Tennessee Greentimes - Winter 2012

VOL. 13/NO. 4

Winter 2012

Re-Blooming Plants Offer Great Value for Extending Seasonal Landscape Appeal

Special Inside!

TNLA Gatherings Coming Up Soon — Tennessee Green Industry Expo and TNLA Winter Education & Exhibits

The Secrets to

Successful Sod

Installation

Table of Contents

Turf Talk Secrets to Successful Sod Installation

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VOL. 13/NO. 4

Winter 2012

in the Landscape Re-Blooming Plants Offer Great Value

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OTHER FEATURES UPCOMING EVENT Tennessee Green Industry Expo, January 3–4, Nashville, TN . ................................10 UPCOMING EVENT TNLA Winter Education & Exhibits, February 18–19, Pigeon Forge, TN ..............12 NEWS FROM TSU Meet Our New Faculty Members.................................................................................28

DEPARTMENTS From the President, Michael Kassees................................................................................6 Industry News......................................................................................................................8 Calendar of Events............................................................................................................29 TNLA New Members........................................................................................................30 Index of Advertisers..........................................................................................................30

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Career Enhancement 8 Ways to be Memorable at Networking Events

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The Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association serves its members in the industry through education, promotion and representation. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, Tennessee Green Times, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this quarterly publication. Copyright ©2012 by the Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association. Tennessee Green Times is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association Third-class postage is paid at Nashville, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: Tennessee Green Times allows reprinting of material. Permission requests should be directed to the Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association.

We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs.

Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524.

From the President Michael Kassees

What Business

Are You In?

B

ack in the late 1940s and 1950s, the Big Top Peanut Butter company was very popular in segments of the South and Mid-Atlantic. From what I have heard, the peanut butter was very good, and it was packaged in a beautiful, wide-mouthed decorative jar with a circus logo sticker and a lid that resembled a circus tent (thus, the name Big Top).

Sales were so good that the company decided to take on the mighty Skippy and Jif brands in the northeastern part of the country. A couple of the major grocery distribution warehouses said they would push the product with one change — Big Top’s jar design made it too big, and only 11 jars could fit in a case. This would throw off inventory numbers because all products handled were sold in cases of 12 or 24. Big Top went back and redesigned the jar to meet standards and prepared for Peanut Butter War. At first, the introduction went well. Sales started dropping, however, not only in the Northeast but also all over the company’s sales territory. The executives couldn’t understand what had happened. Desperately, they hired a marketing specialist from Georgia Tech to solve their problem.

His results were astounding. He explained to them that they were not in the peanut butter business. Big Top was in the glass cup business. Housewives across the country didn’t care about the peanut butter. These housewives, who were brought up in the Great Depression and lived through the shortages of World War II, loved to use the beautifully decorated jar for their dinner glasses. When Big Top changed the jar to fit the case, they had eliminated their true number-one product, the glass cup.

So, what business are you truly in? At the TNLA, we feel that we are in the business of being your voice. We represent your nursery and/or landscape business to state and national government, and we advertise our industry to other states and countries. I can say without a doubt that TNLA staff members Louree Walker and Pam Stern work diligently for you, and I would like to thank them for making my year as president a joyous experience.

I would also like to thank the TNLA board members for the hours they put in to the cause.

And, finally, thank you for this opportunity to represent you. This has been a greatly rewarding experience.

TNLA Would like to

Thank the following companies for being

Membership Sponsors Gold Membership Sponsors Barky Beaver Mulch & Soil Mix, Inc. BWI of Memphis Envirotexx, LLC Randall Walker Farms Swafford Nursery, Inc.

Michael Kassees

Tennessee 811

2012 TNLA President

Silver Membership Sponsors Allen Landscape Management, LLC

Don’t Miss The

Common Grounds Landscape Management, Inc.

TNLA Business Meeting!

Stowers Cat Triple SSS Farm Warren County Nursery

Monday, February 18 (during TNLA’s Winter Education Program) 12:30 p.m. | Music Road Convention Center | Pigeon Forge, TN

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The Tennessee Greentimes is the official publication of The Tennessee Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. 115 Lyon Street McMinnville, Tennessee 37110 (931) 473-3951 Fax (931) 473-5883 www.tnla.com Email: mail@tnla.com Published by Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718 Fax (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedge communications.com Editors Dr. Bill Klingeman Dr. Amy Fulcher Associate Editors Dr. Donna Fare Dr. Nick Gawel Mr. Mark Halcomb Dr. Frank Hale Mr. Gray Haun Dr. John Sorochan TNLA Officers President Michael Kassees Forest Nursery Co., Inc. 1st Vice President Bill Seaton TruGreen LandCare 2nd Vice President Matt Dawson Natural Creations, LLC 3rd Vice President Tony Graham Tractor Supply Company Secretary-Treasurer Randall Walker Randall Walker Farms Associate Director Mary (Strong) Pennington Landscape Support Services Ex-Officio John Watson, CLP Common Grounds Landscape Mgmt.

Executive Director Louree Walker Administrative Assistant Pam Stern

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Industry News

Syngenta Acquires Insecticide Business from DuPont Professional Products

In

early October 2012, Syngenta announced that it had closed the acquisition of the DuPont Professional Products insecticide business.

As a result of this transaction, Syngenta now owns industry-leading insecticide brands Altriset®, Advion®, Arilon®, Acelepryn®, Calteryx® and Provaunt®. A number of DuPont Professional Products employees have also joined Syngenta.

“These key assets will provide the Lawn & Garden Turf and Landscape business with new offerings and capabilities to scale our business so that we can meet the needs of our growing customer base,” stated Tim Kroenke, head of Syngenta Lawn and Garden North America. “With the addition of these recognized brands, Syngenta can address critical customer

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needs in the professional turf and pest control markets with an expanded portfolio of industry-leading, proven technology.”

Scott Reasons, head of Turf & Landscape North America, concurred.

“The closing of the acquisition provides Syngenta with new capabilities to build upon our strong pest-management heritage with next-generation chemistry and expand our leadership position in turf.

We are excited about the range of offerings and additional capabilities we can now provide our customers.” In addition to targeting the professional turf- and pest-management markets, Syngenta will pursue adjacent market opportunities in ornamental horticulture and the consumer space. The closing price for the acquisition was $125 million. C

Upcoming Event

The Event For All Your Horticulture Needs.

3 Great Business Management Speakers:

Jeffrey Scott

Phill Harwood

Larry Mersereau, CTC

For additional information contact the Tennessee Nursery & Landscape Association, 931-473-3951.

The

Tennessee Nursery & Landscape Association is excited to be returning to Tennessee for the first Tennessee Green Industry Expo.

The TNGIE will be held on January 3-4, 2013, at the Nashville Convention Center.

Already, more than 100 exhibitors are slated to display their products and services at the Expo. Setup for exhibitors will be Wednesday, January 2, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The tradeshow will be held on Thursday, January 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, January 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Additionally, several educational sessions will be held for attendees. See program details on the next page.

Located in the heart of downtown, the Nashville Convention Center is surrounded by numerous restaurants, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, the Ryman Auditorium, LP Field (home of the TN Titans) and the Bridgestone Arena (home of the Nashville Predators). You will not need to leave downtown to entertain clients.

The Tennessee green industry is always looking for plants, new equipment, products and services, and having a show in the center of the state will make it more affordable for companies to send their buyers for these products. The Nashville

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International Airport, serviced by every major airline, is only 15 minutes from the Nashville Convention Center and provides direct service to nearly 100 cities.

We look forward to seeing you at the first Tennessee Green Industry Expo!

Our keynote speakers Business-growth author, speaker and seminar presenter, Larry Mersereau, CTC, is head of PromoPower Presentations & Publishing, helping small businesses create killer marketing and advertising. A professional speaker since 1993, he has addressed over 1,000 audiences throughout the western hemisphere, always with the same mission — to get business growing. He is the author of four books on marketing and advertising.

Phil Harwood is the founder, president and CEO of Pro-Motion Consulting and the creator of The Pro-Motion Experience, a proven system designed to promote organizational health. In addition, he is actively engaged with clients throughout North America as a management consultant, coach, speaker and trainer. His passion is reflected in Pro-Motion Consulting’s mission: to improve organizational health, profitability and sustainability.

Jeffrey Scott, MBA, is a professional speaker and business consultant in the green industry. He is author of hundreds

of articles and two books, The Referral Advantage and The Leader’s Edge. At age 34, he took over his family’s designbuild-maintain landscape business and built it into a $10 million enterprise.

He now facilitates PEER GROUPS for landscape business owners who want to transform and grow their business. C

CEU Points 3 CEU points have been assigned for Thursday’s Session A in Categories 3, 10 and 12. For Friday’s Session A, 3 CEU points have been assigned in Categories 3, 10 and 12. Since these sessions on both days are concurrent with Session B, you must choose the session you will attend.

Expo Host Hotels Renaissance Hotel (attached to the Convention Center) 611 Commerce St. • 615-255-8400 Holiday Inn Express (3 blocks from Convention Center, with shuttle service available) 920 Broadway • 615-244-0150

Expo Education Program Thursday, January 3, 2013

Friday, January 4, 2013

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Tradeshow Open

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Tradeshow Open

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Stand Out! Differentiate or Disappear Speaker: Larry Mersereau, PromoPower CONCURRENT SESSIONS A 2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

A1. Creating Screens with Pest-Resistant Plants** Presenter: Carol Reese, The University of Tennessee

3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

A2. IPM Principles for Nurseries & Landscapes** Presenter: Dr. Amy Fulcher, The University of Tennessee 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

A3. Constructing Green Roofs Resistant to Disease & Pests** Presenter: Scott McGaughy, Landscape Support Services CONCURRENT SESSION B 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

B1. The Ultimate Account Manager Presenter: Phil Harwood, Pro-Motion Consulting

7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast Nashville Convention Center KEYNOTE PRESENTATION 8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.

Successful Networking Is a Lifestyle, Not a Mode Speaker: Jeffrey Scott, Jeffrey Scott Consulting CONCURRENT SESSIONS A 9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

A4. An Overview of 40 Years of Plant Pest Treatments: Where We Have Been and Where We Are Going** Presenter: Jim Cortese, Tree Injection Products Co. 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

A5. Insect CSI: Is It a Mystery?** Presenter: David Cook, Univ. of Tennessee Extension 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

A6. Hot Topics on Ornamental Insects** Presenter: Dr. Frank Hale, The University of Tennessee CONCURRENT SESSION B 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

B2. Winning the Price Wars: How to Sell Value and Win More Clients in the New Economy Presenter: Jeffrey Scott, Jeffrey Scott Consulting

** CEU Points

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Upcoming Event

TNLA

Winter Education & Exhibits February 18–19, 2013 Music Road Convention Center | Pigeon Forge, TN

TNLA’s

Winter Education and Exhibits will be held February 18–19, 2013, at the Music Road Convention Center in Pigeon Forge. What a great opportunity for you to spend some time in beautiful Pigeon Forge and listen to industry professionals discuss issues and opportunities for your business! If you have not attended this event in the past, you’ve really missed out — this event is only a day and a half, but it is focused on your business. Come listen to experts, and see what new products that industry suppliers have to offer.

Our keynote speakers Douglas W. Tallamy, Ph.D., is a professor and chair of the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware, where he has written more than 65 research articles and has taught insect taxonomy, behavioral ecology and other subjects. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways that insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities. He is the author of Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants and The New American Landscape: Leading Voices on the Future of Sustainable Gardening.

Returning as a keynote speaker this year is long-time TNLA member and 2008 TNLA Hall of Fame inductee Don Shadow, owner of Shadow Nursery in Winchester, TN. Don has traveled throughout the United States and many parts of the world, acquiring plants that have become an important part of horticulture throughout many areas of the country. He focuses on species and cultivars that he describes as “new and useful.” C

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Pesticide Recertification Points One pesticide recertification point in C3, C10 and C12 has been assigned to the educational session with ** after its title. Ten credits may be obtained by attending ten sessions. Since four of the sessions are concurrent sessions, you must choose the session you will attend (only one point can be earned per time slot).

TNLA Winter Education HOST HOTELS Music Road Hotel and Music Road Inn Pigeon Forge, TN Room rates will be $74 for Standard Rooms and $79 for Suites.

Call 800-429-7700 to make reservations for either hotel.

Monday, February 18 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

REGISTRATION 8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Michael Kassees, TNLA President, and Dr. Douglas Airhart, Tennessee Tech University and TNLA Education Chair

KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS 8:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

A1. How Landscaping Plant Selection Impacts Pest Populations and Pest Management** Presenter: Dr. Doug Tallamy, University of Delaware 9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

A2. Flora and Fauna as Only Don Can Explain Presenter: Mr. Don Shadow, Shadow Nursery, Winchester, TN 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

BREAK WITH TRADESHOW EXHIBITORS

Tuesday, February 19 6:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast at the Music Road Hotel and Music Road Inn

EDUCATION SESSIONS Concurrent Sessions 8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

B3. Turf Weed Management** Presenter: Dr. Jim Brosnan, The University of Tennessee 8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

C3. Pesticide Regulations** Presenter: Mr. Dan Hutchison, Tennessee Dept. of Agriculture

MORNING SESSIONS Concurrent Sessions 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

B1. Using Technology to Combat Pests** Presenter: Dr. Amy Fulcher, The University of Tennessee 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

C1. Travels Abroad: Marketing and Pest Management the World Around** Presenter: Dr. Bill Klingeman, The University of Tennessee Joint Session 11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

A3. Hot Topics on Ornamental Diseases: Boxwood Blight and Rose Rosette** Presenter: Dr. Alan Windham, The University of Tennessee 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

TNLA AWARDS LUNCHEON and VISIT TRADESHOW

AFTERNOON SESSIONS

Concurrent Sessions 2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

B2. The Time Is Right: Trapping Pests to Increase Spray Timing Accuracy** Presenter: Dr. Alicia Bray, Tennessee State University 2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

C2. The Best of the UT Gardens, Jackson Presenter: Mr. Jason Reeves, The University of Tennessee 3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

BREAK WITH TRADESHOW EXHIBITORS

FINAL AFTERNOON SESSION 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

A5. From Fun to Functional: Plants with Flair and Pest Resistance** Presenter: Ms. Carol Reese, The University of Tennessee

Joint Session 2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

A4. Hot Topics on Ornamental Insects** Presenter: Dr. Frank Hale, The University of Tennessee

Joint Session 9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

A6. Panel Discussion: Fuel, Pests and Other Green-Industry Issues** Opening (brief explanation to fuel alternatives): Mr. John Overly, East TN Clean Fuel Coalition; Panel Presenters: Mr. Tom Stebbins, The Univ. of Tennessee; Dr. Jim Brosnan, The Univ. of Tennessee; and Mr. John Overly, East TN Clean Fuel Coalition; and Mr. Dan Hutchison, TN Dept of Agriculture 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

BREAK WITH EXHIBITORS Concurrent Sessions 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

B4. Diagnosing Plant Problems: It’s Elementary, Watson** Presenter: Mr. Tom Stebbins, The University of Tennessee

10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

C4. Rock Solid to Rock Star: Plants that Resist Pests and Perform in the Landscape** Presenter: Dr. Sue Hamilton and Mr. Adam Pulte, The University of Tennessee

CLOSING PRESENTATION 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 a.m.

A7. Marketing, Maintenance and Pest Management for Annual Color Beds** Presenter: Ms. Jenny Hardgrave, Simply Flowers, Atlanta, GA

** Pesticide Recertification Points

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Turf Talk

The Key Secrets to

Successful Sod Installation

By Liz Nutter, Managing Editor, Leading Edge Communications (publisher of Tennessee GreenTimes)

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OK,

an upfront confession is warranted here: the word “secrets” (in the headline above) is a bit misleading. In truth, a successful sod installation primarily entails just a bit of knowledge about how turfgrass grows and a healthy dose of common sense, according to Robert L. (Bobby) Winstead, owner of Winstead Turf Farms in Memphis, TN. A member of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, Winstead is a past president of the MidSouth Turfgrass Council, and he is currently serving as president for Turfgrass Producers International (TPI), the international sod growers’ organization with members from 46 different countries.

Unfortunately, even knowledgeable, sensible turfgrass professionals sometimes cut corners in the process of properly selecting and installing sod, which frequently results in a weak — or dead — stand of grass and unhappy clients.

Granted, some of the steps in the process may not be practical in every situation, but whenever possible, they should all be followed closely to give new sod its best chance to fulfill its potential and purpose.

Sod 101 Sod is typically harvested and sold in three ways — by the big roll (40" wide and as long as 103'), by the small roll (24" wide by 4' long), or in small slabs stacked on pallets. Winstead Turf Farms harvests big rolls, as well as two sizes of sod slabs — 18" X 24" or 21" X 42".

“The slabs are more versatile than the rolls — you can lay a small area with slabs, where you can’t with the big rolls,” Winstead comments. “Although you have fewer seams with the big rolls, which results in a better-looking job, anyone can put the slabs down. We’re trying to encourage more of our customers to go to the larger slab since they can lay the sod so much faster. Instead of 150 pieces of small slabs on a pallet, there are only 71 of the larger slabs on a pallet, so they’re faster to install.”

The big-roll sod, certainly, is more suitable for large sites, like at golf courses and on sports fields. However, an interesting issue with the big rolls has recently started

Proper site preparation is crucial to new sod being able to establish quickly.

becoming a problem. “We never would have expected the netting on the bottom of rolled sod to work itself up to the surface, but it has started doing that, catching cleats and getting into the mowers,” Winstead says. “To solve that problem, there’s an attachment that can be put on the machine during installation that will take the netting off as the sod is unrolled.

Then, though, you have all the removed netting to deal with — there’s a lot of bulk in several 40" wide X 103' long rolls of netting. The end user must decide which option — leaving the netting on or taking it off — works best at that site.”

When sod is harvested, a great majority of the roots are left in the farm’s fields.

“We basically cut it off at the knees. You don’t want to cut it so deep that you get the bulk of the root system,” Winstead points out. “We say that we’re not in the dirt business; we’re in the sod business.

We harvest our grass as thin as possible; we don’t like to see more than a half-inch of dirt on our sod when it goes out. That does two things — the sod is quicker to establish when it gets to the end user’s site, and it makes our fields recuperate more quickly.”

In essence, sod will work only as hard as it has to. Thicker-cut sod will primarily “live within itself” — the roots are happy to stay in the old soil until all the nutrients are used up (which can take a year or more). Thin-cut sod, on the other hand, has less of a self-contained habitat, so the grass plants are forced to go to work; they simply must send roots down into the new soil to find water and nutrients.

The best time to install warm-season sod in the West Tennessee area is spring and fall, according to Winstead. “But we harvest our sod year-round, even in winter,” he notes. “We sell to a lot of homebuilders, and they’re mainly the ones who install sod in winter, to keep from having a bare-ground ‘lawn.’ Of course, our warm-season sod is dormant from late fall to early spring, but we haven’t had many instances of winter-installed sod freezing out.”

SITE PREPARATION Although Winstead Turf Farms does not perform installation, Winstead does offer a number of recommendations to anyone thinking about purchasing and laying sod.

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Turf Talk

Get a soil test.

The very first step — which Winstead says is of utmost importance to a successful sod installation — is to send a soil sample to a lab for analysis. Most labs will provide recommendations based on any deficiencies, and then you can add whatever nutrients are needed to improve the fertility and soil pH. “One of the major things that people miss is that they don’t check their soil pH. The soil in West Tennessee is extremely acidic, as a rule,” Winstead comments.

“If someone has never put lime on their lawn, I can pretty much assure you that the pH will be below 5.0, and you need it up at around 6.3 or 6.4, which is close to neutral. High soil acidity will tie up a great number of nutrients in a form where they’re no longer available to the plant.

If your pH is below 5.0, for instance, it won’t matter how much of any nutrient you apply; the grass won’t get the benefit of it. Correcting your soil pH is one of the best things you can do to reduce fertility inputs in the long run.”

While you’re waiting for the soil test results, you can start preparing the site for the new sod.

Be sure the site is ready by the time the sod is delivered — sod sitting on pallets may quickly deteriorate, especially in warm/hot weather.

Start with bare soil.

Sod must be put down on top of bare ground — for the roots to develop, you need good sod-to-soil contact. So, if you’re planning to sod over an existing stand of turf, you must first eliminate any plant growth (grass and/or weeds) already there, with a nonselective herbicide. “We recommend letting the herbicide work for five to seven days before tilling the dead turf under,” Winstead says.

Loosen the soil.

Then, it’s time to loosen the top few inches of soil with a rototiller. If your soil test indicates a need for lime, apply it before you till. Winstead also suggests tilling in a good starter fertilizer. “We suggest either 13-13-13 or, if you have a shade issue, a 6-12-12, which will promote more root growth than top growth,” he says.

However, Winstead does not advise adding soil amendments or conditioners.

“As long as the site has good surface drainage, we feel that the soils in West Tennes-

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see are great for growing grass, even if the site has a lot of clay,” he points out.

“We’ve also found that if you add a compost or certain types of soil conditioner, it heats up the ground and helps promote fungus. So we do not recommend adding organic matter. That’s just my personal preference.”

Smooth the surface.

After tilling the soil, remove any debris from the surface that could interfere with root growth and water movement, such as rocks, large dirt clods, construction scraps, stumps and sticks. Ideally, whenever possible, this step should be done by hand with a rake; running a drag behind a tractor will significantly compact the newly loosened ground.

Moisten the site before the sod is delivered.

The top several inches of soil should be moist, but not saturated, at the time that

the sod is laid. A day or two before the sod is delivered, irrigate the soil to provide an inviting foundation for the new sod.

INSTALLATION TIPS Install immediately after delivery.

One thing all sod growers agree on is that sod should never be ordered or delivered until the site/soil preparation has been completed, since sod should be installed as soon as possible after it arrives at the site. The longer the sod sits on a pallet or roll, the more it will deteriorate, particularly in hot weather. The natural activity of microorganisms that live in the soil harvested with the sod creates heat, and that heat cannot escape when the turf is stacked or rolled.

Butt the edges tightly.

One of the biggest mistakes that nonprofessionals make when installing sod

Turf Talk

themselves is leaving loose or sloppy seams between the edges. Just about every site’s soil is filled with weed seeds, and if you leave any bare soil (even just cracks between sod pieces), those seeds will come up. With sod that’s properly installed — with all the edges butted tightly against each other — there’s no opportunity for weed seeds to germinate and pop up through the seams.

Also, Winstead says, if there’s any slope at all, be sure to stagger the joints of each row. “It keeps from creating a long line for the water to run down along the seams and wash the sod away,” he points out.

Irrigate as you go.

Sometimes, waiting to irrigate at the end of the installation is too long — the sod you laid first may be wilted (or, worse, crunchy) by then. “If it’s a blazing hot day, we tell installers to irrigate a little as they go,” Winstead says. “Then, once the site is completely sodded, we suggest that they ‘float it in,’ completely soaking the area to help settle the sod onto the soil and remove air pockets and dry spots.”

Afterwards, at least for the first couple of weeks, keep the ground under the soil moist, but not wet. “We tell people not to overwater their new sod because that keeps the root system from going on down into the ground,” Winstead advises. “Also, we recommend watering in the early morning — letting the turf leaves stay wet for too long will encourage disease.”

About Winstead Sod Farms, Inc.

A careful sod installation will yield years of homeowner pride and enjoyment.

Established in 1978, Winstead Turf Farm grows several varieties of bermudagrass and zoysiagrass on 900 acres in Shelby and Fayette counties. Bobby Winstead is particularly excited about the farm’s new ‘Discovery’ bermudagrass, which is a lowmaintenance variety that requires mowing only about once every three weeks.

Winstead Turf Farm is one of only a handful of growers in the country with this exciting addition to warm-season turfgrasses and will have it available for purchase in 2013. C

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Tightly butt the edges of all sod slabs next to each other, to prevent weeds from popping up between cracks.

Winter 2012

In the Landscape

Re-Blooming Plants Offer

Great Value

for Extending Seasonal Landscape Appeal

By Beth Willis, Plant Trials and Volunteer Coordinator, UT Gardens, Knoxville

P

erennial plants have obvious advantages in the landscape stable, yet those with limited flowering periods can have drawbacks if they’re only in bloom for three to four short weeks. For gardeners who want continuous blooms in the landscape, perennial combinations have needed to be carefully planned so that as one plant fades, another starts to flower. An emerging plant-development trend has made this careful planning a little less necessary. Many herbaceous and woody perennials are now available that are “re-bloomers,” or plants that have an initial flowering season and then continue to flower intermittently, or have an entirely new second flowering period within the same season. Seasonlong flowering activity can increase these plants’ appeal.

Re-blooming iris have been around for decades, but now more selections are available than ever before. Most re-blooming iris are tall, bearded varieties. Now, though, you can also find dwarf bearded, Japanese and Siberian iris that are rebloomers. Most flower first in spring and then re-bloom in fall; however, some rebloom immediately after the first bloom or in summer. Many colors are available.

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As with iris, re-blooming daylilies are not new; still, some exciting new colors are available. Just like regular daylilies, these new varieties are virtually maintenance-free once established, requiring only that you divide them every few years to maintain prolific flowering. Look for: • ‘ Shaka Zulu’ — dark violet petals with a thin white edge in blooms that can reach up to 6" wide • ‘ Stephanie Returns’ — bicolor blooms of ruffled pink petals with a purple eye and yellow throat • ‘ Majestic Move’ — a candelabrabranched variety that boasts large buttery gold flowers with occasional pink tones • ‘ Blackthorne’ — an elegant cream bloom with a dark-violet eye zone with matching edging and a green throat Each of these varieties will provide early summer flowers and then will repeat at summer’s end, for a beautiful, longlived display in your landscape.

Clematis can be heavy bloomers in their own right, but a few new varieties offer repeat flowering. ‘Kilian Donahue’ is a dramatic re-blooming clematis that presents a range of colors on a single vigorous vine. New flowers are pink with

‘Oxmoor Hills’ re-blooming iris.

‘Boomerang Purple’ re-blooming lilac.

Encore ‘Autumn Amethyst’ re-blooming azalea.

‘Let’s Dance’ re-blooming hydrangeas and (top right) ‘Oso Happy® Candy Oh!’ roses.

‘Sonic Boom’ re-blooming pink weigela.

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In the Landscape

ruby-striped petals and then mature to a darker lavender shade with a fuchsia stripe down each petal. ‘Warsaw Nike’ has darkmagenta blooms with a dark stripe on each petal. Both varieties provide giant flowers first in early summer and then again in fall.

Knock Out® roses have become one of the most widely sought-after roses in

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recent years, in part due to low maintenance needs and disease resistance, and also due to their flowering from spring until frost. New options for the market include Drift® Roses and Oso Easy® Roses, which offer all the advantages of Knock Out® Roses yet in a naturally dwarf habit that makes them well suited for small gardens. The Oso Happy® series

also features re-blooming roses that will reach a height of 3 to 4 feet. Each of these series is available in a choice of colors.

Fragrant lilac has always been synonymous with spring, and two new re-blooming varieties put limited seasonal performance to the test. Bloomerang® Purple, which has lavender flowers, rests for a bit after its initial spring bloom and then flowers intermittently until frost. ‘Josee’ has pink flowers and performs in the same way. Both varieties are compact shrubs that will reach 4 to 5 feet. Re-blooming can be enhanced by removing spent inflorescences.

Azaleas are another shrub typically associated with spring, but the Encore® and Bloom-A-Thon® series provide profuse blossoms in spring, followed by repeat flowering in the summer and fall.

Both series offer a good color selection, and the Encore® series offers a range of dwarf, intermediate and large plant sizes.

Hydrangeas are generally expected to flower either on old or new wood, but several new varieties bloom on both, which extends the flowering season from midsummer until frost. The Let’s Dance® series and ‘All Summer Beauty’ are mophead hydrangeas with panicle coloration that can be changed by adjusting soil pH. Tuff Stuff™ is a lace-cap hydrangea with a pH-adjusted range of pink through blue blossoms. All of these cultivars are medium-sized shrubs that grow 2 to 3 feet tall and wide.

Sonic Bloom™ weigela is another reblooming shrub that doesn’t require deadheading in order for gardeners to enjoy an initial spring bloom followed by intermittent flowering until frost. The series of weigela offers several colors, including lipstick red, pearly pink and hot pink. Each can reach 4 to 5 feet tall and wide.

Finally, though technically not a reblooming shrub, the Double Play® spiraea combines a long flowering period during summer with colorful foliage that actually shifts with the seasons for a great foliage display. The series offers several flower and foliage colors. All are mounded shrubs that will reach 2 to 2-1/2 feet in height and width. C

Career Enhancement

By Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE

If

you go to business events and no one remembers you afterward, what was the point in attending? Networking is an important part of building your business and developing good social contacts. However, such contacts only work if you make yourself memorable. Happily, this doesn’t mean you have to be bizarrely dressed or loud and boisterous.

My professional life is spent helping professionals speak more effectively to large and small groups. It never ceases to amaze me how many talented and welleducated people attend networking events, yet overlook their big chance to be memorable by developing a mini-presentation for audiences of one to five. All speaking is public speaking. Outside the privacy of

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your own home, you are speaking in public, no matter the size of your audience.

Here are some strategies that let you walk into a room with quiet self-assurance, confident that people will enjoy meeting you and will recall you afterwards.

1.

Arrive looking your best.

If you have a hectic day before going to a business meeting, keep a change of clothes in your office or car so you can arrive unwrinkled.

2.

Wear your nametag.

We’re all more likely to retain information that we see and hear at the same time, so wear your nametag up on your right

shoulder. That way, people can read it as they hear you say your name. Some women put their nametags down on their handbags or in the most inappropriate places. Put it where people are not afraid to look!

3.

Develop a memorable signature.

Men can wear ties that people will comment on. An investment banker I know wears a money tie. At certain meetings, industry events and the National Speakers Association, I stand out because I wear distinctive hats. When people are asked, “Do you know Patricia Fripp?” the usual reply is, “Yes, she’s the one who always wears the amazing hats.”

4.

Develop an unforgettable greeting.

When you introduce yourself, don’t just say your name and job title. Instead, start by describing the benefits of what you do for clients. A financial planner says, “I help rich people sleep at night.” One of my responses is, “I make conventions and sales meetings more exciting.” Almost invariably, my new acquaintance is compelled to ask, “How do you do that?”

Immediately, I get to market myself: “You know how companies have meetings that are supposed to be stimulating, but they’re often dull and boring? Well, I present practical ideas in an entertaining way so people stay awake, have a good time and get the company’s message. My name is Patricia Fripp, and I’m a professional speaker.” People remember the vivid pictures you create in their minds more than the words you say.

5.

Greet everyone.

6.

Overcome any shyness.

Don’t ignore people you recognize if you’ve forgotten their name. Smile and ask a provocative question like, “What is the most exciting thing that has happened to you since we last met?” or “What is your greatest recent success?” or “What are you most looking forward to?”

And never be afraid to say, “The last time we met, we had such a great conversation. Will you remind me what your name is?” Best-selling author Susan RoAne tells people, “Forgive me for forgetting your name. Since I passed forty, it’s hard to remember my own.”

Much of the value of networking events can be lost if you allow yourself to focus on being unassuming or fundamentally shy. For many people, mingling with a

room full of strangers can be an unpleasant or even scary experience. Focus on the benefits of meeting exciting new contacts and learning new information, instead of worrying about any butterflies in your stomach.

Until you’ve gained confidence, a good way to do this is to offer to volunteer for a job that requires interacting with other attendees, such as volunteering to be a greeter. Greeters stand at the entrance, with a nametag denoting them as “Greeter.” They have a specific job: “How do you do? I’m Chris Carter.

Welcome to the Chamber mixer. Is this your first event? Please find your nametag; the food is in the next room, and our program will start in thirty minutes.” Soon you will start feeling like the host of the party. You’ve met many new people and will get cheery nods of recognition throughout the event, making it easy to stop and talk later. When you focus on

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Career Enhancement

helping others feel comfortable, you are not thinking about you being shy!

7.

Travel with your own PR agent.

This is a powerful technique that maximizes your networking. Form a duo with a professional friend. When you arrive,

alternately separate and come together, talking up each other’s strengths and expertise.

Suppose you and Fred are coworkers.

As Fred walks up, you say to the person you’ve been talking to, “Jack, I’d like you to meet our sales manager, Fred. Fred has taught me nearly everything I know about sales and our product line. In the

sixteen years at our company, there has never been a sales contest he has not won.” Then, Fred can say, “Well, Jane is being very generous. It’s true; I’ve been with our company for sixteen years, and Jane has been here for only six months.

But, she has brought in more new business in that short time than any other person in the fifty-three year history of our firm. Thank goodness, I’m now the sales manager and can’t compete. She is going to overshadow the rest of us. Her ability to listen to clients’ needs gives her a competitive edge.”

When you do this, you’re saying about each other exactly what you would love your prospects to know, but modesty prevents you from telling them. Also, by saying something interesting, memorable or funny, you become objects of interest to your listeners. Imagine the next day when they go to work and talk about the networking event they attended. They will repeat your funny lines, making themselves an object of interest. Any time you can make someone feel good about themselves, they are very likely to remember you!

8.

Always send a note or brochure the next day to the people you have met.

Keep business cards, and make notes of what you said, for when you meet them at another event.

These are all positive, pleasant, easy ways to be memorable. Get the most out of your networking time and energy by making yourself worth remembering!

About the Author Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE, keynote speaker, executive speech coach and sales-presentation skills expert, works with organizations and individuals who realize they gain a competitive edge through powerful, persuasive presentation skills. She is past president of the National Speakers Association. To learn more about Patricia, contact her at www.fripp.com, (415) 753-6556 or pfripp@ix.netcom.com. C

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News from TSU

Meet Karla Addesso, Chemical Ecologist at Tennessee State University

By Karla Addesso, Ph.D., Assistant Research Professor, Tennessee State University

H

ello! My name is Karla Addesso, and I am a new faculty member in the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences at Tennessee State University (TSU). I was born and raised in northern New Jersey within a 30-minute train ride to New York City, but you can find me now at the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in McMinnville.

I attended The College of New Jersey with a major in biology and a research focus on insect behavior. After college, I worked at the Phillip Alampi Beneficial Insect Rearing Laboratory in Trenton, NJ, where I was involved in the mass rearing of beneficial insects, including predators

of the hemlock woolly adelgid and herbivores of invasive purple loosestrife.

My interest in insects led me to pursue a doctorate at the University of Florida in Gainesville, followed by a research position at the USDA Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, also in Gainesville. My work focused on the pepper weevil, a major pest of sweet and hot peppers in the southern United States and an insect notorious for its ability to escape pesticide controls.

After several years of working in pepper and dabbling in other plant pests (chinch bugs on turf, cactus bugs on cactus and nematodes on tomatoes), I accepted the position at TSU to tackle chemical

ecology of nursery pests. My research will focus on understanding the biology and chemistry of critical and emerging pest species in order to develop new management tools for their control. I look forward to working with the community of growers in Tennessee, and I welcome your thoughts, suggestions and questions on how my research program can benefit the industry. I can be reached at kaddesso@ blomand.net or at (931)-815-5155. C

Meet Adam Blalock, Nursery Extension Specialist at Tennessee State University

By Adam Blalock, Nursery Extension Specialist, Tennessee State University

Hi!

My name is Adam Blalock, and I am a new faculty member in the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences at Tennessee State University (TSU). I was born in Spokane, Washington, and I developed my love for horticulture while growing up in the Inland Northwest. This is a wonderful region for an outdoorsman but a frustrating place to be a gardener because of late and early freezes.

I received my B.S. in horticulture from the University of Idaho in 2009. During summers, I worked at a large retail garden center, specializing in woody shrubs and, later, on a canola and mustard breeding crew. I was elected president in 2008–09

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of the Plant and Soil Science Club, and we grew high-quality poinsettias and spring bedding plants for our annual sales. In fall 2011, I received my M.S. at New Mexico State University and conducted research on targeted effects of ethylene applications to cayenne chili peppers at key growth stages during a growing season.

Most recently, I finished assisting with a Utah State University study on soils and native vegetation rehabilitation. The project is focused on the growth of weeds and native plants after activated charcoal was incorporated into the soil.

I feel honored to be your new TSU Nursery Extension Specialist, and I look forward to getting involved with the community for many years to come. I have an

office at the Otis L. Floyd Research Center in McMinnville, TN, where I can be reached at ablaloc1@tnstate.edu or at (931)-815-5169. C

Calendar of Events

January 3–4

January 14–16

January 23–25

January 7–9

January 14–18

January 24–25

TN Green Industry Expo Nashville Convention Center Nashville, TN Contact: 931-473-3951 Email: pam@TNLA.com www.tngie.com

47th Annual TTA Conference and Trade Show (TN Turfgrass Assn.)

Marriott Cool Springs Franklin, TN

January 9–11

MANTS (Mid-America Nursery Trade Show) Baltimore Convention Center Baltimore, MD Contact: 800-431-0066 www.mants.com

CENTS (Ohio Nursery & Landscape Assn.)

Greater Columbus Conv. Ctr. Columbus, OH Contact: 614-899-1195 www.centshow.org NCAN Green & Growin’ Show (NC Nursery & Landscape Assn.)

Greensboro Coliseum Greensboro, NC Contact: 919-816-9119 www.ncnla.com

January 16–18

Mid-America Horticultural Trade Show Navy Pier | Chicago, IL Contact: 800-300-6103 www.midam.org

WINTERgreen 2012 (Georgia Green Industry Assn.)

Gwinnett Center Duluth, GA Email: info@ggia.org www.ggia.org

SC Horticulture Industry Trade Show & Seminars (SC Nursery and Landscape Assn.)

Myrtle Beach Convention Center Myrtle Beach, SC Contact: (803) 743-4284 www.scnla.org

February 18–19, 2013

KNLA Trade Show (KY Nursery & Landscape Assn.)

Louisville, KY Contact: 502-695-0106 Email: knla@gmail.com

January 31 – February 2

February 6–8

ANLA/OFA Next Level Event Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center Nashville, TN www.yournextlevel.org

TNLA Winter Education & Exhibits Music Road Convention Ctr. Pigeon Forge, TN Contact: 931-473-3951 Fax: 931-473-5883 Email: mail@tnla.com www.tnla.com

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New Members

Welcome,

TNLA New Members!

ACTIVE MEMBERS Dree’s Plant Wholesalers | Chris Hackler 256 Wilson Avenue | Maryville, TN 37803 Medley’s Nursery | Junior Medley 647 Basham Road | Morrison, TN 37357 Witty Creek Nursery | Tony Cope 1051 Herman Lance Road | Morrison, TN 37357

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Burns Mailing & Printing, Inc. | Phyllis Robinette Burns 6131 Industrial Heights Drive | Knoxville, TN 37909 Better Bilt Products, Inc. | Larry Olson 900 S. Kay Avenue | Addison, IL 60101

Index of Advertisers

Barky Beaver Mulch & Soil Mix, Inc..................... 11

“Our” Bamboo Nursery............................................ 30

Boshancee Nursery, Inc..............................................7

Pack’s Nursery & Garden Center.......................... 30

Braun Horticulture.................................................... 17

Samara Farms........................................................... 27

Cam Too Camellia Nursery, Inc............................. 22

Surface Nursery Inc................................................. 29

D & D Agri.................................................................. 17

Swafford Nursery, Inc.............................. Back Cover

www.barkybeaver.com

www.boshanceensy.com www.braungroup.com

www.camtoocamellia.com

Dayton Bag & Burlap Co............................................2 www.daybag.com

Ewing Irrigation......................................................... 17 www.Ewing1.com

Georgia Green Industry Assn.....................................8 www.ggia.org

www.earthadvocatesresearchfarm.com www.packsnurserywholesale.com www.samarafarms.com

www.surfacenursery.com

www.swaffordnursery.com

Tennessee 811.............................................................7 www.tennessee811.com

Thomas Nursery........................................................ 30 www.thomasnurserytrees.com

Thompson Machinery / Stowers Machinery....... 19

Herd Farms Nursery / Herd Insurance................. 17

Trivett’s Nursery........................................................ 23

Hortica............................................................................3

Turner & Sons........................................................... 26

www.herdfarmsnursery.com www.hortica-insurance.com

Low Falls Wholsale Nursery................................... 22 www.lowfallsnursery.com

Mid Tenn Turf, Inc............................................. 22, 30 www.midtennturf.com

Motz & Son Nursery................................................. 26

www.trivettsnursery.com

Vis Seed Company.................................................... 26 www.visseed.com

Walker Nursery Co. & Walker Gardens...................5 www.walkernurseryco.com

Wellmaster Carts..........................Inside Back Cover www.wellmaster.ca

OHP, Inc...................................................................... 30 www.ohp.com

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