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B.C. LANDSCAPE & NURSERY ASSOCIATION PUBLICATION • MAY 2007
BCLNA members wishing to address environmental issues on their properties have until December 31, 2007 to participate in the EFP program. Funding exists for a wide variety of projects: visit www.bcac.bc.ca or contact Bruce McTavish (bmct@intergate.ca) or Darrell Zbeetnoff (zbeetnoff@telus.net), for more information.
5 Coming Attractions: CanWest Hort Show
Environmental Farm Plans have enabled farmers to complete nearly 1000 projects that enhance their operations’ environmental sensitivity. Mona Illerbrun of Lone Butte installed a rotary drum composter to turn horse manure, into a valuable soil additive.
Photo courtesy of Veseys Canada
Environment Chair Encourages Action The BCLNA Environment Committee will oversee development of a plan for constructive actions that the entire industry, member companies and individuals can support and implement. “My hope is to keep things relevant to operations in the short and long term for business managers and owners,” Rod Nataros, BCLNA’s Environment Chair commented. “But we also have to ensure that the actions we undertake meet the guidelines for sustainability.” ‘Sustainable horticulture’ is a system built on the pillars of environment, economy and culture, in which: • Resources are kept in balance with their use through conservation, recycling and/or renewal,
4 Safety Check
Practices preserve horticultural resources and prevent environmental degradation to both the site in use, as well as off-site land, • Production, profits and incentives remain at acceptable levels, and • The system works in concert with socioeconomic realities. •
Nataros says that we all need to recognize the importance of balancing economic realities with social values. He believes our industry has tremendous opportunities to provide leadership toward achieving sustainable landscapes and nurseries. The practices and products we use are sometimes positive and sometimes negative continued on page 10
6 Landscape & Retail News 7 HortEducationBC 8 BCLNA News 11 Grower Updates 11 Industry Bits 15 BCMAL Report
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Message from the President
Make Worker Safety Top of Mind This Spring Our regular employees re-familiarize themselves with their surroundings in a matter of minutes upon returning to work each spring. For new employees, however, this is not the case. It often takes several weeks—if not months—for them to feel comfortable in their new work environment.
difficult to implement. Train a staff person to become your ‘safety officer.’ Work with this person to help develop and maintain your company’s safety program; have him or her chair monthly safety meetings, train charge hands to implement tailgate safety meetings each week, and introduce new team members to the crew’s safety protocols.
Being unfamiliar with one’s surroundings can lead to major safety concerns, particularly when one is working around equipment.This spring, let’s concentrate, as an industry, on maintaining and improving our safety record.
Pre-trip inspections must be completed on trucks licensed over 5500 kg; that daily pre-trip inspection can be implemented at the start of every day for every company vehicle or piece of equipment. This not only ensures the safety level of the vehicle or machine, but can also reduce costly downtime and repair bills by identifying common maintenance issues as well.
Many good safety models have been developed, which are neither onerous nor
Our greatest asset today is our labour force. It has also become our greatest challenge.
The BCLNA and HortEducationBC have been instrumental in providing ongoing seminars and workshops to assist you with staff training. Be sure to read through mail-outs and emails, and check www.bclna.com and www.horteducationbc.com for topical seminars to aid you in developing a workforce that will be sustainable for our industry. Trusting you will all have a rewarding and successful season.
Fred Giesbrecht, President, B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association
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BCLNA Board Highlights
Monday, April 16, 2007 President’s Report: President Fred Giesbrecht commented on serious flood threats. The work municipalities are doing on the dike system is reassuring, but there are concerns that they are ignoring the impact that urban development of highlands is causing, resulting in flooding of lowlands — often farms. BCLNA staff to research issue.
as weather impacts, quarantine and regulated pests, and labour shortages. The committee is touring Canada to listen to growers’ needs for the development of the next Agriculture Policy Framework.
eliminate the need for growers to deal directly with embassies.
Interior: Anthony Krakau is participating in the City of Kelowna’s development of a Standard for BCLNA will send a letter to AgCanada Irrigation and Water Sustainability. requesting more consideration on The draft has been reviewed by a timing of key industry meetings; spring variety of BCLNA members; Anthony meetings place undue hardship on will take their recommendations to farmers who agree to attend. the committee. It is anticipated this standard may be used as a template BCLNA received an invitation to attend the Labour: Western Agriculture Labour by other municipalities. Pacific Economic Summit on May 30; California Initiative (WALI) has been formed to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Premier manage agricultural worker programs, Inside BC: Barbra Fairclough, Gordon Campbell will be in attendance. BCLNA Landscape Chair, was elected per the SAWP business plan. Mike Wallis will manage it; a Spanish-speaking to the Communities in Bloom Board Growers: Tim Loewen’s presentation to administrative assistant is being hired. of Directors. Fred Giesbrecht, a CiB the House of Commons Standing Committee Jeff Hicks will represent BCLNA with judge, commented that the BC-CiB on Agriculture included natural hazards such Bill Hardy as alternate. WALI will is doing well in its development. ■
HortWest MAY 2007 MANAGING EDITOR Renata Triveri ADVERTISING Barb Nelson Phone: 604-574-7772 Fax: 604-574-7773
HortWest is the Newsletter of the B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association for the horticultural trade in Western Canada. For further information, contact us at: Suite 102, 5783 – 176A Street Surrey, B.C., Canada V3S 6S6 Telephone (604) 574-7772 Fax (604) 574-7773 HortWest is owned by the B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association, and is published 10 times a year. Views expressed inside do not necessarily reflect the attitudes of the Association but are those of the writer concerned. Material may not be reprinted from this magazine without the consent of the publisher. All advertising and editorial material are to be received one month in advance of mail out date. HortWest is mailed under Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement N. 0288608 This magazine is printed in Canada by Globe Printers.
Advertise in HortWest Magazine by calling Barb Nelson at BCLNA 604-574-7772
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Safety Check •
Young Worker Safety Terri Holizki, WorkSafeBC Industry & Labour Services Manager for Small Business As an owner of a landscaping or lawn maintenance business, many of your workers are likely young or inexperienced, and this number may grow with the current labour shortage. You know that your workers face hazards different from other workers, but did you know that, over the past five years, there have been three fatalities and over 350 serious injuries to young workers (aged 15 to 24) in your industry?
Lifting and handling heavy or awkward loads like tarps of grass clippings, rolls of sod, or flats of bedding plants.
The safety tips can be distributed to workers or used as the basis for safety meeting discussions. Keeping your workers safe and healthy will help keep your business healthy too. Small businesses can rarely afford the disruption of having a worker off work due to an injury. WorkSafeBC statistics show that small businesses that have fewer injuries stay in business longer. The helpful information on WorkSafeBC.com will get you started quickly and easily.
FARSHA Focuses on Moving Parts
One in five serious injuries to young workers occurs in his or her first month in a new job, and half of these occur in the first week. Ensuring that new workers are trained to do their jobs safely before they start work is critical. Employers are responsible to provide a safe and healthy workplace; this includes safety training and follow-up supervision for all workers. Topics to consider for new worker training include: • Safe use of powered equipment such as lawn mowers and tractors, and hand tools such as pruners; • Personal protective equipment such as gloves, boots, and eye protection; • Working outdoors in summer heat; • Pesticides and chemicals and understanding WHMIS; • Insect bites and harmful plants; • Wearing seatbelts in vehicles; • Dealing with emergencies. Visit www.WorkSafeBC.com for safety tip sheets on: • Preventing slips, trips and falls; particularly on uneven or slippery surfaces; • Using ladders, forklifts and pallet jacks; • Preventing violence in the workplace;
Sandeep Mangat, FARSHA Senior Health & Safety Coordinator, cited disturbing statistics; “Entanglement in operating equipment is the leading cause of serious injury on Canadian farms, accounting for 28 percent of hospitalized machinery-related injuries, and 10 percent of all workrelated farm fatalities.” Mangat added that entanglement injuries involve many different types of machinery. Power take-off (PTO) devices, commonly used in the horticultural trades, cause the largest portion of these injuries, with some 15% of recorded injuries attributed to PTOs. Many of these injuries can be prevented by ensuring equipment is shut off—and the ignition key pocketed— before working on the machine, never reaching or stepping across an operating PTO, and by ensuring guards are in place and maintained. Given that there are 5600 active agricultural employers in BC, employing more than 20,000 workers, machineryrelated injuries are significant areas of concern. Between 2000 and 2005, there were 20 deaths and 183 serious injuries to BC’s farm workers. Related claims numbered 3700, and WorkSafeBC paid out a staggering $43 million in compensation and rehabilitation.
Photo: Chantelle Bowles
FARSHA and WorkSafeBC both have
Diana Miles, Vice President of Worker and Employer Services, Division of WorkSafeBC, discusses safety issues with Fred Giesbrecht (right), President of BCLNA, and Peter Levelton, Past President, at the Agricultural Safety Week launch.
At the national launch of Agricultural Safety Week, hosted by deVry Greenhouses and the Farm and Ranch Safety & Health Association (FARSHA), speakers stressed the need for more education, training and vigilance surrounding farm safety issues. The theme, Protect Your Moving Parts, particularly emphasized the dangers of machinery-related injuries.
excellent safety resources available to educate workers on ways they can mitigate the risk of injury. FARSHA, in cooperation with the nursery industry, is also in the process of fieldtesting a pot-lifting tool to reduce lower back injuries. Once final improvements have been made, FARSHA will seek a local fabricator to massproduce it. For more information on this and other related safety topics, visit FARSHA at #311,9440-202 Street in Langley, or contact the office at telephone 604-881-6078, toll-free to 1-877-533-1789, via email to farmsafe@farsha.bc.ca, or online at www.farsha.bc.ca. ■
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Coming Attractions at the CanWest Hort Show
EducationExcursion Duo a Retailer Must If there is only one event you intend to attend this year, make this one it! The CanWest Hort Show is featuring one of North America’s finest retail consultants, Robert Hendrickson of The Garden Centre Group, for a double-header that is not to be missed. This exceptional opportunity will begin with a seminar, and will conclude with a tour of Seattle’s best garden centres: The New Marketing Peril: Missing your so-called target market by a mere 18" Thursday, September 13 • 9:00 – 11:15 am
So many marketing options, so little money to reach that elusive target. This workshop will consider what companies ignore when developing a marketing program, and methods for gathering new customers while keeping those you already have. By the time the workshop is over, you’ll know if you’ve missed by inches—or by miles. Registration opens in June: pre-register for just $65 per person, or pay at the door ($85 per person); groups of four or more are only $55 per person. Retail Tour: Seattle’s Best Garden Centres Friday, September 14 • All day (14 hours) Expect lively discussions both on and off the bus as Robert Hendrickson conducts this hand-on excursion to Seattle’s booming, independent retailers. Get
behind-the-scenes info, ask the tough questions, and network with owners and managers. Get ready to implement some of the hundreds of marketing, merchandising, signage, traffic flow, and inventory management ideas you’ll learn from: • Skagit Garden Centre • Emery’s Garden • Wight’s Home & Garden • Swansons Nursery • Wells Medina Nursery (Bill Gates’ neighborhood) • Molbaks, Inc. • Flower World Inc. Plus, enjoy Marianna Metke’s sunny personality as she keeps the tour on schedule, and shares her insider’s view of Seattle’s local flavour. Only 46 seats are available! Registration opens in June. Cost is $250 per person; lunch, dinner and refreshments included. ■
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Landscape & Retail News
Art Director Offers Picture Pointers
Ruth Olde, CLD, of Blasig Landscape Design & Construction, welcomed more than 40 professionals to the landscape designers’ meeting, graciously hosted by Daltile and sponsored by Northwest Landscape & Stone Supply. Landscape designers recently met for an evening of information-sharing and networking in Vancouver. The group discussed the CLD program, suggestions for better serving this sector of BCLNA membership, and how to best capture their landscapes in photos. Susan Minton-Green, Art Director at Canada Wide Media Ltd., offered these tips for taking spectacular landscape photographs: • Contrary to popular opinion, it is not a good idea to wet down stonework for
photographs. Said Susan, “this tends to distort the depth and darken the photo, and we refer to the effect as ‘embarrassing wetness.’” • Canada Wide is always looking for before and after photos of projects— readers love them, but make sure they are taken from approximately the same spot. • Don’t try to capture the whole yard in one shot. Take pictures from a variety of closer angles and points of interest. • Sometimes having a person in garden photos is appropriate, as makes it easier for viewers to imagine themselves in the same setting, and relate the scale of the objects in the photo. • Don’t “over-style” a shot. Sometimes less is more. • Publishers require a minimum resolution of 300 dpi for printing, preferably at an 8" x 10" size. This means your digital camera should be set to the best possible quality, and should be rated for six mega-pixels. If your photos are stunning, you don’t have to say much to win over a client, so for portfolios, brochures, and award submissions, consider hiring a photographer—perfect pictures are their expertise, just as designing is yours.
Swing into Action
Heike Stippler of Heike Designs remarked, “It was great to meet with everybody! Good food and wine, and lots of info. I’m looking forward to the next get-together.” New BCLNA member Hilda Ingrid Neustadter of Green Spirit Landscape Arts added, “I really enjoy receiving all the information that comes out of the BCLNA office about meetings, events and workshops. I’m just amazed at why I didn’t become a member sooner!”
Landscape Awards on the Horizon Armed with these photography tips, now is the time to begin planning your Landscape Award of Excellence entries! Think about installations that have had a year or two to establish themselves, and collect photos of them throughout Spring, Summer and Fall to depict their multi-season interest. Plan now for before-and-after shots. Finally, warm your clients up to the idea early: remember, their garden images could be used in marketing pieces for years to come—be sure to get their permission. For more information on the Landscape Awards of Excellence, contact Annika Kristensen: akristensen@bclna.com. ■
at BCLNA’s Annual Golf Tournament June 19, 2007 Swan-e-set Bay Resort & Country Club 16651 Rannie Road Pitt Meadows, BC Register your foursome today. Call or email the BCLNA at 604-574-7772 or info@bclna.com
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FIRST QUALITY COMPOST BASED TOPSOIL
Certification Seeks Sponsors HortEducationBC is seeking sponsors for the rapidly expanding Certification program, which has gained international attention for its efforts to recognize the skills of professionals in the horticulture industry. Sponsors will be widely credited for their commitment to professional development, quality of workmanship, worker safety, and for taking a proactive role in sustaining a qualified labour force. For more information, contact Krista Manton at kmanton@bclna.com, or visit www.horteducationbc.com to download the sponsorship package.
• GARDEN & TURF BLENDS - TOP DRESSING BLEND • COMPOST SOIL AMENDMENTS • COMPOSTED BARK MULCH • HEMLOCK & FIR BARK MULCH • BARK NUGGETS • TRAIL MULCH • LAB TESTED COMPOST PRODUCTS
Yes! We Accept Clean Yard Waste
• YOU PICK UP OR WE DELIVER North Shore
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First Certification Trifecta in Canada
2007 Produced by
Ruth Olde, CLD, of Blasig Landscape Design & Construction, had the honor of presenting the newly certified Bruce Hunter of Hunter Landscape Design Ltd., with his Certified Landscape Designer (CLD) pin at a recent meeting for landscape designers. This makes Bruce the first person in Canada to have achieved all three horticultural designations. Way to go Bruce! Congratulations also to Marcyn Ward of Down to Earth Landscapes, who completed her Certified Landscape Professional designation last month. ■ FarWest Show.indd 1
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BCLNA News Bulletins
Outdoor Décor Show a First for BCLNA Show managers, Sue Andrews and Lisa Moran, were pleased to have the BCLNA at last month’s Outdoor Décor yard and garden show in Chilliwack. The fifth annual event drew 9000 visitors from the
Brian Huttema of Mijodelu Landscaping and Renovating (left) was one of several volunteers to assist with public relations at the BCLNA Outdoor Décor Show booth.
Fraser Valley and hosted a full complement of BCLNA-member speakers. Andrews and Moran remarked that the exhibitors were happy with its steady traffic, and the speakers’ information was “tremendous— more often than not, the speakers finished their presentations and were greeted by a crowd with even more questions.” BCLNA booth volunteers echoed the
sentiments. Barbra Fairclough, owner of FarmHouse Gardens, agreed. “I think that this is one of the most important shows for us to be at. The show seems to have a wide draw and there isn’t enough awareness among attendees about the BCLNA and its benefits.” Participating in this public show not only helps resolve the curiosity among attendees about the BCLNA and what it represents, but also brings needed awareness and exposure of the organization to the Fraser
Valley. Jane Stock, Executive Director, reinforced the importance of BCLNA’s presence, “[It] sends an important message that our industry cares about quality standards and is helping educate consumers in the process that will best ensure the company they hire delivers the desired results.”
Connects Canadian Industry The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association launched CNLA Greenlink this spring, a free listserv discussion forum for members only. If you’re facing a quandary, want to share a successful business tip, or need to bounce an idea off others, CNLA GreenLink provides instant access to industry continued on page 11
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BCLNA OFFICE: 604-574-7772; 800-421-7963
Industry
&
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events programs
P. ramorum Certification & Environmental Farm Planning Workshops Various dates and locations. Contact BCLNA for details. Dry Stone Wall Workshop June 2 – 3 & 9 –10 Glendale Gardens & Woodlands Victoria, BC www.jboyweb.com/drystonewall
Communities in Bloom Awards September 19 – 22 Moncton, NB www.communitiesinbloom.ca Canadian Greenhouse Conference October 3 – 4 Mississauga, ON www.canadiangreenhouseconference.com
IGCA Congress 2007
October 7–13 Capetown & Johannesburg, South Africa www.igca2007.com Garden Expo October 16 –17 Toronto, ON www.gardenexpo.ca
BCLNA Golf Tourney June 19 Swan-e-Set Bay Resort Pitt Meadows, BC www.bclna.com CHT Exam
July 13 –14 Langley, BC www.horteducationbc.com CanWest Hort Show September 12 –13 Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre Vancouver, BC www.canwesthortshow.com
Out of Province Events ANLA Retail Roadshow June 20 – 24 Seattle, WA www.anla.org OFA Short Course
July 14 –17 Columbus, OH www.ofa.org Perennial Plant Symposium August 5 –12 Columbus, OH www.perennialplant.org CGTA Fall Gift Show
August 12 –15 Toronto, ON www.cgta.org Farwest Show August 23 – 25 Portland, OR www.farwestshow.com GLEE
September 16 –18 Birmingham, England www.gleebirmingham.com IPPS AGM: Look to the Future
September 16 –19 Hyatt Regency Montreal Montreal, QC www.ipps.org/easternNA
Sanitize with certainty Sanitization can be very costly if not done effectively. • Iotron takes sanitization to a new level, offering Nursery Growers unparalleled results. • Iotron utilizes irradiation technology to eliminate Pathogens, fungi and molds on pots, trays, and styroblocks. • Iotron's sanitization method fully penetrates materials like an X-ray, effectively sterilizing the material.
Field trials have proven that the sanitization level of pots prior to planting can affect plant yields.
Money does grow on trees! Be confident that your pots, trays or styroblocks are the cleanest they can be from the start. A disease free environment creates disease free plants.
Benefits • Re-use old pots, trays & styroblock • Increase plant yields • Reduce maintenance on plants • Environmentally friendly process • No more need for harsh chemicals, steam or hot water
If your sanitization method leaves you uncertain, then it's definitely time to make a change. For For more more information information please please contact contact Iotron Iotron Technologies Technologies Corp. Corp. 1425 1425 Kebet Kebet Way, Way, Port Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, BC BC V3C V3C 6L3 6L3 Ph. Ph. (604)945-8838 (604)945-8838 Fax. Fax. (604)945-8827 (604)945-8827 Website Website www.Iotron.com www.Iotron.com Email: Email: rkhansen@Iotron.com rkhansen@Iotron.com
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continued from cover
contributors to our environmental ‘footprint.’ He adds, “The onus is on us to ensure the positive far outweighs the negative. Public and government needs and opinions must be factored into all our activities. To be successful leaders, we must get buy-in from all stakeholder groups, including our own industry.” More information on environmentallyfocused projects, in which BCLNA and its members are involved, will be featured in future issues of HortWest. Members with suggestions or comments regarding industry environmental issues should email them to Rod Nataros (rod@natsnursery.com) and Executive Director, Jane Stock (jstock@bclna.com). ■
BCLNA’s Environment Committee Rod Nataros N.A.T.S. Nursery Ltd. Len Smit Kato’s Nursery Ltd. Paulus Vrijmoed Linnaea Nurseries Ltd. Peter Levelton* East Richmond Nurseries Inc. Sandy Mathies Cannor Nursery Kris Sutherland GardenWorksTM Colleen MacDonald Sage Garden Projects Linda Berkyto Idiosyncratic Landscaping Amanda Jarrett Amanda’s Garden Consulting Co. Michelle Nakano Kwantlen University College * Peter Levelton, BCLNA Past President, sits on the CNLA Board of Directors as the Environment Chair, providing BCLNA with a broad view of industry’s environmental initiatives across Canada.
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Grower Updates
Survey Basis for Strat Plan
Flood Watch a Priority
The results of a recent survey, commissioned by BCLNA’s Export Committee, indicate that there continues to be significant potential for BC nurseries in the US. While the cost of fuel and the low Canadian dollar are negative to the export equation, product quality and customer service were highly rated. Said Hedy Dyck, “Growers recognize that making personal connections with their clients is key, but good online follow-up, support, and services are critical factors in maintaining and developing their export accounts.”
The BCLNA is working with both the BC Provincial Emergency Program and BC Ministry of Agriculture to develop plans to help members mitigate flood damage this spring, and will be pre-approving the parameters for disaster funding should severe flooding occur. A document on flood preparedness tips, which covers issues such as storage of documents and pesticides, is available from the BCMAL website, and will be distributed by the BCAC and BCLNA.
The purpose of the study was to research how existing and potential customers outside the province viewed BC products, and what their buying experience was like. The study, upon review by the Export Committee, will form the basis for a strategic plan for where and how funding is best spent to further develop of the export market.
Topline Results Respondents: 84 Canadian, 43 Western US, 29 Other US
Have you purchased from BC? 15 of 19 Washington State buyers said yes 20% of Ontario buyers said no
Ranking of performance attributes from most to least positive: Arrival Condition, Service, Quality, Timeliness, Labeling, Selection, Price* *Price was the most positive attribute in 1998 due to the exchange rate.
Top 3 reasons for buying outside own area Availability, Price, Quality/Selection
Top 3 ways respondents source new product: Tradeshows, Word of mouth,* Online *More heavily used in the U.S.
For the complete survey, visit www.bclna.com.
HRSDC Audits Labour Needs In order to maintain access to seasonal agricultural workers, employers are encouraged to register with the Employment Canada branch in their area. Human Resource and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) will determine which industries are in need of skilled workers by the number of calls they receive asking for workers. When HRSDC gets enough inquiries for a particular industry, they move the industry to a labour shortage list, which enables the industry to continue accessing foreign workers.
P. ramorum Compensation Compensation for losses attributed to P. ramorum is nearing bureaucratic approval. The details have been published in the Canada Gazette, can be found at canadagazette.gc.ca (select the April 7, 2007 publication, and locate Phytophthera ramorum Compensation Regulations near the bottom of the page). If your nursery has had a positive find in the past four years, review the details carefully, and contact Hedy Dyck at hdyck@bclna.com if you have any questions. ■
@
Subscribe to the Friday File! Contact hdyck@bclna.com.
continued from page 8 professionals who are facing similar challenges. The service generates learning experiences and advice instantly. CNLA GreenLink is open to any
conversations, general or specific comments, or questions about your business and your industry; we encourage you to contribute and respond often. Subscribe to CNLA Greenlink by visiting www.canadanursery.com. ■
Industry Bits
Metke Joins Valleybrook Team Marianna Metke has been hired as a sales representative for Valleybrook Gardens’ Western U.S. territory, joining Alice MacMurdo, who also serves the area. Metke was born and raised in Washington State. She attended Michigan State University, and owned and operated a greenhouse and florist business in Grand Rapids for several years. She returned to Washington in 1978, and worked Molbak’s Garden Centre before relocating to Mt. Vernon, where she was a sales rep and sales manager at Skagit Gardens for over twenty years. Following her “retirement” from Skagit Gardens, she worked seasonally in plant sales at Henry’s Plant Farm. During her career Metke has been active in both the Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association (WSNLA) and the Washington Floricultural Association (WaFlorA). She served as a chapter president and treasurer of the WSNLA, and was made an Honorary Life Member. She also served as President of WaFlorA, and, with her husband Bob, was a co-recipient of the WaFlorA Cup, recognizing outstanding service, in 2005.
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the classifieds
New BCLNA Members
For Sale
Asking price $4,884,000 Canadian. Lock, stock and barrel!
April 16, 2007 Board Meeting
Erica Enterprises Wholesale Nursery Going concern facility growing nursery stock in rural Pitt Meadows on quiet no thru road. Very clean and well organized nursery.
Erica Enterprises Ltd. 14021 Rippington Road, Pitt Meadows, BC V3Y 1Z1 Canada
Sale includes: residence, approximately 19.5 acres of level land, 50 x 100 feet warehouse, approx. 2.64 acres of Cravo A frame open roof greenhouses with gravel growing beds, approximately 1.58 acres of gutter connect poly houses with gravel growing beds, approximately 4.3 acres of outside gravel growing beds, delivery truck, all machinery and all plant inventory. Everything needed to run the nursery.
Phone: 604.465.6732 Fax: 604.465.2307 Email: ericaenterprises@shaw.ca
Help Wanted Experienced Ornamental Plant Salesperson requires an outgoing, professional person with very good knowledge of ornamental plant material. Experience with computers and inventory an asset. Fax resume to 604-495-6362.
Final Approval The BCLNA welcomes: Aileen Enterprises Inc., Aileen Feng, Richmond, Associate (Interim) Curb-Ease #15, Lorraine Sood & Stu Boschman, Delta, Associate (Interim) Farm Credit Canada, Diane Murphy, Abbotsford, Individual Groundworks, Marek Kociolek, New Westminster, Active Landscaper K&C Silviculture Ltd., Brad Powell, Oliver, Active Grower Ladybug Landscaping & Services, James von Broembsen, Surrey, Active Landscaper Living Gardens Ltd., Grant Rampton, Burnaby, Active Landscaper (Interim) Mooie Exotic Plants Ltd., Regan Tourond, Delta, Active Grower (Interim) Mumby’s Tree Services Ltd., Verna Mumby, Comox, Active Landscaper (Interim) Sylvan Vale Nursery Ltd., Iola Elder, Black Creek, Active Grower
GROWER SERVICES LTD.
Valley Lowbed Services, Gianni Testini, Langley, Active Landscaper (Interim)
"HARD GOODS & PLANT MATERIAL FROM THE WORLD'S FINEST SOURCES"
Workman Enterprises, Ron Workman, Kelowna, Active Landscaper
• ITML & KORD CONTAINERS • PLUG TRAYS: LANDMARK & TLC • ITML NURSERY CONTAINERS • JIFFY & PREFORMA GROWING SYSTEMS
The following companies will become BCLNA members at the next board meeting unless a member provides a valid reason for not accepting the application:
8168 River Way, Delta, B.C. V4G 1K5 Tel: 604-946-5641 Fax: 604-946-0234 Toll Free: 1-800-498-7403 www.crofton.ca
Call us for all your native and ornamental plant needs
Te n t a t i v e A p p r o v a l
Botanicus Nursery, Denys Carrier, Roberts Creek, Active Grower (Interim) RONA Inc., Stanley Neumann, Boucherville, Out of Province Turning Leaf Enterprises Inc., Alex Irwin, Surrey, Active Landscaper (Interim)
BuyersGuide Updates Please note the following revisions to the 2007 BuyersGuide Cannor Nursery Fax: 604-858-4590 Cedar Ridge Farms Email: tuytel@nicbc.ca Christmas, Lynne Name correction: Chrismas, Lynne
LINNAEA
NURSERIES LTD. Tel: 604-533-8281 Fax: 604-533-8246 1-888-327-7705 email: linnaea@telus.net 3666 - 224th Street, Langley, BC V2Z 2G7 Canada
Pacifica Nurseries Inc. 1, 28080 Maclure Road Abbotsford, BC V4X 1L4 Phone: 604-607-0383 Cell: 604-866-9098 Queen of Spades Gardening Box 60509, Granville Park RPO Vancouver, BC V6H 4B9 Richbar Nursery Ltd. Email: richbar@shawbiz.ca
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In Memoriam
Garden Sense
, d,
Matt Rumberg August 18,1944 – April 8, 2007
It is with extreme shock and sadness to announce that Matt Rumberg died trying to save his family’s beloved dog, Holly, on April 8, 2007. a,
y, ,
g
t
On the Bookshelf
Matt was predeceased by his father Oswald and brother Avo. He leaves behind his soul mate and wife of 40 years, Norma, adoring twin daughters Christine (Aaron), Julie-Lynn (Brian), mother Marta, devoted sister Viivi, brother Elmer (Sirji), mother-in-law Connie Torget, brotherin-laws Greg Torget (Lois), and Stan Torget (Rose). He is also survived by life-long friends, Ed Muir and Ken Bathurst (Lorraine) and extended family members. Matt was born in Tallin, Estonia on August 18, 1944 and immigrated with his family to Vancouver where he was raised, later moving his family to Burnaby in 1973. He was the owner of Piper Landscaping Ltd. and became a member of the BCLNA in September 2002. Matt was a member and provided leadership to a number of other organizations as well, but the two closest to his heart were the downtown Vancouver YMCA where he met some of his most valued friends, and the Duke of Connaught’s Own Rifles. The family wishes to express its deepest appreciation to the Burnaby Fire Fighter’s at Hall #6, the paramedics, nurses, doctors and staff at the Royal Columbian Hospital for providing outstanding efforts and tried valiantly to keep Matt with us. Matt will be greatly missed by his family and many good friends and colleagues. In lieu of flowers, donations to the charity of your choice in Matt’s memory would be appreciated. A memorial service was held on April 19, 2007 at the Burnaby Lake Pavilion, Burnaby (Rowing Club).
New in print this spring is an invaluable companion for both beginning and experienced gardeners. Roy Jonsson, BCLNA member, long-time educator, and North Shore News columnist, has sorted a lifetime of gardening experience into
a straightforward and comprehensive book that addresses questions about horticultural terminology, garden practices, planting procedures and growth patterns. An ideal guidebook for your retail customers! To order Garden Sense, contact the author: roy_jonsson@telus.net. ■
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Industry Bits
Northwest Adds GM to Team In light of expanding Burnaby and Squamish operations and a growing team of associates, Don Fraser, CEO, announced that Bill Hardy will assume general management duties at both locations of Northwest Landscape & Stone Supply. Hardy joins a senior management team comprised of Ian and Allison Fraser, supported by several key staff members. Said Don Fraser, “The staff at Northwest has done an admirable job of handling new tasks and challenges, but to better manage the company’s operational demands, and its growing staff, Northwest is establishing a more formal management structure.” Hardy assumes the role having worked in the company’s Squamish operations since March, 2005.
Member Shaves for the Brave Steve Jones of Urban-Escapes contributed $700 in pledges to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Shave for the Brave event. The fundraising program, which allows the Oncology Department to provide family support, fund education programs, and provide research and equipment support, has raised more than $1.3 million since its inception in 2000. To learn more, or to create your own Shave for the Brave event, visit www.baldingfordollars.com.
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BCMAL Report
Research Snippets Comparing three strains of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Imidacloprid (Merit), for control of European Chafer (Rhizotrogus majalis) In a study completed by E. S. Cropconsult for the CNLA and Western Canada Turfgrass Association, it was found that H. bacteriophora from Becker Underwood and Merit 0.5G insecticide both significantly reduced first instar chafer larvae to the same and acceptable extent. H. bacteriophora strain1(Becker Underwood) provided better control of second instar chafer larvae than H. bacteriophora strains 2 and 3 (Koppert Canada and Biobest Canada) when applied at a rate of 75 million/100m2. The survey of pathogens present in chafer-infested soils suggest value in further characterization and research with local strains and isolates of Heterorhabditidae and Metarhizium anisopliae. A copy of the study is available from the BCLNA. Establishment and Growth of Begonias in the Landscape as Affected by Root Ball Condition at Transplanting ( J. Environ. Hort. 24(4):213 – 217) – Container-grown begonias (0.72 litre) were transplanted into a fine sand medium and grown for 84 days. Three root ball classes were evaluated: non root-bound (6-week-old plants), rootbound with numerous circling roots (10-week-old), and root-bound (10week-old) manipulated by removal of the bottom 1.3 cm of the root ball. Non root-bound plants had the greatest rate of height growth, and accumulated new shoot dry mass 1.6 and 1.3 times faster than the root-bound and root-bound manipulated treatments, respectively. However, due to their smaller size at the beginning of the trial, the non rootbound plants remained shorter than the other treatments throughout the trial. The non root-bound plants accumulated root dry mass and new roots 1.6 times
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faster than the other treatments. By the final harvest, there was no difference in the total biomass of the non root-bound and root-bound plants. It was concluded that non root-bound transplants establish faster in the landscape, and root ball manipulation does not significantly improve root establishment or canopy growth of begonia bedding plants. Nutrient Release from Controlledrelease Fertilizers in a Neutral-pH Substrate in an Outdoor Environment ( HortScience 41(7):1674-1689) – Total salt levels, pH, and the concentration of macro- and micronutrients in leachate were analyzed weekly over an 11-month period. For each of the 4 controlled release fertilizers studied, NH4+, nitrateN, K, and P were relatively high during the first half of the study, decreasing during the second half of the study. This trend in nutrient release was not correlated with seasonal fluctuations of air temperature. The leachate level of NH4+ and inorganic N was highest during week 1 through 5 for Osmocote, and NH4+ was highest in weeks 9 through 12 for Multicote. Concentrations of nitrate-N and P were usually high for all fertilizers, especially from week 5 through 30. The release pattern for the macronutrients was more stable for Osmocote and tended to be erratic for Multicote. Leachate concentrations of the micronutrients, with the exception of iron, were elevated for each CRF during the first 4 weeks. Thereafter, the levels declined sharply and then leveled off for the remainder of the study. The decline in the concentration of calcium and iron was more gradual and variable. Osmocote had significantly greater calcium and magnesium concentrations during the last 6 weeks of the study, and Nutricote had significantly greater iron concentrations, especially during the final 26 to 35 weeks of the study. ■
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