VOL 66, NO. 6, JUNE 2014
WSNLA's Scholarship & Research Charitable Fund
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(Left & Below) Richie Steffen, curator of the Elisabeth C. Miller Garden talks Foliage & Fine Design. Turn to page 13.
The Official Publication of
Cover photo: Darmera peltalta. Photo provided by Richie Steffen.
June 2014 VOL 66. NO. 6
Contents
Editor Breanne Chavez Published Monthly By: Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association 34400 Pacific Hwy S., Suite 2 Federal Way, WA 98003 800.672.7711 fax 253.661.6058
Features
Subscription Price: $39 Annually
8 WSNLA
Deadlines:
News, Classified ads Advertising
Landscape Tour Landscape tour features the work of CPHs and ecoPROs.
10 Communication: The
Design-Build Process From a designer’s point-of-view.
13 Foliage & Fine Design Colorful foliage is a powerful tool in design..
16 Designing Your
Nursery Layout
A panel of nursery owners share key elements to take into account.
Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association
Columns 4
From the President
5
Legislative Update
6
Executive Director
25
Bugs & Blights
Departments 7
Member Notes
7
New Members
22
CPH of the Month
24
ecoPRO Certified
26
Industry News
28
Chapter News
29
WSNLA Marketplace
30
Calendar of Events
Interested in sharing your opinions and comments with B&B readers? If you take the time to share your thoughtful comments, WSNLA will be sure to share them with B&B readers. Please submit to breanne@wsnla.org or by fax at (253) 661-6058. Deadine: 1st of each month.
5pm the 1st of the month preceding the first-of-the-month publication. To place an advertisement, contact Breanne at (800) 672-7711 or breanne@ wsnla.org. WSNLA reserves the right to refuse any ads which are misleading, unethical, contrary to WSNLA policy, or which do not pertain to the nursery and landscape industry.
75 years & Growing
WSNLA www.wsnla.org Executive Director Breanne Chavez e-mail breanne@wsnla.org Finance & Operations Director Holly Osborne, CPH e-mail holly@wsnla.org Industry Advancement Jeanne McNeil e-mail jmcneil@wsnla.org Š 2014, Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association
Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 3
[ FROM THE PRESIDENT ]
FINE DESIGN
Megan Pulkkinen, CPH WSNLA President Megan Pulkkinen Landscape Design Bremerton
I could write a book on the designing adventures I have had along the way. But since it is June can I just hang a sign in this space that says, “Out Plant Shopping”, for my article this month? Or maybe one of those photo montages you see posted that shows: What my parents think I do, What my friends think I do, How some clients think I live, and then the photo of how I actually appear this time of year. I am a bit frazzled, dusty, in need of a haircut and a housekeeper. My desk and drawing board are overflowing with folders and clipboards for different clients, books and catalogs scattered all around. My car appears to be lived in, full of various tools, coffee cups, assorted footwear, rock samples, leaves, and plant tags. My husband is not too thrilled with the condition of, “his”, truck right now either, but he is right there when I need help with heavy pots and trees. We all need patience and support this time of year. George Bahr owner of Roadhouse Nursery told me they have friends who bring them home cooked meals over Mothers Day weekend. What thoughtful friends. Business is brisk for members I have spoken to recently. I hope it stays that way through the fall. This means you will need to plan some well deserved breaks to keep up your enthusiasm and refresh your creativity. Mark your calendar for our WSNLA Landscape Tour on June 25th in Snohomish County. The weather should cooperate and the gardens will be gorgeous. Laura Tisdale, our education coordinator, has worked hard planning a terrific itinerary for us. Nothing like getting out and seeing our members fine design work in person. I am looking forward to spending the day with fellow designers, landscapers, and friends who can relate to what we all actually do this time of year. Find out more about this year’s landscape design tour on page 8.
4 - The B&B Magazine
Out Plant Shopping
Legislative Update WSNLA Works To Protect Your Business
Heather Hansen WSNLA Lobbyist I’ve heard frustration from members trying to use the Work Source electronic bulletin board to hire employees. I’ve done some research and learned a few things. The Employment Security Department is very interested in working with employers. They want to hear your concerns. They encourage you to report both employees and employers who may be committing fraud. There is a REPORT FRAUD button on the front page of their website, http://www.esd.wa.gov/. You can report via e-mail or a toll-free phone number. One hundred percent of fraud reports are investigated. They strongly recommend getting to know your local Work Source office. Work Source can pre-screen employees for you. If you clearly explain your job requirements to your local Work Source office, they will recruit and screen for you. The more information you provide about the type of employee you are looking for, the more they can help. I’ve heard back from members that Work Source was unable to find qualified employees. I know that to be true, however, the more clearly Work Source understands your needs, the more they should be able to help. Employment Security also has a few recommendations for employers. Write-up a list of rules and ask every employee to read and sign the rules. Rules can include everything from timeliness to alcohol and drug policies to proper use of tools. If an employee fails to follow the rules and you let them go, it is much easier to document non-compliance and therefore not have your unemployment compensation rate affected by the firing. If you fire or lay off employees and Employment Security calls looking for information, return the call. Employers frequently fail to provide information, but the more information provided, the better off the employer is in almost every case. Let WSNLA hear from you. Does WorkSource work? What are your employee concerns?
Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 5
75 Years & Growing
WSNLA www.wsnla.org
[ FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ]
2helpwaysbuildto
your online community resource
The Design of a Happy Smile!
Let the world know members of the WSNLA Community are experts in their field! WSNLA, via
GardenWashington.com, has been working to build homeowner awareness of our professional community and creating a brand that homeowners will recognize as a reliable resource for their gardening needs. The purpose is to not recreate the wheel, but to collect and highlight the expertise, skill and inspiration being created by members. Here are a couple of ways we can be greater together...
1. Let Us Spread Your Word! If you have a blog or write a regular column, WSNLA would like to help spread the word and share your expertise. As a member, you can be listed on the blog page, but also can be featured in the newly created GardenWashington blog. Whether you wish to contribute unique content or repurposed content, your posts will always receive a byline inclusive of your name, business and link to your blog or website. 2. Video, Podcasts & more!
WSNLA’s recently created a YouTube Channel, which is home to a small collection of videos, is looking to grow. Do you have video or podcasts? Knowing that many members have created video sharing DIY ideas, proper plant care techniques and more, WSNLA would like to provide you yet another avenue to expand your online reach. Please share your video link and we will upload it to the WSNLA YouTube Channel. Please contact me at (800) 672-7711 or breanne@wsnla.org to get things rolling!
6 - The B&B Magazine
Breanne Chavez WSNLA Executive Director Everyone is crazy busy out there - AND, I LOVE IT! So, I will keep my column short and sweet and make mention of three things that have brought a huge smile to my face during the past month. They include: 1. A familiar face in the dentist office waiting room. It’s pretty impressive when the last three published magazines I have opened have featured WSNLA member quotes or feature articles. From the recent issue of Seattle Met to older copies of Sunset Magazine and Better Homes & Garden, how exciting that members and Certified Professional Horticulturists are being showcased for their expertise and talent. 2. Connecting with members and sharing their excitements of the season. I heard from member nurseries who have made note that they have been seeing lots of new customers this season, many of which are young first time homeowners looking to create a home. And, I have heard from many landscape professionals who are happily delirious from work that doesn’t look to cease in the near future. 3. WSNLA encourages you to Plant Something. WSNLA has been placing radio ads for over 5 years promoting nursery and landscape members. I always enjoy hearing them being played over the airwaves on KIRO Gardening with Ciscoe and NPR. But, I love even more when members and colleagues hear them and send me a quick mention about it. Even better is gaining a new member from our promotional efforts! All of which have happened over the past month. To that I cheer an exceptional WSNLA Community that continues to lead with talent and innovation, enjoy the trenches of their passion, and always seems to bring a smile to my face. Thank you!
WSNLA
New Members ATWORK!
John Song, Manager 1935 152nd PL NE Bellevue, WA 98007 425-274-4000 FAX 425-274-4060 johns1@atwork.org www.atwork.org Association Member, Seattle Chapter
D. Bezona & Company
Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association
Colonial Life
Ronn Rutan 9709 3rd Ave NE #307 Seattle, WA 98115 (mailing: 717 Pecks Drive, Everett, WA 98203) 602-692-0662 FAX 206-316-2295 ronn.rutan@coloniallife.com Associate Member, Member Services, Seattle Chapter
Deborah Bezona 801 E 1st St, Suite B, #126 Cle Elum, WA 98922 707-484-8169 Deborah@dbezona.com www.dbezona.com Regular Member, Designer Caucus Seattle Chapter
Member Notes WSNLA is Partnering with WALP on Field Day! On July 17, from 10am - 2pm, WSNLA and WALP are hosting a Field Day at JB Instant Lawn in Redmond. Experience the value of hands-on demonstrations and learn first hand which tools and equipment work best for you and your business. Field Day includes: an educational line-up that offers CPH and CLT credit; boom truck demonstration; golf putting green activity; and bbq lunch hosted by JB Instant Lawn and Ewing. Admission is FREE. To find out how your business can participate in this event, please turn to page 22.
Directory & Buyer’s Guide Deadline - August 15 It’s time to renew your listing in the Directory & Buyer’s Guide. All members are listed in this annual industry Guide, so be sure your contact information is current. You can do this by logging into your WSNLA online account at WSNLA.ORG or contacting the WSNLA office at (800) 672-7711 or holly@wsnla.org.
All WSNLA members receive 1 free buyer’s guide listing! The Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association invites you to list your products and services in our Buyer’s Guide. The Buyer’s Guide is an important marketing tool to get exposure both in print and with the searchable online version. One listing is free with membership, but additional listings ensure buyers can find your whole array of plants and products. Members must contact the WSNLA office and communicate what they would like their 1 FREE buyer’s guide listing to be. Plus, new features include: - NEW format - special edition! - Updated online tool - And, the potential for a downloadable mobile app Watch for your official Directory & Buyer’s Guide packet to arrive in the mail and via email. To find out more, please contact Breanne at the WSNLA office at (800) 6727711 or breanne@wsnla.org.
2014 WSNLA Officers Megan Pulkkinen, CPH, President Megan Pulkkinen Landscape Design 360-698-1865 | megancph@hotmail.com Tim Gray, President Elect Pacific Stone Company 425-258-1911 | timg@pacificstoneco.com Bill Raynolds, My Garden, Vice President 206-406-3487 | mygardennursery@gmail.com Duane Job, Treasurer Job’s Nursery 509-547-4843 | duanejob@gmail.com Jan Nielsen, Past President Marenakos Rock Center 425-392-3313 | jann@marenakos.com
WSNLA Board of directors Ingrid Wachtler, CPH Woodbrook Native Plant Nursery 253-265-6271 | woodbrk@harbornet.com Mount Rainier President Ryan Carpenter, Sunbreak Nursery 360-384-3763 | ryan@sunbreaknursery.com Northwest Chapter President Stephen Serafin, Quality Landscapes 360-385-6663 | qualitylandscapes @cablespeed.com Olympic Chapter President Kirsten Lints, CPH, Gardens ALIVE Design 425-318-2971 | kirsten@gardensALIVEdesign.com Seattle Chapter President Peter Van Well, III, Van Well Nursery 509-886-8189 | pete2@vanwell.net North Central Chapter President Toni Cross, CPH, Toni Cross Seasonal Color Pots 206-781-1060 | toni@seasonalcolorpots.com Design Caucus Chair Gregory Smaus, CPH, Native Root Designs 206-227-4458 | gregory@nativerootdesigns.com Landscape Caucus Chair Mary Ranahan, Cedar Grove Composting 206-963-0428 | mary.ranahan@cgcompost.com Horticultural Supplier Caucus Chair Chris Smith | Lake Washington Institute of Technology 425-739-8424 | chris.smith@lwtech.edu Horticulture Educator Caucus Chair Scott Pringle, CPH, Paradise Lake Nursery 206-930-4132 | paradiselakenursery@gmail.com Wholesale Nursery Caucus Chair Shannon Grina, CPH, Grina Landscape Design 425-736-5170 | shannong99@comcast.net CPH Caucus Chair Ben DeGoede, CPH, Windmill Gardens 253-863-5843 | info@windmillgardens.com Open Positions: Greenhouse Grower Caucus Chair & Out of State Caucus Chair
Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 7
WSNLA Landscape Design Tour
Featuring Certified Professional Horticulturists and ecoPROs
June 25 9:30am - 4:15pm Cost: $75 6 CPH Credits 3 ecoPRO Credits Pick up & Drop Off: Sublime Garden Design
designed by Erin Nausieda, CPH | The Natural Option On June 25, join your peers on WSNLA’s landscape tour featuring the work of Certified Professional Horticulturists and ecoPROs in the Snohomish County area. Each property highlights the thoughtfulness, care and talent given to the design process, as well as the successes and challenges faced during design and installation. From slopes and sustainable design elements to hardscapes and edibles, hear directly from your peers about their trials and triumphs in creating these stunning gardens for their client’s pleasure. Transportation and lunch provided. Sublime Garden Design Studio “It has long been a dream of mine to have a place that we could meet with clients and work as a team that was both inspiring and also allowed us to be focused and efficient in a way that was becoming difficult in our overcrowded home offices. When we ventured upon this journey we started by asking ourselves questions about how we wanted to work, what was important to us and our clients, and how we wanted the space to feel. These are all questions we ask our clients during the landscape design process. I think the best part of the process was that we did it together- as a team. Not unlike creating a garden, the feeling you have about a space is different when you play a part in creating that space… What we have created is an uncluttered space with simple décor, adorned with photos of our work to both convey to our clients what we do but also to remind us of what we have accomplished and why we come to work each day.” - Heidi Skievaski, CPH, Sublime Garden Design. 8 - The B&B Magazine
Parking is available in the lot across the street from the Sublime Garden Design studio. Transportation will be provided throughout the duration of the tour.
A Slope Paradise designed by Zsofia Pasztor, CPH, ecoPRO | Innovative Landscape Technologies This Slope Paradise Garden is a beautiful, fun and bird filled garden that was interesting to design in the Fall of 2007. The obvious challenge was the property’s grade, however, many opportunities presented themselves. Eventually, the season changed to summer and the homeowner and designer discovered hidden and unexpected surprises left by the previous owner to resolve. Come and hear Zsofia’s story and visit this beautiful garden. PERMACULTURE HOMESTEAD designed by Jessi Bloom, CPH, ecoPRO | NW Bloom Ecological Landscapes Jessi Bloom’s 2+ acre permaculture homestead in Mill Creek is the home to her business, N.W. Bloom EcoLogical Landscapes, a plethora of farm animals and gardens with an emphasis on perennial edibles, sustainability and beauty. There are many areas of interest on this property besides the lush gardens -one is a nursery with greenhouse, complete with an aquaponics system. A central barn houses working animals that are for food and soil fertility. Water catchment is a priority with examples on every building along with raingardens and stormwater management and a variety of compost systems throughout the site. Come visit the property now, as Jessi is currently getting it ready to sell and planning on moving on to developing a new property in the area!
A SHARED Natural Beauty designed by Erin Nausieda, CPH | The Natural Option This site landscape site features beautifully sustainable and natural settings that provide opportunities for the client to relax and enjoy. The owner desired areas for sharing time together, growing vegetables and herbs for their family and enjoying the interesting and colorful views from their home. McAuliffe ’s Valley Nursery owned by Jamie & Tiffini McAuliffe McAuliffe’s Valley Nursery, established in 2001, is a family owned wholesale and retail nursery also offering landscape design assistance. The nursery was once the site of a historic dairy farm. The nursery consists of 55 acres where 10% of the space is open every day for retail and wholesale sales, the rest of the property is field production of ornamental trees and shrubs that support the nursery. Mcauliffe’s Valley Nursery carries a full line of nursery stock as our main focus is retail sales. As we all know, there are many challenges in our industry, one for us is the growing of our own trees. We try to look years ahead and predict what the trends will be and what our customers will be looking for. Grand Tranquility : A Flowing Paradise designed by Heidi Skievaski, CPH | Sublime Garden Design This beautiful 1.5 acre property initially presented the challenge of a septic drain field with an undefined location, an octagonal shaped house, local wildlife with plans for destruction and existing large plants that needed to be relocated. The owner desired a natural setting with many water features and expansive views from the house. The excavation process was extensive and many beautiful hardscapes, a new spa, a large vegetable garden area, a rustic woodburning fire pit and a flagstone patio were added to create a relaxing and naturalistic setting. This project produced a gorgeous landscape and some valuable lessons along the way that Heidi will share with you. Find out more about this event at WSNLA. ORG. Space is limited - 6 CPH Credits. 3 ecoPRO Credits available. Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 9
Communication: The design-build process From a designers point of view! by Sue Goetz CPH | The Creative Gardener
I am a designer who relies on outside firms to install my work. I have a short list of preferred companies I work with and there are many reasons why. I will work with new companies but it is important to note that the follow through to my designs are only as good as the companies I work with; from suppliers to landscape installation firms. Experience has taught me to be picky and it is not about my needs, it is all about my client’s needs. A landscape install involves communication through many layers, from the design to the build. Landscapes usually begin with a meeting between client and designer. The designer then has the task to make sure the client’s needs are met and brought to life through the layers of the work from paper to shovel. (Top Left & Right) Before & After of design-build process. (Bottom) Sue communicating with THE clientS about WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE DESIGN-BUILD PROCESS.
10 - The B&B Magazine
Sometimes it just feels like the old telephone game- the information starts out correct and as it goes around to all of the parties involved-it changes. Usually the most important person in the process-the client, is the one who is disappointed. It has happened and it typically falls on me, the designer, to address the client about the changes. Sometimes I simply can’t explain why white roses went in a planting instead of pink the client requested
without sounding like someone was simply irresponsible. Plant substitutions, hardscape rework, the list can be long. The overall goal is- if changes have to be made that affect the design work (and it always happens) communication is the key.
Making it Work Build working relationships with all Not just the owner of the business, but also the foreman and the crew. Get to know how they work and their process of installation. The more familiar you are with how they work the easier it is to work with them. Quit being the diva I admit it, designers can be divas. We see things in our creative brain and want it to become real. Stand firm to get through the design/build process to hold the integrity of the design and keep happy clients. Treat the crew how you would like to be treated and if something goes awry or isn’t going the way it should, get to the right person and communicate to work through it, don’t just grumble at the guy with the shovel.
DON’T JUST
STAND THERE
Know how a job site works Things change from a design on paper to the actual installation. Some changes can be avoided if the designer pays attention to the mechanics of the job; like where power lines are (don’t spec in a 50 foot tree), water lines, septic, drainage, property lines, easements, etc. These are the things a contractor cannot change and if the design does not take things into account it spells trouble on the site. Watch your language Communicate issues to the person who needs to hear them and never bad mouth a contractor, client or supplier in front of any one. Never assume the homeowner is gone or out of ear shot and won’t hear. Installations can be stressful and it is just good business in how all parties conduct themselves when something goes wrong. Be responsive Make yourself available, if needed, to respond to questions, such as plant substitutions, etc. Let the contractor know you would like to know if he has any questions come up that you can help with. Be respectful A past experience: I was frustrated by a contractor who simply did not want to use plants I had specified because he wanted to use leftovers from another job. He told the client it was because I had chosen the wrong plants. Yes it did happen and no I have not referred this firm since then. Respect works both ways, you be good at your job and I will be good at mine and that is why we are good together. Sue Goetz CPH, is a garden consultant, designer, speaker and writer in Tacoma, Washington. Visit www.thecreativegardener. com or e-mail info@thecreativegardener.com.
WSNLA
Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association -11
Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association
Print vs. Digital Advertising The Truth About Print Advertising.... B&B readers are qualified customers that enjoy reading each issue front to back. Maximizing advertising dollars is crucial, and weighing the value between print vs. digital advertising, is the place to start. Here are a few facts that will help with your industry specific strategic advertising plan:
1 2 3
Direct Marketing Association studies show that industrial advertising on the Internet clearly underperforms in response rate and product awareness compared to traditional business media. Further, studies show that on average, a magazine reader spends nearly three times the amount of time with a magazine as they might with a web site. A web ad can be viewed by millions of unqualified, non buying, no specifying viewer who can randomly click anything regardless of the expense to you. A tightly controlled industry magazine only goes to your target market, which means every reader is a potential customer or client!
The Bottom Line:
The B&B Magazine is a critical communication link in the business chain. Be a part of one of the highest regarded industry trade magazines that is well rooted in the Washington State nursery and landscape industry.
Advertise in the B&B Magazine today!
12 - The B&B Magazine
VOL 65, NO. 7, JULY 2013
VOL 64, NO. 11, NOVEMBER 2012
VOL 65, NO. 2, FEBRUARY 2013
VOL 66, NO. 3, MARCH 2014
VOL 66, NO. 5, MAY 2014
For more information about advertising, please contact Debbie Rauen at debbie.nurseryandlandscape@ yahoo.com or (800) 672-7711.
Foliage & Fine Design by Richie Steffen, curator, Elisabeth C. Miller botanical garden
Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association -13
(RIGHT) RHODODENDRON ‘COX’S URANIUM GREEN’ and ROGERSIA aesculifolia. (PREVIOUS PAGE) BEESIA DELTOPHYLLA AND ADAINTUM VENTUSUM.
Using foliage as a primary tool in design is key in creating a garden that looks great over the growing season.
Good foliage is essential to good design and fortunately, we have a wealth of fantastic foliage plants to choose from. A great place to find reliable plants for
foliage effect is the Great Plant Picks website. Great Plant Picks (GPP) has several lists, photos and regionally relevant cultural information to help anyone choose a beautiful plant. The number of great foliage plants can be a little overwhelming and it is best to break down our choices by the way we use them in the garden. When we look at foliage in design we often start with choosing interesting foliage colors, then textures. The three major foliage textures are fine lacey leaves, large bold foliage and shiny glossy foliage. Many plants will overlap and fit into more than one of these categories, but by placing them into these groupings it is easier to accomplish specific design goals. Colorful foliage is a powerful tool in design. Tones of blue and gray can lend a cooling touch in hot location. Chartreuse can bring feelings of fresh spring growth and brighten a dim rainy day. Purple and burgundy add a sense of depth to the garden and makes the bright creams or glowing whites of variegated leaves even more eye catching. One of my favorites for colorful foliage is the brilliant canary and lemon yellows of Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’, now also being sold under the cultivar name ‘Gotemba’. It will reach 4 to 5 feet tall and shows its best color in morning sun in good soil with regular summer watering. Protect from hot sun or the edges of the foliage will blacken. Eryngium ‘Jade Frost’ fairs much better in full blazing sun. This variegated selection of sea holly sprouts up in spring with leafy rosettes of rounded blue-green leaves edged in gleaming white heavily blushed with pink. Later in summer 2 foot tall stems rocket up with long lasting spiny blue flowers. Two GPP selections offer the best in dark burgundy leaves, Berberis x ottawensis ‘Royal Cloak’ and the smokebush selection, Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’. Both are robust growers providing the richest coloring in full sun. The barberry will reach about 8 feet tall and wide with small yellow flowers dangling along the stems in mid-spring. The smokebush can grow large reaching about 12 to 15 feet tall and wide overtime, producing hazy pink plumes in early to midsummer. Fine foliage is especially useful in the small garden to make spaces appear larger and to add a feeling of depth. The delicately divided foliage of many ferns is a perfect fit for fine texture. Our native maidenhair, Adiantum aleuticum , an early GPP selection, provides a light and airy appearance with gracefully layered fronds held horizontally on wiry thin black stems. A more recent introduction is Polystichum x dycei, Dyce’s hybrid holly fern. This beautiful and easy to grow fern will reach 2 ½ to 3 feet tall and wide
14 - The B&B Magazine
Fine foliage is especially useful in the small garden to make spaces appear larger and to add a feeling of depth.
with an elegant broad vase-like habit. Mature and happy plants will reward you with tiny bulbils on the frond tips that can be pinned down to the ground to create a new fern.
(TOP LEFT) adiantum aleuticum. (TOP RIGHT) cotinus coggrygria, euphorpia sp, and astilbe.
While fine foliage calms the garden, big and bold leaves create the WOW. Two hardy and easy growers are Rodgersia and our western native Darmera peltata. There are several species of Rodgersia all with huge palmate or compound foliage. They can become large perennials with leaves reaching up to 3 feet tall and foliage 2 feet across. Plume like flowers of white or pale pink open in late spring with some selections having dark red seedheads later in summer. Darmera peltata or umbrella plant grows along rivers and streams in southern Oregon and California. Foliage can be up to 4 or 5 feet tall with a large rounded leaf 18 inches to 2 feet across. If you do not have room in the garden for these bold plants try them in a container! Glossy and shiny foliage is an asset to the shade garden with the reflective quality of the leaves brightening the woodland and adding sparkle to the garden. Beesia deltophylla is a relative newcomer to the market and fits the bill perfectly. The evergreen heart-shaped leaves are deep green and glisten in dappled light. It will form low tight clumps a little over a foot tall and wide. Using foliage as a primary tool in design is key in creating a garden that looks great over the growing season.
(Bottom) RODGERSIA PODOPHYLLA ROTLAUB
GREAT PLANT PICKS
www.greatplantpicks.org Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 15
A Panel Of Industry Experts Why is your nursery design layout the way it is? Garden Center 2020 will look completely different in so many ways, the way it is designed, the way it is merchandised and the way the team sells. Many of these changes will be driven by the Millennium Generation who think and behave differently than the generations before and by 2020 will be wanting to beautify their apartments and homes.
- John Stanley, The Retail Guru.
For John Stanley’s complete article “Garden Centre 2020 engaging for Consumers” visit the WSNLA Blog at www.wsnla.org
Why is your nursery’s layout designed the way it is? - Is it because of space? - Is it because you are highlighting certain plants? - Is it because of proven research? - Did you have a troublesome area that was repurposed with success? - Or, is there a different theory or objective? Independent nurseries throughout Washington have various layouts. Some are modern and clean, others more informal and lush. Please share a brief and thoughtful comment explaining what makes your nursery’s layout effective for your site and WHY!
Brad Watts, CPH | Valley Nursery Valley Nursery is like most other places in that the site develops and grows over time, based on many factors. Few have the opportunity to start from scratch. Our site is odd shaped, intersected by a creek and has two main anchor structures. We have worked out all of our issues to create a customer flow, delivery flow and parking flow. This has not been easy or inexpensive. Since we have most of our ingress/egress in the corner of the site along with our garden store, we have had to work hard at minimizing congestion. We regularly have walkthroughs where we try to look at our flow through customers’ eyes. We look at cart location, register location, areas for lines, etc. We have moved one register about 6 or 7 times. We recently took out the rest of our sawdust beds and have gone to all plants in containers. We shuffled locations of fruit trees, Rhododendrons, Roses, Pottery and Japanese Maples. We created a new racetrack effect for better exposure. Most of our changes come from networking, visiting other stores and having other professionals visit us as well as good ideas from myself and my staff.
16 - The B&B Magazine
Steve Smith, CPH | Sunnyside Nursery
Jenny Gunderson, CPH | My Garden Nursery
I think most of us that own nurseries inherited existing buildings that we had to work around and as time marched on we added more buildings and parking lots and just made it work.
This is a subject I have been thinking about and working on for months. We are designing our new garden center. We had spent hours and hours on flow, entrance and exit, cash register locations, product placement, cafe and restroom locations, parking, receiving and loading flow and how to easily navigate from the outside areas to the inside. We had everything just about done and then because of wetlands and city restrictions we had to change it. We had to make it smaller and reconfigure some things. In retail unless you have unlimited space and cash it is always about making the very best out of the space you have.
Here at Sunnyside Nursery, we are always looking at traffic patterns and attempt to lead and direct customers in certain directions or to specific destinations through the use of focal points. We know we have hot spots and dead spots and in some cases there isn’t much we can do about it. We like to change the layout every year or so to keep it interesting and exciting for the customer so they will continue to explore. Another consideration when thinking about nursery layout is an efficient receiving area that provides ease and accessibility for large trucks to deliver plants and products. And, adequate paving that allows carts to move around the site easily. For us it is important to have a clean and orderly nursery that is well signed and organized but also inspiring and full of ideas. As plants come into bloom they are moved to the main isles for maximum exposure and as they fade they are relegated to the opposite end of the nursery or possibly put in the “Take Me Home Department” where they are discounted for quick sale. We like to kid ourselves that our job is to move plants until they move out the door and into the customer’s car. If we got paid by the number of times we moved a plant we would be fabulously wealthy. I suppose there is some science to all of this but for us it is mostly intuitive and common sense.
In my opinion, the ideal situation would have one entrance and exit. It would have a flow that takes the customer past every product category in a quick racetrack like manner. (A gorgeous and colorful flowing racetrack of course.) It would have specific areas for certain products and plant types that would make shopping easy. The goal is always to make it EASY for the customer to shop with a shopping cart that they can fill. The floor surfaces would be easy for the carts to roll on, plants would be easy to locate and the environment comfortable. These are some basic rules we tried to adhere to in Mill Creek where we had super old greenhouses, a floor with a million holes and bumps and a hot or too cold environment. We always have at least one “tada” at the entrance. People tend to stop and take a second at the entrance so you might as well have a big display showing what you want the customer to see. They might not shop from the display at the beginning but it sets the mood. We loved it when people came in and either smiled or laughed or said oooh look at that! We have a display or product category that calls out for the customer to come see it closer at every vista, down every aisle and at the back of every table. Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 17
Designing an Inspired Garden Show Changes coming to the 2015 Northwest Flower & Garden Show
18 - The B&B Magazine
CALL FOR APPLICANTS:
Northwest Flower & Garden Show Design Team Members February 11-15, 2015 Theme: Romance Blossoms
Lloyd Glasscock, CPH Northwest Flower & Garden Show One of the unique things about putting together something like the Northwest Flower & Garden show is that as soon as the Show is over for one year plans are immediately being put in place for the next and 2014 has been no exception. The dates for next year have been set, February 11-15, 2015 with the theme ‘Romance Blossoms’. Valentine’s Day falls on Saturday night during the Show, so it was felt a romance theme made good sense. Currently we are speaking with local landscape contractors, designers and nurseries about creating a garden (our star attractions!) for the 2015 Garden Show. Time is getting short; the deadline is July 1, 2015 to have applications in from those that might be interested. There will be 21 individual show gardens this year. Delivering something new is always a challenge for any business. This year we have decided to change the previous ‘Small Space Showcase’ into ‘City Living’. We are creating spaces 13 ½’ x 7 ½’ from 18 x 18 concrete pavers to simulate a condo or apartment patio. These will be on the Skybridge looking toward Capitol Hill on the East and the Pike Place Market on the West. The idea is to create a space with planters, portable fountains, artwork, patio furniture, etc. that would appeal to the thousands of condo and apartment dwellers within a bus ride of downtown. We will have eight of these spaces available on the Skybridge. Another feature, still in the planning stages, is ‘Garden Wars’ which will take place in the North Hall (just a few steps from the Plant Market). Two teams of three people each will compete in creating a garden space in a 10’ x 10’ framed area in 1-hour (+?) in front of a seated audience. There will be a common group of plants, stones, and garden ornaments to choose from to complete the space. Lots of details are still being filled for this one, but we’re hoping it will be a highlight of the Show. Firms or individuals interested in being a part of the 2015 NW Flower & Garden Show by participating in ‘City Living’ or in creating a Show Garden should contact Lloyd Glasscock (Northwest Flower & Garden Show - Show Garden Coordinator) at their earliest opportunity. I can be reached at Lloyd@gardenshow.com or (425)422-3336.
Interested in being a part of the 2015 WSNLA Display Garden Design Team? WSNLA is seeking members interested in joining the Display Garden Design Team with the purpose of creating a show garden that celebrates the professionalism and creative talent within the Washington nursery and landscape industry. This is an excellent opportunity to grow your network of industry connections, promote your business, and help market professionalism within the industry. The Design Team consists of: - Design Lead - Contractor/Installation Lead - Social Media Manager - Plant Procurement - Finance Management - And, Volunteer Management. All positions are open. Join a List of Award Winning Design Professionals Kirsten Lints, CPH, GARDENS ALIVE DESIGN 2014. Rob Boyker, ecoPRO, AVID LANDSCAPES DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT - 2014. Heidi Skievaski, CPH, SUBLIME GARDEN DESIGN - 2013. Gregory Smaus, CPH, NATIVE ROOT DESIGNS - 2012. Megan Pulkkinen, CPH, MEGAN PULKKINEN LANDSCAPE DESIGN 2011. Kirsten Lints, CPH, GARDENS ALIVE DESIGN - 2011. Kate Easton, CPH, GARDEN VISION, INC - 2011. Lloyd Glassock, CPH, LOOKING GLASS DESIGNS, 2011. Zsofia Pasztor, CPH, INNOVATIVE LANDSCAPE TECHNOLOGIES - 2010. Kerry Sexton-Smith, CPH & Lucinda McMahon, CPH, 2009. Janine Anderson, CPH & Terry LeLievre, ANDERSON LELIEVRE DESIGN - 2008. Colleen Miko, CPH, COLLEEN’S - A LANDSCAPE DESIGN CO - 2007 Phyllis Warman, PHYLLIS WARMAN LANDSCAPE DESIGN - 2007. Nancy Schank, CPH and Lloyd Glasscock, CPH - 2006. Gina McCauley and Lloyd Glassock, CPH 2005. If you are interested in joining this elite list of landscape design professionals, contact WSNLA at (800) 672-7711 or breanne@wsnla.org.
Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 19
WHY Proposals Fail
Designing a proposal to improve your hit rate!
Rick Bechtel | Bechtel Consulting Group We’ve all been there - probably more often than we’d care to admit. You put in hours painstakingly crafting what you think is an impressive proposal that will surely stand out from those of your competitors, only to get that dreaded call: “Thank you for your interest, but we’ve chosen a different direction.” Most professional service providers are all too familiar with the dreaded request for proposal (RFP) process (which I affectionately refer to as the Valley of Death), and most would have to admit that they lose more bids than they win. While losing a bid can stem from a variety of conditions, poorly designed proposals certainly account for their share. The following list of reasons why proposals fail might offer some clues to help you strengthen yours. It’s too long. Longer is not inherently better. There is no ideal length, but it’s generally best to avoid overwhelming the prospect. Think of it this way: The longer the proposal is, the more of a “forest-for-the-trees” problem you create. Keep it short, and your key points to stand out better. Also, try to avoid the endless rambling letter approach. Break your content into digestible chunks to make key points easier to find. It fails to address the underlying issue(s). Sometimes, we take the surface-level request as all there is, and we don’t probe beyond it to understand where the real value lies - how the prospect will really react to your proposed approach. When you think you got everything right but still lose, it may well be because you missed the hot buttons. It’s too technical. Remember, the central point of a proposal is to inform, not to impress. Trying to dazzle the prospect with technical jargon may conceal the key 20 - The B&B Magazine
points you’re trying to get across and make their decision making more problematic. Worse, your effort to impress the prospect may wind up insulting their intelligence or causing your approach to be perceived as “overkill.” It fails to articulate benefits. Too many proposals describe what we can do but fall short of explaining what it will do for the prospect. You can bet that every competitor’s proposal will contain a plausible sounding approach. What the prospect will decide on is which approach they think will deliver the best results - based on what they value. You need to understand what those criteria are, and then make sure you address them in the form of benefits. It’s poorly structured. A proposal needs to make a case, and that demands a logical sequence of arguments and evidence. The better organized your points are, the easier it is to get your case across. Ideally, you want the proposal to lead the prospect to an inexorable conclusion that favors you. It lacks style. Style does count. Using images, headers, accent colors, smaller paragraphs to get points to stand out, etc draws the reader in and helps point him/her to the key points you want to get across. It also gives your proposal a more polished look, and helps avoid being perceived as just “one of many.” It has spelling and grammatical errors. It goes without saying that others will judge you by what - and how - you write. A proposal with spelling and grammatical errors denotes an author whose thinking process is similarly flawed, and that breeds lack of confidence. It lacks testimonials and client references. This is a common omission. There is no
better way to establish your competitive advantage than by letting others make the case for you. For that matter, too many proposals fail even to answer the question, “why us?” What that does is to force the prospect to decide purely on your approach - which may not stand out all that much. It misses the personal connection. Remember, above all else you are proposing to enter into a relationship with the prospect. The most brilliant proposed approach won’t succeed if the prospect doesn’t perceive you as someone they can work with comfortably. Your interaction with the prospect will play the major role, but there are ways to give your proposal a personal touch, as well. There’s no call to action. Every proposal should contain a first step that enables the prospect to visualize how things will get underway. Aside from the clarification it provides, it also has a compelling nature that urges the prospect to act. This can be especially valuable in cases where the proposed program is multi-faceted and/or complex. Of course, the best strategy is one that circumvents the RFP process altogether. In fact, this is one of the most easily recognized benefits of investing in relationship development with prospective clients over time. All things being equal, clients like to hire people they know and trust. If you’ve invested in building trust, even if there is an RFP to respond to, you’ll have a leg up on the competition. About Richard Bechtel: Richard, founder and President of Bechtel Consulting Group, is a seasoned practitioner with over 20 years of experience, Rick has a diverse knowledge base that spans organizational dynamics, strategic development, succession planning, corporate positioning, market research, and marketing and communications planning.
Join The Action... Reserve The Date On Your Calendar!
WALP & WSNLA FIELD DAY Thursday, July 17, 2014 | 10:00 am - 2:30 pm JB Instant Lawn - Redmond, WA
This special “hands-on” event provides the Landscape Industry the opportunity to not only see product in person like at a regular trade show, but to actually operate many of the items on display. By attending you will also be given the opportunity to… • • •
Learn about new products Network with other landscape professionals Build morale by including your staff
• • •
“Try before you buy” Better train your staff Learn new ways to use your existing equipment
And although Field Day is a chance for you and your staff to use and test out many different pieces of equipment, it’s much more than that! Other Field Day activities you won’t want to miss include: • • •
Boom truck/stone setting demonstration Education area with sessions held every hour Plants!!!
• • •
BBQ lunch Opportunity to win drawings Landscape Industry Certified written exam
Plus, Field Day is the one event where you can bring your staff and let them get involved in the Industry. One suggestion might be to send your staff in shifts, a morning group and an afternoon group. Field Day is open to all landscape professionals and there is no charge to attend. However, to help with the planning of the event, we do ask that RSVPs be submitted to the WALP Office by registering online at www.walp.org or filling out and mailing or faxing the below form.
2014 Field Day Registration Form (Please Print Or Type) Business Name Registrant #1 Registrant #2 Address City Business Phone (
Registrant #3 Registrant #4 )
Send To:
State E-mail
Zip
WALP/WSNLA Field Day | 23607 Highway 99, Ste 2C | Edmonds, WA 98026 | Fax: (425) 771-9588 For More Information Contact: WALP at (425) 967-0729 | info@walp.org WSNLA at (253) 661-6055 | info@wsnla.org
Certified Professional Horticulturist of Month A Look into the CPH Community
Rachel Zuetenhorst, CPH T&L Nursery Sales Representative Woodinville
JH: How long have you been a CPH? RZ: I have been a CPH since 1998 JH: How do you participate in WSNLA? RZ: I have been a speaker at the WSNLA/WALP Conference, Continue my certification/education, attend meetings and events when time allows, working the WSNLA garden at the NWFGS. JH: What is your job title and what company do you represent? Certified Professional Horticulturist of the Month Q&A is by Joanie Hackett, CPH. About Joanie: Hackett has been a Certified Professional Horticulturist since 2002, shortly after completing the horticulture program at Lake Washington Institute of Technology. She is employed by Plantscapes as the Seasonal Color Coordinator and Holiday Coordinator. She serves on the Certified Professional Horticulturist Board for WSNLA, and is the contact person for the CPH of the Month article. Joanie can be contacted at joaniedidit@comcast.net.
RZ: Sales Representative for T & L Nursery JH: How long have you been in your current position? What other positions have you held?
Rachel’s Favorite tree - Acer Shishigashshira (Lion’s Mane Maple)
RZ: 4.5 years with T & L Nursery, before that I owned Savvy Gardens for 8 plus years, where I specialized in container garden design. Claim to Fame- 2009 Won People’s Choice Award at the NWFGS for my container garden vignette. Other jobs have included Garden Spot Nursery in Bellingham, The Gray Barn in Redmond, The Complete Gardener in Seattle, and the first job I had in the industry was Wayne’s Nursery in Port Angeles. Started working their when I was 15, I had the nickname ‘weed picker’!
continued on the next page. 20 - The B&B Magazine
JH: What is your overall philosophy for being successful in this field? RZ: Loving plants, inspiring people, and always willing to change with the seasons. JH: What is the biggest challenge you face in your job? RZ: I love my job! Though I often feel I don’t have enough time in the day. JH: What is the most common mistake you see in homeowner yards( commercial properties?) RZ: Definitely pruning, and improper care for plants.
JH: What is your favorite plant? Why? RZ: It seems to change with the seasons, but I do have a specimen Acer Shishigashshira (Lion’s Mane Maple) that I absolutely love! JH: What is your favorite expression? RZ: “This is super cute, everybody needs one!” JH: Any publications or websites you’d like to share? RZ: No, not yet. I would like to publish a book someday, on recipes for container gardening. Maybe when my girls are off to college.
CPH Board & Committee Members Lucinda McMahan, CPH Lucinda’s Landscapes lucinda31@comcast.net CPH since 2001 Andrew Barker, CPH Cloud Garden Landscape Design candrewbarker@gmail.com CPH since 2011 Shannon Grina, CPH Grina Landscape Design shannonG99@comcast.net CPH since 2008 Joan Hackett, CPH PlantScapes joaniedidit@comcast.net CPH since 2002 Don Marshall, CPH Lake Washington Institute of Technology don.marshall@lwtech.edu CPH since 1983 Mike Davis info@pathwaystoponds.com CPH since 2002 Dana Blaskovich paradisecontained@hotmail.com CPH since 2002 Joseph Weninger, CPH Wight’s Home & Garden josephweninger@yahoo.com CPH since 2012
Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 23
Next ecoPRO training & exam to be held in Skagit County. November 17 - 20, 2014 Why Get Certified
More and more customers are requesting sustainable landscape design, construction, and maintenance. Earn the “ecoPRO certified” (or EPC) designation to show customers and others that you are knowledgeable in sustainable practices that: Protect and conserve soils; Conserve water; Protect water and air quality; Protect and create wildlife habitat; Conserve energy; Sustain healthy plants; Use sustainable methods and materials; and Protect and enhance human health and well-being.
Who can become certified?
This is an advanced certification. To be eligible for certification, you must meet one or more of the following requirements: - Be certified by a professional horticultural association (APLD, IA, ISA, WALP/PLANET, WSNLA); - Be a licensed landscape architect or a graduate of an accredited landscape architecture program; - Have 3-years landscape experience as well as a horticultural degree or a degree in a related field.
ecoPRO certification requirements include reading ecoPRO best practices and required study materials, pass an exam demonstrating knowledge of sustainable landscaping principles and best practices. The ecoPRO 3-day training is not required for certification, but is highly recommended. The training enhances the required study materials, offers interactive training, allows time for Q&A, and provides an opportunity to network with other landscape professionals. The ecoPRO training is open to all landscape professionals who have a basic background in horticulture and landscape management.
What will I learn and be tested on?
What will I learn and be tested on? The training, study materials, and exam are based on 200+ sustainable best practices and required study materials. As an ecoPRO certified indvidual, you will demonstrate knowledge of, and voluntarily practice sustainable best landscape practices in the following eight key principles:
Carter Evans Wood Concepts The Ultimate Natural Addition To Your Landscaping Projects! - Large selection of salvaged landscape wood. You can pick up or we will deliver. - Outstanding old growth Western Red Cedar pieces salvaged from the forest floor. - Use as center pieces, water features, bulkheads, seats, planters boarders & more Visit landscapewood.com to purchase by picture number, or call 360-482-5555 if you would like to come by and look. Email: john.evans@landscapewood.com 2 miles West of Elma, take the Schouweiler exit. 24 - The B&B Magazine
• Protect and Conserve Soils • Conserve Water • Protect Water and Air Quality • Protect and Create Wildlife Habitat • Conserve Energy • Sustain Healthy Plants • Use Sustainable Methods and Materials • Protect and Enhance Human Health and Well-being
ecoPRO Training & Exam Costs
$350, which includes the 3-day training and exam (lunch included). $150 for exam only. $75 for re-taking the exam. Individuals that do not meet the eligibility criteria for certification are welcome to register for the training only at the rate of $350. This training is sponsored by Skagit Conservation District, City of Anacortes, City of Burlington, City of Sedro-Woolley, City of Mount Vernon and Skagit County. Find out more at www.wsnla.org/ecoPROcertified.
Bugs & Blights
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Azalea sawfly normally defoliates azalea in early June. Only midribs of leaves remain. This year sawflies emerged early. Plants will refoliate given water and tender care. This is a sawfly so Bt would not be effective. This is a one generation sawfly so watch for damage next may. Adults emerge with new growth.
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Industry News Making Plants More Defensive Researchers at the University of Missouri, including Scott Peck, recently identified a mechanism in plants that cues bacteria to attack the plants’ cells with harmful proteins. Finding ways to suppress this mechanism can lead to plants that are more resistant to infection and have natural defenses that could render bacteria harmless. Knowing that bacteria can attack plants once they’ve recognized the plant cells as potential hosts, researchers at the University of Missouri recently identified and replicated this recognition process: a discovery that could lead to natural anti-infective treatments that enhance resistance to harmful bacteria in the field. “When potential pathogens enter host plants, a race ensues to deploy their respective disease and defense mechanisms,” said Scott Peck, associate professor of biochemistry and a researcher in the Bond Life Sciences Center at the university. “Scientists have paid a lot of attention to how plants and
other organisms recognize and respond to invading microbes, but little attention has been paid to how the signals transmitted by the organisms that are being attacked play a role in the process. Our work focuses on suppressing the signals from the plant that cue the bacteria to attack.” Peck and fellow researchers, including Jeffrey Anderson and Ying Wan, postdoctoral fellows at the university’s department of biochemistry, found that plants, in this case tomatoes, produce a molecular signal that invites an attack from a pathogen. The signaling system in the plant triggers a structure in bacteria similar in shape to a syringe, which is used to inject the bacteria’s harmful proteins into its target. The research team found a group of five acids from plants that trigger the bacteria. “We know that microbes can disguise themselves by altering the proteins
or molecules that the plant uses to recognize the bacteria, as a strategy for evading detection,” Peck said. “Our results show that the plant can disguise itself from pathogen recognition by removing the signals needed by the pathogen to become fully virulent.” The findings may help scientists grow plants that are more resistant to infection and create natural defenses for plants that could render bacteria harmless. The findings come from a collaboration of scientists led by Peck and researchers from the Biological Sciences Division at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory and the Department of Energy’s Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory. The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and was funded by the National Science Foundation. Source: LandscapeOnline.com.
Farwest Show Announces Keynote Speaker The Farwest Trade Show, which is produced by the Oregon Association of Nurseries, recently announced the keynote speaker for their 2014 gathering. John Stanley, renowned horticulture industry expert, will bring his insight and perspective to the show on August 21, when he delivers his speech, “Don’t Serve Me, Make My Day,” which promises to shed light on an industry that is changing rapidly. According to Stanley, what has worked in the past will not work in the future as the whole structure evolves. He will focus on the issues that horticultural businesses need to address in the coming months and years in order to grow sales. Attendance is free for all show registrants. “Farwest offers value to almost every aspect of the green industry,” states Allan Niemi, director of events & education 26 - The B&B Magazine
for OAN. “We want to provide extra incentive for regional and national garden centers, growers and landscapers to join us at Farwest this year. John’s topic focuses on customer service to drive sales — inspiration that will benefit everyone.” Often described as the world’s leading horticultural consultant, John Stanley’s contributions to all facets of horticulture business span a spectrum of consulting, coaching, training, speaking and writing. Stanley will also conduct a 3-hour workshop on August 22, “Garden Retailing: Getting to 2020,” highlighting key elements that can make a difference to garden retail. The workshop will look at how merchandising and display strategies in independent garden centers have to change in the next few years if the sector is to grow.
Preliminary to his keynote address, Stanley will facilitate a two-day (August 20 and 21) New Vision Forum with Sid Raisch of Horticultural Advantage. The New Vision Forum is a traveling, intensive round-table event hosted by AmericanHort that explores new directions, trends, and technologies in garden retail. Participants will discover ways to meet emerging business challenges and master the possibilities presented by the new economy. Separate registration is required. “I’m thrilled to have a role at Farwest this year,” said Stanley. “My perspective allows me to help the industry from as small as a one person business upwards. I particularly enjoy helping family businesses grow and prosper. In my global work I see emerging trends. Sharing my ideas on how to maximize those trends with the Farwest audience will be exciting and rewarding for all.”
Industry News Pesticide applicators – Take steps to reduce drift during spraying season The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) would like to remind pesticide applicators of their responsibility to ensure pesticides do not drift off-target and offer suggestions on how to reduce the risk. Last year, WSDA’s Pesticide Management Division received more than 150 complaints regarding alleged violations of the state’s pesticide laws, about half of them involving allegations that pesticides being applied in agriculture settings had drifted onto neighboring property. As of today, thirteen pesticide drift complaints have been made to WSDA so far this year. All are currently under investigation. To ensure that pesticides do not drift beyond the intended treatment area, pesticide applicators must: · Read the label on the pesticides being applied and abide by all precautions and restrictions on safe handling, necessary protective equipment, buffers, the effect on crops and more. · Be especially diligent near sensitive areas such as highways, homes, schools and other occupied dwellings or where workers are present. · Properly calibrate equipment, using the proper nozzles and pressure to keep the spray on-target. · Scout the areas bordering the area being treated. · Evaluate conditions such as wind speed, wind direction, and temperature. · Halt the application if conditions change such that the risk of drift rises to an unsafe level or if anyone approaches the area without proper protection. WSDA licenses about 24,000 pesticide applicators, dealers, consultants and inspectors. Licensees are trained to apply pesticides safely. When problems do occur, WSDA will investigate complaints alleging violations of the state’s pesticide laws, including cases of drift, worker exposure, or environmental harm. The state Department of Health investigates potential cases of pesticide illnesses. Visit their website at www.doh. wa.gov for more information.
South Seattle Community College Honors Alum Ciscoe Morris South Seattle Community College announced that its 2014 Outstanding Alumni of the Year is Ciscoe Morris. Since graduating from South Seattle Community College’s Landscape and Horticulture program in 1977, Morris has made a name for himself as an author, a television host and a radio host. His energetic personality and love for gardening is captured on his weekly show “Gardening with Ciscoe” airing on King-5 TV and throughout the northwest on Northwest Cable News. Additionally, Morris hosts a weekly radio show on KIRO RADIO. As an author, he is a regular contributor to the Seattle Times and has written bestselling gardening books. “This is truly an honor for me,” Morris said. “My passion for gardening has brought me to places I never would have imagined, but it all started as a student at South Seattle College.”
Survey finds Puget Sound homeowners need better education on pesticide use A Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) survey of Puget Sound residents found more than half used a pesticide in the previous year, but many did not follow instructions on the labels or used a product that was not intended for the pest they were treating. Nearly 3,000 people responded to a March 2013 survey of residents in 11 counties covering the Puget Sound region. The survey was sent out to learn more about residential use of pesticides in urban areas. As part of the project, two other surveys were conducted through interviews with commercial pesticide applicators and public agencies, such as municipalities and public works agencies. The project was prompted by a 2011 Department of Ecology study that identified the urban use of pesticides as a potential source of copper in freshwater and marine areas in the Puget Sound basin. Copper is toxic to fish and other aquatic species, with young salmon especially vulnerable. As part of the survey work, researchers reviewed pesticides available to consumers in retail outlets, and found few copper products on store shelves. Other findings in the “Non-Agricultural Pesticide Use in Puget Sound Counties” report include: · 51.5% of respondents had applied a pesticide in the previous 12-month period. (Of those, about half applied the pesticide 4 times or less a year.) · 75% did not hire a professional, but applied the treatment themselves. · Pesticide treatments were typically applied between March and September. · Weeds and moss were the most cited reason a pesticide was applied, with ants and other insects second. · Neonicotinoids and pyrethroids, two chemical classes that can effect bee populations, especially when applied to plants in bloom, accounted for about 85% of the known insecticides used by homeowners. Interviews with eight commercial pest control companies of varying sizes found that the majority of their business is for residential applications, with ants and rodents making up the bulk of the work. The majority of public operators interviewed use what is called Integrated Pest Management, a combined approach that includes the use of pesticides, as well as manual removal of weeds and other pests. Ecology partnered with WSDA for the project, providing $135,000 for the survey. Of 15,000 surveys mailed, 2,931 were returned, a response rate of almost 20 percent. Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 27
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For more information or to be added to the email list to receive chapter meeting notice announcements, contact Ingrid Wachtler, Woodbrook Native Plant Nursery at woodbrk@harbornet.com.
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July 30, from 6 - 8pm Location: Christianson’s Nursery & Greenhouse, Mount Vernon Program and speaker details will be sent via EVITE and posted on WSNLA.ORG.
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For more information or to be added to the email list to receive chapter meeting notice announcements, contact Ryan Carpenter, Sunbreak Nursery Company at ryan@ sunbreaknursery.com.
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Olympic Chapter Seattle Chapter
July 2014 Location: Chihully Glass Garden, Seattle Center For more information or to be added to the email list to receive chapter meeting notice announcements, contact Bill Collins at wjcollins@comcast.net.
Host or Sponsor a Chapter Meeting Hosting a chapter meeting at your business is a great way to introduce your plant availability, products and services to potential clients and customers. By inviting nursery and landscape professionals to your business site, it provides an opportunity to share your expertise and build valuable relationships to grow your business. If you are interested in hosting or sponsoring an upcoming chapter meeting, please contact the chapter contact listed above.
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WSNLA Marketplace
[ Job Postings, For Sale, Plant Material Available & More! ] HOLLAND-AMERICA NURSERY. Now Available: Van den Akker weeping Alaska cedar 6’ thru 10’. Snowberry 1 gal. & 2 gal. Thuja plicata zebrina 5 gal. Red twig dogwood 1gal. Mahonia aquifolium 1 gal & 2 gal. Mahonia repens 1 gal & 2 gal. Mahonia aquifolium 5 gal. Rosa nutkana 1 gal. Rosa Rugosa 1 gal.Cornus kousa Milky Way 6’-7’-8’ b&b. List available. (360) 794-6549, or akker4@gmail.com. WSNLA MEMBER. Specimen Street and landscape Trees in large Root Control Bags. Year around availability, easier shipping, handling and establishment. Mount Vernon. (800) 827-4067. Fax (360) 428-1822. www.urbanforestnursery.com. WSNLA MEMBER.
19.5K Landscape trees for sale. 15K Spruce 3 varieties, 3K to 3.5K Concolor and 1K Austrian Pine. You harvest and transport. $30.00 each. 509-847-5287 Dominic
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Save money with low processing fees and a variety of related benefits, including gift cards for customers, through Sage Payment Solutions. Plus, they are committed to giving back to your organization through a rebate program. Miah Green, Sage Payment Solutions 208-503-0561, jgreen@sagepayments.com www.sagepayments.com/wsnla
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Purchase your print and promotional products from Proforma because they have the buying power to provide unbeatable rates. Plus, they are committed to giving back to your organization through a rebate program. Jim Stedman, ProForma 888-546-6028, jwstedman@aol.com
Specializing in supplying top quality fresh cut flowers and potted plants directly from the best producers in BC to the northwest United States.
ph (604) 856-1264 fax (604) 856-1273 www.mainlandfloral.com
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At no charge, members may ask a question or obtain advice. More work will be performed at a discounted Association rate. Robert Andre’, Ogden Murphy Wallace 206-447-2252, FAX 206-447-0215 randre@omwlaw.com, www.omwlaw.com
Equipment Purchases
Receive fleet like discounts on high quality commercial equiptment at participating dealerships only. Phil Smith, Scotsco, Inc (253) 720-6420, psmith@scotsco.com
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Receive assistance in the commercial recovery field. Bill Bosch, Cash Flow Management 503-774-1399, FAX 503-771-4202, bbosch@ cfmcollect.com, www.cfmcollection.com
Office Supplies
Order office supplies quickly and easily via phone, fax or online. Guaranteed lowest price, free next-day delivery, 4% instant discount on every invoice, 20,000 item catalog. No minimum order. Jenn Gordon, Association Members Only 800-420-6421 x 234, FAX 800-420-6422 jgordon@goamo.com, www.goamo.com
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Bill Yeager, Association Benefits Corp. 206-948-9379, FAX 425-742-1474 bill@associationbenefits.us
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Ken Von Forell, Hortica Insurance & Employee Benefit 360-459-9411, KVonForell@hortica-insurance. com, www.hortica-insurance.com Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association - 29
CALENDAR OF EVENTS [ Education & Enjoyment ]
June 20. Pruning & Renovation Workshop, from 8:30am - 2:30pm. Location: An overgrown landscape somewhere in Greater Seattle. WALP and PlantAmnesty are co-sponsoring this pruning and renovation workshop. It is tailored for professionals in the business of landscape maintenance. The event includes an indoor PowerPoint presentation in English and outdoor practicum in English and Spanish. Lunch is not included in the price of $50 for members and $75 for nonmembers. Master Pruner and some other sorts of credits are available. To register, contact WALP at WALP.org or call them at 425-967-0729. WSNLA members receive special WALP price. CPH Credit Available. JUNE 20, from 1-3:30pm OR 6 - 8pm. Take the Confusion Out of Drip Irrigation Systems. Extension Education Center in South Everett in McCollum Park - 600 - 128th Street SE Confused about drip irrigation systems? Master Gardener and drip irrigation expert Jeff Thompson cuts through all the confusion about drip irrigation systems in a hands-on workshop sponsored by WSU-Snohomish County Extension. This workshop is designed to make a novice comfortable with all as足pects of designing and implementing a low volume drip irrigation system for the
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Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association
Oct 8 | Environmental Due Diligence for Landscape Sites Location: Cedar River Watershed, North Bend
Nov 5 | Customer Service Training for Trainers & Advanced Merchandising Location: Sky Nursery in Shoreline Dec 3 | BEES: Health, Home & Beneficials Location: WSU Kitsap Extention Norm Dicks Building, Bremerton Easy access from ferry
home gar足dener. It includes what parts to use, where to get them, and most importantly, how not to waste resources by purchasing the wrong equipment. For more information contact (425) 3576039 or http://tinyurl.com/mup5le7. JUNE 25. WSNLA LANDSCAPE TOUR - featuring the work of Certified Professional Horticulturists! Celebrate the work of your colleagues during this fun and informative annual event. Grow your knowledge through connecting with peers and learning about trials and triumphs of each site. Gather inspiration and ideas. And, take time to celebrate the work of your colleagues! Find out more on page 8. 4 CPH Credit Available.
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JULY 17. WSNLA & WALP FIELD DAY SAVE THE DATE! Location: JB Instant Lawn, Woodinville. September 23, from 5-8pm. Certified Professional Horticulturist Preview Exam. Location: Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Horticulture Complex. Cost: $45 members, $65 non members. For more information about the Certified Professional Horticulturist program visit www.wsnla.org/CPH or contact Holly at WSNLA at (800) 672-7711 and holly@ wsnla.org. October 15, from 5-8pm. Certified Professional Hortculturist Exam. Location: Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Horticulture Complex. Member & Student Rate: $90 | Non Member Rate: $160.For more information about the Certified Professional Horticulturist program visit www.wsnla.org/CPH or contact Holly at WSNLA at (800) 672-7711 and holly@ wsnla.org. NOVEMBER 17-20. ecoPRO TRAINING & EXAM. Location: WSU Mount Vernon Research Center. This training is sponsored by Skagit Conservation District, City of Anacortes, City of Burlington, City of Sedro-Woolley, City of Mount Vernon and Skagit County. For more information visit www.wsnla.org/ ecoPROcertified Promote your event in the B&B Magazine and on WSNLA.org. Contact Breanne at breanne@wsnla.org or (800) 672-7711.
30 - The B&B Magazine
www.BIRINGERNURSERY.com
advertisersIndex Anderson Die & Manufacturing....... 31 Biringer Nursery.............................. 31 Carter Evans Wood Concepts.......... 19 Cedar Grove Compost Co................ 24 Certified Professional Horticulturist.. 5 Farwest Show/OAN........................... 9 Mainland Floral............................... 29 Motz & Sons.................................... 32 Mukilteo Cedar Products................... 2 Oregon Valley Greenhouse.............. 32 Plant Something!............................. 11 Sawdust Supply Company............... 23 Stueber Distributing........................ 11 Urban Forest Nursery...................... 23 Wetlands & Woodlands................... 29 WSNLA would like to thank our B&B advertisers and encourages our readers to learn more about the products and services they offer. Be sure to visit ouradvertiser websites to find out more.
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Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association 34400 Pacific Hwy S., Ste 2 Federal Way, WA 98003 Address Service Requested
Specializing in Heavy Duty structures to cover all your greenhouse needs Standard and Custom sizes available
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