Indiana Nursery & Landscape News, May/June 2022

The Official Publication of the Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association

Indiana Nursery & Landscape News Volume 82 • Issue 3

www.inla1.org

May/June 2022

COVER: INLA Award of Excellence 2021 Winner for Commercial Landscape Design/Build Over $39,000 — M.G. Landscape & Irrigation

THE SAFETY ISSUE The Perils of Business Succession Five Jobsite Must-Haves to Keep Your Crew Safe This Summer Member Profile: Aspen Outdoor Designs, Inc. Social Media Tips and Tricks

FOLLOW US!

2022 INDIANA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 8

MOVERS & SHAKERS 11

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Indiana Nursery & Landscape News Volume 82 • Issue 3 May/June 2022

Contents The Safety Issue BUSINESS

14 The Perils of Business Succession Indiana Nursery and Landscape News is the official publication of the Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association, Inc. (INLA) and is published bimonthly.

Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association 7915 S. Emerson Ave., Suite 247 Indianapolis, IN 46237 Phone: 317-889-2382 Toll Free: 800-443-7336 www.inla1.org PUBLISHER Rick Haggard, Executive Director, INLA 765-366-4994 • rhaggard@inla1.org EDITOR AND AD SALES Mary Breidenbach, Cumulus Design 317-757-8634 • mary@ecumulus.com

12

BUSINESS

18 Five Jobsite Must-Haves to Keep Your Crew Safe This Summer COMMUNITY

20 Member Profile: Aspen Outdoor Designs, Inc. EDUCATION

18

22 Social Media Tips & Tricks

Advertising Rates: Media Kit available online at www.inla1.org

Copy Deadline: First of the month preceding the month of the issue. Reprint permission granted if source is indicated.

Views expressed in articles or editorials do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the association or its directors, but are those of the writer. Trade names used in articles are for identification only. No discrimination is intended toward similar products and the INLA does not endorse the use of the products mentioned.

Subscriptions: Included with membership to the INLA. Nonmembers: $36.00 per year (six issues per year).

For questions regarding subscriptions, please call INLA at 317-889-2382.

Plus More!

2

President’s Message

4

Executive Director’s Message

6

Calendar Welcome New INLA Members!

20

INLA News 8

2022 Indiana Legislative Update

11

Movers & Shakers

12

IDNR Spotlight: Box Tree Moth

Certification and Education 25

George Brenn’s IAH Study Guide

26

New Indiana Accredited Horticulturists (IAH)

27 IAH QUIZ – Earn CEUs! 28 Advertiser List, Classified Ads Cover Photo: Old City Park, Greenwood, Indiana Photo courtesy M.G. Landscape & Irrigation

22

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Safety training is a critical component in employee development but is often overlooked. All of us know that we should do it, but it may fall lower on the list of priorities as we fight daily fires. It is like knowing what we should eat for a healthy diet but order the French fries anyway.

Since our employees are our biggest asset, why wouldn’t you want to protect them? Think of safety training as an extended warranty on vehicle. It just makes since.

This spring my company conducted our annual company kick off meeting with a format change. It was highly organized with handout binders (in both English and Spanish), overhead presentations, and even coffee and donuts.

We explained the organizational chart, changes in personnel policy, and our updated crew configuration layout. After the 15-minute introduction meeting, we broke out into teams of six. Each team started at one of the eight informative stations throughout the two facilities.

At each station, a designated manager demonstrated and went over their topic for ten minutes.

After the demonstration, the team signed off on the sheet acknowledging the training. This sign off is then logged into our OSHA safety binder for documentation. The topics included storage of materials, re-fueling, loading bulk material, damaged equipment procedure, hitching up trailers, and more.

Dean Ricci

After completing the eight stations, we re-convened for an oral question and answer session.

Answering correctly allowed the participant to pick an item at the prize table. This was an awesome way to re-cap what they learned. Prizes were donated by our key vendors which did two things for RLM: 1. It’s always fun to receive free swag.

2. It help reinforce the belief that our vendors are more than a vendor, rather a partner in our success.

By changing the format of the company meeting to incorporate small groups of workers, we had a better transfer of knowledge. The fear of asking questions in a small group is diminished therefore it was a better return of our time. The feedback from our guys was very positive and set a new benchmark for future training. Although the time and expense were extensive, the return on our investment was invaluable.

As we kick off the season, we believe that reinforcing the safety topics through this format will help in protecting our workers and allow them to return home safely to their family each night.

Dean Ricci, INLA President Ricci’s Landscape Management, Inc.

SAve the date!

2022 Summer Meeting August 4 + 5 • Geist / NE Indianapolis

2022 INLA Officers Dean Ricci, President Ricci’s Landscape Management, Inc. 502 Norbeh Drive, Hebron, IN 46341 219-996-2682; Fax 219-996-2680 dean@rlminc.com Gabriel Gluesenkamp, President-Elect Designscape Horticultural Services 2877 S. TC Steele Road Nashville, IN 47448-9584 812-988-8900; Fax 812-988-2639 gabrielg@designhort.com Shaun Yeary, Vice President Greendell Landscape Solutions 749 West State Road 42 Mooresville, IN 46158 317-996-2826; Fax 317-996-2032 syeary@greendelllandscape.com Dave LaFara, Past-President David LaFara Hardscape Services 9920 Ash Lane Co Rd 375 N Paragon, IN 46166 765-537-2512 • dblafara@aol.com Rick Haggard, Executive Director & Publisher 7915 S. Emerson Ave., #247 Indianapolis, IN 46032 Office: 800-443-7336 or 317-889-2382 Cell: 765-366-4994 rhaggard@inla1.org • haggard.rick@att.net

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Erick Brehob (2023) Brehob Nursery • 317-783-3233 erick@brehobnursery.com Kyle Daniel — Purdue University 765-494-7621 • daniel38@purdue.edu Jill Glover (2023) Schneider Nursery • 812-522-4068 jill@schneidernursery.com Mark O’Brien (2022) Cardno • 574-586-2412 mark.obrien@cardno.com Kevin Van Sessen (2024) Blade Cutters, LLC. • 219-661-8206 kevinvs@bladecutters.net Bob Wasson (2022) Wasson Nursery and Garden Center 765-759-9000 • bob@wassonnursery.com Kent Wilhelmus (2024) Second Nature Landscape Management 812-483-7817 • kent@secondnaturelm.com

Geist Reservoir, Fishers, IN 2

Photo by Carol M. Highsmith - https://www.loc.gov/item/2016631683/

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3

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE It is that time where everyone should be so busy that this issue will be one left to read at a much later date, I am sure.

I am still reflecting on how positively received the Indiana Green Expo (IGE) was regarding the number of exhibitors and attendees we had for the in-person event. However, this is a quick reminder that if you were not able to catch all the talks you really wanted to see, you now can catch several of them through the IGE 2022 Virtual program available through May 31st. If you attended the IGE in person there is no charge to view talks. If you were unable to attend in person there is a nominal fee to watch the talks and receive appropriate Indiana Accredited Horticulturist (IAH) CEU’s as well as CCH’s for the Office of the Indiana State Chemist (OISC) applicators license. To see the available sessions and to register, go to https://indianagreenexpo.com/2022-virtual-program/.

Rick Haggard

The INLA, in a better effort to communicate with our membership is starting a new “social media” campaign. We will be starting to utilize Instagram, Facebook, as well as other platforms in the near future, to hopefully not only gain new members but also create more interaction with our current stalwart members. This is a definite area that I am not well versed in, but if we are going to relate to the younger members this appears to be what other associations have had great success with and received more immediate feedback from newer members. The person overseeing our social media is Scott Johnsen who has worked with several INLA members to strengthen their online presence in our industry. PLEASE take a few moments or have one of your employees to view some of our current “happenings” on Facebook or Instagram. Please email or call me to give me some feedback.

Now I would like to send some friendly “save the date” reminders for upcoming events that I hope to see many INLA members and potential members attend.

August 4 and 5, 2022 will mark the return of our Summer Meeting to the Indianapolis area. We are planning this event as we speak and are currently hoping to concentrate on the Geist Reservoir and Fishers area for this event.

Several years ago, we held this event in this area and offered touring the sites from boats. I am hoping to have this same offering, as well as traveling to the sites via vans. As of this writing, we’re checking on pricing and availability of our options. If any member has a site that would accommodate this offering and would like to possibly have your project viewed, please contact me ASAP. Please do not forget to have your client’s approval before submitting.

August 11, 2022 (with a rain date of October 13, 2022) for our upcoming legislative fundraiser, the IOMA Golf Outing. This will be the 12th year for the outing and it’s being hosted at Twin Lakes Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana.

Further details will be coming, but this is an opportunity to spend an enjoyable afternoon on a private golf course while interacting with representatives of The Corydon Group regarding legislative affairs within our state. This coming year will be a budget year also referred to as a “long session” in regard to the Indiana General Assembly. Also be sure to read the 2022 Legislative Summary on page 8 by the Corydon Group.

Keep It Green, Rick Haggard, INLA Executive Director rhaggard@inla1.org • cell: 765-366-4994

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • MAY/JUNE 2022

5

CALENDAR

Visit http://inla1.org/events-calendar/ for updates and new event listings.

May 15

ONLINE AND ON DEMAND IGE Virtual offers select sessions from the IGE 2022 Live Educational Program Available through May 31, 2022 Registration: Member: $125/person Nonmember: $175/person FREE to those who registered for the IGE 2022 in-person event in January 2022.

More information & online registration www.indianagreenexpo.com

INEF Scholarship Application Deadline

INLA’s scholarship fund, the Indiana Nursery Endowment Fund (INEF), awards scholarships up to $6,000 each year to one or more full-time students enrolled in horticulture or landscape horticulture related classes at either Vincennes or Purdue Universities.

More information and application: https://inla1.org/inla-scholarships/

June 30

INLA Active Membership Dues Deadline

30

IAH Recertification Deadline

30

Indiana Green Expo 2023 – Early Bird Exhibitor deadline

Reminders will be mailed or check your recertification status at http://inla1.org/ Receive discount booth pricing when you contract and submit 50% deposit by June 30, 2022. Learn more and download an exhibitor packet https://indianagreenexpo.com/exhibitor-information/

July 16–19 Cultivate '22 Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH • Four days of professional development and robust business opportunities with its 650+ exhibitor trade show, 100+ educational sessions and plentiful networking opportunities. https://www.cultivateevent.org/

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Purdue Turf & Landscape Field Day 2022 William H. Daniel Turfgrass Research and Diagnostic Center, West Lafayette, IN The Field Day features research tours, talks on current topics, and a trade show with over 40 exhibitors displaying equipment and turf and landscape products.

Registration for this event will open late spring/early summer.

More info and sponsorship opportunities: www.mrtf.org

August

Welcome New INLA Members!

4–5

Fun, Food, Friends! Plan to join us for one of INLA's favorite events.

More information will be available mid-June but in the mean time, here are a few details to look forward to.

AUGUST 4: Summer Tour AUGUST 5: Shooting for Scholarships LOCATION: Geist/NE Indianapolis HOST: Wasson Nursery

ACTIVE MEMBERS:

Brian-Kyles Brian Maurer Ph: (440) 934-4024 Fax: (440) 242-0298 545 Christy Drive Greenwood, IN 46143 Just-In-Time Lawn Care LLC Justin Groff Ph: (317) 502-0330 7425 East 86th St Indianapolis, IN 46256

6

INLA Summer Meeting 2022: Tour and Shooting for Scholarships

Please save the dates and join us for some fun times.

ALL proceeds from this two-day event benefit the Indiana Nursery Endowment Fund (INEF) — the scholarship fund of the INLA. Details, when available, will be in the INLA News, July/August issue and posted at https://inla1.org/.

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IOMA Golf Outing 2022 — Fundraiser Twin Lakes Golf Club, Carmel, IN • Rain Date: October 13, 2022 Indiana Outdoor Management Alliance (IOMA) offers legislative representation for every facet of the Indiana green industry. INLA is a founding member. Please consider supporting this fundraiser. Registration for this event will open midsummer. To learn more about IOMA go to: https://ioma-web.com/

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

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INLA NEWS

2022 Indiana Legislative Update Provided by Indiana Outdoor Management Alliance (IOMA) Prepared by The Corydon Group

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The 2022 Indiana General Assembly adjourned this year’s short session sine die early Wednesday, March 9th. Generally, short sessions are low-key as legislators are eager to adjourn and return to their districts to campaign for re-election. All 100 House members and 25 of the 50 Senate members face voters this year. However, this session was anything but low-key. Instead, the legislature debated and passed sweeping legislation to curb vaccine mandates, lower taxes, curb agency powers, and enhance data security.

This year also demonstrated why it is crucial to have the Indiana Outdoor Management Alliance (IOMA) representing the interest of INLA and our industry.

Vaccine Mandates While the U.S. Supreme Court weighed legal arguments for and against federal COVID vaccine mandates, Indiana sought to find a way to end its public health emergency. Before the legislature convened, Governor Eric Holcomb asked the legislature for three statutory changes to protect Indiana residents once he lifted the emergency.

These changes included: allowing for enhanced federal matching funds for Medicaid expenditures to continue; allowing the secretary of the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) to issue an emergency declaration to continue participating in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and allowing for the vaccination of children ages 11 and under.

The House and the Senate drafted differing bills to meet his request. HB 1001 – Administrative Authority, authored by Rep. Matt Lehman (R – Berne), provided the governor’s requested changes. Additionally, it prohibited Indiana governmental entities from requiring immunization “passports” and prohibited employers from requiring employees to receive a COVID-19 immunization unless the employer allowed for religious and medical exemptions. The bill initially included a penalty for employers who did not grant such exemptions, but the House removed the penalty.

Meanwhile, the Senate drafted SB 3 – Administrative Authority, authored by Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R – Valparaiso), which provided the governor’s three requested changes without the immunization prohibition or penalties.

The Indiana House finally passed a revised version of HB 1001, allowing for the continuation of enhanced Medicaid and food assistance benefits and continuing to allow children aged 12 and under to receive COVID-19 vaccinations outside a doctor’s office. It also places new restrictions on private business COVID-19 vaccines in Indiana, adopting federal guidelines for medical or religious exemptions. Employers also must exempt those who test positive for COVID antibodies due to “natural immunity” in the prior three months. Employers may require exempt employees to be tested for COVID-19 twice per week.

On Thursday, March 3, Gov. Holcomb signed an executive order ending Indiana’s COVID-19 public health emergency first declared in March 2020, days before the emergency order expired.

Taxes Because of the unexpectedly large budget surplus — nearly $5 billion — House Republicans and the governor advocated cutting taxes this session. They argued that the size of the surplus was proof that the state was collecting too much. Meanwhile, Senate leadership indicated they preferred to address taxes next year in the budget session to gauge the impact of inflation and a possible recession on state revenues.

Both chambers engaged in a vigorous tax discussion. Part of this discussion included extending the state sales tax to services. HB 1083 – Tax and Fiscal Matters, authored by Rep. Jeff Thompson (R – Lizton), would have changed individual and business tax rates and extended the sales tax to services. SB 372 – Taxation, authored by Sen. Andy Zay (R – Huntington), would have decreased or phased out several taxes, including the adjusted (2022 Indiana Legislative Update continues page 10.)

8

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

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INLA NEWS

2022 Indiana Legislative Update (continued from page 8)

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gross income tax and eliminated the corporate adjusted gross income tax. It also would have extended the sales tax to services starting in January 2023.

Eventually, one bill emerged as the primary tax bill. HB 1002 – Various Tax Matters, authored by the House Ways & Means Chairman, Rep. Tim “Doc” Brown (R – Crawfordsville), “is intended to decrease what is being taxed to Indiana citizens” by making several changes to the tax code. Brown announced that he would not include a sales tax on services in any bill; instead, the legislature would study the issue this summer. We will ensure that IOMA is included in these discussions.

The final tax package that the legislature eventually passed includes reducing the individual income tax rate from 3.23% to 2.9% over seven years and eliminating the gross utility receipts and use tax.

Agency Power The legislature sought to limit state agency powers — agencies like the state chemist office. HB 1063 – De Novo Judicial Review of Agency Action, authored by Rep. Chris Jeter (R – Fishers), provided that a court must, when reviewing agency actions (like those of the pesticide review board) under the Administrative Orders and Procedures Act (AOPA), use a de novo standard when determining issues of fact or law without deference to the agency. Statutorily, courts must give deference to an agency’s opinion and reviews facts only confined to the agency record and may not substitute its judgment for that of the agency.

Rep. Jeter argued that this standard creates an uneven playing field that favors state agencies over citizens.

HB 1100 – Agency Oversight and Rulemaking Procedures, authored by Rep. Steve Bartels (R – Eckerty), sought to change the process for emergency rules and executive orders. It limited the governor’s executive orders and emergency rules to 180 days unless approved by the legislature. Before issuing emergency orders, agencies must provide an economic impact statement, explain any penalty or fine, and a reason for issuing the rule, which the Attorney General’s Office must approve. It also limited emergency rules to two years.

Neither bill passed, but legislators amended portions of HB 1100 into another bill (HEA 1211) on the final day. The revised bill included the requirement for agencies to submit emergency rules to the attorney general for review and approval, limits such rules to 180 days, requires an agency to submit an economic impact statement, and further requires agencies to readopt rules every four years instead of seven years (current law).

Data Security The legislature also sought to protect Hoosiers’ online data. SB 358 – Personal Information and Social Media Policies, authored by Sen. Liz Brown (R – Fort Wayne), would have established duties for businesses collecting personal data about Indiana consumers and rights for Indiana consumers regarding the data collected. The bill gave consumers the right to access their data and correct inaccuracies annually. It gave the attorney general authority to investigate and enforce suspected violations and would have gone into effect in 2025. Though the bill appeared to be heading for the governor’s desk, the House chose not to hear the bill before the deadline, and it died on the House floor.

Meanwhile, HB 1351 – Disclosure or Notification of Data Breach, authored by Representative Martin Carbaugh (R – Fort Wayne), passed. It requires disclosure or notice within 45 days after discovering a breach. So, database owners who have experienced a breach must notify Indiana residents whose information might be compromised.

Summary So despite it being a short session, it was significant both in terms of the legislation that passed and some that didn’t pass. The debates laid the groundwork for future policy discussions over issues important to our industry, like extending the sales tax to services and defining a businesses’ responsibility for consumer data. These discussions demonstrate the importance of IOMA representing the INLA and our industry.

10

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

Movers & Shakers This month's Movers & Shakers theme is Kyle Daniel, Nursery & Landscape Outreach Specialist, Purdue University and INLA board member.

Landscape Report Team Wins Award

The Purdue Landscape Report team has received the Purdue Agriculture 2021 TEAM Award. An acronym for Together Everyone Achieves More, the college created the award in 1995 to recognize interdisciplinary team achievements of faculty and staff.

Since 2018, the team has written more than 200 articles covering topics such as diseases, insects, weeds, herbicide use, plant selection, tree care, and landscape maintenance. Their content is shared through an e-mail newsletter, blog, social media, and interactive webinars.

Nursery and Landscape Outreach Specialist, Kyle Daniel leads the team. Other team members from the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture are Kirby Kalbaugh, Lori Jolly-Brown, and Aaron Patton. Todd Abrahamson, Janna Beckerman, John Bonkowski, and Tom Creswell represent the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology. Elizabeth Barnes and Cliff Sadof joined the team from the Department of Entomology.

Lindsey Purcell represents the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources.

To read the latest report as well as sign up to receive it via email go to www.purduelandscapereport.org.

Kyle Daniel Awarded IAA 2022 Award of Merit

The Indiana Arborist Association, Inc. (IAA) each year awards one or more members with the Meritorious Service Award. This year Kyle Daniel received the award. The award of merit is presented based on an IAA member's outstanding work in the field of arboriculture.

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • MAY/JUNE 2022

11

IDNR SPOTLIGHT

Box Tree Moth: A Primer on a New Invasive Eric Biddinger, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Entomology and Plant Pathology As if boxwood blight (Calonectria pseudonaviculata) isn’t enough to worry about, there is another emerging threat to the genus Buxus — the box tree moth (BTM) (Cydalima perspectalis). This critter has marched across Europe decimating wild and ornamental boxwoods. It was found in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 2018 and introduced to the United States in 2021. Understanding BTM now will allow for early detection, prevent the spread of this pest, and improve management if it is detected in Indiana.

Distribution A native to Asia, BTM was introduced into Germany around 2006. Aided by the nursery trade and finding a home in Europe’s native boxwoods, it has spread across the European continent. Found in Toronto, Canada in 2018 this insect has now been transported from a nursery in Ontario to facilities in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee. Since then, BTM has been identified at three locations in Michigan and one each in Connecticut and South Carolina. Additionally, a find in New York state has resulted in a state and federal quarantine of Erie, Niagara, and Orleans Counties. While so far BTM has not been found in Indiana, it is well positioned to be a threat to Hoosier landscapes (https://www.aphis.usda. gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/ stakeholder-messages/plant-health-news/ da-2022-13).

Description BTM has a typical moth lifecycle with four stages – egg, caterpillar, pupa, and adult. The pale-yellow eggs are laid in overlapping stacks of five to twenty on the undersides of boxwood leaves. After three days of development, caterpillars will hatch from the eggs. The caterpillars 12

Box tree moth eggs recently laid on boxwood leaves.

Box tree moth caterpillars damage a boxwood while feeding. Photo by: Ivan/ Adobe Stock / USDA

Pupation occurs on the host leaves in silk cocoons.

Adult box tree moths generally have white bodies with a brown head and abdomen tip. Their wings are white and slightly iridescent, with an irregular thick brown border. USDA photo by Hannah Nadel.

USDA photo by Hannah Nadel.

Photo courtesy of Ilya Mityushev, Department of Plant protection of the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy / USDA

can grow up to 1.5 inches in length and are green with black, yellow, and white stripes, and black spots. The head of the caterpillar is shiny black and the body has fine hairs. These caterpillars leave behind extensive webbing created to protect them as they consume the leaves of the plant.

After feeding for about 14 days, caterpillars form pupae which take another 14 days to mature. Most adults are white with a brown border, though a small percentage appear as all brown with white “commas” on the forewing.

In its native range of Eastern Asia, BTM has between one and five generations per year depending on latitude and local weather. In Indiana, two to three generations per year are likely.

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

Some adult box tree moths have completely brown wings with a small white streak on each forewing.

Males and females show both colorations.

Photo by Jürgen Kottmann/Adobe Stock / USDA

Box tree moth caterpillars can destroy boxwood hedges. Photos by Misalukic/Adobe Stock / USDA Damage BTM caterpillars feed on all Buxus species. Euonymus and Ilex have also been reported as hosts in its native range, but this has yet to be observed in Europe or the United States. The young caterpillars feed on the undersides of leaves creating a peeled appearance. As caterpillars grow, they will eventually consume the entire leaf leaving only the midrib. While boxwoods can often recover if damage is limited to defoliation, in heavier infestations caterpillars will strip branches of bark, resulting in plant death. In Europe, BTM combined with boxwood blight has created devastating levels of destruction in landscapes and wild plantings of boxwood.

Scouting With no native host plants in North America, the spread of BTM will be likely restricted to landscapes and nursery pathways. Therefore, careful inspection of boxwood material brought in from other locations will be critical in preventing the introduction and spread of this insect.

Be on the lookout for quick defoliation of boxwoods and webbing on leaves and branches. Observing caterpillars on boxwood always warrants a closer inspection as BTM is one of the only caterpillars that feeds on this plant. BTM overwinters as larva nestled between leaves webbed together. They will start to emerge and feed again when temperatures reach around 50⁰F. Look for caterpillars in early or midspring and again in late-May and June.

Careful examination of boxwood foliage will be required to find egg masses.

Their yellow color and location on the undersides of the leaves makes them difficult to locate.

Capable of moving up to six miles per year, adult moths are considered strong flyers. Due to a lack of host material in rural and natural areas, they are most likely to be found in the vicinity of landscapes or nurseries containing boxwood material.

Pheromone traps to monitor for adult moths are available. The Indiana DNR has deployed these traps in recent years and will continue to do so throughout the state.

If a small population is found, hand picking the caterpillars may be the most effective means of control. Controls such as horticultural oils and soaps, Bt, and Spinosad should work on young BTM caterpillars. Broad spectrum pesticides effective on other Lepidoptera species in ornamentals are also likely to offer control.

Adequate coverage of the inside canopy and on the undersides of the leaves is critical with these products as that is where larva will be feeding. As always, please read and follow all pesticide labels as labels are the law.

As this is a relatively new pest, research is ongoing. Mating disruption treatments and biological controls have shown some promise as future management tools for BTM. However, in the case of all invasive species, eradication, exclusion, and prevention is still the best practice.

BTM is an insect of regulatory importance.

To report a suspected find of BTM, please contact the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Entomology and Plant Pathology at 1-866-NO-EXOTIC or DEPP@dnr.in.gov. Or you may contact your local Nursery inspector whose contact information can be found online at https://www.in.gov/dnr/entomology/files/epInspector_Territories.pdf

About the Author Eric Biddinger has been a Nursery Inspector and Compliance Officer with the DNR for 16 years. He continues to serve the state in North Central Indiana. In his spare time he enjoys scuba diving and spending time with his wife and family.

"Careful inspection of boxwood material brought in from other locations will be critical in preventing the introduction and spread of this insect."

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • MAY/JUNE 2022

13

May/June 2022

The Safety Issue BUSINESS

14 The Perils of Business Succession BUSINESS

18 Five Jobsite Must-Haves to Keep Your Crew Safe This Summer COMMUNITY

20 Member Profile: Aspen Outdoor Designs, Inc. EDUCATION

22 Social Media Tips & Tricks

BUSINESS

The Perils of Business Succession John A. Cento, CPA/ABV, ASA, Indiana Business Appraisals LLC This issue’s theme is safety. What does the topic of business succession have to do with safety? I propose four perils when making a succession plan needing safety measures: 1. Safety from excessive taxes.

2. Safety from wealth destruction.

3. Safety from institutional capital loss.

4. Safety from a damaged legacy.

In my role as a CPA specializing in business valuation, I am part of the business succession team. For twenty years, I have enjoyed a front-row seat observing the dangers of business succession and how business owners attempt to mitigate its hazards. This article focuses on family business succession to the founder’s children, but the concepts apply to business succession in other contexts as well.

Safety from excessive taxes Every transaction between family members and employees is a potentially

taxable event. Gifts of business interests to family members are commonly understood as a potential tax trap, but the sale of a business interest to family members is not so clear a danger. The sale of business equity to the next generation is often seen as a better strategy to incentivize the purchasing child to preserve the business equity built up from the sweat and tears of the parents since the business’ founding.

Federal, state, and local tax agencies look at a business sales price between family members skeptically: the sales price may be in economic reality part sale and part disguised gift — and that gift can go both ways. A price below fair market value is in substance a gift (through a discounted price) to son or daughter, and a price above market value is a little extra to Mom and Dad to help them make it financially through their retirement years. If these tax agencies determine that a partial gift has been made, delayed tax filings and payment of any related taxes due result in penalties and interest as well as additional tax.

Are you safe after the transfer if the transfer is not challenged by a tax agency after the first year? Not at all.

Unintentional “gifts” may be subject to audit three years after filing the applicable tax return. Liability from intentional tax avoidance has no expiration date.

Safety from wealth destruction The general rule in estate planning is to give away appreciating assets (often business interests) earlier rather than later to keep future equity growth out of the taxable estate. There is legitimate concern about this objective: Many business owners rightly want to retain business control until (Perils of Business Succession continues page 16.)

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The Perils of Business Succcession (continued from page 14) the next generation has matured in business acumen and discipline. Both of these objectives can be safely achieved through either gifts or sales of noncontrolling business interests (for example, non-voting stock) based on market values, years ahead of the final controlling interest transfer. The market values need to be determined independently by a qualified business appraiser meeting the professional standards of a qualified appraisal/valuation.

Qualified appraisers are available in most urban areas of Indiana.

Another issue in wealth destruction is giving away company positions and business equity equally among adult children instead of cash and other assets to some siblings and business equity and leadership positions to other siblings.

We love our children the same, but our children are not the same. Giving business equity and a leadership role to an adult child ill-suited for them is a recipe for disaster when a more capable and motivated niece or nephew should be the selected successor. We dream that our direct descendants will carry on our businesses but denying the possibility of mismatched talents and interests leads to catastrophe. A business valuation can determine an equivalent cash and/ or personal property gift as a substitute to business equity. Distributing cash equivalents instead of equity will enable all loved ones to feel equally cared for without endangering the business.

Safety from institutional capital loss I run into the following scenario often: too little effort is exerted too late to give the business a good shot for the future post-transfer. A business all wrapped up in the business founder’s relationships and know-how fades away with the exiting owner.

How to do you avoid the loss of institutional capital? All critical business processes, procedures, and protocols need to be documented and kept up-to-date.

Relying on storage in the mind of the founder is a risky backup indeed. But that is not enough. Plan early in the company’s budget for staff redundancies to ensure not only the successful hand-off of the founder’s personal goodwill and 16

expertise to the next generation, but also the goodwill and know-how of long-term key employees who may likely be retiring as well.

The succeeding cadre of managers need to shadow their retiring incumbents, and this requires that the advancing staff members are already close to the skill levels of the exiting managers. This will require extra personnel costs and the capacity slack for the younger managers to observe and to be mentored. Five years is the rule of thumb to ensure the baton is not dropped in the succession race.

Safety from a damaged legacy The fourth topic is preventing a damaged legacy. Your business likely has loyal and conscientious employees that helped you achieve your business goals.

In addition, many businesses in small towns and rural areas or in depressed neighborhoods in larger cities are islands of stable employment and community charitable giving.

When businesses wait too long to prepare for sale, the opportunities for a viable internal buyer or a similar business-culture peer buyer are shut out.

What is left is a quick sale to an industry consolidator. To be fair, a large consolidator rolling up small business purchases can provide innovation and upward mobility to current employees, but the company culture you have worked hard to foster will not likely be the same. Please understand that industry consolidators generate extraordinary returns from economies of scale: read eliminating cost redundancies.

Further, they are usually detached from your local community. Both employees and neighbors feel the loss.

Starting succession planning early will give you time to find a business buyer that best matches the way you like to do business, treat your employees, and relate to your community.

We have discussed so many hazards to avoid along the succession planning path. There is no need to be the trail blazer. Secure the expertise of a certified succession or exit planning professional who can quarterback the multi-disciplinary team of specialists to determine the appropriate handling of family members

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

and key managers and identify inside and outside buyer alternatives. Optimally your succession/exit planning professional will not be the one selling your business, investing its sale’s proceeds, or valuing it.

Instead, your planner will be a fee-based consultant who helps you map out a succession plan drawing upon personal interviews, family dynamics, and the inputs from various consultants.

For the budget conscious, research the materials and the bookstores of familybusiness.org, Purdue University Extension’s Community Development section, the Business Enterprise Institute, and the Exit Planning Institute for ideas that you can implement yourself.

Lastly, consult your tax CPA and attorney for strategies to avoid excessive tax, penalties, and interest from an improperly structured business equity transfer. Never make a major business decision without running it by your CPA; the most successful business owners understand their own expertise and its limits. In contrast, your CPA and attorney have seen a lot of business perils and how they could have been avoided; their hourly fee is worth it.

About the Author John A. Cento, CPA/ABV, ASA is a certified public accountant based in New Albany, Indiana and INLA member. He is a specialist in business valuation accredited by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the American Society of Appraisers.

John’s love of plants and horticulture began as a boy in Beech Grove watering his family’s newly installed trees for a quarter a piece. In adult life, that passion developed into amateur botany, leading wildflower field trips for his local native plant society. Currently a Master Gardener and an INLA Accredited Horticulturist, he appraises horticultural operations as well as a myriad of other industries.

With over 25 years of professional experience, John contributes his insights and expertise on financial matters. For further study, you can visit his firm’s website at www.indianaba.com or www.greenindustryvaluations.com.

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17

BUSINESS

Five Jobsite Must-Haves to Keep Your Crew Safe This Summer

By Brett Jones, Senior Director, Nursery Category Management at SiteOne Landscape Supply Summer is right around the corner, which means hot weather hazards are too.

Heat exhaustion, sunburns, dehydration, hand and eye-related injuries, and even unexpected storms all pose a threat to maintenance crews from May through early-November. There is enough to worry about during the growing months. You’re procuring supplies, scheduling crews, assigning jobs, performing equipment maintenance or repairs, working with your customers, etc. Don’t let the pressure of impending heat waves make you sweat; here are five must-haves to keep crews safe on jobsites this summer.

Hand and Eye Protection Your crew’s hands and eyes are the most important tools they have at a jobsite.

They’re involved in every task and they’ll go anywhere they’re sent without much thought. It’s critical to protect these assets from the elements to avoid being down a worker for days or weeks. Wearing gloves not only prevents the obvious — painful lacerations and punctures — but also sunburn. Sunglasses provide indisputable protection from the sun’s harmful rays and also prevent dust and debris from entering the eye and causing uncomfortable or harmful scratches.

Bottled Water Drink before you’re thirsty and drink often. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that every year, thousands of outdoor workers suffer from heat related illnesses.1 Working in the sun in the mid- to late-day heat sharply increases the risk of dehydration. When dehydrated, people develop headaches, tiredness and dizziness which all diminish their ability to work efficiently or worse, can lead to severe illness.

An easy way to combat this is to stay hydrated by drinking water. Not only does this help regulate body temperature and replace water lost through sweat, but it 18

cushions joints and breaks down nutrients needed for energy.

Note: Drinking water is critical, but keep in mind that there is a thing as consuming too much. The Mayo Clinic reports the signs of over-hydrating include: nausea and vomiting, headache, changes in mental state such as confusion or disorientation, muscle weakness, spasms or cramps.2 If you see these symptoms during the heat day, take precaution and seek help.

Cooling Bandanas and Towels Sweating is the body’s natural way of cooling itself off. But, when a person stops sweating or can’t sweat enough to cool the body, trouble can quickly set in. When there’s a lot to get done and you can’t afford to be sidelined for a day because of overheating, consider investing in cooling bandanas or towels.

There are several options on the market that not only cool the body, but also protect against dust, debris and wind.

An additional benefit of cooling bandanas and towels is that they are brightly colored,

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

increasing visibility for crew members working late into the work day.

Sunscreen Nearly all of us have experienced a painful sunburn. Sunburn can happen at any time of the year, regardless of the temperature. During the late-spring, summer and early-fall months, the impacts of direct sunlight can burn skin in less than 15 minutes. Severe sunburn reduces the body’s ability to release excess heat.

Wearing UPF clothing helps to block harmful, cancer causing rays, but it’s not enough. Encourage workers to apply a highly protective sunscreen frequently and generously to reduce the risk of a stinging sunburn. And, promote the use of straw brimmed hats. The vented pattern allows heat to escape away from the head, while the wide brim protects the face from the sun’s rays.

Rain Suit It’s common for the Midwest to experience pop-up thunderstorms during

hot weather days. And while rain storms don’t seem like a danger, heavy rainfall can reduce visibility not only for the crew working in the rain, but for any drivers navigating the roads near a jobsite.

Consider having workers bring a heavyduty polyester rain suit to the jobsite, just in case. The reusable, bright yellow suits not only keep workers dry in the elements, but the rain suits (along with a safety vest) increases the odds that a person behind the wheel of a vehicle will see the worker.

Along with supplying protective rain suits, ensure crews know the emergency action plan during times of severe weather.

Lightning is the second greatest threat in a thunderstorm, behind flash flooding.

The National Weather Service (NWS) and OSHA report that crews are often caught outside in the elements because they failed to promptly heed warnings.3 Review your Emergency Action Plan (EAP) protocol with crews ahead of severe weather to ensure everyone is prepared.

Illness and injury from hot weather hazards are preventable. Stocking your jobsites with these five things and

promoting summer safety to your crews can be the difference between a cool summer and one that leaves you boiling.

You have enough on your plate, managing projects and providing excellent service for your clients. Don’t let avoidable setbacks keep you from having your best season yet.

Sources: 1 https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatstress/ 2 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ hyponatremia/symptoms-causes/syc-20373711 3 https://www.weather.gov/media/owlie/OSHA_FS3863_Lightning_Safety_05-2016.pdf

About the Author

Brett Jones is the Senior Director of Nursey Category Management at SiteOne® Landscape Supply. SiteOne has everything you are looking for with a wide selection of irrigation, lighting, turf and landscape maintenance, nursery and pest management supplies.

Plus with the convenience of over 600 locations, SiteOne is within reach of virtually any job. Find your neighborhood branch at www.SiteOne.com.

Growing 40,000 Trees and Ornamentals All of our plants are irrigated in the fields for continuous growth and early digging.

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • MAY/JUNE 2022

19

COMMUNITY

Member Profile:

Aspen Outdoor Designs, Inc. Exceeding clients’ expectations for 25 years Mary Breidenbach, Indiana Nursery & Landscape News Aspen Outdoor Designs, a design/build firm located in Noblesville, Indiana, specializes in hardscapes, carpentry, landscaping, and lighting primarily for the high-end residential market in and around the Indianapolis area. In early April, we spoke with the owners, Jeff Behlmer, founder and president, and Blake Herbst, design manager, landscape architect, and sales to learn more about their company which is celebrating it’s 25th anniversary this year.

In 1997, Jeff started the company two years after graduating from Purdue University with a degree in Landscape Architecture. At that time, the company offered mowing, design, and landscaping services and had a couple of employees. In the early years of the startup, Jeff would spend his days completing the contracted work and his evenings meeting with clients. “Those 16-hour work days lasted for about two years before I could add key people to the team. From that point we’ve grown slow and steady,” recalled Jeff.

Blake Herbst joined the company in 2007 after graduating from Purdue University with a degree in Landscape Architecture. “I graduated on a Saturday and started with Aspen on the following Monday.

I’ve been with the company ever since.” Starting as Jeff’s design assistant, he credits his co-owner in helping him find his full potential. “Jeff never micromanages. He’s great at delegating and gradually gave me more responsibilities.” As Blake described it, Aspen’s environment allowed him to succeed. In 2018, Blake became a licensed landscape architect.

“We take design very seriously.”

Asked what distinguishes Aspen from other companies, Jeff and Blake explained, they take design very seriously and they listen to their clients. Scott Lumpkin, licensed landscape architect, starting his fourth season with the company has been a great addition to the design/sales department. “Having two licensed landscape architects on staff is a distinction for our company that we are very proud of,” said Behlmer. “We encourage our employees to pursue education that will benefit their professional growth.”

The Aspen Outdoor Designs family.

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

11010 E 156th St Noblesville, IN 46060 www.aspenoutdoordesigns.com

Another point of distinction: The longevity of their staff and the family atmosphere of the workplace. Many employees have been with the company for over 10 years. “As owners, we take pride in knowing people want to stay with the company and grow with us. When we find the right people we want them to succeed. We love seeing our people succeed and provide for their families.” Key employees that helped grow the company over the years are office manager, Concetta Scott, she is the glue that holds the entire operation together. We also have multiple crew foremen that have been with us from early on and have been instrumental to our success. Helping sustain that success, we are excited to welcome recently hired operations manager, Dean Hershman and landscape manager, Christa Hernandez to the team.

And the last point of distinction: Focusing on what they do best. As Jeff and Blake explained, they no longer try to do everything but focus on what provides the best value.

For example, they no longer provide mowing, snow removal or maintenance. “We don’t try to be something to everybody. We want to be everything to somebody,” Blake emphasized.

And to that point, 75% of their business is from word of mouth or returning clients. They frequently work with clients through multiple moves into new homes and often these clients request to work with the same team and are able to do so.

Challenges over the years Thinking back on the last 25 years, Jeff sees growing the company was like raising a child. The infancy of the business were the years where it needed constant attention. The adolescence years are full of education and trial and errors. Once the business reaches maturity you understand your identity and are comfortable with it. Once you figure that out, you can focus on being the best and helping other businesses. Jeff’s advice to the adolescent companies: “Stay focused and figure out who you are.”

Given Aspen’s position of reaching 25 years in business we wanted to find out what helped them succeed. Rich with perspective here is their answer: • Education is key: "Education is very important to Aspen and we encourage our people to pursue certifications. INLA’s winter expo has been valuable for Aspen in training our employees. In fact, Blake was able to give back a few years ago as a speaker at the event."

• Network: "In addition to being INLA members for 20 years, both of us have served on the Indianapolis Landscape Association’s board and regularly attend the two associations’ events — INLA summer meetings, supporting industry scholarships, golf outings, etc.

Even as a mature business, networking is important for us to stay connected to younger companies. We continue to learn from the younger generation."

• Have a mentor: "Mentorship is important. Being involved with associations is a good way to find those mentors."

• Stay open to change: "There is an ultimate goal we’re trying to achieve; however, we’ll never get there because the goal will always change. We’ve had to adapt to keep our company growing. Change is difficult but we try to temper that with the personality of the organization."

When asked what their plans were for celebrating their anniversary, they said they were too busy to do anything right now but they are planning a celebration with the team later in the year. “As others will relate, we’ve been in ‘Spring mode’ for the last two years and it’s difficult to find the time, but we really want to recognize our clients, family, and personnel that helped build this company,” related Jeff.

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • MAY/JUNE 2022

21

EDUCATION

Social Media Tips & Tricks Ryan Ravalli, Techo-Bloc (@Hardscapesocial) Following the Pareto principle, the 80/20 rule, our landscape/construction/ hardscape industry has shifted to 80% digital and 20% traditional marketing.

Just randomly posting to a website of social media is not an effective way to spend 80% of your marketing budget. To enhance ROI on marketing investments, it’s best to include your network of suppliers, clients, and community. The local network is often best reached repetitively, creating awareness of your company’s passion, mission, and vision.

In order to grow organically in the digital marketing field, specifically social media, you must use auto-post, merge contact, have hidden tags, hashtag effectively, and geotag in the digital marketing field.

Auto-Post Auto-post is a simple step that links your Facebook page to your Instagram account. Facebook and Instagram are sister companies that make it easy to duplicate posts with minimal effort. Why do something twice when a feature exists to maximize efficiency? When completing a post on Instagram, Scroll to the bottom, and then select the toggle for Facebook. This is will link the two accounts. Whatever you do on Instagram will instantly post to Facebook.

You can deselect the Facebook toggle if you do not want the post duplicated.

Merge Clean Contacts If using a Customer Relations Management (CRM) system, it’s encouraged to merge clean contact data for all business associates and client with your smartphone.

Clean contact data means having an individual’s full name, address, social media profile, email, websites, and important dates input in the system. This is critical information for all relevant vendors, suppliers, subcontractors, professional services, and clients. It can, and should be synced with your CRM. The steps to complete this are different for iPhone and Android users. See below for each phone type’s step-by-step process: • iPhone Process: Go to the profile picture on the bottom right of your screen, click the Three Horizontal Line icon at the top right, select Discover People and accept.

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• Android Process: Go to the profile picture on the bottom right of the screen, select Discover People in the center of your screen. This will give you profile suggestions based on who you follow already as well as any contact that are in your phone that have an Instagram account.

Now your clean contacts are merged with Instagram and Facebook whenever needed.

Hidden Tags Suppliers and their representatives, dealer/distributors, and ancillary product companies, such as Tools and Equipment, Edge Restraint, Geotechnical Fabric and Grid, Clean and Protect, Joint Fill, can be tagged in a story so that they can reshare with their audience. This resharing gives your company a greater reach to other professional brands, which in turn equates to more followers and clients.

To do this in Instagram: Choose story from the plus symbol at the top, select the video or photo you’d like to use, click the Smile Face at the top then select @Mention and choose up to ten accounts to target. You will have to place your finger on the (@Hardscapesocial) and drag it off-screen, being careful to avoid the trash can. Now they can reshare a clean, clear story that mutually benefits their brand to their followers.

Hashtag App Another trick of the social media trade is to download a hashtag (#) app such as Instagram Tags. This tool will allow you to: 1. Save commonly used and unique hashtags.

2. Select tags appropriate to your posts and reels 3. Expose your content to followers of that specific hashtag 4. Avoid spelling issues (lost opportunities) 5. Never miss the “Lucky 13” hashtags in a post/reel. It is suggested you add a minimum of 13 hashtags per posting.

Doing so increases your reach while encouraging followers to add hashtags of their own. Instagram posts permit a maximum of 30 hashtags.

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

(Social Media continues page 24.)

Auto-posting to Facebook on iPhone.

Hidden tags

    

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       

    

-----     -- --

  --

      -- -- --

 INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • MAY/JUNE 2022

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Social Media Tips & Tricks (continued from page 22) A hashtag app is very affordable, user-friendly and is a must-have to save time and maximize impact.

Geotagging Last, but not least, tagging locations is very important. Locations to be tagged include local businesses, clients’ jobs, targeted towns, and communities, as well as vendor/dealer pick-up locations. “Geotagging” allow people to see what’s happening in a specific area.

Geotagging is a simple process. Before posting your content, select Add Location. You can choose your current location or a targeted region. For example, if your office is in Manalapan but does work primarily in the Fairway Mews Community of Spring Lake, geotagging one or all three of these locations will target viewers in that area.

7463 West Ridge Road P.O. Box 189 Fairview PA 16415 800.458.2234 Fax 800.343.6819 e-mail: info@FairviewEvergreen.com FairviewEvergreen.com

Growing High Quality Plants, People, and Relationships

Serving Independent Garden Centers & Landscape Professionals Since 1978

Annuals Combo Planters Grasses Hardy Ferns Herbs

Peonies Perennials Proven Winners® Shrubs Vines

One of several hashtag apps available.

Instagram is a widely used social media outlet for homeowners and hardscape communities alike. Tools like auto-post to Facebook, merging CRM contacts, using hidden tags and hashtags, and geotagging increase exposure. All these features, tips, and tricks will improve your algorithm ranking, help gain the right followers’ brand recognition, and reduce the need for boosted promoted or paid marketing. Combining organic and paid content will put you in the drivers seat to secure the jobs you want and at what price!

About the Author: CUSTOM GROWING DELIVERY SERVICES POP MATERIALS

Ryan Ravalli is Account Manager for the Jersey Shore Market for Techo-Bloc who is skillful in social media training. Ryan graduated Delaware Valley College in 2007 with a BS in Business Administration. He is Social Media Expert, ICPI, NCMA, and PICP certified. You can find Ryan on Instagram @HardscapeSocial. Email him at Ryan.Ravalli@Tech-Bloc.com. Visit Techo-Bloc.com for more information.

www.millcreekplants.com 800-948-1234 | SALES@MILLCREEKPLANTS.COM 15088 SMART-COLE ROAD | OSTRANDER, OH 43061

24

Geotagging example.

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

May/June 2022

Certification and Education George Brenn’s IAH Study Guide George Brenn, Four Seasons Landscaping Nursery, created this study guide to help teach the material covered in the IAH Manual. His intention is to assist those trying to master the subjects within the manual. Text: © George Brenn, MIAH

Chapter 1 – Plant Structure, Growth, and Development (part 2)

Reproductive Organs = flowers, fruits, seeds Flowers = Sex organs of the plant: showy and smelly to attract pollinators Sepals = cover flower while in bud stage Petals = colorful to attract pollinators Stamens = ♂(male) produce and hold pollen (anthers and filaments) Pistils = ♀ (female) holds ovules (stigma, style and ovary) Complete Flowers = all 4 parts are present Incomplete flowers = 1 or more parts missing Perfect Flowers = have both ♂ and ♀ parts present Monecious = imperfect (♂ only and ♀ only) flowers on same plant Dioecious = imperfect (♂ only and ♀ only) flowers on separate plants

Hollies are dioecious (Ilex m. Blue Prince and Ilex m. Blue Princess) Fruit = the mature ovary from a flower: protects developing seed and is a vector for dispersal of seed (via birds, animals, etc.)

Ornamental qualities often lasting longer than flowering aesthetics Seed = the next generation: contains embryo, has protective cover = seed coat How Plants Grow and Develop:

Seed Germination: Seeds generally germinate when exposed to proper temps and moisture. Some seeds require modification of seed coat in order to germinate.

Juvenility = vegetative growth only

Maturity = plant is able to produce flowers

Senescence = period prior to death of a plant organ. Examples: Trees drop leaves and herbaceous perennials die back to ground in autumn.

Dormancy = plant growth slows or stops, but will restart Growth and Development Process

PHOTOSYNTHESIS = the process by which plants utilize light energy for growth.

It is a 2 part process where the plant 1) captures energy; and 2) stores it.

RESPIRATION = the process through which stored energy is released so plant can grow. (= reverse of photosynthesis)

TRANSPIRATION = the mechanical process within the plant in which H2O moves through the plant via the xylem. H2O is absorbed by root hairs and pulled upwards until it is evaporated through the leaf pores (stomata). This evaporation “pulls” H2O from the roots up to the top of the tallest trees.

TRANSLOCATION = movement of materials, including plant foods and chemical signals within the plant via the phloem.

Systemic pesticides are also translocated.

METABOLISM = activity within cells that keeps plant alive and growing

Cell Division and Expansion

Meristem = region where cell division and expansion occur. Sole function of meristematic cells is to multiply themselves.

Apical Meristem (terminal shoot meristem) = area of primary shoot extension Terminal Root-tip Meristem = area of root extension Axillary Meristem = point of lateral (axillary) branch growth Cambium = meristematic cells between xylem and phloem, just below surface of dicot stem.

This is the region where increase in trunk caliper occurs Intercalary Meristem = important in monocots (grasses); at base of grass blade, it allows blade to continue expanding after mowing.

(George Brenn’s Study Guide: – Chapter 1 continues on page 26.)

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • MAY/JUNE 2022

25

George Brenn's Sstudy Guide – Chapter 1 (continued from page 25)

Congratulations New Indiana Accredited Horticulturist (IAH) INITIAL IAH Tabatha Moles, Allen Landscape, Highland, IN Pedra Sage, Landscapes Unlimited, Zionsville, IN (pictured).

Hormones Control Growth

Hormone = substance produced in one part of plant and translocated to another so it influences growth and development at target location.

Auxins promote (or inhibit) cell division and elongation.

Apical Dominance = ability of terminal meristem to suppress growth of axillary (lateral) buds behind shoot tip (= basis for understanding how plants respond to pruning)

Gibberellins = plant hormones that promote intermodal elongation

Cytokinins manipulate cell division to promote new growth and juvenility

Abscicic Acid causes growth to stop, leaves to drop, and seed and bud dormancy

Ethylene is a gaseous hormone; promotes tissue aging and fruit ripening

Plant Growth Regulators = synthetic substances that act like natural homones Some PGRs reduce internode elongation (B-9) = anti-Gibberellin, while other PGRs promote root development (Rootone). 2,4-D is a powerful PGR. Environmental Factors Control Growth

Light – gotta have it for photosynthesis, but plants vary greatly in adaptation Full Sun = ≥ 6-7 hours of direct sunlight Partial Sun / Partial Shade = means many things: filtered light; some direct sun….

Full Shade = ≤ 2 hrs of direct sunlight

Temperature – refers to plant hardiness Cold Hardiness Heat Hardiness

Moisture – plants are unable to survive without water, but can also drown in it

Nutrients – will be covered extensively in Chapter 5

Air – O2 and CO2 are necessary for plant growth and occur naturally Soils must have sufficient pore spaces for gaseous exchange (more in Chapter 5) Gaseous pollutants: natural gas leaks; sulfur dioxide makes acid rain, etc.

ONLINE AND ON DEMAND EARN CEUs Offers select sessions from the IGE 2022 Live Program Available through May 31, 2022 Member and non-member pricing plus FREE to those who registered for the IGE 2022 in-person event in January 2022.

More information & online registration www.indianagreenexpo.com 26

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

IAH Quiz

Each quiz will be worth a .5 (one-half) CEU! The Indiana Accredited Horticulturist Committee is pleased to provide you an opportunity to earn CEUs (continuing education units) in each issue of the Indiana Nursery and Landscape News.

IAH QUIZ: MAY/JUNE 2022 Due: June 30, 2022

Complete the quiz and email or mail to INLA by the deadline above. Be sure to write your name, IAH number, and contact information on the bottom of the quiz when submitting.

The IAH quiz offered in each issue can be completed by anyone who is an “Active” (current) IAH (initial or masters).

Each quiz will be worth a .5 (onehalf) CEU (continuing education unit) for the completion of the bi-monthly quiz with a pass rate of 80%. Over a 2-year period, you could earn up to 6 CEUs if you take and pass every quiz!

The INLA office will grade the quiz.

Questions and answers have been provided by the IAH committee.

Thank you and good luck studying!

The Indiana Accredited Horticulturist Committee Co-Chairs - George Brenn, Four Seasons Landscaping Nursery - Gabriel Gluesenkamp, Designscape Hort Services Committee Members - Brian Bunge, Twixwood Nursery - Wayne Gruber, Niemeyer’s Landscape Supply - Jim Messmer - Melissa Mravec, Allen Landscape - Jodie Overmyer, Marshall County Soil and Water

Name:___________________________________________________________________________ IAH No.:_________________________________________________________________________ Phone:__________________________________________________________________________ Email:___________________________________________________________________________

Send answers to: info@inla1.org -or- mail to INLA, 7915 S. Emerson Ave., #247, Indianapolis, IN 46237 INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • MAY/JUNE 2022

27

LOOKING TO PURCHASE EXISTING BUSINESS

ADVERTISERS

Landscape, Lawncare, Tree and Shrub Care, or Irrigation Business in Indianapolis or surrounding counties.

Amigos Recruiting...............................................................10 jim@calvinlandscape.com

Call Jim Calvin, Calvin Landscape 317-247-6316

Blue Grass Farms of Indiana..........................inside front cover www.bluegrassfarms.net Bobcat of Indy................................................................. 9, 17 www.bobcatofindy.com Bowling Nursery..................................................................19 sales@bowlingwholesale.com

Member Benefit

INLA Job Board at www.inla1.org

Brehob Nurseries, LLC.................................outside back cover www.brehobnursery.com

FREE JOB POSTING for INLA members!

Positions are open to any who wish to respond!

Bright Equipment, Inc...........................................................7 www.brightequipmentinc.com Calvin Landscape................................................................30 www.calvinlandscape.com

To post an open position at your company, please email info@inla1.org and send the job description along with how to apply.

Fairview Evergreen Nurseries...............................................24 www.fairviewevergreen.com

Questions? Contact Rick Haggard, 765-366-4994

Forest Commodities, Inc......................................................11 www.fcimulch.com.com Indiana Irrigation Co...........................................................19 www.indianairrigation.com MacAllister Machinery, Inc.....................................................5 www.macallister.com McGavic Outdoor Power.....................................................15 www.mcgavicoutdoorpower.com Millcreek Gardens................................................................24 www.millcreekplants.com Reynolds Farm Equipment.....................................................3 www.reynoldfarmequipment.com Tiffany Lawn and Garden Supply...........................................8 www.tiffanylawnandgarden.com Unilock......................................................... inside back cover www.unilock.com West Side Tractor Sales........................................................23 www.westsidetractorsales.com Woody Warehouse Nursery, Inc.............................................4 www.woodywarehouse.com

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

50 years

of Innovation 1972

FIRST PAVER

UNI-STONE®

Unilock introduces the first paving stone to North America.

1991

FIRST PERMEABLE

UNI ECO-STONE®

“ Innovation is really what makes this company.” ~ Ed Bryant, Unilock Founder

Unilock manufactures the first permeable paver.

1992

FIRST FACEMIX

First to introduce facemix technology to North America.

SERIES™

1993

TUMBLED PAVER BRUSSELS BLOCK®

Unilock starts a new trend with tumbled pavers and walls.

2004

FIRST ULTIMA

First to produce Ultima™ Concrete technology in North America.

50 years ago, our founder had a dream. When Ed Bryant introduced the UNI-Stone paver to the North American market, he essentially established the hardscaping industry here. Since then, we have continued to innovate and grow, paving the way forward for others to follow. From permeable to facemix, tumbling, coatings and textures, Unilock has led the pack. And we’re just

2007

FIRST COATING

UMBRIANO

®

Unilock introduces EasyClean™ Stain Resistance technology.

2018

PATENTED U-CARA

U-CARA ® WALL SYSTEM

Unilock patents the revolutionary U-Cara Multi-Face Wall System.

getting started.

Learn more about our industry-leading product lineup and the personalized support that our Territory Managers have to offer you by connecting with us at 1-800-UNILOCK or UNILOCK.com. We have Boots on the Ground in your area and look forward to meeting you.

Rick Haggard, INLA Executive Director Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association 7915 S. Emerson Ave., Suite 247 Indianapolis, IN 46237 May/June 2022 Address Service Requested

MOTHER NATURE’S FINEST, BEST IN THE MIDWEST For more than 50 years, Brehob has been a leader in growing and supporting the green industry in the Midwest. We are committed to providing top-notch quality material, service, selection and availability. Join us as we continue the Brehob tradition of innovation and growth.

Westfield

Indianapolis

4867 Sheridan Road, Westfield, IN 46026 317.877.0188 or 877.829.0188

4316 Bluff Road, Indianapolis, IN 46217 317.783.3233 of 800.921.3233

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BrehobNursery.com