President’s Message

from PRO GROW NEWS Fall.22 Digital Edition

Xeriscaping Brings Harmony to Nature

Cooler Temps and Legislative Work Welcome Fall

By Chris O’Brien, MCH

As the last days of summer run out, it’s time to assess where the horticultural industry has been so far this year and plan for the uptick in activity as good planting weather returns. The prolonged heat and extensive dryness of the last few months certainly has been hard on plants as well as personnel. We all look forward to cooler temperatures and more reliable rainfall.

This summer has also renewed the industry’s work to identify and implement methods to efficiently get moisture to plants in the landscape. There are still too many water departments that use in the term “nonessential” in conjunction with “outdoor water use,” which suggests that all water use outdoors could be banned with little economic impact.

More work is ahead for MNLA, in cooperation with the Irrigation Association and other trade organizations, to demonstrate the high-efficiency irrigation equipment that is available to help address water conservation issues. We have worked successfully in the past with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to develop guidelines and educational materials for local water departments on the irrigation issue. It’s time to renew that connection.

Planting work will pick up as the fall temperatures abate from the summer highs. With elections coming up, our organization will begin planning MNLA’s agenda for the next legislative session. This is an excellent opportunity to participate in our program as well as to develop a better understanding of how government policies are made. Time commitment should be minimal, but getting the widest possible input regarding the issues affecting your businesses will make MNLA more effective in the legislative arena.

Legislation not your interest? There are other ways to meet colleagues and help develop MNLA programs. We are always ready to accept help in the areas of membership development, educational programming, horticultural certification, products, and history. If you have an interest, contact Rena at the MNLA office or speak with a board member at MNLA Live.

As the hours of labor increase, don’t forget to take an occasional break. An excellent opportunity for a little relaxation with colleagues will take place on the afternoon of Wednesday, September 28th as MNLA hosts MNLA Live! Take off a few hours early that day to recharge and reconnect at the Start Line Brewery in Hopkinton. You will not want to miss it. To register or get more information, go to www.mnla.com.

Chris O’Brien, MCH Howard Garden Designs MNLA President

Members

Enjoy Wednesday, September 28, 2022 | 4:00pm Start Line Brewing | Hopkinton, MA Contact: Rena Sumner mnlaoffice@aol.com Phone: (413) 369-4731

MNLA Summer Conference

Weston Nurseries Hosts Down to Earth 2022

by Rena Sumner

Weston Nurseries Wholesale played host to just shy of 500 nursery and landscape professionals at the MNLA Down to Earth Summer Conference & Trade Show on July 14th.

It was a year of NEW things… Starting with our inaugural Battle of the Container Gardens sponsored by Bloomin’ Easy where 34 container garden designers displayed their best.

First place went to Susan Nock of Thistle Container; 2nd Rosie Finn, Garden Designs by Rosie Tayler Finn; 3rd Sarah McNiff, Lynch Landscape; 4th Shawnn Huard, Ahronian Landscape & Design; 5th Gabriel Mascarenhas, A Bonadio & Sons; 6th Olivia Santamaria, Terrascapes, Inc.

Also NEW for 2022 was the MNLA Foundation’s dunk tank sponsored by Stucchi Landscape & Design, Holliston, Massachusetts, where dunking a colleague contributed more than $500 towards the scholarship program.

And last but certainly not least was a plethora of food options in our food truck alley.

Special thanks go to our host Weston Nurseries’ team of wonderful professionals who made our day extra special and to all our vendors, sponsors, and educators who made our day possible!

Save the date, July 27, 2023, for next year’s Down to Earth Summer Conference and Trade Show.