Volume 30 Issue 2 Summer 2015

In This Issue

The 2 Association News 3 U of D News 4 Don’t Just Stand There, Plant Something 8 The Race for Plant Survival D.N.L.A. 9 Pollinator Series 12 Conservation Landscaping 24 Weed Management in Ornamental Grasses News 25 2015 Garden Trends Report 27 Generational Divide a Product of Life Experiences 29 Research Briefs 37 Publications 38 Calendar

Board of Directors Executive Director Valann Budischak 888-448-1203 Past President Joe Wick 730-9070 President Dan Bailey 376-9113 Vice-President Evan Wrede 423-8001 Treasurer Aaron Jackson 858-7841

New Castle County Rep Debbie Mulholland 328-3716 Kent County Rep Wendy Rezac 734-2060 Sussex County Rep Valery Cordrey 945-3489 Directors-at- Large Jay Windsor 875-2457 Norm Hedrick 284-9677 Steve Sterling 653-7060 Tom Taylor 528-6434 Board Support Members Susan Barton 831-1375 Tracy Wootten 856-7303 Jeff Brothers 698-4500

Delaware Nursery

and Landscape Editor: Susan Barton, Extension Specialist, University of Delaware Association The DNLA Newsletter is produced with the assistance of University of Delaware Cooperative Extension.

ASSOCIATION NEWS and can also be found online at Valann Budischak www.dnlaonline.org . Topics at DNLA’s Executive Director, D.N.L.A. Annual Summer Event Include:

The DNLA is value-added. We continuously  Invasive Plant ID & Control strive to promote your company, and work on  Retaining Walls & Stairs your behalf with our governmental agencies and  Transportation Laws & Safety partners. How?  Chainsaw Safety  Beginning this fall the DNLA will promote  Pest & Disease Walk and sponsor quarterly networking  Plant ID opportunities hosted by member  What's New & What Does it Do? organizations. These events will provide members an opportunity to visit with This day will award 2 Pesticide Applicator suppliers, manufacturer’s representatives Recertification Credits for DE Category 03. One and take advantage of event specials. credit for DE Category 5A can be obtained  We’re also in the process of revamping our if attendee participates in the Invasive Plant ID website. Blue Blaze & Associates has been & Control session. Credits from PA, MD, NJ hired to give a much-needed facelift to our and ISA will also be available. Registration website. It will feature a redesigned includes lunch, tradeshow and seminars searchable membership directory, provide greater exposure to our classifieds and help The time is NOW…..2015 Landscape Awards wanted opportunities, and have feature program. The program is open to all members. spotlights of members that are “making We encourage you to submit an entry. It’s a things happen”, and much, much more. great way to showcase your talent. $500 will be  A nutrient management certification session awarded to each winner. will be tweaked to focus on what you do. It will be held during a timeframe when you’re The categories are as follows: typically not crazed with planting or plowing  Small Residential – December. Mark your calendars for Dec.  Large Residential 2, 9 with the exam on Dec. 16. Classes will  Commercial/Institutional be held in Dover. For more info click here  Rookie of the Year (companies that have  UD Cooperative Extension responded to never before submitted an entry) your cries for basic training for landscape employees with a homerun. Landscape 101 Entries are due by September 1st. To obtain an resumes in September with classes on turf entry form click here maintenance, weed ID & management, plant ID and soils. All classes are held in Newark. For dates and cost click here

The Summer Turf & Nursery Expo is just around the corner. This year’s event will be held August 19th on the beautiful grounds of Buena Vista Conference Center in New Castle, DE. Registration brochures have been mailed

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Welcome New Members: U of D NEWS Susan Barton, Extension Specialist

Crow Insurance Agency The Delaware Livable Lawns program has Jules Hendrix received a lot of good press recently. We started 106 S. Broad Street in January, when Amy Shober’s talk at the Middletown, DE 19709 DHIE on Nutrient Pollution called out the 302-378-9592 program as positive action that could help [email protected] prevent legislation. Livable Lawns homeowner

incentive program has been promoted in the ForeSite Associates, Inc. News Journal Delaware Gardener column and Donna Shumpert over 200 homeowners are currently registered. 208 Delaware Street Bob Finocchiaro and I were both interviewed for New Castle, DE 19720 a WHYY documentary on proper lawn [email protected] management (broadcast on 6/19 at 5:30 and 11).

We continue to promote environmentally sound Ransome Cat lawn care and hope more landscape contractors Matthew Walp will become certified in the Delaware Livable 2975 Galloway Road Lawns program. Bensalem, PA 19020

1-877-Ransome I recently received information about The [email protected] Native Plant Center’s Native woody and

perennials plants of the year. They are Ron’s Lawn Care Sambucus nigra spp. canadensis (common Ron Jester elderberry) and Viola canadensis (Canada 23221 Ross Station Road violet), both attractive plants. Interestingly, Seaford, DE 19973 DNLA’s 2015 plants of the year are also both 302-841-3992 native to the mid-Atlantic. They are Carpinus [email protected] caroliniana (ironwood) and Eurybia divaricata

(white wood aster).

2015 is the Year of the Coleus, according to the National Garden Bureau. And Geranium x cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’ in the Perennial Plant Association’s Perennial Plant of the Year.

On the invasive plants front, New York has a law that went into effect March 10, 2015. It prohibits and regulates the sale, purchase and transport of 75 plant species. The rules do not require property owners to remove existing plants but forbid their introduction into public lands or natural areas. Golden bamboo, border privet and Japanese barberry are on the list.

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http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/i DON’T JUST STAND THERE, PLANT sprohibitedplants2.pdf SOMETHING

In a recent VNLA Newsletter Virginia’s noxious In just two words, the tagline for a relatively weed law is explained. Changes became new, but rapidly growing, green industry effective January 29, 2015. Imperata cylindrica marketing campaign says it all. Plant anything, (Cogon grass or Japanese blood grass) and really, tree, shrub, perennial, annual, and you Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife) are two can help to improve the environment, your plants that at least were once sold in the personal economy and even your well-being. It's landscape and nursery trade that are now the sort of short-but-sweet motivating phrase considered noxious weeds that piques consumers' curiosity and starts them thinking ... then talking ... then acting. And it In Maryland, they are finally getting around to appears to be just the sort of promotional putting plants on Tier 1 and Tier 2 lists for their campaign the green industry is ready for." new invasive plant law. Mike Hemming in a If you attended any of a number of trade shows recent Free State Nursery, Landscape and and conferences this year, you've probably seen Greenhouse News article (Spring 2015, Vol. ""Plant Something'"' material, whether you XLII, No. 1) discusses the first 5 plants to be picked up a brochure and a bumper sticker or evaluated. Iris pseudacorus (Yellow flag iris) visited the booth. Although the program began a and Geranium lucidum (Shining cranesbill) will few years ago in Arizona, it's reaching out be tier 1 plants. That means it will be illegal to across the country to recruit more partners in sell these species. Tier 1 plants have not this grassroots endeavor. established fully in Maryland, so there is a chance for eradication. Three plants are on the What is it? Tier 2 list: Euonymus alatus (Burning bush), On the surface, the "Plant Something" campaign Ligustrum obtusifolium (Border privot) and may look like a simple public awareness Wisteria sinensis (Chinese wisteria). These are campaign. It's somewhat similar to "Got Milk?" on tier 2 because they are already so widespread. in that its generic tagline But, they are plants the industry should stop doesn't promote any selling and will need to be labelled. The single producer or evaluation committee continues to look at plants individual product. and assess their potential for invading natural Aimed at consumers, the areas and the extent to which they have already ostensible goal is to become a component of Maryland landscapes. catch their attention and encourage them to, well, plant something.

At its core, however, the program is intended to increase sales for member growers and garden centers and, by extension, help to grow the greater green

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industry. In fact, because it is supported by state, proportionate to the percentage of funding through the USDA Farm Bill Specialty specialty crops grown there. Every state is Crop Block Grant program, its function must be different, and funds are distributed differently in to work toward increasing the consumption of a each state. In Arizona, Goar says, "They actually specialty crop-in this case, ornamental plants. believe in getting all the money out to the specialty crop growers in the state. No one Hasn't this been tried before? Let's back up a bit. producer alone can apply; it can only benefit Remember "Plants for America," the proposed groups of producers. So the vegetable promotion order that was sowed in the early association can apply [for grant money], and the 1990s but never took root? It had a similar goal- nursery association can apply-anyone who's to place ornamental plants front and center in doing something that benefits a broad group." the mind of the consumer, thus driving up sales to benefit growers. The funding, though, was the She emphasizes that a project funded by this sticking point. As Plants for America was type of grant "has to increase the consumption structured, support dollars would come from the of that specialty crop. That's kind of the bar. industry in the form of nominal levies on And our state takes education, marketing and containers and plant sales. The program research proposals," but the ANA concentrated ultimately failed, primarily due to the proposed on a marketing proposal. funding scheme. It was viewed by many as a form of taxation, leading growers across the "The nursery industry has turned down country to sign a petition of nonsupport. But marketing campaigns over the years," Goar "Plant Something" takes a different approach, admits. "Without a common product, no one's and although the funding does come from a been able to dissect that puzzle and figure out government grant, the program itself was built how that would work for our industry. But what from the ground up. we're trying to do is work from the grassroots up. If everyone is promoting the same message, A real grassroots movement. maybe we get that momentum for the nursery About four or five years ago, Arizona Nursery industry, but we've come at it from the ground Association board members approached up rather than the top down." executive director Cheryl Goar with a challenge. "When the economy was absolutely at it’s The ANA turned to Park & Co, a full-service worst," Goar recalls, "our board came to me and advertising agency in Phoenix, for help. The said, 'We need some help here; we need firm had created the award-winning "Water-Use something in the form of marketing.' Because It Wisely" campaign Arizona was so construction-based and the (www.wateruseitwisely.com ) that began in economy had basically tanked in 2007, 2008, Phoenix and quickly spread nationwide. "We things were really tough." realized that we're a bunch of nursery owners; we're not an ad agency," Goar explains. "They Something had to be done to encourage sales, knew the right questions to ask. They kept Goar explains, "So we came up with this idea nursery people in a room all day long-that was a (for a promotional campaign) and to apply for a feat in itself. What it really taught me is that our specialty crop grant to fund it.” Such grants are industry had all these answers, but we didn't a part of the greater Farm Bill, which distributes know the right questions to ask to get the right funds to the department of agriculture in each information."

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The ad pros returned to the group with only two Yes, the plants are beautiful and they brighten promo ideas, but, as Goar says, one was "head up a yard, but consumers want to know what and shoulders above" anything the board had else they stand to gain. "Everything in this imagined. The graphic featured a vacant lot campaign talks about increasing your property between two high-rise buildings in Phoenix, value, getting out and exercising in the garden, with an enormous plant stake stuck in the barren and basically cleaning the air," Goar says. "We ground. The stake said, very simply, "Plant don't talk about 'it looks good.' We know we're Something!" The message was clear: No matter competing with HGTV every day on 'let's paint where you start, you can make a difference if the bedroom and get a new bedspread rather you take that one simple step. than redo the landscape'. And we're talking about that long-term value." It's not just about "pretty" With the guidance of Park & Co, the Arizona growers came to understand not only how consumers see the green industry, but how we need to connect with them in order to sell. Goar explains, "The other advice that I think is really critical to our industry right now is the agency told us we just don't have the luxury- to talk about our product as something 'pretty.' We just don't have that anymore. You have to promote the environmental, the financial and the health benefits."

The brand statement

The "Plant Something" brand statement delivers the spirit of the campaign without The team developed a number of products that relying on heavy-handed sales speak" It takes help to educate the public in a short-attention- into consideration the admonition that the span manner- on the benefits of planting. industry no longer can afford to sell beauty Bumper stickers and window clings urge alone. The economic, environmental and consumers, "Don't Just Stand There, Plant health befits of gardening will drive Something"!" Posters and magazine ads briefly participation - and sales - through the hands describe economic, environmental and health of a new generation. Here's how the "Plant benefits. Take, for example, the "Cash Money" Something" brand presents its mission: ad featuring a seed packet that touts, "Large Bloom, Fast Growing C-Notes." The copy at the 'Embracing the "New Normal" realities in bottom states, "Who says money doesn't grow people's lives, the "Plant Something" on trees? Have you seen what a beautiful yard movement is a fun, semi-radical groundswell can do for your property value? By adding a that motivates all to enrich their private and quality landscape to your home, you can boost public environments by encouraging a simple, its resale value by up to 15%. Learn how green rewarding acts that can grow to a canopy of investments pay high returns at value and beauty for a richer world." http://plantsomething.org . "

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conducted in Arizona. But Goar points out that Where Arizona stresses environmental and growers there reported a 10 percent increase in financial gains, the Idaho Nursery & Landscape plant sales between 2010 and 2011. "I would Association has chosen to emphasize healthy love to say that the increase was the result of my living. "They have billboards all over Idaho that campaign in Arizona, but the economy did say, 'Gardening Eases Stress' and 'Gardening continue to improve in those years," Goar says. Grows Good Health'," Goar says. "They're "Was it all due to "Plant Something''? No. But absolutely beautiful, and they tied it in with a are we starting to be recognized? Are we buy local/plant local program as well. The INLA starting to get people to think and talk about actually wrote an entire grant on the health planting? Absolutely." benefits and were successful in getting it" on that basis. It may have started in Arizona, but the association's board is eager to see this campaign All of the products, including 30-second radio grow well beyond the borders of the Grand spots, can be customized by partner Canyon State. "Our board is forwarding- associations-those groups that have bought into thinking," Goar says, "and they've been very the program through a specialty crop block grant altruistic in this venture. It became obvious that of their own. The "Plant Something" plant we had something, and why would we not share stake-the green and yellow graphic presentation it for the betterment of the industry?" that represents the campaign-is protected under Federal trademark, but otherwise, plant tags, So what does the future hold for "Plant ads, radio spots, bumper stickers, buttons and so Something''? Plans for the next few years on-all can be tailored to fit. In fact, partners include adding new promotional materials, such share the products they've developed through a as truck wraps and a "Plant Something" app for Dropbox application administered by the ANA. smartphone use, as well as a revision of the They are free to adopt and adapt, as long as the website as more partners come on board. But trademark is honored. growth beyond the products has been the plan all along. Eventually, "Plant something" very The program has a website (www.plant- well might become a separate entity, no longer something.org) that features a 30-second administered by the Arizona Nursery animated video called "Imagine That!" Association. "It could be its own company," Animation is used to help keep the message Goar explains, "because it's on the brink now. generic; no particular location or plant can be Our goal is for this to outgrow us. The ultimate identified. The voice-over relates how planting goal is, at some point, that "Plant Something" is can "raise your property value and lower your too large for us to manage, and that's a good blood pressure." This landing page is where thing. That's a very good thing." partner states link to their individual sites. Reprinted with permission: Sally Benson is the Does it work? editorial director for American Nurseryman. The bottom line sometimes can be a moving [email protected] target, and given the twists and turns of a recovering economy, it's difficult to pin- point the specific effects of a young promotional campaign. And a formal survey hasn't yet been

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THE RACE FOR PLANT SURVIVAL Once considered as dead as the mastodon, the Janet Marinelli autumn buttercup was rediscovered in a pasture Blue Crocus Publishing in 1982. Yet like so many species, it is threatened by the loss and degradation of its Imagine we're in a Land Rover, cruising around habitat. And, like so many plants at risk as south central Utah ten thousand to twenty climate change intensifies, it may not be able to thousand years ago, on the lookout for local adapt to the prolonged arid conditions to come. wildlife. Bison and bighorn sheep graze among What follows is the story of the autumn herds of mastodons and mammoths. Giant buttercup, and how its fate, like that of countless ground sloths the size of modern-day elephants other plants, is increasingly in the capable hands stand on powerful hind legs looking for of horticulturists and scientists at public something to eat. Prehistoric camels weighing gardens. close to two tons are pursued by dire wolves and saber-toothed cats. Muskoxen keep an eye out Horticulture to the rescue. for the giant short-faced bear, one of the In hopes of saving the buttercup, in 1991, The Pleistocene epoch's most formidable predators. Nature Conservancy purchased the pasture land, calling it the Sevier Valley Preserve. But six What's wrong with this picture? Ice Age years later, the population had still plummeted megafauna are certainly impressive, but we're from over four hundred plants to fewer than chlorophyll addicts, and what we really want to twenty. The species was put on the federal list of see are plants. We hop out of the vehicle to Endangered and Threatened species, and two admire a meadow full of bright yellow public gardens, the Center for Conservation and wildflowers about two feet tall. Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and The Fast forward to the twenty-first century, and this Arboretum at Flagstaff; the US Fish & Wildlife plant has been named the autumn buttercup, Service; and Weber State University teamed up Ranunculus aestivalis. A relict of the wetter with The Nature Conservancy to restore the Pleistocene, it is the showiest and most graceful buttercup in its native habitat. buttercup in the West. The critically imperiled species now survives in one distinct habitat in A small number of seeds from the few the world, spring-fed meadows on the western remaining plants were collected and sent to slope of Utah's Sevier River outside the town of CREW where state-of-the-art micropropagation Panguich-a rare micro habitat in otherwise dry, techniques were used to germinate them in test open country In this place where mastodons may tubes. In the words of Valerie Pence, CREWs once have roamed now stand fourteen motels, director of plant research and the maestro of four restaurants, three fast food joints, five gas micro-propagation, "Each seed produced a stations, three gas and convenience stores, genetically unique clone that was multiplied by a fabric shop, two grocery stores, two hardware tissue culture-a technique in which the tissues stores, a hospital and clinic, real estate offices, are grown on an artificial sterile medium." The two places to buy Indian crafts, and a Daughters resulting shoot-producing cultures can be of Utah Pioneers Museum all surrounded by a propagated indefinitely, she says, and when sea of ranches. plants are needed, they're transferred to another medium and encouraged to form roots.

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Once the tissues developed leaves and a simple THE POLLINATOR PUZZLE root system, they were moved to The Arboretum IPM Experts Seek Keys to Honey Bee Health at Flagstaff. There they were potted and grown in a greenhouse until each filled a six-inch pot. In 2006, managed honey bee colonies began to After hardening off in a lathe house, the die off in large numbers without explanation. buttercups were finally returned to the Sevier Scientists believe this problem may be caused River valley in 2007, ready to take on the dry by multiple factors, including disease, nutrition, winds and heat of their ancestral home. genetics, parasites, pesticides, and other environmental stresses.

The Northeastern IPM Center has invested $1.5 million in projects related to improving our understanding of honey bee and pollinator health since 2003. The majority of this funding comes from the USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA). These studies add to the knowledge base that could help us protect honey bees, wild bees, and other insects and their $15 billion worth of pollination services. Pollinators help bring food to our table such as almonds, apples, oranges, sweet cherries, and

blueberries. Those top five crops alone carry an Reintroduction can be a nail-biter, and there is annual value of nearly $8 billion in the U.S. no easy ending to this story. So far, buttercups reared in vitro have been planted out three times, and continued reintroductions will be necessary until there is a self- sustaining population at the Sevier Valley site. A few years ago, Mapping the issue: Management practices, pesticides, another population Varroa mites, and forage diversity are factors in bee was discovered on Health. a nearby ranch, providing new seeds for additional in vitro lines and greater genetic Mystery deepens. At the recent Pollinator diversity, giving the species more of a fighting Health and Safety Conference held in South chance. Portland, Maine, with representatives from the Northeastern IPM Center and its Pollinator Excerpted from The Public Garden, 2015, Vol Working Group attending, John Skinner of the 29, No 2. University of Tennessee warned that scientists

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are seeing new symptoms distinct from classic POLLINATOR LOSSES IN THE colony collapse disorder that could indicate a NORTHEASTERN U.S. new pathogen or problem. Andrew Garavito, Lida Kuder and Nathalie Steinhauer Since the 1980s, bee colonies have been Dennis vanEnglesdorp Lab extensively damaged by a pest called the varroa Department of Entomology mite. Varroa mites and small hive beetles could University of Maryland carry viruses and other pathogens into honey bee hives. Researchers are also concerned about tracheal mite, nosema, and other diseases. One in every three bites of food is attributable to Interaction between fungicides and pesticide can insect pollination. With insect pollinators so make those pathogen more potent. vital to food production, national and global reports of their decline are concerning. In the Skinner described the time he went to a US, commercially managed honey bees are beekeeper' property to inspect his hives and to essential in pollinator-dependent agricultural determine what was happening with bee die-off. systems. These colonies are often trucked across They reached the last beehive. "The grower had the continent to pollinate large plantings of fruit used three different kind of chemicals and a and nut crops such as almond, apples, roach motel was in there, too. I said, 'You're a blueberries, cucurbits, and a variety of seed good beekeeper, but here's what killed your crops. bees. Off-label use of chemicals."'

Multiple solutions. Nancy Ostiguy of Pennsylvania State University has been conducting research on bees for 16 years, and in 2003 received $142,255 from the Northeastern IPM Center to study lethal and sub-lethal effects of pesticide used to control varroa mite in honey bee colonies. At the Pollinator Health conference, she pointed out that pesticides have impacts beyond the target organism. A bumblebee on Liatris pychnostachya, Prairie blazingstar . Source: C. Neal, UNH Cooperative Dennis vanEngelsdorp, an entomologist at the Extension University of Maryland, plans to compare organic and conventional beekeeping practices, There is a difference between colony losses and as well as study a technique called brood nest colony population declines. Beekeepers who size restriction to control varroa mite. suffer losses can quickly replace "dead out" colonies by splitting live colonies and adding a Skinner, 0stiguy, and vanEnglesdorp (and many queen to the split. This practice is expensive others) believe multiple factors are causing both in terms of labor and lost productivity. honey bee decline. The current approach to the Anticipating higher losses, many commercial problem, therefore, involves multiple avenues of beekeepers have increased the number of research, hopefully leading to many new tools in colonies they take into the fall. The story is the IPM toolbox. different in the Northeast, where the top five

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honey-producing states saw the number of reduces weeds and the diversity of forage plants managed colonies decrease from 94,000 in 2008 that could enrich the diets of bees. It will be to 89,000 in 2013, a 5.3 percent reduction. important to plant more diverse landscapes, reduce dependence on prophylactic seed The status of non-apis pollinators is more treatment, and increase the use of IPM. For difficult to pin down. An analysis of example, growers can spray in the evening and Northeastern U.S. bee specimens collected over avoid treatment of fields when plants are in a span of 140 years revealed the persistence of bloom. Consumers may need to get used to native species as a group with only 'modest' cosmetically imperfect produce. richness declines. Out of 187 native species examined for relative abundance only three More than neonicotinoids. Pyrethroids and Bombus species were identified as having rapid fungicides are part of the picture, not only declines. However, large community shifts were neonicotinoids. Neonicotinoids may be safer for noted, as 56 percent of species experienced water, since they are not water soluble, but they considerable change in relative abundance; over do get into plants and into nectar. Some time the numbers of exotic bees steadily rose by neonicotinoids could be safer for agricultural 27 percent while the numbers of native bees workers, since they are applied to the ground dropped by 29 percent. rather than sprayed in the air where they can drift. Researchers are asking how long The U.S. Geological Survey began funding a neonicotinoid persist in the environment. IPM systematic count of native bee species in 2010. supportesr need to take a broad role in shaping Their goal is to better understand native bee the solution. One option would be to combine populations, which have not been studied as multiple IPM techniques under one label, like a extensively as managed honey bees. dolphin-safe tuna label for IPM.

IPM AND POLLINATORS: PERSPECTIVES ON THE POLLINATOR COORDINATED ACTION ISSUE

Government sponsors are coordinating the The Northeastern IPM Center provides the actions of researchers, educators, beekeepers, following synopsis of two prevailing views on and growers in the field in ways that could help neonicotinoids and pollinators. Our goal is to reverse pollinator decline. For the winter of bring this scientific discussion to your attention, 2013-14, 23 percent of American-managed not necessarily to promote either view. honey bee colonies died, a figure notably lower than the eight-year average loss of almost 30 Activist View: Growing numbers of scientists percent. Beekeepers used to lose only 10 percent warn against neonicotinoid use. Hundreds of of colonies. reputable studies have been done linking neonicotinoids to bee infirmity and death. See The Northeastern IPM Center recently convened the July 2014 Worldwide Integrated Assessment a panel asking how IPM can help stakeholders of Systemic Pesticides on Biodiversity and protect pollinators. Ecosystems, a review of 800 peer-reviewed reports, concluding that neonicotinoids pose a Multiple causes at work. Many factors could threat to global biodiversity. be causing harm to bees. Monoculture crop efficiency is good for increased yield, but DNLA News Page 11

No one would suggest that neonics are the sole CONSERVATION LANDSCAPING cause of mass bee die-offs. Neonicotinoid (Parts 1-4 of an 8-part series) pesticides may interact with other insecticides and fungicides, as well as with parasites and People are a major cause of the Chesapeake viruses, in diminishing bee immune defenses. Bay's problems. With so many people living and moving into the Bay watershed, nonpoint source Practices recommended by major pesticide pollution - that is, runoff from streets, farms, manufacturers, like mowing plants in bloom construction sites, and our own yards – has before spraying, along with putting flowering become an increasing problem. Contaminants margins around fields to provide pesticide-free from every home and community - sediments, bee habitats-cannot mitigate the crisis being sewage, manure, fertilizers, pesticides, caused by chemical agents. herbicides, and motor oil - can be carried into the Bay from local streams and waterways. Scientific data are strong enough to outweigh industry-funded studies. The stakes are high for Rising sea levels and the sinking of parts of the ecosystems and for food production. coastal plain threaten developed lands and natural areas in low-lying regions. Warmer Industry View: Growers are concerned about winter temperatures and increased storm the health of bees, too. Neonicotinoids provide severity can affect our plant choices as systemic protection of crops. They are precise gardeners and how we manage our landscapes. and easy to use, and are relatively safe for people, animals, and beneficial insects. The Bay is part of a vast interconnected ecosystem, and everything we do affects both If neonicotinoids were not available, growers local waters and the Bay. Stewardship of the would face higher operating costs and more time land and water in developed landscapes is our required associated with frequent application of most effective tool for the Bay's restoration. older chemistries. This would create additional How each of us manages property is important. safety concerns for workers, their families and You can embrace the responsibility of caring for themselves. It would result in decreased yields the land by following the principles of and reduced product quality. It would mean less conservation landscaping at home and work. effective pest control and a return of pests growers thought were gone or controlled. The rewards of a well - maintained conservation landscape are many. It reflects positively on its Alternative insecticides would kill the beneficial owner and the professionals who were involved insects growers count on; and some pests would in design and installation. It beautifies the home have no effective controls or predators. and neighborhood - or the workplace, school, business, or park. It affords a comfortable place An array of factors is associated with pollinator to entertain, relax, play, work, and learn. Most health issues, and neonicotinoids are only one of importantly, it provides and promotes a safer numerous possible contributing factors. and healthier environment for our use and enjoyment, allowing us to live in harmony with Preceding four articles reprinted from local natural resources. integrated pest management insights, Northeastern IPM Center, April 2015

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Engaging in the conservation landscaping practices described here can make an important Conservation landscaping supports a healthier difference in helping preserve the region's and more beautiful human environment by: plants, habitats, and animals, all critical elements in the complex web of life that  Reducing the amount of pollution entering characterizes the Chesapeake Bay and its the environment. surrounding watershed.  Demonstrating the beauty of well - What is Conservation Landscaping? maintained, natural landscaping. Working with nature to reduce pollution, conservation landscaping incorporates The following eight essential elements represent environmentally sensitive design, low impact the practice of conservation landscaping. By development, non-invasive native and beneficial implementing these practices, you can plants, and integrated pest management to create contribute to the restoration of the Chesapeake diverse landscapes that help protect clean air Bay watershed* and improve the region's water and water, support wildlife, and provide a and air quality. Incorporate as many of these healthier and more beautiful human elements as possible into your landscape, to environment. benefit all life in our watershed.

Conservation landscaping supports clean air and A conservation landscape: water by: 1. Is designed to benefit the environment and  Using plants that are adapted to local function efficiently and aesthetically for conditions and thus require less fertilizer and human use and well-being. pesticides. 2. Uses locally native plants that are appropriate for site conditions.  Trapping localized stormwater on site with 3. Institutes a management plan for the removal rain barrels and rain gardens to ensure slow of existing invasive plants and the prevention percolation and increased of future nonnative plant invasions. filtration of nutrients entering the 4. Provides habitat for wildlife. groundwater. 5. Promotes healthy air quality and minimizes air pollution.  Reducing the amount of smog released into 6. Conserves and cleans water. the air and the amount of atmospheric 7. Promotes healthy soils. deposition of nutrients into 8. Is managed to conserve energy, reduce waste, our water by reducing the amount of and eliminate or minimize the use of mowable lawn area. pesticides and fertilizers.

Conservation landscaping supports wildlife by: 1. Design to Benefit the Environment.  Providing a diverse plant environment that A conservation landscape is designed to benefit attracts greater animal diversity and fosters the environment and function efficiently and healthier ecological communities. aesthetically for human use and well-being.

 Creating migratory corridors of conjoined Conservation landscape design occurs in the healthy ecological communities. context of nature. It seeks to preserve, enhance,

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and reduce impacts upon a site's natural institute an invasive species management features. Landscape design is the initial plan for an onsite woodland, add to the investment that allows you to make the most of species diversity of a degraded wetland, or the site you have without expending resources to build links between existing isolated drastically alter the site. habitats.

How to design a conservation landscape:  Take advantage of opportunities to create Perform a site analysis. Consider the character new environmental features. For example, of the site (or regional attributes), historic uses transition into adjacent natural areas to of the land, soil types, geology, sun, water, expand their size or put in a feature that natural plant communities, and the creates a new habitat such as a small pond. environmental features on adjacent properties. Link adjacent natural areas or transition into Environmental features describe a combination them. of conditions such as a sunny slope, or a marshy low area.  Address the landscape implications of Essential Elements 2 through 8 during the  Choose goals for the landscape. Consider design phase. For example, you could add a any specific needs that are related to those pond to the design to create wildlife habitat goals. Then plan a landscape that considers (Element 4). To improve water quality Essential Elements 2 through 6 while (Element 6), you could design to reduce achieving your goals and meeting your impervious surfaces. Or, to promote healthy needs. soil (Element 7), you could design in a compost facility. More information on each  Pay attention to phases. For example, don't Element is found in sections 2 through 8. put in the landscape before the utility lines are installed. Your landscape design may be  Keep lawn to the minimum area needed for simple or involved or somewhere in function. Conventional lawns are composed between. If your project is complex, it is of alien invasive plants, such as tall fescue, especially important to pay attention to the that have high maintenance requirements in separate phases of the project and their terms of water input, fertilization, and sequencing. herbicide use. However, because they provide a smooth surface for certain  Think of landscape design as an ongoing recreational activities, a poor habitat for process. Update your design and your ticks and other pests of concern, and because maintenance plan according to the the look of lawn is so strongly expected conditions of the landscape and the needs of from some members of the community, even the people using it. In many cases, landscape conservation landscapes often need to designs will need to be edited annually. contain some lawn to be functional. Also consider the extent to which any  Preserve existing environmental features to conventional lawn that must be present can the greatest possible degree. be maintained with minimized input without compromising function.  Restore degraded environmental features where opportunities exist. For example,

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 Mirror patterns found in nature. For four seasons? Would outdoor trails, rain example, naturalistic layering of trees, gardens, and/or picnic tables help you meet your shrubs, and herbaceous plants provides goals? structure that is both important to wildlife and attractive to people. For a low maintenance landscape, install large islands of shrub and tree plantings. How will Start by determining your goals for the you keep mowing, and especially mowing landscape. Your goals may contain multiple around obstacles, to a minimum? environmental benefits as well as benefits that are not specifically related to the environment To create a safe environment for children, but that can be accomplished in an your landscape should be free of potential environmentally sound way. Some common poisons like fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides examples of landscape goals include: and insecticides. Do you know how to recognize poisonous plants and be equipped to eliminate  Screening an unsightly view; them from the landscape?  Creating pollinator habitat in the home landscape; To provide color and interest for a school  Creating a lovely and functional corporate landscape, consider a landscape plan that landscape; focuses on spring and fall color when school is  Striving for low maintenance; in session. Do you also need landscape elements  Providing a safe environment for children; that provide educational benefits, such as rain  Adding more color and interest in a gardens, water gardens, and pollinator gardens? schoolyard setting; Do you need interpretive signs?  Capturing and treating runoff from the site and from adjacent properties. Pay attention to phases. Your landscape design may be simple or involved or somewhere in Plan your landscape with your goals in mind, between. If your project is small, you may have and then consider what you will need in order to a hard time fitting in enough species of plants to achieve your goals. For example: provide year-round color and interest. If your project is complex, it will be especially To screen an unsightly view, you will need a important to pay attention to the separate phases fence with an evergreen vine, or a row of of the project and their sequencing. For evergreen shrubs or trees. example, you will want to make sure all septic or utility lines are dug before the landscaping is To provide pollinator habitat, choose native installed. plants, including host and nectar plants, a water source, and shelter. Preserve existing environmental features to the greatest possible degree. Take advantage of To create a lovely and functional corporate opportunities to create new environmental landscape, you may still need a parking lot of a features where none existed before. certain size and/or type of loading docks. If so, In designing a landscape, consider existing how will you minimize impervious surfaces landscape features (for example, forests, while maximizing function? Will you need the individual trees that are large or especially landscape to be colorful and interesting in all ecologically or aesthetically valuable, highly

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erodible soils, an eagle's nest, high water tables, Climate change has resulted in a shift in waterways and wetland, meadows, animal hardiness zones, making it important to learn communities, areas of undisturbed native soils, about the natural ranges of plants. If a plant in rock formations) that can be preserved and your area is growing at the southern limit of its folded into the new plan for the landscape. range, it will be harder to continue to grow that plant in future. It is important to preserve the Some landscapes present opportunities to create genetic variability of native plants to ensure that new environmental components. Examples some can adapt to climate change. Selecting include planting forests where none have existed locally native plants over cultivars can help for a long time, converting a lawn to a meadow, expand local populations and give them a better or constructing a wetland at a closed mine. chance of surviving and reproducing. However, destroying a healthy landscape feature to create another type of feature (for instance, A conservation landscape contains locally native cutting down a mature forest to create a pond) is plants that are appropriate for site conditions: obviously counter to the intentions of conservation landscaping.  Choose the right plant for the right place. Select plants suited to existing soil, 2. Native plants moisture, sunlight, and other site conditions. A conservation landscape uses locally native plants that are appropriate for site conditions.  When selecting a long-lived plant, consider how that plant is likely to grow as the Native plants are those that are naturally present climate shifts to warmer winters and more in this region since the last ice age.* Since extreme periods of drought and flooding. records of native plants were not written until the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, most  Native plants may occasionally be obtained native plant lists refer back to this time. Alien or from the wild, as with plant rescues or wild introduced plants are those that have been seed collection. In general, however, native brought to the region as a consequence of plants should not be taken directly from the human action. In conservation landscapes, wild. cultivars (cultivated varieties) of native plants do not necessarily deliver the same benefits as  Include a diversity of native plants to the true species of locally native plants and are provide a wide variety of benefits. not considered native plants in this discussion. *Note: Definitions of native plants vary slightly Balanced communities contribute to the among groups. CCLC chooses this easy biodiversity of the landscape. Native plants have definition for the purposes of this document. The co-evolved with associated animals to form Federal Native Plant Conservation Committee interdependent communities. Properly sited (1994) defines a native as a plant species "that native plants are adapted to local conditions. occurs naturally in a particular region, state, Consequently, once established, they require ecosystem, and habitat without direct or indirect little extra water, fertilizer, or pesticides. Native human actions." plants express the character of our natural landscape in a way that alien plants cannot.

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 Pick native plants that complement nearby species and "contaminating" or changing the natural areas by using similar species natural gene pool. Since cultivars often lack the composition. For example, when planting genetic diversity necessary to adapt to local adjacent to an oak - hickory forest, consider environmental conditions, they may not thrive, selecting species from that natural and cross-breeding could lead to eventual community. extinction of existing natives. Since we can't know the full extent of how this would affect Region is defined as within about a 200 - mile local native plant populations and all life that is radius of, and in the same physiographic interdependent with them, we must work to province (Coastal Plain, Piedmont, Mountain) protect natural biodiversity. Cultivars of locally as, the site to be planted. · rare species may be available in the nursery trade but should not be used for landscaping – Cultivated varieties (cultivars) are available for check state and Federal lists of rare, threatened, many native plants. These plants have been and endangered species at nursery grown as "improved" selections to www.fws.gov/endangered. provide plants with certain physical characteristics, such as a different flower color, Charles Darwin’s work contributes much to our a particular foliage shape, early bloom time, or understanding of evolution. There are specific compact size. All the plants belonging to a relationships: an insect that specializes in particular cultivar are genetically identical. feeding on nectar from deep flowers is dependent upon a deep-flowered plant. The Although gardening with cultivars may be plant, in turn, is specialized for being pollinated suitable to meet aesthetic goals, those planning by insects with long mouthparts. We don't know habitat projects to provide food and cover for all of these relationships, but we understand that wildlife should use as many true species (not countless numbers exist and that they are critical cultivars) as possible. No one really knows how to sustaining life as we know it. Organisms both these cultivars will affect the wildlife that cooperate and compete in ecosystems. The depends on local native plant species for food. If interrelationships and interdependencies of these a local native plant's bloom period, color, organisms are related to the long-term stability fragrance, or flower shape is changed, it could of populations and ecosystems - what allows have a serious detrimental effect on the Earth to be self-sustaining. hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and other wildlife that may use that plant. True species are In order to reproduce, many plants depend upon most suited for use by native wildlife, and insects or other creatures for pollination and planting them will increase your chances of seed dispersal. Some of these animals have attracting these creatures. evolved to use specific plants as sources of food (usually nectar or pollen). The exchange of In addition, research has shown that some genetic material through pollination (sexual cultivars breed with local native plants and thus reproduction) allows ensuing generations of decrease a population's fitness or ability to plants to adapt to environmental conditions and survive in an area. If the planting site is near survive through natural selection. The great designated natural areas, it is best to avoid using diversity of organisms is the result of more than cultivars so that these genetically homogenous 3.5 billion years of evolution that has filled the plants don't end up cross-breeding with native world with life forms.

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3. Invasive plant management There are 100,000 kinds of insects and 1,200 A conservation landscape institutes a birds and mammals that are involved in management plan for the removal of existing pollinating both wild plants and our cultivated invasive plants and the prevention of future crops worldwide. Wild pollinators are nonnative plant invasions. responsible for about one third of the food that humans eat. Habitat loss and fragmentation, and Alien plants are those that occur artificially in use of chemical pesticides, are major causes of locations beyond their known historical natural reduced pollinator populations. See more on co - ranges, most often brought to new regions by evolution at www.ditext.com/ehrlich/appendix. humans through horticultural or accidental html. introductions. Invasive plants are those aliens that display rapid growth and spread, allowing Plants labeled as "native" or "wildflower" are them to establish over large areas. Outside of not necessarily native to our region. It is their natural native range, these plants encounter important to refer to an independent reference fewer of the conditions, competitors, or pests for the local region in which the plants will be that keep them in check back "at home." Their planted. Check with your state's Natural phenomenal growth allows them to overwhelm Heritage office, consult regional flora, or find and displace existing vegetation and form dense resources through a local native plant society. one-species stands. Wind, water flow, birds and other wildlife, movement of soil, and other Even though a plant seems to occur naturally or factors can spread invasive plants to natural "grow wild" in your yard or in the wild, this areas, causing significant ecological harm. does not mean that the plant is native. Many Invasive plants can alter fire frequencies, soil alien plants "grow wild," and these are called chemistry, and erosion rates. They can degrade "naturalized" or, in extreme cases, invasive. or change wildlife habitat, food quality, and This means that these plants have the ability to availability. They can displace native plants spread and thrive outside of their cultivated through competition for water, nutrients, light, location, potentially threatening the integrity of or space for establishment, reducing natives' nearby natural areas. establishment, growth, or reproduction. They can alternative populations through Resources: hybridization. A weed is any plant, native or The Sustainable SITES Initiative™: alien, that is out of place, growing where it is www.sustainablesites.org/ not wanted in the landscape.

Landscape for Life: www.landscapeforlife.org/ Before adding a new plant to your landscape, check to ensure that it is: Beck, Travis. 2013. Principles of Ecological  Native or Landscape Design. Island Press, Washington,  If alien, then not invasive. (Remove existing DC. invasive plants.  Be suspicious of plants that are acting like Excerpted from VNLA Newsletter, thugs in the landscape. Plants that spread January/February/March 2015. quickly, engulf other plants, dominate the landscape, or produce large seed heads or copious berries may be problematic.

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 Identification is necessary. If the plant is native alternatives selected instead. A alien, it needs to be eradicated. If native, the groundcover can be any plant that landscape manager needs to decide whether physically covers or hides the bare this aggressive native plant is desirable. ground from view; it does not have to be  Many old familiar landscape favorites may evergreen or a single species. From a be invasive and should be evaluated. conservation landscaping perspective, Unfortunately, many commonly used any herbaceous or low-growing woody landscaping plants are invasive. A few native plant is a good groundcover. A examples are English ivy, common orange number of native selections will perform daylily, Japanese pachysandra, Bradford or well where a low-growing, creeping, Callery pear, burning bush, Japanese spreading, or clump-forming plant is barberry, Miscanthus, and Liriope. most desired.  A plant may be invasive even though it never spreads within your garden. Pollen  When disturbing an area, take steps to and/or seeds can be carried from your site by prevent invasion of opportunistic alien wind, water, and wildlife and take hold in plants by planting desirable native suitable natural habitats. vegetation. For example, in a new  Unwanted or alien plants that appear in a development, you can "armor the edge" planting bed and choke or outcompete what by planting natives along the limit of was planted, or detract from desired disturbance. Or, if removing existing aesthetics, will need to be removed. Invasive vegetation in a yard, think about what alien species, state-designated noxious you want to occupy the space next. weeds, and even aggressive native plants require control. Each situation requires Management is an ongoing process. Over time, identification and analysis of the vegetation. the following steps must recur on a regular Fortunately, many resources are available to basis: help.  Identify invasive plant problems  Prioritize plant problems  Consult printed publications and  Implement removal according to websites for plant-specific information. priorities Be aware that many documents are not  Edit your landscape plantings, adding all inclusive, and their authors may not native plants where needed to fill gaps have intended them to be.  Scout for missed problem plants and new infestations  Free expert help in identifying plant  Keep abreast of current information on material is available from your local invasive species and their control university cooperative extension office.

 English ivy, periwinkle, creeping lily turf (Liriope), and Japanese pachysandra are some commonly used groundcovers, particularly for shade. However, these species are aliens that are invasive in the landscape. They should be avoided, and

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puzzle and therefore they do not need to be eradicated.

Some native species demonstrate aggressive behavior and rapid spread. While these should be planted cautiously in your garden, they do not usually pose a threat to natural areas, habitats, or native plant populations. Because they are native, they normally have some natural controls or limitations (site conditions, predators or pests, competition with other species, etc.). In some circumstances, such as planting for soil stabilization or groundcover, rapid spread can be a desirable attribute. A few native plants that Purple loosestrife by Leslie J. Mehrhoff, should be planted carefully in the garden and University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org watched for spread include black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia species), mint family plants such as Why are certain native plants "aggressive" and bee balm (Monarda species) and false alien plants "invasive"? Those alien or non- dragonhead (Physostegia virginiana), native plants that are deemed "invasive" are switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), river oats species that come from elsewhere, escape (Chasmanthium latifolium), asters (Aster or cultivation, and colonize rapidly. These plants Symphiotrichum novae-angliae or novi-belgii), can take over an entire natural area in a eastern columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), relatively short period of time: a woodland floor golden groundsel (Senecio or Packera aureus), covered by a sea of garlic mustard; a forest and trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans). buried under kudzu, oriental bittersweet, or Japanese honeysuckle; a wetland overtaken by Some desirable plants, such as butterfly purple loosestrife. In contrast, although some milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), have the word native species can spread well beyond their "weed" in their names. This simply refers to intended boundaries, they are prone to more "wort," an early English word for an herbaceous limitations across the landscape - soil plant. The term "weed" is also used for a plant conditions, light, etc. - than invasive aliens, and that is out of place. A weed could be a native or so most "aggressive" natives do not have non-native aggressively growing plant. sweepingly destructive capabilities. Although Sometimes a plant can be a weed in one black-eyed Susans may seed themselves situation and a desirable plant in another throughout a garden, they will eventually give situation. Most states have a noxious weeds law way to other species and will not encroach upon that requires landowners to control certain the entire surrounding neighborhood. There are plants. Generally, noxious weed laws govern a few native "thugs" that can present quite a weeds of agricultural and grazing lands. challenge in managing larger properties - poison ivy, greenbrier, and cattails, for instance - but Numerous options exist for managing invasive they do provide wildlife benefits. Although plants. Categories of management are biological these need some control to uphold a diverse control, manual and mechanical control, and landscape, they are a piece in the biodiversity chemical control. Biological control most

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commonly employs grazing animals such as overall restoration of the local environment. goats and sheep, as well as introduced host- Creating conservation landscapes in residential specific insects, to control invasive plants. yards, neighborhoods, and parks, and on Manual and mechanical control includes hand- business, school, and municipal properties, will pulling, cutting, mowing, and burning. Chemical help to increase available habitat for wildlife. control uses herbicides to kill plants. Each technique has its benefits and drawbacks, and In order to have the greatest ecological value for the technique you choose should depend on the wildlife, conservation landscapes need to mimic types of plants you are controlling, the site you natural plant groupings and incorporate features are working on, your budget, and how much that provide as many habitat elements as time you have. Remember that the sooner you possible. Develop landscaping that complements detect a small population of an invasive plant, and links to existing natural areas. Providing a the easier it will be to control it! The references diversity of food sources and places for shelter below contain additional information on control or nesting, as well as sources of water, will help techniques. Any management of invasive plants support a variety of enjoyable, beneficial should take into consideration the other plants wildlife. and animals that use the site and how the site will be restored after the invasive plants are To improve the planned landscape so that it removed. supports a diversity of wildlife species, we must minimize lawn and improve vegetative structure 4. Wildlife Habitat (landscape with layers of plants), similar to what A conservation landscape provides habitat for nature provides in wetlands, meadows, and wildlife. forests. A conservation landscape can attract native wildlife based on wise choices and One of the most important and rewarding planning that will benefit the local environment aspects of conservation landscaping is providing as well as the homeowner. Conservation for native wildlife species such as birds, landscaping can be used to create corridors and butterflies, bees, spiders, fish, frogs, transition zones for wildlife in a landscape salamanders, snakes, and other animals. An otherwise fragmented by housing and shopping animal's habitat is the particular type of area areas, roads, office buildings, and other where it finds food, water, shelter, and breeding development. or nesting space. Biodiversity - a wide variety of native plant and animal life - is critical to As conservation landscaping is planned, maintaining a healthy ecosystem. For many consider the following to benefit wildlife: reasons, the amount and quality of habitat for wildlife is declining across the landscape. First  Provide food sources year-round. The and foremost, plan your landscape to conserve leaves, stems, twigs, bark, flowers (nectar), and protect existing wildlife habitat. seeds, and fruits (e.g., nuts, berries) of native plants form the basis of many animals' food Larger-scale habitat protection and restoration needs. The food web is very complex. Some are most critical to conserving wildlife animals eat plants, others eat insects or other populations. While simply planting native plants animals, and some eat both. Providing the is not the complete answer, practicing plants helps attract and provide various conservation landscaping does contribute to

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components of the web, thus supporting a seasonally or to move in response to climate diversity of species. change.

 Include a water source. Water is important The value of native wildlife cannot be to all living creatures, including insects, and overstated. The history of the Chesapeake Bay is needed year-round for survival. Include region is inextricably linked to the value of its water in landscape plans to benefit wildlife - natural resources. The abundance of wildlife whether a small bird bath, a small lined supported by the habitats and landscapes within pond, a large pond with a wetland edge, or its vast watershed enriches our way of life and anything in between. our economy in many ways - from the seafood industry, to tourism, to local recreation. The Bay  Provide structure. Use layers of plant types, region supports 3,600 species of plant and heights, and arrangements that mirror nature animal life, including more than 300 fish species to provide needed shelter from the elements and 2, 700 plant types. Bird watching, wildlife and nesting space important to many types viewing, and nature photography are currently of wildlife. the fastest-growing nature-related recreation activities.  Supply cover. Brush piles, rock outcrops or walls, and hedgerows are features to Regardless of whether nature is the primary consider including if the site is appropriate, focus of people's activities, in periodic opinion as these provide protection from predators surveys respondents place high importance and and other threats. intrinsic value on the presence of a diversity of plants and animals. Pollinators such as bees, Consider using alternatives to pesticides. All moths, butterflies, bats, and hummingbirds are life, including humans and pets, is susceptible to critical to the continued survival of both native harm from pesticide use. Spraying to rid the plant populations and our cultivated food crops. yard of an insect pest can also kill butterflies Protecting, conserving, and restoring our natural and their larvae, birds eating affected insects can resources is critical in maintaining quality of become ill, and the effects are magnified up the life, now and for future generations. food chain. Instead, choose safer options (the least toxic but still effective method). Plants are one of the most important features of an animal's habitat because they often provide Habitat types include various kinds of wetlands, most, if not all, of the animal's habitat needs. forests, meadows, and aquatic areas such as Particular groupings of plant species (specific streams, rivers, ponds, and estuaries. plant communities) comprise the basis of Environmental degradation and direct different habitat types. In tum, animals help destruction are just two factors leading to plants to reproduce through dispersal of pollen, wildlife habitat decline. Increasing development fruits, or seeds. Consequently, plants and accelerates habitat loss, replacing natural areas animals are interdependent, and certain plants and creating an abundance of lawn and and animals are often found together. pavement that in tum shed more rainwater and further contribute to water pollution and habitat Some animals are migratory and are only degradation. Development fragments habitats, present during certain times of year. Many making it more difficult for species to migrate animals ' food needs change throughout the

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seasons or depending on their stage of growth. An ecosystem is a natural, interactive unit Climate changes threaten to uncouple many consisting of all plants, animals, and plant animal relationships. For example, warmer microorganisms in an area functioning together winter temperatures may cause flowers to bloom with all non-living physical factors of the before their migratory pollinators arrive in environment. Living organisms are continually spring. engaged in a set of relationships with every other element constituting the environment in Therefore, including a wide variety of food which they exist. The interdependence of the life choices (native plants) in the landscape will in an ecosystem heightens the importance of provide for the changing needs of many animals. protecting all natural components, so that the thread that connects the web of life is not Within a balanced landscape, native wildlife unraveled. should not pose a nuisance or hazard to humans, and humans should be able to live in harmony Water sources can be as large as a pond or as with the wildlife. Some native animals, small as a dish of water on a balcony. Keep however, can be overabundant and may need to water sources clean and free of mosquito larvae. be discouraged in the landscape (e.g., deer, groundhogs, rabbits). A number of factors can Instead of isolated plantings, such as a tree in cause native animals to become nuisance the middle of lawn, group trees, shrubs and wildlife, particularly as a result of development perennials to create layers of vegetation. A pressures that alter habitat, food sources, or the forest has, for example, a canopy layer (tallest presence of predators that normally keep trees), understory layers (various heights of trees populations in check. Feeding wildlife or and shrubs beneath the canopy) and a ground leaving out garbage cans can attract animals layer or forest floor. These layers provide the such as squirrels, raccoons, deer, or bears, which structure and variety needed for shelter, may cause a nuisance situation in proximity to breeding or nesting space for a diversity of homes or other areas humans use. wildlife.

In the Mid-Atlantic region, diseases transmitted A diversity of insects act as pollinators in the by ticks to people and pets are a concern. In Chesapeake Bay region. Honey bees are particular, deer ticks can transfer Lyme and introduced pollinators, but native pollinators other disease from mammals (mice, deer) to include solitary bees, wasps, flies, moths and humans. To reduce the presence of ticks, use butterflies. Different pollinators have different fencing to keep deer away from paths and habitat requirements. buildings and reduce brushy areas near walkways and buildings. Strategic use of insect Excerpted from VNLA Newsletters, Jan/Feb/ repellents, proper clothing, and routine body March and April/May/June. Look for Elements checks after being outdoors also help to reduce 5-8 in upcoming issues of the DNLA News. the risk of tick-borne disease. [For more information on ticks, see The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Tick Management Handbook, Bulletin No. 1010, available online at www.ct.gov/caes/].

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WEED MANAGEMENT IN (Chasmanthium latifolium) and planted them ORNAMENTAL GRASSES into one gallon containers of pine bark. The Jeffrey Derr, Virginia Teach preemergence herbicide I evaluated were Pendulum 2G (pendimethalin) at 3, 6, and 12 Through research supported by the Virginia pounds active ingredient (ai) per acre, Gallery Nurserymen's Horticultural Research (isoxaben) at 1.0. 2.0, and 4.0 lb. ai/A, and Foundation, I have been evaluating tolerance of Dimension 2EW (dithiopyr) at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 newly-planted ornamental grasses to lb. ai/A. These rates represent the anticipated preemergence herbicides. There has been use rate (IX), twice the use rate (2X) and four considerable interest in ornamental grasses for times the use rate (4X). Ideally we would like to use in home and commercial landscapes. see a 4X tolerance in a crop for an herbicide Nurseries commonly produce ornamental registration. In such a case, an accidental grasses in containers, where weed control is an overlap in spray, resulting in a 2X application important production concern. Weed control is rate, should not result in adverse effects to the most important at planting time. As ornamental plant. The three herbicides were chosen based grasses grow and fill in containers, there is less on the expected tolerance by ornamental grasses. opportunity for weeds to invade. Weeds are I also evaluated combinations of Gallery plus commonly controlled in container production Dimension and Gallery plus Pendulum through the use of preemergence herbicides, AquaCap as these combinations would result in supplemented by hand weeding. After a review broader spectrum weed control. of the label for common preemergence herbicides used in container production, it was Herbicides were applied four days after planting found that many commonly-grown grasses have and all treatments were repeated 6 weeks later. few to no preemergence herbicides registered Overhead irrigation was applied immediately for use. after application. At the time of the first herbicide application, plant height in inches was: Panicum 12.5", Schizachyrium 9.5", Calamagrostis 18", Eragrostis 18.5", Pennisetum 16'', and Chasmanthium 14". We took shoot fresh weight of each ornamental grass at one month after each application.

No injury was seen in the foliage of any of the 6 ornamental grasses when evaluated visually. At one month after the first application, no herbicide treatment reduced shoot fresh weight of Schizachyrium, Panicum, Eragrostis, Pennisetum, or Chasmanthium, although there appeared to be a slight decrease in Panicum I obtained well-rooted liners of Chinense shoot weight at the highest rate of Gallery. pennisetum (Pennisetum alopecuroides), feather Dimension at 2 lb. ai/A (4X rate) reduced shoot reed grass (Calamagrostis acutiflora), little weight of Calamagrostis compared to untreated bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), switch plants, and the two lower rates of Dimension grass (Panicum virgatum), weeping lovegrass appeared to reduce shoot weight in this species. (Eragrostis curvula), and northern sea oats DNLA News Page 24

After the second herbicide application, no 2015 GARDEN TRENDS REPORT treatment reduced regrowth shoot weight of Schizachyrium, Panicum, Eragrostis, or The New Consumers Pennisetum, although Pendulum-containing Garden companies need to start talking to and treatments appeared to cause approximately a identifying with America's new consumers: The 10% reduction in Schizachyrium regrowth rapidly growing base of Millennials, Hispanics, weight. Dimension at 2 lb. ai/A (4X rate) and the new top spenders in the garden industry, appeared to reduce regrowth shoot weight of Young Men. Calamagrostis. Pendulum AquaCap plus Gallery reduced shoot weight in Chasmanthium, Hispanics are the largest minority in U.S. and although all herbicide treatments appeared to the fastest growing segment. Hispanics cause a decrease in shoot weight of this species. traditionally grow veggies for family & friends. When compared to untreated plants, no herbicide treatment reduced seed head Millennials are BIGGER than Baby production in Schizachyrium, Panicum, Boomers, comprising an estimated 25% of the Pennisetum, or Chasmanthium. Eragrostis and U.S. population. Millennials in the U.K. spend Calamagrostis did not produce seed heads $1500 annually on gardening, almost 4X the during the trial. average in the U.S. Young men in the U.S. spend $100 more than average on garden plants Weed control increased as the herbicide rate and products. Pew Research forecasts that by increased. At the lowest rate tested (lX rate), 2050, the U.S. will be 47% white, 39% Gallery, Dimension, and Pendulum all provided Hispanic, 13% black and 9% Asian. similar control of mulberry weed (69-80%). At the lowest rate tested, Dimension provided the For more and more consumers, health is a top best spotted spurge control. priority. People aren't just gardening for beauty; they are gardening to nourish their communities, In general, Pennisetum alopecuroides, the environment and their own wellbeing. And Calamagrostis acutiflora, Schizachyrium they want brands to help them do it. scoparium, Panicum virgatum, Chasmanthium latifolium, and Eragrostis curvula appear to Products that are environmentally friendly and have acceptable tolerance to Pendulum 2G, safe for pets and children reign supreme. Gallery SC, and Dimension 2EW, although Blueberry plants, like the BrazelBerries® some reduction in growth could occur, Collection of edible berries, are good for health especially at above-labeled rates following 2 and wellness, rank high on consumers' eco- applications. For broader spectrum control, scale. Gallery plus either Pendulum AquaCap or Dimension 2EW appear to be promising In a global survey of 30,000 consumers, 72% of treatments for the ornamental grasses evaluated. people said that businesses are failing to take I hope to continue my research on weed control care of the planet and society as a whole. - in ornamental grasses. One area that I would Accenture & Havas Media, June 2014 like to explore is controlling emerged annual grass and broadleaf weeds in ornamental grasses Trees, flowers, plants, birds and bees all using available postemergence herbicides. increase overall health and wellness for self, society and the planet. Plants are clean air

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filters, oxygen machines, and wellness Gen Xers and 24% of Baby Boomers are prescriptions. Trees absorb 1/5 of carbon spending more time outdoors. According to the emissions, reduce electricity consumption and survey, 85% of Millennials rated outdoor rooms increase mental health. as "Very Important" or "Important" compared to 83% of Gen Xers and 74% of Baby Boomers. This year, trending color palettes – ranging from Whether in a small space garden or on an vintage and muted rustic to teal and pink - show apartment balcony, compact plants will pack a off personality in flowers, plants and outdoor lot of punch in 2015 with rich colors and products. Pops of exploding color like pink and textures as major focal points. teal give a fun, fresh and flirty feel. Popular shades of pink include such varieties as No-fuss cacti and succulents are ideal for bubblegum, pink dust, mauve, blush, and consumers who seek attractive, low- fuchsia. Teal and turquoise act as a cooler maintenance plants. Tiny and easy to grow complement to pink. Inversely, rustic, natural succulents in bold containers bring nature inside color palettes create a vintage, homey feel. Light the home. According to lifestyle expert, Carmen pastels and more worn down hues like faded Johnston, "Succulents are the new gateway plant denim evoke feelings of comfort and give a for consumers." reimagined contemporary look. In the garden, easy-to-grow flower bulbs can inspire people to The rise of "NOwners"- those who prize mix and match colors that express their freedom over homeownership- is fueling personality. modular flexibility and encouraging unique design and personalization. Adaptable and The party is moving outside! With the U.S. flexible planters with wheels, handles or other demand for outdoor plants expected to grow to movable parts or lightweight durable products $7 billion in 2015, "garden-tainment" is quickly fit their needs. becoming a way to personalize outdoor spaces. Neighborhood residents are rebelling against Plants will play a key role whether it's potting and campaigning for the reversal of ordinances up containers and terrariums, cooking fresh food that prohibit them from expressing themselves from the garden or redecorating the patio. By and living the way they want. These rebels are using ready-made containers and color-themed transforming the neighborhood into "agrihoods" plants, a dull space can be quickly decorated - complete with urban chickens, beekeepers and before a party. Wanting to instantly "set the lawn-less landscapes. They are reclaiming their space" before a party is a key reason people buy land and taking pride in being able to sustain plants. They're looking for easy, quick solutions their families. From growing and cultivating they can personalize. their own food and raising backyard goats to the comeback of the clothesline, people are paving According to the National Association of Home their own way and sharing their goods. Builders, homes are predicted to shrink in size Purposefully unstyled outdoor spaces are the by 10% in 2015. With smaller homes, people result of intentionally working within the natural are taking to the outdoors for dining, cooking, landscape. This casual landscape style expresses and entertaining. In fact, the 2014 Casual Living an effortless personality with an "anything goes" and Apartment Therapy Outdoor Decorating attitude. Survey notes that 62% of Millennials, 46% of

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Create "bed head" meadows and natural habitats GENERATIONAL DIVIDE A PRODUCT using native plants to increase diversity, balance OF LIFE EXPERIENCES and ecosystems. Responsible gardeners use Janeen Wright responsible plants. Be water-wise with natives and other responsible drinkers. Curt Steinhorst of The Center for Generational Kinetics kicked off Cultivate’15 with a dynamic With almost half of the U.S. states passing laws keynote address filled with humor on how to to legalize marijuana, the amount of people that bridge the generational gaps in the workforce will begin growing their own will also increase. and use it to your competitive advantage. Garden centers can capitalize on new laws by Steinhorst says that his generation of carrying grow lights and hydroponic supplies, Millennials has a reputation for feeling entitled, plant nutrients and additives, potting soils and an attitude that many employers are baffled by. growing media, eco-renewable mulch, and The biggest question is, where did this attitude eventually cannabis seeds and new cultivars. come from? Steinhorst says you don’t have to look much further than parents who wanted their Q: Garden Media bas been predicting garden kids to have an easier life than they did, so they trends for 14 years. What trends have you paid the college tuition, financed the cars, spotted that have lasted? bought the clothing and covered the rent on the apartment and on and on. A: We first started talking about outdoor living in 2001. The backyard was the new living room “Baby Boomers who wanted your children to - dining room – and kitchen. We saw have an easier life, I just want to let you know, homeowners moving away from gardening to mission accomplished,” he says. “Millennials decorating with containers. We saw the organic have had all of the freedoms of adulthood "green movement" or eco-chic picking up steam without the responsibility. around 2004. The next year we saw an uptick in ” growing your own veggies. One problem with this is it has pushed every major market of adulthood back by several Q: How do you predict the garden trends? years, Steinhorst says. What Baby Boomers were doing in their late teens and early twenties, A: We look at what is happening in the garden Millennials are doing in their late twenties and now. Then we research consumer home and early thirties. fashion trends on a global level and see how they fit in with gardening. We interview a lot of Steinhorst says Millennials are doing things later plant growers, garden magazine editors and in life and are just now moving to their buying landscape designers. power position. It’s a critical time for the horticulture industry. Excerpted from VNLA Newsletter, April/May/June 2015. The good news is Millennials are up for grabs because they haven’t established brand loyalty yet. And interestingly enough, Steinhorst says, every other generation is moving toward their buying preferences, so if business owners can understand what they are looking for, they can

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make small shifts in their business that will customers write down five or six things capture Millennials’ attention and benefit the that you are seeing, then make short rest of their customer base, as well. videos that illustrate those skills. These can be as basic as how to plant a tree or Here are a few things Steinhorst says you need the appropriate attire for work. to know about Millennials in order to reach  Overcome the fear of purchasing by them: making an appeal to the VIP (very  The way Millennials were raised by important person) in them. Everyone their parents affects how they interact wants to feel unique or special. Use that with others. to your advantage.  Technology is a lifestyle for them. If  Move toward selling by screen. you want to communicate with them, you have to make use of it. For Steinhorst says for the first time in history we example, Steinhorst says, if you don’t have four distinct generations working side-by- exist on social media, you don’t exist to side in the horticulture industry. That is 40 years Millennials. of experience across the board. If we want to  Millennials are not necessarily tech bridge the gap in the workplace and in the savvy, but they are tech dependent. marketplace, we have to be willing to adapt to  Millennials haven’t had a lot of Millennials’ buying preferences and make a experience with buying horticulture better effort to understand that their behaviors products. There is a lot of fear out are sometimes the product of their lack of life there. experiences, not necessarily a feeling of  Millennials only read the subject line of entitlement. an email, from there they decide whether or not to read it, forward it or Excerpted from Greenhouse Grower’s delete it. Benchrunner, July 15, 2015  Millennials are uncomfortable with (http://www.greenhousegrower.com/business- face-to-face communication and often management/keynote-curt-steinhorst-says- see phone calls as an invasion of generational-divide-a-product-of-life- privacy. Plus, texts allow them to experiences-at-cultivate15) respond when they want.  Millennials are entirely visual.

What Can We Do To Help Millennials Engage With Plants? Steinhorst offered several ideas to help business owners.  Keep it simple; keep it easy.  Use short, one- to two-minute videos that create visual examples to show Millennials how to grow and use plants. If you want to help with their lack of experience, whether it is with younger employees or younger

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light include inhibited extension growth, and in Research Briefs some cases, greater leaf thickness and chlorophyll concentration. Plants grown under PROPAGATION only R-light accumulated more biomass than those of other treatments in part because of the Red oak seedling development under increased le3af surface are for light capture. fertilizer regimes with subirrigation. About 6% to 13% B light was sufficient to Increased demand for container nursery stock stimulate (presumably cryptochrome) for commercial forestry, restoration/wildlife photoreceptors that inhibited extension growth, plantings, and landscaping has generated a need thereby reducing leaf size and biomass to optimize water methods, media types and accumulation. Therefore, including as little as nutrient management. Under subirrigation, 10 umol/m2/s of B-light in an R-dominant fertilization with controlled-release fertilizer background can elicit desirable growth increased biomass of northern red oak seedlings responses for the production of propagules, up to 1.8g N per plant; but most physiological herbs, and microgreens and for other situations and morphological parameters were reduced at in which compact growth is desired. (H.M nutrient levels above this rate. Thus, increasing Wollaeger and E.S. Runkle) fertility beyond 1.8g N per plant apparently resulted in toxicity, which caused plant Excerpted from HortScience 50(4): 522-529, mortality. Subirrigation has great potential to April 2015. produce forest tree seedlings while reducing water and nutrient waste. However, growers Controlled water deficit provides an must carefully calibrate fertilizer inputs based alternative to plant growth regulators for on species and cultural systems to avoid regulating poinsettia stem elongation. To potential for plant toxicity, which may be partly apply the water deficit (WD) treatment, associated with the accumulation of residual substrate volumetric water content was reduced fertilizer salts in the upper media layers from 0.40 to 0.20 m3/m3.WD was an effective characteristic of this irrigation system. (M.L. method of height control. The application of Bumgarner, L.F. Salifu, M.V. Mickelbart and WD did not cause any negative side effect in D.F. Jacobs) this study, but other have found reductions in bract size. It is recommended that the use of Excerpted from HortScience 50(3): 454-460, WD should be avoided following bract March 2015 initiation. (P. Alem, P.A. Thomas and M.C. van Iersel) GREENHOUSE PRODUCTION Excerpted from HortScience 50(4): 565-569, Growth and acclimation of annual seedlings April 2015. to blue and red light. Seedlings of three ornamental annuals and tomato were grown Substrate water content and fertilizer rate under different single source light-emitting affect growth of flowering petunia. Without diode (LED) treatments to quantify how the B:R leaching, high quality petunias can be grown (ratio of blue to red light) influenced seedling with lower controlled release fertilizer rates growth and morphology. Plant acclimate to (CRF) than commercially recommended rates. only R light by increasing leaf expansion and The sensor controlled irrigation system stem elongation, whereas plant responses to B- DNLA News Page 29

effectively maintained volumetric water Excerpted from HortScience 50(5): 688-693, potential close to treatment threshold levels. (P. May 2015. Alem, P.A. Thomas and M.C. van Iersel) Bedding plant production under LED Excerpted from HortScience 50(4): 582-589, lighting vs. high-pressure sodium lamps. April 2015. Supplemental and sole-source photosynthetic lighting (SSL) with blue light suppress Steel slag raises pH of greenhouse substrates. extension growth and leaf expansion, resulting The ability to raise substrate pH is much greater in compact young plants, which is often a for steel slag (SS) and for dolomitic lime (DL). desirable characteristic for greenhouse growers. This may have application where a very high pH In addition, LEDs could be used for SSL in is desired or it there is a need to counteract a high-density multilayer production systems as very acidic or pH-lowering amendment. an effective alternative to greenhouse Although SS offers more immediate and production systems for annual bedding plant effective liming power, when high pH is seedling production. From the results of this desired, DL offers an ideal Ca;Mg ratio, more study, a general recommendation for SSL of moderate pH increases, and less risk of high pH bedding plant seedlings would be to include with accidental overapplication. (J.E. Altland, anywhere from 10% to 30% blue light J.C. Locke, W.D. Zellner and J. K Boldt) depending on the desired crop-specific attributes and costs. Further research is necessary to Excerpted from HortScience 50(4): 603-608, determine the effects of far-red light in addition April 2015. to sole source red and blue light on growth, morphology, quality, and subsequent flowering Optimum fertilizer rates for ornamental of day neutral and photoperiodic bedding plant cabbage. The progressive application of nitrate seedlings. (W.C. Randall and R. G. Lopez) in the nutrient solution from 0.5 to 20 mM significantly affected the growth and plant Excerpted from HortScience 50(5): 705-713, quality of ornamental cabbage. All measured May 2015. indices increased with increasing nitrate concentration up to 10 mM, reaching a plateau, Monitoring and controlling ebb-and-flow showing luxury consumption of nitrate at subirrigation with soil moisture sensors. Soil 20mM. the results also indicated that the moisture sensors can be used to both monitor selection of plant cultivars having a low N substrate volumetric water content and requirement is important to increase nitrogen automatically control irrigation in subirrigation use efficiency. ‘Northern Lights Red’ needed systems. However fluctuations in substrate less NO3 in the nutrient solution to reach half volumetric water content are much greater in maximum shoot dry weight, and could be sensor-controlled subirrigation than in drip considered the highest nitrate efficient cultivar. systems, because the amount of water absorbed However, ‘White Peacock’ was the most by the substrate cannot be controlled. There efficient cultivar in N use among the more were distinct vertical gradients in substrate vigorous cultivars (Coral Prince, Coral Queen volumetric water content and sensor placement and White Peacock). (M. Cardarelli, Y. is thus an important consideration. Because Rouphael, D. Muntean, G. Colla) most root growth, and as a result water uptake, occurred in the lower/middle part of the

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substrate, we recommend sensors be placed in transplants in a GH temporarily, use of RC and the bottom half of the substrate. Shoot height, having emergency heating available. (J.R. dry weight, and compactness increased with Gerovac, R.G. Lopez and N.S. Mattson) increasing volumetric water content thresholds. Hence, growers can potentially adjust the Excerpted from HortScience 50(6): 830-838, volumetric water content threshold during a June 2015 production cycle to manipulate plant growth, giving them a new tool to improve plant quality. Production of purple firespike as a flowering (R.S. Ferrarezi, M.W. van Iersel and R. potted plant. Purple firespike (Odontonema Testezlaf. callistachyum) is a native to Central American and has potential as a new flowering potted Excerpted from HortScience 50(3): 447-453, plant. Plant height was suppressed as the pinch March 2015 number increased (one, two or three). The maximum number of branches was recorded Production of cold-tolerant bedding plants in with two pinches and three cuttings per pot. In a high tunnels. This study demonstrates that second experiment, the most attractive potted cold-tolerant bedding palnts can be successfully plants were produced using a drench application finished in a high tunnel (HT) environment in of paclobutrazol at 10 or 15 ppm. (A. West Lafayette, Indiana and Ithaca, NY. Rezazadeh and R.L. Harkess) Overall, plant quality, in terms of reduced stem elongation and increased shoot dry mass and Excerpted from HortTechnology 25(1): 71-75, visible flower bud number was significantly February 2015 improved in an HT as compared with the greenhouse (GH), although results varied based Plant growth regulator drenches to suppress on species, location, and transplant week. A height of ‘Leia’ pineapple lily. Pineapple lily negative consequence of HT production was (Eucomis sp.), a recent introduction to the potted delayed flowering, especially in snapdragon. crop market, can have excessive foliage growth Waiting to transplant and move to the HT until and inflorescence height making the use of weeks 14 or 15 can partially ameliorate the PGRs desirable. Acceptable concentrations for delays in the flowering exhibited by plants each PGR tested are paclobutrazol at 0.5 to 2.0 moved into the HT on week 13. A row cover mg/pot, uniconazole at 0.25 to 2.0 mg/pot, and (RC) increased minimum night temperature, but flurprimidol at 0.5 to 1.0 mg/pot based on did not have a major effect on crop quality, percentage of marketable plants and foliage and perhaps because extreme low temperature inflorescence height suppression without events were not encountered during the years of excessively increasing the number of days to this study. Holding bedding plants in the GH anthesis. (A.S. Carlson, J.M. Dole and B.E. before moving to the HT growing environment Whipker did not significantly reduce time to flowering in most cases and thus may not be an energy Excerpted from HortTechnology 25(1): 105 - efficient practice. While the HT environment 109, February 2015 can be successfully used to finish high-quality bedding plants, it can be risky due to losses from An automated system for monitoring soil extreme outdoor temperature fluctuations. moisture and controlling irrigation using Growers can mitigate this risk by holding low-cost open-source microcontrollers.

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Substrate volumetric water content (VWC) is a root-zone temperatures (RZT) limit growth and useful measurement for automated irrigation quality of plants. Supraoptimal temperatures in systems. Dataloggers and software have made the range of 46 to 57oC for 30 minutes or more these systems expensive. Researchers designed cause direct injury to plant roots. These and built an automated system using a low-cost temperatures are common in container open-source microcontroller, capacitance soil production. Roots are more susceptible to high moisture sensors, and solenoid valves (total temperature injury than stems or leaves. Indirect cost=$667). The system effectively monitored injury caused by prolonged or repeated exposure and controlled VWC over a range or irrigation to sublethal yet supraoptimal temperatures (38 - thresholds with ‘Panama Red’ hibiscus in a 40 oC RZT for 6 h/d impacts physiological peat:perlite substrate. (R.S. Ferrarezi, S.K. Dove processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, and M.W. van Iersel) nutrient uptake and utilization, and hormone response and production. To reduce RZT, Excerpted from HortTechnology 25(1): 110- growers can use white, silver, green or yellow 118, February 2015 containers rather than black containers; use thick paper or fiber containers, rather than metal Editor’s note: For the complete article or plastic, use larger containers. Shading including details on production of the system, reduces RZT. Plants can be spaced to shade one email Sue Barton at [email protected]. another. Pot-in-pot production can reduce RZT. (D.L. Ingram, J. M. Ruter and C.A. Martin) Methods to stimulate branching of Firespike. Red firespike (Odontonema strictum) is an Excerpted from HortScience 50(4): 530-539, ornamental shrub with potential as a flowering April 2015. potted plant, due to dark green foliage and red flower spikes. Hand pinching is not a practical Capture factor as a measure of irrigation practice to increase number of branches or efficiency on container crops. Capture factor` reduce plant height in red firespike. Branching (CF) is a dynamic value that depends on plant was greatest using benzyladenine (BA) at all species, plant size, container size, container concentrations of dikegulac sodium (DS) at high spacing and nozzle type. Growth habit and concentrations. However, DS at high canopy characteristics determine to what extent concentrations reduced marketability of plants. a plant species can affect the capture of sprinkler Low concentrations of BA (600 ppm) were most irrigation water. In general, plant species with effective ion promoting and producing uniform upright, spreading canopies exhibited the and marketable red firespike plants. (A. highest water-capturing abilities. Plant size Rezazadeh, R.L. Harkess and G. Bi) index was found to be a good indicator for estimating the increase in CF that occurs as Excerpted from HortTechnology 25(3): 358- plants grow in size during the season. Container 362, June 2015 size and spacing were shown to affect CF by imposing a physical limitation to the amount of CONTAINER PRODUCTION water available for capture. In general; CF was not limited if the spacing between containers Impact of supraoptimal root-zone was at least one container diameter apart. CF temperatures in container grown plants. It can play a critical role in adjusting irrigation run has long been recognized that supraoptimal times to apply a required amount of water to

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containers. Grouping plants with similar Review of nonchemical weed control irrigation requirements within container methods. This article discusses various nurseries is a best management practice. It methods of controlling weeds without using follows that the plant’s irrigation-capturing chemicals. Mulching is the cornerstone of a ability as indicated by CF should be included in landscape weed control program. Organic plant grouping considerations. (J.B. Million and mulches suppress weeds primarily by light T.H. Yeager) exclusion. In most studies there was no difference is efficacy between a variety of Excerpted from HortScience 50(3): 442-446, common organic mulches. Fine-textured and March 2015 nutrient rich materials, like compost, are not suitable for weed control. Larger particle mulch Increasing branching of ‘Merritt’s Supreme’ dries out more quickly and thus does not support bigleaf hydrangea with foliar application of weed seed germination. Mulch should be dikegulac sodium. ‘Merritt’s Supreme’ bigleaf purchased from a reputable source to reduce the hydrangea plants exhibited severe phytotoxicity weed seed or vegetative pieces of weeds that can 2 weeks after application of dikegulac sodium be present in mulch. Inorganic mulches (gravel, with more severe symptoms at higher quarry dust, sand) are effective but usually more concentrations. The phytotoxicity symptoms expensive and do not provide organic matter to become less severe 6 weeks after treatment. In the soil. Landscape fabrics are another type of Texas the hydrangea branching and number of inorganic mulch. Impermeable landscape flowers increased with 800 or 1600 mg/L plastic materials are associated with reduced dikegulac sodium, but in Mississippi 1600 mg/L plant growth. Permeable materials allow better was required for plant response. (Y. Sun, G. growth of desirable plants, but when covered Bi, G. Nie and C. Perez) with mulch for aesthetic and to prevent photodegradation weeds grow in the mulch and Excerpted from HortTechnology 25(3): 306- root into the fabric. Fabric is difficult to install 312, June 2015 correctly and expensive, so it is usually not recommended for landscape installations. Species specific controlled release fertilizer Based on currently available research, rubber (CRF) rates for container nursery plants. mulches are best suited to non-landscaped areas The species-specific CRF range like walkways and playgrounds. Turf or other recommendations were 1.05 to 1.35 kg/m-3 for ground covers that form a dense mat and rose of Sharon, 0.75 – 1.05 kg/m-3 for ‘Magic compete with weeds are another form of weed Carpet’ spirea, and 0.75-1.35 kg/m-3 for bigleaf control. Hand weeding is an effective by hydrangea and ‘Green Velvet’ boxwood, expensive (labor required) method of non- whereas the recommended CRF rate for ‘Palace chemical weed control. Cultivation is less Purple coral bells was 0.75 kg/m-3 .(M. J. Clark expensive but mechanical disruption can and Y. Zheng) degrade soil structure and does not prevent new weed seeds form germinating. Thermal weed Excerpted from HortTechnology 25(3): 370- control (heat, steam or flame) can be dangerous 379, June 2015 and is best used in and around hardscapes. Solarization (using black plastic over weeds) is LANDSCAPE another form of thermal weed control, but used to treat an area prior to planting. Selective

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placement of fertilizer and irrigation water near Brassica green manure provides Rhizoctonia the root zone of crops/landscape plants and not solani control in landscape bedding plants. in the entire bed area is an effective form of Brassica green manure soil amendment is a weed control. Drip irrigation is primarily possible alternative to chemical management of effective in container production and only soilborne diseases of ornamental landscape and effective for weed control in the landscape in bedding plants. A green manure from different dry climates when water is limiting. (S.C. species of Brassica was used at different rates Marble, A.K. Koeser, G. Hasing) (700, 1400, 4200 g/m2). Chopped Brassica residue was incorporated to a depth of 15 cm. Excerpted from HortScience 50(6): 851-856, There was a 4-week waiting period between June 2015 green manure incorporation and planting. Petunia and impatiens were grown on the plots. Review of chemical weed control methods. A This highest rate of green manure application combination of preemergent and postemergent reduced crown lesion and root discoloration for herbicide program in conjunction with cultural impatiens and petunias. The species of Brassica and mechanical methods is the most effective was not important. The use of Brassica green type of weed control. Preemergent herbicides manure appears to be a viable option for can be applied to landscape beds followed by controlling R. solani in landscapes. (K.A. postemergence applications to control escaped Cochran and C.S. Rothrock) weeds. Fine particle mulches have been shown to reduce preemergent herbicide efficacy, when Excerpted from HortScience 50(4): 555-558, the herbicide is applied over the mulch. April 2015. Postemergence weed control is applied as a directed or spot application to avoid damage to Suitability of native shrubs as replacement nearby ornamentals, unless you are using a grass for invasive shrubs in a difficult landscape herbicide in landscape beds that do not contain site with white-tailed deer pressure. This grasses. Glyphosate is the most commonly used study identified the underused native shrubs postemergent herbicide. It is challenging for sweetbells (Eubotrys racemosa), Virginia rose most homeowners to select the right product, Rosa virginiana) and creeping sand cherry understand the pesticide label and determine the (Prunus pumila var. depressa) as suitable proper amount to apply. No one herbicide will replacements for invasvies in difficult landscape control all weeds in all landscape situations. sites with white-tailed deer pressure. These (S.C. Marble, A.K. Koeser, G. Hasing) plants were compared to winged euonymus and Japanese barberry in parking lot islands. (P. Excerpted from HortScience 50(6): 857-862, Shrestha and J.D. Lubell) June 2015 Excerpted from HortTechnology 25(2): 171- Editors’s note: There is more specific 176, April 2015 information and reports of studies conducted in these two previous review articles. If you are TURF interested in weed control, I recommend you read the entire articles. If you would like a copy Tank mixing fertilizer and growth regulators of the articles, email Sue Barton at with glyphosate for use on a glyphosate- [email protected]. tolerant perennial ryegrass cultivar. Results

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indicate that adding an alternative active varieties that blend in with the turfgrass sward ingredient, a PGR, and N sources do not cause could help increase acceptance of WC additional injury to the glyphosate-tolerant interseeding. Results show that establishing perennial ryegrass cultivar. Also, applying WC is a mature stand of cool-season grass can glyphosate at 0.52 lb/acre resulted in similar be successfully accomplished in the spring and growth reduction compared with industry summer with equipment commonly available to standard PGRs, while maintaining acceptable homeowners. However, the best WC turf quality. In some cases, the addition of N establishment was in scalped plots and this sources and a PGR improved the color response preplanting treatment is likely the only one of and increased annual bluegrass control. (C.M. those tested (core aeration and vertical mowing Baldwin, A.D. Brede and J.J. Mayer) also tested) that would result in enough WC cover to reduce N inputs in a home lawn setting. Excerpted from HortTechnology 25(2): 214- Previous research shows that N fixation rates, if 220, April 2015 100% available could be sufficient for sustaining KBG or TF lawns. Any amount of Preemergence crabgrass control on WC established would increase organic N levels bermudagrass. The effect of mowing height on and decrease the need for applied N. (B. Sparks, crabgrass preemergence efficacy was tested G. Munshaw, D. Williams, M Barrett, J. Beasley using six different preemergent herbicides. All and P. Woosley) herbicides provided better crabgrass control on plots maintained at 3.8 cm compared to those Excerpted from HortScience 50(4): 615-620, maintained at 1.5 cm in 2012. This effect was April 2015. not detected in 2013, possibly due to above average rainfall. Results indicate that the reason Incorporating early spring bulbs into higher mowing height works is better dormant warm-season turfgrasses. Four early bermudagrass growth and less spring bulb species (Crocus tommasinianus photosynthetically active radiation at the soil ‘Ruby Giant’, Crocus chrysanthus ‘Goldilocks’, surface and not the differential degradation of Iris reticulata ‘Cantab’ and Galanthus elwesii) herbicides at the different mowing heights. were established in a zoysiagrass lawn. Early (T.W. Gannon, M.D. Jeffries, J.T. Brosnan, performance was good for all bulb species. G.K. Breeden, K.A. Tucker and G.M Henry) However, after 3 years, ‘Ruby Giant’ crocus was the only species that persisted. Preemergent Excerpted from HortScience 50(4): 546-550, herbicides and mowing did not affect bulb April 2015. survival or performance, suggesting that typical lawn management practices will not be Incorporating white clover into a cool season deleterious to the bulbs. (M.D. Richardson, J. turf sward. It will require a change in the McCalla, T. Buxton and F. Lulli) aesthetic expectations of homeowners and turfgrass managers to move from monoculture Excerpted from HortTechnology 25(2): 228- stands of Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) or tall 232, April 2015 fescue (TF) to mixed swards that include white clover (WC). However, the potential MARKETING environmental benefit of such a change cannot be underestimated. Using smaller stature WC Consumer preferences for pest management

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practices on floriculture crops. Marketing willingness to pay for these attributes. Both plants with the term “bee-friendly” would have groups preferred to purchase flats and preferred the greatest impact on plant purchases because it sedum over ajuga. Commercial buyers from had the highest part worth score and was the larger companies were more likely to purchase best understood term of those presented (others plantable containers than those from smaller included neonicotinoid- free, traditional insect firms. Generally flats of Ellepots were preferred control and biological control). In fact, over flats of SoilWraps and 18-count over 12- customers may discount products labeled count flats were preferred by commercial “neonicotinoid-free”. This type of labelling may buyers. Consumers had no preference for provide the possibility of capturing premium plantable containers. This study did not prices. Hanging baskets (10cm or 30cm) distinguish the environmental benefits from the labelled “bee-friendly” could capture biodegradable nature of some containers or the approximately $1-$2 more than plants labelled time savings associated with plantable pots. with “grown with traditional pest management This information must be supplied to consumers practices.” Consumer concerns about pesticide to increase the likelihood they would select residues on ornamental plants may push growers these attributes. (D.L. Ingram, T.A. woods, W. to consider biological control strategies. Hu and S. S. Namburthiri) (H.M. Wollaeger, K.L. Getter and B.K. Behe) Excerpted from HortScience 50(3): 408-411, Excerpted from HortScience 50(5): 721-732, March 2015. May 2015. Premiums and discounts for plant patents Carbon footprint and production costs of and trademarks. By controlling plant-specific field grown shrubs. The global warming attributes and a variety of market variables that potential (GWP) of field grown shrubs when might affect pant values this study reveals considered over a 50 year life span results in sizable price premiums for plant patents that sequestering 8.1824 kg/CO2e per marketable may have been masked in other studies. Plant shrub. Recent literature has demonstrated that patent premiums vary considerably between consumers increasingly consider the potential species where the costs of producing and environmental impact of green industry products marketing new cultivars differ greatly. (i.e. carbon footprint) when making purchasing Surprisingly, the use of trademarks was found to decisions. (C.R. Hall and D.L. Ingram) have a negative effect on plant prices. A trademark is often used to create an attractive Excerpted from HortScience 50(3): 402-407, selling name, as an inexpensive way of March 2015. protecting a plant, to enhance the protection of a plant patent and to extend the life of a patent. As Willingness to pay for groundcovers. Ajuga a result, trademarks as a signal to the buyer may reptans ‘Bronze Beauty’ and Sedum have conflicting meanings and, when combined kamtschaticum ‘Variegatum’ were grown in with a plant patent, may be perceived as a sign standard plastic containers or plantable that the firm is trying too hard to create value. containers (Ellepot and SoilWrap) and in 12- or (J.Drew, C.Yue, N.O. Anderson, P.G. Pardey) 18-count flats. These production alternatives were presented to commercial; industry Excerpted from HortScience 50(6): 879-887, personnel and consumers to determine their March 2015.

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Publications

OAN Introduces New App to Help Nursery Businesses Connect. The Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN) has introduced a new app for iOS devices and soon (this past January) for Android devices that will help nursery industry businesses connect with each other. The app costs $4.99 and helps users find the most efficient routes between nurseries. You can find information on each grower, including what they LMN (Landscape Management are selling. With the press of a button, the user Network) LMN Time App Now Available For will be able to call nurseries and verify Download On Smartphones And Tablets availability. This could be a great tool for East Unique platform offers landscape contractors coast nursery people who are visiting Oregon anytime, anywhere access to tools that drive nurseries. productivity and profit. Available for free download on smart phones or tablets, LMN Time helps business owners produce realistic and accurate Flora of North America, North of Mexico. information in seconds, per job.* Offering Almost two centuries ago, a Flora of North remarkable speed and responsiveness, the app will America was proposed by Asa Gray and John offer each user unique access to GPS software, live Torrey, who published two volumes before job management analytics, paperless payroll and job begin pulled away to other projects. In the past costing, and much more. half century, work on the project resumed. Over nine hundred botanists are providing By using LMN Time, each landscape project can be managed and tracked using live, real-time software. authoritative information on the names, Estimated vs. actual hours can now be monitored - characteristics, and geographical and ecological including GPS verification of crews' time records to distributions of twenty thousand species of ensure on-time, on-budget project plants native or naturalized in North America, completions. "This app essentially allows business North of Mexico. Volume 9, Magnoliophyta: owners to get more jobs done on time and on Picramniaceae to Rosaceae, is the eighteenth budget. LMN Time puts real-time job information volume to be published thus far. The final and crew locations in the hands of the people who product will be 30 volumes. For the remaining need it. Users can also benefit from the live tracking twelve volumes, all genera in ninety-four of crew locations, jobsite history, and live estimated families of vascular pants have been submitted, vs. actual job hours. and treatments of 867 general and 5,800 species *LMN Time App available for free to those who have signed up are either nearly ready for publication or with Startup, Systems or Professional Package with LMN Time. submitted and in various stages of editing, review, and revision. For more information or to About LMN (Landscape Management Network) order volumes from the compendium, visit Helping great landscape contractors manage great oup.com/us landscaping businesses, Landscape Management Network (LMN) offers a collection of systems, online tools, and training modules that can help contractors build and manage a successful business.

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Packages start at just $99/mo for budgeting and estimating and $69/mo for mobile timetracking. For Calendar more information visit: www.golmn.com. August 5 – MNLGA and UMD Extension Alternative Abbey Gilhula Crops Conference, Topics covered include: hydroponics, Director Sales & Marketing native plants, hops as an alternative crop, edibles and 888.347.9864 tropicals, and a tour of Brookside Gardens. Location: [email protected] Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902. For a full schedule and listing of topics covered, view the event brochure. Grow Wise, Bee Smart Website Launches Industry Resource On Pollinator Health. The August 4 and 5 - Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Council new Grow Wise, Bee Smart website, was 2015 Conference, "Advances in Invasive Plant Science" recently launched as a key component of the will be held at Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA. The final agenda and speaker list for the conference are horticulture industry's Bee and Pollinator available at http://www.business- Stewardship Initiative. The site serves as the services.upenn.edu/arboretum/ed_conference_ipc.shtml. communications hub for the latest research and developments related to the role horticulture August 6 and 7 – What’s Underground? The Key to plays in supporting pollinator health. Long Term Urban Tree Survival. Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, Erie, PA. Registration is $70/day or http://growwise.org/ $120 for both days. Contact Jessica Cavey (c- [email protected] or 717-599-8650)

August 6, 7, 10, 11 – Pesticide Applicator Short Course, Penn State Extension Bucks County, Doylestown, PA. 9 AM to 3:30 PM each day. Cost is $150. Register online at http://extension.psu.edu/pested/short-course or by phone at 215-345-3283.

HortTechnology Special Issue on Utilizing August 11 – Penn State Extension Statewide Landscaping Field Day, Penn State Arboretum, State College, PA. Alternative Containers in Ornamental Crop Production Systems. This article results from August 19 - DNLA Summer Turf & Nursery Expo will be the workshop “Impact of Utilizing held on the grounds of the Buena Vista Conference Center Biodegradable Containers in Ornamental Crop in New Castle, DE. Pesticide and ISA credits will be Production Systems” held 29 July 2014 at the awarded. Download the registration form http://www.dnlaonline.org/programs/industry_conferences ASHS conference in Orlando, FL, and .php or contact Valann Budischak at (888) 448-1203. sponsored by the Nursery Crops Working Group. It is published in HortTechnology, August 20 - 2015 Aronia Twilight Tour, Wye Research February 2015 25(1). If you would like a reprint and Education Center, Queenstown, Maryland, 5 PM, of this special report, email Sue Barton at This twilight tour will be focused on useful information for both new farmers interested in growing Aronia and for [email protected]. veteran Aronia growers. $20.00 registration fee will include a light fare (sandwiches, etc.), as well as Aronia food samples. Please register with Debby Dant 410-827- 8056 X115, [email protected] no later than August 17. For additional program information, contact Andrew Ristvey, 410-827-8056 X113, [email protected].

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August 21 – Summer Weed Walk, Penn State Extension classes please contact Karen Adams at (302)856-2585 ext. Bucks County, Neshaminy Manor Center, Doylestown, 540 PA, 8:30 AM – 11 AM. Cost is $20. Register online at http;//extension.psu,edu/green-industry/pest-id or call September 3 - Nutrient Management Certification 215-345-3283. Contact Kathy Salisbury, [email protected] Session II, 1-4 PM, New Castle County Cooperative Extension Office, 461 Wyoming Road, Newark, DE August 25 – Nutrient Management Certification Session 19716. If you apply nutrients to 10 or more acres of land 1, 6-9 PM Carvel Research and Education Center, or have 8 or more animal units (an animal unit is equal to 16483 County Seat Highway, Georgetown, DE 19947. 1000 lbs of live weight) you need to be certified through If you apply nutrients to 10 or more acres of land or have the Nutrient Management Program. Sessions should be 8 or more animal units (an animal unit is equal to 1000 lbs taken in order. For example, you should attend Session I of live weight) you need to be certified through the before attending Session II. Golf course personnel who Nutrient Management Program. Sessions should be taken apply nutrients only to their employer’s course need to in order. For example, you should attend Session I before attend Session I, Session II and Session III. Lawn care attending Session II. Golf course personnel who apply company personnel who apply nutrients to clients’ lawns nutrients only to their employer’s course need to attend need to attend Session I, Session II, Session III and Session I, Session II and Session III. Lawn care company Session IV: Commercial Nutrient Handler. To sign up for personnel who apply nutrients to clients’ lawns need to classes please contact Karen Adams at (302)856-2585 ext. attend Session I, Session II, Session III and Session IV: 540 Commercial Nutrient Handler. To sign up for classes please contact Karen Adams at (302)856-2585 ext. 540 September 8 – Nutrient Management Certification Session III, 6-9 PM. Carvel Research and Education August 27 - Nutrient Management Certification Session Center, 16483 County Seat Highway, Georgetown, DE 1, 1-4 PM, New Castle County Cooperative Extension 19947. If you apply nutrients to 10 or more acres of land Office, 461 Wyoming Road, Newark, DE 19716. If you or have 8 or more animal units (an animal unit is equal to apply nutrients to 10 or more acres of land or have 8 or 1000 lbs of live weight) you need to be certified through more animal units (an animal unit is equal to 1000 lbs of the Nutrient Management Program. Sessions should be live weight) you need to be certified through the Nutrient taken in order. For example, you should attend Session I Management Program. Sessions should be taken in order. before attending Session II. Golf course personnel who For example, you should attend Session I before attending apply nutrients only to their employer’s course need to Session II. Golf course personnel who apply nutrients only attend Session I, Session II and Session III. Lawn care to their employer’s course need to attend Session I, company personnel who apply nutrients to clients’ lawns Session II and Session III. Lawn care company personnel need to attend Session I, Session II, Session III and who apply nutrients to clients’ lawns need to attend Session IV: Commercial Nutrient Handler. To sign up for Session I, Session II, Session III and Session IV: classes please contact Karen Adams at (302)856-2585 ext. Commercial Nutrient Handler. To sign up for classes 540 please contact Karen Adams at (302)856-2585 ext. 540 September 10 - Nutrient Management Certification September 1 – Nutrient Management Certification Session III, 1-4 PM, New Castle County Cooperative Session II, 6-9 PM. Carvel Research and Education Extension Office 461 Wyoming Road Newark, DE 19716. Center,16483 County Seat Highway, Georgetown, DE If you apply nutrients to 10 or more acres of land or have 19947. If you apply nutrients to 10 or more acres of land 8 or more animal units (an animal unit is equal to 1000 lbs or have 8 or more animal units (an animal unit is equal to of live weight) you need to be certified through the 1000 lbs of live weight) you need to be certified through Nutrient Management Program. Sessions should be taken the Nutrient Management Program. Sessions should be in order. For example, you should attend Session I before taken in order. For example, you should attend Session I attending Session II. Golf course personnel who apply before attending Session II. Golf course personnel who nutrients only to their employer’s course need to attend apply nutrients only to their employer’s course need to Session I, Session II and Session III. Lawn care company attend Session I, Session II and Session III. Lawn care personnel who apply nutrients to clients’ lawns need to company personnel who apply nutrients to clients’ lawns attend Session I, Session II, Session III and Session IV: need to attend Session I, Session II, Session III and Commercial Nutrient Handler. To sign up for classes Session IV: Commercial Nutrient Handler. To sign up for please contact Karen Adams at (302)856-2585 ext. 540

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MD 2121 Contact: [email protected] or 410-823-8684 September 15 – Nutrient Management Certification Session IV, Commercial Nutrient Handler, 9 AM - 12PM, October 12 – 15 - Protecting Pollinators in Ornamental Delaware Department of Agriculture, 2320 South DuPont Landscapes’ conference. Kanuga, North Carolina, keynote Highway, Dover, Delaware 19901. If you apply nutrients address by Professor Dave Goulson, University of Sussex, to 10 or more acres of land or have 8 or more animal units United Kingdom. The conference is designed to stimulate (an animal unit is equal to 1000 lbs of live weight) you discussion among scientists, educators, industry leaders, need to be certified through the Nutrient Management landscape professionals and conservationists in a relaxed Program. Sessions should be taken in order. For example, atmosphere. Register for the conference at you should attend Session I before attending Session II. http://events.anr.msu.edu/PPOL/. Golf course personnel who apply nutrients only to their Register for accommodations at the Kanuga Conference employer’s course need to attend Session I, Session II and Center at http://registration.kanuga.org/Pollinators2015 Session III. Lawn care company personnel who apply nutrients to clients’’ lawns need to attend Session I, Session II, Session III and Session IV: Commercial Nutrient Handler. To sign up for classes please contact Karen Adams at (302)856-2585 ext. 540

September 22–Commercial Nutrient Handler Exam, 9 - 11 AM, Delaware Department of Agriculture, 2320 South DuPont Highway, Dover, Delaware 19901. If you apply nutrients to 10 or more acres of land or have 8 or more animal units (an animal unit is equal to 1000 lbs of live For more information about the conference, or for weight) you need to be certified through the Nutrient assistance in registering, please contact Kristin Getter, Management Program. Sessions should be taken in order. [email protected], or Heidi Wollaeger, For example, you should attend Session I before attending [email protected] Session II. Golf course personnel who apply nutrients only to their employer’s course need to attend Session I, December 2 – Horticulture Nutrient Management Session Session II and Session III. Lawn care company personnel I, 9 AM – 12 PM, University of Delaware Paradee Center, who apply nutrients to clients’’ lawns need to attend 69 Transportation Circle, Dover, DE 19901. If you apply Session I, Session II, Session III and Session IV: nutrients to 10 or more acres of land or have 8 or more animal units (an animal unit is equal to 1000 lbs of live Commercial Nutrient Handler. To sign up for classes weight) you need to be certified through the Nutrient please contact Karen Adams at (302)856-2585 ext. 540 Management Program. Sessions should be taken in order. For example, you should attend Session I before attending Session II. Golf course personnel who apply nutrients only September 26 – Buddy Lee, developer of the Encore to their employer’s course need to attend Session I, Azalea will be at East Coast Garden Center. Class will be Session II and Session III. Lawn care company personnel between 11:30 AM and 2 PM and is open to the public. who apply nutrients to clients’’ lawns need to attend Session I, Session II, Session III and Session IV: September 28 – The Living Landscape: An Evening with Commercial Nutrient Handler. To sign up for classes Rick Darke and Doug Tallamy. Doug and Rick join please contact Karen Adams at (302)856-2585 ext. 540 forces for an in-depth discussion of their new book The

Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity December 2 – Horticulture Nutrient Management Session in the Home Garden, 5:30-8pm, UDBG Friends II, 1-4 PM, University of Delaware Paradee Center, 69 members: $20; Nonmembers: $25, Location: The Transportation Circle, Dover, DE 19901. If you apply Commons, Townsend Hall, An audience Q&A session nutrients to 10 or more acres of land or have 8 or more follows the presentation, and copies of the book will be animal units (an animal unit is equal to 1000 lbs of live available for sale and signing by the co-authors. weight) you need to be certified through the Nutrient To register email [email protected] or phone 302- Management Program. Sessions should be taken in order. 831-2531. For example, you should attend Session I before attending

Session II. Golf course personnel who apply nutrients only October 1 – Interiorscape Conference – 9:00 AM - 3:30 to their employer’s course need to attend Session I, PM, Rawlings Conservatory, 3100 Swann Dr, Baltimore, DNLA News Page 40

Session II and Session III. Lawn care company personnel Nutrient Handler. To sign up for classes please contact who apply nutrients to clients’’ lawns need to attend Karen Adams at (302)856-2585 ext. 540 Session I, Session II, Session III and Session IV: Commercial Nutrient Handler. To sign up for classes Longwood Gardens offers many continuing education please contact Karen Adams at (302)856-2585 ext. 540 classes appropriate for the nursery and landscape industry. To see their offerings, visit December 9 – Horticulture Nutrient Management Session http://www.longwoodgardens.org/ContinuingEducation.ht III, 9 AM - 12 PM, University of Delaware Paradee ml Center, 69 Transportation Circle, Dover, DE 19901. If you apply nutrients to 10 or more acres of land or have 8 Mt Cuba Center offers lots of great classes for gardeners or more animal units (an animal unit is equal to 1000 lbs and professionals. To see their offerings visit of live weight) you need to be certified through the http://www.mtcubacenter.org/education/continuing- Nutrient Management Program. Sessions should be taken education/ in order. For example, you should attend Session I before attending Session II. Golf course personnel who apply nutrients only to their employer’s course need to attend Session I, Session II and Session III. Lawn care company personnel who apply nutrients to clients’’ lawns need to attend Session I, Session II, Session III and Session IV: Commercial Nutrient Handler. To sign up for classes please contact Karen Adams at (302)856-2585 ext. 540

December 9 – Horticulture Nutrient Management Session IV – Commercial Nutrient Handler, 1-4 PM, University of Delaware Paradee Center, 69 Transportation Circle, Dover, DE 19901. If you apply nutrients to 10 or more acres of land or have 8 or more animal units (an animal unit is equal to 1000 lbs of live weight) you need to be certified through the Nutrient Management Program. Sessions should be taken in order. For example, you should attend Session I before attending Session II. Golf course personnel who apply nutrients only to their employer’s course need to attend Session I, Session II and Session III. Lawn care company personnel who apply nutrients to clients’’ lawns need to attend Session I, Session II, Session III and Session IV: Commercial Nutrient Handler. To sign up for classes please contact Karen Adams at (302)856-2585 ext. 540

December 16– Horticulture Nutrient Management Commercial Nutrient Handler Exam, 9-11 AM, University of Delaware Paradee Center, 69 Transportation Circle, Dover, DE 19901. If you apply nutrients to 10 or more acres of land or have 8 or more animal units (an animal unit is equal to 1000 lbs of live weight) you need to be certified through the Nutrient Management Program. Sessions should be taken in order. For example, you should attend Session I before attending Session II. Golf course personnel who apply nutrients only to their employer’s course need to attend Session I, Session II and Session III. Lawn care company personnel who apply nutrients to clients’’ lawns need to attend Session I, Session II, Session III and Session IV: Commercial

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