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B.C. LANDSCAPE & NURSERY ASSOCIATION PUBLICATION • SEPTEMBER 2007
3 BCLNA News Bulletins 5 Back to School Special Denis Gour
Back to School Special: Education & Certification Apprenticeship has Gour Made in Spades Like many in the landscape field, Denis Gour came to the trade by way of a career change or two. The actor-comebanker made a move to join the green industry by pursuing a Horticulture Certificate through Capilano College, completing work experience with Blasig Landscape Design & Construction, and
12 Industry Bits 14 BCMAL Report
joining their multiple-award-winning team upon graduation. Ardent supporters of industry training and Certification, the firm sponsored Denis’ apprenticeship, and in a few short years he achieved Journeyman status in Landscape Horticulture; he is presently working on his CHT designation, and is now the manager of Blasig’s Maintenance Division. continued on page 5
CanWest Hort Show Under the sails September 12 & 13 Extraordinary education program! Register online today! www.CanWestHortShow.com
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Brian Minter welcomes the IGCA Secretariat which met in Vancouver last February to preview Congress 2008. The group included delegates from Switzerland, Ireland, England, Spain, Poland, Denmark, South Africa, Japan, the United States, and Canada.
2
Message from the President
Congress an Invaluable Learning Experience Our industry is ripe with learning and training opportunities. Certification, the soon-to-bereleased Nursery Worker Skills program, apprenticeship, and short courses including CanWest’s seminar series, offer employers and employees a way to continually upgrade their skills and hone the quality of workmanship they provide. A unique professional development experience for garden retailers is on the horizon, too. The International Garden Centre Association Congress
HortWest SEPTEMBER 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.
brings together some 300 independent garden centre owners for a solid week of retail tours and networking. In just one year’s time, September 7– 12, 2008, BCLNA and CNLA will co-host the IGCA Congress, which has been held in Canada only once before (Ontario, 1995). It isn’t often that BC can welcome such a diverse crowd of experts in one field, but doing so in 2008 is of definite benefit to the industry. Where else can retailers share their ideas and successes, and discover solutions to common issues with peers from around the globe? Congress 2008 will provide garden retailers with a deadline for completing business improvements as they
prepare to host tour delegates. It also provides their suppliers with a chance to highlight the services they provide to retailers and consider new distribution channels. We encourage members to get involved with the program as volunteers, sponsors, or participants. For more information, contact Renata Triveri (rtriveri@telus.net) or visit www.igcacongress.com.
Fred Giesbrecht President, B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association
INSTALLATION
SERVICES Landscape Contractors Wanted The Home Depot is installing residential landscapes and is looking for additional landscape professionals to design and build landscapes in Western Canada. We have great opportunities in Greater Vancouver, Abbotsford, Cranbrook, Kelowna, Kamloops, Prince George, Vernon, Victoria and West Bank. If you are interested in finding out more about joining the Home Depot landscape team, please contact:
Lindsay Davidson (604) 463-0075 lindsaysplantsource@shaw.ca
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BCLNA News Bulletins Congress Plans Coming Together With only a year to spare until BCLNA and CNLA co-host the International Garden Centre Association Congress, plans are beginning to fall into place. The Congress committee has been working hard to create a program that is both educational and enjoyable, with stops at top garden centres and some of BC’s most famous attractions. Plan now to get involved by volunteering, providing sponsorship, and attending the tour! Watch for complete details on the Congress’ new website coming later this month: www.igcacongress.com.
GWA Notes Shift in Gardening Trends The Garden Writers Association Foundation (GWAF), a charitable public outreach organization, announced the results of this summer’s Gardening Trends Research Report, which showed an upsurge in popularity of traditional garden centres.
When asked where they planned to buy most of their spring plants, 47% of consumers indicated garden centres, and 44% indicated mass merchants — a significant shift from prior years. In June, a follow-up survey confirmed that 43% of consumers did most of their gardening business with garden centres while 39% patronized mass merchants. Almost half (47%) do some container gardening, 48% use their gardens for relaxation or spiritual retreat, 28% use their gardens for food production, and 26% dedicate it to children’s use. To purchase the complete report, visit www.gardenwriters.org.
New Green Roof Standard for BC The eagerly anticipated Extensive Green Roof Standard for BC — a BCLNA/BC Society of Landscape Architects (BCSLA) collaborative effort—was unveiled at a Landscape Commodity meeting held this summer. To order your own copy, see the “Publications Order Form” in this issue’s Extras. Special thanks to Stream
Organics Management for sponsoring the meeting and sharing their growing medium expertise with attendees.
Environmental Stewardship Award The 2007 Environmental Stewardship Award competition is now officially underway. Be sure to let the industry and public know if your company has done something environmentally significant by entering this year’s program. Any individual, company, or organization who maintains or promotes a sustainable healthy environment may be nominated, or enter on their own. For more information on the ESA, to view last year’s winning project, or to download the entry package, visit www.bclna.com, click on ‘Awards,’ and follow the link to ‘Environmental Stewardship Award.’ If you would like to receive an entry package by fax or mail, or if you have any questions, contact Annika Kristensen at the BCLNA ; (604) 574-7772, akristensen@bclna.com. ■
Snapshots The Honourable Kevin Falcon, provincial Minister of Transportation and SurreyCloverdale MLA, presents BCLNA President Fred Giesbrecht with $7600 in funding for the research of effective, environmentally sensitive controls for black spot and rose midge. The research program is further supported in part by the Industry Development Council and by the BCLNA.
Tim Loewen (Pine Meadows Tree Farms Ltd.) and Mike Kato (Kato’s Nursery Ltd.) celebrate the construction of the tower they and others built at BCLNA’s board retreat held at the Langley Golf Course this summer. The theme, Building Blocks, was chosen to show how effectively the board and the Industry Development Council can move the industry forward one building block at a time.
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New BCLNA Members
Wholesale and Retail Large and Small Pots 10,000 sf of Display Area
July 16, 2007 Board Meeting
7100 Elmbridge Way@Gilbert Road, Richmond BC 604-726-1221 www.mellowpottery.com Display area hours: Tue-Wed 12-6pm; Sat-Sun 12-6pm
Mellow Pottery.indd 1
Final Approval
8/22/07 8:56:28 AM
The BCLNA welcomes the following new members: Acacia Landscape Stephen McLeish, Victoria, Active Landscaper Accent Landscaping Peter Thomas, 2559 Masefield Road, North Vancouver, Active Landscaper Greendale Farm & Nursery Ltd. Kulwinder Thind, Chilliwack, Active Grower (Interim) Nor-Wes Landscape & Design Ltd. Ryan Donohoe, Burnaby, Active Landscaper (Interim) Rolling Hills Nursery John Claus, Langley, Active Grower (Interim) August 15, 2007 Final Approval Burnco Rock Products Ray Willey, Langley, Associate (Interim) Habitat Garden Design Jill Lance, Vancouver, Active Landscaper (Interim) Keegan Group@Scotia McLeod Michael Keegan, Vancouver, Individual Living Sanctuary Landscapes Helen Row, Vancouver, Active Landscaper Wildwood Nurseries Ltd. Gordon Nickel, Victoria, Active Retailer (Inteirm) Alex Linklater Ladner, Student Tentative Approval The following companies will become BCLNA members at the next board meeting unless a member provides a valid reason for not accepting the application: Coastal Grounds Maintenance Ltd. Mark HandďŹ eld, Spruce Grove, AB, Out of Province Equinox Landscaping Ltd. Glen Campbell, Westbank, Active Landscaper (Interim) Landscaping & Grounds Keeping John Bleuler, Vancouver, Associate
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Back to School Special: Education & Certification continued from cover
Says Ruth Olde, of Blasig, “Any form of additional, ongoing education is of huge benefit to both employer and employee. It is our experience that employee confidence levels increase exponentially with education, and the apprenticeship program is ideal for this as it is applied learning, combined with on the job training. There is no downside to encouraging employees to increase their skill level — even if they eventually leave your company, they are better equipped to raise the level of the industry in general.” Denis spoke with HortEducationBC CEO, Anne Kadwell, about his experience in the apprenticeship process. AK: Denis, what would you suggest to a person who is considering the Horticulture apprenticeship program? DG: Do it! What could be better then being employed and getting an education at the same time? Personally, I highly recommend it because you can take what you learn in the classroom and apply it in your job. If you come up with problems throughout the year, you make a mental note, and find a solution during your next educational session. Plus, it really gives you
the ability to work more effectively, do your own thinking, problem solve, and then discuss possibilities. Your sponsor mentors you by helping you apply your solutions correctly and effectively. AK: What were the benefits of going to school for six weeks each year? DG: Well, the classroom portion is scheduled during the slow season, so there isn’t a lot to do. Plus you receive EI. You get a lot of education in a short period of time, but it’s nice as you are able to your apply your knowledge during the upcoming busy season. Although, I hear there is a one day per week option now, which is great! I know many will find that beneficial. AK: Do you think employers should work toward having apprentices on staff? Is it beneficial for them? DG: How can they not? The sponsor (employer) is assured that their quality of work will continue through bettertrained and skilled staff. It’s kind of like passing the torch. Plus, as an apprentice, I became very loyal to my sponsor —and Blasig became more confident of my work as my education grew.
UBC Botanical Garden & Centre for Plant Research 6804 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver
17th ANNUAL APPLE FESTIVAL OCTOBER 13th &14th • 11 am – 4 pm The Apple Festival offers over 60 conventional and organic apple varieties and over 20 varieties of apple trees for sale. Demonstrations of espalier and grafting of trees, free tours of the Botanical Garden, apple tasting, apple pies, Children’s Corner, marketplace, cider press and more. Admission: $2.00 for adults, Under 18 free Parking West Mall Parkade Free Shuttle to the Garden www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org
I think apprenticeship helped me become a more reliable employee, and better able to handle various work situations. AK: Was achieving your trade papers your primary goal? DG: Yes, that was my goal! I wanted to change careers, but I still had to make an income and couldn’t take several years off. Apprenticeship allowed me to work and learn. I have achieved my goal as a horticulture journeyperson, now I want to help mentor a new apprentice. It’s all about the love of the career, and then teaching others. Passing on your knowledge and expertise. The nice thing is that we all learn from one another: I will certainly learn from a new apprentice, and in turn they learn from me. AK: So it’s a benefit to you to have your trade papers? DG: Definitely! Blasig Landscape has seen me through my apprenticeship, mentored me, and now I give back to them. I am responsible, confident, and can lead crews or work independently. With increased responsibility on the job site comes not only an increase in wage but pride. Pride that my employer is confident enough to have me run an entire project. Their standards are high and their finished products are amazing! It’s great to be a part of that. I guess you can say getting my Trade papers was a benefit financially and personally.
Get Growing! Invest in yourself or your company by becoming an apprentice or a sponsor! For more information on the program, or to suggest an apprentice to be profiled in an upcoming issue, contact Anne Kadwell; akadwell@horteducationbc.com.
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Safety Check sponsored by
Ian Turnbull, Damage Prevention and Emergency Services Manager
Know what’s below before you dig!
a tree, digging a fence post hole, laying foundation for a retaining wall or grading the driveway—it’s your responsibility to obtain gas line information first. Before beginning an excavation, call BC One Call first at1-800-474-6886 to request the location of buried gas lines, then hand dig to expose the lines. If you damage a gas pipe or smell or hear leaking gas: • Stop work immediately • Shut off machinery and all sources of ignition • Move away from the leaking gas • Call Terasen Gas immediately at 1-800-663-9911
Striking an underground gas line while digging on your property can be both dangerous and expensive. Property owners and contractors alike should always exercise due caution when landscaping, gardening or performing general excavation work to avoid hitting buried gas lines.
You should NEVER: • Try to control escaping gas by bending the pipe over • Try to repair damage by yourself • Backfill or bury damaged gas lines
Whatever projects you undertake this fall—whether it’s planting or removing
The key to success for any major project is thorough planning ahead of time, and planning for the temporary or
COR Program Now Available to Hort Industry WorkSafeBC recently approved an expansion of the Certificate of Recognition (COR) program throughout parts of the construction industry previously ineligible. Said Program Coordinator Leah Altizer, “We at the Construction Safety Network are excited about this new development, because it will allow us to offer our suite of services to even more companies who work with the construction industry in BC, including members of the BC Landscape and Nursery Association.” The COR program is designed to take companies beyond regulatory compli-
ance, making them safety leaders in their respective industries. The value of the program has been recognized by WorkSafeBC, which offers rebates from 5 –15% for those who have completed it. Another benefit, added Altizer, is the fact that the program is offered free of charge; “The construction industry is already paying for the program, so the courses are available without cost to BCLNA member companies. There is no reason not to take advantage of this ground-breaking program.” A relatively new non-profit organization, the Construction Safety Network (CSN) was initiated in 2001 by the BC Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association to reduce the frequency and severity of workplace injuries. Since its inception, CSN has grown to include the Independent Contractors and
permanent removal of natural gas service is an integral part of that process. To remove service or for building demolition (in accordance with WCB OHSR 20.113), you must contact Terasen Gas prior to commencing demolition. Call 1-888-224-2710. For a copy of the Terasen Gas Excavation Safety brochure, call 1-888-224-2710 or visit the Safety section of www.terasengas.com.
Businesses Association, Canadian Home Builders’ Association of BC, BC ReadyMixed Concrete Association and most recently the Aggregate Producers Association of BC. As a result, it now serves the entire construction industry, and its affiliated suppliers and service providers, with health and safety programs including COR. To find out all the details of COR and other CSN services, contact the Construction Safety Network at (604) 436-0232, or check out its website: www.safetynetwork.bc.ca.
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Back to School Special: Education & Certification
Apprenticeship: Why Bother? As if supplying you with well-trained and qualified staff isn’t enough, the apprenticeship program offers significant perks to the employer. By sponsoring an apprentice, your company is eligible for basic tax credits: • Lesser of $2000 or 10% of wages paid to an apprentice within the first 24 months, • Lesser of $2500 or 15% of wages upon apprentice’s completion of level 3, • Lesser of $3000 or 15% of wages upon apprentice’s completion of level 4.
TFG Team Achieves Workshops and Journeyman Status Certification Special congratulations to Tim Return to BCLNA Giebrecht and James Reimer of TFG Landscaping & Maintenance
Ltd., who passed their challenge exams to achieve Journeyman status (Certificate of Qualification). If you are an experienced tradesperson, you too can write the challenge exam: do it before May 2008 and your fee will be waived! To learn how, visit www.horteducationbc.com.
A sponsor must be either a legal entity (business) or a Certified Tradesperson or equivalent. If you are not a Certified Tradesperson (Journeyperson), you can apply for an equivalency registration number by following a few easy steps. Visit www.horteducationbc.com, and click on “Apprenticeship Quicklinks” for more information.
BCLNA has assumed the administration of industry workshops and Certification from HortEducation BC. The change will allow HortEducationBC to better dedicate its resources to Apprenticeship services for a broader range of horticultural industries including vintners, greenhouse growers, arborists, and others. Watch BCLNA.com this fall for the new line-up of 2008 Short Courses.
School’s in Session! Visit BCLNA.com for a complete calendar of this season’s Short Courses and Workshops. And don’t forget to attend the CanWest Hort Show on September 12 and 13. There is still space in the show’s excellent educational revue— you can sign up at the door!
Sumas Gro–Media Ltd.
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Premium raw ingredients produce a consistent end product every time.
• Fast, reliable delivery.
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Back to School Special: Education & Certification
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Nursery Skills Program Piloted Growers, like employers in the industry’s other commodities, face the challenge of finding workers with the right skills for the job. Even qualified workers usually require on-the-job training to round out their expertise. Unlike other landscape and retail commodities, however, nurseries do not currently benefit from a certification program to which they can subscribe. So where do growers find the right kind of program to train their workers while minimizing the costs involved? And at what is the measuring stick for considering a worker to be ‘skilled’? The Nursery Worker Skills project, currently in development, will help address these issues by providing training modules, which can be offered on-site, as classroom study courses, or as a self-study program. Designed with significant input from growers, the training modules will tackle topics such as plant identification, integrated pest management, grading, shipping and receiving, field harvesting, fertility and cultural management, propagation, equipment operation and maintenance, irrigation repair and maintenance, staff management, and systems approaches to phytosanitary issues. It is intended that each module will be broken into manageable sub-themes, which can be offered as practical or theoretical training (or a combination of both). These modules will become the basis for an accredited nursery production designation, in line with existing Certified Horticultural Technician (CHT), Certified Landscape Designer (CLD) and Certified Landscape Professional (CLD) designations. To this end, a candidate’s success in each module, and his or her completion of subsequent practical exams, will be plotted in a passport leading to a Certified Nursery Production Practitioner designation. The passport system will enable
candidates to work on their designations over time, making for more flexible and less daunting work/study avenues. The Nursery Production worker program will be piloted this fall, with the expectation that it will be available by late winter 2007 or early spring 2008 for use as a training supplement by any nursery manager or production supervisor. Nursery growers may also choose to bring in a local qualified person, such as their IPM monitor, to provide expert instruction or program delivery of a specific module. The program will also be used for third and fourth year nursery production apprenticeship training at Kwantlen University College. The final practical and written exam will eventually become the exit exam for both apprentices and Nursery Production Diploma students, thus ensuring that students graduating from the course have the theoretical and practical skills that nursery growers are looking for. This $115,000 project has been under development for more than two years, with BCLNA’s Industry Development Council contributing over $35,000 and the government-funded Agricultural Labour Market & Skills Development Initiative contributing about $80,000. For more information, contact Hedy Dyck; hdyck@bclna.com.
Canadians Blaze Certification Trail CNLA’s certification committee and U.S. representatives from the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET)
joined forces in Niagara Falls this summer to focus on international cooperation and communication with
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Back to School Special: Education & Certification regard to Certification. While both countries show great strides, the program’s growing strength in Canada stems from continued attention to new initiatives. Said Joel Beatson, CLP, Professional and Business Development Manager at the CNLA, “Canada continues to fill a leadership role in industry certification, and the volunteers and staff involved should be recognized for the amazing work that is being accomplished north of the 49th.” Canadian delegates highlighted numerous potential growth areas, which will result in wider recognition and uptake — of certain benefit to employers, certified professionals and prospective candidates alike: • Program integration in secondary schools and other educational institutions, • Expansion of education and training programs leading to certification, • Marketing to highlight the program to landscape architects, property managers, specification writers and others who can influence the use of certified professionals on the jobsite, • New training materials, written exam and a revised portfolio submission process for the Certified Landscape Designer (CLD) program, • Translation of certification materials into French for the Quebec market, • Occupational analysis to update interior landscaping exams and training materials,
• Continued work to address the volunteer load required by certification exams, • Garden centre and grower-oriented exams for the CLP program, • Exploration of a company-level certification program (watch for results of inter-provincial focus groups in upcoming CNLA Newsbriefs). To get on board by becoming certified, or to support the certification process, contact Krista Manton at the BCLNA (kmanton@bclna.com) or Joel Beatson at the CNLA (jbeatson@canadanursery.com).
Summer Certification Successes We have the pleasure of congratulating the following individuals for successfully completing their certification designations this summer: CHT – Maintenance
Kelly Arnott, Contour Landscaping Ltd. Matthew Brewster, Anderson Garden Services Inc. Monti Cantwell, Northern Roots Landscaping Nick Doniere, UBC Plant Operations Tim Fry, Meridian Landscaping Ltd. Dana Sleigh, Dana’s Gardening CHT – Installation
Joshua Leonard, Horizon Landscape Contractors Douglas Winkelaar, Timmermans Landscaping Ltd. Certified Landscape Professional (CLP) Laurie Anderson, Anderson Garden Services Inc. CHT Candidate Gavin Scorer (Summerfield Landscape Company) completes the tree planting and staking station at this summer’s Certification test day, as Judge James Reimer (TFG Landscaping & Maintenance Ltd.) tracks his progress.
Get Certified October 19 – 20: see registration form in this issue’s Extras. ■
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Sincere Thanks Sincere thanks to the following Certification Committee members, Judges’ Technical Advisors, and both new and veteran Judges for volunteering their time to make Certification Day run smoothly and professionally, while adhering to the international program regulations:
BC CHT Chair Cable Baker, CHT, RCB Garden Service
BC Retail Chair & Site Safety Captain Paul Buikema, CHT, Progress Landscaping
Past National Chair & BC CLP Chair Bruce Hunter, CHT CLD CLP, Hunter Landscape Design Ltd.
National Retail Advisor Bill Hardy, CLP, Northwest Landscape & Stone Supply
Site Coordinator Shelley Murley, Kwantlen University College
Judges’ Technical Advisors Gunther Blasig, CHT, Blasig Landscape Design & Construction Jeff Foley, CHT, Para Space Landscaping Inc.
Conway Lum, CHT, GardenWorks at Mandeville Louie Murgg, CHT, Forevergreen Landscaping & Maintenance Rob Welsh, CHT, Capilano College
Judges Laurie Anderson, CHT CLP, Anderson Garden Services Inc. Alanda Bellucci, GardenWorks at Mandeville Reuben Butterfield, CLP, Helios Landscaping Inc. Kenneth Cox, CHT CLP, Ecoscape Lawn and Garden Service Ltd. Stephan Cranz, CHT, Pacific Horticulture College Kevin Dang, CHT, Think Green Landscaping Ltd. Egan Davis, CHT, Vancouver Parks Board Roy Fisher, CLP, Wild West Gardens Ltd. Kane Freigang, CHT, Kane’s Lawn Care Tim Giesbrecht, CHT, TFG Landscaping & Maintenance Ltd. Spencer Jeffrey, CHT, Heartwood Landscaping Ltd. Anne Kadwell, CHT, HortEducationBC Stan Kazymerchyk, Kwantlen University College Richard Legg, CHT, Legg Work Gardening Ltd. Jerry Looi, CHT, GardenWorks Doug Luckow, CHT, Meridian Landscaping Aaron Magee, CHT, Contour Landscaping Ltd.
Kevin O’Higgins, CHT, Southcoast Horticultural Services James Reimer, CHT, TFG Landscaping & Maintenance Ltd. Darren Rose, CHT, Para Space Landscaping Inc. Lance Sharon, CHT CLP, Upper Levels Landscape Management Ltd. Kevin Tse, CHT, Arts Green Acres Tree Farms Matt Vandenberg, CHT, Vandenberg’s Landscape Design Marycn Ward, CLP, Down to Earth Landscapes Ante Zulj, Finning (Canada)
Premier Sponsor
Silver Sponsor WorkSafeBC
Facility Sponsor Kwantlen University College
Equipment & Materials Sponsors Cedar Rim Nursery Ltd. Fraser Valley Equipment GardenWorks
Other Donors Corix Water Products Inc. Western Turf Farms Ltd.
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Tony Steer (West Coast Bark Products Inc.) pictured here was the winner of a $635 “Mulligan Money” prize at this summer’s BCLNA Golf Tournament, while the Art Knapp Port Coquitlam foursome (Wim and Dave Vanderzalm, Ken Schrauwen, and Al Takai) took home the Eddi’s Wholesale tournament trophy. Twenty-four members and suppliers to the trade contributed more than $4000 in hole sponsorship and prizes; special thanks to all who participated, making this an exciting social event.
Industry Bits
BCLNA on the Links The annual golf tournament, held CNLA Grants a this year at Swan-e-Set Bay Resort & Country Club, hosted about Child’s Wish members and their guests. Plan now 128 BCLNA
to join next year’s tournament, to be held on June 24, 2008 at Redwoods Golf Course in Langley.
The CNLA team, in conjunction with an impressive contingent of local and national sponsors, recently had the opportunity
to fulfill an unusual community service project to the immeasurable joy of sevenyear-old Hayden MacIntyre. The Port Perry, Ontario boy, who has spent most of his life in a wheelchair as a result of a rare genetic disorder called spinal muscular atrophy, was referred to the Make A Wish Foundation with a simple request to be able to outside and play. Hayden’s wish became a reality on July 19 when his backyard garden installation, coordinated by Joe Salemi of the CNLA, was completed. Hundreds of volunteer hours, and the generous support of Caterpillar of Canada and numerous other landscape and nursery businesses, united to realize a garden design that included wheelchair-friendly asphalt pathways, a full irrigation and lighting system, dinosaur eco-sculptures, a gazebo and play-set, retaining walls and significant plantings.
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“This Wish Garden is the ultimate and magical expression of the tremendous power of a community coming together to make a profound difference in the life of a child,” said Jason Becker, of Caterpillar of Canada. “Hayden has been given the gift of autonomy to go outside,” said Tina MacIntyre, Hayden’s mother, who added, “This has been a glorious and amazing journey for our family.”
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Left to right: Brigitte Tschinkel (Make a Wish Foundation), Joe Salemi (CNLA), Jason Becker (Caterpillar), sister Lauren, father Ian, Hayden, and his mother Tina MacIntyre, were all on hand to celebrate the unveiling of Hayden’s Wish Garden. The garden was created and widely supported by Caterpillar and Ontarian members of the CNLA.
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BCLNA OFFICE: 604-574-7772; 800-421-7963
&
Industry
events
programs
P. ramorum Certification & Environmental Farm Planning Workshops Various dates and locations. Contact BCLNA for details. CanWest Hort Show September 12 –13 Vancouver Convention &Exhibition Centre www.canwesthortshow.com Certification Test Day October 19 &20 Kwantlen University College www.bclna.com BCLNA AGM & Convention November 1– 2 Ramada Plaza & Conference Centre Abbotsford, BC www.bclna.com Landscapers’ & Contractors’ Expo January 22 – 23 BC Place Stadium www.landscapingexpo.net
Out of Province Events GLEE September 16 –18 Birmingham, England www.gleebirmingham.com IPPS AGM: Look to the Future September 16 –19 Montreal, QC www.ipps.org/easternNA 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 International Irrigation Show December 9 –11 San Diego, CA www.irrigation.org Congress 2008 January 8 –10, 2008 Toronto, ON www.locongress.com 2008 Management Clinic January 30 – February 02, 2008 Louisville, KY www.managementclinic.org National Awards of Landscape Excellence February 9, 2008 St John, NB www.canadanursery.com
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the classifieds
BCMAL Report
Research Snippets
For Sale Erica Enterprises Wholesale Nursery Ltd. Going concern facility, growing nursery stock in rural Pitt Meadows on quiet no thru road. Sale includes: 3,800 sq. ft. 3 year old residence, 19.49 acres of level land, warehouse, greenhouses, delivery truck and all machinery.
Tree Spades Used Dutchmasters fieldpotter tree spades. Adjustable to 7 gallon and 10 gallon spades. Recently rebuilt. Asking $6,000.
Asking price $4,064,000 Canadian. Plant inventory in not included in sale and can be negotiated separately.
Custom Trailers Custom made trailers designed to meet your standards. Any size trailer for any purpose custom manufactured at a competitive price.
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Abiotic Factors Influencing Root Growth of Woody Nursery Plants in Containers (HortTechnology 17(2):151–162) This report reviews several abiotic factors that influence root growth in containers. The factors reviewed include physical and chemical properties of the substrate, pot characteristics, and temperature. The authors concluded the two factors that may have the greatest impact on root growth and establishment success of nursery stock are container characteristics and temperature; “With an increasing amount of nursery stock being produced in containers, optimizing root growth and function and minimizing abiotic stress is important to ensure the long-term success of the nursery and landscape industry.”
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BCMAL Report Differences in Growth, and Nitrogen Uptake and Storage Between Two Container-Grown Cultivars of Rhododendron ( J. Environmental Hort. 25(1):13 – 20) The objective of this study was to characterize the timing of nitrogen (N) uptake and use in a deciduous (‘Cannon’s Double’) and an evergreen (‘PJM’) rhododendron. One year-old liners (10 cm) were transplanted into #1 pots in late May and were grown in a lathe house in Corvallis, OR. Plants were fertigated two times per week with a solution that was supplemented with either 0 or 140 ppm N from ammonium-nitrate. Approximately every two weeks, root, stem and leaf samples were collected for nutrient analyses. The study discovered that root growth was not affected by supplemental N availability. N uptake by roots was greatest during July and early August, respectively, for ‘Cannon’s Double’ and ‘PJM.’ The plants continued to accumulate root biomass into early September when the study was terminated. ‘Cannon’s Double’ was more efficient at taking up supplemental N (12 – 33% uptake) relative to ‘PJM’ (8 –16% uptake). Biomass of new stems increased from June through September. Supplemental N increased N uptake from late June to early August in ‘Cannon’s Double’ and, from mid July to early August for ‘PJM.’ The increase in N uptake was associated with an increase in biomass and area of new leaves. ‘Cannon’s Double’ leaves exported about 40% of their N in late August when the stems were actively accumulating nitrogen. In contrast, the N concentration in new leaves increased in mid July and August for ‘PJM.’ This data is evidence that N is stored in the stems of deciduous and in the new leaves of evergreen rhododendrons. The authors concluded that the “liners…contained sufficient N reserves in both the plant and substrate to support initial plant growth and that increasing availability of N in the substrate during the period of rapid growth can significantly increase N uptake while improving vegetative growth and the N status.” ■
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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