2011 May/June Landscape Nevada

Official Publication of the Nevada Landscape Association | www.nevadanla.com

JUNE 2011

The Clean Water Act Page 3

Landscape Fertilizer in a Volative Market

Page 9

TMCFC HELPS HOMEOWNERS Page 13

Nevada Landscape Asssoc.

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID RENO, NV PERMIT NO. 00690

Landscape Nevada

P.O. Box 7431 Reno, NV 89510

1

JUNE 2011

www.nevadanla.com

A Letter from the President

W

elcome to this year’s first edition of Landscape Nevada. As we start our 21st year of the NLA I feel that it is time to reflect on 21 years of accomplishments.

We now have a very successful Landscape Industry Certified program (formerly CLT, Certified Landscape Technician). The next test date is June 17th and 18th with a BBQ open to all members and member prospects on the evening of the 17th at Truckee Meadows Community College Dandini Campus.

The golf tournament will be coming up soon, date to be determined.

Trophy awards will be also be coming up soon with our year-end banquet in November.

The trade show will be back after a one-year hiatus on February 15th at the Reno Sparks Convention Center.

The NLA has done, not one, but two economic impact studies which is of tremendous help when we need to go before the legislature to discuss new laws that affect our great industry because of the large economic footprint that the Green Industry has in this state.

Quite frankly, we need your help in making sure that the Nevada Landscape Association continues to do the job that you, our due paying members, want to see happen. We need both new ideas and new participants to continue to be the only state recognized voice of the green industry and to lead us out of the current economic mess we are in. So please help and offer either your time or your ideas.

David Dabner Nevada Landscape Association President

Jesus Cervantes and Andrew Spuehler testing their Irrigation Controller programming skills at the Landscape Industry Certified-Technician test. This year’s exam is scheduled for June 17 and 18. For more information, see pages 6 & 7.

Landscape Nevada

PUBLISHER Nevada Landscape is published by: Kathy Hess, Just Imagine Marketing and Design 775.746.4138; kathy@justimaginemktg.com NEVADA LANDSCAPE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dave Dabner, President, Reno Green Landscaping

775.852.8952

Matt Melarkey, President-Elect, Crop Production Services 775.358.6166 Donna L. Garcia, Treasurer, Meridian Business Advisors 775.827.5300 Jeff Hurlbert, Secretary, Sierra Nevada Landsapes

775.853.4445

Gene Balleweg, Director, John Deere Landscapes

775.358.6800

Rodney Bruns, Director, Pyramid Landscape

775.425.2445

Jason Perry, Director, Western Turf

775.356.8873

Matt Rogers, Director, Reno Lawn and Landscape

775.857.4333

Sara Anderson, Past President, Moana Nursery

775.825.0600

LANDSCAPE NEVADA is the official publication of the Nevada Landscape Association, P.O. Box 7431, Reno, Nevada, 89510, ph. 775.673.0404 or 800.645.9794, fax 775.673.5828, website: www.nevadanla.com, email: nlainfo@nevadanla.com.

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS & SUBMISSIONS Write to Landscape Nevada at the address above or email the editor at kathy@justimaginemktg.com or phone 775.746.4138.

Thank You,

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PUBLISHER

MISSION STATEMENT The Nevada Landscape Association provides leadership by promoting professionalism and integrity within the Green Industry through education, high standards and community involvement. We guide policy and uphold responsible resource management for the beautification and enhancement of our community.

Take a moment and review your membership status with the Nevada Landscape Association on your address label. A month and year is posted indicating affiliation with the NLA. If the line is blank please contact us at 775.673.0404.

The Clean Water Act NPDES Pesticide General Permit Program

By Charles Moses, ES IV Nevada Department of Agriculture

A

s I am sure many of you are aware, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was ordered by the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court to set up a permit program to allow the spraying of chemicals in, over, and near surface water considered to be “Waters of the United States”. This program will be developed and enforced by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection.

Recently, however, the EPA asked for a six month extension on their April 9th deadline for reviewing and issuing permits. The Sixth Circuit Court granted that extension so now the EPA has until October 31, 2011, to finalize the permit program.

The reason the EPA asked for the delay was because almost every state sent in widely varying versions of their proposed permits. Since the EPA has to review and/or disapprove each permit, they realized there would not be enough time to get all the necessary work completed by April 9. EPA is also trying to work out consultation issues with the US Fish and Wildlife Service over threatened and endangered species. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection has yet to finalize their permit. You can visit their site at http://ndep.nv.gov/bwpc/pesticide.htm if you have any questions about this program.

What does all of this mean for you? Well, besides getting an extra season of spraying in before the permits are required, some proposed changes to the permitting process may allow some of you to work under a state-wide “blanket” permit if you apply pesticides under certain linear, acreage, or water body size ”thresholds”. You may also be exempted from some permitting requirements (like the development of the pesticide discharge management plan, or PDMP) if you fit the definition of a small business enterprise.

The EPA plans to have its own permit finalized and all of the state’s permits reviewed or disapproved by July 15th, in time for a 30 day public review period. The entire permit development process must be completed by the October 31, 2011 deadline.

That is unless a bill (HR 872) that was recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives is eventually signed into law. The “Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011” will prevent this whole permitting process from being established by amending the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA’s pesticide regulatory statute.

The EPA permit and more information about the program can be found at www.epa.gov/npdes/pesticides. If you have questions, you may also contact me at the Nevada Department of Agriculture, 775-353-3716, or at cmoses@agri.nv.gov.

University of Nevada Cooperative Extension has moved!

Cooperative Extension has moved to our new location at 4955 Energy Way in Reno as of April 1, 2011. We had been leasing our former Mill Street location from the Truckee Meadows Flood Project, but our lease expired in December 31, 2010 and could not be renewed. The Flood Project has plans to restore that land back to its original function – as a reservoir for floodplain management. That means the land will be reserved for floodcompatible uses, such as enhanced recreation opportunities, river access, and open space. Bottom line - we had to move!

The dust hasn’t yet settled, and it has been challenging, but we are adjusting and beginning to hold educational programs in the Energy Way building. Two programs may be of interest to you. Our newly designed Plant Industry Training Series is held each spring in February. This spring’s series, which consisted of eight 3-hour long classes, is over, so make plans to attend in spring of 2012. An ongoing year-round program is UNCE’s Plant Industry Continuing Education Series. This program is held the second Wednesday of each month from noon to 1:00 p.m., March through November, and provides continuing education opportunities (and CEUs) for green industry members. For further information about these programs, or to be placed on our email list for updates, contact UNCE’s Area Horticulture Specialist, Heidi Kratsch at 775-336-0251 (direct) or 775-7844848 (main line).

For All Your Specialty Turf and Ornamental Needs.

Contact Matt Melarkey | Christina Volsko 855 East Greg, Sparks, NV

775-358-6166 www.nevadanla.com

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From four employees in the 1930s to more

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than 600 skilled representatives, Cashman

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We all wish we aged this well.

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Landscape Industry Certified-Technician

“With so many service providers to choose from, informed customers (and they’re the ones we all want to nurture) should be looking for the professional, the company that can stand behind its work with experienced, trained employees…

That’s where PLANET comes in, with its many resources, and yes, with its newly branded certification program—Landscape Industry Certified.”

Testimonials

Becoming Landscape Industry Certified has increased the awareness within the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority that they have a knowledgeable, qualified individual employed to maintain their valuable landscapes. The certification program was a challenge to obtain but well worth the recognition that I have received from the community as a whole. Since the time that I received my Landscape Industry Certification I have been promoted to the Senior Grounds Maintenance position and have gone on to acquire further certifications to increase my knowledge and value.

Jesus Cervantes, Landscape Industry Certified, CLIA Senior Grounds Maintenance Worker Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority Reno, Nevada To all considering Landscape Industry Certification: I was an irrigation technician when I took the certification exam.

I remember it like it was yesterday. It was a long 2 days, one of written testing, the other of field testing. The field tests were the most stressful to me. It was a long, grueling day, running from module to module. It wasn’t soon after taking the exam that I received a letter in the mail informing me that I had passed and was officially a Certified Landscape Technician.

After receiving my certification, I took a job with one of the largest landscape companies in the area as a production manager. Part of my job is to look for qualified individuals that can be an asset to the company I work for. When I review an employment application and see that an individual is Landscape Industry Certified (formerly CLT), I put them on the top of my priority list to call. I know instantly that the applicant has the skills needed for the job.

These individuals have shown that they have what it takes to perform all aspects needed in the field, not just to me, but also to my peers whom may have judged them when they took their exam.

Not only are they qualified in my eyes, but my clients are more at ease when a Landscape Industry Certified Technician is working on their property because my clients value the certification.

If you are working in the Green Industry and thinking about getting certified, DO IT! Put yourself above all of the other applicants.

Sincerely, Gregg Gehlert, Landscape Industry Certified Starting off in the landscape industry close to twenty-years ago, becoming a Landscape Industry Certified Technician meant you were a part of an elite group of committed landscapers. As an employer, helping employees become certified meant, not only you, but your company was apart of that elite group. Now that I am no longer directly involved in the industry I have the luxury of observing what may benefit the industry as a whole without worrying about how it will affect me personally. What I see, considering that horticulture and agriculture programs are being cut from colleges and tuition costs are increasing, the Landscape Industry Certification Program will be needed more today then ever before. It will help provide an option to both employer and employee to hire and employ people that may not have the opportunity to attend college.

Sean Gephart, Landscape Industry Certified Agriculturalist III Nevada Department of Agriculture

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Landscape Nevada

— Bill Hildebolt, Ph.D., Landscape Industry Certified Manager & Technician, past president of PLANET (Source: PLANET News, February 2010)

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t NDOT we have recently incorporated into our special provisions for new projects the requirement for landscape personnel and irrigation personnel to be “Landscape Industry Certified” as conferred by the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET). Jim Stanhouse, a test administrator with Nevada Landscape Association presented the Certified Technician program at an ASLA meeting to educate landscape architects on the program. Having trained and certified personnel on our projects ultimately saves time and money. I believe the program will reduce costly mistakes, re-work and gives an owner more confidence in who he has hired. Knowing that your project has a superintendant that not only is qualified but values the landscape profession enough to gain education and training on the correct way to plant a tree or install a backflow preventer or how to place tree stakes based on prevailing winds is important. The NDOT Landscape Architecture section is currently updating the standard specifications for landscape and irrigation and will definitely use the language provided by the Nevada Landscape Association requiring landscape personnel be trained and certified.

John L. L’Etoile,

ASLA, RLA #702

Sr. Landscape Architect Nevada Department of Transportation

I

would like to express the tremendous value in the Nevada Landscape Association’s Landscape Industry Certified program. As the Carson City Contract Urban Forester for 14 years, I saw the good and not so good involving landscape installations. Because of the high number of poor installations, approximately 8 years ago Carson City developed uniform landscape installation specifications and details. Following the adoption of the specifications, the inspections performed during a project that was installed by a Landscape Industry Certified Technician exhibited improved installations with minimal final punch lists. The companies with Landscape Industry Certified supervisor’s and/or employees displayed the knowledge to understand and follow the Carson City landscape specifications.

The Landscape Industry Certified employee typically has been interested in learning while in the field and willing to share their knowledge with the inspector. Supporting the Nevada Landscape Association’s Landscape Industry Certified program and encouraging employees to become certified can only increase professionalism and positive results of a quality landscape installation.

Molly Sinnott American Society of Consulting Arborists Consulting ISA Certified Arborist #WE-0369A

GET CERTIFIED! ASK ABOUT OUR $100 TEST DISCOUNTS

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Earn Your Certificate In One or All Five Designations

(1) Softscape Installation

(4) Turfgrass Installation

(2) Hardscape Installation (5) Ornamental Maintenance (3) Irrigation

Next Test June 17 - 18, 2011 Landscape Industry Certified Technician - Exterior (formerly known as CLT-E)

PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT  INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRY RECOGNITION  CLIENT RECOGNITION 

CAREER ADVANCEMENT  REQUIREMENT OF MANY COMMERCIAL & MUNICIPAL JOBS 

Benefit to You

ation enhances your professionalism! www.NevadaNLA.com

o you may include: o you may include:

For test application and more information, visit the NLA web site & click on the “Certification” tab. Or call Jim Stanhouse at 775-673-0404 or email jim@nevadanla.com.

e of personal achievement. sed respect and recognition in the industry or profession. sed professional credibility among customers and

Test Application

June 17 & 18, 2011

TMCC, Reno, NV

Test Fees

Applicant / Personal Information Name ________________________________________

Home Address

NLA or PLANET member………………$225 for each test Pay for four tests and receive the fifth test FREE! Non-members……………………………$300 for each test

Retest Fees

Street/P.O. Box_________________________________ City____________________State______Zip__________

Member Retest fees are $70 plus $10 per problem.

Example: Retest + one problem………………….…. $80 Non-member Retest fees are $85 plus $10 per problem.

Example: Retest + one problem:……………………. $95

Phone (___) ____________ Fax (___) ______________ email_________________________________________

Training Manuals: highly recommended to assist you

Work Address

O Member………$60 O Non-Member…$80

Company Name________________________________ Street/P.O. Box_________________________________ City____________________State______Zip__________ Phone (___) ____________ Fax (___) ______________ email_________________________________________ Release results to………….. O Applicant

O Employer

Signature: ____________________________________

Please register me for the following designation: (Check one only)

O O O O O

Softscape Installation Hardscape Installation Turfgrass Maintenance Ornamental Maintenance Irrigation

Retest Problems _____________________________ Year you entered the Green Industry

(To become Landscape Industry Certified, PLANET recommends that you have a minimum of 2,000 hours work experience. Please check your work experience.) _____ 1 year (2,000 hour minimum)

O Installation

O Irrigation

O Maintenance

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations received prior to the Deadline date will be refunded the registration fee minus a $25 administration fee and $25 for the test book.

Cancellations received after the Deadline date receives no refund.

Deadline: Application must be postmarked or faxed

by May 31, 2011.

Application/ Payment Information: Please return

application with check made payable to the Nevada Landscape Association, or provide credit card information below, to Nevada Landscape Association P.O. Box 7431, Reno, NV 89510-7431 Fax (775) 673-5828

IMPORTANT! O Check if you would like the Test Book in Spanish.

O Check if you require special testing accommodations.

O Check if you are retaking this test.

_____ 5- 10 years

in preparation for the test.

_____ 2-5 years _____ 10+ years

Credit card information: Please charge my Visa ________ MasterCard ________ Credit Card #: __________________________________ Expiration Date: _________ 3 digit security code ______ Total Amount Authorized: ___________ Name on Card: _________________________________ Signature: ____________________________________

Questions?

Contact Jim Stanhouse, Test Administrator via phone at (775) 673-0404 or e-mail Jim@nevadanla.com.

New Members TruGreen We got our start in Lansing, Michigan way back in 1973. As long as we can remember we’ve been in love with dirt, even the stuff underneath our fingernails, and all the lush green lawns that healthy soil supports.

In 1990, we were scooped up by ServiceMaster®, and moved our home base to Memphis to join a larger family of brands. We continued to serve our base of satisfied customers, and in 1992, became the largest professional lawn care provider in the nation.

Fast forward to today. Combined with our commercial unit, TruGreen Landcare, we’re serving more than 3.4 million residential and commercial customers across the U.S. Those are big numbers, admittedly, but we take pride in building personal relationships with each and every homeowner, and each and every lawn. All of our lawn specialists are tenured fulltime employees who must complete a rigorous training program before they can be certified

by TruGreen.

As the current industry leader, we’re able to lead in the research and development of new technologies for lawn care. We’re always looking for more efficient and environmentally friendly ways to care for our customer’s grass, trees, and shrubs. In fact, many of our responsible practices have managed to influence regulatory policies, helping shape the lawn care industry as a whole.

I’m Chris Cherney, the Las Vegas general manager. I have worked with TruGreen for 14 years, starting at the Research & Development Center in Columbus, Ohio. I relocated to Las Vegas in 2001 and have been general manager for this location ever since. I have been married for 15 years and have three kids, all boys, and a dog. My wife and I stay active in the community through volunteer work and teaching. My wife is a kindergarten teacher and I teach Horticulture at CSN. Having owned a home in Southern Nevada for the last 10 years, I understand the challenges our environment puts on trying to maintain a vibrant landscape.

Working closely with the University of Nevada Extension Service and our in-house technical staff, we have developed a program that will maximize your landscape’s health and beauty.

Garden Shop at Caughlin Ranch/Whitby’s at Home The Garden Shop at Caughlin Ranch and Whitby’s at Home has been rooted in Reno, Nevada since 1972. From the start our goal was clear...to build a business by offering exceptional plant material and personalized service.

Our diversified garden center has the finest retail facility in the area. Our reputation for quality products, plant knowledge and customer service has become the hallmark of our success after 39 years.

Garden Shop Nursery is locally owned and operated by Ed Bath, a fifth generation Nevadan. Mr. Bath’s extensive knowledge and experience of the green industry sprouted from the bottom up.

Garden Shop Nursery holds the distinction of being the only Master Nursery Garden Center in Reno and Sparks, as well as a member of Garden Centers of American, Nevada Landscape Assoication, Reno Sparks Chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau.

www.nevadanla.com

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Landscape Fertilizer in a Volatile Market

O

ne of the largest, expenses that a landscape company has to manage is the cost of fertilizer. It seems as if the cost changes almost daily, and unfortunately, this is the case. It is important to understand what drives the constantly fluctuating fertilizer market, so that the landscape operator can best manage costs throughout the year. I want to address some of the factors affecting the fertilizer market and provide some tools to help all landscapers be more successful with their fertilizer programs.

How many of you out there are concerned with corn, soybeans, cotton or wheat? Most of you are probably not concerned in the least and are wondering what these crops have to do with the landscape market. Well, these crops are the primary driving force of fertilizer prices, not just nationally, but globally. According to the United States Department of Agriculture data for 2010, these four crops account for 74.6% of all of the farm acreage harvested in the United States, roughly 223,151,700 acres. To put another way, this is about three times the acreage of the entire state of Nevada.

The simplest of economic principles is the law of supply and demand. Nothing describes the fluctuating fertilizer prices better than this law. As the farm acreage of nutritionally demanding crops increases, so does the demand for fertilizer to sustain growth. As the fertilizer demand increases, the supply of available fertilizer decreases, and the prices climb accordingly. Finally, the nutrient that is most affected by these supply and demand curves is nitrogen. Consequently, nitrogen is the single most important nutrient responsible for plant growth. The tumblers begin to fall into place…

The landscape industry is definitely a user of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, but is at the mercy of the commodity crops and their nutritional needs. I hate clichés, but to use one that fits, “the tail don’t wag the dog”. We, as an industry, are forced to deal with the cost as it rises and falls, sometimes monthly. So we are intrinsically tied to the ebb and flow of the row crops that seem so unrelated to the landscape industry in our small corner of the world.

I wouldn’t be telling the whole truth if I tried to convince you that all of the cost of fertilizer was dictated by the corn harvest. There are many more factors that contribute to the cost of fertilizer; natural gas, fuel prices, import taxes and tariffs and cost of production. Natural gas is one of the most efficient forms of energy, and also one of the cheapest for use by industry. A great deal of heat energy is required to make pelletized fertilizer, energy almost exclusively obtained through natural gas. Another piece to this puzzle is that the natural gas costs in the United States have climbed drastically over the past 10 years, requiring manufacturers to seek international locations for their plants. We have seen the United States move from a primary exporter of fertilizer to a primary importer of fertilizer for this reason, thus accruing more cost in the way of import taxes and tariffs. Lastly, since there are only

By Matt Melarkey

a handful of domestic blending and production facilities, fertilizer cost is very much tied to freight and the cost of fuel.

Many of you remember the fertilizer disaster that was 2008. Fertilizer costs skyrocketed; the price of Nitrogen alone increased 300-400% in some cases. Fuel prices soared to levels never seen before. These changes happened in the course of less than a year, leaving many people reeling and trying to figure out how to keep their customers lawns green. Supplier costs changed so dramatically that two pallets of fertilizer sitting side-by-side in the warehouse, ordered only weeks apart, would vary in price by hundreds of dollars. The fertilizer market has never been the same and we have had to adapt.

So how does the landscape operator deal with the ever changing prices in the fertilizer market? Here are some tools that will keep your costs down and your business on the crest of the fertilizer wave.

• Develop a relationship with your fertilizer vendor of choice. They

are on the front lines of the market and see the fluctuations in costs as they are happening. They can help you to plan out your purchases to maximize the value of your hard earned dollar.

• Develop a comprehensive fertilizer plan that takes advantage of

both quick and slow release forms of nitrogen. This enables you to cut down on spreader trips over the same areas, thus saving you money not only on fertilizer, but also on labor.

• Use only high quality fertilizers that are going to perform as they

state. Remember that cheap products may end up costing you much more in the long run. Incorrect release and multiple pellet blends (more than three) mean that your overall efficiency decreases as correct nutrition is not applied evenly.

• Piggy back applications of fertilizer with such pesticide treatments

as insecticidal soil drenches and foliar sprays or combination fertilizer/pre-emergent herbicide products.

• Calibrate fertilizer spreaders often and teach applicators how to calibrate as well.

• Order fertilizer in large quantities early during periods of rising prices and order only what you need in periods of falling prices.

Hopefully this has provided some insight into the moving target of fertilizer markets, purchasing and application. I know that it can be a frustrating thing to deal with when margins are tight. In any case, there are a lot of great local resources out there, so seek them out and plan ahead. If anything is certain, it is that the moment you think you have a good fertilizer number, it’ll change.

www.nevadanla.com

9

R IT’S OU

20 Anniversary! th

Celebration BBQ! June 17, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.

The Board of Directors of the on Nevada Landscape Associati cordially invites all Business Owners, Managers and Supervisors to our 20th Anniversary Celebration Truckee Meadows Community R.S.V.P. 673-0404 or College’s Dandini Campus info@nevadanla.com (Located at the Landscape Industry Certified-Technician permanent exam site)

WWW.NEVADANLA.COM 10

Landscape Nevada

www.nevadanla.com

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T ruc k ee M eadows W ater A uthorit y

Encourages Responsible Water Use with Assigned-Day Watering Schedule

T

he Conservation staff at Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) always encourages responsible water use, especially when it comes to lawn and landscape care. There are numerous benefits of lawn areas – it provides a safe place for children and pets to play, it cools homes and yards, and reduces energy bills if strategically placed. That said, TMWA wants to help you keep your customers and clients informed on the most water-efficient methods to keeping a lawn beautiful and healthy, while using this precious resource responsibly.

As landscapers in the Truckee Meadows know, deep, intermittent watering works best in our dry climate because it promotes deeper roots that survive hot weather. Light, frequent watering tends not to be recommended because it encourages shallow roots that can dry out quickly, especially on a hot summer day.

In 2010, with more than 90 percent of TMWA customers metered, twice-a-week watering was no longer a requirement. With our community conservation agreement met, customers have three assigned days to choose from and may water on only one, two or up to all three of their assigned days. Not only is TMWA’s Assigned-Day watering schedule good for the water system by helping to level off peak days, but it helps to encourage deep root growth for stronger, healthier turf. Remember if the last number of a home or business address is:

12

• •

Even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8), water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9), water on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Landscape Nevada

Please remind your customers to never water when it’s windy or during the heat of the day. Not only can this burn a lawn, but evaporation is high, so most water is not retained by the lawn. In addition, TMWA rules and ordinances prohibit watering between noon and 6 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day. In our high-desert climate, clay-based soil takes longer to absorb water – five to six times as long as the sandy soils found in other parts of the West. Since most sprinklers are designed to deliver water faster than our soil can absorb it, we hope you’ll recommend that your customers use the “Water & Wait” method to help the soil better absorb the water:

Water…

Water until puddles form or just before runoff begins. Then turn off the sprinklers. For sloped yards where runoff begins within minutes, TMWA recommends short run times more often through the watering day.

& Wait Let the water soak down to the roots, waiting about an hour or two before repeating this process until water reaches a depth of six to eight inches.

Measure by inserting a screwdriver into the soil. It will easily go in as deep as there is moisture.

Be sure to visit www.tmwa.com/adw for more helpful tips on assigned-day watering!

Nevada Shade Tree Council Lisa Ortega

NSTC Past President, City Urban Forester, Henderson

Greg Deuley

TruGreen Landcare Arborist & Water, Las Vegas

Tony Dietz

Past Urban and Stewardship Forester, NV Div. Forestry, Elko

Matthew Haro

Sales Arborist, Davey Tree Expert Co., Las Vegas

Bill Carlos

Washoe Co. Horticulturist, May Arboretum & Botanical Garden, Reno

Eric Howes

Director of Parks & Recreation, City of Elko

Truckee Meadows Community Forestry Coalition

Helps Homeowners Care for their Trees

W

hen working with your clients, you may see a need to provide them with tools to support your work. The Truckee Meadows Community Forestry Coalition can help you in those efforts. The Coalition’s mission is to enhance the protection and preservation of the region’s community forest, including both public and privately-owned trees through education, demonstration, research and conservation. The Coalition does that by providing residents with materials, workshops and free consultations on proper tree care and management.

The Coalition has several tools available at its website, www.communityforestry.org. For most homeowners, springtime is when planting new trees tends to be top of mind, and in that spirit, the Coalition recently released a “Recommended List of Trees” to help residents choose the best trees for our area, and ensure longevity of these newly-planted trees. The list was developed by the Coalition’s team of certified arborists. It details the attributes, benefits and specific needs of more than 70 different species of trees suitable for the high-desert climate of the Truckee Meadows. On the website, there is also an entire section dedicated to planting new trees, which covers all the basics: when, where and how to plant a new tree – and of course how to choose the right tree for the right place.

For those homeowners who simply wish to take better care of their existing trees, the website has a Seasonal Tree Care Guide, and a Tree Evaluation Checklist available for download. The seasonal guide is just that – it helps residents decide when the best time to irrigate, prune, plant, fertilize and treat for pests. The checklist walks residents through what an arborist would look for when evaluating a tree, and lets them know when it’s time to call a certified arborist.

Certified arborists are vital to the community-wide education efforts of the Community Forestry Coalition, because proper tree care is not always obvious. The Coalition provides free consultations to residents of the Truckee Meadows in order to help them have a better understanding of what their trees need to thrive in our area, ultimately improving our community forest.

The Coalition website defines a Certified Arborist as someone who has a level of knowledge about trees and tree care, and has passed an exam developed by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Some Certified Arborists have more extensive knowledge from their years of experience working with trees, through continuing education, and through degrees and certifications earned in related fields. The website also underscores the importance of hiring a certified arborist and provides tips for homeowners to consider when doing so.

For more tips and tools to help your customers and clients care for their trees, visit www. communityforestry.org.

Steven Phillips

Parks Superintendent, Incline Village General Improvement District

Molly Sinnott

NSTC President, Consulting Certified Arborist, Carson City

John Crandell

Past City of Reno Tree Inspector, Reno

Tina McKeand

Davey Tree Service

Bill Bowers

NSTC Treasurer, Reno

Dick Post

Past President, Retired Cooperative Extension, Reno

Forest Schafer

NSTC Secretary, North Lake Tahoe Fire

M.L. Robinson

Cooperative Extension, Las Vegas

Helen Stone

Southwest Trees & Turf, Las Vegas

Clint Wertz Mike Verchick Tammi A. Gaudet

Executive Secretary, Las Vegas

Susan Stead

NDF Ex-officio, Carson City

Adria DeCorte

NDF Ex-officio Las Vegas

Teri Knight

Ex-officio, USDA NRCS, Las Vegas

www.nevadanla.com

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calendar of events Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (WCISA) 77th Annual Conference and Tradeshow May 11–13, 2011 Regency La Jolla at Aventine, San Diego, CA For more Information visit www.wcisa.net National Hardware Tradeshow May 10–12, 2011 Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV www.nationalhardwareshow.com Spring 2011 Landscape Industry Certified Training Seminar May 12, 2011 | 5:15–7 pm TMWA, 1355 Capital Blvd, Reno, NV Reservations: Jim Stanhouse, Test Administrator, 857-4333 ext 102 Free Basic Math for the Green Industry (Spanish and English) May 10: Basic Math: 5–8 pm Western Nevada Supply, 950 South Rock Blvd, Sparks, NV May 17: Area and Volume Calculations I: 5–8 pm Western Nevada Supply May 24: Area and Volume Calculations II: 5–8 pm Western Nevada Supply May 31: Overview, 5–8 pm Western Nevada Supply For more information: International Professional Development Services (IPDS) 775-787-2000 Desert Horticulture Conference May 20, 2011 “Celebrating 20 Years” of Excellence in Horticulture Education Tucson Convention Center, Tucson, Arizona http:/ag.arizona.edu/deserthort or call Jack Kelly, 520-626-5161 California Grown Show/Nursery Mart June 8, 2011 Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA www.californiagrownshow.com Landscape Industry Certified Exam June 17 & 18, 2011 TMCC Dandini Campus, Reno, Nevada For test application and more information: www.nevadanla.com click on “Certification” or call 775-674-0404 Business Expo 2011: Tradeshow and Networking Event June 22, 2011 World Market Center, Las Vegas, NV www.LVChamber.com 2011 Water Conference: Irrigation Association July 21–22, 2011 Broomfield, CO www.irrigation.org/waterconference

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Landscape Nevada

American Nursery &Landscape Association August 22–24, 2011 “More Than Just a Tour”, Portland, OR More details available in May 39th Annual Far West Tradeshow: Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN) August 25–27, 2011 Portland, OR www.farwest.com; 503-682-5089 Plantscape Industry Expo August 30–September 1, 2011 South Point Hotel, Las Vegas, NV www.piagrows.org Landscape Industry Certified Exam September 30–October 1, 2011 Sacramento, CA www.landcarenetwork.org WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition October 5-7, 2011 Las Vegas, NV www.WaterSmartInnovations.com 2011 Hardscape North America October 27–29, 2011 Louisville, KY Early registration $10 www gie-expo.com Green Industry Conference October 26–29, 2011 Kentucky Expo Center, Louisville, KY For more information email joanhaller@landcarenetwork.org

GIE-Expo (Green Industry & Equipment) October 27–29, 2011 Louisville, KY www.gie-expo.com Nevada Landscape Association Annual Conference and Tradeshow February 15, 2012 Reno Sparks Convention Center, Reno, NV Details to come...

2011 Nevada Landscape Association Conference

A

lthough the Nevada Landscape Association did not hold their annual tradeshow this year, the 2011 Conference was well attended at the TMCC Redfield Campus on the South end of Reno. The new location provided an informal and more intimate event.

The attendees sought Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) in Arboriculture and Pesticide application. Next year we hope to provide CEU’s for paver installation and other professional certifications.

The Nursery Professionals listened to speakers knowledgeable in new plant introductions, running a green industry business, sustainable landscaping, low impact design, tree selection and proper planting techniques. Paul Hathway from Pacific Interlock Paving gave a demonstration on permeable pavers.

Pesticide Applicators and Operators listened to speakers well informed in vertebrates, weed identification and control, organic pesticides, spray adjuvants, plant diseases, and pesticide law. Sean Gephart, from the Nevada Department of Agriculture and a Landscape Industry Certified Technician educated the attendees about worker safety.

Arborists heard speakers educated in firescaping, trees that meet American Nursery Standards, Care for Young trees in the landscape, trees of the Urban Forest and managing tree inventories. Molly Sinnott of Sinnott Consulting and Kathy Kosta with the California Department of Agriculture provided the attendees with excellent arboricultural knowledge on tree diagnostics.

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension provided speakers for the Irrigation Track, which included topics on designing a water efficient landscape, water efficient plant palette, evapotranspiration controllers and two wire controllers, and the good and bad of irrigation systems in the Truckee Meadows. Dr. Kelly Koop from Utah State University travelled from the frozen tundra to experience Nevada’s pre-spring warm up and was pleasantly surprised. Dr. Koop is an associate professor in water conservation and a turfgrass specialist. She provided knowledge on efficient turf areas and costs and benefits of water efficient landscapes, both of which are important to living in the desert.

A special thanks to the Conference Committee for their hard work and willingness to make this event successful. See you February 15th, 2012 at the 21st Annual Nevada Landscape Association Tradeshow and Conference.

Nevada Landscape Association

Trade Show 2012 Our 2012 Trade show will be held at the Reno Sparks Convention Center on February 15, 2012. We will have a new and improved venue in 2012.

The NLA held it’s Educational Seminars this year at the TMCC Redfield campus and we will continue this in 2012 with an expanded curriculum in 2012. We will be adding and additional track to include paver installation to qualify for the ICPI credits needed for Concrete Paver license in Nevada.

Plan on attending the NLA Trade Show and Educational Seminars on February 12, 2012. Look for upcoming information and registration information on our web site and in our publication Landscape Nevada.

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More of what

Horizon Distributors continues to grow with the acquisition of Las Vegas-based Turf Equipment Supply Company–a longtime leading provider of irrigation products and services in the Las Vegas market.

We will continue to deliver more of what YOU NEED in professional lawn care and turf management, by staying consistent with: n

The same hours, same service, same faces.

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Our commitment to the superior customer service you’re used to.

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A greater opportunity to serve you in the Southwest.

Lets grow our relationship...stop by your local Nevada store or visit us online to learn more.

Join us! Search Horizon Distributors

irrigation | specialty | landscape | equipment

800.PVC.TURF | HorizonOnline.com Your local Horizon stores: Henderson: 702.435.9471 371 Julia Street | Henderson, NV 89104

Las Vegas North: 702.656.8150 6164 W Alexander | Las Vegas, NV 89108

Las Vegas Central: 702.873.2468 4022 Ponderosa Way | Las Vegas, NV 89118

Las Vegas: 702.362.4224 8298 Arville St., Ste. 101 | Las Vegas, NV 89139

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Next issue is July 2011 Available online with links to all advertiser’s websites

For more infoRMATION OR TO RESERVE SPACE: Call Kathy Hess 775.746.4138 office | kathy@justimaginemktg.com

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