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B.C. LANDSCAPE & NURSERY ASSOCIATION PUBLICATION • OCTOBER 2007
CanWest Showcases West Coast Style In a 99% sell-out event, exhibitors at last month’s CanWest Horticulture Show produced some extraordinary displays befitting the theme West Coast Style, and their efforts netted results. Said Karen DeJong, show manager, “The exhibitors outdo themselves every year. From the waterfall built into the VW van, to the raining coffee cups, they really stretched their creativity with this year’s theme. We’ve been told that CanWest is the best looking tradeshow in North America, and the exhibitors’ efforts are the reason why.” Visitor response to the show was extremely positive, with Over 3,100 delegates attended the 2007 CanWest new and returning features Horticulture Show held September 12 and 13 at the attracting crowds. The addiVancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre. tion of the bookstore and coffee bar created a destination at the the exhibitors, Steve Kovacs and the show’s west end, and the education Waterscene team (of VW van fame and program and industry tours drew winners of the Best Exhibit Overall) record numbers. are already brewing plans for next year. “We have a few ideas for the ‘Nursery “We saw a 60% increase in landscape Rhymes’ theme,” said Kovacs, smiling. architects visiting the show, and that “We’re going to have to work hard to was largely due to their participation beat this one, though.” in Owen Dell’s Sustainable Landscape seminar, and the Mike Lin Graphic The 2008 CanWest Hort Show, Nursery Design Workshop;” commented DeJong. Rhymes, will be held on September 17 “Actually, all the seminars and tours and 18. To purchase a booth for next were big hits, and attendees left them year, contact Barb Nelson, CanWest excited to try out new ideas.” Exhibitor Relations: bnelson@bclna.com or 604-574-7772. CanWest organizers are already working continued on page 7 on CanWest’s 2008 program. As for
3 BCLNA Board Highlights 5 BCLNA News 9 Industry Champions 11 Safety Check 14 Industry Bits 15 BCMAL Report
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Message from the President
Championing the Landscape & Nursery Industry The BCLNA has, from its earliest times, had industry champions. Although I’m a relatively young man, compared to many of you who regularly read HortWest Magazine, I have had the privilege of meeting and learning from the greatest horticultural leaders in our industry over the years. Attending my first AGM in 1968, I quickly learned how much fun it was to participate in the various BCLNA (then BCNTA) functions with other members who were passionate about our industry and willing to work towards its betterment. I’ve watched new generations of industry leaders take the reins to move the association in new directions.
Mentioning industry leaders is dangerous and difficult because I cannot include all who deserve mention. However, there are two people who I am sure everyone would agree are two of today’s industry leaders. Mr. Bill Hardy is, and has been, an inspiration and a pillar of support for all of us in the industry, providing timely advice on education, labour, CanWest, and computer issues only to mention a few—with Certification being one of the greatest accomplishments that benefits our industry. And, Mr. Bruce Hunter’s tireless efforts have lifted the horticultural profession in BC, and across Canada, to a new level. This is only the beginning as our industry continues to diligently work towards full recognition as a regulated trade in British Columbia.
The time is right for many younger ones to step up and carry on as the industry faces new challenges, and as we move further into the age of environmental awareness, dealing with greenhouse gas emissions, air quality, invasive plant issues, and major industry labour issues. Just as we have had notable industry leaders in the past, there will be many who will come to shape the industry’s future. Will you be one of them?
Fred Giesbrecht, President, B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association
HortWest OCTOBER 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
18598 Advent Road Pitt Meadows, BC Canada, V3Y 2G8 Toll Free 1-800-471-4448 Phone: 604-465-7122 Fax: 604-465-8100 inquiry@specimentrees.com
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
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BCLNA Board Highlights
Monday, September 24, 2007 TD Canada Trust, a BCLNA member, has proposed a program that would enable growers, retailers and landscapers to provide loan information and applications to clients who purchase a minimum of $1,000 of products and services. A brief member survey showed significant interest in further exploring the program. The board agreed to do a program trial until June 2008, at which time it will be evaluated and brought back to the board for approval as a benefit program. Members interested in participating in the pilot should contact BCLNA.
Growers The US Department of Agriculture ruled against Canada for shipment of Vaccinium. The Canadian
Food Inspection Agency is negotiating with USDA to precisely define what is expected of Canadian growers who wish to ship Vaccinium to the US. Contact BCLNA for updated information. Thanks to Richard Desmarteau for many years of service on the Greater Vancouver Regional District’s Agriculture committee. A landscape replacement is being sought as the committee largely deals with urban landscape issues. Safety/WorkSafeBC Nursery rates have decreased from $2.68 to $2.11. Richard Desmarteau thanked Tim Loewen, Peter Levelton, Andrew
Flokstra and Hedy Dyck for working on this significant adjustment. See page 5 for all the WorkSafe BC premium adjustments. Environment BCLNA volunteers and staff have been working hard on environmental issues during the past few months. Development of an environment strategy and a climate change strategy is under way and Plant Health BC: Pest Management Accreditation for Landscape is about ready to launch. Companies interested in the accreditation program should contact Kent Mullinix: mullinix@telus.net. The website with a downloadable application form and program guide will be launched shortly. ■
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Green Pages
Climate Change and BC’s Landscape & Nursery Industry Jane Stock, BCLNA Executive Director Climate change conversations have become an everyday occurrence. While there are still some skeptics, the experts agree that climate change is a reality, based on such measures as the warming of oceans and the melting of polar ice and glaciers. In the 2007 Throne Speech, the Premier committed the Province of British Columbia to two main goals: that the government itself will be carbon neutral by 2010 and that by 2020 there will be at least a 33% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) throughout the province.
Attaining a carbon neutral government: 2010 • In 2007 – 2008, government will establish methods for measuring GHG emissions so that reductions can be evaluated against a baseline • In 2008 – 2009, reduction of government GHG emissions will be underway • By 2010, government will have begun to offset its emissions through a variety of strategies.
Attaining a 33% provincial reduction: 2020 When the Throne Speech was delivered, the commitments were general since details of the strategy had not yet been developed. The Premier said that the reduction would be at least 33% below 2006 levels of GHG emissions. The work on developing the strategy would be coordinated by a Climate Action Secretariat that would report to the Premier.
Agriculture’s and BCLNA’s Climate Change Role On September 5, 2007, the BCLNA, United Flower Growers and BC Greenhouse Growers Association, met with BC Agriculture Council and BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands to discuss a draft climate change strategy for the
ornamental horticulture and greenhouse vegetable sectors. To ensure that the urban landscape component was properly represented, Western Canadian Turfgrass Association, BC Society of Landscape Architects and BC Recreation and Parks Association sent representatives. The two main areas of impacting climate change are through reducing emissions and carbon sequestration (storage). Under these two cornerstones, seven areas were considered during the meeting: energy generation, energy conservation, plastics recycling, engine efficiency, biomass/ biofuels, urban agriculture and farm management/production practices. These action areas are not independent of each other—most are interconnected. Participants expressed the following points: • Producers and service providers would like to receive benefits for assuming cost where the benefit is for all of society. • Climate change requires credible science for all projects; we need to recognize conflicting science or gaps. Research may need to be a part of some actionable items. • Actionable items should incorporate adaptation process, with realistic timelines to achieve change. • We are in a unique position to expand agriculture’s role in the provincial climate change action plan into the urban setting. We should include projects that the urban public can relate to and participate in. Examples of a few of the actions that were discussed and that could involve the BC landscape and nursery industry are listed below. They have not yet been evaluated, and are suggestions only at this early stage: • Reduce the amount of plastic used and discarded and therefore fossil fuels used in plastic manufacturing. This would include developing recycling programs for producers and consumers, as well
as alternatives to plastic for horticulture pots and films. • Increase engine efficiencies to reduce the amount of fossil fuels used and emissions generated. This would include resolving two-cycle engine landscape issues and improving farm machinery, such as tractors, pumps, and off-road vehicle efficiency. • Focus on opportunities to increase vegetation in the urban landscape: - Increased plantings of ornamentals and food crops in urban areas - Green roofs and living walls - Improved quality of growing conditions in urban areas (landscape standards) - Communicate effectively with public their role in managing climate change in the urban landscape - Modify farm production practices to reduce emissions and sequester carbon. The goal is to address these issues through the Environmental Farm Planning program - More efficient use of nitrogen to reduce N2O emissions - Water management to reduce the production of N2O - Increasing plant efficiencies to reduce fertilizer use and increase production - Soil conservation practices to reduce N2O emissions - Increased plantings for carbon sequestration - Changing crops to sequester carbon - Planting more trees/plants around farms - Soil conservation practices such as shelterbelts, grassed waterways - Replanting of marginal land to grass and trees. BCLNA members or other HortWest
readers are encouraged to send their climate change strategy suggestions to jstock@bclna.com. Thanks to Christine Koch, BC Agriculture Council and Bruce Mackenzie, Richard Scott, Dave Woodske, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands for their assistance in climate change planning. ■
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BCLNA News Bulletins
WorkSafeBC Rates Largely Down for 2008 WorkSafeBC has just released preliminary rates for 2008, with premium decreases announced for the majority of BCLNA membership sectors. The nursery production rates are set for a downward adjustment from $2.58 in 2007 to $2.11 for 2008. The decrease is due in part to a new classification system that separates nursery growers from greenhouse growers, based on the difference in common types of movement and stress. Andrew Flokstra, Tim Loewen, Gord Mathies, Peter Levelton and Hedy Dyck met with the WorkSafeBC staff early in 2007 to provide the nursery industry’s perspective on safety and to promote the change in classifications. Tim Loewen of Pine Meadows Tree Farms Ltd. was extremely pleased with the news, “Our biggest single line item is payroll, and reducing the cost by almost half a dollar makes a tremendous difference to the bottom line.” Lawn maintenance, garden maintenance, and weed control companies (Classification Unit 764061) and garden or landscape supply companies (Classification Unit 741011) will enjoy similar rate relief, with
the landscape class premiums dropping from $2.67 to $2.14, while garden and landscape supply are reduced from $1.84 to $1.69. Mary-Margaret Gaye, executive director of the BC Greenhouse Growers’ Association, told Country Life in BC reporters that greenhouse vegetable and floriculture
sectors are working with WorksafeBC to identify steps to reduce injuries and lower premiums in 2009, and may separate some operations within the greenhouse classification to further address the application of fair and accurate premiums. The anticipated rate increase for greenhouses will be up 49¢ to $3.07 from $2.58 in 2007.
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BCLNA News Bulletins
Environment Talk To Heat Up AGM BCLNA’s annual general meeting (November 1 and 2 at the Ramada Plaza & Conference Centre in Abbotsford) is slated to tackle environmental issues and the “green” industry’s response to them.
The program will include an industry consultation session on Invasive Plant Management, an area in which BCLNA members have been actively working toward ecological betterment. The somewhat more daunting dilemma of climate change will be addressed on the second day, and members are encouraged to attend Andrea Reimer’s Inconvenient Truth presentation. Reimer, who is the executive director of the Western Canadian Wilderness Committee and an official “Inconvenient Truth” spokesperson, will bring local examples and awareness to the climate change challenge. Attendees will follow up the session with a review of BCLNA’s draft plan for positive environmental change, created by a member-driven working group for ornamental nursery and greenhouse companies. Member discussions will follow in order to draft priorities for the
50th IGCA Congress September 7– 12, 2008
World-Class Tour International Networking | Professional Development Attend the International Garden Centre Association Congress in 2008! Become a sponsor and get your message out to leading garden retailers from around the world.
For more info: Renata Triveri Congress Coordinator rtriveri@telus.net Donna Budd Sponsorship Manager donnabudd-igca@telus.net
most practical, achievable, and resultsoriented solutions. This AGM is not to be missed! Look for your registration package in this issue’s Extras and sign on today. For more information, contact Heidi Henderson; 604-574-7772 or info@bclna.com.
New Rep for Garden Centres Garden Centres across Canada will be hearing a lot more from Anthony O’Neill, current Landscape Newfoundland President, as he has recently been appointed as the new Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) Garden Centres Canada Chair. In this national position Anthony will be responsible for growing prosperity of garden centres across Canada including developing long term plans, policies and programs to address garden centre needs, creating programs to enhance consumer awareness of and interest in gardening, and will maintain a liaison with the International Garden Centre Association (IGCA). “In the position of GCC Chair,” said Anthony, “I am looking forward to learning more about national activities and concerns and meeting with as many members as possible.” With the IGCA congress coming to Vancouver in 2008 Anthony feels that there is a good wave of excitement to ride on. “I hope that garden centres will take advantage of this event to not only come together as a group but also to re-build membership and implement strategies that will benefit our garden centers in this rapidly changing environment.” O’Neill takes the place of John Zaplatynsky, president of GardenWorks,™ who held the post during the most recent years of his 14-year term on the CNLA board.
New
BCLNA Members
September 24, 2007 Board Meeting Final Approval The BCLNA welcomes the following new members: Equinox Landscaping Ltd., Glen Campbell, Westbank, Active Landscaper (Interim) Landscaping & Grounds Keeping, John Bleuler, Vancouver, Associate 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: ATD Waste Systems Inc.,
John Victor Van Slyke, Vancouver, Associate Charnell Garden Services, J. Mark Charnell, Vancouver, Active Landscaper (Interim) Garden in Gardens Greenhouse Ltd., Ming Wu, Richmond, Active Retailer Handcrafted Pond & Garden, Raymond Lachance, Vancouver, Active Landscaper Katsura Landscaping Ltd., Scott Haile, West Vancouver, Active Landscaper (Interim) Landeca, Wendy Kay, Victoria, Active Landscaper Pacific Coast Trees, John McCredie, Surrey, Active Grower Skyline Nursery, Stuart Robson and Jonathon Harrison, Chilliwack, Active Grower Unique Landscapes & Irrigation, Jason Routley, Kelowna, Active Landscaper (Interim) Geina Fournier, Vancouver, Student
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CanWest Booth Awards
Special Thanks
continued from cover
CanWest Sponsors
Best Large Booth Specimen Trees Wholesale Nurseries Ltd.
Seminars British Consulate-General Candy Cane Nursery CY Grower Supplies Ltd. East Richmond Nurseries Inc. Inline Nurseries Inc. Kato’s Nursery Ltd. N.A.T.S. Nursery Ltd. Pacific Northwest Propagators Skagit Gardens Specimen Trees Wholesale Nurseries Ltd. TerraLink Horticulture Inc. Tours Contech Holdings Canada Inc. Gulick Freight Service Logistics Northern Innovators Valleybrook Gardens Ltd.
Best Exhibit Overall and Most Original Exhibit Aquascape & Waterscene
Exhibitor Reception Fairfield Tree Nurseries Inc. Finning (Canada) Qualitree Propagators Inc.
Best Medium Booth Candy Cane Nursery
Attendee Prize Draw Royal Bank Show, General Bob’s Woodwork Creative Embroidery East Richmond Nurseries Inc. Jalisco Imports Inc. Norstad Products Inc.
Best Nursery Exhibit Garden Grove Nursery
Best Small Booth Plant-It Nursery
Best Floriculture Exhibit Morgan Creek Tropicals Ltd.
Best Supplier Exhibit Laguna div. Rolf C. Hagen Inc.
Floral Material Apko Nurseries Ltd. Blue Magic Greenhouses Ltd. Burnaby Lake Greenhouses Ltd. Floral Direct Wholesale Inc. Forest Gold Products Ltd. Frico Flowers Hollandia Greenhouses Ltd. Klahanie Greenhouses Ltd. Mainland Floral Distributors Maria’s Trading Ltd. Nicomen Nursery Quik’s Farm Ltd. Ravenek Greenhouses Ltd. Scania Greenhouses Ltd. Smit Nursery Ltd. Techni-Gro Greenhouses Inc. Trommel Greenhouses Ltd. V.N. Greenhouses Ltd. Westcan Greenhouses Ltd.
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BCLNA OFFICE: 604-574-7772; 800-421-7963
eve n ts
Industry
and programs
P. ramorum Certification & Environmental Farm Planning Workshops Various dates and locations. Contact BCLNA for details. BCLNA AGM & Convention November 1– 2 Ramada Plaza & Conference Centre Abbotsford, BC www.bclna.com BC Landscapers & Contractors Expo
January 22 – 23, 2008 BC Place Stadium Vancouver, BC www.landscapingexpo.net Western Canada Turfgrass Conference & Show February 24 – 27, 2008 Penticton Trade & Convention Centre Penticton, BC www.wctaturf.com BCLNA Fundraising Auction
February 26, 2008 United Flower Growers Co-Op Burnaby, BC www.bclna.com
Out of Province Events Garden Expo October 16 –17 Toronto, ON www.gardenexpo.ca Garden Centres of America Holiday Tour November 12 –15 Boston, MA www.gardencentersofamerica.org International Irrigation Show December 9 –11 San Diego, CA www.irrigation.org Congress 2008 January 8 –10, 2008 Toronto Congress Centre Toronto, ON www.locongress.com Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition January 17 –19 Broward County Convention Center Ft. Lauderdale, FL www.tpie.org ANLA Management Clinic January 30 – February 2, 2008 Louisville, KY www.managementclinic.org National Awards of Landscape Excellence February 9, 2008 St. John, NB www.canadanursery.com
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18431 Westminster Hwy., Richmond, B.C. V6V 1B1 Ph. 604 278-0976 Fax 604 244-2924 e-mail sales@erniplants.com
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BCLNA News Bulletins
Industry Champions When we began to gather thoughts for the “Industry Champions” issue of HortWest, the list of people who have contributed to the health of BC’s nursery and landscape industry became unwieldy. To catalogue our industry’s supporters would require an extensive index and cross-reference, because few who become involved take up just one cause and ours is an industry filled with passionate people. Certainly, there are those who stand out from the crowd. Some would fill tomes with the members they have recruited (Ed Les with his stack of membership application forms on the sales counter, and George Kato with his persuasive conversations). Others represented BCLNA while maintaining a broader perspective (Gerry Hutchinson managed to balance provincial, national and global grower needs and John Zaplatynsky has represented retailers at the national level for a good many years). There are the ones who toil fervently when industry threats arise (Jeff Hicks and Bruce McTavish made major inroads with P. ramorum, CNCI, SAWP and NAPPO). Others yet
have been integral in raising and promoting the skills of our professionals (Don Fraser spearheaded the development of the landscape standard while Bruce Hunter, Cable Baker, and others helped launched Certification country-wide). Many more lead by example, and their business models are to be commended (George & Lea Feddes of Pepindale Nursery and Rod Nataros of N.A.T.S. Nursery Ltd. are strides ahead in building ecologically-sensitive companies). It is the time of year when those who worked so tirelessly for the industry receive token recognition through the Member Awards. Take a few moments to thank this year’s volunteers, and watch for Young Member, Member, Supplier, Communicator, and Educator of the Year award-recipients at the AGM next month!
BCLNA Board Elections
are concerned. We have four directors who are up for re-election, and they have expressed interest in running again. The board’s Executive is voted in each year.” All members are encouraged to attend the annual general meeting, and the board particularly welcomes new members who wish to get involved in any of BCLNA’s various committees and projects. Any members interested in joining the association’s directorship in coming years should contact Peter Levelton at East Richmond Nurseries Inc.; 604-278-0976. Nominations to board positions are also accepted from the floor at the AGM.
BCLNA Convention & Annual General Meeting President’s Reception & Banquet Membership Awards Awards of Landscape Excellence Environment Program Networking & Board Review Pub Night Hospitality Suite
BCLNA’s annual general meeting generally
November 1 & 2
sees the nomination and election of a new panel of directors. Past-president Peter Levelton commented, “This is actually a very quiet year as far as board elections
Abbotsford Ramada Plaza & Conference Centre To register, call 604-574-7772
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sponsored by
Safety Check Ian Turnbull, Damage Prevention and Emergency Services Manager
Know the Ground Rules— Before you Start Digging I know fall is a popular time for homeowners to plant and landscape, which means your busy season is in full swing. So I wanted to remind you about the ground rules—like calling before you dig. Whether you’re landscaping a yard, laying foundation or installing a fence, hitting or damaging a pipeline can threaten your safety and cost you money. And did you know provincial regulations require you to obtain location information? That’s why you must call BC One Call first. They’ll arrange for Terasen Gas to send you the information you need. Here are three steps to remember: • Call BC One Call at 1-800-474-6886 or *6886 to request underground gas line information. • Use the information to locate the gas line. • Hand dig to expose the gas line before using any mechanical equipment, like bobcats, backhoes or augers. It’s also important you know about another set of gas lines—the ones homeowners are responsible for. These lines extend past the meter and include any piping that runs to detached buildings, pools or outdoor appliances. The exact location of lines that homeowners are responsible for won’t show up on the maps you receive. You need to find these lines and hand dig to expose the underground utilities before using any mechanical equipment. Here’s another tip I recommend you share with clients: suggest they have a registered gas contractor regularly inspect gas lines that extend past the meter for possible leaks or corrosion. Homeowners can look in the Yellow Pages under “Corrosion Control.” If you do hit or damage an underground gas line, stop what you’re doing immediately and call Terasen Gas at1-800-663-9111. To get a copy of our Excavation Safety brochure, call 1-888-224-2710 or visit the Safety section on www.terasengas.com. ■ The Terasen Gas name and logo are trademarks of Terasen Inc.
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the
classifieds For Sale Cedars 1 acre of cedars 5 –10 ft. tall in the ground. Phone or text for details. 250-442-7388
Cedars Cedars on sale at Hanson’s in Chilliwack. Inventory clearance sale of all field grown cedars 6 – 9 ft. Varieties included are: Smaragd, Pyramidalis, Excelsa, Danica and Golden Globe. Call John Hanson at 604-792-5380
Tree Spades Used Dutchmasters field potter tree spades. Adjustable to 7 gallon and 10 gallon spades. Recently rebuilt. Asking $6,000. Call Ron at 604-794-7096 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. Asking price $4,064,000 Canadian. Plant inventory is not included in sale and can be negotiated separately. Erica Enterprises Ltd. 14021 Rippington Road Pitt Meadows BC V3Y 1Z1 Phone: 604-465-6732 Fax: 604-465-2307 Email: ericaenterprises@shaw.ca
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JAVO Potting Machine Used Super JAVO potting machine, in very good working condition. Complete with new pot dispenser incl. 2m long conveyor. New pneumatic auto take-off, new 6 m long variable speed pot conveyor. Pot holders 4", 5", 6", 1 gal, 2 gal and 3 gal. Price $19,800 obo. Phone Peter 604-857-2572
Help Wanted Grower Grower Position Available at leading propagator and producer of Clematis and Annuals. Successful candidate will have a minimum of a 2-year post secondary horticultural training and a keen interest in propagation and quality. Greenhouses located in BC’s Fraser Valley. Salary will be dependent on experience. Please e-mail resume to fred@clearviewhort.com.
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Landscape Retail News
Foreign Workers to Fill Landscape Labour Shortage Attracted to the concept by nursery growers’ relative success with the program, landscapers are beginning to consider options for accessing foreign workers. The concept sparked discussion at the recent landscape commodity meeting held at Northwest Landscape & Stone Supply, given significant shortages experienced throughout the sector this season. “It is possible,” said Krista Manton, who coordinates landscape and retail commodity activities at the BCLNA, “if the employer is prepared to jump through all the necessary hoops.” Landscape sector employers can expect the process to take a minimum of 12 to 18 weeks, and costs can range from $2500 to $4000 per worker. Employers are also required to pay the workers the prevailing industry wages as determined by Service Canada and defined by the jobs’ National Occupational Classifications. Bill Hardy, BCLNA labour chair, advised, “If you are considering bringing in foreign workers from Mexico or other countries, start early. As well as obtaining a labour market opinion from Service Canada there are a number of other
qualifications that companies must meet before they can enter into a contract with a worker. All of this takes time, so starting this fall to obtain workers for next spring is advisable.” While there is conflicting information across the country, it appears that the national Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) that growers use to streamline the immigration process is not currently available to landscapers. However, Mike Wallis, who is the General Manager of the Western Agricultural Labour Initiative (WALI) told the group that his organization is happy to assist landscapers with applications through the Canadian Low Skill Worker program. If you would like more information, contact Mike directly at 604-854-4450 or by email to info@walicanada.com. If you would prefer to take on the process independently, further information can be found at Service Canada: Contact Jenny Lo, Regional Foreign Worker Consultant, at 604-666-3535 or 604-666-8920, or by email to jenny.lo@servicecanada.gc.ca. ■
Prevailing Wages in the Landscape Sector 2225 Landscape Horticulture Technicians & Specialists Low $10.00
High $22.16
Average $15.40
8255 Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance Contractors and Managers Low $9.00
High $25.12
Average $13.91
8612 Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance Labourers Low $10.00
High $22.00
Average $15.87
8256 Supervisors, Landscape and Horticulture Low $10.50
High $21.10
Average $15.90
How to Hire a Foreign Worker Handbook http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/tfw-guide.asp HRSDC Job Bank http://jobbank.gc.ca Average Wages and Descriptions for NOC Codes www.labourmarketinformation.ca
Landscapers had a great time competing in Inukshuk and water feature building games at the August landscape meeting sponsored and hosted by Northwest Landscape & Stone Supply.
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Industry Bits
New Owner for Victoria’s Cannor Stores General manager of Cannor Nursery’s Royal Oak and Sears retail locations since 1990, Gord Nickel (with Wildwood Nurseries Ltd.) recently purchased the two garden centres from Sandy and Janet Mathies. Nickel commented that ownership of the Cannor stores was an exciting prospect for him personally, though he added, “We will continue to do business as Cannor Nursery, and we plan to work closely with Sandy and Janet and the other Cannor stores in the future. The Cannor name carries a lot of goodwill with our customers, and we are really looking forward to building on that.” Nickel adds the new endeavour to an already successful career in garden television. His popular show, Get Up & Grow, just wrapped up its eleventh season with CHEK TV on Vancouver Island, and its fifth airing nationally on the Global Network. Get Up & Grow’s new season will be launched in April 2008.
J
John Phillipo, aged 78, passed away in Winnipeg where he had been living with his daughter Mary since 1999. Survived by daughters Judy (Martin) Kanters, Mary (Roc) MacLean, six grandchildren and two sisters, John was a much beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and mentor. Born in Rietveld, Holland, John immigrated to Canada at the age of 19. Here he met his Dutch bride and established a very successful landscape business in the Vancouver area where he spent the next 50 years of his life. John and his company, Holland Landscapers Ltd., became well known and respected in the local industry, and were responsible for major landscape
John Humes
Kathleen Pyle
Humes Retires from Helm of PCN After more than 31 years at Pacific Coast Nurseryman Magazine (PCN), John Humes has retired from his post as that publication’s managing editor. A long-time green industry champion, Humes’ career at PCN Magazine began in 1976 after stints as communications director of the Agri-Business Council of Oregon, and information director for the Portland Development Commission. His new role as associate editor was one he took on with great enthusiasm, expanding PCN Magazine’s coverage by
reporting on tradeshows throughout the Pacific Northwest, BC, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Texas, and California. Indeed, Humes never missed a BCLNA Annual General Meeting, where he proudly sponsored and presented the Outstanding Service Award in recognition of the organization’s most ardent contributors. Humes became Pacific Coast Nurseryman’s managing editor in 2004, taking over from Harold Young. He turns the reins over to Kathleen Pyle, a horticulture trade journalist, garden writer and advertising copywriter, whose extensive experience includes work with GrowerTalks Magazine, Meredith Publishing, garden.com, Jackson & Perkins, and Flowers Magazine. Pyle is also the author of Better Homes & Gardens Color Gardens and Bird Gardens. Says Pyle, “I worked with Harold Young for three years and have also worked closely with John and respect very much the examples they set in trade journalism. So I look forward to a continued emphasis on Western nursery industry people and events, while helping to ease the magazine into the 21st century with fresh new features. I also hope to tackle some top-level issues relevant to the industry.” ■
IN MEMORIAM John Phillipo May 6, 1929 – September 5, 2007
organization, a move that was to galvanize its place in and importance in BC’s green industry. John was committed to his faith and generously served his church and community through his years in Vancouver, and he continued to make a valuable contribution to both upon relocating to Winnipeg.
installations at Simon Fraser University, the Vancouver Courthouse, the planetarium, and Expo ’86 to name just a few. As President of the BC Landscape & Nursery Association (then BC Nursery Trades Association) from 1964 to 1965, John was largely responsible for bringing the landscape commodity into the
A funeral for John Phillipo was held on September 10 at Gateway Christian Community in Winnipeg, and a memorial service followed on September 20 at the West Coast Christian Fellowship in Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The King’s School – New Canadian’s Classroom.
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BCMAL Report mortality also occurred at Research Snippets Substantial the time of budbreak in the second year. Post-transplant Root and Shoot Growth Periodicity of Sugar Maple ( J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 132(2):147-157) The objectives were to determine the timing and magnitude of first-season root, shoot and trunk growth of field and container-grown sugar maples. The treatments included two production methods (B&B and pot-in-pot (PIP)) and five transplant dates: leaf drop (Nov. 3), late fall (Dec. 8), early spring (Mar. 16), budbreak (Apr. 13), and budset (July 13). Maximum shoot extension occurred about two weeks after budbreak. Shoot extension ended three weeks early and was less than half the length for transplanted relative to nontransplanted trees. Shoot extension was similar for PIP trees that were transplanted during the growing season versus nontransplanted. Trunk expansion began as the rate of shoot extension declined, and maximum expansion occurred between June7and July5.Trunk expansion was minimally affected in transplanted PIP trees, but was reduced in transplanted B&B trees. During the first season after transplanting, maximum root growth occurred between May 17 and June 14. Root growth began concurrently with trunk expansion. Transplanting late in the season ( July) resulted in an unusually late peak in root growth (mid-August). Regardless of transplant date, most trees had about eight weeks of root growth in the first growing season. Root length accumulation was greater for transplanted versus nontransplanted B&B trees in the first growing season after transplant. The reduced shoot expansion and increased root growth in the transplanted B&B stock likely reflects the coordination of growth to restore a more favourable root-to-shoot ratio. Increases in root length of all treatments were markedly greater in the first versus the second year. Root mortality was high during the first winter following transplanting. This was not observed in nontransplanted trees.
Based on the observations in this study, the authors concluded for sugar maple “there is little advantage to fall and
spring transplanting compared with summer transplanting regarding posttransplant root regeneration when proper soil moisture is maintained and careful handling procedures are practiced.” ■
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