B&B - 2017 Issue III - Rain Garden Research & Practical Experience

VOL 69, NO. 3, SUMMER 2017

Be Far From Ordinary You are unique.

But what about your business?

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SUZANNE WAINWRIGHT-EVANS The Buglady Farwest Speaker

Farwest: Far From Ordinary

AUGUST 23-25, 2017 At the Oregon Convention Center Register at FarwestShow.com

WSDA’s New Greenhouse. Turn to page 12 to learn more about WSDA’s new greenhouse and how it supports nurseries growing fruit trees.

Rain Garden Experiences. Example of maintenance problems in a roadside rain garden. Weeds are becoming established THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF and the groundcover is spreading onto Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association the sidewalk. Turn to page 8 to read Washington University’s Photo 2. Example ofState maintenance problems inresearch a roadside rain garden. Weeds are becoming andlandscape the groundcover is spreading onto the sidewalk. from established practicing professionals.

JUNE & JULY 2017

VOL 69. NO. 3

Contents

Editor Breanne Chavez 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

Features

Subscription Price: $39 Annually Deadlines:

8 Rain Garden

News, Classified ads 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.

Experiences

Research results and insights from practicing landscape professionals

12 WSDA’s New

Greenhouse Backs Nurseries Selling Fruit Trees

Columns 4

From the President

5

Legislative Report

6

Executive Director

13 A Big Tree,

For A Big LIfe

The Arboretum at South Seattle College dedicates a giant Sequoia in honor of industry advocate and leader, Cass Turnbull

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.

WSNLA

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association

Growing the Success of our Members

Departments 7

WSNLA Marketplace

14

Calendar of Events

14

Chapter News

www.wsnla.org

Executive Director Breanne Chavez e-mail breanne@wsnla.org Finance & Operations Director Holly Osborne, CPH e-mail holly@wsnla.org B&B Magazine Content Coordinator Dawn Clarke email dawn@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.

© 2017, Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 3

[ Monthly Presidential Musings ]

The Art of Learning.

The Art of Doing. The Act of Trying.

Duane Job WSNLA President Job’s Nursery Pasco

I run into a lot of people that are hesitant about trying something new. They have a fear of failing and making mistakes. Over the years, I have removed a lot of plants out of people’s yards that have failed because they were planted too deep; compost was used but not mixed into the planting hole; not watering the plant in; or, wrong plant for wrong place in the yard. Really, an 8 inch wide plant in a 2 inch wide bed? As I’m sure you all can relate, I get asked plant questions all the time. Why something died is a popular one and most of the time it was something simple. The person just doesn’t know. A lot of people just don’t know.

Which got me thinking about the various ways I learn, including reading, watching and talking with others, or YouTube videos. But most importantly, I learn from trying. I remember being shown by my grandma that by putting soapy water on her cabbage plants, she kept the bugs off. Bugs do not like the taste of soap.

Which got me wondering. How could we promote the plant industry more? By having YouTube videos of our businesses? What are you good at?

What do we love to do? For me it’s the love of playing in the soil. I also love oak trees. Could this be a way of getting Certified Professional Horticulturists and ecoPRO Certified Sustainable Landscape Professionals more known in the public eye? Which in turn would provide a more perceived value to their customers and employer? Could this be a way of making our customers more successful in their act of trying? Perhaps, even more engaged? Which makes us all more successful?

What an idea to have fun with! After all the Pacific Northwest is a great place to Garden!

4 - The B&B Magazine

Legislative & Regulatory Protecting Your Business & Industry

any question, please do not hesitate to ask.

Taxes Under the new property tax, high value, urban areas will see tax increases while lower value and rural areas will see an overall decrease in property taxes.

Several other changes were made to the tax code including requiring out-of-state internet sellers to collect and remit sales tax from Washington customers.

Heather Hansen WSNLA Lobbyist Olympia On the evening of June 30, the last day of the biennium, the legislature passed a two-year operating budget that will carry the state through June 2019. They did not pass a capital budget; however, they plan to continue to work towards that goal though July.

The budget includes $43.7 billion in spending over the next two years, including a $5.2 billion revenue increase from existing and new taxes, including an increase in the state property tax to $2.70 per $1,000 of assessed value. It increases spending by 13.5% over the state’s current operating budget.

An historic event occurred for better for worse with the passage of SB 5975 relating to paid family and medical leave. Nearly all businesses dislike the act do to the cost and additional record keeping and regulatory structure. However, most businesses supported it because they felt the negotiated package was far better than what would likely pass in a citizen’s initiative. The bill includes preemption language that prevents cities and counties from creating their own paid family leave programs. All employees in the state are covers and must pay into the program through deductions from their paycheck.

Businesses with fewer than 50 employees are exempt from paying premiums, but must collect and remit the employees portion and must allow their employees to take leave for covered events. Look for much more about how this bill will affect employers in the coming weeks.

Highlights from the budget relating to nursery and landscape are listed below. If you have

Department of Agriculture $723,000 - Asian Gypsy Moth Eradication In the spring of 2016, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Plant Pest Program conducted Asian Gypsy Moth eradication in western Washington.

Additional post-treatment monitoring is required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to determine the effectiveness of these treatments. Ongoing funding is provided for WSDA to conduct additional post-treatment, high-density trapping. $250,000 - Small Farm Direct Marketing One-time funding is provided for the Washington State Department of Agriculture Farm to School and Small Farm Direct Marketing programs to provide guidance, training, and technical assistance services to producers and buyers.

Washington State University $270,000 are provided solely for a honey bee biology research position. $1,160,000 are provided solely for the development of an organic agriculture systems degree program located at the university center in Everett. $180,000 are provided solely for a rural economic development and outreach coordinator. $600,000 are provided solely for the William D. Ruckelshaus center to collaborate with groups and organizations, including associations of local governments, associations of the business, real estate and building industries, state agencies, environmental organizations, state universities, public health and planning organizations, and tribal governments, to create a “Road Map to Washington’s Future.” The road map shall identify areas of agreement on ways to adapt Washington’s growth management framework of statutes, institutions, and policies to meet future challenges in view of robust forecasted growth and the unique circumstances and urgent priorities in the

diverse regions of the state. The center shall, in conjunction with state universities and other sponsors, conduct regional workshops to: (a) Engage Washington residents in identifying a desired statewide vision for Washington’s future; (b) Partner with state universities on targeted research to inform future alternatives; (c) Facilitate deep and candid interviews with representatives of the above named groups and organizations; and (d) Convene parties for collaborative conversations and potential agreement seeking.

The center must submit a final report to the appropriate committees of the legislature by June 30, 2019.

Office of the Attorney General $11,000 - Regulatory Fairness. Funding is provided to implement Chapter 53, Laws of 2017 (2SHB 1120) for the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) to provide advice to the Office of Regulatory Assistance on small business economic impact guidelines. $40,000 - Small Business Owners. Funding is provided to implement Chapter 243, Laws of 2017 (HB 1352), which requires the AGO to report recommendations to the Legislature on how to ensure that the rights of small business owners are clarified and communicated.

Department of Commerce $300,000 - - Skilled Worker Program. Funding is provided to implement Chapter 225, Laws of 2017 (SSB 5713) which requires Commerce to create the skilled worker outreach, recruitment, and career awareness grant program.

Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board $171,000 - Workforce Study Funding is provided for Chapter 182, Laws of 2017 (Second Substitute Senate Bill 5285), which directs the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board to conduct a workforce assessment for the agriculture, natural resources, outdoor recreation, and environment sectors. A report is due by October 15, 2018.

Department of Labor and Industries $145,000 - Farm Internship Program. Funding is provided to implement Chapter 150, Laws of 2017 (HB 1906) for program administration through December 31st, 2019.

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 5

[ FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ] The future of your industry is not defined.

Breanne Chavez WSNLA Executive Director Help Define & Grow Your Industry!

Through service, the WSNLA board of directors plays an important role in advancing your industry. While WSNLA Board members are responsible for the legal and fiduciary duty of your association, their ultimate service is in working together to co-define and create a stronger industry for everyone.

As a board member, what is really in it for you and your business?

Envisioning the organization’s greater potential and influencing strategic direction to ensure maximum protection, promotion and education is delivered to WSNLA members. You have ideas and collectively working to expand opportunities for your industry to grow!

What is in it for WSNLA? Evolving board leadership provides fresh perspectives and new ideas. A community of leaders from diverse backgrounds helps to enrich discussions addressing nursery and landscape business challenges and opportunties.

There have been 80 years of WSNLA board of directors that have worked to advance your industry. Is it your turn? WSNLA Board of Directors is looking to cultivate new leaders to serve in 2018. Please consider participating in our shared vision of growing our industry and the success of WSNLA member businesses through protecting and advocating, industry promotion, and advancing the professionalism of our industry.

If you are interested please contact me at (800) 672-7711 or breanne@ wsnla.org. Your interest does not commit you to anything.

As a WSNLA member, you are a valuable part of ensuring a vibrant industry for nursery and landscape businesses to grow their success!

6 - The B&B Magazine

WSNLA

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association

2017 WSNLA OFFICERS Duane Job, President Job’s Nursery 509-547-4843 | duanejob@gmail.com Lucinda McMahan, CPH | President Elect Lucinda’s Landscapes 425-773-4237 | lucinda31@comcast.net Bill Raynolds, My Garden, Treasurer 206-406-3487 | mygardennursery@gmail.com Tim Gray, Past President Pacific Stone Company 425-258-1911 | timg@pacificstoneco.com

THE WSNLA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETS QUARTERLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. LAST MONTH, THEY MET AT THE WILDHORSE RENEWABLE ENERGY CENTER IN ELLENSBURG WHERE THEY ALSO ENJOYED A TOUR OF THE SOLAR AND WIND FARM, INCLUDING GOING INTO THE TOWER OF WIND TURBINE. (BACK ROW - FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) DUANE JOB (JOB’S NURSERY, PASCO), TIM GRAY (PACIFIC STONE COMPANY, EVERETT), SCOTT PRINGLE, CPH (PARADISE LAKE NURSERY, SNOHOMISH), BILL RAYNOLDS (MY GARDEN NURSERY, BELLINGHAM), CHRIS SEXTON-SMITH, CPH (LAKE WA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY). (FRONT ROW - FRONT LEFT TO RIGHT) MEGAN PULKKINEN, CPH, EPC (LANDSCAPE DESIGN, POULSBO), LUCINDA MCMAHAN, CPH (LUCINDA’S LANDSCAPES), KIRSTEN LINTS, CPH (GARDENS ALIVE DESIGN), HOLLY OSBORNE, CPH (WSNLA STAFF), SHANNON GRINA, CPH (GRINA LANDSCAPES, GIG HARBOR), BREANNE CHAVEZ (WSNLA EXECUTIVE), AND KERRY SEXTON-SMITH, CPH.

Ingrid Wachtler, CPH, Past President Woodbrook Native Plant Nursery 253-265-6271 | woodbrk@harbornet.com

WSNLA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Peter Van Well, III, Van Well Nursery 509-886-8189 | pete2@vanwell.net North Central Chapter President Scott Pringle, CPH, Paradise Lake Nursery 206-930-4132 | paradiselakenursery@gmail.com Northwest Chapter President Megan Pulkkinen, CPH | Megan Pulkkinen Landscape Design 360-265-5799| megancph@hotmail.com Olympic Chapter President

WSNLA MARKETPLACE PLANTS & TREES AVAILABLE 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. b&b. List available. (360) 794-6549, or akker4@gmail.com.

Specimen Street and landscape Trees in large Root Control Bags. Year around availability, easier shipping, handling and establishment. Mount Vernon. (360) 428-5810. Fax (360) 4281822. www.urbanforestnursery.com.

WSNLA MEMBER.

CORRECTION:

In the last issue of the B&B Magazine C&O Nursery’s website was incorrectly listed. Page 13.

Cosmic Crisp™ apple varieties will be available at three WSNLA member businesses, they include: C&O Nursery in Wenatchee www.c-onursery.com Biringer Nursery in Mount Vernon: www.biringernursery.com Van Well Nursery in Wenatchee www.vanwell.net

Kirsten Lints, CPH, Gardens ALIVE Design 425-318-2971 | kirsten@gardensALIVEdesign.com Seattle Chapter President Toni Cross, CPH, Toni Cross Seasonal Color Pots 206-781-1060 | toni@seasonalcolorpots.com Design Caucus Chair Chris Smith, CPH | Lake Washington Institute of Technology 425-739-8424 | chris.smith@lwtech.edu Horticulture Educator Caucus Chair Timothy Gray | Pacfic Stone Company 425-258-191 | timg@pacificstoneco.com Horticultural Supplier Caucus Chair Gregory Smaus, CPH, ecoPRO 206-227-4458 | gregory@rocksolidlandscapes.com Landscape Caucus Chair Ben DeGoede, CPH, Windmill Gardens 253-863-5843 | info@windmillgardens.com Retail Caucus Chair Shannon Grina, CPH, Grina Landscape Design (425) 736-5170 | shannon99@comcast.net CPH Caucus Chair

Open Positions: -

Mt Rainier Chapter President Greenhouse Grower Caucus Chair Wholesale Grower Caucus Chair Out of State Caucus Chair

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 7

(LEFT) EXAMPLE OF A RAIN GARDEN WITH AN EDGE THAT IS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN, BOTH DUE TO ITS WAVY LINE OF GRASS AND NO MEANS TO KEEP GRASS AND RAIN GARDEN PLANTS SEPARATED. (RIGHT) RAIN GARDEN PROVIDING STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SERVICES AT A PUBLIC SCHOOL IN PIERCE COUNTY.

INTRODUCTION: Rain gardens have been heavily promoted and installed in the Puget Sound to improve water quality and help reduce stormwater problems (see, for example, www.12000raingardens.org). This necessity to manage stormwater effectively will increase over time, because climate change is bringing more frequent periods of heavy rains to our region (Mauger et al., 2015).

With funds from a WSDA Nursery License Surcharge Grant, we collected information from practicing landscapes professionals to see what could be learned from their actual experiences with designing, installing and maintaining current rain gardens.

Green infrastructure involves using nature to solve urban environmental problems (Barrett, 2015). Low impact development (LID) is a form of green infrastructure for treating urban stormwater with a goal of restoring natural hydrologic functions in urban landscapes. One important tool in this integrated approach is bioretention, which utilizes the biological, physical, and chemical properties of plants, soil media, and microorganisms to promote water infiltration and pollutant removal. Rain gardens are a form of bioretention. They are shallow depressions in the landscape filled with soil media and plants. Plants are a critical component in the proper functioning of rain gardens, as the plants transpire water and increase favorable soil infiltration and microbiological activity.

8 - The B&B Magazine

Public acceptance is necessary for the continued success of green infrastructure projects such as rain gardens (Cramer, 2015; Ehsaei et al., 2015; Lohr and Relf, 2014). This includes rain gardens installed on both public and private properties. Researchers evaluating stormwater management systems, including rain gardens, concluded the systems often failed from lack of maintenance, which could lead to a loss of public confidence in green infrastructure (Blecken et al., 2015).

Other studies have shown that with proper maintenance, rain gardens continued to provide ecosystem services as much as 8 years after installation (Paus et al., 2014).

first-hand experiences and perceptions regarding rain gardens in Washington State.

Concerns with maintenance practices were often mentioned. We then developed an on-line survey with items covering the business or place of employment of the survey respondents, the level of experience of the individual survey respondent with rain gardens, and perceptions of the environmental benefits and success of rain gardens. The major portion of the survey consisted of three questions about each of sixteen rain garden maintenance activities.

The three questions covered how often they did each activity, how often they thought each activity should be done and, finally, how likely they thought each activity was to be a barrier to the acceptance of rain gardens.

Many of the studies on rain gardens, including these on losing or maintaining functionality, have been conducted in parts of the US where the climate is very different from that in the Pacific Northwest, with our cool, wet winters and very dry summers (Hummel et al., 2014). Rain garden performance is likely to be quite different in our region. Gathering data regarding the actual experiences with rain gardens of landscape professionals in Washington was one important step in understanding how they perform in our area.

To solicit input from green industry professionals who design, install, maintain, or regulate rain gardens, invitations to complete the survey were e-mailed to participants in the Washington State Urban Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program, members of the Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association, and individuals in public agencies identified to have experience with rain gardens. Responses were received from 152 people. Surveys from those with no first-hand experience with any aspect of rain gardens and surveys with incomplete portions were eliminated, leaving 86 surveys for the final analysis. Complete results and a copy of the survey are available at: http:// public.wsu.edu/%7Elohr/RainGardenSurvey.

METHODS: We began our study by interviewing landscape professionals about their

FIGURE 1

RESULTS: RESPONDENTS’ BUSINESSES OR PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT The businesses or places of employment of survey respondents were involved in a broad range of activities, including work with rain gardens. People reported working for firms including traditional design and build firms, restoration organizations, production, sales, landscape maintenance companies, and state or local governments. The locations in Washington State that are served by the business or place of employment of the respondents covered the entire state, but most served the Seattle and Puget Sound areas.

The portion of work related to any single rain garden activity (design, installation, maintenance, or regulation) performed by the business or place of employment ranged from none to 100%. Typically it was a small portion of their work. Notably, some places are now focusing exclusively or nearly exclusively on rain garden work, particularly rain garden design and maintenance.

Respondents were asked about how the work related to rain gardens of their business or place of employment had changed in the past two years (Figure 1). For about half, the workload was unchanged. For more than 40%, the workload related to rain gardens had increased. Some attribute this to increased education from municipalities and garden shows. Others say there is more focus on LID stormwater management and that commercial properties and new developments see their advantages. Others note that some increase is due to municipal mandates and grants. For about 7%, work actually decreased, with one reporting that rain gardens are not as “trendy” today and others saying they require too much maintenance. Others reported reduced grant funds and even receiving requests for rain garden removal.

RESPONDENTS’ EXPERIENCES Respondents included people who owned their own companies, supervised other green industry employees, performed maintenance services, provided instruction or consulting services, or performed a variety of other jobs. Respondents were asked about which specific rain garden activities they performed as an individual.

Figure 2. Percent of respondents who have designed, installe involved with regulating rain gardens and the average number been involved with the activity compared to percent and numb been involved in each activity with other types of landscapes.

FIGURE 2

Figure 3. Percent of rain gardens that respondents think are su environmental benefits, aesthetics (visual appearance), accepta owner, and acceptance by the green industry.

FIGURE 3

The people who completed the survey had considerable experience with activities (design, installation, maintenance, or regulation) related to both rain gardens and other types of landscapes (Figure 2). For example, almost 90% had experience maintaining typical landscapes, and had done so for an average of 15 years. The number of years of experience with rain gardens is much less, since they are a newer type of garden.

RAIN GARDEN MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES Respondents were presented with a list of sixteen routine rain garden maintenance activities. They were asked to rate each activity on three things: 1. When maintaining a typical rain garden, about how often do you do each activity?

2. For effective appearance and functioning of a rain garden, in your opinion, how often should each or does each need to be done?

3. To have rain gardens widely accepted and appreciated by the public and green industry professionals, in your opinion, how likely is each item to be a barrier?

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

(TOP - FIGURE 1) ESTIMATED CHANGE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS IN WORK RELATED TO RAIN GARDENS FOR BUSINESSES OR PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT OF SURVEY RESPONDENTS. (MIDDLE - FIGURE 2) PERCENT OF RESPONDENTS WHO HAVE DESIGNED, INSTALLED, MAINTAINED, OR BEEN INVOLVED WITH REGULATING RAIN GARDENS AND THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF YEARS THEY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE ACTIVITY COMPARED TO PERCENT AND NUMBER OF YEARS THEY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN EACH ACTIVITY WITH OTHER TYPES OF LANDSCAPES. (BOTTOM - FIGURE 3) PERCENT OF RAIN GARDENS THAT RESPONDENTS THINK ARE SUCCESSFUL IN TERMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS, AESTHETICS (VISUAL APPEARANCE), ACCEPTANCE

BY THE PROPERTY OWNER, AND ACCEPTANCE Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 9BY THE GREEN INDUSTRY.

The questions about each of the rain garden maintenance activities were rated using the following scale: 1=Never, 2=Rarely, 3=Occasionally, 4=Often, 5=Very often.

When asked how often they performed the activities, the most frequently performed tasks were: weeding, watering new plants, and removing trash (Table 1). On average, these were done more frequently than “occasionally,” but not “very often”. Trash removal was mentioned by some respondents as less of a problem in residential than in other rain gardens. The single activity that was almost never done was applying fertilizer. This is consistent with typical recommendations for rain gardens and was mentioned in comments. Other activities that were not performed frequently included: removing leaf litter, watering established plants, and removing sediment. While some people mentioned a problem with plants becoming overgrown and needing more pruning, this task was not rated as needing to be done more than occasionally.

When asked how often they felt they should perform the activities, answers were slightly more frequently than they actually do them (Table 1).

Weeding, watering new plants, and removing trash, which were ranked as the most frequently performed tasks, were also ranked as what should be done most often. Several respondents reported that failure to water plants frequently during establishment was a particular problem during summer dry months and could be worse depending on when the rain gardens were planted.

This is an example of a problem in Washington State where summers are routinely dry.

Most respondents felt that none of the activities was a major barrier to rain garden acceptance by the public and green industry professionals (Table 1). In fact, weeding, which was rated as the biggest barrier, only received an average rating of “occasional”. Pruning herbaceous perennials including grasses, sedges, and rushes was reported as the second biggest barrier to acceptance by the public and the green industry. Comments suggested that the barrier may be due to a lack of understanding of the maintenance requirements of these plants. They are often either mowed off or not weeded, resulting in unattractive rain gardens.

RAIN GARDEN TRAINING We examined whether the amount of experience actually maintaining rain gardens would influence how respondents rated the rain garden maintenance activities. We began by evaluating whether, in addition to hands-on maintenance experience, they may also have had more training about rain gardens (Table 2). We found that respondents with more experience maintaining rain gardens did, in fact, have significantly more training than respondents with less rain garden maintenance experience. They were much more likely to have taken 4 or more courses 10 - The B&B Magazine

related to rain gardens than those with less rain garden maintenance experience. They were also more likely to be self-taught. This included on-line resources, conferences, and publications from WSU Extension and local municipalities.

It is noteworthy that the need for educational opportunities was reflected in comments by many respondents. The need was for training in the green industry, but also for customers. Educational needs mentioned included environmental benefits and maintenance practices.

EFFECT OF MAINTENANCE EXPERIENCE WITH RAIN GARDENS Responses concerning the sixteen rain garden maintenance activities for individuals with 1 or more years of experience maintaining rain gardens were then compared to those with less experience (Table 3).

For both groups, when asked how often they perform each activity, weed removal was still the most commonly performed activity, but

those with more maintenance experience weeded significantly more frequently than those with less. This was also true for removing unwanted debris. For infrequently performed activities, those with less maintenance experience reported more frequent erosion repair and fertilizer application.

Similar results were noted when respondents with different levels of rain garden maintenance experience reported how often they felt that maintenance activities should be done. Those with more experience report that weeding and debris removal should be done more often than those with less or no experience thought.

Some respondents stated frequent weeding during establishment was reported to be essential, and weeding was required less often after plants were larger. Those with less experience thought fertilization should be done more frequently than those who had more experience. They were not significantly different in their rating of sediment removal.

Finally, we compared responses based on experience for how respondents

While some problems were noted, rain gardens typically served their purposes for stormwater management. No single maintenance activity was rated higher than an occasional barrier to the acceptance of rain gardens by the public or green industry. Weeding was considered the most likely to be a barrier (Photo 2). Weeding was also the task reported to be done most often and the task that should be done most often.

Watering to establish new plants was another task that was done frequently. Watering established plants was rated as one of the activities that needed to be done less frequently. However many respondents noted that established plants may continue to require irrigation during our dry summers, particularly during unseasonably hot or dry years, which are increasing with climate change (Mauger et al., 2015).

Results of this survey also showed that professionals with more rain garden maintenance experience view some rain garden maintenance activities differently than those with less maintenance experience, but overall, their ratings were similar. The biggest issues appear to be with the need for both weeding and removing unwanted, non-plant debris.

These results indicate that green industry professionals with experience in the design, installation, maintenance, or regulation of rain gardens in Washington State typically believe that rain gardens are beneficial to the environment.

LITERATURE CITED:

rated the likelihood of a maintenance activity to be a barrier to rain garden acceptance (Table 5). Again, weed and debris removal were rated differently by the two groups, and again, those with more experience thought they were more likely to be barriers to rain garden acceptance. Those with more experience also thought that maintaining the perimeter and reapplying mulch were more likely to be a barrier to acceptance.

PROBLEMS, BENEFITS, AND ACCEPTANCE OF RAIN GARDENS Respondents were specifically asked if they had observed rain gardens failing to provide environmental benefits. Most respondents (60%) reported no failures.

Reported problems were frequently related to design and installation, such as poor infiltration, improper plant choice, and sizing. Undersized rain gardens are a problem that will only worsen with the more frequent heavy rains resulting from climate change. Maintenance

problems mentioned included weeds, obstructed outlets, and trash accumulation.

Finally, respondents were asked for their overall opinion on the environmental benefits, aesthetics, and acceptance by property owner and the green industry of rain gardens. Nearly 75% of the survey respondents felt that rain gardens successfully provided environmental benefits and were accepted by the green industry. The success ratings in terms of visual appearance and acceptance by the owner were somewhat lower.

PROJECT SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: Over 90% of respondents reported that, for their businesses or places of employment, work related to rain gardens remained constant or increased over the past two years.

- Barrett, M. (ed.). 2015. Low Impact Development: It works in all climates and soils. Proc. 2015 Intl. Low Impact Dev. Conf. Houston, TX. Sponsored by Low Impact Technical Dev. Com. Urban Water Resources Res. Council Environ. Water Resources Inst. Amer. Soc. Civil Eng. 437 pp. http://ascelibrary.org/doi/book/10.1061/9780784479025 - Blecken, G-T. W.F. Hunt, A.M. Al-Rubaei, M Viklander and W.G. Lord. 2015. Stormwater control measure (SCM) maintenance considerations to ensure designed functionality. Urban Water J. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1573062X.2015.1111913 - Cramer, K. 2015. Not in my front yard: Overcoming public resistance to urban GSI retrofit projects. pp 63-73. In: Low Impact Development: It works in all climates and soils. Proc. 2015 Intl. Low Impact Dev. Conf.

Houston, TX. Edited by M. Barret.

- Ehsaei, A., T Sweet, R. Garcia, L. Adleman and J.M. Walsh. 2015.

Successful public outreach programs for green infrastructure projects. pp 74-92. In: Low Impact Development: It works in all climates and soils.

Proc. 2015 Intl. Low Impact Dev. Conf. Houston, TX. Edited by M. Barret.

- Hummel, R.L., G.K. Stahnke and V.I. Lohr. 2014. Growth and establishment of Pacific ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus) and Atlantic ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Center Glow’) in rain gardens in the Pacific Northwest. Combined Proc. Intl. Plant Propagators’ Soc. 64:293-297.

- Lohr, V.I. and P.D. Relf. 2014. Horticultural science’s role in meeting the need of urban populations. In: G.R. Dixon and D.E. Aldous (eds.).

Horticulture – Plants for People and Places, Vol. 3, p. 1047-1086. Springer Science & Media, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.

- Mauger, G.S., J.H. Casola, H.A. Morgan, R.L. Strauch, B. Jones, B. Curry, T.M. Busch Isaksen, L. Whitley Binder, M.B. Krosby, and A.K. Snover. 2015.

State of knowledge: Climate change in Puget Sound. Report prepared for Puget Sound Partnership and NOAA. Climate Impacts Group, Univ.

Washington, Seattle. https://cig.uw.edu/resources/special-reports/ps-sok/ - Paus, K.H., J. Morgan, J.S. Gulliver, T. Leiknes, and R.M. Hozalski. 2014.

Assessment of the hydraulic and toxic metal removal capacities of bioretention cells after 2 to 8 years of service. Water Air Soil Pollut 225:1803, 12 pgs.

- Washburn, M. 2015. Green Infrastructure Status Report. Univ.

Pittsburg Institute of Politics: Infrastructure Policy Com. http://www. iop.pitt.edu/documents/Status%20Reports/Status%20Report%20 Green%20Infrastructure%202015.pdf

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 11

INDUSTRY NEWS

New WSDA greenhouse backs nurseries selling fruit trees

BY MIKE LOUISELL, WSDA COMMUNICATIONS

The Washington State Department of Agriculture’s (WSDA) new state-of-the-art greenhouse built to support the Evergreen State’s fruit tree industry was dedicated May 11. The event took place at Washington State University’s Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center (WSU-IARC) at Prosser. The greenhouse is about 4,800 square feet and is built on 7.5 acres leased from WSU. “We now have a modern greenhouse that will make it easier to protect the fruit tree industry from virus diseases,” WSDA Director Derek Sandison said. “This larger greenhouse, with its automated features, improved temperature controls and watering system, will give us an increased capacity to test registered mother trees at a rate greater than we’ve been able to do in the past.”

Among the 35 participants at the affair were current and past WSDA nursery inspectors and managers, fruit tree nurseries—including three nursery owners serving on WSDA’s Fruit Tree Advisory Committee—and WSU staff who supported the greenhouse mission and actually built it.

The greenhouse, designed by Horticultural Services of Lake Tapps, WA, is used for indexing fruit trees for harmful plant viruses. Washington is one of only a handful of states that has such a program. It allows nurseries to offer virus-tested disease free stock to orchardists and fruit producers. Viruses can reduce yields, affect fruit quality and impact trade opportunities. The $750,000 greenhouse was built with fees from the WSDA Fruit Tree Certification Program and assessments paid by Washington nurseries that sell fruit trees. For decades, WSDA had been renting a smaller greenhouse from WSU at its sprawling research station.

(TOP PHOTO) DR. SCOTT HARPER, CLEAN PLANT CENTER-NW DIRECTOR, WSU-IAREC, PROSSER; RANIE HAAS, WASHINGTON STATE TREE FRUIT ASSOCIATION, WENATCHEE; DEREK SANDISON, WSDA DIRECTOR; DR. JIM MOYER, WSU, PULLMAN; AND TOM WESSELS, RETIRED MANAGER, WSDA PLANT SERVICES PROGRAM. THEY HELPED DEDICATE WSDA’S NEW GREENHOUSE AT WSU-IAREC, PROSSER. (BOTTOM PHOTO) THE GENTLEMAN WITH THE TAN SHIRT AND GLASSES IS DR. LAURI GUERRA, WSDA GREENHOUSE MANAGER AND COORDINATOR FOR FRUIT TREE CERTIFICATION. NEXT TO HIM IS SEGUN AKINBADE, WSDA’S NEMATODE IDENTIFIER. 12 - The B&B Magazine

Dr. Lauri Guerra, who manages the greenhouse as coordinator for fruit tree certification, says the facility is a significant tool to improve testing to support the nursery industry. “It allows us more flexibility to test trees throughout the year,” said Guerra, who joined WSDA in 1999 after earning a PH.D in Virology at UC Davis.

After all the speeches were completed, Guerra led visitors on a tour that included the three separate greenhouse bays. Also communicating the benefits of the greenhouse was WSDA’s Segun Akinbade, who tests mother trees for virus-vectoring nematodes.

The greenhouse is fully automated, featuring improved temperature and irrigation controls. Each growing bay is computer-controlled to maintain temperature ranges at which different fruit tree pathogens thrive.

“It was wonderful to see everyone support the greenhouse and our certification program,” said Cindy Cooper, manager of WSDA’s Plant Services. “We’re lucky to have strong partnerships with industry and WSU. It couldn’t have been a better day.”

IN LOVING MEMORY

INDUSTRY NEWS Doris Louise Briggs, 93, of Olympia died of natural causes on April 11, 2017. She is survived by her sons, Ted L. Briggs (and wife, Pamela) of Huntsville, AL and Gary E. Briggs of Olympia; three nieces; three nephews; and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bruce A. Briggs in 2000; her sister, Joan M. Strange in 2008; and brother, Robert D. McCord Jr. in 2015.

Doris was born November 18, 1923 in Indianapolis, IN to Cora Irene (Hough) McCord and Robert Douglas McCord III. She attended Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis, IN, Hoover College in Madison, IN, and Western College for Women in Ohio where she received a BA. She also a received a BS in Library Science from the University of Illinois.

Doris worked at the Indianapolis Public Library and then for the Thurston-Mason County Bookmobile from 1947 to 1950.

Doris married Bruce Alford Briggs on July 23, 1950, and they worked together establishing Briggs Nursery as a world leader in ornamental plant production. Doris was active in nursery industry organizations and was the recipient of many awards, including the WSNLA Outstanding Service Award from the Pacific Coast Nurseryman’s Magazine in 2006, and the WSNLA Pioneer Award in 1999 She was an active supporter of many community activities and organizations. Doris was a member of United and Westminster Presbyterian Churches.

Doris loved her family. She also enjoyed horticulture, community activities, traveling, sports, fishing, hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested memorial donations be made to your favorite charity.

A Big Tree, for a Big Life.

Family and friends of the late Cass Turnbull, founder of Plant Amnesty and TreePAC, gathered on Saturday, June 10 in the Sequoia Grove at The Arboretum at South Seattle College to dedicate a giant Sequoia (Sequoiadenron giganteum) in her honor.

horticulture program. Tracey was taking classes as part of a job retraining program.

She later attended a Plant Amnesty workshop, was recruited as a volunteer and is now on their board of directors. “Cass changed my life,” she said.

“We thought initially that we would plant a new tree in her honor,” said Jack Bautsch, who serves on both the Arboretum Advisory Committee and the board of Plant Amnesty.

“But after some discussion, it was decided that it would be a far better tribute to dedicate a tree that was already established in the Arboretum.”

Cass was a tireless advocate for the preservation of trees in Seattle. She founded the non-profit Plant Amnesty in 1987 “to end the senseless torture and mutilation of trees and shrubs caused by mal-pruning.” The organization offers classes, workshops and a referral service for homeowners so they can find skilled gardeners and arborists. She also founded TreePAC, a political non-profit created to protect and advocate for Seattle’s urban forest.

“It just made sense to choose a big tree, to commemorate a big life,” said Susan Hanley, CPH, of the Arboretum Advisory Committee.

When Cass’ husband, John Turnbull, confirmed that the giant Sequoia was her favorite tree, the choice was clear.

And so, amid tears and laughter, beneath the canopy of a tree that will eventually be over 200 feet tall, Van Bobbitt, a long time friend of Cass’ and a retired SSC faculty member, led the dedication ceremony.

Among other things, he recalled her gift for explaining things in terms everyone could understand. “That’s why I switched to using her guide to pruning as the textbook for the class I was teaching,” he said.

Tracey Bernal of Plant Amnesty described first hearing of Cass as a student in SSC’s

In response to rapid development in Seattle and subsequent loss of mature trees, Cass wrote a series of essays which formed the foundation for her videos titled, “No Place For Old Trees.” Aimed at policymakers and area residents alike, these videos explain the value of trees in an urban setting - in terms of better health, lower crime rates, cleaner air and environmental protection – and how to preserve the urban forest in the midst of increasing density.

Cass passed away while on vacation with her husband in Hawaii on January 26, 2017.

THIS ROSE QUARTZ STONE WAS DONATED BY TIM GRAY OF PACIFIC STONE COMPANY.

For more information: “No Place For Old Trees” - https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=0AoGZVnrPYA The Arboretum at South Seattle College website http://www.southseattle.edu/arboretum/ Plant Amnesty website - http://www.plantamnesty.org

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 13

2017 WSNLA Chapter Activities Mt Rainier Chapter

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.

Northwest Chapter

For more information or to be added to the email list to receive chapter meeting notice announcements, contact Scott Pringle, CPH, Paradise Lake Nursery at paradiselakenursery@msn.com

Olympic Chapter

For more information or to be added to the email list to receive chapter meeting notice announcements, contact Megan Pulkkinen, CPH at megancph@hotmail. com.

Seattle Chapter

For more information or to be added to the email list to receive chapter meeting notice announcements, contact Kirsten Lints, CPH at kirsten@ gardenALIVEdesign.com.

Host or Sponsor a Chapter Meeting 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.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Find more industry events at WSNLA.ORG! AUGUST 23, FROM 9:30AM - NOON. LANDSCAPE LEARNING LAB: SEATTLE PACIFIC UNIVERSITY TREE WALK. Location: Seattle Pacific University. Did you know that Seattle Pacific University has 12 trees that are the largest of their species in Seattle, and 6 of those are champion trees for the state of Washington? Scott Baker, owner of Tree Solutions, inc. will guide and share SPU’s tree health care plan, including challenges and solutions he has experience while helping to care for these trees since 2000.

Cost; WSNLA Member, CPH, ecoPRO $25. Non Member: $35. 2 CPH & ecoPRO Credit Available.

SEPTEMBER 20, 8:30AM - NOON. ADAPTING OLD GARDENS FOR NEW TIMES. Location: Center for Urban Horticulture, Seattle. When an older landscape no longer works well, there are many options for bringing it up to date other than starting completely over.

This approach is more about incremental changes and less about making a “quick fix”. We’ll focus on cultivating a good garden ecology and relying less on products. Learn how to keep the best of the existing landscape with its established root systems and beneficial organisms and make adjustments for better appearance and function. We’ll also learn some practical ways to help old landscapes to function like new - only better! Instructor: Christina Pfeiffer, Horticultural Consultant and Instructor, ISA Certified Arborist. Register at www. uwbotanicgardenscatalog.org. CPH, ecoPRO, ISA, CLT Credit Available.

SEPTEMBER 21, FROM 10AM - NOON. LANDSCAPE LEARNING LAB. Location: McMenamin’s Pub - Anderson School in Bothell. Landscape manager, Riz Reyes, will guide the group through the historical gardens filled with plant diversity. Riz will address the overall maintenance philosophy and what the staff is trying to achieve to serve their customers, as well as the challenges that come with such extensive gardens, including constant disturbance by guests to highly destructive wildlife. Cost: WSNLA Member, CPH, ecoPRO $25. Non Member: $35. 2 CPH & ecoPRO Credit Available.

OCTOBER 19 & 20, 9AM - 4PM. PROFESSIONAL RAIN GARDEN WORKSHOP presented by WSU Extension Kitsap County.

Location: Norm Dicks Building in downtown Bremerton, walking distance from ferry terminal. Covers the design and installation of rain gardens: benefits, site analysis, materials specifications, current regulations, appropriate plants & maintenance tips. A database of businesses that have completed the training is provided to homeowners and small business owners in Kitsap County who are seeking to hire professional firms for Rain Garden projects. Early Registration

by September 6: $60 per day/$100 for both days; after September 6th, $85 per day/$150 for both days. Catered lunch and beverages included if registration is paid on or before September 27. For more information or to register: http://ext100.wsu.edu/kitsap/ nrs/rain-garden-program/professional-raingarden-workshop/. 11 CPH, ecoPRO and CLT Credits Available.

NOVEMBER 2017: WSNLA PROSERIES: GARDEN CENTER FALL/WINTER TOUR. Location: A collection of unique Pierce County garden centers. CPH Credit Available.

NOVEMBER 8. WSNLA PROseries: FRESH PRESPECTIVES ON SOIL MANAGEMENT. Location: WSU Kistap. Norm Dicks Building in Bremerton. (Located in walking distance from ferry.) CPH & ecoPRO Credit Available.

NOVEMBER 14-17, ecoPRO TRAINING & EXAM. Location: Brightwater Treatment Plant, Woodinville. Learn more at www. ecoPROcertified.org. Training & Exam Cost: $350. Exam Only: $150. Retest: $75. A special thank you to our training partner, Snohomish County Public Works. CPH & ecoPRO Credit Available.

DECEMBER 6. PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT, 10AM - 2:30PM. Location: Lake WA Institute of Technology, Kirkland. Earlybird Rate Ends October 31: WSNLA member, CPH, ecoPRO earlybird rate: $65, Non Member: $75. After October 31, WSNLA member, CPH, ecoPRO rate: $75, WSNLA Non member: $90. CPH & ecoPRO Credit Available.

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