph@hotmail.com

Mt Rainier Chapter

Tim Gray, President Elect Pacific Stone Company 425-258-1911 | timg@pacificstoneco.com

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

Bill Raynolds, My Garden, Vice President 206-406-3487 | mygardennursery@gmail.com

North Central Chapter

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 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

For more information or to be added to the email list to receive chapter meeting notice announcements, contact Pete Van Well, Van Well Nursery pete2@vanwell.net.

Northwest Chapter

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

Olympic Chapter

September 10 at 7pm.

Location: Healing Garden at Harrison Hospital in Bremerton. The tour will be led by the architect and designer of the garden, as well as the professionals who care for it. To RSVP for this event, or to be added to this chapters email list please contact to Gayle Larson, CPH at dancingravendesign@hotmail.com.

Seattle Chapter

Kirsten Lints, CPH, Gardens ALIVE Design 425-318-2971 | kirsten@gardensALIVEdesign.com Seattle Chapter President

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

Peter Van Well, III, Van Well Nursery 509-886-8189 | pete2@vanwell.net North Central Chapter President

Host or Sponsor a Chapter Meeting

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

Hosting a chapter meeting at your business is a great way to introduce your plant availability, products and services to potential clients and customers. By inviting nursery and landscape professionals to your business site, it provides an opportunity to share your expertise and build valuable relationships to grow your business.

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 WSNLA: 34400 Pacific Highway South, Ste 2 Federal Way, WA 98003 (800) 672-7711 • (253) 661-6055 www.wsnla.org, info@wsnla.org 28 - B&B Magazine & Northwest Landscape Professional, August 2014

WALP Chapter Meetings Inland Empire Chapter

2014 WALP Board Of Directors

The Inland Empire Chapter meets at locations in and around Spokane. For additional information, contact the WALP Office at (425) 967-0729 or info@walp.org.

President Wade Bartlett, CLT Rock Solid Landscapes, LLC

King County Chapter

The King County Chapter hosts meetings on the third Wednesday of every month at various locations in the greater Seattle/Bellevue area.

President-Elect Linda Carroll Jefferson Landscaping

Northwest Chapter

The Northwest Chapter hosts meetings in the Whatcom and Skagit County areas. For additional information, contact the WALP Office at (425) 967-0729 or info@walp.org.

Secretary Lori de Leuw Designs by de Leuw

Peninsula Chapter

Treasurer Larry Zimmer, CLT Rock Solid Landscapes, LLC

Pierce County Chapter

Past President Will Bailey, CLT, CLP, CIC, EPC Signature Landscape Services, Inc.

Snohomish County Chapter

Associate Representative Preston Farner Walker Mowers/Coates Landscape Supply

Southwest Chapter

Inland Empire Chapter Position Vacant

Thurston County Chapter

King County Chapter David Jensen Native Green Landscapes

The Peninsula Chapter meets at various locations west of Puget Sound.

The Pierce County Chapter has monthly meetings in and around Tacoma.

The Snohomish County Chapter meets on the third Tuesday of every month.

The Southwest Chapter meets at locations in and around Vancouver.

The Thurston County Chapter hosts monthly meetings on the second Wednesday of each month.

Northwest Chapter Position Vacant Peninsula Chapter Richard Hedahl, CLT, EPC Hedahl Landscape, Deck & Patio Pierce County Chapter Niwar Nasim Nasim & Sons, Inc.

• REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR... •

WALP 4 1 2G0olf Tournament

Titanium/Title Sponsor

Snohomish County Chapter Deby Kohlwes The Grounds Professionals

Graphite/Hole-In One Sponsor

Southwest Chapter Bart Davis, CLT, EPC Davis Landscape, LLC

Hole-In One Prize: MT25i Mower Valued At $20,300!

Thurston County Chapter Richard Casey. EPC Casey’s Landscaping

Check-In: 7:15 am Tee-Off Time: 8:00 am Lunch: 2:00 pm

heWor ld ” T d n u “Aro August 22, 2014

WALP invites you to tee it up with your friends and colleagues for an afternoon of fun and golf. Featured events for the day include hole-in-one, closest-to-the-pin, longest drive, other fun contests, mulligans, prizes and awards, and lunch.

The Golf Club at Echo Falls Snohomish, WA

To reserve your foursome or take advantage of one of the many sponsorship opportunities available to enhance your visibility, contact the WALP Office at info@walp.org or (425) 967-0729.

WALP Office Patty Anderson, CAE, IOM, Executive Director Sydney Isaac, Executive Assistant & Certification Administrator Lynn Melby, CAE, NWLP Editor Tammy Reniche, Melby, Cameron & Anderson Design & Layout 23607 Highway 99, Ste 2C Edmonds, WA 98026 (800) 833-2186 • (425) 967-0729 www.walp.org, info@walp.org

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WSNLA & WALP Joint Edition - 29

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.

Real-time Dialogue.

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

Generate Fresh Ideas.

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.

WSNLA Marketplace

[ Job Postings, For Sale, Plant Material Available & More! ]

JOB OPPORTUNTITY OUTSIDE SALES REP. Iwasaki Bros., Inc. is a family owned Wholesale Greenhouse Business recognized for quality bedding plants supplying retail chain garden centers in Oregon, Washington and Idaho with annuals, perennials, baskets, vegetables, herbs and planters.

We are seeking a highly motivated, self-directed, customer oriented and experienced Outside Sales Rep to service retail chain stores in Washington by selling and marketing product. This position would be gathering market intelligence, building positive, loyal and long term business relationships with our customers.

Responsibilities include but not limited to: Servicing stores and keeping product effectively displayed. Increase customer awareness and satisfaction of our product and services. Communicate to Sales Manager, Assistant Manager and General Manager on store conditions, competition, store displays and inventory levels. Assist in making presentations to Buyers, Regional Managers and other Key Store Personnel. Provide plant training to customers at store level. Identify possible new accounts and follow up at direction of Sales Manager.

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.

Job Requires at least 2 years retail garden center and customer service experience. Additional wholesale or growing experience desired. Associates degree in horticulture or Master Gardner Certificate preferred. For a complete list of job requirements please contact Julie@iwaski-bros.com.

PLANT MATERIAL 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 2 gal. & 5 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. To place a listing in the WSNLA Marketplace breanne@wsnla.org or (800) 672-7711.

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

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

Search Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association at www.facebook.com/WSNLA. 30 - The B&B Magazine & Northwest Landscape Professional, August 2014

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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

32 - The B&B Magazine & Northwest Landscape Professional, August 2014