B&B - 2017 Issue IV - Building Foundations

VOL 69, NO. 4, FALL 2017

Discover more ways to grow.

At Northwest Farm Credit Services, we seek, interpret and share knowledge about the agricultural industries we serve. It’s an important part of who we are.

We closely monitor the latest industry trends and provide our insights through customer seminars, workshops and a variety of online tools.

• Market snapshots • Customer seminars and workshops • Online tools

Visit northwestfcs.com/resources to learn more.

Here to Help You Grow

(LEFT) WOOD CREEK NURSERY. Q&A Session with the new owners of Woods Creek Nursery. Turn to page 12 for more.

(BELOW) URBAN EARTH. New owner, Kristen Schultz, continues to serve Fremont’s gardening and plant enthusiast community.Turn to page 10 for more.

(COVER) HAMMERSLEY INLET NURSERY. Owner Andrea Bischell reflects on her first year in business and plans for the future.

Contents

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association

FALL ISSUE VOL 69. NO. 4 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

8 WSNLA Publications

Deadlines:

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.

Connect You With Customers & Resources

10 Building Foundations URBAN EARTH’s new owner, Kristin Schultz, continues its focus on serving Fremont gardeners & plant enthusiasts!

12 Woods Creek

Nursery’s New Owners Envision Growth

Columns 4

From the President

5

Legislative Report

6

Executive Director

Departments

18 New owners, Kristy Calozza & Mike Price, share about what enticed them to purchase 18 the nursery and their vision. 18

14 Growth Hacking

Calendar of Events Chapter News

WSNLA Marketplace

Andrea Bischell, owner of Hammersley Inlet Nursery, just wrapped her first season in business and shares her insights.

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.

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

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 © 2017, Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 3

[ Monthly Presidential Musings ] You Are Never Too Old To Learn Something WSNLA offers several great opportunities to learn from your peers idea and solutions that can return or save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars. WSNLA Chapters have regular meetings that feature tours of member businesses or presentations on topics helpful for our businesses. Sometimes it is speaker, maybe a garden tour or just a meeting. The WSNLA PROseries offers a more structure opportunity to learn. Talking and learning from fellow plant people is a incredibly valuable benefit of being part of WSNLA. I encourage you to attend a seminar or event to learn something.

In my case, you’re never too old to learn something new. Which could also mean you are never too old to change. It is easy to get stuck in old habits. Change is not easy for some of us, but by getting out of old habits, things usually do change for the better.

Production does improve. Sometimes a small change really speeds things up.

Duane Job WSNLA President Job’s Nursery Pasco

My company, Job’s Nursery, greatly improved our daily watering chore for the container stock. Keep in mind that it gets hot, really hot, in the summer-time here in Pasco. We use a fair amount of water.

My younger son, Arthur, had to push me to upgrade and change! The first year we installed a new electrical panel for our irrigation pumps. Our panel at the time was maybe 50 years old. The second year was to change to a variable drive pump controller for our 25hp pump. (Also a new filter, a better filter. The old filter was 35 years old and had been leaking. I had to put a few golf tees in the larger holes to plug them.) The third year we installed 36 electric valves and base line controller. Now we are able to push a button and 6 to 8 valves come on, then they run for a period of time, and then those go off and another 6 to 8 valves come on. Wow, what a deal! It sure is better than the old way of driving or walking around our 36-acre nursery turning valves on and off by hand. We still have many more electric valves to install, but those 3 years of upgrades save me $1200 a month in labor during the irrigation season. These upgrades will pay for themselves in about 20 years. The better part of this, is that I now have time to be doing other jobs that pay at a higher rate.

I can remember trying to get my Dad & Mom to do upgrades, or change, as well. An example was changing from paper pots to plastic pots. Plastic pots just fit my needs better. Another was changing the nursery signs from light green print to a blue. It was easier to notice. It took years to do this. It was like trying to pull a rusty nail out of an old board to get my parents to change. Now, I am the rusty nail, or maybe the old board. I did make a comment to my sons that maybe it would be easier to move, sell, or quit at around 30 years of business. A lot of things wear out or are out of date after that many of years.

4 - The B&B Magazine

Legislative & Regulatory WSNLA Protects Your Business

Heather Hansen WSNLA Lobbyist Olympia

WSDA Hires New Assistant Director for Pesticide Management Division Robin Schoen-Nessa was named Assistant Director over the Pesticide Management Division of the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Robin has served WSDA and the Pesticide Management Division for more than 20 years, beginning as a pesticide investigator in 1988. Before her appointment, she was manager of the Registration and Licensing Program within the division. Robin holds a bachelors of science degree in toxicology and environmental health from Western Washington University and she attended Seattle University School of Law. After her appointment, Robin asked her team to join her in making the Pesticide Management Division a bright light of leadership, respectability and responsible regulation as they balance the needs of a vibrant agricultural community while protecting our many amazing Washington environments.

Hirst Decision I’ve written several times about the Hirst decision that is preventing new housing starts across much of Washington. A new study conducted by HR2 Research and Analytics of Bellevue says that, left unchanged, the ruling will cost the state billions of dollars and thousands of jobs, mostly in rural areas. County planning departments say they don’t have the resources or expertise to do the sophisticated hydrological analysis required under Hirst, and banks have begun to say they won’t make loans for construction because of Hirst.

In addition to lost jobs and lost wages, state and local governments will lose millions on tax revenue. Landowners will lose billions on property value. As a result, millions in property taxes will be shifted to other tax payers.

Senator Judy Warnick, who sponsored the Senate bill addressing the Hirst decision continues to have hope that a solution can be reached. State Representative David Taylor said, “left unchanged, the Hirst decision has the very real potential to devastate the economies in much of rural Washington.”

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 5

[ FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ]

“If you can dream it, you can do it.”

--Walt Disney

Breanne Chavez WSNLA Executive Director Here in the WSNLA office, Holly and I have the pleasure to connect with members by phone, at events and member visits throughout the year. We, as well as many of you, were disheartened to learn the news of the closing of several great nurseries at the start of the year. It was another hit to our industry as it addresses challenges of a shrinking workforce.

That’s why Holly and I were so excited to receive the calls and inquiries from new nursery owners looking to establish their business, connect with the industry, and grow their visions. And, we knew you would be, too! This issue of the B&B Magazine highlights the stories of three new nursery owners, each uniquely different, as they reflect on their first year of business.

From retail to wholesale, to see the successful transition of new ownership at member nurseries provides renewed confidence, and for the new nurseries just launching out... pure joy! It’s a trend that I hope we continue to see.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy reading about their insights as we welcome them into the WSNLA Community!

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

Plan Now To Help Promote Certified Professional Horticulturists at the NW Flower & Garden Show | February 2018!

Plan now to volunteer at the Certified Professional Horticulturist Booth at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show – February 7-11, 2018 at the Washington State Convention Center. This is a wonderful opportunity to help improve consumer understanding of the Certified Professional Horticulturist designation, network with your peers and share your horticulture knowledge with garden show attendees.

All volunteers receive free admission to the show for the day they are scheduled.

Volunteers can pick up continuing education credits for their staffing time at the booth, too.

Volunteers are needed to join the CPH Booth Planning Committee. Thank you to Linda Zimmer, CPH (Landscapes By Linda) for volunteering to lead this effort in 2018.

If you are interested in helping to coordinate booth design, and assisting with set-up and tear-down of the booth, please contact Holly Osborne, CPH at (253) 661-6055 or holly@wsnla.org.

WSNLA To Launch Social Media Campaign In 2018, WSNLA will be launching a social media campaign that highlights Certified Professional Horticulturists on staff at WSNLA member businesses and the professionalism of the industry.

If you own, or work for, a WSNLA member business, we would love to feature you in next year’s social media campaign.

If you would like to include your business, and Certified Professional Horticulturist staff, please contact WSNLA at (253)661-6055 or Dawn Clarke at dawn@wsnla.org.

Bill Raynolds, My Garden, Treasurer 206-406-3487 | mygardennursery@gmail.com Tim Gray, Past President Pacific Stone Company 425-258-1911 | timg@pacificstoneco.com 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 360-698-1865 | megancph@hotmail.com Olympic Chapter President 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 | 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

WSNLA Publications Offer Unique Opportunities TARGET NEW CUSTOMERS + CULTIVATE ESTABLISHED CUSTOMER BASE VOL 69, NO. 2, SPRING 2017

GARDEN WASHINGTON Nursery & Landscape Locator Guide | 2017, Vol. 13

7 March BB.indd 1

5/10/2017 10:44:29 AM

New Maps Inside!

WSNLA

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association

Invest your marketing dollars with a prequalified target audience made up of your current and future customers and clients. To help you, WSNLA has a handful of industry tailored marketing opportunities for your consideration. For business-to-business WSNLA-2017-LocatorGuide-.indd 1

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marketing, trade organizations, like WSNL A, are the most efficient and cost effective ways to connect your business with qualifed customers. Advertising in the B&B Magazine or Directory & Buyers’ Guide means your company is in front of your market and not lost in a generalized search. Trying to reach the general public? WSNLA has strategic tools that deliver opportunities to increase sales and exposure. Here’s a quick overview on each of WSNLA’s marketing opportunities:

B&B Magazine

GardenWashington Guide & Green Passport

Directory & Buyers’ Guide

GardenWashington.com

Readers of the print and online magazine are industry professionals looking to stay engaged and up to date on new trends and technologies, business practices, and learn more about plants, products and services helpful to their business and customers. This is your target market in its purest form.

DEADLINE MONTHLY. 5th of the month preceding issue Users of the WSNLA Directory & Buyers’ Guide are industry professionals looking to source plants and trees, or find products, equipment, and supplies to sell at their garden center or use in landscape projects. Our new online version is launching in 2018 and will be supported with regional and national advertising. Be sure to list your business in this annual guide so that clients and customers can find you!

DEADLINE DECEMBER 8.

WSNLA.ORG

The WSNLA website is our fastest growing platform to reach industry users. For $525 annually you can reach over 10,000 pre qualified customers each year by simply placing an online ad.

Plus, post your job openings on the WSNLA Career Center and reach over 1600 professionals instantly.

8 - The B&B Magazine

This is a one-of-a-kind resource that reaches 16,000 homeowners annually. The Guide now features regional nursery maps that help guide customers to business! Plus, the Green Passport has recorded on average $3900 in added sales for participating nurseries.

DEADLINE DECEMBER 1. $450 annually helps you capitalize on WSNL A’s advertising campaign targeted at engaging younger audiences and non traditional customers with plants and growing.

Please review the materials you received in your email inbox this month. WSNLA continues to offer these marketing platforms because they serve a unique opportunity for you to increase your business visibilty, grow your customer base and increase sales.

Please contact WSNLA at (800) 672-7711 or breanne@wsnla.org to help navigate your options. If you are interested in multiple platforms, custom packages can be created and assistance with ad development is available.

New Maps Inside!

WSNLA

Your nursery & landscape business is promoted to 16,000+ homeowners annually.

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association

Six Regional Maps Included! Northwest WA, King County, Pierce County, Southwest WA, Kitsap & Olympic Peninsula, Eastern WA

Deadline: December 1

G a r d e n Wa s h i n g t o n Nursery & Landscape Locator Guide

Help us, help your future customers find you! Washington State Nursery & Landscape Asssociation is committed to growing your business through awareness and increased sales. WSNLA member independent garden centers, retail nurseries & greenhouses, landscape & landscape supply companies are listed in the GardenWashington Guide for FREE. Additional listings, advertising and Green Passport coupons are available for additional cost.

1) Log on to your WSNLA member account to ensure your business listing is up to date.

2) Consider a Green Passport coupon. Participating businesses receive an average ROI of $3500 in sales on their $275 investment.

3) Let WSNLA help spread the word about your business! Display advertisers receive additional recognition on GardenWashington.com and the Facebook.com/GardenWA. Ads start at $150.

Secure Your Ad Today!

Contact (800) 672-7711 or breanne@wsnla.org.

IF YOU THINK DEALING WITH THE ELEMENTS WITHOUT A GREENHOUSE IS HARD, IMAGINE BEING A FLOWER. Wind, hail, sleet, or snow may not stop the post office. But if you grow plants, flowers, or greenhouse crops, those elements can be a problem.

Which is why you should turn to the only insurance company dedicated to protecting you, your business, and your future. #NoSubstitute 800-541-5082 hortica.com

Hortica ® property and casualty coverages are underwritten, and loss control services are provided, by Florists’ Mutual Insurance Company and Florists’ Insurance Company, members of the Sentry Insurance Group. For more information, visit hortica.com. Policies, coverages, benefits and discounts are not available in all states. See policy for complete coverage details.

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Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 9

Building Foundations

Urban Earth is building its foundation on service and beauty in “the center of the universe,” as Fremonters refer to their neighborhood.

Kristen Schultz Owner | URBAN EARTH Fremont

Many of you will remember the quiet Fremont neighborhood east of the Troll before the arrival of condominiums, apartment buildings, cafes, and restaurants. But over the last 20 years, the scenery and demographics have changed since the corner lot at 35th and Albion became a nursery.

In 1998, Piriformis opened its doors as a specialty nursery providing drought-tolerant plants suitable for the Pacific Northwest. Piriformis became Seasons, and expanded the variety of plant species for landscapers and gardeners; even credited by some with popularizing the use of dwarf conifers.

When at last the space became Urban Earth in 2010, then owner Susan Petersen crafted a new concept combining the successes of previous owners and adapting to new demands of a growing urbanite population. City folks wanted plants suited for small spaces—often shaded by surrounding buildings— including dwarf species, drought-tolerant and rare plants, and 10 - The B&B Magazine

edible varieties that produce well in containers. Urban Earth changed hands once more in December of 2016, but new owner Kristin Schultz continues its focus on serving the many new gardeners and plant enthusiasts moving to the Fremont neighborhood.

Since 2000, Fremont’s population has increased over 15%, consisting mostly of college-educated, single, white-collar workers with a median age of 35. Urban dwelling is a fact of life here and without the comforts of house and yard, Fremont’s denizens, especially young professionals, are yearning to bring

Urban Earth changed hands once more in December of 2016, but new owner Kristin Schultz continues its focus on serving the many new gardeners & plant enthusiasts moving to the Fremont neighborhood.

Benches line the outdoor area, but most plants are arranged in colorful vignettes among ceramic pots, rustic arbors, and garden ornaments, leaving only pathways to walk and explore. It feels, as one customer described it, like “a garden, but everything is for sale.” The limited space inspires creativity, but Schultz admits it can make for a challenging retail setting, and inventory management is less than straightforward.

They can accommodate just one or two varieties of each plant, and Schultz must make the very difficult decision of which to bring in, curating the best ones tailored to their vision. Space is precious, and each plant must be worth the valuable inches it occupies.

plants and life into often sterile and grey living spaces. Urban Earth recognizes this very basic need to commune with plants and has become a vital resource to address it.

The triangular lot, little more than 1,000 square feet, is itself an imaginative space for a garden center. An old house was moved onto the west end of the property and is shelved with tools, fertilizers, and more indoor plants than seems possible.

The house, with its surrounding fence and trickling stone fountain adorned with a huge Acer palmatum ‘Koto no Ito,’ creates the feel of a public garden, rather than a retail shop.

Customers and locals have come to respect and rely on this little shop as their source for healthy plants and good gardening counsel. Many regulars have been shopping there since its inception in 1998, yet first-timers are discovering this floral oasis daily.

Those who know Urban Earth return often to enjoy new plants, local art, gifts, and hidden gems in every corner. Like a secret garden, passersby wander in, drawn by the lush hideaway and sweet smells of blooms, like the resident old wisteria vine and fragrant star jasmine ‘Ogon Nishiki’.

Urban Earth is building its foundation on service and beauty in “the center of the universe,” as Fremonters refer to their neighborhood. As awareness grows of the essential role plants play in our existence and well-being, so many new gardeners are finding their green thumbs and their way to the nursery. Urban Earth’s next phase will begin with offering more classes, hands-on workshops and exhibits, and developing the nursery as a botanical exploratorium to teach and excite visitors about the magic of the plantae kingdom. Its passion for sharing knowledge and wonder is written in its mission statement: “We believe in inspiring our customers to fulfill their destiny as enthusiastic plant nerds and observant naturalists. We cultivate our staff, clients, and neighbors to develop the ever-more-vital primordial bond between humans and plants.” Urban Earth was nearly lost in 2016, but has returned to serve its community and encourage the growth and success of urban gardens in Seattle.

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 11

&

A

Q

KRISTY CALOZZA & MIKE PRICE | OWNERS, WOODS CREEK NURSERY

Kristy and Mike are both natives to the Pacific Northwest and currently reside in Woodinville and Bothell WA. Kristy owns and operates a catering company that has specialized in events with the Woodinville Wine Community and other private events. Mike owns a commercial general contracting company operating primarily on the West Coast.

Why did you want to purchase Woods Creek Nursery? What factors played a part in the overall decision making?

[KC/MP] Significant factors contributing to the decision to purchase Woods Creek Nursery, they included: the unique characteristics of the property; the dedication of the existing employees and the fact that the nursery has been in business for over 40 years.

The beauty of Woods Creek property and the maturity of the park-like 25 acre property is so breathtaking that we were immediately captivated by it. With two creeks flowing along and through and property, the groves of mature trees among the vast acreage of meadowland and pastures, and the beauty of all the plants and acres of large specimen trees throughout the nursery itself, Woods Creek is a little slice of heaven on earth.

Woods Creek has been successfully propagating and growing for over 40 years and many of the employees have been with the company for decades. We were excited for the opportunity to purchase not just a nursery, but a growing operation that will allow us to grow to suit the needs of our customers and to adjust as those needs change.

What is your vision for Woods Creek Nursery?

[KC/MP] Our vision for Woods Creek Nursery is twofold; First to develop the wholesale or commercial side of the business, and second to further develop the property into a destination location for events so as to share the beauty of this property with the visitors. To that end, we have begun offering delivery to our wholesale clients, an online inventory, and brokerage services. Our goal is to provide a full range of services to our landscaping professionals and execute those services in a manner that ensures the success and growth of the industry. We would like to begin hosting events on the property as opportunities arise and will begin promoting the property as a venue in the future once renovations have been completed.

As a new nursery owners, what are your current challenges? Please share, along with any successful solutions you may have.

[KC/MP] As new nursery owners our challenges include learning a new business and establishing new relationships within the industry. We have started a new and exciting marketing campaign utilizing various platforms of media and are exposing the company to the industry by special event participation.

How can WSNLA best help you grow your business success?

[KC/MP] WSNLA can help us by promoting us as a viable supplier and resource to its members and assisting us in connecting with other industry professionals. Through these connections we hope to continue to understand the needs of our clients and to establish trusted relationships with others in this great industry.

12 - The B&B Magazine

FEBRUARY 9, 2018 / SEATTLE, WA

CPH: 7 Credits /// EcoPRO: 5 credits /// LIC: 5 Credits /// APLD: up to 8 credits A new power-packed Conference showcasing a lineup of green industry stars exclusively geared to garden designers, landscapers and media. Plus a fabulous party and 2 tickets to the NWFGS are included!

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 13

Growth Hacking

We’re quite literally a mom-and-pop operation, a small nursery just finishing up our first season. Of course, now we’re busier than ever. Just looking at our trays of rooted cuttings and liners makes me dizzy thinking about how many more square feet of grow out space we need to prepare, how many more pots to buy, how much more dirt to bring in. And there’s all the rest: pruning, striking, bumping up, fixing, hauling, building—and hacking.

Wait, did I just say hacking? Yeah, and I don’t mean taking a scythe to the blackberries knocking at our back gate. In my previous job, I made things easier for small businesses to compete in the online, get-it-now mentality of modern retail.

In this brave new world, we small business owners can’t simply set up shop and expect to sell our stuff. Especially where we’re located, which isn’t exactly in the Seattle Metropolitan Area. We must be growth hackers, comfortable in the nursery and in taking advantage of all the tools the online world has to offer.

In many ways, small nursery owners are already the ultimate 14 - The B&B Magazine

Andrea Bischell Owner Hammersley Inlet Nursery

Shelton

growth hackers. We wear many hats. We must know how to grow and care for many types of plants, battle pests, properly handle chemicals, set up appealing displays, place orders, deliver great customer service, set up your point of sale, prepare marketing materials, do the bookkeeping, pay taxes, obtain proper insurance, follow regulations—the list goes on. And now we have to add online marketing, building a web presence, and perhaps setting up online retail to the mix.

I’ve talked to numerous other small growers, most of whom are like me—born well into the previous century. Most don’t want to have to deal with all that online stuff. Yet, over and over again, we’re all finding we can’t stay in business long without it.

So we added the computer, the tablet, and the phone to our large arsenal of gardening tools. Our phone is our point of sale, plant database, inventory system, bookkeeper, marketer, and customer relationship management tool. There’s a lot involved in true growth hacking, but we had little time to accomplish everything we wanted to online. Here’s a couple of things that worked for us this year, and one that we’re tackling for next year.

Facebook. In addition to growing beautiful

plants (of course), we owe the bulk of our first season’s success to Facebook. Setting up a Facebook page is a good start, but the real magic happens in advertising. During the height of “plant fever”, I simply created posts about our sales and boosted them to a targeted set of potential customers. My boosted posts reached thousands of people, generated hundreds of Likes, and brought more customers than I had dared imagine.

Email List. People are actually glad to get

emails about plants, as long as you don’t inundate their inboxes with spam. This is a great way to reach out to your most valuable asset: repeat customers!

Online Retail. This is the area we’re delving

into next. I don’t really want to develop my own retail website, because it’s a lot of work to build traffic to generate enough sales to make it worthwhile (but maybe someday). I’d rather go where people are already buying: Amazon and eBay. It takes a little effort to set up on each platform, a ton of research about other states’ plant regulations, and a lot of creativity in crafting the perfect listing.

It’s not exactly the part of business that gives people that faraway look when they think about starting a nursery. But it’s still a major part of what we’re doing to lay the foundations for future success. My heart will always be with our plants and meeting our wonderful customers, though!

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INDUSTRY NEWS In Loving Memory of Clare Hayes Clare Hayes of Issaquah passed away on August 3, 2017. She was 78 years old.

Clare was born in Yonkers, New York, in 1939. In 1967, Clare moved to Washington with her family. Clare fully embraced her new home state and lived in Issaquah just short of 50 years.

Clare married Larry Hayes in 1974. Clare joined Larry as a painter and was the first female journeyman in the Seattle Painters Union. In 1987 Clare embarked on a new adventure with becoming the founder and operator of Hayes Nursery.

The nursery was a destination plant shopping experience for 24 years. Clare and her long-time employees helped beautify many yards with their superb plants, knowledge and advice, and great service. In 2011, a few years after Larry’s passing in 2008, the nursery closed its doors.

Clare was a loyal friend and had longterm relationships with special people that she met in varied places, from high school to nursery contacts to church and volunteer activities. Clare was active in WSNLA, serving on many committees over the years, including as WSNLA Treasurer on the Executive Committee, and was honored with several industry awards.

Clare has been described as a doer, detail oriented, brave, and persistent. She took on many challenges and pursued her goals wholeheartedly. Clare attended numerous classes and seminars to help her accomplish the tasks associated with being a successful businesswoman. It gave Clare great pleasure to continue to be surrounded by plants in the yard that she lovingly designed and cared for.

16 - The B&B Magazine

New Boxwood Blight Best Management A lot can change in five years, especially in terms of research. Back in 2012, the US nursery production world was still reeling from the discovery of boxwood blight the year prior. The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) quickly established a fund dedicated to boxwood blight research and a boxwood blight working group composed of industry leaders and National Plant Board (NPB) representatives. A best management practices document for nursery production was produced out of this collaboration.

Subsequent research is still in progress, but enough new information exists to warrant a revision of the best management practices released back in 2012. AmericanHort and HRI, in conjunction with the NPB, are pleased to announce that the revised, updated Boxwood Blight Best Management Practices, version 2.0, is now available online at HRIResearch.org.

Two closely related fungi, Calonectria pseudonaviculata and C. henricotiae, can cause boxwood blight. Currently only one, C. pseudonaviculata, has a known presence in the US. This is a good thing.

Both, however, are present in the EU; so, the threat remains for C. henricotiae to come to the US. Despite being the same genus (Calonectria), these two species have some key differences, such as different responses to temperatures and fungicides.

While researchers know of only three host plants for boxwood blight, boxwood (Buxus), Pachysandra, and sweet box (Sarcococca), the economic impact is potentially quite large, with over $20 million per year in US retail sales.

Impacts to landscapes are immeasurable.

Boxwood blight has been confirmed in 24 states, with Illinois and Missouri being among the latest detections. There are a few states yet with significant boxwood production where the disease hasn’t been confirmed, such as Texas and Louisiana.

Since 2012, the industry has rallied behind a coalition of researchers dedicated to finding the best

management strategies for this disease.

Resources to support these research efforts have come from a few different sources, including directly from the industry through the Horticultural Research Institute’s (HRI) grants program, the IR-4 Ornamental Horticulture Program administered by USDA-NFA, and from Farm Bill, Section 10007 monies administered by USDAAPHIS. Section 10007 has allocated nearly $3 million alone, all towards boxwood blight!

Early research focused on the basics of boxwood blight management, such as fungicide efficacy studies and cultivar resistance evaluations. Recent focus areas have included (but are not limited to) long distance spread of the disease, pathogen survival in soil, insect transmission, biological control agents, risk mapping and disease forecasting, temperature impacts on disease development and pathogen survival, impacts of mulch in landscapes on disease development, and the use of heat therapy in boxwood propagation.

Dr. Chuan Hong, plant pathologist at Virginia Tech and the lead researcher of key boxwood blight projects, commented, “Boxwood blight risk is mounting for horticultural production facilities, especially those near an infested landscape site, now in 24 states. This BMP update with the latest research from the Farm Bill projects was well timed and will serve individual growers and the horticulture industry as a whole very well.”

To access the latest version of the Boxwood BMPs, please visit the AmericanHort Knowledge Center. To contribute to the continued research of this disease, its impacts, and its solutions, please donate to the Horticultural Research Institute at HRIResearch.org/Donate.

The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), the research affiliate of AmericanHort, has provided over $7 million in funds since 1962 to research projects covering a broad range of production, environmental, and business issues important to the green industry. Providing best management practices for pest and disease management and prevention is one example of how HRI benefits the horticultural industry. Over $10 million is committed to the endowment by individuals, corporations, and associations. For more information about HRI visit hriresearch.org.

Clare

www.BIRINGERNURSERY.com

CONTRACTORS: Attend this workshop to: • Get your business on the list for homeowners seeking contractors • Design successful drainage techniques • Know the latest permitting guidelines • Earn continuing education credits - see registration link for full list

Questions?

360.337.7157 ext. 4378 or cmiko@co.kitsap.wa.us

DECEMBER 8, 2017 8:30a-12:30p

Norm Dicks Government Center 345 6th Street, Bremerton

$45

(includes lunch and printed materials)

Register now!

DrainageSensepro2017.bpt.me/

www.CleanWaterKitsap.org

DRAINAGE SENSEPRO 7126(09/17)

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 17

Host a WSNLA Chapter Meeting in 2018 Hosting a chapter meeting at your nursery or business is an effective 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 delivers a captivated audience to share your expertise. while building valuable relationships to grow your business.

WSNLA chapters are currently scheduling 2018 meetings. If you are interested in providing a site for a WSNLA Chapter Meeting in 2018, please contact the chapter representative you are interested in partnering with.

Mt Rainier Chapter

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Find more industry events at WSNLA.ORG! DECEMBER 6. PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT, 9AM 2:30PM. Location: Lake WA Institute of Technology, Kirkland. Earlybird Rate Ends November 20: WSNLA member, CPH, coPRO earlybird rate: $65, Non Member: $75. After November 20, WSNLA member, CPH, ecoPRO rate: $75, WSNLA Non member: $90. CPH & ecoPRO

Credit Available.

DECEMBER 12-14. WASHINGTON TURF & LANDSCAPE SHOW. Location: Lynnwood Convention Center. For more information visit www.wwgcsa.org.

ecoPRO Credits Available.

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.

30 - The B&B Magazine 28

JANUARY 19-20, 2018: WALP’S NW GREEN INDUSTRY CONFERENCE. Location: Hotel RL in Olympia. Visit WALP.ORG for more information. CPH &

ecoPRO Credit Available.

FEBRUARY 7-11, NW FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW. Location: WA State Convention Center in Downtown Seattle. Visit gardenshow.com for more information.

FEBRUARY 9, GARDENPRO CONFERENCE. Location: NW Flower & Garden Show, WA State Convention Center. Visit gardenshow.com for more information. CPH & ecoPRO Credit

Available.

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.

Promote your job openings, plants and trees for sale, and other classified listings!

Email your copy to breanne@wsnla.org.

Access a prequalified audience by posting your opening on the WSNLA Career Center.

Your listings are promoted to over 2000+ nursery and landscape professionals. All listings are also promoted to the public.

Please be sure to login to your WSNLA member account to ensure your special member rate. Non member rate is $35 per listing.

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

BUILDERS OF QUALITY GREENHOUSES AND STRUCTURES

Address Service Requested

HEATERS LP OR NG 45,000 $1020.50 75,000 $1042.00 105,000 $1133.25 150,000 $1434.75 200,000 $1840.00 250,000 LP $2008.75

Power vented, propeller type unit heaters.

State-of-the-art hot surface pilot ignition system assures positive and reliable burner ignition.

Aluminized Steel Heat Exchanger. BTU output = 81% of input. prices good thru 10/31/17 11/29/17

20 X 96 QUONSET 5’ OC 4’ SIDES 20-BOWS 1 5/8” 14 GA. 40-6’ LEGS 1 7/8” 15 GA. 1-96’ PURLIN 1 3/8” 16 GA. 4-21’ END BRACES 1 3/8” 16 GA. HARDWARE TO ASSEMBLE

$1691.00 32 X 100 6MIL 4YR POLY $321.00 22 PCS WIRE LOCK $275.88 2-POLY CARBONATE FOR END $499.70

503-678-2700 * 800-347-2701 (outside OR) * fax 503-678-2789 ivans @ovg.com * www.ovg.com 20357 Hwy 99E * Aurora, OR 97002