winter issue of the dirt 2009 - green works, the vermont ... · susan els garden & landscape...
TRANSCRIPT
THE DIRTThe VNLA Quarterly Newsletter
Volume 35, Issue 4
Win
ter
Issu
e
Middlebury College Landscape Department
Grand Honor Award
The 2009 Green Works
Industry Awards Program
Landshapes - Grand Honor Award
Susan Els Garden & Landscape Design
Grand Honor Award
TreeWorks - Grand Honor Award
Distinctive Landscaping
Exceeds Excellence Award
2
Inside this
Issue
president’s letter
Board of Directors 3
Green Works Industry
Awards
4
New Members 5
Beautify Your Home with
Stone
6
Gorgeous Gardens Living
Show
7
Documentary Film: A
Chemical Reaction
8
News from the U 9
Garden Media Group:
2010 Garden Trends
12
Seed Banks: Insurance
for the Future
13
Green Works: Updated
Website in the Making15
UCONN: Perennial Plant
Conference
18
Industry Calendar 19
Maybe it’s the time of year I’m writing this, after the
holidays and during the contemplative winter
months, making me overly sentimental. Maybe it’s
the seminar I recently took, “The Seven Habits of
Highly Effective People”. Maybe it’s the sight of my
children walking the new dog (Molly, of course, the
most popular dog name). Whatever the reason, I’ve
really been appreciating the people around me.
While we work with plants, soil, air, and water, all of
us really work with people. Self employed? One of the
first things I learned in my brief stint at that was not
that I was my own boss, but that all of my customers
were my bosses. Maybe you run a business. Your most
intangible asset is your people. How nice is it when they return in the
spring, excited and ready? How about your family? Working at a garden
center, I told everyone the only way I could do all that work was the support
of my family, picking up my slack at home in the spring, when I possibly
couldn’t be at work enough. It’s the people around you that make you what
you are.
Everyone I’ve ever talked to in my career as president of Green Works tells
me the best part about being a member is the networking, the learning
opportunities afforded us at meetings talking over lunch, or in a small
seminar. We learn from those around us, like that phrase about how a tide
raises all ships. Are you sharing yourself well? I know how hard it is in May
to explain to someone exactly why the geraniums in the greenhouse don’t
really need water, even though the soil mix is drier than when it came in
the bag, but take the time in the beginning of April to explain it.
I remember going to our winter meetings right out of college (the Vermont
Plantsmen Association back then), seeing parts of the industry for the first
time totally new to me. I even remember setting up a flower show in the
University Mall, meeting members in other businesses helping set up our
display as they were walking past. I once went to another garden center,
and got pulled from greenhouse to greenhouse excitedly shown handmade
fertilizer injectors, all because I said I worked at one too.
This is my last letter as President. I’ve said it before; I’ve been honored
trying to help the organization. Our industry is an amazing group of people,
and I know of no other group so willing to help their “competitors”. A rising
tide truly does raise all ships, and I look forward to working with all of you
for a long time into the future.
r
3
PRESIDENT
Tim Parsons
Middlebury College
84 South Service Rd * Middlebury, VT
05753
802.443.5969 * [email protected]
VICE PRESIDENT
David Loysen
Shaw Hill Nursery
208 Shaw Hill Road * Stowe, VT 05672
802-253-2528 * [email protected]
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Claybrook Griffith
Long Leaf Landscaping, LLC
4379 Ethan Allen Hwy. * New Haven, VT
05472
802-999-4558 * [email protected]
DIRECTORS
Alice Beisiegel
Leaves of Grass
670 Oak Knoll * Williston, VT 05495
802-879-6828 * [email protected]
Ed Burke
Rocky Dale Gardens
806 Rocky Dale Road * Bristol, VT 05443
802-453-2782 * [email protected]
Rebecca Lindenmeyr
Linden Landscaping & Design, Inc.
2953 Lake Street * Addison, VT 05491
802.759.3033 *
Joan Lynch
The Inner Garden
1723 Route 3 * Pittsford, VT 05763
802.353.5573 * [email protected]
Dan Redondo
Vermont Wetland Plant Supply, LLC
PO Box 153 * Orwell, VT 05760
802.948.2553
Sarah Salatino
Full Circle Gardens
68 Brigham Hill Road * Essex, VT 05452
802.879.5725
ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY
Kristina MacKulin
Green Works-VNLA
P.O. Box 92 * N. Ferrisburgh, VT 05473
Toll Free: 888-518-6484; 802-425-5117
Fax 802-425-5122
www.greenworksvermont.org
BUDGET AND FINANCE
COMMITTEE CHAIR
Claybrook Griffith
Long Leaf Landscaping, LLC
802.999.4558
EVALUATION & PLANNING
COMMITTEE CHAIR
Tim Parsons
Middlebury College
802.443.5969
INDUSTRY AWARDS
COMMITTEE CHAIR
Ed Burke
Rocky Dale Gardens
802.453.2782
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR
Alice Beisiegel
Leaves of Grass
802-879-6828
MARKETING & EDUCATION
COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS
Ed Burke
Rocky Dale Gardens
802.453.2782
Joan Lynch
The Inner Garden
802.353.5573
Tim Parsons
Middlebury College
802.443.5969
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR
Alice Beisiegel
Leaves of Grass
802-879-6828
PROGRAM COMMITTEE CHAIR
Ed Burke
Rocky Dale Gardens
802.453.2782
RESEARCH & AWARDS
COMMITTEE CHAIR
Alice Beisiegel
Leaves of Grass
802-879-6828
VERMONT CERTIFIED
HORTICULTURIST COMMITTEE CHAIR
Claybrook Griffith
Long Leaf Landscaping, LLC
802.999.4558
board of directors
The VNLA Quarterly Newsletter
Volume 35, Issue 2
The Dirt Summer,
Paeonia ‘Westerner’—David Loysen
For information on Advertising
in The Dirt or on our Website
contact
Kristina MacKulin at the
Green Works Office - 888.518.6484
THE DIRTThe VNLA Quarterly Newsletter
Volume 35, Issue 3
Mettowee Mill Nursery of Dorset hosts
the Green Works Summer Meeting and Trade Show
Fall
Issu
e
You’ve heard of
“an apple a day”?
how about
”a plant a day”?
for the Botany Photo of the
Day visit and sign up at
www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org
4
In August, 2009 Green Works initiated our first Industry
Awards Program for Vermont in an effort to recognize
excellence in landscape design and environmental
improvement. All members were invited to participate.
The project categories were: Landscape Design/Build-
Residential, Landscape Design/Build-Commercial,
Landscape/Garden Maintenance-Residential, and
Landscape/Garden Maintenance-Commercial.
We received fourteen entries. A panel of judges,
representing the green industry in a variety of capacities,
was assembled and met in early December to review and
score the projects. Projects were judged according to
difficulty, proper horticultural practices, craftsmanship,
overall vision and aesthetic, and environmental
sensitivity.
We would like to congratulate all who entered their
projects! The judges had their work cut out for them.
During the judging process the judges decided that two of
the entries warranted a “Special Project Category”.
As with all first time programs, we have received a great
deal of feedback from both the entrants and the judges on
how we can improve the program and it’s processes. We
look forward to an engaging and exciting Awards Program
in the coming years.
Congratulations to this year’s winners! They are:
Landscape /Garden Design-Build - Residential:
Grand Honor Award - Susan Els Garden &
Landscape Design of S. Burlington, VT.
Exceeds Excellence Award - Distinctive
Landscaping, Charlotte, VT.
Landscape/Garden Design-Build - Commercial
Grand Honor Award - Landshapes, Richmond, VT.
Landscape/Garden Maintenance - Commercial
Grand Honor Award - Middlebury College
Landscape Department, Middlebury, VT.
Special Project Category
Grand Honor Award - TreeWorks - Montpelier,
VT.
The formal presentation of awards will take place on
February 10, 2010 at the Green Works Annual Winter
Meeting and Trade Show. Winners will also present their
winning projects, complete with slides and descriptions. A
display of the winning projects will also be available for
viewing.
We encourage all members, in looking ahead to the 2010
season, to participate in the 2010 Industry Awards
Program. Program information will be mailed to members
in early summer.
Green Works: 2009 Industry Awards Program
Grand Honor Award Winner - Susan Els Garden & Landscape Design
5
Ashley Robinson, Landscape
Designer
PO Box 28
Charlotte, VT 05445
802.922.1924
www.arobinsonlandscapes.com
Category: Landscape Designer,
Landscape Design/Build
Active Member
Gould’s Lawn & Landscaping, Inc.
Richard Gould
1987 Upper Turnpike
Whitehall, NY 12887
www.gouldlandscaping.com
Category: Landscape Install
Maintenance, Landscape Design
Build, Turf Care, Arborist, Landscape
Designer
Associate Member
Julie Moir Messervy Design
Studio
Julie Moir Messervy
18 Main Street
Saxtons River, VT 05154
802.869.1470
www.jmmds.com
www.blog.jmmds.com
Category: Landscape Design
Active Member
Morning Dew Landscaping &
Stonework, LLC
Matt Leonetti
31 Rooney Drive
Jeffersonville, VT 05464
802.760.7577
weepingspruceearthlink.net
Category: Landscape Designer,
Landscape Design Build
Paintbox Garden Design, LLC
Charlotte Albers
10 Heritage Lane
Shelburne, VT 05482
802.985.9064
www.paintboxgarden.com
Category: Landscape Designer
Active Member
Susan Els Garden & Landscape
Design
32 Pheasant Way
S. Burlington, VT 05403
802.863.3989
Category: Landscape Design Build,
Garden Writer
Active Member
The Garden Goddess
Michele Racine
399 Quaker Street
N Ferrisburgh, VT 05473
802.425.4433
www.thegardengoddess.net
Category: Greenhouse Retail, Florist
Active Member
Trowel Trades Supply, Inc.
David Burton
206 Hegeman Road
Colchester, VT 05446
802.264.1088
www.troweltradessupply.com
Category: Hardscape Supplier
Associate Member
Winding Brook Turf Farm, Inc.
Scott McLeod
240 Griswold Road
Wethersfield, CT 06109
800.243.0232
www.windingbrookturf.net
Category: Supplier
Associate Member
New Green Works Members
Why get certified?
“I have chosen to be a certified horticulturist for the past 9 years
because I take great pride in my work and know that being
certified shows that I have achieved a recognized level of
knowledge and understanding in my field. My customers can
feel confident that I not only can be trusted with their important
landscape projects but that there is a whole organization that
stands behind me as well:”
Andrew Burtt, Old Nash Farm and Landscaping
Contact the Green Works office today for more information about
how to become a Vermont Certified Horticulturist.
6
I love building with natural stone for its
durability and beauty. It always amazes
me that walking through the woods just
about anywhere in Vermont you can find
a fieldstone wall. The physical labor it
took to move those large stones from the
plowed fields to build the “stone fences”
for livestock is remarkable. I can picture
a couple of men on a horse drawn cart
carrying a load of stones to the edge of a
field which would take a fraction of the
time with the equipment used today.
I like fieldstone but there are many other
choices. Panton stone, which is quarried
in Addison VT is blocky and a dark grey
color. Chester Granite from the Chester
VT area is a very dense, uniform light
grey stone highlighted with silver sparkles.
American and Corinthian Granite have
varying colors of iron(rust) and dark grey colors.
Bluestone is also a very popular choice. Shipped in from
Pennsylvania, it is available in variety of shapes and
colors. The majority of patios and walks that are built
with natural stone are bluestone. If you like a lighter
look, South Bay Quartzite is a beige colored stone that
comes in wall and flagging (large flat pieces). Rainbow
Stone is dark red colored stone that comes in large
irregular flagging.
The possibilities of constructing with stone are virtually
endless. Do you have front steps to work on? Consider
replacing old concrete or wood timber steps with granite
or bluestone steps. They come in a uniform size ranging
from 18” deep x 4’ to 6’ wide with 6”-7” risers. The great
thing about these steps is they can be easily placed on
top of one another to construct a full set of steps and
landing. Walkways are one of the easiest ways to make a
big improvement to the front entrance to your house.
Bluestone, brick and concrete pavers are the most
common materials used and usually the choice comes
down to what you like the best. Retaining
walls can function as a border for patios or
serve to bring the grade up in a sloping area
to make it more level. Freestanding walls
make great outdoor walls for gardens with
benches built in for sitting and steps built in if
there is a change in grade.
A fire pit built into a patio is inviting on cold
nights, especially if there is a hot tub built in
next to it! Patios bordering swimming pools
are easier to maintain than lawns and create
a level area for tables, chairs and grills.
Natural thin veneer stone is another product
that is popular. This application is used to
cover foundation walls, pillars, steps and can
also be used as siding on a house. When it
comes to working with stone, if you can dream
it chances are it can be built.
Beautify Your Home With Stone
by Brian Vaughan
Vaughan Landscaping Project - photo by Brian Vaughan
Vaughan Landscaping Project - photo by Brian Vaughan
7
For many years now Green Works has been asked
by members and the public why we don’t do a
flower show in the southern part of the state. It
has been a subject that gets discussed every year.
Since we have moved to an every other year
schedule with the Vermont Flower Show it has
enabled us to pursue other ideas. Thus, the
Gorgeous Gardens and Green Living Show was
born. While this show is not on the scale of the
Vermont Flower Show, the flavor of the show
remains the same - to inspire and educate.
Board member Joan Lynch is spearheading this
project with committee members Steve Burzon and
Paul Morgan. The show will be taking place on
March 13-14, 2010 at the Riley Rink in
Manchester, VT.
The Gorgeous Gardens Show focus is educational
with three tracts focusing on horticulture,
agriculture/gardening, and sustainability. There
will be 4 large central booths that will be
“landscaped” surrounded by 40 vendors that are
related to horticulture, gardening and sustainable
living.
The true goal of this show is to educate the public
and market our members and industry in the
southern part of the state.
speaker highlights include:
• Keynote Speaker: Julie Messervy, a
landscape designer and author of Home
Outside: Creating the landscape you love
and The Inward Garden: Creating a place
of beauty and meaning• Henry Homeyer, a freelance writer, garden
designer and author of The New Hampshire
Gardener’s Companion• Ben Falk, of Whole Systems Design on
permaculture • Ellen Ogden, a noted food and garden
writer
exhibitor highlights include:
• Over 40 vendors including: Garden Centers,
Landscapers, Architects, Artists, Jewelers,
Composting Suppliers, Garden Accessories,
Tools, Herbalists, Organic Farmers, Bee
Keepers, Wind Energy specialists, Solar
Panels, Energy Efficient Home Building
Products, and other Educational Exhibits. • For information on how to become an
exhibitor at the event, contact Janice Valgoi
volunteer:
As with the Vermont Flower Show, it takes a
membership to put on a public event! Please
consider volunteering your time to help staff the
show. Contact Kristina in the office if you are
interested.
We are excited about this new event! We have
already been receiving lots of phone calls about
attending the show and several bus tours are being
organized to attend. This just proves that Green
Works and it’s members have done a great job in
promoting our industry through events such as the
Vermont Flower Show. The public really looks to
us for these events. We are looking forward to the
Gorgeous Gardens & Green Living Show, in the
southern part of the state, becoming a yearly
event.
where to stay:
We are pleased to announce the Equinox Resort in
Manchester Village has agreed to offer a special
rate for vendors and attendees for this show at a
significant savings. You can contact them at
802.362.4700.
8
In early November, Green Works notified members and
VCHers that the documentary film: A Chemical
Reaction by Brett Plymale. was being shown in
downtown Burlington. This film is currently making
it’s way around the country and in Canada. For a full
schedule you can visit www.pfzmedia.com, which
includes a full description of the film and it’s mission.
The issue of pesticides, and surely this movie, demand
our attention and conversation. If you get a chance to
view the movie, we would very much appreciate your
feedback. Or if you would like to share your thoughts/
ideas about the use of pesticides we want to hear from
you.
Below is a letter Charlie Proutt of Horsfords/Distinctive
Landscaping sent to Green Works and it’s members in
response to seeing the movie in November. We would
like to hear from as many members as possible before
Green Works is ready to take any kind of “official”
stance on this issue.
Dear Kristina and other Green Works/VNLA Members,
Eileen and I attended the documentary film "Chemical
Reaction" which is intended to stir people to action
against the use of pesticide and herbicide spraying of
lawns.
The film is short on scientific facts - I think because it is
obvious to thoughtful people everywhere that lawn
pesticides and herbicide use is out of control.
Collectively we as a nation dump 80,000,000 pounds of
chemicals on our lawns that poison our feet, our pets,
our children, and ultimately our soils and waters and
fish.
The strength of the film, however, is in its reporting on
how one small town in Canada stood up and banned
herbicide and pesticide use on residential lawns
throughout the town. In effect, their ordinance says, no
property owner has the right to pollute common waters
and neighbor's property solely for the purpose of a green
status lawn..
The film follows the town's legal fights (waged by the
chemical companies) through four levels of Canadian
justice, ultimately winning in the Canadian supreme
court.
The fight this town waged has spurred others, including
the province of Ontario, to pass similar legislation.
The call to action of the film is to fight to gain passage
of similar legislation, beginning with small towns
(presumably Burlington, although Charlotte,
Ferrisburgh, or Stowe could take the lead. Brattleboro?
Then the state (vermont?)
Then the country.
The film is more about action than science. We all
realize that Scott's four step program involves applying
chemicals to battle insect and diseases indiscriminately.
90% of the chemicals treat earth with none of the
targeted pests, diseases, or unwanted weeds. That is
72,000,000 (yes million pounds) of chemicals being
dumped to treat a nothing.
As professionals, our lawn care companies do the same
thing. Our licenses merely insure that we're not spilling
the stuff and over calibrating our methods of dispersal.
What we are applying is still wrong and dangerous.
When Eileen and I first bought Horsfords in 1985, our
very first action was to eliminate all pesticides and
herbicides from the garden shop. Back then, Ortho was
literally the publisher of garden books and the call-in
shows all involved how to treat our gardens with
chemicals. We ran seminar after seminar on how to
garden without chemicals. We are super conscious of
using the fewest amount of chemicals in the nursery that
we can - and are constantly trying to use less and less.
We are proud of possibly being ahead of the curve on
this one.
Yet this film made us realize that we really need to do
more. The chemical giants fight hard with their ads,
their programs, their guarantee of profits to retailers
and installers. Quietly waiting on the sidelines and
teaching a few customers in a hidden Vermont valley no
longer really counts when you consider the effects lawn
chemicals really have on the earth. I guess doing no
harm is no longer good enough.
Perhaps the VNLA could take the lead in this one. What
do you think?
Charlie Proutt
documentary film: A Chemical Reaction
9
Ends of the semester are
always crazy on campus
between last class tests
and assignments to give
and grade, meetings that
all seem to want to get
in before the holidays,
and then the usual daily
emails and projects. But
at least all is quiet
economically, for now.
Hopefully the projected
almost $10 million
shortfall on campus, once the stimulus money runs out,
wont end up this high, or the stresses be as bad as this
past year.
Our new Jeffords Hall is coming nicely, right on
schedule, with projected moving from Hills this coming
May. Walls and fixtures are in many rooms already,
the outside mostly done, and even landscaping installed
during our unusually warm and snowless fall. More on
this (and other topics) can be found linked from our
main department homepage-www.uvm.edu/~pss/.
For upcoming meetings, I hope you have plans to attend
New England Grows, Feb 3-5 in Boston. All you'll need
to know, including the excellent speaker program and
registration, can be found online at
www.newenglandgrows.org. If going, be sure to visit
our Extension specialists in the Great Ideas pavilion in
the center of the trade area. New this year will be
opportunities to meet with various specialists to discuss
and hear about more topics in depth, such as myself on
perennial hardiness. Look for these times in the
printed program. I hope to see you at NE Grows.
Another meeting to consider (in addition of course to
your own association February meeting), is one for
nursery growers. On Mar 2 in Concord, NH, myself
and my colleagues from NH (Cathy Neal) and Maine
(Lois Berg Stack) will be having a day meeting aimed at
the nursery industry. Talks will feature topics such as
invasive plants, pests such as the Asian Longhorned
Beetle, more on my perennial studies as highlighted
below, and new perennials. Our keynote speaker
for the latter will be Richard Hawke, head of trials at
the Chicago Botanic Garden. Located in USDA zone 5,
he has some of the best cold-climate trials of perennials
anywhere, and he'll be summarizing some of their
years of results on many genera www.chicago-
botanic.org/research/plan_evaluation/. Watch your
association emails, and my website
(perrysperennials.info) for more details, and special
discounts for Vermont attendees.
Courses in the department this spring include the
popular and large Bug's Life (Costa), my online courses
on Indoor Plants and Garden Flowers (available to
anyone through CE too, as well as for non-credit--check
with me for industry discounts), Plant Propagation
(Starrett), Greenhouse Operations (Armstrong), Soil
Fertility (Gorres), Organic Farm Planning and
Biological Control (Chen), Ecological Landscape
Design(Sorensen), and several smaller upper level
courses.
On my website (perrysperennials.info) you'll be able to
find updates on my latest perennials research, made
possible in part thanks to the support of your
association. One project not listed was an initial
trial of several media and fertility combinations for a
future Vermont-based growing medium from Vermont
Organics Reclamation (vtor.org/abstract.aspx). Their
unique process removes most phosphorus from dairy
farm wastes, resulting in a byproduct to be used in a
growing medium and fertilizer. The goal is to also
blend the growing medium with coffee wastes. Main
technical grower and consultant now for them, with
whom I am pleased to work once again, is former PSS
grad student Sinclair Adam (same as has spoken at our
flower show, and introduced many new perennials such
as Phlox 'David' and many tiarellas).
Other studies this past year included one finishing up a
couple years of freezing of low groundcover plants.
These perennials have become popular in recent years,
especially through several brands such as Steppables
and Nooks and Crannies. Most have been in the trade
and are not new, just being marketed more widely.
Hardiness information for many has been spotty or
often wide ranging, sometimes with as much as 3 or 4
hardiness zones. In an attempt to gain a better
understanding of hardiness of some of the most popular
of these plants, I performed these studies over a two-
year period. Of the 33 plants tested, 19 were found to be
hardy, 6 moderately hardy, and 8 non-hardy. In field
trials, 23 of the 33 species and cultivars survived. Most
rated best for regrowth and flowering (13), with
others moderately acceptable (8) and just a couple
barely living. Full details can be found online under my
research section.
This winter I have two studies planned on controlled
freezing of perennials. One is of 5 cultivars of
coralbells, most being villosa selections (such as
'Caramel' and 'Mocha'). Hardiness of these has been
news from the Uy
continued on page 10
10
Fairfax Perennial Farm Inc.
WHOLESALE PERENNIAL GROWERS
Providing a large variety of quality, Vermont grown plants.
7 Blackberry Hill Road ~ Fairfax, VT 05454
802-849-2775
www.fairfaxperennials.com
questioned by some northern growers, hence these
studies (funded by the New Hampshire Horticulture
Endowment). Concurrent are field trials of over 3 dozen
cultivars this first year in USDA zone 4a.
The second study is a continuation from one this past
year on de-acclimation of perennials. Whether in the
ground, under covers, or in greenhouses, perennials often
experience warm episodes during winter. With projected
weather extremes from global warming, such may only
increase. Since perennials do not harden as deeply as
woody plants, they can unharden more quickly. The goal
of these studies is to get some understanding of the
effects of such id-winter warming on hardiness when
exposed to subsequent cold temperatures.
This past year I used Sedum 'Neon' and Salvia
'Rhapsody in Blue'. This year I will be testing Achillea
'Apricot Delight' and Leucanthemum 'Becky' with similar
treatments. What I observed last winter was that pots
held just above freezing (34F) or higher (41F) had good
survival after freezing, similar to those that remained in
the greenhouse fluctuating daily. As little as one week
held warmer (55F) was enough to unharden plants
making them less hardy. Bringing into warmth each day
(65F) and returning to cool at night (41F), reflecting
possible greenhouse situations, similarly made them less
hardy.
In addition I currently have over 200 recent perennials,
some not yet released, for various industry firms, in field
trials. More on these and past perennial studies can be
found on my website under the Industry section now, and
as I get results. The powerpoint you'll find there on
overwintering covers and hardiness factors is one I gave
at the OFA perennial shortcourse in Buffalo in
September, and that you can find as an article in the
December OFA bulletin. As always, feel free to contact
me if questions on this or other topics.
Finally, a reminder that I continue to put up 5 new
articles a month on my website (home section, direct link
on homepage) on various gardening topics. Feel free to
use these in your consumer education and newsletters.
With the increase in food gardening, this will be an
emphasis for this coming year.
Submitted by Leonard Perry
continued from page 9
11
12
1. Main Street is in. Wall Street is
out. There’s a shift of priorities
between balancing practicality with
comfort and fulfillment. “Core
values of responsibility, meaningful
relationships and connectivity to
neighbors and communities
are surging,” says McCoy, president of
Garden Media Group.
That “can-do” spirit empowered by a
new sense of self-sufficiency is fueling
a renewed appreciation for our land—
defined more by nostalgia rather than
geography; caretakers rather than
developers.
Yard-sharing with people -- dividing
resources, skills, space, tools, and time
– is popping up to support our need to
“go local,” strengthening our
neighborhoods. We’re connecting to
the soil and with each other, sharing
the bounty and giving families food
that’s more nutritious, tastier
and less costly.
2. Edible gardens are in. Lawns are
out. Growing your own groceries is
hotter than ever and is transforming
homes and communities. A recent
survey by the National Gardening
Association shows a 19 percent burst
of new hobby country farms and urban
edible gardens over last year.
“It’s time to reclaim our land for our
greater good,” says Margie Grace, the
2009 International Landscape
Designer of the Year, awarded by the
Association of Professional Landscape
Designers. “Take that food-producing
garden from the back 40 and put it
wherever we want. Reunite the
ornamental with the edible—roses
beside tomatoes, beds edged with
herbs, and veggies used as annuals.”
Grace is one of many wanting to “de-
lawn” America. Front lawns are being
transformed into vegetable and rain
gardens. ‘Hell strips’ are lining the
wasteland between the sidewalk and
the street with sustainable planting.
3. Slow Gardening is in. Instant
gratification is out. Domesticity is
back. People young and old are
returning to a simpler life of cooking,
gardening, and even raising chickens!
Produce sharing with community-
supported agricultural farms and
produce exchanges are springing up
throughout urban andsuburban and
rural communities. The take-home
message is: urban farming is cool;
urban wastelands are not.
With the rising demand for locally
grown food, organic and energy
efficient products, people are
gardening for the greater good.
According to LOHAS –Lifestyle of
Health and Sustainability- seed sales
are up 30-50% and canning saw a
whopping 45% increase. Along with
vegetables, people are planting and
picking fruits and berries-especially
blueberries and raspberries for their
nutritional value and ornamental good
looks.
4. Mindful is in.
Bling is out.
The collapse of
greed and self-
indulgence is
ushering in a new
culture of giving,
creating and
collaborating.
Reflected in the
Reputation
Economy, sharing
a passion and
receiving recognition has replaced
“taking” as the new status symbol.
A new patriotism of spirit -
volunteering and a shift from ‘Me’ to
‘We’ - has trumped greed. The
Ascendant generation of ‘GRUPS’ (30-
to-50 somethings) are redefining
adulthood with their
young-at-heart lifestyle, driving
demand for products made from
recycled materials in sync with
their focus on social and
environmental issues.
According to National Marketing
Institute, four out of five people say
they’re still buying green products and
services today--which sometimes cost
more--even in the midst of a US
recession. More than two thirds say
they will select green over traditional--
“if it works”.
Bottom line is folks want value, price
and performance with a nod towards
creating a more sustainable
environment.
5. Eco-Boosting is in. Chemical
Dependent Gardens are out.
Get used to terms like eco-bounty and
eco-frugal, eco-metering and
eco-concierge that are sprouting up in
blogs and social media. Green is the
new black as consumers seek products
that work with nature, not against it.
Demand is up for earth-friendly,
sustainable and organic garden
products.
garden media group: 2010 Garden Trends
What’s In What’s Out
1. Main Street is In. Wall Street is Out.
2. Edible gardens are In. Lawns are Out.
3. Slow Gardening is In. Instant gratification is Out.
4. Mindful is In. Bling is Out.
5. Eco-Boosting is In. Chemical Dependent Gardens are Out.
6. Multi-tasking is In. Single-Purpose gardening is Out
7. Perennials and Shrubs are In. Divas are Out.
13
No, not the kind that deal in Cannabis and its
paraphernalia. Seed banks, gene banks, germplasm
centers all exist to provide a safety net against the
extinction of plants due to catastrophe, mis-management,
and the trend to genetically alter and hybridize plants for
human development. They serve as a defense against
world hunger and a source of genes for hybridizers
working on new projects for food and medicine.
World wide there exist some 1400 gene banks ranging
from small walk-in coolers to giant repositories deep
underground. Still, only 0.6% of the total world diversity
of known plants are preserved this way. In addition to
seed banks many species are preserved in-situ in botanic
gardens, arboreta, forests and national parks. Here are
three of the most significant ex-situ efforts aimed at
protecting the world’s gene pool.
The Millennium Seed Bank Project at Kew Gardens
started in 2000 and now has the largest collection of seeds
in the world. The MSBP has partners world-wide,
duplicating their collections of native plants. To date,
MSBP has accumulated 10% of the world’s wild species
and their goal is to eventually capture 100%. There are
approximately 300,000 known species and that number
keeps increasing every year.
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is located on Norway’s
Spitzbergen Island, far up in the arctic. The cavernous
vault is deep in an undisclosed mountain, chosen for its
isolation and freedom from seismic activity. Opened in
2008, the Vault operates more like a bank’s safety deposit
box system. The SGSV does not own the contents, but
stores them free of charge for other gene banks around
the world. After two years, the SCSV now has 1/3 of the
world’s most important food crops as backup to regional
seed banks. Many smaller seed banks are constantly at
risk of losing their collections due to funding limitations,
politics, accidents, and mis-management. The SGSV,
funded by the Norwegian government, helps to ensure a
back-up supply. Unlike other seed banks, seeds cannot be
withdrawn for research or hybridizing except by their
owners. Like most seed banks though, germination tests
are routinely performed and seeds sown to replenish the
supply when needed. SGSV has a capacity for 4-5 million
seeds.
The National Plant Germplasm System was established
by the Agricultural Research Service of the USDA and
consists of 25 locations around the country. Some 13,000
species of 85 crops are under its care. Naturally the focus
is on food crops but one component of the NPGS has been
established solely for the preservation and use of
ornamental plants. Located at Ohio State University, the
ARS Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center is the first in
the world devoted to ornamental horticulture. The gene
pool is being protected by storing seeds, tissues and
cyrogenic preservation of embryos. So far, relatively few
genera are represented in the collection, but it’s a start
and recognizes the importance of the ornamental
horticulture industry in this country. For more info about
the OPGC go to www. opgc.osu.edu/
seed banks: Insurance for the Future
by: david loysen
Volunteer Leaders Summit
The New England Nursery Association (NENA)
hosted the Volunteer Leaders Summit on
Wednesday, November 4, 2009. Almost 30
association leaders from all over New England
gathered in Wesleyan, MA, including Green Works
executive secretary, Kristina MacKulin. The
central focus of the meeting was building
relationships, fostering collaboration, and
promoting prosperity in New England's green
industry. The group also shared ideas about trends,
community building, social media, membership
retention and volunteer recruitment. It is always a
great learning experience which reinforces and
empowers the green industry associations to better
serve their members. New England Association leaders at the Volunteer Leaders Summit
14
6. Multi-tasking is In. Single-Purpose
gardening is Out. From California
green buildings to New York high-
rises, living (green) walls are allowing
people even in cramped urban
apartments to use a greater range of
plants.
Roofs are no longer just for parties.
Green roofs are springing to life in
cities and small towns, transforming
barren space into lush gardens that
help cool buildings, absorb rainwater,
filter air pollutants, and create wildlife
habitats.
Rain barrels and rain gardens continue
to remain popular as people seek ways
to conserve water and reuse and
recycle. Businesses and homeowners
are setting up rain gardens that collect
runoff from buildings and landscape
and helps absorb polluted runoff that
threatens waterways.
Folks are bringing the outdoors in with
houseplants. Indoor plants are living
art accents that provide oxygen,
remove carbon dioxide, and harmful
volatile organic compounds, 24/7!
7. Perennials and Shrubs are In.
Divas are Out. Sustainable
landscapes, water conservation,
perennials and small edible shrubs are
hot as gardening with natives attracts
needed pollinators and birds, critical
for the balance of nature.
Consumers are looking for plants that
are easy care, have great color, and are
pest and drought resistant.
Demand is up for sustainable hybrids
like rhododendrons and grasses that
provide great impact with little fuss.
Proceeds from The American
Beauties™ Native Plant collection help
support the National Wildlife
Foundation’s Backyard Habitat
program. Families are connecting with
each other--and the earth-- as
purposeful gardening for wildlife
catches on.
From the look of things, America’s
seeing green as we all plan something
for our future.
Reprinted with Garden Media Group’s
permission. For a complete look at the
GMG 2009 Garden Trends, visit
www.gardenmediagroup.com or
www.gardenblogs.pont.com.
Resources:
American Beauties, LLC.
Association of Professional Landscape
Designers
continued from page 12
15
New England Wetland Plants, Inc.
820 West Street
Amherst, MA 01002
413-548-8000 * Fax 413-549-4000
www.newp.com
From Wetland to Upland…
NEW ENGLAND WETLAND PLANTS, INC.
OFFERS A LARGE SELECTION OF HIGH QUALITY
NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS
NATIVE HERBACEOUS AND FLOWERING PLANTS
NATIVE SEED MIXES
EROSION CONTROL PRODUCTS
BIOENGINEERING PRODUCTS
FOR CONSERVATION
WETLAND RESTORATION/MITIGATION
WATER QUALITY
NATURAL LANDSCAPING
We have what you need
Work has begun updating the Green Works website and
should be completed over the next couple of months. In
2008 our website was re-built
as part of the marketing and
re-branding of Green Works.
Now we’re installing and fine
tuning the “guts” to our
website to make it user
friendly for both consumers
looking for member services
and for members themselves.
Features to look forward to
include: enhanced member
database search capability, a
member profile page with up
to 13 photos that can be
updated by members on-line,
easy access to post job
openings and classified ads,
the ability to register and pay on-line for all fees and
programs, and an on-line revolving news and events
column- ‘The Dirt’- on-line.
In addition, the website will have revolving slideshows on
the home page that will include member profiles, award
winners, and marketing information for The Vermont
Flower Show and the Gorgeous Gardens and Green Living
Show.
Further developments will
include Resources for Members
and Resources for the Consumer.
These will include files and
databases with horticultural,
climate, and other pertinent
information, as well as links to
various agencies and relevant
organizations.
Please make note that within the
next 6 weeks we will be
contacting members to resubmit
photos and update descriptions
and contact information on-line.
We’ll send that notice when the
site is ready for you to upload your information.
We’re very excited about these improvements to the
website and the benefits it will have to our membership.
green works: Updated Website in the Making
16
Here are just some of the exciting new services we’ll be offering in 2010:
; An added sales position dedicated to meet
your needs
; Direct commercial phone line for faster response
; Greater numbers of high quality perennials
with the same lower prices
; Expanded selection of professional grade tools
and landscape accessories
; Weekly perennial hotlist—buy at growers prices
Delivery to your site when you need it!
Please call the commercial team for program details.
Brian, Manny, Chris and all the employee-owners at
Gardener’s Supply heartily thank you for a successful season and wish you a most enjoyable winter.
Gardener’s Supply
Landscape Distribution Center
472 Marshall Ave., Williston, Vermont
Email: [email protected]
17
( )
The Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association is looking for a new Executive Director.
The deadline for resume submissions is February 13, 2010. For a complete description of the position or to send your resume please
contact:
Cris Larson, RINLA President191 Shannon DriveWarwick, RI 02889
classified ad
18
University of Connecticut offers
Perennial Plant Conference
The University of Connecticut is
sponsoring the annual "Perennial
Plant Conference – A Conference for
the Professional Horticulturist.” The
conference will be held at the Lewis
B. Rome Commons on the University
of Connecticut Storrs cacontinued from
page 12mpus on Thursday, March
11, 2010.
This all-day educational conference
will address a wide range of topics
focusing on herbaceous perennial
production, sustainable landscape
design and retail marketing. Topics
were selected to appeal to
professional landscapers and
designers, nursery and greenhouse
producers, and garden center
retailers. Two concurrent educational
sessions will feature nationally
recognized speakers from both
industry and academia.
The speakers featured at the
conference will include:• Ellen Wells from Green Profit
magazine will be speaking on
Using Social Media as
Marketing Tools. • Angela Cooley from Garden
Center Solutions in
Springfield, PA will be
speaking on Today’s
Changing Demographics:
Marketing to Gen X and Y.
• Rosalind Creasy author and
photographer from Los Altos,
Ca will be speaking on Edible
Landscaping: The New
American Garden. • Doug Tallamy from The
University of Delaware in
Newark, DE will be speaking
on Why We Should Use
Native Plants in Our
Perennial Borders. • David L. Culp from Sunny
Border Nurseries will be
speaking on Best of
Yesterday, Today and
Tomorrow. • Warren Leach from Tranquil
Lake Nursery in Rehoboth,
MA will be speaking on
Perennials, Beyond Bloom:
Creative Design with Color,
Structure and Seasonal
Senescence.• Debbie Lonnee from Bailey
Nurseries in Newport, MN
will be speaking on New
Woody Shrubs to Use in the
Mixed Perennial Border. • Jeffrey LaCourse from Ball
Horticultural Company in
West Chicago, IL will be
speaking on New Herbaceous
Perennial Plants.• Donald Bishop of Gardens
Are in Marlborough, MA will
be speaking on
• Management Techniques for
Removal of Invasive Plants.• Gary Moorman from The
Pennsylvania State
University will be speaking
on Diseases of Perennials.
A pre-registration fee of $80 per
person is due by March 4th. The fee
is $90 per person for late registration
and walk-ins. Please make checks
payable to the University of
Connecticut and send to Donna
Ellis, University of Connecticut,
Department of Plant Science and
Landscape Architecture, 1390
Storrs Road, Unit 4163, Storrs,
CT 06269-4163.
Included with your registration: an
information packet, lunch, morning
& afternoon snacks, free parking,
and an opportunity to meet speakers
and purchase autographed books
from the Perennial Plant Conference
bookstore. Three pesticide
recertification credits will be
offered for attendees from CT, RI,
MA, ME, NH, and VT (pending state
approval).
For more information contact Donna
Ellis at 860-486-6448, email:
[email protected], or visit our
web site at http://
www.hort.uconn.edu/2010ppc/
The Seventh Annual Great Gardens and
Landscaping SymposiumApril 23-24, 2010 at the Equinox Resort in Manchester, VT.
Featured Speakers: Heather Poire from Pleasant View Gardens; Charlie Nardozzi from National Gardening
Association; Joe Kunkel, Executive Director for Mass. Horticultural Society, Julie Moir Messervy, and Kerry
Mendez.
Overnight packages and day rates available. Register on line at www.pyours.com/Symposium2010.html or call
518.885.3471.
19
January 31-February 2, 2010
ANLA Management Clinic
Galt House Hotel & Suites
Louisville, KY.
Sponsored by: www.anla.org
February 3-5, 2010
New England Grows
Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
Boston, MA.
Sponsored by:
www.newenglandgrows.org
February 10, 2010
Green Works/VNLA Annual Winter
Meeting and Trade Show
Holiday Inn
Rutland, VT
www.greenworksvermont.org
888.518.6484
March 2, 2010
Nursery Industry Meeting
Concord, NH
Sponsored by: NH, VT, ME Extension
Contact: [email protected]
February 25, 2010
Ecological Landscape Association
Conference and Eco-Marketplace
MassMutual Center
Springfield, MA
Contact: 617.436.5838
www.ecolandscape.org
March 11, 2010
UCONN Perennial Plant Conference
UCONN-Lewis B. Rome Commons
Contact: Donna Ellis @860-486-6448
http://www.hort.uconn.edu/2010ppc/
March 13-14, 2010
Gorgeous Gardens & Green Living
Symposium
Riley Rink
Manchester, VT
Sponsored by:
www.greenworksvermont.org
888.518.6484
March 23, 2010
Employee Training for Garden
Retailers Green, Organic and
Sustainable Solutions
9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Publick House, Sturbridge, MA
Contact: www.UMassGreenInfo.org
March 24-28, 2010
Boston Flower and Garden Show
Seaport World Trade Center
800.258.8912
www.paragonexpos.com
April 1, 2010
Vermont Organics Recycling
Summit
Vermont Technical College
Randolph Center, VT
Contact: Roni Coleman
802.877.3360 x 102
April 23-24, 2010
7th Annual Perennial Plant
Symposium
Equinox Resort
Manchester Village, VT
518.885.3471
Industry Calendar
PO Box 92
North Ferrisburgh, Vermont 05473
March 13-14, 2010
Riley Rink
Manchester, VT.
a Green Works Event