B. C. L A N D S C A P E & N U R S E R Y A S S O C I AT I O N P U B L I C AT I O N • M A R C H 2 0 1 0
Build your budget Ontario’s pesticide ban experience BCLNA members recognized for good work
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Message from the President
Throw open the shutters this spring I was very busy procrastinating about writing this: where to start, and what to say? But now that I can’t give talking on my cell while I drive my undivided attention, I notice more; a sign outside a furniture store with this quote caught my eye: “Your mind is like a parachute. It only works when it’s open.” Hard to argue with, and the timing could not have been better. Sometimes I feel like if I don’t keep my mind shut and closely guarded, something
that I really need to remember might sneak out, and disappear forever. And really, what if it did? There are new ideas and new realities created every moment of every day. All we have to do is pay attention and be open to the possibility that what we thought a moment or a lifetime ago might be open to improvement. Or, at the very least, be open to consideration.
could possibly realize. Even if we don’t accomplish all of it, the learning involved in trying – and in having eyes on the future and a collective mind brave enough to dare – will strengthen our resolve and put us well ahead of our competitors. It’s spring. Time to open our minds and blow out the cobwebs. Our families, our businesses and our association will benefit from our new found clarity, and will be grateful.
The BCLNA is in the middle of creating a new strategic plan it will be the road map that will guide the association through the next few years. We must work hard to be sure it is full of all the potential that our industry
Ruth Olde, President, B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association
HortWest MARCH 2010 MANAGING EDITOR Renata Triveri ADVERTISING Cheryl Lee
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. on the cover: The National Awards of Landscape Excellence were held in Ottawa last month. Among the BCLNA member projects submitted to the competition was this Southlands estate garden installed by Pure Landscape Ltd., and designed by Paul Sangha Ltd. Pacifica Landscape Works, Soundgarden Landscape & Design, Blasig Landscape Design & Construction Ltd., and Para Space Landscaping Inc. also qualified for the national competition. Environmental Design Landscaping Contractors Ltd. of Ontario swept the awards this year with two outstanding projects; visit canadanursery.com to see more.
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Board Synopsis
Monday, February 22, 2010 Island Chapter A chair has been elected to lead the Island Chapter; BCLNA welcomes Tony Bobbit to the board of directors. Retail Commodity Garden Centres Canada has initiated the process for revamping the Retail designation under the Landscape Industry Certified program. IGCA Congress 2011 is being held in Japan, while the 2012 event is tentatively scheduled for southeast Switzerland and the Bolzano region of Italy. Greenland Garden Centre in Edmonton received the inaugural Garden Centre Award of Excellence. Any retailer taking part in the retail inspection program is eligible for the award; if you haven’t signed up for this critical look at
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your business, contact Rebecca at
CNLA right away – participants
found the program invaluable.
Growers Commodity BCLNA has sent a letter to CNLA and the Canadian Nursery Certification Institute (CNCI) requesting that the Domestic Phytosanitary Certification Program (DPCP) be modified to streamline the program without impacting its integrity. Education The Horticulture Basics® program is on target for meeting its goals; BCLNA members are reminded that FREE training is available to eligible employees. This program can also offer on-site training tailored to your company’s needs. For info contact Ann Marie Walsh at BCLNA .
Inside BC Marketing BCLNA will be adopting the Green for Life program developed by Landscape Ontario to serve as the association’s public face of marketing. BCLNA thanks CNLA for making funding available to cover the costs of setting up a BCLNA version of the website, and is grateful to Landscape Ontario for sharing the program for a Canada-wide launch. Watch upcoming issues of HortWest to learn how this brand can serve you! CNLA Report BCLNA will be hosting the 2011 National Awards of Landscape Excellence next February. Sandy Mathies, 1st Vice President, has been appointed to the CNLA’s Political Action committee; he presently holds BCLNA’s Political Action portfolio.
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4
BCLNA News Bulletins
Island elects new chair uniquely BC or Canadian situation, but a worldwide phenomenon tied in no small measure to the current economic climate. Garden perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs, and related purchases, compete with other so-called ‘luxury’ items for the consumer dollar. Along with decreased consumer spending, the industry is coping with higher energy and labour input costs, as well as ongoing competition from imported plant material.
At a well-attended chapter meeting last week Tony Bobbitt (Manager of Novus Plants) in North Saanich, was elected to represent Vancouver Island on the Board of Directors for the next two years. Tony is excited to “build interest, involvement and motivation; and work together within our industry to make us all stronger, collectively and individually.” He looks forward to serving as the Island Chair and being a liaison between the Island members and the greater organization. BCLNA is grateful that Lee Smith of Lee
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Smith Landscapes was also willing to step up and take on the role, and it was a very close race between these two capable candidates. Lee has expressed his enthusiasm to assist Tony in moving the chapter forward. Special thanks to Brian Russell of Russell Nursery, who has been assisting BCLNA staff in the interim.
Increase your sale of BC grown plants The domestic market for ornamental plants has remained flat in spite of increased interest in gardening and landscaping in recent years. This is not a
Working with CNLA, BCLNA has developed a strategy and action plan for garden retailers and growers to increase the sale of BC-grown plants. This report, completed by NK Marketing & Communications with oversight by an industry-led steering group, has been made available to all members on BCLNA. com (click on “Publications” then download your free copy). BCLNA gratefully acknowledges
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), the Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF), BCLNA’s Industry Development Council and the CNLA, for their funding of this project.
Landscape Industry Certified Managers BCLNA is
pleased to announce the recent achievements of two members who have obtained their Landscape Industry Certified Manager (CLP) designations. They are Marek Kociolek of Groundworks Design Services and Jeff Pope of Rakes & Ladders Garden and Property Services. Your next opportu nity to join the ranks and get Certified is July 16 and 17 at Kwantlen Polytechnic University; contact Julia Ricottone for details at julia@canadanursery.com.
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Agricultural waste control reg amendments The Ministry of Environment recently amended the regulation to establish consistent rules for all boilers used in agriculture as well as emission standards for biomass (wood-fired) boilers used in agriculture. The rules apply to operations in all parts of the province that operate outside of Metro Vancouver jurisdiction. Any person who operates a boiler or heater for agricultural purposes (e.g., greenhouses) will be required to register; those located in Metro Vancouver are required to register with the regional district under the Ag Boilers Emission Regulation Bylaw by May 1, 2010. If you are located in Metro Vancouver, do not register with the Ministry of Environment – rather, register with Metro Vancouver under their Agricultural Boilers Emission Regulation Bylaw No. 1098. There is no registration or annual fee to register your boiler. To receive a copy of the registration form, please contact the Environmental Protection Division: PermitAdministration.VictoriaEPD@ gov.bc.ca.
CNLA directors Vic Krahn (Lakeshore Garden Centre, Saskatoon) and Bill Hardy (Northwest Landscape Supply, Burnaby) serve on the AIPH board as Novelty Protection Chair and newly appointed Science & Education Chair, respectively. Four standing committees operate within the AIPH in respective fields of breeders’ rights, the environment, recognition of international horticultural exhibitions and statistics. The organization also works in close co-operation with the international flower trade association, Union Fleurs, and represents the participating countries in discussions with the international bodies like the International Bureau on Exhibitions (BIE), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the international organization for the protection of breeders’ rights (UPOV).
AIPH seeks congress host Members of the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) have expressed interest in holding their 2014 annual congress in British Columbia. The organization is similar to the International Garden Centre Association (IGCA) but represents horticultural producers’ organizations all over the world in efforts to enhance the free trade of ornamental plant products and members’ knowledge and experience. Together, members produce a yearbook containing statistics on production, trade and market developments; they also travel to a different country annually for professional development purposes.
BCLNA welcomes Cheryl Lee to the team! As the association’s new Sales Manager, Cheryl will grow membership, manage advertising and CanWest booth sales, and seek sponsorship for BCLNA’s many events. The new position consolidates a number of revenuegeneration activities previously spread among all team members; Barb Nelson moves from sales to event management, and adds tours to her CanWest duties. To contact Cheryl, call (604) 574-7772 or email clee@bclna.com.
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Spring
Stop hoping for profit and plan for it Mark Bradley, Landscape Management Network
budget is the most effective tool a manager or business owner can use to make profitable business decisions.
Mark Bradley offered a workshop on budgeting to BCLNA members earlier this month. Said Kevin O’Higgins, Southcoast Horticultural Services, “Best workshop ever! In a nutshell, now I know, and the stress and insanity of not knowing is diminished. I now know that managing work and hiring staff, regulating the flow of work and planning for it, is doable and predictable with planning and budgeting.” BCLNA hopes to bring Mark Bradley back to deliver future training sessions; watch for details in upcoming issues of HortWest Magazine. There is no better way to send small business owners running for the hills than to mention the word “budget” in conversation. The fear of budgeting is typically linked to the fact that we don’t understand how to build one, how to use one, or that we simply don’t like working with numbers. What most owners fail to realize is that an operating budget can be created in less than a day and provides information they need to make sound, confident decisions in every key area of their business: sales goals, expense caps, pricing their work, how much to pay their key people – a budget is the ideal source for these answers and more.
Simplify your business
Building an operating budget isn’t complicated – trying to manage a company on gut instinct is! The reality is that your operating budget is the ultimate tool for simplifying your business. Without actual numbers, how can you possibly expect to accurately plan the most important aspects in your business?
• How much work do you need to sell to achieve your goals? • How do price your work to be both profitable and competitive? • How much can you afford to spend on wages, equipment, and overhead expenses? When your decisions are based on emotion and instinct, you unnecessarily risk your company’s potential profits and you create stress and anxiety wondering how your actions will affect your business. Your budget eliminates this uncertainty by reinforcing your plans with real numbers and offers you a sneak peek at the future results you can expect. When you completely understand the sales and expense targets you need to achieve throughout the year, your business decisions become quick and painless. Your numbers will do the talking for you!
The ultimate management tool
To simply think of your budget as a sales and expense management tool is not doing justice to its true potential. An operating
Pricing All companies are not created equal. Profitable pricing for one company will bankrupt another. Therefore, it’s critical that your pricing markups are specific to your business. Never risk your business by using somebody else’s prices – companies that fall into this trap are seldom profitable and struggle to differentiate themselves from the competition. There’s a good chance that they won’t work. Your budget will calculate customized, profitable pricing based specifically on your company’s numbers.
Change management
If your business isn’t changing, it’s dying. Imagine the power of knowing exactly how to react if your sales fell off by 30% in a year. What if you could price large contracts using a pricing structure calculated to assume that you’ve won that contract? Your operating budget gives you the power to simulate events and react with calculated decisions.
Productivity
Your operating budget will also reveal the profits lost within your business through waste and inefficiency. We use a budget to maximize our productivity, and we use the productivity metrics to motivate and pay our field supervisors and foremen. When your people understand that you have a system for accurately measuring performance, and that their rewards are directly tied to it, your people will work like your business was their business. Mark Bradley is president of The Beach Gardener and Landscape Management Network (LMN). LMN provides education, tools and systems built to help landscape industry businesses, and presented a “Build Your Budget” seminar to members earlier this month. For more information, visit www. landscapemanagementnetwork.com.
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BCLNA’s annual fundraising auction grossed more than $39,000 for association projects and scholarships. The winner of the 50 / 50 draw was Rene Duineveld of Port Kells Nurseries, Ltd.; Kevin Gidge of Gidge Contracting took home the cash reverse draw, and the evening’s biggest spender – Dan Van de Lagemaat of Trophy Ornamentals – received a night’s stay at the Pan Pacific Hotel. Best costume certainly goes to Ange Delsaulniers of N.A.T.S. Nursery.
New
BCLNA Members Final Approval The BCLNA welcomes the following new members as of February 22, 2010:
Photo: Frank Schortinghuis.
Everlasting Landscape Ltd. Cory Ertmoud, Langley, Active Landscaper LivingSpaces Landscaping Inc. Matthew & Joanna Brewster, Vancouver, Active Landscaper (Interim) Weedbusters Ltd. Spencer Lauriente & Myles Koene, Surrey, Active Landscaper Leigh Nelsen White Rock, 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: Blue Meadow Landscaping Ltd. Jayson Wight & Charlotte Milne, Victoria, Active Landscaper
Wholesale grower of high quality nursery stock. Specializing in Conventional and Tissue Culture Propagation, Liner Production, and a wide range of exceptional Finished Product.
Fifth Season Lawn & Garden Services Frank Shang, Vancouver, Active Landscaper Natural Landscape Solutions Catarina Van Vliet, Delta, Active Landscaper Ploegman Greenhouse and Landscape Ken & Susan Ploegman, Kelowna, Active Landscaper (Interim) Erin Bayus Victoria, Student Nadine Kristensen Surrey, Student Brian Richardson, Cobble Hill, Student
2396 272nd St., Aldergrove BC, V4W 2R1 Ph: 604.856.5552 ■ Fax: 604.856.4531 www.jrtnursery.com ■ sales@jrtnursery.com
Dana Simpson Langley, Student JRT Nursery.indd 1
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Cosmetic Use of Pesticides
Surviving a pesticide ban: the Ontario experience Mario Lanthier, CropHealth Advising & Research, Kelowna BC destroy the beneficial microorganisms”. “It has to be a complete service package” said Gavin Dawson. “More visits are required. If your program is three or four visits per year, you will have unhappy customers.” Chris Lemcke agreed. “Gone are the one-call customers. Gone are the calendar-based visits.”
Frustrated. Challenged. Disappointed. Treated unfairly. Helpless. “That’s how we felt going into 2009,” said Mark Goodman of Enviroking Lawncare. “But now we are starting to be optimistic about the future. We can focus on thriving in this new marketplace.” And those persons who are negative, all doom-and-gloom? “We have hope for them as well,” he added. Those words were the opening remarks at the 45th annual IPM Symposium, held January 11 in Toronto as part of the Landscape Ontario Congress. Titled “How I Survived the Ban,” the IPM Symposium was attended by about 150 people from mostly commercial lawn care companies plus a few municipal employees. In April 2009, the Ontario provincial government implemented the “Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act”, a legislation prohibiting the sale and use of many pesticides for “cosmetic purposes” in urban areas. Exemptions are in place for pests of buildings and invasive species, also for golf courses who are IPM accredited and tree pests confirmed by a certified arborist. Listening to the speakers at this conference, Ontario’s commercial lawn care industry under the pesticide ban is combining education of the customer, a technician with more knowledge, a service based on cultural practices, and post-emergence weed control with newly registered natural herbicides. Lawn care programs under the ban “This new reality was driven by politicians, not by the market,” said Gavin Dawson of Green Lawn Care. “The customer expects the same today as it did 20 years ago – a weed free lawn. Our challenge is to find new ways to deliver it, without the products of the past.” He explained that the lawn care companies have to offer “something different” to
New products “The pesticide ban was put in place before there was science to support it. But then, maybe there would be no scientific research for alternatives if there was no ban.” So said Pamela Charbonneau, the turfgrass specialist for the Ontario government. continue operating under a pesticide ban. “I agree,” said Chris Lemcke of Turf Operations Inc. of Weed Man. “Forget the past 40 years. We need to rebrand. We used to say ‘2,4-D is safe’. Now we say ‘we have never been so safe’.” The new pesticides allowed under the ban are more expensive and require longer to apply, or must be applied more often. “This business requires higher prices,” said Lemcke. “We will loose the customers used to cheap lawn care of the past 40 years.” What is the expectation of the customer? How many weeds are they willing to accept? Commented one speaker: “We tell our new customers there is no more quick fix. We have to build the health of the soil and the health of the turf. That takes time.” Overseeding and fertilization are the best weed control program, according to Richard Reed of Dufferin Lawn Life. There is enormous interest in topdressing with pelletized compost, which improves soil biology in a cost effective manner. He added, “It must be cold pressed pellets, not heat pressed, which will
The new “natural” herbicide, Sarritor, is expected to be available in Western Canada this coming season, on a preorder, pre-payment basis. The active ingredient is a strain of the fungus Sclerotinia, which infects and kills treated broadleaf weeds. Results in commercial programs in Ontario indicate good postemergence control of dandelion when applied in late summer. Weather, method of application and quality of coverage appear to be critical to obtain good results. Many have heard of corn gluten meal. Commercial lawn care companies report that it is useful for control of crabgrass, but not effective against other lawn weeds. One speaker advised to apply at 20 pounds per 1000 square feet anytime between forsythia in full bloom and lilac in full bloom, followed by rain or irrigation. Another new “natural” pesticide for post-emergence control of broadleaf weeds was submitted for registration and is expected to be available in 2011 under the brand name Fiesta. The active ingredient is a formulation of chelated iron from a European source. Field trials indicated over 90% control of dandelion and black medic.
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Iotron Technologies
Yet another “natural” herbicide was submitted for registration in 2009. The active ingredient is the fungus Phoma macrostoma, isolated by researchers of Agriculture Canada in Saskatchewan. The label will likely include dandelion, clover and Canada thistle. The impact on companies “The year 2009 was a perfect storm scenario,” said Gavin Dawson, from Green Lawn Care. “We had to deal with the pesticide ban, a bad economy and the new federal ‘do not call’ registry. All the usual tools were taken away from us.” There was no large-scale closure of commercial lawn care companies. People who say, “7000 individuals have lost employment in Ontario” are not using a scientific analysis of available data. Lawn care companies closed their doors all across Canada during 2009, not only in Ontario, likely because of the economic climate. Also, garden centers in Eastern Canada had excellent sales in April and May but poor sales in June and July, because of extended rainfall during the summer. Lawn care companies who did not want to change their programs have closed, taking jobs away with them. Companies that waited until 2009 to implement changes saw a drop in revenues of 10% to 30%. Companies that implemented changes before 2009 had a good year, comparable to 2008, or slightly better. Studies are available from the City of Toronto, where a pesticide ban has been in place since 2004. Using data from Statistics Canada, Toronto Public Health reports the number of “landscaping service” companies went up slightly between 2001 and 2006. Using data from the polling firm IPSOS, the same agency reports little change in the number of households hiring or not hiring lawn care companies.
2/17/05
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BCLNA OFFICE: 604-574-7772; 800-421-7963
events
Swing Into Spring
Industry
At BCLNA’s C Annuall G Golf lf Tournament June 22, 2010
and programs
Sponsor a hole! Sponsor a meal! Contact Cheryl Lee today to showcase your company and show your appreciation to the trade: clee@bclna.com or call 604-574-7772
March
17-21 Canada Blooms Direct Energy Centre, Toronto www.canadablooms.com
Swan-e-Set Bay Resort Golf & Country Club
www.swaneset.com Golf Filler.indd 1
3/5/10 12:38:01 PM
19 Sustainable Garden Roof Installations Seminar BCIT Green Roof Center, Vancouver www.intercoastsales.ca 19-21 North Van Spring Home Expo Karen Magnussen Arena www.homeshowtime.com 26-28 Yard, Garden & Reno Show Chilliwack Heritage Park www.outdoordecorshow.com
April 9-11 Tri-City Spring Home Expo Port Moody Arena www.homeshowtime.com
Advertise
10-17 California Spring Trials (Pack Trials) Various locations; schedules online: www.ngb.org
in Marketplace by contacting Cheryl Lee at BCLNA 604-574-7772 or clee@bclna.com
22 Planet Day of Service www.planetdayofservice.org 30-May 2 Kamloops Home & Leisure Show McArthur Island Sports Centre, Kamloops www.bchomeshows.com/kamloops_home_show
June Linnaea Nursery
2/6/07
4:19 PM
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Toll Free: 1-800-498-7403 • Tel: 604-946-5641 • Email: info@crofton.ca www.crofton.ca or www.jvk.net
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Call for all wholesale ornamentals, native plants and ferns. a 900 Bowman Road, Abbotsford, BC V3G 1T1 P.O. Box 2157, Abbotsford, BC V2T 3X8 Phone: 604-854-6986 Fax: 604-854-6982 canamnurseries@canamnurseries.com
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Call us for all your native and ornamental plant needs
9 BCLNA Landscape Commodity Meeting East Richmond Nurseries www.bclna.com 22 BCLNA Golf Tournament Swan E-Set Golf Course, Vancouver www.bclna.com
July 16-17 Certification Exams Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Langley www.bclna.com 18-24 Perennial Plant Symposium Portland, Oregon www.perennialplant.org
August
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
11 BCLNA Landscape Commodity Meeting Location TBA www.bclna.com
September 29-30 CanWest Hort Show Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre www.canwesthortshow.com
BCLNA’S EDuCATIoN ALLIANCE Training Pays
Enhancing skills and confidence Since identifying an industry deficiency of skilled entry level employees, the Horticulture Basics® program has conducted 19 training sessions with over 100 participants. Training topics for all horticultural commodities cover essential horticultural information coupled with industry specific skills. For a limited time, these FREE sessions are available to employers who want to provide their staff with a good horticultural knowledge base through the Industry Skills Training Program. Employees who may not have a high school education or who are currently unable to enter post secondary horticulture programs are the ideal candidate for these educational opportunities. Encouraging your employees to attend a Horticultural Basics® session is a solid investment that benefits your business’ reputation with safe, productive, quality workers. To find out more details about the Horticulture Basics® program’s purpose and objectives, go to www.bclna.com/ horticulturebasics.htm. Upcoming training sessions will be posted on the BCLNA website’s Google Calendar and are available in the Vancouver Island/ Coastal BC, Mainland/Southwest and Thompson-Okanagan regions of BC. Training can even be developed specifically for your business! If you are ready to move your team to the next level of performance, contact Ann Marie Walsh, Industry Skills Training Coordinator, to schedule your free training opportunity: (604) 574-7772 or awalsh@bclna.com. Funding provided through the Canada British Columbia Labour Market Agreement
With these companies’ commitment to advancing the industry, and their financial support, BCLNA offers well-priced seminars for all your training and professional development needs. Watch the Friday Files for upcoming seminar opportunities. Want to join the Alliance for 2011? Contact Cheryl: clee@bclna.com
EricaENTERPRISES WE STIVE TO BE THE BEST LITTLE NURSERY IN THE WEST!
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BCMAL Report
Research Snippets Growth and Physiology of Newly Planted Fraser Fir and Colorado Blue Spruce Christmas Trees in Response to Mulch and Irrigation (HortScience 44(3):660665) – The factors investigated included irrigation versus non-irrigation, raised versus flat beds, and weed control by mulching (black and white polyethylene, mulch mats, or a 7.5-cm deep layer of raw wood chips) or a combination of hand weeding + glyphosate. During the 2 years of the study, the mulches provided close to 100% weed control. Managing weed growth was important for tree survival and growth. For the 3 non-irrigated treatments, survival ranged from 95100% for the wood chip mulch, 88-95% for the hand weeded + herbicide treatment, and only 67-71% for the non-weeded control. In addition, height growth of Fraser fir was 26.2 cm for the wood chip mulch, 13.8 cm for the hand weeded + herbicide treatment, and only 9.4 cm for the non-weeded control. The non-weeded control trees were water stressed and had reduced net photosynthesis relative to
the other treatments. Differences in tree growth were considerably less between the 5 irrigated treatments, but weed growth was managed in each of these treatments. The non-irrigated, wood chip mulch treatment did result in survival and growth comparable to most irrigated treatments. All of the mulches moderated soil temperature, but the wood chip mulch had the largest effect. There was no evidence of nutrient tie-up in the wood chip treatment. The study demonstrated the importance of controlling weeds to ensure survival and improved early growth of Christmas trees. The Effect of Physical and Hydraulic Properties of Peat Moss and Pumice on Douglas Fir Bark Based Soilless Substrates (HortScience 44(3):874878) – The objective of the study was to demonstrate how the properties of a Douglas fir bark substrate vary when amended with pumice and peat moss. Amending the substrate with pumice decreased total porosity, container capacity, available water, and waterbuffering capacity, but increased bulk density. Peat moss amendments had the opposite effect, increasing total porosity, container capacity, and available water, but decreasing air space and bulk density. Bulk density was the only physical property that could be accurately predicted based
on the measured properties of the individual substrate components. Attractiveness of Parboiled Rice Hulls to the Fungus Gnat Adult Relative to Standard Growing Media Components (HortScience 44(5):1366-1369) – Fungus gnats are attracted to some media amendments. The objective of this study was to determine the attractiveness of parboiled rice hulls to adult fungus gnats. Rice hulls are a new amendment for soilless media that is being used for ornamental crops. The media tested consisted of peat moss amended with 25% perlite, 20% rice hulls, 20% bark + 20% perlite, or 100% rice hulls. Under controlled laboratory conditions, adult fungus gnats were provided with 2 or 4 different media choices. Counts were made of the number of flies that moved into each media compartment. The study demonstrated that rice hulls are not attractive to adult fungus gnats. In addition, moist media was more attractive to fungus gnats than dry media (less than 10% moisture content). Correction: In the February 2010 issue of HortWest, we incorrectly labeled the article, “MoE consults on cosmetic pesticide ban” as being part of the BCMAL Report. Please note that this article was published by BCLNA, and did not originate from any government department.
• Raw materials purchased in advance helps to ensure product consistency and availability.
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• Multiple computers control the dosing equipment, increasing accuracy and speed. This makes it easier to offer competitively priced products. • Non-invasive mixing equipment protects the structure and consistency of the media.
11/30/09 11:14:40 AM
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BCLNA News Bulletins
Stock up on business resources BCLNA carries a wide selection of valuable resources for all commodities. If you haven’t
yet ordered current editions, or if you need to replace your well-loved copy, fill in this form and fax it to BCLNA to place your order today: (604) 574-7773.
publication
quantity
Buyers Guide 2010
cost (plus tax) FREE! We’ll mail your copy to you, or pick yours up at BCLNA
An invaluable guide to BCLNA’s members and their products.
BC Landscape Standard (7th Edition)
$65 for BCLNA members $75 for non-members
Don’t landscape or spec without it! Endorsed by the BCLNA and BC Society of Landscape Architects.
BC Standard for Extensive Green Roofs
$20 for BCLNA members $35 for non-members
Gardening on top? Add this module to your BC Landscape Standard.
Landscape Estimating & Contract Administration
$80 per two-volume set
Two-volume set.
Certification Training Manuals l Retail l Installation l Maintenance
$80 each
Nursery & Landscape Pest Management Production Guide (8th Edition)
$50 each $45 for five or more copies
A valuable guide for all commodities: landscape, retail, and nursery! Includes full colour photos.
Canadian Standards for Nursery Stock (8th Edition)
Exciting New Venue! Exciting New Floor Plan!
$25 each
Know the minimums your product should meet – whether you are buying or selling.
West Creek Farms.indd 1
Health & Safety Guide for Garden Centre Workers
10/27/08
$16 each
Start the season off right by implementing a safety program with help from this guide.
Nursery & Landscape Industry 2002
$45 each
Starting a Nursery Business in BC (1999)
$20
A good guide for getting started as a producer.
BCLNA 50 Years
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A number of these commemorate booklets are still available. Great keepsake!
Healthy Garden Guide 2010 I deal resource for home gardeners! Great
FREE! We’ll mail your copy to you, or pick yours up at BCLNA
give-away for retailers and landscapers.
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September 29 - 30, 2010 CanWestHortShow.com
A landscape, grower, and retail statistical survey Ideal for start-ups or for honing your business plans.
Under the Green Roof
Vancouver Convention Centre
Reserve your booth space today. Call Cheryl Lee 604.574.7772 or email clee@bclna.com
14
Industry Bits
IPC gives accolades to two members great work of the Invasive Plant Council. From native plantings to green roofs projects, we always strive to supply quality plants that will help create attractive landscapes, while limiting the opportunity for invasive plants to establish.”
The Invasive Plant Council of British Columbia celebrated two BCLNA members with “Leading the Way” awards for their voluntary commitment to stop growing and selling invasive plants, while offering non-invasive exotic and native alternatives. Said Rod Nataros, owner of award winning N.A.T.S. Nursery, “N.A.T.S. Nursery is proud to be associated with the
For discontinuing the sale of 10 invasive plants from their shelves in 2009 as a key step in mentoring responsible gardening, GardenWorks® was also lauded. “Our garden centre staff first raised the issue because of comments we were receiving from customers. When we did further investigation, we looked at a series of plants identified as invasive species. We then made the decision to stop the sales of the ten most problematic plants and have had very positive response from our customers,” said John Zaplatynsky. “Any sales we have lost by stopping the sale of these ten plants have been more than made up by the sale of the many wonderful
alternatives that are available,” he added. “From grower to retailer, these companies are demonstrating leadership in a growing and critical industry, and are excellent examples of how individuals can make a powerful difference,” said IPCBC chair, Duncan Barnett. The horticulture industry is a known pathway of spread for invasive plants; about 58% of invasive plants arrived in Canada as agricultural crops, landscape plants, ornamentals, and plants for medicinal and research purposes. The IPCBC is a non-profit society working to coordinate invasive plant management in BC. For information, visit www.invasiveplantcouncilbc.ca.
AgriForest receives $100,000 award from BC Innovation Council AgriForest Bio-Technologies Ltd. of Kelowna, BC was one of the winners of the Commercialization of Agriculture Technology (CAT) competition organized by the BC Innovation Council. Designed to bridge the gap between research and industry by transforming innovation into real world solutions, the award ceremony for the CAT competition kicked off BCIC’s Innovation Summit 2010 in Vancouver. “We are honored to receive this award, which will help AgriForest build an environmentally-friendly photoautotrophic micro-propagation facility. The creation of this facility will not only help AgriForest increase its productivity and profitability, but will have sector-wide benefits for agriculture and horticulture,” said Dr. Kamlesh R. Patel, President and CEO of AgriForest.
The new technology and facility will not only allow the company to produce economically important plant varieties at a competitive price, but will also reduce environmental pollution by using recycled greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, and by using natural sunlight instead of artificial light. The $100,000 prize from BCIC will transform the research results into a commercial scale production facility, which is expected to cost about $300,000. AgriForest recently completed a two-year feasibility study on the commercialization of photautotrophic micro-propoagation funded in part through a research grant from the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program in collaboration with scientists from Chiba University, Japan.
AgriForest’s Dr. Ashish Dave and Dr. Faiq Khan, both of whom have extensive experience in the area of commercial plant tissue culture, will work as research scientists in the present project. Dr. Patel will provide overall management of the proposed project. Dr. Patel has been with AgriForest for the past 25 years, first as a research scientist, then research director and now as the President and CEO. Prior to joining AgriForest Dr. Patel worked as research scholar at Yale University and the University of Calgary. Dr. Patel was also a recipient of ‘Innovator Of The Year’ award from the Okanagan Science and Technology Council.