Official Publication of the Nevada Landscape Association | www.nevadanla.com APRIL 2011PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

RENO, NVPERMIT NO. 200

Nevada Landscape Assoc.P.O. Box 7431

Reno, NV 89510

Landscape Professionals:Stewards of a Healthy Urban EnvironmentPage 5

Get Certified! Application Page 9

Plant Pruning Page 10

2 Landscape Nevada

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Nevada Lndscp.Assn_7.5x4.875_May.2012.indd 1 3/26/12 10:46 AM

For All Your Specialty Turf and

Ornamental Needs.Matt Melarkey | Christina Volsko | Nate Weber

855 East Greg, Sparks, NV

775-358-6166

www.nevadanla.com 3

www.nevadanla.com APRIL 2011

PUBLISHERLandscape Nevada is published by: Kathy Hess, Just Imagine Marketing and Design 775.746.4138; kathy@justimaginemktg.com

NEVADA LANDSCAPE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Matt Melarkey, President, Crop Production Services 775.358.6166

Jeff Hurlbert, Secretary, Sierra Nevada Landscapes 775.853.4445

Heidi Kratsch, Director, UNCE 775.336.0251

Rodney Bruns, Director, Pyramid Landscape 775.425.2445

Jason Perry, Director, Western Turf 775.356.8873

Tim Laskowski, Director, Signature Landscapes 775.544.6874

David Grillo, Director, Nitro Green 775.828.2900

Dan George, Director, Century Landscapes 775.358.5222

Dave Dabner, Past President, Reno Green Landscaping 775.852.8952

LANDSCAPE NEVADA is the official publication of the Nevada Landscape Association, P.O. Box 7431, Reno, Nevada, 89510, phone 775.673.0404 or 800.645.9794, fax 775.673.5828, website: www.nevadanla.com, email: nlainfo@nevadanla.com.

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS & SUBMISSIONSWrite to Landscape Nevada at the address above or email the editor at kathy@justimaginemktg.com or phone 775.746.4138.

MISSION STATEMENTThe Nevada Landscape Association provides leadership by promoting professionalism and integrity within the Green Industry through education, high standards and community involvement. We guide policy and uphold responsible resource management for the beautification and enhancement of our community.

Landscape plantings have been shown to provide enormous benefits to our emotional wellbeing as well. Research shows that views of outdoor plantings cause prison inmates to feel calmer and more relaxed and can also reduce stress and anxiety in employees who work indoors. Convalescing patients are also shown to recover more quickly with reduced need for pain medications when exposed to a view of a lovely landscape. Read more on page 5.

www.nevadanla.com 3

A Letter from the PresidentGreetings NLA Member,

The President’s message may be one of the hardest things to write, especially the first one!

Should I be serious or witty, should the message be local or global or should I just assume that nobody cares what I have to say anyway? I cannot let the prospect of the third alternative shake my confidence, so I will plunder on; oblivious. That’s basically my M.O. for most things in my life, best to stick to it—hopefully consistency will win out!

There are some great things to report to you about our little organization. First, we have had the pleasure of welcoming a number of new members to our group and feel that this is a positive sign of an upswing, albeit a small one, in the landscaping market as a whole. Secondly, the trade show and conference was greatly attended regardless of the ONE snowstorm we got this winter. Thanks a ton Mother Nature. So, thanks to everyone who put their time and energy into the trade show and conference! Thirdly, we are thankful to and happy to have some fresh faces on the board of directors this year and hope that this will lead to more fresh faces next year (hint, hint). And lastly, we have some great events planned for this year and cannot wait to see all of you there.

Remember that the true function of the NLA is to provide support to our esteemed members and if any of you see opportunities to make our industry better, please feel free to send me an email!

Good luck to everybody this year.

Matt MelarkeyNEVADA LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

4 Landscape Nevada

www.nevadanla.com 5

Landscape Professionals: Stewards of a Healthy Urban EnvironmentBy Holly Bromley, B.S.Horticultural Consultant and ISA Certified Arborist (#WE-5339A)

It’s easy for landscape maintenance professionals to get into a sort of rhythm, or perhaps even a rut, of just taking their work for granted. We settle into a routine, which is comfortable and which works to get the job done, in the interests of efficiency and expediency. But in the interest of expediency, it’s all too easy to forget the true value and enormous asset that landscape plantings are to a home or business. Indeed “value” reaches beyond the obvious financial or aesthetic qualities of the plants and impacts our emotional health and sense of well-being. So perhaps it would be

prudent to remind ourselves of the real value landscape plants provide.

Landscape plantings have a significant impact upon our lives in economic, physical, psychological and social ways. Here are but a few ways we benefit:

The first and most obvious is the benefit of shade trees. A well-placed shade tree reduces energy consumption by reducing the need for air conditioning in the homes and office buildings they shade. Trees also reduce the amount of reflective heat from solar rays bouncing off city hardscapes such as roadways, buildings and walkways thus mitigating the heat island effect found in cities. Trees and shrubs can also provide windbreaks and play a significant role in filtering chemical and particulate pollution from our air. Appropriately placed trees and shrubs can also provide privacy screens, as well as help reduce the intrusive noise and light of nearby traffic and commerce.

Landscape plantings have been shown to provide enormous benefits to our emotional wellbeing as well. Research shows that views of outdoor plantings cause prison inmates to feel calmer and more relaxed and can also reduce stress and anxiety in employees who work indoors. Convalescing patients are also shown to recover more quickly with reduced need for pain medications when exposed to a view of a lovely landscape.

Phot

o by

Les

lie L

yles

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

6 Landscape Nevada

Alert!Did you know that your company could be guilty of spreading disease organisms from one client’s yard to another? To help avoid this do the following:

3 Disinfect pruning tools and mowing equipment blades with Lysol® disinfectant spray 3 This simple precaution will help improve the quality of care you offer your clients

As landscape maintenance professionals, remember that the care we provide must take on a comprehensive approach that does not simply insure that weeds are removed, lawns are cut and shrubs pruned, but we must be ever aware of the factors that determine the actual health of the plants we care for. This necessitates watching out for disease and insect problems, as well as checking to ensure the irrigation is working properly with sufficient water delivered where plants need it most. And, of course this requires that you work with your clients to make sure their system is periodically upgraded as plants mature.

With all this in mind, it is clear that the intrinsic value of landscape plantings is much higher than just the cost of purchase, installation and maintenance of them. As professionals, our clients entrust us with the care of their beautiful yards or business landscapes. As such, we in the green industry would do well to remind ourselves that we are the stewards of a healthy urban environment.

LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

Photo by Leslie Lyles

Landscape plantings

have been shown to

provide enormous

benefits to our emotional

wellbeing as well.

www.nevadanla.com 7

calendar of events

800-347-4272www.JohnDeereLandscapes.com

We know you work hard.Let us work harder.

Lean on us for some of your business demands - we know we can work harder for you. This is why we’ve implemented the Partners Program and Business Solutions, and the Px3 Maintenance Package.

Px3 helps you with the planning process by providing customized bids for each project. We can accurately estimate the square footage of any property.

Customers who join our Partners Program earn points on every John Deere Landscapes purchase and redeem those points at an online store, for various industry events, or for cash on account. Program members are also eligible for our Business Solutions, which can help reduce your day-to-day business expenses.

Please contact your local branch to learn more about these opportunities. We are eager to help you with as many of your business challenges as possible!

NEVADA LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION LICENSED INDUSTRY CERTIFIED TEST TRAINING AND BBQApril 28, 12–3 pm • TMCC Dandini Campus, Reno, NV

WESTERN CHAPTER OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ARBORICULTURE (WCISA) 78TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND TRADESHOW April 29–May 2 • www.wcisa.netAsilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, CA

NATIONAL HARDWARE TRADESHOWMay 1–3 • www.nationalhardwareshow.comLas Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV

DESERT HORTICULTURE CONFERENCE “2.1: REPROGRAMMED”May 18 • http:/ag.arizona.edu/deserthort Tucson Convention Center, Tucson, AZJack Kelly @ 520-626-5161

LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY CERTIFIED EXAMJune 8 & 9 • www.nevadanla.comTMCC Dandini Campus, Reno, NV

For test application and more information visit the website, click on “Certification” or call 775-674-0404.

CALIFORNIA GROWN SHOW/NURSERY MARTJune 13 • www.californiagrownshow.comLong Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA

NEVADA LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION–LANDSCAPE TROPHY AWARDS: CALL FOR ENTRIESJune 15–July 31 • www.nevadanla.com

40TH ANNUAL FAR WEST TRADESHOW: OREGON ASSOCIATION OF NURSERIES (OAN)August 23–25 • www.farwestshow.comPortland, OR; 503-682-5089

PLANTSCAPE INDUSTRY EXPOAugust 14–16 • www.piagrows.orgSouth Point Hotel, Las Vegas, NV

LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY CERTIFIED EXAMOctober 5–6 • www.landcarenetwork.org Petaluma, CA

WATERSMART INNOVATIONS CONFERENCE AND EXPOSITIONOctober 2–5 • www.WaterSmartInnovations.com Las Vegas, NV

2012 HARDSCAPE NORTH AMERICAOctober 24–26 • www.gie-expo.comLouisville, KY

GIE-EXPO (GREEN INDUSTRY & EQUIPMENT) October 24–26 • www.gie-expo.comLouisville, KY

NEVADA LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET November 9 • www.nevadanla.com

NEVADA LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND TRADESHOWFebruary 15, 2013 • Details to comeReno Sparks Convention Center, Reno, NV

8 Landscape Nevada

www.nevadanla.com 9

Test Application June 8 & 9 2012 TMCC, Reno, Nevada

Applicant / Personal InformationName __________________________________________________

Home AddressStreet/PO Box __________________________________________

City/State/Zip __________________________________________

Phone __________________________________________

Fax __________________________________________

Email __________________________________________

Work AddressCompany Name __________________________________________

Street/PO Box __________________________________________

City/State/Zip __________________________________________

Phone __________________________________________

Fax __________________________________________

Email __________________________________________

Release results to: Applicant Employer

Signature __________________________________________

Please register me for the following designation:(Check one only)

Softscape Installation Hardscape Installation Turfgrass Maintenance Ornamental Maintenance Irrigation

IMPORTANT! Check if you would like the Test Book in Spanish. Check if you require special testing accommodations. Check if you are retaking this test.

Retest Problems __________________________________________

Year you entered the Green Industry(To become Landscape Industry Certified, PLANET recommends that you have a minimum of 2,000 hours work experience. Please check your work experience.)

1 year (2,000 hour minimum) 2–5 years 5–10 years 10+ years

Test FeesNLA or PLANET member ...........................................$225 per testPay for four tests and receive the fifth test FREE!Non-members ..........................................................$300 per test

Retest FeesMember Retest fees are $70 plus $10 per problem. Example: Retest + one problem ..............................................$80Non-member Retest fees are $85 plus $10 per problem.Example: Retest + one problem ..............................................$95

Training Manuals: Highly recommended to assist you in preparation for the test.

Member $99 Non-Member $125

Installation Irrigation Maintenance

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations received prior to the deadline date will be refunded the registration fee minus a $25 administration fee and $25 for the test book. Cancellations received after the deadline date receive no refund.

Deadline: Application must be postmarked or faxed by May 21, 2012.

Application/ Payment Information: Please return application with check made payable to the Nevada Landscape Association, or provide credit card information below, to: NEVADA LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATIONP.O. Box 7431 Reno, NV 89510-7431 Fax (775) 673-5828

Credit card information:Please charge my: Visa MasterCard

Name on Card __________________________________________

Expiration Date _______________ 3 digit security code _________

Total Amount Authorized __________________________________

Name on Card __________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________

Questions? Contact Jim Stanhouse, Test AdministratorPhone: (775) 673-0404Email: Jim@nevadanla.com

10 Landscape Nevada

By Leslie Lyles, M.S., Horticultural Consultant and ISA Certified Arborist (#WE-1220A)

A beautiful landscape is undoubtedly an asset to the value of a home. When a landscape designer chooses a plant, generally there is a purpose for that plant in the landscape. It may be strategically placed to frame or block a view; it may be to provide privacy from neighbors or traffic; it may have been chosen for its grand flower display at a certain season, or to provide

winter interest. Whatever the purpose of that plant in the landscape, the maintenance should support that purpose, not destroy it.

As a Horticultural Consultant I all too often see an otherwise beautiful landscape that has been abused by hedge shears: all plants are “meatballed” in a one-size-fits-all approach, or the shrubs have been pruned at the wrong time of the year, severely reducing or eliminating what would have been gorgeous blooms. This maintenance is usually done when it is convenient for the maintenance crew, without regard to the plant’s health or its function in the landscape. Sadly, improper pruning doesn’t only destroy the natural character and beauty of a tree or shrub, but it can also damage plants, making them more susceptible to insects and disease organisms.

There are many examples of maintenance gone awry, destroying a plant’s natural form and function in the landscape. One example is when ornamental grasses are sheared in the fall before the beautiful bloom heads emerge, leaving stiff grass bunches rather than graceful flowing blades and seed heads. Also, low growing vines and shrubs, planted to sprawl along the soil and help prevent soil erosion, frequently are pruned into compact balls, leaving the soil exposed to wind and water erosion. Many times large shrubs, planted as a privacy screen or to block an unsightly view, are pruned down to only a few feet tall, completely ignoring the purpose of that plant in the landscape.

Improper timing and style of pruning doesn’t only destroy the function of a plant, but it destroys the aesthetic value as well. Some shrubs, such as barberry, burning bush, mugo pines and dogwoods, are desired for their beautiful branch structure. These shrubs, if properly pruned, provide a unique character and texture to the landscape. Hedge shearing these shrubs will always destroy their natural beauty. Natural beauty is also destroyed if the timing of pruning is wrong. Spring flowering shrubs such as forsythia, lilac, flowering almond, and viburnum bloom on one year old wood—the wood they produced last growing season. These shrubs should be pruned right after they bloom, not before. If they are pruned during the fall or winter with other landscape shrubs, the blooming wood will be removed, thus diminishing the spring display of flowers.

Because I am a consultant, disgruntled homeowners are more comfortable telling me of their dissatisfaction in their landscape maintenance than they are complaining to the workers. Often times they will discontinue a service from a landscape company without ever voicing that dissatisfaction with the business owner himself. The level of customer service and quality your clients receive will increase when your workers are trained properly and their maintenance supports the health and function of the landscape.

Before any pruning is done, the landscape worker should know 1) What plant is being pruned? 2) What is the natural growth habit and bloom time of the plant? and 3) What is the function of that plant in the landscape? Answering these questions will help to determine the proper style and timing of pruning. Getting away from a one-size-fits-all approach to pruning will improve your customer’s satisfaction and help you retain clients.

Whatever the

purpose of that

plant in the

landscape, the

maintenance

should support

that purpose, not

destroy it.

Is Your Company’s Pruning Regime Supporting Plant Purpose?

A perfect example of why it is so important to prune plants at the right time. These two Scotch Broom plant photos were taken on the same day with the plants literally yards away from one another. The plant in the bottom photo was pruned at the wrong time, the top one was not.

Photos by Leslie Lyles

www.nevadanla.com 11

A big T H A N K Y O U !We would like to thank our wonderful sponsors for the success of the 21st Annual Trade Show & Conference:

Design Outdoors

Norman’s Nursery

Dayton Valley Turf

We couldn’t have done it without you!

• Next issue is Summer 2012

• Available online with links to

all advertiser’s websites

• Mailing to over 800 potential

customers

Advertise Your Business in Landscape Nevada

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO RESERVE SPACE:Call Kathy Hess

775.746.4138 office | kathy@justimaginemktg.com

Proud publisher of Landscape Nevada

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