Groundswell | October 21 by ngivictoria

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Volume 32 Number 8 October 2021 PUBLISHER NURSERY & GARDEN INDUSTRY VICTORIA PRESIDENT Simon Gomme CEO Craig Taberner CONTRIBUTORS Simon Gomme, Leigh Siebler, Craig Taberner, Matt Ross, Nan Cleven, Michael Warner, Teagan Faull, Kirsty Sinclair, Jyri Kaapro, Andrew Manners, Clive Larkman ADVERTISING NGIV T: (03) 9576 0599 ADDRESS Unit 3, 307 Wattletree Road, Malvern East VIC 3145. MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 2280, Wattletree Road LPO, Malvern East VIC 3145. TELEPHONE (03) 9576 0599 FAX (03) 9576 0431 EMAIL ngiv@ngiv.com.au www.ngiv.com.au FINISHED ART Vale Graphics M: 0409 88 77 06 E: angie@valegraphics.com.au PRINTING Norwood Industries 6 Wedgewood Road, Hallam VIC 3803.

CONTENTS 4 EXECUTIVE UPDATE 6 HUMPHRIS KEEP GROWING WITH NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART GREENHOUSE 9 MIFGS ON TRACK FOR 2022 10 AUSTRALIAN HORTICULTURAL TRIALS 2021 14 HARD WORK PAYS OFF FOR JMK NURSERY 16 YARRA VIEW NURSERY: MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITY 18 PIGGY BACK FARM: GROWING NEW PLANTS THE OLD FASHIONED WAY 21 NGIV TO BOLSTER VIC’S SEASONAL HORTICULTURE WORKFORCE 22 EXCITING NEW PLANT RELEASE FROM OZBREED 25 NISHIKI NURSERY: GENERATIONS OF HORTICULTURE

Our front cover: Humphris keep growing with new state-of-the-art greenhouse.

www.humphris.com.au

26 VALE: ERIC ‘DON’ FLEMING 28 NGIV INDUSTRY PARTNERS & NEW MEMBERS 31 BALCONY GARDENS BY DEEPDALE 32 SPECTICLE® HERBICIDE FROM BAYER 33 FREE DIAGNOSTICS OFFERED TO PRODUCTION NURSERIES 34 CHOSING A CAREER IN HORTICULTURE 37 AUGUST TRADE DAY REPORT 38 NEXTGEN: REBECCA JOHNSON

GROUNDSWELL OCTOBER 2021

Executive update Welcome to October Groundswell. Spring has arrived, traditionally our industry’s busiest time of year. We appreciate that for many of our members, particularly our retailers, the prolonged trading restrictions will be having a significant impact on your business, and indeed your, and your teams, wellbeing.

Simon Gomme President, NGIV

Craig Taberner CEO, NGIV

We want to reassure you that NGIV are continuing to advocate for the early reopening of retail garden centres across Victoria. We have ongoing dialogue with key staff within the office for the Minister of Agriculture and Minister for Small Business and submitted a detailed report that highlighted the low-risk environment, economic impact, and support for Victorians mental health and wellbeing, which our retail garden centres provide. NGIV have also engaged with the Bunnings Group to consider a collaborative approach towards advocacy for retail garden centres, Agriculture Victoria to ensure they are kept aware of the situation, our lobbyist to inform our strategy for advocacy on the matter and the Small Business Recovery Committee with Minister for Small Business the Hon Jaala Pulford MLC. We will continue to provide a voice for our retail members and on behalf of the NGIV Board, team and members, we all hope you're back to doing what you do best soon. The NGIV has been selected to participate in the Small Business Wellbeing Program as an industry impacted by COVID-19. The Program will provide direct specialist wellbeing and mental health support to our members through the engagement of a mental health specialist. This service, available to all NGIV Full Members, their staff and families. Whilst there’s no expectation to use the service, we feel it is

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a great additional member benefit in these challenging times. All we ask is that you make your team and colleagues aware of the offering. Given the difficulty of this moment, we’d like to once again thank our Industry Partners for their ongoing support. Our partners lead the way in delivering excellence; executing plans and delivering projects that permeate and benefit the entire industry. As an industry we are collectively indebted to them and the work they do; that’s why we would ask you to seek out opportunities to show them your support. We’re delighted that Ball Australia and Bio Gro have upgraded to Platinum Partners. A big thank you to Transplant Systems, Sidekicker and SureGro TreeMax, for upgrading to Silver Partners. And a big welcome to JD Propagation and DNA Training Solutions, who became Bronze Partners. Visit page 28 to find out more. We’d like to encourage any member businesses that are looking to recruit and upskill trainees or apprentices to contact our preferred Apprentice Network Provider (ANP), MEGT. They will guide you through the process of selecting the appropriate training course and claiming government incentives, including the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements (BAC) wage subsidy, which provides eligible employers with a wage subsidy of up to 50% of the gross wages of an apprentice or trainee for up to 12 months – up to $28,000. The wage subsidy represents a fantastic opportunity for NGIV Members to upskill their workforce with a significant saving. Any business that engages an Australian Apprentice between 5 October 2020 and 31 March 2022 may be eligible for a subsidy up to $7,000 per quarter and there’s no cap on the number of eligible trainees/apprentices. A number of our

members have already capitalised on the partnership and benefitted enormously. The NGIV were successful in our application for funding through Agriculture Victoria’s Seasonal Workforce Industry Support Program (SWISP). Set up to fund peak industry bodies and organisations to strengthen and boost Victoria’s seasonalhorticulture workforce. You can read more about the Program on page 21, but ultimately, it’s successful delivery will benefit our members through establishment of a framework and process that helps industry connect with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities today and into the future. It’s an incredibly frustrating time to be delivering events and we thank you for your patience. Due to the continuing uncertainty caused by the ongoing pandemic and the subsequent restrictions on events and venue capacity, we have decided to reschedule our Annual Dinner to 2022. This was a difficult decision to make as our Annual Dinner is a highlight in our events calendar, and a night we all look forward to. However, the safety of our members, guests and staff is our priority. We hope you can join us on the new date, we’ll make sure it’s worth the wait. The Australian Horticultural Trials Week is just around the corner. It’s a major event in Australia’s horticultural calendar, an opportunity to discover exciting new lines, visit some of Australia’s finest propagators and growers and enjoy networking with industry colleagues. Find out what’s in store this year on pages 10-12. The 117th Annual General Meeting of Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria (NGIV) will be held online on Thursday 21st October 2021. We hope you can join us as we run through the year that’s been and look forward. We’d like to acknowledge the passing of one of Australia’s finest nurserymen and second-generation owner of Fleming’s Nurseries, Eric ‘Don’ Fleming. On behalf of the Nursey and Garden Industry of Victoria Board, staff and members, our condolences are expressed to Dawn, children Dani, Graham and Wes, and the extended Fleming’s family. His Vale can be found on page 26. Finally, we’d like to remind you all that we are a unique and united industry, proud and supportive of each other. Look for opportunities to help one another and if anyone is doing it tough, lean on your colleagues, your industry peers, and the team at NGIV for support. Together we are stronger and together we will get through this. And never underestimate the positive impact that the plantlife you grow and sell is having on your fellow Victorians.

Simon Gomme

Craig Taberner

President, NGIV Powerplants Australia

CEO, NGIV

GROUNDSWELL OCTOBER 2021

PROFILE: HUMPHRIS NURSERY

Humphris keep growing with new state-of-the-art greenhouse By Matt Ross Some growers are content to keep doing what they do, what they’ve always done, and doing it well. And there’s nothing wrong with that. For Barry Humphris, owner of Humphris Nursery, he wants to push the envelope, to challenge himself and his team to have a crack. Inspired by trips to Europe to see how they do things and the scale on which they do it.

that exactly fit his requirements,” said Simon Gomme, Director of Powerplants.

“It’s eye opening to visit the European growers and witness the size of their operations and the efficiency of their systems.

The outcome is a greenhouse designed for flexibility, space utilisation and low running costs.

The culture of the European consumer, where plants are viewed as a regular purchase, creates a demand to grow on an epic scale.,” said Barry.

On entry you’re blown away by the size of it, it covers one hectare. It’s five metres in height which provides a buffer for the plants from the outside environment. There are one kilometre of conveyor belts and side shifting ebb and flow benches which allows potting and dispatch to happen simultaneously anywhere at any time. It’s double skinned with plastic, delivering outstanding insulation for the plants.

And so, having acquired 200 acres of farmland in Woori Yallock, a small village in the Yarra Valley, they commissioned a state-of-the-art French manufactured (Richel), Dutch designed, greenhouse. Crucially they engaged Powerplants from the outset to advise them on design and specifications of the greenhouse. “Too often growers will contact us having already purchased a greenhouse and we then have to look to provide retrofit suggestions. Barry engaged us from the outset which meant we could assist him to achieve a custom-built greenhouse

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It’s double ridged venting, fogging systems, heating and fans, are all controlled by Priva compass using a tablet or phone; all of which means Barry can be enjoying a beer at home whilst monitoring and controlling the heating and cooling. And all those features have been achieved whilst preserving a 92 per cent space utilisation, it’s a big house that packs a lot in, large walkways don’t generate any income.

PROFILE: HUMPHRIS NURSERY

And that’s not where the innovation ends. For the first time this fifth-generation nursery, which was established in the 1850’s, are turning their attention to growing indoor plants.

Barry Humphris couldn’t be happier with the new greenhouse.

“We could see that the trend for indoor plants was growing. We pride ourselves on being a nursery that have a go. There was also an appetite from the team to start growing indoor plants and when there’s enthusiasm and logic, I listen.” They had also identified that growing larger indoor plants, predominately 20cm, 25cm and 30cm pots, would mean there are no direct competitors in Victoria, and they wouldn’t be stepping into anyone else’s market. Like any new endeavour they’re learning as they go and aren’t afraid to take a trial-and-error approach to selecting their forever varieties. Their approach is to select hardy plants that can be grown in large volumes. To date Alocasias, Spathiphyllums, Antheriums, Ficus and Philodendrons, are all growing well and generating plenty of demand.

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PROFILE: HUMPHRIS NURSERY u

And whilst, they’re now reaping the rewards of their investment and vision, it felt like the gamble might have backfired when COVID-19 struck. “I had a few sleepless nights. We’d just acquired the land and built the greenhouse and all of a sudden we were caught up in a global pandemic. I thought we’d blown it.” Few could have anticipated the positive impact COVID-19 would have on the demand for plantlife in Australia. As a result, rather than the house being an expensive mistake, they’re looking to build an identical one beside it to keep up with demand, with works due to commence in November. To anyone who knows Baz, none of this will come as a surprise. Always willing to try something new, or ‘have a crack’, as he puts it. In 2004 he thought he’d give retail a crack and acquired Mt Evelyn Garden Centre, in that time it’s been transformed from a basic shed to one of Victoria’s most stunning garden centres. With 200 acres now to play with, an ambitious growth mindset and a team that embrace new challenges; the future looks very bright for Humphris Nursery. We look forward to seeing what they have a crack at next.

Great selection of Victorian grown indoor stock available now!

218 – 220 Cardigan Rd, Mooroolbark. Vic. 3138 T: +613 9761 9688 | E: sales@humphris.com.au

www.humphris.com.au 08

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show

on track for 2022 return By Michael Warner, MIFGS Chairman and Marcus Gale, IMG Event Director We’re back! After the disappointment of cancelling both our 2020 and 2021 Shows, the MIFGS decision makers can finally see some light and planning for our 2022 Show is now in full swing. Lockdowns have decimated the events industry, but with the ‘vaccination passport’ now firmly on the agenda, the prospects for events in early 2022 have improved dramatically. We are confident the Victorian public will embrace and achieve the targets set, and that March 30 – April 3 will see crowds back in the Carlton Gardens admiring the talents of our industries. We have a new and exciting layout, the Flower Hall will be housed in ‘super marquees’ and adorn the World Heritage Listed Central Boulevard, we can hardly wait to see this live, the renders look fantastic. We have 10 ‘Show Gardens’ confirmed, and they will be spread through strategic areas of the gardens. The LV run ‘Boutique Gardens’ will take their regular spot, along with the Designer Bubble. A new addition will be the Ryman Healthcare ‘Balcony Garden’ competition – a series of displays focussing on smaller spaces. Retail exhibits will again be strong, and bookings are now open for sale.

consult services, and allied businesses and specialty growers could book a retail site to promote their products to a highly engaged audience. A Growers Avenue could be considered, please make contact if you have interest. Start planning now and book with confidence knowing that there’s a refund policy in place. We look forward to experiencing MIFGS together in March 2022.

More information Enquiries about MIFGS 2022 contact:Trent Cornish at IMG e: Trent.cornish@img.com

There will be something for everyone, but what we really need is you! The NGIV has suffered with the past two event cancellations, and whilst lockdowns have been difficult for many, the general mood of the industry is positive. We need MIFGS 2022 to bounce back bigger and better than before, to re-enforce the health and wellbeing benefits of what we do, and remind the public of the importance our greenlife sector has played in living through 18 months of lockdowns. We need growers to supply stock to gardens, garden centres could consider a balcony display or promoting their garden

natives / exotics / grasses ornamentals / contract grow specialists

Indicative render of the new Flower Hall

INFO@TALL A TREES.COM.AU (03) 59830 166 | TALL TA TREES.COM.A T U GROUNDSWELL OCTOBER 2021

EVENT: AHT2021

2021 AUSTRALIAN

HORTICULTURAL

TRIALS WEEK 7 – 10 DECEMBER

PRESENTED BY

Australian Horticultural Trials Week presented by Powerplants It’s coming up to that time of year again. For four wonderful days in December, NGIV and Australia’s top breeders and growers, are proud to present the 2021 Australian Horticultural Trials Week. This year’s Horticultural Trials Week will take place between 7-10 December and feature a mix of in person and digital experiences.

2021 Exhibitors Once again Trials Week will bring together some of Australia’s leading growers, allied businesses and retailers. Start planning your trip to explore, discover and enjoy, the latest horticultural innovations!

PlantFest 2021 with Greenhills Propagation Nursery & Touch of Class Plants 20 199 201

Contact: sales@greenhillspropagation.com.au touchofclassplants.com.au When: 9:00am – 3:00pm Tuesday to Thursday

2021 Plant Exhibitors Flowers to Fit Lifestyles with Ball Australia

Haars Nursery

Welcome to the 2021 Ball Australia Grower Trials where our varieties continue to keep colour in the world of gardening.

Building on the success of our 2020 trials we will be showcasing a more extensive range of new and innovative plant genetics which will be introduced to the Australian market during 2022.

Growers need plants that are easy to produce, retailers need plants with strong sell-through and consumers need plants with excellent garden performance. Our line-up of plants for the 2021 trials, presents the best of premium annual and perennial flowering varieties and an evergrowing selection of indoor plants. All bred around innovative genetics for performance and market suitability. We have established retail brands with Natures Décor and Simply Beautiful linking quality to reliability, supporting Independent Garden Centres and major retailers with successful marketing programs. Contact: kateg@ballaustralia.com ballaustralia.com When: 9:00am – 4:00pm Tuesday to Friday

Haars Nursery have expanding partnerships internationally, enabling us to promote, market and distribute leading plant genetics. Our showcase will be held at Haars Lynhurst, 605 Thompsons Road. Join us for a coffee, stay for lunch and enjoy our open house during Trials Week 2021. Contact: sales@haarsnursery.com.au | haarsnursery.com.au

Mansfield’s Propagation Nursery Trials Week 2021 is a fantastic opportunity to view our leading varieties as well as the exciting ranges from Austraflora, Ozbreed, InStyle Succulents, Rootstock Services, Aloe-Aloe and Tissue Culture Australia. Trials Week 2021 at Mansfield’s Propagation Nursery will run mostly virtual this year or by appointment only. Contact: orders@mansfieds.net.au to book an appointment between Tuesday 7th December and Friday 10th December 2021. Contact: orders@mansfieds.net.au | mansfields.net.au

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Majestic YoungPlants Trials Majestic YoungPlants produces a vast array of product lines, grown to order all throughout the year. We only produce from the highest quality propagation materials and we consider ourselves market leaders for innovative and rare varieties. We will be showcasing the wide assortment of plants we have on offer in our indoor, succulent, landscape, vegetables, herbs, perennials and annual ranges. Contact: adele@youngplants.com.au majesticyoungplants.com.au When: 8:30am – 4:30pm Monday to Friday

A Kaleidoscope of Colour with JD Propagation JD Propagation invites you to see “A Kaleidoscope of Colour” at our 2021 trials. With genetics sourced from some of the most renowned breeders such as Syngenta, Volmary, Outback Plants, Kiwi Flora, PAC, Greenfuse, Snowbrand & Royal Van Zanten. You will find that we have an extensive plant range that is second to none. Our philosophy is simple – to listen, understand and deliver a quality product whilst exceeding a high level of service. We believe that we are only as good as the last plant that we send out and we continue to work towards improving our structure and processes to maintain a high level of consistency. Contact: customerservice@jdpropagation.com.au jdpropagation.com.au When: 9:00am – 4:30pm Tuesday to Thursday

2021 Allied Exhibitors Presenting Partner and Exhibitor – Powerplants NGIV are delighted to announce Powerplants as the Presenting Partner for this year’s Trials Week. Over the year’s Powerplants have been synonymous with Trials Week and given their own approach to progress and advancement, they’re a wonderful fit. “Powerplants are delighted to be named the Presenting Partner for the 2021 Australian Horticultural Trials Week. We have a strong affinity with Trials Week; it’s about progress and innovation, and that really resonates with us. Trials Week is a highlight in the Australian horticultural calendar, bringing together some of Australia’s leading growers, allied businesses and retailers. The opportunity to learn, discover, share, connect and enjoy, is unrivalled and unique to Trials Week. We’re excited to catch up with lots of our industry peers at this year’s Trials Week, to discover the latest innovations across the Australian horticultural industry and of course to exhibit our own.” Simon Gomme | Director, Powerplants Contact: sales@powerplants.com.au | powerplants.com.au When: 8:30am–5:00pm Monday to Friday

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EVENT: AHT2021

EvergreenConnect Our plant search contains over 120,000 plants grown across Australia. If it’s available, there’s a good chance you will find it on EvergreenConnect. For Retail Nurseries: Access to hundreds of growers Australia wide, with all their contact details available for your convenience. For Wholesale Nurseries: Allow hundreds of trade customers to find what you have available for purchase each day.

It Begins Here with Super Starters At Super Starters we understand that our customers are looking for an edge and are demanding a smarter and more efficient way of working. A Starter Pot gives you the opportunity to produce a high-quality final product with a more consistent strike rate over a shorter period of time.

For Designers and Local Councils: Access to hundreds of growers Australia wide, with all their contact details available.

Our key focus is the end product and we understand that this is critical to your business. Having been on the receiving end we only send out products that we would want to Propagate into ourselves.

Contact: info@evergreenconnect.com.au evergreenconnect.com.au

We aim to work with our customers to provide a service that is consistent, reliable, and suitable for your needs. Contact: bobby@superstarters.com.au | superstarters.com.au

Be Fantastic, Recycle Your Plastic with Garden City Plastics

When: 9:00am – 4:30pm Tuesday to Thursday

Almost four decades ago, GCP and Norwood began partnering to use the same plastic (PP5). Many things have changed in the past 40 years but the decision to manufacture horticulture products in PP5 means today, our industry is leading the way in closed-loop recycling methods.

Virtual Tour of Norwood with Norwood Industries Contact: meggie.morris@norwood.com.au | norwood.com.au When: 8:30 – 4:30pm Monday to Friday

Learn more about the closed loop approach Garden City Plastics and Norwood are promoting to educate and inspire your wholesale and/or retail customers. Contact: greg.carrick@gardencityplastics.com gardencityplastics.com When: 8:00am – 4:00pm Tuesday to Thursday

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We will keep you updated of any more exhibitors in our weekly e-newsletter and the Trials Website. Visit horticulturaltrials.com to find out more about the Australian Horticultural Trials Week and what’s in store this year.

PROFILE: JMK NURSERY

Hard work pays off for JMK Nursery By Matt Ross Imagine realising your dream of taking over the business your heart was set on, after years of working and saving hard, only to find that a week later a global pandemic is announced. That’s exactly what happened to Daniel and Louise Koelewyn after taking over JMK Nursery at the end of February 2020.

and updates to help us navigate the unknown,” said Louise.

For eight years they’d worked hard, seven-days a week 14-hour days, for Daniel’s parents, Mark and Jolande Koelewyn, to raise the funds required to buy the nursery from them.

The impact of COVID had another unexpected positive. It brought the nursery team of 28 even closer together and the husband-and-wife team saw how invested their staff were in the wellbeing of the nursery.

“We got to run the nursery for one blissful week before the pandemic hit. We’d put everything into buying the business, all our savings. It was our home too,” explained Louise.

“We couldn’t ask for a better team. They said whatever support we needed to help us through the pandemic and to keep the nursery operating to capacity, they’d do it.”

“It was incredibly scary not to be in control of our destiny. If we were unable to trade, there was no buffer, everything was in the business. We just had to cross everything that the nursery industry would be considered essential.”

They started to attend NGIV Trade Days, as a means of promotion and networking.

To her enormous surprise, they were not adversely affected. In fact, they got to ride the wave of the COVID gardening boom that saw nursery sales double and triple previous years figures, as they struggled to keep up with demand. “We’re very grateful to NGIV for all the work they did to advocate for the horticulture industry and provide support

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“Nobody really knew who we were, Trade Day was such a great way for us to meet other growers and get our name out there. We also took to the road to meet suppliers and customers in Victoria and interstate. It can take a little while to become an established name but we were determined to develop trust and a good reputation in the industry. You sometimes need that to be given a chance by suppliers.”

PROFILE: JMK NURSERY

The team at JMK Nursery

And they have that now. They’re experimenting with new lines, adding trees to their landscape and hedging varieties, to be a one-stop-shop for their customers. They’ve extended to all ends of their 12-acre site adding new infrastructure to grow more plants. The only spot left is the garden, which is reserved for their dogs. It’s a big achievement for a couple that weren’t born into the industry. They met when Louise was 17 and Daniel had recently emigrated from Holland. They started working with Mark and Jolande and learning how to propagate. They instantly feel in love with it, enjoying the variety the work gave them; propagating, tubing, pulling orders, potting plants and making deliveries. They worked hard to save for their first home which they purchased at the age of 18 and became parents the same year. Their daughter now works at the nursery, with Louise teaching her the ropes of running the office, a job she’s been doing for ten years now. Louise is hoping that one day she’ll take the nursery over from them. Family is important to them. But how do you maintain a good relationship with your partner, whilst working together and living onsite?

“We get asked that a lot. We’re very similar people. We don’t argue. We talk things through, communication is key. It’s okay to agree to disagree sometimes. No grudges are held. We’re also very strict on separating home and business life, from 5:30pm every day we turn our focus to family and the working day stops; no work calls or customer visits. It is a challenge to work with family but it’s also very special. My dad works here now and my daughter, it’s lovely to have three generations sharing so much.” They also enjoy being part of a unique breed of people; the growers. “Once you start growing it’s very hard to stop. I love being part of this industry; there’s a decency and respect amongst growers, that you don’t find in all walks of life.” And all their hard work and ambition has paid off. They don’t want to be the biggest, they simply want to do what they do well. They are an established nursery who have built a reputation for supplying excellent plants and always delivering what they promise. And for now, that feels like enough … although they do have their eye on an automatic shade house to grow year round. That’s the thing about growers, they never want to stop growing.

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PROFILE: YARRA VIEW NURSERY

Yarra View Nursery: making a difference in their community By Matt Ross On the face of it, Yarra View & Bushland Flora Nurseries are much like any other nursery; bursting with stunning plantlife, humming with activity and staffed by a knowledgeable, friendly team. And that’s how Yarra View want to be recognised, as a high calibre nursery, no special treatment. But there are special things happening every day. The nursery employs 150 staff across its 3 sites, of which 85 have an intellectual disability. Commercial Business Manager, Josh Kyne, believes horticulture is the perfect industry to provide meaningful, rewarding work and life skills to community members with an intellectual disability. “Our staff receive first-class, focused training. They learn all the same skills that any other nursery-worker would learn. And you can witness people going on a journey of growth and confidence that is so rewarding to see. Some have been employed at the nursery for decades and they turn up day in day out with a smile on their face, eager to learn and get stuck into their work. Just the same as in any other nursery,” said Josh. The nursery work gives the team a sense of purpose and responsibility. They’re working outdoors, surrounded by nature. They’re using their bodies. They’re invited to learn new skills and to work at their own pace. They’re engaging with the public and building a strong team dynamic with their colleagues. Already one of the State’s largest employers of those with an intellectual disability, Yarra View Nursery are on a quest to employ and train more and more individuals. But to do so they need funds. Winning the contract to supply over 600,000 plants, shrubs and trees, for the Mordialloc Freeway Upgrade enabled them to employ another 10 staff and most importantly provide over 15,000 hours of employment. Yarra View & Bushland Flora also do a lot of work supplying plants for many Level Crossing Removal Authority projects. 16

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And they don’t receive any special treatment, they tender and compete with other growers to get the job. It’s their capacity to get the job done on time, whilst supplying quality plantlife, that seals the deal. “It’s really hard to get a job with a disability. We’re here, showing that that needn’t be the case. With the correct framework, horticulture is an industry that can support these individuals and benefit from a passionate and committed team,” said Scott Buckland, CEO at Yarra View & Bushland Flora Nurseries. Sadly, they aren’t immune to the destructiveness of Mother Nature. The June storms wreaked havoc at the nursery, causing $200,000 worth of damage. Numerous large trees came down damaging poly tunnels, the shade-house, drainage, irrigation systems, vents, stock and more. They were also without phones and internet for several days, which meant no sales or dispatch, and temporary closure.

Infrastructure damage and the clean-up is estimated to total $150,000, while the cost of lost trade, production and stock is estimated at $50,000. “As a not for profit and a charity, we don’t have a lot of cash in the bank to buffer these sorts of things,” said Scott. So, although it’s not something they usually do, they’ve created an appeal to raise funds to rebuild and repair – knoxbrooke-inc.giveeasy.org/the-greatstorm-recovery-appeal. Located in beautiful Mount Evelyn at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges, Yarra View & Bushland Flora Nurseries are a valued member of NGIV. They are a division of Knoxbrooke Incorporated, a disability services organisation, focused on providing critical employment, training and support for people living with a disability and producing plants for distribution to popular retail chains and the commercial landscape sector. They grow a range of stock including Australian natives, camellias, ferns, and bonsai across their 3 sites spanning 27 acres.

Insurancce for all seasons Nurseries and garden centres have risks that are as ever-changing g as their products.

From the plants and the buildings they thrive in, to the products they need to grow and any other lines of business you’re cultivating, your risk proﬁle is as unique as your b business. That’s where we can help. Our insurance brokers know your ind dustry and the risks that your business face, both everyday and season to season. We will help provid de your nursery or garden centre with the right protec e tion. In short, you can rely on us to take ca are of all your insurance and risk needs, while you focus on growing your business.

For an informal chat, contact us o on 03 9412 1555 or visit i it ajg. j com.au/nurseries i Arthur J. Gallagher & Co (Aus) Limited. Operates under AFSL No. 238312. T Too the extent that any material in this document may be considered advice, it does not take into account your 6543210/3.-,+33*.,6),(+'+20'&,.01%'106+$,# #66%,."6%&*,26+.0*3),!"31"3),1"3,'*/023,0.,' )6 )0'13, 6), 6%,'+*,)3/03!,'+ ,)3&3/'+1, )6*%21, 0.2&6.%)3, 1'13 3+1,'+*, 6&02 ,!6)*0+ ,53 6)3,1' 0+ ,6%1, '+,0+.%)'+23, 6&02 $, %), ,0.,'/'0&'5&3,6+,6%),!35.013-,!!!$'4 $26 $'%$, )1"%), $, '&&' "3), , 6, %. , 0 013*$, , , , , -, 3/3&, -, , '20(2, 0 "!' -, 6)1", *+3 -, , $, 2885-0721-1.0

ajg.com.au/nurseries

PROFILE: PIGGY BACK FARM

Piggy Back Farm: Growing new plants the old fashioned way By Matt Ross

At Piggy Back Farm Nursery they do things a little differently; they specialise in growing and supplying new release plants to independent garden centres in Victoria, NSW and Canberra. Established in 1979 in North Croydon by father and son, Henk and Wayne Koster, it’s now a three-generation business, with Shaun and his dad, Wayne, running things. Based in Woori Yallock since 2011, they grow everything outdoors on the two acres surrounding their retail garden centre. Fifteen years ago, they identified a gap in the grower market to work exclusively with new release plants supplied by Ball Australia. And that partnership and focus is still going strong today. They pride themselves on growing the highest quality plants and love what they do. “We do things the old-fashioned way. We control everything and hold ourselves accountable to that. We pot by hand, pull stock with trolleys, load by hand and me or dad deliver. We see every plant that comes in and triple check them before

they go out. There is no excuse for bad stock leaving our nursery. We don’t want to change that way of working because the quality of plant we produce is so high. It also helps that we love what we do,” enthused Shaun. Last year they grew 190 varieties of plant and each year they come together as a team to select three new plants to grow. That decision is based on their own instinct, viewing the plants at Ball Australia’s impressive Trials Week displays and what the market wants. “Choosing new plants to grow and which plants to drop is key to what we do. Me and dad have different tastes but that makes us really question our decision making in a bid to get it right. We’re also very mindful to be objective, to an extent it doesn’t matter what we think of a plant, we grow what the market wants. And that fluctuates, plants come in and out fashion.

Shaun Koster delighted to be growing the latest petunias.

GROUNDSWELL OCTOBER 2021

Ball Australia are also fantastic at informing our choices and giving us the insights, we need to grow an outstanding plant. We’ll visit them over a number of days during Trials Week to see how the plants perform from day to day and understand their growing habits,” said Shaun. One of their recent plant choices was to start growing three varieties of Petunia that were new to the market last spring and they’re proving to be a big hit. Petunia ‘Pink Diamond’, Petunia ‘Midnight Gold’ and Petunia ‘Blueberries & Cream’, supplied by Ball Australia are now amongst Piggy Back’s best sellers. “They grow so well, really vigorously. They don’t need too much attention and the breeding is getting stronger as the years go on. Which gives you confidence as a grower. We’re delighted with them. Visually they’re very different from other Petunias, in terms of the colours and the ruffled, double flower, and thankfully the market has responded really positively to them.

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PROFILE: PIGGY BACK FARM u

Plant profile: ‘Midnight Gold’, ‘Blueberries & Cream’, ‘Pink Diamond’ Petunias The breeding company Miyoshi, based in Japan, have a long relationship with Ball internationally and it is through this connection that the three Petunias have been made available to the Australian market. They are all grown from vegetative cuttings from Miyoshi’s own motherstock that is renewed yearly to keep the material fresh and disease free. Each petunia has been showcased and released to Ball Australia’s grower network at the Ball Grower Trials with Petunia Midnight Gold being the first in 2018. From it’s success followed Petunia ‘Blueberries & Cream’ in 2019 and Petunia ‘Pink Diamond’ in 2020 – which is going to be prominent at garden centres this spring and summer for 2021. The habit for each has been bred to be compact and tighter, masses of flowers with new blooms covering old flowers for a fresh-looking plant all season. The double flowers are neat and hold their shape well and work really nicely in small spaces as well as larger, more showy displays. For growers this makes growing them highly presentable for retail. There are more colours to be released from Miyoshi and Ball Australia are excited to be showcasing these at this year’s Ball Grower Trials.

Another benefit of working with Ball Australia is the marketing support they provide, through purpose designed labels and advertising, they really put a lot of energy into helping their customers to sell the product,” said Shaun. Like with all growing, there’s also challenges and risks of working exclusively with new release plants. You have to buy in big numbers and back yourself that you can grow them. You then need to convince the customer that there’s a consumer market for something new or unconventional. But they’ve been at the top of their game for a while now and they don’t make many mistakes. “We wouldn’t change anything. We love being part of this industry. We have a real belief in what we do and how we do it. And we stand by the quality of the plants that leave our nursery. And in this moment, with all that’s going on in the world, it’s nice to do something that brings genuine happiness to others. It’s very satisfying.” These days, there’s a fourth generation getting around the nursery, with Shaun’s four-year-old nephew showing some early interest and aptitude. And if he does choose to step into the family business one day, he’ll be in good hands.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

NGIV to bolster Victoria’s seasonal horticulture workforce By Matt Ross Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria (NGIV) secures Victorian government funding to bolster the seasonal workforce, today and into the future, through the promotion of horticultural employment and career opportunities to culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. The NGIV were successful in their Agriculture Victoria’s Seasonal Workforce Industry Support Program (SWISP). Set up to fund peak industry bodies and organisations to strengthen and boost Victoria’s seasonal horticulture workforce. The Program will help to address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on seasonal labour during the harvest period, by supporting seasonal worker recruitment and retention activities in priority harvest regions; initially the Yarra Ranges Shire and the City of Casey. Furthermore, the Program will help to overcome the barriers associated with the engagement of CALD communities. We have identified two communities to work with; the Chin Haka community and Khmer-Cambodian community. This program will expose under-represented groups to the horticultural industry providing them with meaningful work opportunities, whilst solving the shortage of seasonal workers.

NGIV have identified a number of stages to successfully deliver the Program; from establishing links with the identified communities and promoting our Program to them, to delivering an introductory course and placing workers into suitable businesses.

“NGIV are perfectly positioned to educate a new seasonal workforce on the horticultural industry and the nature of horticultural work, whilst coordinating their placement into the businesses that need them most and can best support them.

“We enjoy a close working relationship with Agriculture Victoria and are thrilled to have just received this grant from them. Ultimately, it’s successful delivery will benefit our members through establishment of a framework and process that helps industry connect with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities today and into the future,” said Craig.

We’re really excited to work with new communities and introduce them to the rewarding nature of horticultural work,” said NGIV CEO, Craig Taberner.

It’s hoped that up to 40 members of the Chin Haka and KhmerCambodian communities will be placed in horticultural employment in 2021 through the successful delivery of the Program.

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PROFILE: OZBREED

Exciting new plant release from Ozbreed Ozbreed has been busy behind the scenes, breeding and testing several exciting new releases for landscape professionals and gardeners alike. Kicking off the new plant announcements is the Callistemon Burst Series, including Candy Burst™, Fluro Burst™, Icy Burst™, Snow Burst™, and Sweet Burst™ Callistemons. A standout in Callistemon breeding excellence, the bright flowers in white or a rainbow of pinks emerge in spring, attracting birds and pollinators to the landscape. The Colour Burst series range in height from 1-1.5m and 90cm-1.2m wide, making the perfect for reliable understory planting. They maintain their neat compact shape over the years, requiring little pruning. Well-known for delivering improved native varieties, Ozbreed has four new additions for their native shrub and groundcover range to announce. Blue Horizon™ Eremophila is a tidy, blue-grey undulating groundcover which spreads in a cloud-like form over rockeries, in garden beds, or when mass planted on verges or roadsides. In an extraordinary leap for plant breeding Ozbreed has managed improve this native to thrive on the east coast of Australia, tolerating conditions far beyond the common form’s capabilities which usually only survives in dry and desert areas. Ozbreed Flat White™ Pandorea is a new native alternative to a popular exotic, Star Jasmine. Unlike common Pandorea that tends to be leggy and vigorous only at the top of the plant, Ozbreed Flat White™ Pandorea is selected for its natural foliage density at ground level when used as a climber. This makes it excellent for screening along fencelines or in narrow spaces.

Fluro Burst™ Callistemon spp ‘CNU19’ *

If unsupported, this plant will ramble into a thick groundcover that suppresses weeds. Aussie Flat Bush™ Rhagodia is a more compact and reliable form of the common saltbush. It maintains its shape with little or no maintenance and responds well to pruning if a formal shape is desired. The eye-catching, grey-blue foliage suits largescale landscaped areas requiring weed suppression, especially in harsher environments such as in coastal conditions. Coastal Pink™ Correa is a pink flowering form of the popular Correa alba. A sculptural plant with dark green and bronze toned foliage, it stays at a compact size for small hedges or natural looking shrubs. An excellent survivor by the coast, its pink bell-shaped flowers are highly attractive to birds. On the back of breeding experience that brought landscape professionals Tanika® Lomandra, the top selling Lomandra variety in Australia for nearly 20 years, Ozbreed has two new Lomandra varieties to announce. Evergreen Baby™ Lomandra is a compact, tough Lomandra with attractive deep-green, fine foliage. About half the size of Tanika® Lomandra, Evergreen Baby™ Lomandra is suited for low line of sight planting requirements or as foreground plants to create a layered effect in residential or landscaped designs. This is non-seeding form, making it safer to plant near bushland and national parks, with golden-yellow flowers in spring.

Aussie Flat Bush™ Rhagodia spinescens ‘SAB01’ A

Ozbreed Flat White™ Pandorea jasminoides ‘PJ01’ A

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PROFILE: OZBREED

Blue Horizon™ Eremophila glabra prostrate ‘EREM1’ A

Coastal Pink™ Correa alba ‘COR10’ *

Pacific Sky™ Lomandra is a blue-hued Lomandra confertifolia with strong rhizome activity that has seen it perform better in heavy soils and full sun than other L. confertifolia trial plants. The dense fine-leafed foliage and arching habit adds appeal to mass plantings, mixed species clumped plantings and native style landscapes. From hedging plants to winter flowers, Ozbreed also has some exciting new exotic plants to announce. Branching into a new category, Ozbreed has bred three improved hardy Aloe plants including Sea Urchin™, Mighty Coral™ and Mighty Gold™ Aloes. The popularity of succulents in the Australian landscape is soaring, due to their durability,

Mighty Coral™ Aloe hybrid ‘AL04’ A

Evergreen Baby™ Lomandra labill. ‘LM600’ A

resistance to heat and striking architectural forms. Ozbreed’s Aloes require far less water during establishment phase, perfect where sites are difficult to irrigate when installing. These Aloes are also compact to maintain line of sight requirements when planting on roadsides. Not just hardy, this range of Aloes spectacularly flowers in winter, adding colour to the landscape when many other plants are dormant. Completely unique, Velvet sky™ Metrosideros boasts eyecatching, inky-blue stems and leaves that puts the common green form to shame. The showy, red-orange flowers that bloom in spring create a beautiful contrast to the blue splashed foliage. It is a mid to tall shrub that suits accent planting or makes a great dense screen or hedge.

Velvet Sky™ Metrosideros collina ‘MB01’ *

Sweet Burst™ Callistemon spp ‘CNU15’ *

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PROFILE: OZBREED u

About Ozbreed Ozbreed Green Life is a plant breeding, marketing, and distribution company well-known for their no fuss, functional and reliable landscape plants.

Sweet Privacy™ Murraya paniculata ‘MP01’ *

Thin Red™ Photinia X fraseri ‘NP01’ *

Sweet Privacy™ Murraya is a dense screening hedge adorned with white fragrant flowers from spring to autumn. It is lower maintenance than regular Murraya form and just as reliable planted as a tidy hedge that is neither too big or too small. In full sun to part shade and in most soil types, hide unsightly views with this perfect Murraya. Finally, another reliable hedge to add to the Ozbreed portfolio is Thin Red™ Photinia. This improved form has a smaller footprint for narrow garden beds and shrinking backyards that still allows full use of the garden for recreation. Small white flowers bloom in mid to late spring while new growth appears in flushes of red. All of these thoroughly tested and trialed plants from Ozbreed add new opportunities to the landscape designers’ toolkit. Bred for purpose they each solve a problem, whether it be weed suppression or unsightly views to shrinking backyard sizes and the constant desire for something unique. * PBR Intended

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Trusted by landscape professionals to handle the toughest conditions, they have been planted on roadsides, in large commercial projects, award-winning residential landscapes and in gardens Australia-wide as well as internationally. From its inception, Ozbreed focused on breeding plants that were tough enough to withstand the climatic extremes of drought and flood, that were low maintenance and reliable in their horticultural uniformity and performance. Each new release product is backed by over 20 years of breeding experience and an average of 5-10 years of thorough testing on each plant. For more information on the new plants, download Ozbreed’s new plant brochure or visit www.ozbreed.com.au.

PROFILE: NISHIKI NURSERY

Nishiki Nursery: Generations of Horticulture By Teagan Faull, Nishiki Nursery Ever since I was a young girl, I always had a deep understanding and attraction to plants, flowers and all things living. It’s deep inside me. I was lucky enough to have grown up on a lilium and foliage farm, with my Grandpa John, or Pop, as I called him. Pop was so full of energy and excitement, as well as being wise and knowledgeable. It was infectious; it left its mark on me. My Pop and his father started out growing vegetables in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, in Olinda, way before my time. He then started his own nursery with my grandma selling Rhododendrons, Camelias and Azaleas. Before moving on to grow a wide range of plants and trees for their foliage to supply florists and cut flower shops around Melbourne and interstate.

few nurseries in the Monbulk area. He’s now the part owner at Nishiki Nursery and it feels special to be following in his father and grandfather’s footsteps. He’s also propagated a couple of daughters along the way and he has high hopes that they will follow in his footsteps and find the passion for plants that has been such a positive influence on his own life.

On top of all that, he was doing lots of earth moving and planting in the Dandenong Ranges in the prestigious Rhododendron gardens and R J Hammer Arboretum, as I said he had a lot of energy.

For Steve it was his Dutch grandfather who sowed the seed. He moved to Australia and started growing a wide range of vegetables, before turning his attention to bulb growing, including flowers such as daffodils and peonies.

My Pop was always looking to share his knowledge and passion for plants with those closest to him. His middle son Grant, my dad, fell under his spell and began growing too. They’d both delight in telling me stories from their younger years on the farm. Now I’m making my own growing stories and can’t wait to share them.

A young Steve started helping his dad to grow and graft maples, it’s a good thing for all that generational wisdom, because let me tell you grafting is not as easy as it looks! Steve is a very talented grafter with lots of experience and knowledge that’s ready to be imparted on his children, keeping the horticultural flame alive in his family.

This sort of generational passing down of knowledge is abnormally prevalent in our industry. Speaking with fellow growers, there’s often a family member that sowed the seed from which others sprouted.

I have always felt such a strong connection to horticulture, it’s a special bond which is informed by knowing that I’m following my grandfather’s and father’s legacy. There’s something about knowing that previous generations of my family were having the same work experiences decades ago, that I’m having now that makes it all the more meaningful.

Indeed, having sat down and talked with my colleagues at Nishiki, Reece Boden and Steve Boekel, they’ve shared similar experiences. Reece’s grandfather and dad started a rose farm together in Monbulk around 40 years ago. His father Ian is a very wellknown grower in the hills and still grows amazing roses today. Reece remembers helping pot plants into tin cans after returning home from primary school because they had no pots. Naturally he got the bug and loved horticulture so much that as soon as he could, he completed his apprenticeship at a

Teagan

I am blessed to have been surrounded by such passionate and experienced mentors who are shaping my horticultural path. I have come a long way but we’re in an industry where you never stop learning and here’s a long way still to go. I hope other young horticulturalists are inspired to see the worth of passing on their stories and knowledge to the next generation and breathe new life into our industry. What we hold is special, be sure to pass it on.

Reece, daughter Frankie, and Chippa

Steve with Vizsla Dahli

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Vale Eric ‘Don’ Fleming 8 May 1935 – 22 July 2021 One of Australia’s finest nurserymen and second-generation owner of Fleming’s Nurseries, Eric ‘Don’ Fleming, sadly passed aged 86 last week following a short battle with cancer on 22 July 2021. ‘Pa’ as he was most affectionately known, was surrounded by 15 members of his immediate family as he peacefully left this earth. He will be forever remembered for his immense pride in Fleming’s Nurseries, a business he built to great heights together with his devoted wife of 63 years, Dawn, and sons Wes and Graham. Pa had been retired since the late 1990’s, however his passion for the nursery remained evident, as was his presence around the nursery, until just weeks before his passing. Today his son Wes Fleming continues to drive the Fleming’s Nurseries business forward with his son and daughter, the fourth generation to carry on the tradition. Graham operates a number of production and fruit nurseries (as Graham’s Factree), also with his sons and daughters, ensuring the tradition of plant growing, remains steadfast in the Fleming family for generations to come.

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Together Don and Dawn brought three children into the world, Dani, Graham and Wes, and have been the most affectionate grandparents to Luke, Ben and Sam, Robbie, Penny, Libby, Bec, Pat and Maddi, Jess, Jake, Todd, Aurie and Mietta and ‘super’ grandparents to their many great grandchildren. Don was a renowned member of the Monbulk community and captained the Monbulk Fire Brigade where he played a key role in the Ash Wednesday fires, and was subsequently awarded the Queens Fire Service Medal. He was also a keen lover of sport and excellent cricketer, a legacy many of his grandchildren and great grandchildren are proud to carry on today. He will be deeply missed.

On behalf of the Nursey and Garden Industry of Victoria Board, staff and members, our condolences are expressed to Dawn, children Dani, Graham and Wes, and the extended Fleming’s family.

INDUSTRY NEWS

At NGIV we see our partnerships as an extension of ourselves. Our partners lead the way in delivering excellence; executing plans and delivering projects that permeate and benefit the entire industry. As an association, we would not be able to provide the level of service and member benefits that we currently do without their generous support and ongoing commitment.

As an industry we are collectively indebted to them and the work they do; that’s why we would ask you to seek out opportunities to show them your support.

We’d like to thank Ball Australia and bio gro for upgrading to Platinum Partners.

Now more than ever, we must show solidarity and acknowledge that we are all growing this industry together.

Transplant Systems, Sidekicker and SureGro TreeMax, for upgrading to Silver Partners.

We’d like to extend our enormous gratitude to all of our partners; welcoming the new and thanking all those that have recommitted. We couldn’t do what we do without your help.

And welcome JD Propagation and DNA Training Solutions, who became Bronze Partners.

New members A big welcome to our latest members, who have joined the NGIV and our growing community of horticultural businesses. We look forward to helping you build your business through a long and fruitful relationship. Garden Gallery Kew

Grow Master Sale

Living Sculptures

(Retail)

(Production)

Offering unique sculpture, statues and one-off pieces as well as a broad selection of plants, herbs and seedlings

A garden centre operating in Sale since 1962 under the Van Berkel name. Selling a huge range of plants, pots, giftware, natives and trees.

Living Sculptures was established principally to grow and supply plants to both landscape projects and retail nurseries.

www.growmastersale.com.au

www.livingsculptures.co

Grow Master Traralgon

Mayfarm Flowers

(Retail)

(Production)

A retail garden centre, landscape supply yard, plant nursery and gift shop offering water features, pots and garden décor.

Sharing a wonderful and affordable variety of flowers of superior quality to fill customers lives with beauty.

www.growmastertraralgon.com.au

mayfarmflowers.com.au

www.facebook.com/gardengallerykew

Grow Master Grampians (Retail) An extensive range of plants, natives, evergreens, perennials and indoors. Also stocking garden art, potting mixes, pots and baskets for indoor/outdoor and gifts. www.growmastergrampians.com.au

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Melaleuca Nursery (Production/Retail) Melaleuca Nursery has been supplying quality indigenous and native plants to West and South Gippsland for over 30 years. www.melaleucanursery.com

Mirboo North Garden Central (Retail)

INDUSTRY PARTNERS MAJOR CORPORATE

A country garden centre that provides a comprehensive selection of indoor and outdoor plants, fruit and ornamental trees, pots, giftware, hardware and bulk garden supplies. www.mirboornorthgardencentre.com.au

Nielsens Nursery & Co Pty Ltd (Production) A national group of wholesale nurseries providing a variety of edible and flowering pot plants and seedlings.

PLATINUM

www.united-nurseries.com.au

Proptec (Allied) A horticultural supply company specialising in substrates and trays. Used from the propagating stage through to the finished pot.

GOLD

www.proptec.com.au

Rose Landscape Services Pty Ltd

SILVER

(Allied) Specialising in commercial landscape construction, garden maintenance, irrigation and turf for industrial, commercial and greenfield residential developers and builders. www.roselandscapeservices.com.au

Victorian Indigenous Nurseries Co-Operative (VINC) (Production/Retail) VINC propagates and supplies locally indigenous plants to local government and government agencies for revegetation projects.

BRONZE

www.vinc.net.au

UDL Group (Production) A national commercial landscape and maintenance company based in Keysborough and Epping. Recently started a nursery company, Alldermor, based in Corinella. www.udlgroup.com.au

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Upskill your staff with significant savings NGIV are partnering with MEGT MEGT, our preferred Apprentice Network Provider (ANP), to help upskill NGIV member businesses. MEGT will guide you through the process of selecting the appropriate training course (including Cert lll Horticulture) and claiming government incentives, including the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements (BAC) wage subsidy, which provides eligible employers with a wage subsidy of up to 50% of the gross wages of an apprentice or trainee for up to12 months – up to $28,000! MEGT can also ensure that: E Em Employers get the most from the Australian Apprenticeships program St Staff are qualified and productive I In Industry skills shortages are reduced O Ongoing support is offered for the life of each apprenticeship All of which means you spend less time filling out forms and chasing payments, and more time focusing on your business.

Call 13 6963, or visit www.megt.c www.megt.com.au or contact NGIV office (03) 9576 0599 to find out more.

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PROFILE: DEEPDALE

New member profile: Balcony Gardens by DEEPDALE By Kirsty Sinclair, Designer, Balcony Gardens by DEEPDALE Balcony Gardens by DEEPDALE is a boutique studio based in Melbourne. We create bespoke designs to add warmth, depth and appeal to our clients’ small garden spaces. Our individually tailored and created designs are unique for each of our clients. We work closely with our clients to understand their needs and desires so we can then select suitable plants and garden pieces for their bespoke creation. Our name pays tribute to a stunning farm that my auntie and uncle owned, Deepdale, on the banks of the Goulburn River. We wanted the name to continue in the family prior to the property being sold. The magnificent oak tree near the house features in our logo. Our team has years of experience operating a gardening business. After creating small space garden designs for friends and family, as well as our own, we decided to change our business focus. We have had success in launching new business ventures in the corporate business environment, as well as managing and leading large business teams. We recognised that small space gardening was a niche market that we have honed due to our focus. Our experience with design and our ability to create bespoke spaces inside and out, along with our passion for gardening lead to Balcony Gardens by DEEPDALE. Our preferred nursery is Poyntons Nursery located on the banks of the Maribyrnong River in Essendon. It’s close by and very convenient to visit on a regular basis. They stock a broad range of premium plants for us to select for our clients. We often meet our clients there, to discuss suitable plants, then our clients enjoy the café and gift stores on site. The staff at Poyntons offer exceptional service.

Our preference is to source the majority of pots, ornaments and other pieces from local Victorian businesses. We also work with local Melbourne artists, who create and design bespoke items for us. Supporting other privately owned business is important to us and we are always looking for new suppliers for that unique and special piece. The average week is varied, we usually have a couple of garden installations to complete, along with the addition of maintaining gardening services for our creations. Also meeting new clients and creating their design. Spending time at Poyntons reviewing and buying plants. We also allocate time to read industry newsletters and articles, review design programs as well as visiting suppliers and sourcing supplies. We chose to become members of the NGIV as we recognised the importance of supporting the industry from a professional business approach. The newsletters are interesting reading. The added value that NGIV offers to members is a bonus.

Balcony Gardens joined the NGIV as a Full Member in March, we’re thrilled to have them as part of our community of horticultural businesses.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Specticle® Herbicide from Bayer By Jyri Kaapro, Senior Market Development Specialist – Turf/IVM Introducing a new, innovative, labour saving, weed management tool for ornamental production nurseries – Specticle® Herbicide from Bayer. “Weed control in ornamental production nurseries is becoming increasingly problematic due to the occurrence of difficult to control weeds, such as fleabane, as well as weed resistance to common herbicides and the high labour cost associated with frequent herbicide applications and hand weeding. Therefore, new weed control methods are required to allow the development of sustainable weed management programs that help break the cycle of difficult to control weeds across all areas of the nursery,” said Jyri Kaapro, Senior Market Development Specialist (Turf/IVM) at Bayer. Specticle is an innovative herbicide that sets a new standard for pre-emergent weed control in bareground areas of ornamental plant production nurseries. It is labelled for use in maintaining bareground in outdoor ornamental nursery production areas (for example, underneath and around potted plants and benches), in access areas like driveways, walkways, and around infrastructure, such as, buildings and fencelines. Mr Kaapro said, “When applied prior to weed seed germination, Specticle prevents establishment of a range of grass and broadleaf weeds for up to eight months and can greatly assist nursery managers reduce labour and lower costs associated with weed control in the nursery. It offers significant advantages compared to current industry practice which requires multiple applications of knockdown herbicides or shorter lived pre-emergent herbicides.” Specticle can be tank mixed with common post-emergent ‘knockdown’ herbicides such as Roundup Biactive® to control weeds that are pre-existing in the target areas for treatment at the time of application.

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Specticle has been trialed in nursery situations in Australia with excellent long-term weed control received in a number of different settings, validating the strong value that Specticle can provide for ornamental nursery managers. Mark Handy, Research Development Manager at Greenstock Nurseries said, “We use a knockdown every two to three weeks to cover the property. We sprayed Specticle in late June. We applied Slasher® for knockdown and one week later sprayed Specticle. We reviewed in September and the site was completely clean of weeds. We had another review in January and again the Specticle plots were completely clean of weeds. Having a product that lasts even longer will benefit us so much. It will also save time to do one application of Specticle mixed with other knockdown products, saving time for me, by allowing me to spray in one application”. Beau Hartshorn, Nursery Operations Manager at Plants Direct Queensland said, “We have natural bushland and farmland neighbouring the nursery, so seed can come onto the site from wind, rain and run-off. At the present time, fleabane is the problem. General herbicides haven’t been knocking that. Probably once or twice a month we would go through and spray with general herbicides such as glyphosate. It’s pretty well a full-time job, four days per week, making herbicide application via knapsacks or tractor. Specticle will help us cut down on labour, cut down on costs, so it is a great investment!”

More information. Jyri Kaapro | m: 0409 942 513 Download the Specticle label at: environmentalscience.bayer.com.au/ turf-and-ornamental-management/products/spectacle

INDUSTRY NEWS

New nursery project offers free diagnostics to all production nurseries By Andrew Manners All commercial production nurseries can now receive six free diagnostic samples each calendar year via the diagnostic service, Grow Help Australia. This service is supported by the Hort Innovation and Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), the levy funded project ‘Resourcing, supporting, and assessing biosecurity in nursery production’ (NY20000). Included in the testing are molecular identifications, where knowledge of the exact species will help growers to manage the problem more effectively. This service continues to help growers minimise losses and total discarded plants, and better manage and prevent future outbreaks. Any additional samples submitted are then charged at a much-reduced cost. All commercial production nurseries across Australia can submit samples to Grow Help, based in Brisbane, as long as they are not subject to specific quarantine restrictions. For example, solanaceous hosts from Perth cannot be sent because of the tomato potato psyllid unless plants are treated appropriately. Refer to your state’s plant biosecurity organisation for more information. Plant pest and disease diagnostics is complex, potentially with many causes to plant health problems. We aim to provide preliminary results to clients within a week. Depending on the tests that have to be completed and the type of pathogen isolated, it can take several weeks to get your results, sometimes longer in certain circumstances. We work to update you on new results that become available as soon as we can. You can send us photos to growhelp@daf.qld.gov.au if you have a query about whether it is worthwhile submitting a sample. We will do our best to provide general advice in this way, but samples are often required before specific advice can be given.

Lemon infected with Phytophthora nicotianae.

Annual surveys of clients indicate that recommendations are helpful and have provided assistance to better manage pests and diseases, reduce crop loss and costs associated with managing the problem. Nursery diagnostics is just one aspect of the levy funded project. They are also completing research to better understand the effect of nursery practice on pests and diseases present on plants post-sale. This will involve assessing the effect of hygiene on pest and disease incidence to better understand the value of best practice management of nursery stock. In addition, the project will continue producing new resources (factsheets, management plans, Nursery Papers and webinars) on various pests, diseases and plant health issues to be included in the Australia Plant Production Standard. In addition, old factsheets and pest management plans will also be updated. These resources will be highlighted through various means including the YourLevy@Work website and eNewsletter. Keep an eye out for more updates.

More information If you have any queries about the project, please contact project lead and DAF Principal Entomologist, Horticulture and Forestry Science, Andrew Manners, at e: andrew.manners@daf.qld.gov.au.

Sedum infected with Fusarium wilt.

GROUNDSWELL OCTOBER 2021

CLIVE’S CORNER

Attracting the next generation to choose a career in horticulture By Clive Larkman, Larkman Nurseries

CLIVE’S CORNER

In the last issue I wrote about the benefits of working in the nursery industry. I wrote it in late June a few weeks after lockdown four and the massive storms that flattened so many properties in the regions around Melbourne. Life was tough and we were in mid-winter looking to a busy and open spring. Two months later and our world has been shut down again. Like 2020, we are living from week to week trying to manage current demand and predict spring sales. This time around we are not alone, with NSW and ACT also locked down, although the nurseries are open in those states. The crazy paradox in Australia is that we have the lowest unemployment for 13 years, yet there are businesses closing all over the cities. There are people in many industries who are again out of work with no idea when they will have their jobs back. The federal government is paying out weekly sums to unemployed Australians whilst so many small businesses can’t find staff. Most growers and many retailers, when they can open again, are looking for staff at all levels. Entry level personnel are

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there but not in great numbers. Experienced staff are much harder to find, and leadership candidates are as rare as the proverbial ‘hen’s teeth’. This is not a new problem in our sector but it feels like it’s getting worse. We are getting busier but are unable to capitalise on the opportunities due to a lack of human resources. Since 1990, I spent 20 years on the Primary Industries Training Board, three terms on the NGIV Board, over ten years on the NGIV IR committee and have sat on may other bodies working in the employment and training space. The one constant was an intention to draw good people into our training system and then as professionals into the industry. In 2000, we ran a national conference on careers and training in agriculture. We already knew that money was generally number six in the criteria for staff retention and attracting young people to a profession. We also knew that job satisfaction in the workplace was key to keeping staff. What we found, which wasn’t really a surprise, was that peer and parental pressure were the two main drivers to career choice in the 15 to 25-year-old group. When we delved deeper it was the status of the industry leaders in the local communities that determined if a career was attractive. We found that this is where Amenity Horticulture in particular, and agriculture in general, fell down. Nursery is part of Amenity Horticulture along with Floristry, Landscape, Arboriculture, flower growing and turf. None of these industries were seen as appealing to teenagers, nor their parents. There was often a knowledge gap with our careers teachers who saw horticulture as a place for the ‘hands on’ and ‘non-academic’ candidates to be referred. As a collective, our industry, must do better at selling horticulture as an attractive career choice. And there’s a plethora of fantastic resources we can call on; indeed, NGIV’s Bring Your Career to Life video and career brochure are both excellent and available in the Career Guide section of their website. If you’re a full NGIV member, they’ll even post printed copies to your business. We need to make our industry the ‘go to’ career. We need those young people leaving school to choose us for their profession.

CLIVE’S CORNER

We want those people with the wisdom, passion and drive, to work in nurseries and to push the boundaries. To be innovative and to help make our industry a leading sector of the economy. The more high-achievers we can get into nursery the better the future of our industry. We have so many positives to promote to young people, especially in the area of sustainability and healthy lifestyles. Our pay levels are equal to most other sectors and as the

industry grows there are great variety career paths. We are no longer an industry of small to medium family enterprises. It is time we all make a concerted effort to build the profile of our industry. It is time we highlighted the benefits of working in an industry that makes the world a better place. It is time we won the hearts and minds of the next generation of business leaders.

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Groundswell | October 21

Articles inside

BALCONY GARDENS BY DEEPDALE

SPECTICLE® HERBICIDE FROM BAYER

FREE DIAGNOSTICS OFFERED TO PRODUCTION NURSERIES

AUGUST TRADE DAY REPORT

NEXTGEN: REBECCA JOHNSON

EXCITING NEW PLANT RELEASE FROM OZBREED

VALE: ERIC ‘DON’ FLEMING

NISHIKI NURSERY: GENERATIONS OF HORTICULTURE

PIGGY BACK FARM: GROWING NEW PLANTS THE OLD FASHIONED WAY

YARRA VIEW NURSERY: MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITY

NGIV TO BOLSTER VIC’S SEASONAL HORTICULTURE WORKFORCE

HARD WORK PAYS OFF FOR JMK NURSERY

AUSTRALIAN HORTICULTURAL TRIALS 2021

EXECUTIVE UPDATE

MIFGS ON TRACK FOR 2022

HUMPHRIS KEEP GROWING WITH NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART GREENHOUSE