Nursery & Landscape Notes Summer 2021

Nursery & Landscape notes Publication of the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc.

What to do When It’s Wet:

Drainage & Erosion Options to Keep Work Moving SUMMER 2021

Successful First GIC Technology Symposium

Record Numbers for Golf Tournament

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Contents SUMMER 2021

COMMENTARY President’s Message 5 Executive Vice President’s Message 6

10

NCNLA NEWS NCNLA day 7 2021 Golf Tournament 8 Nursery Pop-up Event 9

Nursery & Landscape notes FEATURES

20

Drainage and Erosion Options to Help Keep Work Moving

28

Member Spotlight: Hoffman Nursery 10

AROUND OUR INDUSTRY Student Spotlight: Lindsay Healy 12 Successful GIC Technology Symposium 14

The Benefits of Using RFID Technology in Your Nursery

Advocating for the Green Industry 16

BEST PRACTICES

INDUSTRY RESEARCH

Taking Steps Toward a Greener, More Sustainable Industry 18

A New Threat to North American Boxwoods 24 Fire Ant Quarantine Expanding in 2022 26

EVERY ISSUE Calendar of Events 3 New Members 3

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Advertisers’ Index 32

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Nursery & Landscape notes Published by

North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. 968 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC 27607 NCNLA Staff Richard Lawhun Executive Vice President Katie Rodrigues Director of Meetings & Education Kathryn Stansbury Director of Business Development Victoria Torino Chief Financial Officer Cindy Whitt Director of Marketing & Communications Nursery & Landscape Notes is published quarterly by the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. (NCNLA), covering news, research, education and business in the nursery and landscape industries. The publication is distributed to approximately 825 horticulture producers, landscape professionals and industry suppliers.

Nursery & Landscape Notes is provided as a member service.

2021 NCNLA Board of Directors Leslie Herndon President Greenscape, Inc. Holly Springs, NC Kevin Cagle Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer Greenthumb Nursery, LLC Ether, NC Hugh Crump Past President Greenline Design, Inc. Charlotte, NC Tim Johnson, II Tim Johnson Landscaping Statesville, NC Dana Massey Plantworks Nursery Rougemont, NC William ”Bill” Bynam Site One Landscape Supply High Point, NC

John Clark Pro Green, Inc. Morganton, NC

Trey Warrick Scottree & Shelby Nursery, Inc. Shelby, NC Educational Advisors Justin Snyder Alamance Community College Graham, NC Anthony LeBude North Carolina State University Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center Mills River, NC

For advertising inquiries and publication schedule, please contact Cindy Whitt at cwhitt@ncnla.com or 919-819-9119, ext. 1002.

The inclusion of products or brand names in this publication is not an endorsement by the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association.

Mission: To provide essential value to our members through education, marketing and advocacy.

Vision: To promote and protect the interests of North Carolina’s green industry.

Connect with NCNLA facebook.com/NCNurseryandLandscapeAssociation twitter.com/tweet_ncnla instagram.com/ncnla ncnla.com | BuyNCPlants.com | GreenandGrowin.com | NCGreenprints.com

»

NCNLA Day at Caterpillar

Green & Growin’ 22

Caterpillar Edward J. Rapp Customer and Training Center, Clayton, NC www.ncnla.com

www.greenandgrowin.com

Sept. 16, 2021

PPA Regional Pop-up Event Sept. 16, 2021

Hoffman Nursery & Plantworks Nursery Central North Carolina https://bit.ly/3At5ysr

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NCNLA EVENTS

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NCNLA 2021 PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Happy summer!

I hope each of you had a successful

Leslie Herndon Greenscape, Inc. Raleigh, NC

Leslie

spring season and are getting some much-deserved vacation time. For myself, I have been enjoying as much sun, sand and water time as possible. Everyone at NCNLA has had a great summer so far, with live events like the GIC Technology Symposium and the Robert Cagle Memorial Golf Tournament resuming this year. Both events were a success, and the golf tournament even showed an increase in funds in support of our scholarship program.

The most frequent type of comment I heard at both events was, “It is so nice to see people again,” and I completely shared that sentiment with the attendees!

While virtual events are convenient and were a great help during lockdown, we are an industry of relationships, and those are best built and developed in person. With that in mind, we are looking forward to seeing all of you back in Greensboro in January for Green and Growin’ 22. Our staff is hard at work planning a great event, and I can’t wait to greet you all there before I pass the gavel to Kevin Cagle for 2022. If you haven’t reserved your spot yet, go ahead and send in your contract!

Before we get to January, however, we do have another great member event for you in September, with our NCNLA Day at Caterpillar in Clayton, N.C. We appreciate Caterpillar for partnering with us for this limited-capacity event, so be sure to register ASAP. The event, which will be hosted in their Customer & Training Center, will allow you to see behind the

scenes at Caterpillar and have a chance to operate equipment. We also have a continuing education credit pending at the event, and attendees will get a 15% discount on Caterpillar promotional merchandise on-site. This will be a great way to reward outstanding employees for their work this year — especially those who regularly operate larger equipment. Check out NCNLA.com for more information.

Finally, a big thank-you to all who have supported NCNLA through donations and time during this financially difficult year for the association. Thanks to your support, as well as careful management of our finances by the staff team, we have been able to keep the association in a fiscally responsible state, without sacrificing our mission. We will most likely have to draw on our reserves for a few months until we get to Green and Growin’, but we continue to be optimistic about the future!

Our industry in North Carolina is ready to face any challenge, and our association is no different. One of my favorite songs by Metallica contains a line that goes, “Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel was just a freight train coming your way.” To me, this sums up the past year and the challenges we have faced in many areas. However, as with everything we do as an industry, we face that train light with strength, courage and perseverance. We understand that the bright light coming toward us is not only a challenge, but also an incredible chance to grow, learn and innovate. I can’t wait to see what developments come out of this period of opportunity for us!

Have a great rest of your summer, and let’s get ready for fall!

SUMMER 2021 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES

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NCNLA EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT’S LETTER

NCNLA May Be Coming to a Neighborhood Near You These past few months have certainly

been a nice deviation from the previous 12.

Everyday life continues to trend toward normal, with the hope that the delta variant will be contained without a return to previous health and safety mandates (fingers crossed!). In the meantime, NCNLA leadership and staff are taking every opportunity to get out of the office and engage our members.

On June 17, NCNLA hosted the 2021 GIC Technology Symposium at the McKimmon Center on the North Carolina State University campus — our first in-person education event in 17 months! The program attracted more than 200 attendees and covered a variety of topics, including soil health, stormwater management, inventory management, social media and irrigation.

Quite frankly, at first it felt a bit Richard “Rick” Lawhun odd to shake hands and say hello NCNLA Executive to friends and colleagues, but it Vice President didn’t take long to overcome that apprehension. Everyone seemed to enjoy the opportunity to reconnect, and attendee feedback was extremely positive. More than likely, we will host a similar event in 2022.

On June 18, Kevin and Robby Cagle hosted the 2021 Robert Cagle Memorial Golf Tournament at Lochmere Golf Club in Cary, N.C. Participation in this event, in terms of players and sponsors, has grown significantly the past two years. Proceeds benefit the NCNLA Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to horticulture and landscape students who plan to pursue careers in the industry. Please be sure to make plans to join us next year for an afternoon of fun and prizes.

Also on June 18, the NCNLA Board of Directors met at Lochmere Golf Club (the location allowed board members to participate in the Cagle Memorial Golf Tournament, or just greet friends and colleagues who were participating in the tournament). With a comfortable outdoor

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NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SUMMER 2021

setting for the board’s first face-to-face meeting in 16 months, members enjoyed a synergy between the board meeting and the golf tournament that is worth repeating in the future.

As a reminder, we have a couple of other events on the schedule in the coming months: • Sept. 16, 2021: Caterpillar will host the first NCNLA Day at its facility in Clayton, N.C. The all-day program will give NCNLA members an opportunity to tour one of the area’s leading equipment facilities to learn about the solutions they have to offer the green industry. For more information, visit NCNLA.com.

• Jan. 10-14, 2022: Green & Growin’ 22 returns to Greensboro, N.C., after a one-year hiatus.

Mark your calendars and plan on joining us as we make up for lost time and squeeze two years of fun, camaraderie, education and marketing into one event. Additional information regarding the education program, marketplace and social events will be available soon.

On a final note, the fundraising campaign that kicked off earlier this year will officially end on Sept. 30, 2021. As you may know, the campaign was implemented to aid in protecting the association’s reserve fund, which was at risk due to the cancellation of Green & Growin’ 21. Fortunately, thanks to several cost-cutting measures, as well as a couple of new revenue-generating programs, the board no longer feels it is necessary to reach its initial goal of $250,000. I would like to thank everyone who donated — your generosity is greatly appreciated! A healthy, vibrant association is crucial to the well-being of the nursery and landscape industry, and we cannot succeed without your assistance. If you would like to donate to the campaign before it ends, I urge you to do so — the importance of having a rainy-day fund has never been more evident!

As always, stay well and stay passionate about the industry you love!

Rick

NCNLA NEWS

NCNLA DAY AT

CATERPILLAR Join us at Caterpillar in Clayton, N.C. for a behind-the-scenes look at production, machinery demonstrations and a chance to operate equipment. Includes lunch and an education session.

Thursday, September 16, 2021

15% off

in-store CAT promotional merchandise for attendees

Caterpillar Edward J. Rapp Customer & Training Center 954 N Carolina Highway 42 E Clayton, NC 27527

SCHEDULE

Each group will rotate between stations.

8:30-9:30 a.m.

Kickoff with Safety and Demo

9:30-10:30

Station 1: Plant Tour

10:30-11:30

Station 2: Skid Steers/Compact Truck Loaders & Compact Wheel Loaders

11:30-1:00 p.m.

Lunch & Learn (CEUs may be available based on approval of licensing boards.)

1:00-2:00 p.m.

Station 3: Mini Hydraulic Excavators

2:00-3:00 p.m.

Station 4: Attachments

3:00-3:30 p.m.

Wrap Up & Networking

Optional: 3:45-4:45 p.m.

Stick Time

Must preregister to operate equipment.

Go to www.ncnla.com to register by Sept. 10, 2021

$25 per person, includes lunch. Space is limited so register early!

SUMMER 2021 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES

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NCNLA NEWS

Record Numbers

for 2021 Golf Tournament The 2021 Robert Cagle Memorial Golf Tournament was held Friday, June 18, at the Lochmere Golf Club in Cary, N.C. A record number of players and sponsors turned out for this year’s event, with 14 foursomes and 24 sponsors.

Profits from the event fund the Robert Cagle Memorial Scholarship, which supports the continuing education needs of qualified horticultural and landscape students. The scholarship namesake, Robert Cagle, was an avid golfer and would organize tournaments during the Green & Growin’ summer trade shows. His sons, Kevin and Robby, created the annual tournament to honor his memory and help promising students achieve their goals of pursuing careers in the green industry.

Thank you to the golfers who participated in the tournament, and to our sponsors for their overwhelming support.

Congratulations to the Winners!

Longest Drive #9, sponsored

by Stone Center of Carolina Matt Hunter Closest to the Pin #11, sponsored by Gravely Wayne Hewitt 1st Low Net Parker’s Landscape Services: Jimmy Ellis, Scott Denny, Brandon Ray and Angel Venega 2nd Low Net Caterpillar: BJ Meier, Todd Lange, Rob Jackson and Brad Rinderer Highest Score Stone Center of Carolina: Victor Chavez, Pepe Chavez, Felix Callejas and Matt Belk Low Gross Stone Center of Carolina: Zak Corsi, Chuck Goodwin, Ben Holloway and Jay Newton

Thank you, 2021 Sponsors!

Agape Lawn Company Bland Landscaping Company Inc. Buds and Blooms Nursery Campbell Road Nursery Caterpillar (Hole & Beverage Cart) Fairview Garden Center Godley’s Garden Center & Nursery Gravely (Hole & Closest to the Pin) Greenscape Greenthumb Nursery Hawksridge Farms Jake A. Parrott Insurance Agency Mutch Landscaping Nature’s Select Nature’s Vision LLC (Meal) New Garden Landscaping Nursery Parker’s Landscape Services Inc. Piedmont Carolina Nursery Plantworks Nursery ProGreen Inc. SiteOne Landscape Supply Spivey’s Nursery Stone Center of Carolina (Hole & Longest Drive) T.H. Blue Inc.

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NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES ||

The winning team from Stone Center of Carolina with Kevin Cagle (far right), golf tournament organizer.

NCNLA MEMBER NEWS

Pop-Up Event at NCNLA Member Nurseries On Sept. 16, two longtime NCNLA members, Plantworks Nursery and Hoffman Nursery, will host a regional “pop-up” event in central North Carolina through the Perennial Plant Association (PPA), to complement PPA’s virtual national symposium in July.

Attendees will begin at Hoffman Nursery, where they will divide into small groups to explore the nursery’s stateof-the-art production facility and attend education sessions.

Midmorning, attendees will head to Plantworks Nursery for more education sessions, tours and a plant sale. Lunch will be provided, and then attendees will convene at Sarah P. Duke Gardens for a guided tour of several perennial-focused gardens and projects. The event will close with an outdoor networking social in the garden.

Attendees will be responsible for transportation and are encouraged to carpool with colleagues. Registration is limited to 50 people, so be sure to sign up early at https://bit.ly/3At5ysr.

In Memoriam Johnny Latham of Monroe, N.C., passed away July 10, 2021. After graduating from Unionville High in 1954, Latham began his career as a toolmaker. Eventually developing a desire to be self-employed, he started growing ornamental plants in his backyard, which led to his founding of Latham’s Nursery Inc. in 1969. His willingness to work long hours—in all conditions—helped him make Latham’s the successful business it still is today, and he will be remembered for his lasting contributions to the green industry. His obituary can be viewed at https://bit.ly/37yYVZ7.

Greenhouse at Hoffman Nursery

Duke Gardens Rose Gravel Garden

PlantWorks Nursery

SUMMER 2021 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES

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NCNLA MEMBER NEWS

NCNLA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

»

Hoffman Nursery Rougemont, N.C. Senior Director of Sales and Operations David Hoffman In business 35 years NCNLA member 31 years Number of employees 55 Favorite NCNLA benefits

Green & Growin’ trade show and education, newsletters, Nursery & Landscape Notes, continuing education classes

Five Minutes with

Hoffman Nursery How did you get into the business?

John and Jill Hoffman started the nursery in 1986 to help supply plants for John’s landscaping business.

John had always had an interest in grasses, and his enthusiasm for them was fueled by mentors like J.C. Raulston, Kurt Bleumel and Ernst Pagels. Becoming convinced that grasses were going to be popular and profitable, he dropped landscaping to focus on growing grasses and grasslike plants. Since then, he and Jill have grown the business, which now ships to wholesale customers across North America and includes a state-of-the-art greenhouse and production facility, as well as more than 60 cold frames and hot houses.

I grew up working at the nursery on weekends and during summers.

I earned a degree in horticulture from North Carolina State University in 2012 and then interned at Stauden Peters Nursery in Kranenburg, Germany. After a year there, I was hired as production coordinator, which was a great opportunity to learn on the job in a cutting-edge facility. I returned home in 2015 and began working at Hoffman as production coordinator and then supervisor.

As my duties gradually expanded, I moved through several management positions, and I’m currently running most of the nursery’s day-to-day operations.

What is a typical day like for you and your staff?

A lot of splitting plants! Across the departments, we’re working on producing, managing and shipping high-quality plants. The production team manages mother stock, procuring tissue culture, seed and stock plants for division. They then transplant them into cells and hand them off to the growing department, where our growers focus on integrated pest management, keep grasses cut back, manage water and perform other horticultural tasks. The shipping department checks all the plants before they leave the nursery, and then preps and packs them for shipment. The sales team works directly with customers, helping them choose plants and scheduling orders — they’re busy on the phone and responding

10 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SUMMER 2021

to emails most of the day. Meanwhile, the marketing team creates content so our customers and our team have the most up-to-date info about our plants. I move around among the teams, facilitating communication and bridging projects that involve multiple departments. We like to celebrate with employee lunches and ice cream in the heat of the summer, which helps to create a stronger team.

What has been the most rewarding part of your career?

Getting to know people in the industry. I knew many of them growing up, but there are new people getting into it, and they are excited and ambitious. It’s thrilling to see. I also enjoy solving problems. For example, seed propagation has variation that poses challenges in nursery production.

Figuring how to make it work for us and unlocking the secrets to some of those seeds is very exciting. We can produce some niche plants on a larger scale and develop markets that otherwise may not have been tapped.

What is your company best known for?

Young plant production of ornamental and native grasses for the wholesale trade. We’re also very active in promoting plants for the emerging green-infrastructure market.

What have you gained from your involvement in NCNLA? I have attended the Green & Growin’ trade show for many years, which is invaluable for making and keeping connections.

It’s helped us grow our business. The educational resources help our team stay current and learn new techniques. The continuing education credits are important for maintaining everyone’s credentials. We also appreciate the support NCNLA gives to ongoing research at local universities, including NC State.

What issues are you concerned with as a company in the green industry?

Labor, and finding the right people to help grow the company. We have a great team, and they continue to impress us, but we always have positions to fill. We’re also concerned about plastic waste, and we want to grow our business sustainably using better materials and new techniques. Water reliability will also continue to be on our minds as we try to maximize our efficiency and use only what’s necessary.

What advice do you have for someone interested in or just starting out in the industry?

Look for internship opportunities — they’re a great way to get your hands dirty and try out a particular part of the industry. There are so many facets to the industry, that anyone looking can find a fit. Seek out a mentor in the industry who can help you grow professionally and build your network.

SUMMER 2021 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES

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INDUSTRY NEWS

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

»

Nursery & Landscape Notes is introducing you to the next generation of green industry professionals by featuring current and recent college students with plans to pursue careers in the field.

Lindsay Healy Lindsay Healy of Marion, N.C., graduated from Western Piedmont Community College in May 2021 with a degree in horticulture technology. She participated in a work-study program for the horticulture department while in school, assisting the instructor with preparing the greenhouse for tours from local junior high schools, maintaining the gardens around the head house, helping to maintain their aquaponics system, and maintaining the production greenhouse when students were not participating in lab time.

How did you discover horticulture?

Lindsay helps a severely autistic teen who had previously only interacted with a tablet. He planted the zucchini seeds himself, which helped improve his focus and fine motor skills. Lindsay was pleased with his enthusiasm, as he had never been exposed to this environment before.

For the past 10 years I have worked in emergency medical services (EMS), and the last seven of those I served as a paramedic for Rutherford County. EMS was my passion, but it came with a cost: I developed post-traumatic stress disorder while working on the ambulance.

During downtime at the base, I would go outside and prune the rose bushes in front of the ambulance bay with my trauma shears.

This quickly became one of my favorite parts of going to work. I began thinking that when the day came to retire from EMS, I would go back to school to work with plants, and that led me to find the world of horticulture.

With encouragement from my wife, I decided not to wait for retirement before beginning a career in horticulture, and I applied for classes at Western Piedmont Community College.

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What were your most valuable experiences, either in school or from other exposure to the industry?

In March 2020 I was taking a course in greenhouse production. We had sown our seeds, germinated them on heat mats and watched them grow until true leaves emerged. Once emerged, we transplanted them carefully into the containers where they would continue to grow until the time came for the spring plant sale — or so we thought.

The pandemic then forced all classes to go to an online format, which meant that my classmates and I would not be allowed in the greenhouse to water, fertilize and care for our plants.

Our teacher, Brandon Pitman, knew this would be devastating for us. He and the college were able to work out a plan so that each student had a designated time slot to pick up several trays of plants to continue growing at home. Fortunately, I had just purchased a 10’x12’ greenhouse for my backyard. I attempted to mimic the greenhouse conditions at school to continue growing my plants in similar conditions at home.

For me this was a very valuable experience because it placed all plant care in my hands. Of course, when I had questions, Mr. Pitman was there to answer them, but ultimately the responsibility was mine. I tend to learn best under pressure, so this was the perfect opportunity for me. In my head it was similar to working on the ambulance,

like a patient in the back of the ambulance I had to care for until we arrived at the hospital. In this case, my “patient” was a greenhouse full of flowers I had to care for until the time came for them to be planted for someone’s enjoyment. Through this experience, I gained an understanding of greenhouse conditions — and the plants I was given to care for — that I don’t feel I could have gained in any other setting.

What were your favorite college classes?

team to further utilize horticulture to help our clients meet their goals and grow mentally, physically and spiritually through connections with nature.

What advice would you give to a student interested in the field?

Lindsay helps a gentleman who usually doesn’t like to participate in group projects.

In this photo, the man said he wanted to plant “cucumbers only — no tomatoes, because they are not as delicious.”

My favorite classes were plant propagation and applied plant science, which really go hand in hand. I loved learning why a plant could be grown from leaf and stem cuttings, then putting that into practice and watching the process throughout the semester. I also found it interesting that things like stratification occur naturally to continue a plant’s reproductive cycle.

What are your plans for the future?

After graduation I would like to continue my education and become a certified horticulture therapist. Currently I work for North Carolina Outreach Group Homes in McDowell County, an organization that serves people with developmental disabilities. As part of our day program, we built a greenhouse where our clients are learning how to grow ornamental and vegetable crops.

Our hope is to build a larger greenhouse in the future to allow the men and women we serve to grow food for the group homes they live in, as well as to have crops to take to market to earn income. We strive to help them gain financial independence and, more importantly, give them a sense of self-worth and accomplishment.

Once I achieve my goal of becoming a horticulture therapist, I hope to work with our current therapy

There are more opportunities in horticulture than most people realize. It’s a field in which you create your own path, if you are truly passionate about it.

What is your favorite plant, and why?

This question always makes me think for days because there are so many options and variables. But my overall favorite plant at the moment is one I never thought I would like: petunias! There are so many varieties. The colors, patterns, bloom sizes and habits are so vast that they are really an all-around universal flower that is beautiful in any setting. I became so mesmerized by petunias during our spring plant sale that I spent three hours researching them on Google without realizing how much time had passed.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

GIC Hosted Successful Technology Symposium in June The Green Industry Council (GIC) held the 2021 Technology Symposium on June 17, 2021, at the McKimmon Center at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C. GIC President Matt Hunter hosted the event, which drew more than 200 industry professionals seeking education, certification credits and opportunities to network after a year of limited in-person events. Each speaker took the stage to address how technology can improve, streamline and inform different aspects of green industry businesses.

Using Drones to Enhance Your Business Eric Blevins, president, Evolve Landscaping, explained how unmanned aerial vehicles, colloquially known as drones, can be used as versatile tools to enhance the operation of a green business. He discussed the requirements for and process of obtaining a drone operator license, and how drone technology can be used for marketing, documenting/verifying job sites and preparing bids.

Digital Tools to Dominate Your Day Kelly Dowell, owner, Keldo Digital, highlighted digital tools that can be applied to different areas of business, including email, marketing, proposals, time management, customer relationship management and recruiting. She presented simple yet highly impactful ways to use inexpensive online tools to help automate and/or streamline your day.

Update on the NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Soil Health: What the Data Says about North Carolina

Emerging Technologies in the Green Industry

Dr. Deanna Osmond, professor, NC State, kicked off the event with a presentation addressing different definitions and measurements of soil health, including physical, chemical and biological metrics and how they can vary, depending on the soil health test selected. By learning the important aspects of soil health, your business can implement land-use practices to maintain healthy soil.

Michael Mayberry, chief technology officer, Level Green Landscaping, discussed how emerging technologies like drones, robots, cellular water sensors, internal communications and mobile apps can help remove friction and increase productivity.

Innovation and creative adaptation of available technology can change the shape of the industry by reducing labor pressure and increasing client communication.

14 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SUMMER 2021

Dr. Rich Linton, dean of the NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, provided an update on the college’s growth, as well as new initiatives. Undergraduate enrollment continues to increase, while two-year and graduate programs have seen a slight decline since 2019. He also discussed the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative and the upcoming grand opening of their new facility, which will serve as the global hub for plant science innovation.

Advancing Green Infrastructure: Adaptive Technologies in Stormwater Management Dr. Dwane Jones, acting dean, University of the District of Columbia, addressed types of green technologies, such as infrastructure and stormwater management, as well as the environmental, economic and social benefits these practices provide.

Understanding the future of land-

2021 SPONSORS

Thank you to the 2021 event sponsors who helped make the symposium a success!

PLATINUM NC Farm Bureau Federation SiteOne Landscape Supply

GOLD

SILVER Clarolux Landscape Lighting Greenscape Plantworks Nursery

BRONZE Green Resource Piedmont Carolina Nursery

scaping in a green economy can help businesses benefit from entrepreneurial and scientific opportunities for future growth.

RFID Technology: Inventory Management for the Green Industry Matt Campbell, vice president, Harvest RFID, explained how the use of radio-frequency identification (RFID) for inventory management in commercial applications is proving to be a powerful tool for greenhouses, nurseries and other green industry businesses. Learning the building blocks of a successful RFID system can help businesses increase efficiency.

Donn Mann, regional manager, Rain Bird Corporation, discussed available technologies that can be incorporated into an “irrigation system approach” to deliver just the right amount of water when needed. Everything that grows within the green industry needs water, but too much or too little can have a dramatic effect on plant health.

Here’s what attendees had to say about the event: “Lots of useful information for industry professionals. Good education and networking opportunity.”

SPECIAL RECOGNITION Mark Peters of Piedmont Carolina Nursery was given the Blue Green Innovator of the Year Award by Green Industry Council Past Presidents Dennis Niemeyer and Doug Chapman.

The award recognizes outstanding leadership and innovation in environmental stewardship relating to water conservation, water-use efficiency, and the development and implementation of green infrastructure by an individual, organization or government entity. Peters was recognized as a founding organizer of the GIC and for his longtime dedication and contributions to the green industry.

Smart Irrigation/Controllers: A Systemic Approach to Water Efficiency

”

Gravely NC Compost Council NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services NC Nursery & Landscape Association NC Sod Producers NC Turfgrass Council NC Urban Forest Council STI Turf Care Equipment

Justin Durango, Garden Harmony LLC

“Great place to network and get the latest and greatest information.”

Jesse Bowles, North Carolina landscape contractor

“Technology is missing from our industry, so coming together to share innovation is crucial.”

Dmitri Pelaez, Greenscape Inc.

“The location is convenient and easy to access, the facility is comfortable and spacious, and the speakers are knowledgeable of the industry and keep your attention. Topics are spot-on and helpful.”

Dennis Niemeyer, Mark Peters and Doug Chapman

Donald Long, Long Incorporated

SUMMER 2021 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES

15

INDUSTRY NEWS

The GIC:

Major issues the GIC has tackled over the years include water-use policy, establishing a North Carolina statute for irrigation, and landscape contracting licensure to ensure consumer protection and a high professional standard for the industry. Landscapers working in North Carolina are encouraged to become licensed and remain accredited through continuing education requirements, to provide consumer protection and meet minimum standards of workmanship and professionalism.

“The passage of these two licensure statutes has been The Green Industry Council (GIC) was established in the and remains very important to North Carolina consumers, early 2000s to address water restrictions across North Carand also helps facilitate the training and continuing educaolina during the droughts of 1998-2002. This effort led to tion of new and practicing landscape and irrigation contracthe establishment of solid working relationships with many tors,” said Mark Peters, former GIC president. municipalities, DENR, key legislators and other entities. As The GIC also actively monitors legislation being introgreen industry groups united in the GIC, the focus became duced or amended by the North Carolina General Assembly legislative advocacy in Raleigh and at the federal level, in that may impact the North Carolina green industry. concert with the former American Nursery & Landscape Most recently, the GIC helped the green industry Association and the North Carolina Farm Bureau. obtain essential status during the 2020 pandemic, safeguard“The GIC unites all green ining businesses from shutdowns dustry associations and constituents experienced by many other under one umbrella organization,” companies in the state. Niemeysaid Dennis Niemeyer, former GIC er credits that success to the president. “It represents and protects relationships the council has the interests of members in local, state developed with the governor, and federal legislation; promotes the local representatives and other value of green industry products and members of the legislature. services; and represents the green In 2010, the GIC began industry as an advocate and leader of hosting the Water Symposium, GIC Presidents environmental stewardship.” a day of education with speakers The council is comprised of seven from across the country explor2021 Matt Hunter member agriculture associations: ing shared water responsibili2020 Chris Hunt • Carolinas Irrigation Association ties within the green industry.

2019 Dennis Niemeyer • North Carolina Composting Although the 2020 event was canCouncil celed due to pandemic-related 2017/2018 Jonathan Richardson • North Carolina Nursery & limitations on in-person meet2016 Chris Mitchell Landscape Association ings, the 2021 conference went • North Carolina Pine Needles forward, shifting its focus from 2015 Cyndy Allison Producers Association water use to emerging technol2014 Chris Mitchell • North Carolina Sod Producers ogies, to help members keep up 2013 Clark O’Neill • North Carolina Urban with current issues and trends.

Forest Council Current GIC President Matt 2012 Doug Chapman • Turfgrass Council of Hunter adds, “We hope the GIC 2011 Buddy Murrow North Carolina will continue to build strong 2010 Dennis Niemeyer Providing an estimated 150,000 relationships with lawmakers on jobs and an economic impact of more both sides of the political aisle, 2009 Daniel Currin than $8 billion, according to a 2015 reto help protect and promote 2008 Doug Berlin port, the green industry is one of the the interests of its member fastest-growing segments of agriculture organizations.”

2007 Louise Hodges in the state. The boom in business Hunter also wants to educate 2005/2006 Doug Torn in 2020, due to the pandemic, likely green industry leaders on the 2003/2004 Mark Peters boosted those statistics. benefits of supporting the GIC.

Advocating for the Green Industry

16 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SUMMER 2021

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17

BEST PRACTICES

Taking Steps Toward a

Greener, More Sustainable Industry

By Bill Jones Carolina Native Nursery

D

oes the amount of singleuse plastic consumed in our industry bother you?

Have you ever been to a large landscaping firm and seen a mountain of assorted empty pots that will surely be sent to a landfill? In the spring, as you rip a huge amount of single-use overwinter film off your

18 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SUMMER 2021

cold frames, do you wonder if it really gets recycled? Have you looked for alternatives to plastic? Does transporting plants with gas-powered vehicles make ecological sense?

While I’m sure many in our business have thought about these issues, perhaps it’s time to examine more of our practices and find solutions to help lower our collective carbon footprint, reduce plastic use and truly be green.

When it comes to single-use plastics, plastic pots are a big contributor to unsustainable practices in our industry. As a young company, Carolina Native tried desperately to recycle these pots, traveling to landscaper yards, spending countless hours sorting through piles and allowing landscape clients to return their empty pots. Although these practices saved us some money when things were tight, the resulting clutter

and lack of cleanliness were serious issues at our garden center, forcing us to discontinue the program.

Today, Carolina Native is experimenting with some alternative practices and materials. First, we now use containers made from recycled plastic. While these may ultimately end up in the landfill, at least they’re a step in the right direction, away from truly single-use plastics.

We’re also following the efforts of Mobius, a Tennesseebased company that is developing a biodegradable compound to replace plastic, with the nursery and greenhouse business in mind. As well, we’re excited to conduct a large-scale test over the coming year using pots that are completely compostable and biodegradable, much like the vegetable starts that come in fiber-based pots and are planted directly into the soil. During our test, we will be experimenting with some liner and 1-gallon biodegradables for our native azaleas and perennials.

If these plants meet our high-quality standards and transplanting works well, the process will save both time and money. We will also be trying out the new pots with perennials and grasses. Having spoken to a couple of our best landscaping clients about the benefits of the new materials, they are anxious to try them.

Another major consumer of single-use plastics in our industry is the white plastic used on cold frames. Did you know that with a little planning, this plastic can be reused?

Although we’re unable to recycle this type of plastic in our area, at Carolina Native we take steps that enable us to reuse it for three or more years. First, we try to eliminate all punctures and holes, and we use wiggle wire track around every house to eliminate the need for webbing, wood, staples, screws and nails. When the time comes to remove the plastic, we just roll it up, label it and store it for the following winter. In addition, we have two sizes of cold frames on purpose, which allows us to downsize pieces of plastic as needed. As a result of all these efforts, we typically only have to order plastic for a third of our cold

frames annually — and those cost savings could be realized by just about any business in our industry.

Another important aspect of being a greener industry involves the types of energy we use to power our vehicles and equipment. At Carolina Native, sometimes I feel like we have a racetrack around here, with the constant drone of golf cart engines in the air. Recently, we’ve begun replacing our gas carts with electric carts, saving us money on engine maintenance and fuel. (Having a quieter nursery is nice, too.) In the near future, we plan to invest in electric trucks, and we will be examining electric alternatives for all of our equipment. For starters, our new electric blowers are great, and our electric car saves us more than $500 a month in fuel costs (plus, no more oil and filter changes). When the Colonial Pipeline was down this spring, we kept on rolling past the empty gas stations.

And I’m sure we all can imagine how nice it would be not to have to hear the obnoxious squealing of gas-powered lawn equipment throughout our neighborhoods during the warmer months.

By examining our practices, minimizing plastic use and looking into alternative energies, I’m very confident that we can make great progress and become the green industry we believe we are. Numerous benefits exist for those willing to make the effort, and options for going green will only get more plentiful as time goes on. Join us!

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SUMMER 2021 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES

19

Wet

What to Do When It’s Drainage and Erosion Options to Help Keep Work Moving

By Jennifer Howard

When doing a site walkthrough, you may cringe when you see pooling water on bare clay soil, or dry channels carved into steep slopes. Unfortunately, drainage problems can speed or slow rainwater movement, thereby dampening your work schedule. So, how can you keep clients happy and crews busy when a site is wet? Recently, horticulture experts from North Carolina State University shared some tips with us to help keep the water — and work — moving.

Dual Drainage Culprits

Most site-drainage problems in North Carolina are primarily a result of two colliding conditions: increasing weather intensity and rapidly changing land use.

“There has been a real change in the intensity and frequency of storm events, and the concentration and intensity of rainfall are no longer compatible with our native soil conditions,” said Julietta Sherk, NC State professor of landscape design.

“As a result, although many past landscape designs may have been sound solutions in their time, they don’t necessarily work well in today’s climate conditions.”

“Especially in the piedmont, the state’s rolling topography makes our clay soils highly erodible,” said Lee Ivy, NC State senior lecturer in horticulture.

“They just can’t absorb the increasing 20 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SUMMER 2021

Photo courtesy of Denise Krebs on Flickr

amounts of sudden rainfall we have seen in the past 20-30 years. Clay soils can only absorb and percolate 0.2-0.3 inches of rainfall per hour, but recently we’ve been seeing 0.5-3 inches per hour. They just can’t handle that.”

In addition to the increased weather intensity, the onslaught of building development amplifies our water-infiltration problems. Quick-turn building projects often clear-cut sites, stripping away any water-absorbing soil organic matter and leaving acres of bare subsoil. And the ground that isn’t scraped bare — such as driveways, parking lots and buildings — is often paved or covered with impermeable surfaces, which are only capable of shedding volumes of water elsewhere. Together, those conditions create a perfect storm for localized soggy sites.

Sleuthing Out the Source

If you are tasked with remedying such a problem, experts suggest starting by finding the source. “The best way to identify drainage problems is to be on-site when it’s pouring,” Ivy said. “That’s when you can really understand how and where water moves.” Site scouting is also a productive use of time during weather conditions that limit many other activities. If visiting on a stormy day is not an option, however, you’ll need to do some detective work.

Barring an irrigation or water line leak, drainage problems almost always result from two sources (and sometimes both): impaired water infiltration and/or poor water conveyance. (Since water lines are generally the easiest fix, try to rule out those issues first.)

Water infiltration is the soil’s ability to move water downward through the soil profile — the initial capture and then slow release of rainfall into the ground’s natural aquifer system. “It’s ideal to handle water where it falls,” Sherk said. “You don’t want it to run off and have to deal with it again elsewhere.”

Compacted clay soils are notorious for slow water infiltration. If you suspect soil compaction, which is common in North Carolina, Ivy suggests taking a soil probe or shovel to dig down. “See if the wet and dry areas are where you expect,” he said. If water is landing but not being absorbed, compaction is a likely problem.

Water conveyance, on the other hand, directs water from its landing point to another area that is better suited to handle it. Gutter downspouts, for example, are building conveyances that can lead to drainage problems if runoff is not properly directed or dispersed. In the landscape, water conveyance is impacted by basic grading and natural topography features like swales and berms, or manmade features designed to move water to an alternate location.

Identifying the problems with your site’s water infiltration and/or conveyance will usually reveal your solution set. Armed with that information, the most comprehensive, lasting solutions are then usually rooted in a carefully considered design. However, when clients, timelines and budgets don’t allow for sweeping design changes, you can still prioritize solutions to achieve the best possible outcome.

Finding a Fix Through Triage

Once you’ve identified a site’s drainage problem source(s), you can triage by asking some general questions. For instance: • Is this an acute or chronic problem? (Ivy notes that acute or immediate problems are usually the warning bells of a larger, chronic problem.)

• Is the drainage problem a minor thorn delaying a different task, or have you been called in to battle a known, recurring drainage problem?

Regardless of the answers to those questions, drainage improvements likely will come down to three options: will you collect, direct or just accept the water volume?

Acute Issues (aka “I need to fix this to finish the job this week”) If you find yourself facing an unworkable, wet site, short-term options are mostly install-related, as opposed to design-oriented. Although work shouldn’t be done while the soil is wet, improvements can be planned to promptly enhance infiltration and conveyance.

Infiltration (collect)

Adding organic matter or other soil amendments to help absorb and retain water can fix minor drainage problems, especially in turf applications. Core aerating and dethatching also can improve water movement down into lawn soil.

On slopes, hardwood mulch, hydroseeding and sod installed over amended soil will also increase water retention. Carolyn Podger, owner of EcoPro Mulch and Erosion, suggests compost seeding: “Adding organic compost to seed mixtures adds moisture retention and nutrients. EcoPro installs compost seed by blower truck, which speeds application and works on slopes and hard-to-access areas.”

SUMMER 2021 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES

21

If the problem is more extreme, you can artificially improve infiltration by adding plumbed catch basins or dry wells to collect and slowly disperse large amounts of water.

Conveyance (direct)

If water accumulates around structures or impervious surfaces, start by redirecting gutter downspouts and raising the grade to change the direction of water flow. If water runoff is significant, consider managing water movement by adding a natural or artificial funnel, such as a french drain or even a low hardscape wall. And be sure not to underestimate the value of mulched planting beds or aggregate walkways to temporarily handle excess water.

Chronic Drainage Problems

If you’re coming in on the front end of a job, hopefully you have a longer horizon to impact change. Design enhancements generally take longer to accomplish but will also perform better in the long run, in terms of satisfying the client’s expectations.

Infiltration (collect) Long-term infiltration improvements require extensive — and often invasive — soil work. “We can grow in clay soils, but they have to be ripped to a depth of 18 inches or more,” Sherk said. “Then you can till in topsoil or other amendments. Doing so properly will create a soil profile that acts as a sponge to filter stormwater and recharge the subsurface aquifers.”

Strategic grading, such as terraced slopes, also can significantly alter water movement. According to Sherk, planning these features into a cohesive design also opens the door to new planting areas and creates a more complex landscape

Terraced landscape design interrupts erosion and makes yards more visually appealing.

that handles stormwater more effectively — and is actually often preferred by clients.

“There’s a perception that stormwater management features aren’t tidy, but research shows that people tend to prefer more visually diverse landscapes,” she said. “Terraced slopes planted with low-maintenance grasses, as well as trees in large landscapes, are some of our most valuable and effective stormwater-management structures.” The extensive, deep root zones of these plantings have enormous potential to slow, absorb and help evaporate rainfall.

However, if a large volume of water is pooling (especially if the problem starts off-property), your best bet is to catch it on the spot with a cistern or infiltration well. Both will handle a high volume of water for temporary storage, while remaining Catch basins can capture hidden in the landscape. These tools and direct can even be engineered to function water runoff. under impervious sites, especially in urban or commercial areas.

Conveyance (direct)

More dramatic water movement requires more invasive action. Grass swales and dry creeks provide movement and interest to the human eye, as well as catchment for rain. Both require thoughtful integration into the landscape and significant grading changes to function appropriately, but their on-demand water-handling service can be extremely valuable. Directing runoff into these graded channels can guide water into rain gardens or more substantial piping structures, or carry water off toward drains or ponds, helping to clean it before it runs into streams.

Reconfigure (accept)

Native grasses at Lonnie Poole Golf Course. Photo courtesy of NC State.

22 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SUMMER 2021

“If you can’t beat it, join it,” Ivy said of chronically wet sites. There is a growing movement to use nature’s wetland example in our landscapes — and sometimes there are regulatory rewards for doing so. Rain gardens or other wetland installations allow adapted plants to

sow and filter rainwater into the ground. “It’s a way to turn a problem into an opportunity that is dynamic and interesting, but also highly functional,” Sherk added.

The beauty of many rain garden or bog plants is that they are equally wet and drought tolerant. And there are numerous options to choose from, including native trees, reeds, shrubs and perennials, to keep the area of interest to people and pollinators all year round.

These intentionally designed wet spaces are a welcome solution in cases where invasive measures are unsuitable or undesired. As well, landscapers and clients are often delighted to find that municipalities will frequently cofund natural stormwater-catchment projects like cisterns and rain gardens, which prevent sediment from reaching natural water sources. Such reimbursement programs are another great incentive to consider the “less is more” approach to managing drainage.

Wet job sites can wreak havoc on structures and schedules, and understanding how to troubleshoot these locations is key to solving the root cause. Knowing whether to catch or redirect rainfall will allow you to advise clients in the most informed way — and finding a drainage solution that meets their needs (and yours) can be the ticket to successful jobs and future referrals.

Additional Resources:

Prevent Erosion on Your Sloped Property

by USDA NRCS

Rain gardens can be easily integrated into the landscape design.

Photo courtesy of NC State Cooperative Extension

Dry Wells for Stormwater Management

by American Geosciences Institute How to Build a Simple Dry Well

by Ask This Old House Swale Terminology for Urban Stormwater Treatment by NC State Extension Rain Garden Site Selection and Design

by NC Cooperative Extension Soak Up the Rain: Rain Gardens by the US Environmental Protection Agency

NCNLA’s mission is to provide essential value to our members through education, marketing and advocacy www.ncnla.com SUMMER 2021 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES 23

RESEARCH

New BOX AThreat to TREE North American MOTH: Boxwoods

By Amy Michael

Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey Coordinator North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS)

BTM caterpillar with frass and webbing.

Ferenc Lakatos, University of Sopron, Bugwood.org 24 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SUMMER 2021

The box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis, BTM) is native to eastern Asia and has become a serious pest in Europe. Although this moth is a relatively new pest to North America, an established population of BTM was found in Ontario, Canada, in 2018. The BTM caterpillar feeds on boxwood (all Buxus spp.). The larvae start by chewing away at leaves; heavy infestations will completely defoliate shrubs and then begin to feed on the bark, girdling and ultimately killing the host plant. BTM can have two to five generations per year, depending on temperature, and would be expected to be active April through October in an environment like North Carolina’s. In introduced areas where the pest has the minimum two generations per year, boxwood stands have declined by more than 95% within a decade.

Given the ample host availability and their ability to rapidly reproduce and spread, BTM could become a major pest to North Carolina nurseries and landscapes across the country.

Damage caused

by BTM feeding.

Ferenc Lakatos, University of Sopron, Bugwood.org

BTM adult, typical coloration.

Szabolcs Sáfián, Bugwood.org

BTM adult, dark coloration.

Szabolcs Sáfián, Bugwood.org

The BTM has not yet been found in North Carolina, but it could easily be introduced through shipments of infested boxwood. Early detection and swift reporting are critical to safeguarding North Carolina boxwood production! You can help by keeping an eye out for these signs of infestation and damage: • Bright green larvae, with shiny black heads up to 2 inches long, feeding on boxwood foliage and stems • Webbing with green balls of frass (caterpillar excrement) • Defoliation, chewed boxwood leaves, or papery, dried out foliage. BTM is the only pest that defoliates boxwood in North America!

• Adult moths may be present near host plants and will lay eggs on boxwood leaves Report suspect BTM infestations to NCDA&CS by emailing a photo to newpest@ncagr.gov or by calling 1-800-206-9333.

SUMMER 2021 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES 25

RESEARCH

Red imported fire ant.

Eli Sarnat.

USDA APHIS PPQ

NC IMPORTED

FIRE ANT Quarantine Expanding in 2022

mported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta, S. richteri and hybrids; IFA) are a nuisance and health concern to humans, livestock and wildlife, due to their painful sting and ability to damage crops and agricultural equipment. First detected in the United States in Alabama in the early 1900s, IFA appeared in North Carolina for the first time in 1957, in Brunswick County. Since their arrival, IFA have spread throughout most of the southeastern U.S., including most of North Carolina, and 14 states are now partially or entirely quarantined for IFA on the federal level. Portions or entire areas

By Whitney Swink State Regulatory Entomologist of 77 of North Carolina’s 100 counties are considered infested with IFA and North Carolina Department are under quarantine for this pest, with two more partial counties and the of Agriculture & Consumer remainder of Granville County to be added to the quarantine list in 2022.

Services (NCDA&CS) 26 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SUMMER 2021

NCDA&CS staff survey the

nonquarantined portions of North Carolina annually looking for new IFA populations, and also return to known IFA sites to determine whether populations outside the quarantine area have grown or shrunk (e.g., due to treatment or climate conditions).

Decisions to expand IFA quarantine

areas, which are based on reviewing multiple years of data, are made to protect North Carolina growers, so they can continue to move their commodities to noninfested portions of the state and country.

IFA spreads readily through human-assisted movement — especially via nursery stock, such as IFA mound.

USDA APHIS PPQ

plants with roots and soil still attached, grass sod, and baled hay and straw that has been stored in contact with soil (hence, these commodities are federally regulated). If you own or manage a nursery, or if you are a producer of baled hay, straw or pine straw and you are located inside the North Carolina IFA quarantine area, please contact your area’s plant pest specialist to have your business set up under compliance and/or have your material inspected prior to leaving the IFA quarantine area. Treatment with approved insecticides is required prior to moving these and other regulated articles out of the quarantine zone to IFA-free areas.

NCDA&CS Plant Industry staff are available to assist growers anytime plant pest issues arise, in order to facilitate the movement of North Carolina nursery stock throughout the U.S. For more information, please contact your regional NCDA&CS Plant Industry Division plant pest specialist (contact information can be found at www.ncagr.gov/plantindustry).

SUMMER 2021 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES 27

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28 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SUMMER 2021

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