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Victory Vegetable Garden H^®
Tested and Guaranteed Seeds
Hmrm arm 22-Varl«tl«s of SEEDS for a VICTORY GARDEN of VEOETARLES dosignod to produco pionty of froth vogotablos for a small family.
H lb. Peas, Early Garden Variety 1 pkt. Beans, Strlngless Yellow Pod
1 " Beans, Strlngless Green Pod
1 " Beet, Early Red Flesh
1 " Carrot, Orange Color
1 " Cabbace, Extra Early Sort
1 " Cucumber, Pickling Variety
1 " Cucumber, Slicing Variety
1 " Sweet Corn, Early Golden
1 ' ' Sweet Corn, Later Crop
1 " Onion. Early Globe
These 22-Varl«ties of Totted and Ouorantood S address in the United States for $1.00 postp No changes can be made in thi
pkt. Lettuce, Early Leaf Sort
" Lettuce, Heading Variety
" Musk Melon, Orange Flesh
" Radish, Early Red Globe
" Radish, White Icicle
" Parsnip. White and Sweet
*' Swiss chard, For Greens
' ' SpiflT^^^-^arly Thick Leaved
" Squ/ r^rT^^'^eiLVarlety
" Tor ^•^'^ ® A^A ^^^-^Vanety
Mrs. Pecunies' Victory Garden
^^^^m^A
5^ss^-s^'^msm§
&:S«?sSa»
'"^^f?cg^^£5«S
' ^-SL^- 5; '><.
''"'■der S"i- nJt" *een """W-
NEW HAMPSHIRE PLANT GROWERS ASSOCIATI
O N
UNE & lULV 1996
Victory Vegetable Garden ^P
Tested and Guaranteed Seeds
H«r« or* 32.Varl*tl*c of SEEDS for a VICTORY GARDEN of VEOETAILES dotignod to produce plenty of froth vogotablos for a small family
}4 lb. Peas, Early Garden Variety 1 Pkt. Beans, Strlngless Yellow Pod 1 Beans, StrlnelesB Green Pod
Beet. Early Red Flesh
Carrot, Orange Color
Cabbace, Extra Early Sort
Cucumber, Pickling Variety
Cucumber, Slicing Variety
Sweet Corn, Early Golden
Sweet Corn, Later Crop
Onion, Early Globe
These 32-Vart«t(es of Tostad and Ouarontood S address in the United States for $1.00 postp No changes can be made in
pkt. Lettuce, Early Leaf Sort " Lettuce, Heading Variety " Musk Melon, Orange Flesh " Radish, Early Red Globe " Radish, White Icicle " Parsnip. White and Sweet " Swiss Chard, For Greens " 8plnr^<^^rly Thick Leaved '/ Squ/ rAr^^*^<i: Variety Toi/ /-.^e ^eZrr'-V^lety
Mrs. Pecunies' Victory Garden
>n„
f c have a special name for the trees that come from our famis — ArcticMist.'^' When you order ArcticMist,™ you are not just buying a tree, hut all of the time, attention, and care — from seedling to shipping — that goes into creating a safe, healthy, and beautiful Christmas tree.
We plant from seed to achieve maximum quality' control. All ArcticMist™ trees are heavily needled and have dense conical shapes. Their lovely blue color, rich fragrance, and good needle retention make them ideal Christmas trees. Fraser, balsam, white spaice, and pine (w hite, scotch, and red) are available. In addition, we are introducing fralsam, a fraser-balsam cross. Wreaths are also available.
Since our farms are in New Hampshire and \'cmiont, we harvest our trees later in the season than many (Jther growers. We also do everything we can to minimize moismre loss after harvest and during shipping.
^ ou can order the number of trees that is right for you — from 25 to a trailer load. We can arrange shipping or you may pick up the trees yourself We respect your schedule and guarantee on time delivery. Our trees arrive individually wrapped and ready for sale. All you need to do is remove the wrappers and set the trees out — no broken branches, no last minute trimming.
T
Lo place an order, or to receive specific information about this year's trees:
Callusat800/694-8722 or 603/237-5702. Send us a fax at 603/237-8439. Or wnte to us at 38 Bridge St., Colebrook, NH 03576. Our internet address is http://www.sibgotree.com
SibgoTree Company
V/e know what you want for Christmas'.
ArcticMisf.
'^-
CALENDAR
]une
• %'«■ TUESDAY, lUNE 18 NHPGA Twiligftt Meeting 1 6pm), Lake Street Garden Center, 37 Lake Street, Salem, NH; for information: Frank Wolfe at 603-893-5858.
JUNE 21-22 Eighth Annual Pocket Car- dens Tour, South Church, Portsmouth, NH; information: Elizabeth Fischer at 603-743-2940.
JUNE 22 Orchid Symposium, Tower Hill Botanical Garden, Boylston, MA; information: Joanna Eckstrom at 603-654-5070.
JUNE 22 NH Rose Society Show, 1-4 pm. Barton Hall, UNH, Durham, NH; Bill Prince at 603-868-9610.
JUNE 23 Open House (benefit: NH Rose Society), Lowe's Roses, 6 Sheffield Road, Nashua, NH; Mike Lowe at 603-888-2214.
JUNE 23 Garden Party & Art Show, The Fells, John Hay National Wildlife Refuge, Newbury, NH; information: 603-763-4789.
]uly
JULY 10 Connecticut Nurserymen's Association Summer Meeting, Clinton Nurseries, Clinton, CT; 860-872-2095.
JULY 20 Tour of New London Gardens (starting point: New London Histori- cal Society), New London, NH; 603- 763-4789.
JULY 22 New Hampshire Landscape Association (NHLA) Twilight Meeting, 5:30 at the Science Center of NH, Holdemess, NH; 1-800-639-5601.
JULY 24 Massachusetts Nursery & Land- scape Association Summer Meeting, Heri- tage Plantation, Sandwich, MA; Rena Sumner at 413-369-4731.
August
AUGUST 3-4 Mount "Washington Valley Garden Trail; Margo Ellis at 603-367- 8587.
■•** THURSDAY, AUGUST 8 New England Nurserymen's Association/New
Hampshire Plant Growers' Association/New Hampshire Landscape Association joint Summer Meeting, Dell-Lea Country Club, Chichester, NH; Bill Stockman at 603-569-5056.
AUGUST 13 Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist Exam, Eastern Agriculture Center, Waltham, MA; Rena Sumner at 413-369-4731.
AUGUST 15 Rhode Island Nurserymen's Association Summer Meeting, Sakonnet Vineyard, Little Compton, Rl; Ken Lagerquist at 508-761-9260.
AUGUST 17 Fifth Annual Plant Sale & Rare Plant Auction, The Fells, Newbury, NH; 603-763-4789.
AUGUST 18 First Annual Rockingham County Open Farm Day, information: Nada Haddad at 603-679-5616.
AUGUST 21 VAPH Summer Meeting, Claussen's Florist & Greenhouses, Colchester, VT; Jane Wilkening at 802-865-5072.
AUGUST 23 Second Annual Maine Landscape & Nursery Association (MeLNA) Field Day, University of Maine, Orono; Paul Cappiello at 207-581-2918.
September
WW* WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER I I NHPGA Twilight Meeting, Murray Farms Greenhouse, Penacook, NH; informa- tion: Dave Murray at 603-753-6781
SEPTEMBER 13-29 Eastern States Big 'E,' West Springfield, MA; mailing address: 1305 Memorial Ave., W. Springfield, 01089; phone: 413-737- 2443.
SEPTEMBER 21 Granite State Land- scape Architects (GSLA) All-day Charrette, Russ Martin Park, Concord, NH; information: Bill Hoffman at 603-735-5827.
October
OCTOBER 21-23 New England Green- house Conference, Sturbridge Host Ho- tel & Conference Center, Sturbridge, MA; information: Henry Huntington at 603-435-8361.
|
CONTENT |
S |
— ?*- |
|
DEPARTMENTS |
||
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FORUM |
3 |
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NH NEWS |
7 |
|
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ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS |
13 |
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MEMBER PROFILE Churchill's Garden Center |
18 |
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HOW ABOOT HERBS Tanya ]acfison |
28 |
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DIAGNOSTIC LAB Dr. Cheryl Smith |
30 |
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FROM THE BOARD |
32 |
|
|
FEATURES | |
Users & Providers: A Beginner's Guide to the Internet
David Brock
15
|
IVIrs. Pecunies' Victory Garden ]ohn Misenheimer |
21 |
|
Success with Agritourism Michael Sciabarrasi |
25 |
|
COLUMNS |
|
|
The Griffin Guru |
8 |
|
Z-notes \im Zablocki |
11 |
|
The Green Spot Mike Cherim |
26 |
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Pioneer Pointers |
23 |
Cover: "Victory Vegetable Garden" from Mi/;s Seeds for Victory, 1943. "The Need for Victory Gardens" from Murvon's Garden Guide, circa 1943.
The Plantsman Is published In early February, April, June. August, October, and December with copy deadlines being the first of each prior month. While camera-ready ads are preferred, set-up assistance Is available at a nominal fee. Free classified advertising Is offered as a mem- ber service. We will carry a short message (no artwork or logos) for one or two Issues of The Plantsman.
|
AD SIZE |
6x |
Ix |
|
|
3 3/8"w X |
2 l/4"h |
$120 |
$30 |
|
3 3/8 w X |
4 3/4 "h |
$160 |
$40 |
|
7"w X |
2 l/4"h |
$160 |
$40 |
|
7"w X |
4 5/8 "h |
$250 |
$50 |
|
7"w X |
9 I/2"h |
$400 |
$100 |
For further Information, please contact the editor: Robert Parker at the UNH Research Greenhouses, Durham, NH 03824, 603-862-2061; or PO Box 5, Newfields, NH 03856, 603-778-8353.
|DNE4^ JDLV 1996
At
VAN BERKUM NURSERY.
500 varieties including an expanded line of
herbs and native wildf lowers!
4 James Road • Deerfield, New Hampshire 03037 For catalog or inquiries (603) 463-7663 • Fax (603) 463-7326
LAN NURSERIES
259 College Street, Magog JIX 2K4 Phone & FAX: (819) 843-5071
Lan is owned by a group
of Quebec growers
in order to present
a large variety
of hardy flowering shrubs
and perennials showing
THE NORTHERN BEAUTY
Dogwood - Forsythia -Hydrangea Honeysuckle - Lilacs - Ninebark
Potentilla - Rugosa Rose »^ Spirea - Sumac
^ Viburnum - Vine
!i.«>saaa^gai^^.vj-^;
Dont Miss the Biggest Nursery Meeting oj the Summer!
TkursJay, August 8, 1996
NEW ENGLAND NURSERY ASSOCIATION
Summer Meeting & Trade Show
• Education • Diverse Nursery lours * Exciting Exnibits * Recreation • Information Dell-Lea Country CluL • Ckickester, New Hampskire • 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Co-sponsored by
New Hampsnire Plant Growers Association
In cooperation witn
New Hampsriire Landscape Association
Hosted by
D.S. Cole Growers, Inc. - Loudon, NH
Gateway Gardens - Concord, NH
Millican Nurseries, Inc. - Cnichester, NH
Pleasant View Gardens - Loudon, NH
\'an Berkum Nursery - Deerfield, NH
For exhibitor or
attendee injormation
callNENAat
(508) 653-3112 or fax (508) 653-4112.
THE PLANTSMAN
■V-
FORUM
-^
Welcome,
New Members!
THE COUNTRY BEAR FLORIST
GREENHOUSE & NURSERY
1517 Meadow Street
Littleton, NH 03561
VIRGINIA HAST
UNH Cooperative Extension
327 Daniel Webster Highway
Boscawen, NH 03303
HUBBARD FARMS
GREENHOUSE
107 Windsor Road
Hillsboro, NH 03244
SERENITY BONSAI
RR2, Box 328 Rumney, NH 03266
Understanding New Hampshire's Electric Industry
Bob Rimol
Dependable electricity is something most of us take for granted, yet its costs are high and the inability to regulate costs yields frustration for business owners in the horticulture industry and other New Hampshire industries. New Hampshire is cur- rently in the process of restructuring the electric utility system and as plans advance for this restructuring, it is important to understand how the industry currently works and how it will change.
Basically, our current electric sys- tem involves three stages: genera- tion, transmission, and distribution. Electricity is first generated by using coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear power, or the force of water. This electricity is then transmitted over high-volt- age wires to distribution centers. Here, the voltage is "stepped down"
Horticulture by Night
This is a partial list of evening courses offered this summer at the UNH Thompson School The summer session runs in five- and ten-week mod- ules from May 28 through August 2, 1996. Tuition is $146.00 per credit.
HT205: Introduction to VJoody Plants. May 28-August 2. W 4-8pm. 2 cr. Instructor: Dana Sansom.
HT236: Pest Management: Diseases. May 28-june 28. TTh 5:30-8:30pm. 2 cr. Instructor: Cheryl Smith.
HT237: Pesf Management: Weeds. May 28-|une 28 M 5:30-8:30 pm. 1 cr. Instructor: Rene Gingras.
HT238: Pesf Management: Insects, luly 1 -August 2. TTh 5:30-8:30pm. 1 cr. Gingras.
HT239: Pest Management: Control Applications. July 1 -August 2. M 5:30-8:30PM. 1 cr. Gingras.
HT254/PBI0454: Landscape Construction & Mflinte«flMce. May 28-August 2. MW 5-9pm. 4 cr. Instructor: Michael Sheffield.
You can enroll in these by phoning the Division of Continuing Education at 603-862-2015. For information on the part-time Associates Degree program or the Diploma in Landscape Horticulture, call 603-862-3115. Additional horti- culture courses are offered at UNH in the Department of Plant Biology.
and carried over distribution lines throughout each utility's service area to customers.
In the past, most utilities owned their generation plants, transmission lines, and distribution wires and electric prices for production, trans- mission, and distribution were "bundled" together. Although some utilities like Unitil have moved to market-based purchases of produc- tion and transmission, electric ser- vices to customers — and prices — have remained "bundled".
In contrast, restructuring the elec- tric industry will involve "unbun- dling" electric costs, thereby sepa- rating the costs of generating and delivering electricity. Customers will be allowed to choose their electric- ity suppliers from among the com- peting utilities and independent supply companies. Suppliers will have open access to the transmis- sion system's high-voltage wires car- rying electricity to distribution cen- ters, where utilities will continue to be regulated as local distribution companies. Customers will be able to choose the prices and services they want, without losing the reli- ability of their service. In addition
CLASSIFIED
We are a wholesale greenhouse looking for an experienced grower interested in producing both florist quality potted crops for local sales and young plants for national distri- bution. Our growth has made it necessary to search for someone with solid knowledge in technical growing. The candidate must be able to understand lab results and make recommendations based on these. Our two acres of both poly and Dutch glass houses are state- of-the-art, along with our goal of quality production. Please send re- sume, with references, to:
Mr. Douglas S. Cole, President D.S. Cole Growers, inc. 251 North Village Road
Loudon, New Hampshire 03301
JUNE -t- lULV 1996
'^-
FORUM
-^
to electricity, other utilities that would be offered with better access and lower rates would include natu- ral gas, propane, and oil.
It is an unfortunate fact that NH's average electricity rates are the highest in the U.S. It appears in- creasingly obvious that to encourage development and economic expan- sion in horticulture and other indus- tries in New Hampshire, NH's elec- tricity rates must come down to lev- els competitive with the rest of the US. We should applaud our legisla- tors for recognizing the need to re- structure the electric industry in New Hampshire and, if you support this "open market" concept for util- ity deregulation, you should take ac- tion and write a letter to your local state representative.
Some of this injormation was derived from David Zabetakis of Unitii He can be reached at 772-0775.
A Fine First Meeting...
Bougainvillea, dipladenia, evolvulas, helichrysum, ivy geranium, lantana, New Guinea impatiens, scaevola, supertunia, tapien, verbena ...tiers of hanging baskets above benches of gerber daisies and geraniums... ev- erything in flower.
It is said that in gray weather, the moisture in the air refracts more light. ..that's one explanation for the amount of color at Chakarian Farm
Greenhouses in Derry on the evening of April 30. Another is that the plants are well-grown.
Whatever the reason, the first NHPGA Twilight Meeting of the year allowed members and friends to see the exceptional product of one of the newer greenhouse establish- ments in the area.
The tours were informative (Cheryl Smith also talked about in- sect control — things done well, some signs of damage), the food delicious, and the hospitality fine.
We thank Bill Chakarian and his family. Ken Gosselin, and all the crew at Chakarian Farm who helped make this meeting a success.
New Hampshire Fairs — 1996
(TELEPHONE AREA CODES ARE 603)
lULY 25-28 North Haverhill Fair. Fred C. Lee Memorial Field, North Haverhill; David Keith at 787-6696.
lULY 26-28 Stratham Fair, Route 33 (formerly 101), Stratham; information: Stanley Walker at 772-2990.
JULY 31 -AUGUST 4 Cheshire Fair, Route 12, North Swanzey; Sandra Amadon at 357-4740.
AUGUST 16-18 Cornish Fair, Town House Road, Cornish; Robert Bladen at 542-4622.
AUGUST 17-18 Belknap County 4-H Fair, Mile Hill Road, Belmont; Sue Roberts at 267-8135.
AUGUST 21-25 Plymouth State Fair— take Exit 26 off 1-93; Russell Merrill at 536-1690.
AUGUST 28-SEPTEMBER 2 Lancaster Fair, Route U.S. 3, Lancaster; Paul Thurston at 788-4531.
AUGUST 29-SEPTEMBER 2 Hopkinton State Fair, Contoocook Fair Grounds, Contoocook; Alan Hardy at 746-4191.
SEPTEMBER 6-8 Hillsboro County Agricultural Fair, Route 13, New Boston; John Robertson at 588-6106.
SEPTEMBER 12-22 Rochester Fair, 72 Lafayette Street, Rochester; leffrey Taylor at 332-6585.
SEPTEMBER 26-29 Deerfield Fair, Route 43, Deerfield; |ane Boucher at 463-7421.
OCTOBER 12-14 Sandwich Fair, Center Sandwich; Earle Peaselee at 284- 7062.
PRUNERS
LADDERS ■ SPRAYERS
FORKLIFTS
PUMPS
ROUTE 116, P.O. BOX 540
CONWAY. MA 01341
413-369-4335
For Friendly, Courteous, Efficient, Technical Service CALL US AT 1-800-634-5557 FOR INFORMATION AND CATALOGS
HOSE ■ TANKS ■ REELS ■ MOWERS ■ SAFETY EQUIPMENT
THE PLANTSMAN
'^-
-^
P.O. Box 250, Fryeburg. ME 04037
When reliable service
is just as important
as the quality off
^evergreen seedlings
and transplants
you order, call
-800-447-4745
WE ALSO OFFER:
contract growing
of conifers
■ singly-wrapped
plug seedlings
for promotional
events
WAGEMAN INSURANCE
Homes • Bams • Livestock
Machinery • Fanner's Liability
Livestock Health & Mortality
Workers Compensations • Auto
Insure with New Hampshire's largest independent agricultural agency.
1-800-439-2451
will put you in touch with an agricultural insurance professional.
WHOLESALE SUPPLIER OF NURSERY & WETLAND STOCK TO THE TRADE.
NURSERIES, INC
HERBACEOUS & WOODY WETLAND PLANTS
-ORNAMENTALS -GROUNDCOVERS
-PERENNIALS -VINES
DEALER FOR BON TERRA WETLAND FABRICS
CONTRACT GROWING AVAILABLE
24 BUZZELL RD, BIDDEFORD, MAINE 04005
(207) 499-2994 (207)282-7235
FAX: (207) 499-2912
CALL FOR A QUOTATION OR A
COPY OF OUR CATALOG.
-WE DELIVER-
Northem Grown
Irees Evergreens Shrubs
Mon-Sat 7:00 - 5:30 Sun: 9:00 - 5:00
O'DONAL'S
NURSERIES
Located at junction of routes 22 & 114
Gorham, Maine 04038
Phone (207) 839-4262 or 839-6364
Fax 207-839-2290
We specialize in growing specimen plant materials.
|UNE ♦ lULV 1996
'^■
-^
PmducehealMierlaum,
1 , 7_7 7_1
wmAaOnr'amposL
■ Increase nutrient and water retention, m Provide natural fertilization fijr long
term growth.
m Increase organic matter to reduce compaction atui erosimi.
m Provide slow release of nitrogen and trace minerals.
■ Prevent turf diseases from forming.
■ Improve soil aeration and consistant root development. m Be assured that it is a weed free product.
m Save money over using topsails, peatmoss and manures.
Bulk delivery throughout the Northeast.
For price and information on AllGro™ products,
please contact:
.The Compost Company
AUGro Inc., Liberty Lane, Hampton, NH 03842 800.662.2440
This Is What We Grow At MiUican Nurseries.
See our wide selection of trees, evergreens and shrubs More than 1,000 vaneties available Delivery
throughout New England Located in Chichester. NH (13 miles nonh of Concord) Call us at 603-435-6660.
BARK MULCH DIVISION
P. O. Box 527, Route 122 Poland Spring, Maine 04274
NURSERY DIVISION:
P. O. Box 56, Route 10 East Lempster, N.H. 03605
WHOLESALE SUPPLIERS
Jolly Farmer PRODUCTS
WHOLESALE GROWERS
Bark Mulch - Hemlock . Mix & Cedar...
by the Tractor-Trailer load. Bagged Mulch - our own bark mulch now
available In 2 and 3 cu.ft. bags.. .Hemlock,
Pine-Spruce, Cedar, Spruce-Hemlock & Dark Bark.
Also... Pine Bark Nuggets & Mini Nuggets. Bagged Soils & Manures - Top soil,
Potting Soil, Peat Humus, Peat Moss.
Composted & Dehydrated Cow Manures. Cut & Split Firewood
Telephone: 1-800-879-2275 1-207-998-5580 1-207-998-2006
i "Integrity, quality and reliable
Annual Plugs Rooted Cuttings Geraniums Bedding Plants Potted Annuals Hanging Baskets Fall Mums Cyclamen...Liners, Finished PoinsettiaS...Cuttlngs, Finished
FAX:
Telephone: FAX:
1-800-695-8300
1-603-863-3370 1-603-863-7814
service since 1967"
THE PLANTSMAN
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NEW HAMPSHIRE NEWS
Pots Aboil at the University: Ornamentals Moving to the Front Burner
]ohn Hart
A review and regrouping of orna- mental horticulture is well underway at UNH. This should come as wel- come news to the Green Industry in the state after more than a decade of neglect and serious erosion of budgets, personnel, and university support in the ornamentals area.
Rationale and direction for re- shaping ornamentals are detailed in a February report compiled by a re- view team independent of the uni- versity. Input for the review came from the Department of Plant Biol- ogy, the Thompson School's Horti- cultural Technology program. Coop-
erative Extension, and a fair number of representatives from all facets of the Green Industry in New Hamp- shire. The report is a collection of observations, analyses, evaluations, and recommendations for each of the programs (Thompson School, Plant Biology, Extension), and for the three major areas of responsibil- ity (teaching, research, and exten- sion of research into the public and industrial spheres).
So, what are the insights and recommendations, and what's next?
• A search is underway for a full- time, permanent ornamental horti- culturist in Plant Biology, with an appointment of 60% teaching and 40% applied research. Expectations are high for an energetic, innovative, "whole-plant" ornamentalist who will jump in with both feet and take
charge in development of a strong program of teaching and industry- oriented research.
The position description keeps open the area of specialization within the broad realm of whole- plant ornamental horticulture: The new faculty members focus may be greenhouse, floriculture, nursery, landscape, or some combination of these areas. It should be noted that this is not an additional position, but a replacement for retired Profes- sor Owen Rogers. Since this will be the sole ornamentalist in the de- partment, at least in the near-term, both the industry and the review team felt that the specific area of expertise within ornamental horticul- ture was not critical.
A leading candidate was on cam- pus in mid-May, and the search may
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be complete as you read this. Rep- resentatives from the industry (NHPGA, NHLAI participated in the interview process.
• About a year ago, the Thomp- son School restructured its horticul- ture program to offer more focused specializations in Floriculture Opera- tions, Landscape Operations, and General Ornamental Horticulture A number of courses were revised sig- nificantly, some courses were added to the program, and some moved to Plant Biology. The resulting program is stronger overall, and the three specializations are more specifically geared to student and industry needs. In an effort to meet the needs of nontraditional students, scheduling has branched into eve- nings and summers. The curriculum's Industry Advisory Board helped stimulate these improve- ments.
• The position of Extension Omamentalist is being revised, pos- sibly to include teaching responsi- bilities and an increase in applied research of value to the industry. There is fear that, as budget cuts continue, this position may be lost entirely over the next three to five years. Primary responsibility for Ex- tension work with the ornamentals industry is shifting to county Exten- sion Educators and field staff across the state.
In that regard, considerable dis- cussion has taken place over the past few years in the state and the New England region about the best way to utilize Extension expertise in an era of annually shrinking bud- gets, ideas being pursued include specialization by state (for example, perhaps Connecticut becomes the New England greenhouse specialist; Rhode Island, turf; Massachusetts, sustainable use, etc.); specialization by county field staff (for example, perhaps Strafford for fertilization and irrigation, Rockingham for flori- culture, Merrimack for hazardous
TIPS FROM THE GRIFFIN GURU
A Point of Personal Privilege
The Plantsman editors, past and present, have been gracious enough to allow me to voice opinions and spread my wisdom for over seven years. It is my own opinion that, on most occasions, my wisdom has been helpful and educational, but I have to admit that — at times — a very small, minute portion has been spread on "pretty thick." Still, The Plantsman has accommodated my views.
There has been many a publication crossing this guru's desk, but no one ever compared to The Plantsman. The Plantsman remains a leader for many reasons — from their informative calendar to their intuitive new ar- ticles and their astute representation of our own associations.
We, collectively, as members, are indeed fortunate to be exposed to such a creative bunch of people. I would like to personally extend my ut- most praise and continued support to the editors and NHPGA Board of Di- rectors. Your efforts are appreciated.
substances, etc.); a "900-number" for industry; and extensive sharing of resources and information in the state and region via the Internet.. Some of these ideas are being implemented as you read.
• New administrative leadership has moved into place recently. Plant Biology has a new Department Chair this year. Dr. Bob Blanchard, who moved over from the Associate Dean position. The College of Life Sciences and Agriculture will have a permanent Dean by )une I. And a new UNH President, Dr. Joan Leitzel, starts in midsummer. These new leaders will be made aware and kept aware of the importance of the Green Industry in the state.
• Plant Biology is introducing a major in Environmental Horticulture, which is an evolutionary outgrowth of the old major in Horticulture and Agronomy The new faculty omamentalist will have primary re- sponsibility for developing this new program, in collaboration with the Thompson School and with industry
input.
In other news, enrollments are rising in Plant Biology, mostly in the ornamentals area. And offices, fac- ulty, extension, and staff in Nesmith Hall are moving in late May to the new Rudman Hall and the reno- vated Spaulding Life Sciences Build- ing.
• A group is forming to see that recommendations from the review team report are implemented where appropriate, and the results evalu- ated over time. Extension, Thomp- son School, and Plant Biology are actively pulling together to foster better sharing of faculty resources and facilities, an increase in class- room work by Extension, incorpora- tion of students into applied re- search projects, and increasing stu- dent internships in the industry..
Closer contacts between the uni- versity and the ornamental horticul- ture industry were stressed through- out the review team discussions and throughout the report. Expect to hear more from Plant Biology, Ex-
THE PLANTSMAN
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tension, and the Thompson School. This could be in the form of helping you with a question, supplying infor- mation and fact sheets, touring with a class, running a workshop, or seeking your advice and aid in teaching, research, and extension.
So some excitement is in the air these days about ornamentals at UNH. While ornamental horticulture is still woefully understaffed and un- der-supported in all areas — teach- ing, research, extension — and while the disparity is increasing between stagnant state support and the growing importance of the Green In- dustry in the region, I am hopeful the increasing energy levels at the university will help stimulate better support. The acorn has been planted — now we all need to tend its growth.
]ohn Hart is associate professor, TSAS. This article is intended to relate some of
the high points of the ornamental horticul- ture review team report, and some of the near-term results. Information on the full report is available from Bruce Marriott, Program Leader, Agricultural Resources, Taylor Hall, UNH, Durham (603-862- 2033).
Another First...
On Sunday, August 18, 1996, Rock- ingham County will be holding its first annual Open Farm Day, with 17 farms opening their doors to offer the public a chance to learn about their operations. There will be dem- onstrations, farm-raised pro-ducts for sale, barn and field tours, animals, and hayrides — all this along with re- freshments and scenery.
The event is being sponsored by Rockingham County UNH Coopera- tive Extension and supported by Rockingham County Farm Bureau,
NH Department of Agriculture, and Granite State Diary Promotion.
For a list of the farms hosting the Open Farm Day event, contact Nada Haddad at 603-679-5616.
FFA Invitational Horticulture Career Development Event — May 3, 1996
Dave Howell
There were two events. Nursery/ Landscape Career Development Event involved three high schools and sixteen contestants. The event included providing customer verbal and written assistance, problem solving, plant identification, land- scape design interpretation, plant propagation, and a general knowl- edge exam. The top individual was Aaron Armijo from Pinkerton Acad- emy (Derry); the second and third
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|DNE ♦ lOLV 1996
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were Ryan Batchelder and Sam Cooley respectively, of Coe-Brown Academy (Northwood) The first place team was Coe-Brown; second was Alvirne; third, Pinkerton.
In the Floriculture Career Devel- opment Event, there were thirty-four students from six high schools. This event included developing a floral design, plant propagation, making a corsage, plant identification, prob- lem solving, and general exam. Fin- ishing first was Winnisquam Regional High School (Tilton) with 1887 points, Pinkerton Academy finished second with 1847, and Fall Mountain (Alstead) came in third with 1594.
Many thanks to all the volunteers who made this event possible. Sa- rah Ykema, a UNH student and former NH State FFA President, co- ordinated the event, judges in- cluded Jeff Huntington of Granite State FFA Foundation; Dr. Owen
Rogers, Professor Emeritus, UNH; Dr. Charlie Williams, UNH Extension; Pat Jenkins, UNH Thompson School, Dr William Annis, Professor Emeritus, UNH; Dr. Rick Barker, Ag. Consult- ant, State Dept. of Education; Mr Martin Mitchell, Retired Ag. Consult- ant, State Dept. of Education; Marlene Norton, UNH Secretary; cur- rent Granite State FFA Officers; Maria VanderWoude, State FFA Ex- ecutive Secretary and UNH Colle- giate FFA students A.|. Dupere )r., Susan Meyers, Rodney Streeter, Vicki Lawrence, Kathy Barrett, and Linda Corson, and the many teach- ers/students who assisted through- out the day
We also thank Elliott and Will- iams Rose Company of Dover for their contributions of flowers for the corsages, )eff Huntington of Pleasant View Gardens for contribution of plant materials for propagation, and
Peter Mortenson of Pinkerton Acad- emy for providing materials for the floral arrangements.
Dave Howell, professor of adult and occupational education, Department of Resource Economics and Development, UNH, Durham, coordinated this event.
NHOS Show: More Naturally Successful
Softer, more natural lighting, helpful armory personnel, and over eleven hundred visitors all helped make the Fifth Annual New Hampshire Or- chid Society Show a success.
The award for the best cut flower arrangement (sponsored by the NHPGAI was won by FTDA The ar- rangement, made by Debra Defreze, jasmine's Flowers, Seabrook, was described as "simple, natural, and very elegant" and consisted of glass vases of slipper orchids and
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THE PLANTSMAN
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NEW HAMPSHIRE NEWS
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phaleanopsis set on a framed piece of glass, under which was an ar- rangement of mosses, leaves, and "forest fallings "
Other highlights included a spe- cies cattleya grown by Richard West of the Twin State Orchid Society. Over four feet across, this spectacu- lar plant had 37 flowers (white, with a deep-pink lip) in bloom and re- ceived a Certificate of Cultural Merit. On the opposite end of the size scale, a sophrolaeliocattleya 'Jewel Box' grown by Ken Busick — six inches high (including the pot) and with two perfect blossoms — won an AOS Award of Merit.
Congratulations.
For information about the New Hampshire Orchid Society and its varied activities, contact Joanna Eckstrom at 603-654-5070.
A problem I seem to run into every spring is the unwanted buildup of soluble salts. It's not that the individual is over-fertilizing — he just isn't leaching.
When cool, cloudy conditions develop, we water sparingly to limit stretching. Many times we don't water thoroughly enough to develop run- of — especially in flats and paks or small pots. The simple practice of flushing your growing media weekly can prevent any layer of salts from developing. You can even do this using your fertilizer solutions, provided you are moving out any solution in the media along with your own. Some say you should run an excess of an additional 25% more solution through your flats to provide adequate leaching.
All this becomes even more critical if you have an ebb-and-flo system in which you never move any water completely though the pot. if you bot- tom-water, the plant only takes up whatever water it requires, potentially developing, because of evaporation, a layer of salts toward the top of the pot. An occasional top watering can prevent this from happening.
]im Zabhcki, Territory Manager, The Scotts Company, Northeast, can be reached at 603-224-5583.
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THE PLANTSMAN
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Toward a More Solid Foundation
New England Floriculture, Inc., a re- gional corporation for the sole pur- pose of running the New England Greenhouse Conference and its re- lated activities, has been incorpo- rated in the state of Vermont by the six state trade organizations respon- sible for the event. Vermont was chosen because of its relative lack of expense and complexity.
The main reason for incorporation is that, without it, the New England Greenhouse Conference has no legal status — it does not legally exist. And as it became larger and more complex, this fact made it increas- ingly difficult handle finances and to get such things as a tax number or liability insurance
Outwardly, there are no changes. The same format, with each state hosting in turn, will remain. Only the legal structure will change and this will allow the event to continue to grow in size and variety.
The Cary Award
(from the MNLA Nursery News, April, 1996)
The Worcester County Horticultural Society, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Nursery and Land- scape Association (MNLA) and other organizations, is developing a pro- gram to highlight woody plants es- pecially appropriate to New En- gland.
The program is modeled after the Gold Medal Plant Award run by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Each year, beginning in 1997, a com- mittee, made up of horticulturalists from various New England nurseries, botanical gardens, and universities, will select plants that are proven performers in New England gardens. Plans are underway for promotional materials such as special labels, posters, and brochures.
The criteria are simple. The plant — tree, shrub, or vine — must be hardy within at least two of the four zones (Zones 3-6) present in New England; it must be suitable for home landscape use; it must be a proven, exceptional, season-extend- ing plant for New England; and it must be available.
The selection committee has cho- sen the plants to be promoted in 1997. These are: Stewartia pseudo- camellia, Fothergilla major, Chamaecyparis nootkatensis 'Pendula,' Magnolia stellata 'Centennial,' and Enkiantftus campa- nulatus
Any person can nominate plants to receive the award. For a nomina- tion form and information about promotional materials, contact: The Cary Award: Distinctive Plants for New England, Worcester County Horticulture Society, PO Box 598, Boylston, MA 01505-0598 or call 508- 869-61 n.
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FLORISTS' INSURANCE
A special insurance policy for florists has been introduced by The Hanover Insurance Company. Be- sides providing basic property and liability insurance, the policy offers coverage for such things as material in transit, growing plants inside the florist shop, and losses due to re- frigeration breakdown. Peak-season coverage gives 25% extra protection for money and securities during ten major holidays. Greenhouses up to 2500 square feet are eligible
For more, contact an indepen- dent agency that represents Hanover, or Sarah Whitney, Hanover Insurance, 100 North Parkway, H260, Worcester, MA 01605 (phone: 508- 855-4779).
COIR INFORMATION
Marysville, Ohio (April 16, 1996)— The Scotts Company is offering free
literature to inform growers about ScottsCoir^^*, its soilless growing me- dia containing coir pith, a byproduct of processed coconut husks.
Product guides are available for using ScottsCoir^M with Redi-earth® and with Metro-Mixes® 360, 700, 360, and 560. Information includes ingredients, packaging, dry bulk density, fertilizer systems, and prod- uct uses.
Coir is being promoted as both similar to and superior to sphagnum peat moss. For more, contact Rob Seymour, R&D, The Scotts Company, Mill Scottslawn Road, Marysville, OH 43041 (513-644-0011) or jim Zab- locki at 603-224-5583.
Winners...
(from Greenhouse Grower, May, 1996)
The 1997 All-America Selections win- ners include one bedding plant, two flowers, and three vegetables.
A Flower Award went to 'Prestige Scarlet,' a "powerhouse that offers more flowers and more flower color than any other Celosia cristata culti- var." It's easy to produce in 6-10 weeks as a young, green bedding plant or as a flowering plant in a six-inch or one-gallon container. Bred by Sakata Seed, it offers heat and drought tolerance.
A Flower Award went to 'Gypsy,' the first gypsophila to earn an AAS award. An annual, it produces abun- dant small 1/4" pink flowers that can be either double or single. Its dwarf, compact plants (10-14 inches) offer a loose, airy "cottage-style" look that's currently so popular. Bedding plant growers can easily produce flowering plants in small pots in 10-12 weeks. 'Gypsy' was bred by Daehnfeldt.
A Bedding Plant Award went to 'Crystal White' zinnia for its earli- ness and its ability to bloom on compact (4-5") plants. Introduced by American Takii, 'Crystal White' can flower in packs in 60 days after sow-
IDNE '♦'IDLY 1996
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ing with high light and optimum growing conditions.
And, after a three-year breai< from recognizing vegetable cultivars, AAS this year chose three outstand- ing performers: 'Cajun Delight' okra, 'Siam Queen' basil, both from Petoseed, and 'Dynamo' cabbage, from Rogers Seed.
For more information, contact AAS, 1311 Butterfield Road, Suite 310, Downers Grove, IL 60515; tele- phone: 708-963-0770
The All-America Rose Sections (AARS) has announced its three award win- ners for 1997
'Artistry,' a vigorous hybrid tea, has coral-orange blossoms having as many as 30 petals and reaching up to five inches in diameter. Pointed ovoid buds are framed by large, dark-green, semi-glossy foliage on
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upright, well-branched canes. Its light fragrance makes it appropriate for a cutting garden. Keith Zary of lackson & Perkins hybridized this rose from two unnamed seedlings.
'Timeless' is a long-season bloom- er. Its long, shapely buds take their time to open, but the 4 1/2-inch, deep rose-pink flowers are worth
the wait. The 4 1/2-foot tall plant has deep green, semi-glossy leaves on upright, well-branched canes. 'Timeless' was also hybridized by Keith Zary and is the offspring of an unnamed seedling and 'Kardinal.'
'Sentimental,' a free-blooming flo- ribunda, offers striking burgundy and cream-striped petals and a sweet spice fragrance that mimics the striped hybrids of the 1800s. Deep green, quilted foliage accents large pointed buds which open to four inches. Hybridized by Tom Carruth from a combination of 'Play- boy' and 'Peppermint Twist' and in- troduced by Weeks Roses, it is the first striped rose to win the AARS award.
For information contact AARS at 221 N. LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60601; telephone: 312-372-7090.
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THE PLANTSMAN
U sers & Providers
BEGINNER' S
GUIDE
TO THE
INTERNET
David Brock
This is the first of three articles about the Internet and how it all works for people in the Green Industry. The second article, in the August /September issue, will look at the information available and how one could go about finding and utilizing it in a time- and cost-effective way.
INTRODUCTION In 1991, almost a century after the United States converted from an agri- cultural economy to an industrial one, US industry purchased more commu- nications and computer equipment than industrial goods, signaling the movement from an industrial to an in- formational economy. At the heart of this movement is the Internet and the World Wide Web (WWW) With an es- timated forty million persons from al- most two hundred countries regularly connecting to and using this network, it is becoming a vital tool for conduct- ing business, interacting, and staying informed. And the horticultural com- munity from New Hampshire and Cali- fornia to lapan and England is not im- mune to this technological progress.
In horticulture, virtually all universi- ties who train and educate the next generation of growers, nurserymen, hardgoods manufacturers, distributors, and brokers, as well as consumers of our industry's bounty, are connected to this information superhighway. Most of the Cooperative Extension is connected to the Internet The USDA and EPA are on-line. And a burgeon- ing number of companies who con- duct the commerce in our industry are connecting, offering extensive details
about their soilless mixes, insecticide MSDS and labels, cell-pack availability, and other information previously available only through catalogs or phone. The econom- ics of electronic mail (email, the biggest use for the Internet today) are clear — it is efficient; it reduces paper and postage costs The economics of publishing material in digital form on the Internet once, for all to see, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, are also clear and are the driving force behind this technological revolution. And the economics of connecting to this network, whether from home or work, are equally compelling.
TABLE ONE
ON-LINE SERVICES America On-Line: 1-800-827-6364 CompuServe: 1-800-848-8199 Delphi: 1-800-695-4005 Prodigy : 1-800-776-3449
INTERNET ACCESS
PROVIDERS
(Ail 603 area codes unless
otherwise indicated)
Blue Fin: 433-2223
Cyberport: 542-5833
Grolen: 645-0101
Interactive Micro: 938-2127
Mainstream: 424-1497
MonadNet 352-7619
MV 429-2223
Netcom: 1-800-353-6600
NETIC: 437-1811
North Country: 752-1250
RocketScience: 334-6444
INTERNET SOFTWARE BROWSERS Netscape Navigator Microsoft Explorer IBM OS/2 Warp Quarterdeck
THE TWO SIDES OF THE INTERNET The Internet can be thought of as having two halves: (1.) the users — who use email, have on-line discussions regarding the presidential candidates or the use of herbs in cooking and consume information, goods, and ser- vices and (2.) the providers of these forums and information.
Users connect from their home or office using a computer, modem, and software (called an Internet browser) which allows them to "look at" the content being provided on the Internet on their computer screen. Content providers, generally called Internet Service Providers (ISPs), de- sign software that presents informa- tion to users in a logical, graphical, and familiar way. When this content is published digitally on the Internet, many simultaneous users can view it, react to it, or download it to their own computers. Similar to the televi- sion, which offers graphical "content" on different channels, and similar to the telephone, which connects you to the number dialed, the Internet lies
IDNE >|ULV 1996
15
somewhere in-between. A user who types in an Internet address (which is like dialing a telephone number) on their computer's Internet browser software gets con- nected to a channel of graphical information similar to what you might see on television. These channels of in- formation offer enormous detail — both textual and vi- sual— about products, organizations, programs, services, brochures, and anything else you can see or read about in the world. And additional information is being added every day.
USING THE INTERNET
To use or connect to the Internet, you need a computer (generally Intel 386 or higher, or Apple PowerPC), a com- puter modem (14,400 or 28,800 bits/second), a standard telephone line, and software which includes a communi- cations package and an Internet browser. For the techni- cally challenged, the simplest means of connecting, as- suming you have the above hardware, is to use a soft- ware package from one of the on-line service providers listed in Table One. These companies make it easy to configure your system, offer local telephone call access, and are generally simple to implement. Their cost, how- ever, is generally higher than other methods of connect- ing, averaging $l2/month for basic access and then $2.50 or so per hour of connect time thereafter.
For the more ambitious, using an off-the-shelf soft- ware package, such as that offered by Netscape Commu- nications and connecting to an Internet access provider (also listed in Table One), is a more cost-effective way to go — assuming the access provider you have chosen provides a local telephone number in your area — and offers good service. Costs here vary significantly, averag- ing anywhere from $20/month for unlimited access to a charge of $1.00 or so per hour. Finally, if you use Microsoft's Windows 95 or IBM's OS/2 Warp operating system, they offer a connection software package and a network into which to connect, (typically through a local phone call) for about $5/month with an hourly charge based on usage. In addition, due to the Telecommunica- tions Act passed in Congress in early February, tele- phone companies, like AT&T, MCI, and Sprint are begin- ning to aggressively offer Internet access. These pro- grams are new and aren't covered here, but are likely to bring costs down and services up.
As a user, check out the best method for you and don't be embarrassed if you change providers a few times before finding one that suits and services your needs. Also, expect to be bombarded with specials from NYNEX (Bell Atlantic), AT&T, MCI, Sprint, your cable company, Internet access providers, Microsoft, IBM, and a hoards of others who want your Internet connection business.
PROVIDING CONTENT ON THE
INTERNET If you are in the Green Industry today and want to pro-
vide information about yourself on the Internet for users to see, you are a "content provider". For most organiza- tions, this capability falls outside their scope of exper- tise and they solicit the advice of an Internet service provider (ISP). This organization will work with you to define how you would like to present your information and then will design, in software, pages for you. This generally entails digitizing current brochures, catalogues, letterhead and logo, pictures of your prize-winning crop or retail center and then logically placing these into the software format required on the Internet. ISPs generally charge a fixed fee per page ($100-200) or project ($I,000-$IOO,000) to design the page(s) and then a monthly fee ($25-50 per page) to actually keep those pages published and accessible on the Internet. The Internet is analogous to a magazine, in which an ad is created and you pay the publisher a monthly fee to run it. For the more technically savvy and experienced, you may also consider designing and publishing documents yourself, in-house, but the cost to do so is significant — requiring a high-powered computer, a dedicated connec- tion to the Internet (which is always running and ringing up the charges), and a person to administer the site. Es- timates suggest it averages about $50,000/year to take the project in-house. Naturally, the more sophisticated the content, the more expensive, regardless of the ap- proach you take. A simple, one page ad on the Internet runs about $400/year, inclusive, while a secure, on-line ordering system, which includes a 300-page catalog, corporate history, delivery schedules, on-line order- tracking, etc., can run into the tens of thousands of dollars.
SUMMARY When you combine the two halves — users, estimated at 40 million in over 200 countries, and content providers, estimated at 80,000, offering tens of millions of pages of information — you have a vast, expanding conduit of in- formation and resources at your fingertips.
David Brock is Business Manager of VJeb Developers, Inc.,
226 \S/askington Street, Woburn, MA 01801. He can be reached
at I -800-WWW-6WEB.
MICHAUD
Nurseries & Greenhouses, Inc.
Route 85, PO Box 334, Exeter, NH 03833 (603) 772-3698
Wholesale & Retail
Annuals, Perennials, Nursery Stock, Landscape Supplies
16
THE PLANTSMAN
'^-
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U.S. Route 5, White River Junction, VT 05001 16 Pinkham Road West, Barrington, NH 03825
SER VING THE PROFESSIONAL
WITH ABOVE GROUND PLANT MATERIAL
Distributors in the following lines:
• Lofts Seeds • Birchmdcr Sprayers
• DeWitt Weed Barrier • Lebanon Tuif Fertilizers
• Corona Hand Tools • Mulch & Grow Hydroseeding Fiber
• Earthway Spreaders • Nursery & Landscape Supplies
Contact:
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Bob AvercU, Mgr., Barrington, NH, (603) 868-7172
GOOD SERVICE . DEPENDABLE QUALTTr* CONVENIENT LOCATION
lUNE -flULV 1996
17
•»?-
-^
MEMBER PROFILE
Churchiirs
A Good Business Even Better
^ 11^^ -^nai
fter leaving Ohio State with a degree in or- namental horti- culture, one of the companies at which Jim Moser worked was Chemlawn. Transferred to Manches- ter, New Hampshire, in 1985, he left in 1988 to form, with a partner, his own lawn-care business, Granite State Lawn Care. This turned out to be very successful — so much so that they were bought — by Chemlawn Jim wanted another business and, through a broker, began looking at various possibilities. The broker mentioned that Churchill's Garden Center in Exeter was for sale.
jim had originally wanted some- thing less seasonal that would allow him to spend more time with his four children, but Churchill's seemed attractive — "a good busi- ness in an area of the state with strong growth potential."
Located on 3.6 acres of land on the Hampton/Exeter Road, the gar- den center was founded in 1939 by Charlie Knibbs and bought in 1971 by Jim and )udy Churchill. By 1994, it had grown to include a 40x60' re- tail shop with two display green- houses connected to one side and, behind it, four double-poly produc- tion houses (one 30'x96'; three 16'x96'). Polly's Flower Shoppe, in its own building, was a separate business renting space.
Staff — three full-time year-round employees (although with fewer hours in winter) who knew the busi- ness well — was already in place.
And Jim and Judy Churchill agreed to stay on — )im as grower; Judy in the shop — to smooth the transition.
This has allowed lim Moser, now owner and manager, to learn the growing end of things and Jeanne, his wife, to become familiar with the operation of the shop.
IT ALL STARTS IN THE MOTHER HOUSE— the 30'x96' poly— in mid- lanuary, when the pansy and viola plugs are potted up .
The production houses are ba- sic— oil-heated double-poly; dirt floors; material is grown on wooden pallets or snow fencing on cement blocks or on weed control mats on the floor |im buys in plugs. Some- day he may grow from seed, but un- til he's gotten a few seasons under his belt, he'd rather have fewer steps in which to make mistakes. This year he bought 1000 trays of pre-planted plugs ("1000 less to transplant"). Techniques are simple — there's a potting bench just in- side the front door of the Mother House; MetroMix 360 is the me- dium; feeding is by dosatron; hang- ers are on a chapin system, but most everything else is watered by hand.
Hangers — fuchsia, ivies, Super- tunias, impatiens. Proven Winners — are a Churchill specialty. The first — ivies — are hung in the cool house (55F nights) above the first pansies and, later, dianthus and snaps. Al- though this was originally done sim- ply to hold the earliest hangers — potted perhaps a little too early in
order to create time for other pot- ting later in the season, it seems to be beneficial in another way: while there's not much vegetative growth in the cooler temperature, there's a lot of root development. When the temperature warms up, the strong root system supports an explosion of lush foliage.
Ivies are traditional — Churchill's grows more Balkan types now — these have a split bloom, as op- posed to the more umbel-like head; their leaves are more deeply lobed Jim finds them more vigor- ous and simpler to grow But all ivies are popular and seem to stand up well in full sun.
Moser experiments with other types of hangers — 14" moss bas- kets; living wreaths (begonias, lobe- lia, and ivy growing in moss at- tached onto a Christmas wreath box frame), and plastic pouches filled with soil with a dozen plants grow- ing through slits in the plastic. Grown lying flat on the bench, once the plants fill in, the pouch is hung on a wall, creating a flat surface of living material.
But most are in 10" pots (8" dries out more quickly); he sells all he grows and pots up a second crop for summer sales
Annuals have always been a strong item at Churchill's. Using customers' comments as a guide, Moser is trying some new types: more "native" marigolds, ornamen- tal poppies, annual larkspur (and in six-paks of individual colors, as well as mixed).
IS
THE PLANTSMAN
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MEMBER
PROFILE
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The 4" annuals sell to the beach crowd (Hampton Beach is a few miles away) after school is out and jumbo annuals — three-to-six 3" plants — cleomes, cosmos — per mum pot — sell well into August.
For fall sales, jim buys in asters and consolidates the nursery in or- der to grow 5000 mums After the first year of hand-watering, he's in- stalled drip irrigation. Last year, he tried using biologicals — ladybugs — on his mums ("the customers loved it").
They buy in most Christmas ma- terial, but grow their own poinset- tias. This is Jim Churchill's crop and he does this one from start to fin- ish. He grows mostly Freedom, started from rooted cuttings. The look is old-fashioned — a high per- centage are not pinched and several of these in a pot produces a very large plant — good for businesses and large-scale private residences. Exeter has some of both and these do sell. "They're different, "|im says; "It's good not to look like every- body else."
Christmas is busy and Moser is willing to accept January and Febru- ary as quiet — a space in which to begin preparing for spring.
NATURALLY, WITH NEW OWNERS, there are changes. There's more emphasis on perennials. |im buys in perennials — a high percentage of them from Walters Gardens in Zeeland, Michigan. An unheated XS Smith house has been set up be- hind and perpendicular to the pro- duction houses for use as a cold frame in early spring (and as stor- age in winter). They're given ozmocote first ("they're not using much early in the season"), then liquid feed once they're on the benches that fill one side of the driveway or in the display gardens directly behind the shop. (Prices are shown by color — each pot has a col- ored tag — each color indicates a
price.)
The selection of trees and shrubs has also been expanded. Space is limited and, as this is only Moser's second year, the question of whether to stock basics or more un- usual hard-to-find types is still be- ing decided.
"PEOPLE DEFINITELY LIKE TO PICK OUT THEIR OWN" and customers can go into any of the production houses ("they have the run of the place"), but every effort is made to bring material to the front and dis- play it there to advantage. Hangers are hung from lattice set onto the crosspieces in the display houses and from hooks on a newly built porch.
The 15'x65' porch is the most ob- vious physical change made since )im Moser became owner. Made of rough wood, it runs along the entire front of the shop. There are sky- lights in the roof, a lot of hooks ev- erywhere, and a rail on which a vari- ety of window boxes are set. In front of the porch, a three-foot wide bed of bark mulch is used to dis- play potted trees and shrubs. In April, pansies filled the window boxes and azaleas, forsythia, magno- lias, and weeping cherry — all in flower — filled the bed. A few hang- ers were displayed, but the empha- sis on those will come slightly later: "On busy spring days, I have some- one do nothing but fill empty hooks."
These displays are important. The Hampton Road is busy and traf- fic is fast. A large, straight-forward sign — lit at night — is set on poles in a bed of bulbs and shaped yews by the roadside. Between this and the building is parking. The friendli- ness of a porch and the additional color have definitely attracted more customers.
THE SHOP IS CHANGING AS WELL. The 40'x60' area is divided into sev-
eral smaller sections. The hardgoods section is more compact ("We can't compete with the big supply stores, but we should offer the basics") to open up space for other items: a broad selection of clay containers, bird houses, bird seed, and bird-re- lated books — and unusual things — like weather vanes
In a separate room, "The Gift Garden" — a new gift area — is evolv- ing. Everything here is garden-re- lated— sometimes by no more than having a floral design printed on it (clocks, T-shirts, pillows) or by somehow using "natural" materials (scented candles). There's a nostal- gic tone: gazing globes — spheres of mirrored glass set on stands and used as ornaments in Victorian gar- dens (Moser remembers one in his grandmother's garden) — are popular. On one wall, a facade of a house has been constructed — the un- painted clapboards add warmth to the room and the steps leading to the door and the flower box at each window are used for display. The tone of the room is one of the tex- tures and tones of a garden.
Jim and leanne hope that Churchill's will evolve into more than a place to buy plants. They see it as a place to linger and en- joy. They envision a park-like atmo- sphere, with more display gardens, benches and fountains. Already there's a fish pond with waterfall and koi. In the corner is a play- ground for children — [im and Jeanne's, but for other children too.
As Moser says, Churchill's was al- ways a good business, but even the best need to evolve to order to sur- vive. In this new world of trends and niches and aggressive mass marketing, a place of pleasure is a good thing to be. (B.P.)
{Cfturchill's Garden Center is on Route lOIC, Exeter, NH 03833; ]im and ]eanne Moser and ]im and ]udy Churchill can be reached at 603-772-2685.)
IDNE ♦ I U LV 1996
19
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^ Tanglewood Gardens
Growers of Fine Plants
424 State Route 101 Bedford, NH 03110-5029
603/472-3737
Wholesale & Retail
2 1/2" - Geraniums • Fuchsias
Dracaenas • Vinca Vine
Ivy Geraniums &
Poinsettias
4 1/2" - Prefinished
Geraniums & New Guinea
Impatiens
ALSO Over 100 Herb Varieties
Open seven days a week
Located on Rt. 101: 1000 ft West
of Weathervane Restaurant
hartJ
• SEEDS '
OU/U.ITY
New England's Leading Full Line Seed House
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1 (800) 326-HART FAST, COURTEOUS SERVICE
The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co.
RO. BOX 9169
WETHERSFIELD. CT 06129-0169
1 (800) 326-HART
n
"Our goal, quality Our strength, our employees"
FOR A GREENHOUSE VEFJNJTLV VITFEREUT CONTACT:
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20
THE PLANTSMAN
A
Recreated World War II Vegetable Garden in the Puddle Dock Neighborhood of Portsmouth, NH
Mrs. Pecunies' Victory Garden
by John Misenheimer
w.
ith the onset of World War 11,
the United States was facing difBculties
with domestic food shortages
as well as internal transportation problems.
Truck farmers and large commercial growers
were unable to transport their produce readily
to markets and much of what they grew
was diverted overseas:
first to feed a war-ravaged Europe,
then to feed our own soldiers abroad.
Gasoline, tires, and
chemicals usually found in fertilizers
likewise were reserved for the direct war effort.
As a result. The U.S Department of Agriculture
initiated a campaign to encourage
local food production in small backyard
or community gardens.
In 1942, Secretary of Agriculture Claude Wikard
referred to the planting of such gardens
"as a new inspiration from the symbol
V for Victory:
Vegetables for Victory and Vitality."
The name "Victory Garden,"
borrowed from the English war garden effort,
became recognized nationwide and
the country responded with amazing amounts
of local vegetable and firuit production.
The objectives of the Victory Garden Program, as out- lined by Secretary Wikard, were threefold: increase local production of food supplies, boost homefront morale by giving those at home a way to contribute to the war ef- fort, and improve awareness of nutritional needs. The latter need became obvious as large numbers of draft- ees were found to suffer from nutritional deficiencies rendering them unfit for service.
The Department of Agriculture organized a conference of horticulture, nutrition, and education experts to study the three objectives. As a result, the encouragement of home gardens and home canning received federal back- ing. A blitz of information bulletins produced by Dept. of Agriculture, the Office of War information, the OPA, and the WPA filled the files of county Extension agents, vocational schools, defense councils, garden clubs, and even scouting troops and public schools. Very specific garden plot plans were formulated for plots as small as 10' X 10' and up to 100' x 100'. Bulletins provided infor- mation on soil preparation and amendments, insect con- trol, proper tool care and use, and selection of appropri- ate varieties of vegetables. They also recommended the quantities of seed to use in order that seed didn't go to waste The campaign did a good job of teaching people, many of whom never before felt the desire or need to garden.
Facing a lack of mechanical assistance and a shortage of young men who, formerly, would have been hired to turn the garden, these small garden plots became family projects. The instruction for different family members: weeding, cultivating watering, harvesting, canning, and root cellar preparations. The intentional emphasis on family involvement was a contributing factor to homefront morale.
Soil preparation was accomplished with the aid of a garden fork, a round-pointed shovel, or a garden spade, digging to the depth of the blade or tines. Peat moss, compost, and some chemical fertilizers (such as 0-14-14) were available. Nitrates were unavailable to the Victory gardener as they were required for explosives. A favored fertilizer in the Seacoast was fish waste. Lime was also available and the value of wood ash was well recognized.
lUNE ♦ JULY 1996
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A sharp hoe and hand-weeding were sometimes aug- mented by the use of a wheel-hoe, very popular during this period. The use of the wheel hoe was encouraged even on small plots because of the savings in time and energy, valuable resources when a country is at war
Insect control, unfortunately, employed the use of many now-banned products. Favorites were Paris Green and lead arsenate. These, however, were costly and home gardeners often relied on simpler remedies. Handpicking tomato hornworms and various beetles probably was the most common method of control. Cab- bage butterfly was discouraged by sprinkling salt in the heads. Squash bugs were dusted with lime. Aphids were sprayed with soaps and corn ear worms were treated with the timely use of mineral oil applied with an ear dropper to the maturing silk.
Small plot sizes encouraged intercropping and succes- sion planting. This also reduced time spent caring for the garden. Garden sanitation, encouraged by succession plant- ing practices, was well-regarded as a valuable technique.
Seed companies took advantage of the fervor over gardening, providing advice of their own and enticing gardeners with colorful catalogues Seed research contin- ued through the war in a search for more bountiful har- vests for commercial production, providing many new varieties. Popular varieties used in New England in- cluded many varieties now considered heirloom, but others still popular in the trade;
beans: Kentucky Wonder, Bountiful, Horticultural
Speckled Cranberry
beets: Fireball, Detroit Dark Red
cabbage: Flat Dutch, Early lersey Wakefield, Savoy, Chieftain
cauliflower: Early Snowball
corn: Golden Bantam, Country Gentleman,
Evergreen
lettuce: Black-seeded Simpson, Paris Cos
onions: Yellow Ebeneezer, South Port Globe,
Red Weathersfield
parsley: Moss Curled, Flat Italian
parsnip: Hollow Crown, Gurnsey
peas: Alderman, Little Marvel, Thomas Laxton
radish: White Icicle, Early Scarlet Globe, Black
Spanish
squash: Yellow Crookneck, Hubbard
tomatoes: Oxheart, Gloriana, Rutgers (known for can- ning qualities). Beefsteak, Marglobe
turnip: Purple Top, White Globe, Seven Top
spinach: Long-Standing Bloomsdale
Biological
Control Works!
And here's who to contact so it can work for you:
The Green Spot. Ltd., Dept. of Bio Ingenuity
93 Priest Rd., Nottingham, NH 03290-6204
Tel: 603/942-8925 Fax: 603/942-8932
Les Entereprises Dolbec Cookshire Ltee
TREE PLANTER
Characteristics
■ Each tree planter supplied with its own trailer
■ 16"-30" diameter disc
■ Adjustable shear and disk
■ IVIade by "Beloit Woodland" model "^
■ $1,200-2,400 Canadian funds
506, Chemin Dolbec, Birchton, Quebec Tel: 819-821-4188 Fax: 819-875-5372
23
THE PLANTSMAN
In 1993, the restoration of Mrs. Emma Pecunies' Vic- tory Garden at Strawbery Banke Museum was started with the help of information supplied by her son who still resides in Portsmouth. The garden is planted on its original location Photographs and oral history provided the garden layout and varieties. The plot {41' x 34') is bordered with flower favorites of Mrs. Pecunies and granite stepping stones and the whole enclosed with wire fence. Two silver maples on the west and south sides of the garden (saplings in Mrs. Pecunies' time) must now be considered for the shade they cast. Urban renewal activities in the 1950s and early 60s left the plot covered in gravel and rubble, much of which still covers the original plot. Fifteen yards of loam and compost were brought in to amend the soil. The fence was re- stored according to Mr. Pecunies' descriptions and a small remnant of the original found during grading.
Despite the relatively poor growing season of 1995, the Victory Garden at Strawbery Banke yielded fairly well. The tomato crop was particularly good (which is appropriate because tomatoes were emphasized for Vic- tory Gardens because of their ease and safety in can- ning and their vitamin C content.) Yellow Oxheart, a large meaty type with a mild flavor and small seed cavi- ties, and Beefsteak did equally well, providing good crops of unblemished fruits. Black-seeded Simpson let- tuce, growing in the shadier area near the maples proved to be its reliable self despite the drought. The Scarlet Globe and Icicle radishes were bountiful, but Kentucky Wonder pole beans and Straight Eight and Chicago Pickling cucumbers were only moderately suc- cessful. Several heads of Savoy and Flat Dutch cabbage were also grown with some heading problems (excessive hot weather?) and the Long Island brussel sprouts failed due to the heat and dryness. Leafy greens — mustard and turnip — did especially well, as did Moss Curled parsley. Dill, the only herb mentioned in Portsmouth's records of its registered Victory Gardens, was in its glory A fall planting of Bloomsdale spinach provided a good early spring harvest this year.
This year's plan includes greater attention to inter- cropping and succession planting. Though the Pecunies family grew their bigger crops such as winter squashes, corn, and, sometimes, pole beans in their community plot outside the neighborhood, we will represent some of these here this year, saving room in the garden with trellising where possible and employing the bordering fence for vertical gardening as well
In retrospect, standing at the entrance of the Victory Garden, 1 think of the contributions of patriotic people such as Mrs. Pecunies. Today, visitors to Strawbery Banke Museum might be reminded by the Victory Gar- den of the efforts of these people and, perhaps, specu- late upon the value of such a small garden. In an era when it is so easy to be removed from the immediacy of food production and so easy to forget how areas around shopping malls and their associated parking lots
were formerly used, this recreated Victory Garden has proven able to draw visitors into reminiscing about cer- tain vegetables or about family activities during WWII. And it even, on one known occasion, inspired the deci- sion to grow a garden once again.
]ohn Misenfieimer is a volunteer at Strawbery Banke Museum in the horticulture and archeology departments. Strawbery Banke, Marcy Street Portsmouth, NH, is open daily, \0am-5pm. May through October For information, call 603-433-1100.
PIONEER POINTERS
The Cost of Receivable(s)
ISSUE
It is the middle of the season. You've worked hard to grow, package, and ship your product. Normally, after plant material has been delivered, it should stop cost- ing you money. But more often than not, the sales slips are put into the 'Receivable(s)' category, not to be looked at for thirty days. Receivable(s) are unique in that they make your financial statement look strong, but unfortunately, you have nothing you can spend. It's important that you ask three questions: Can I readily generate a list of customers who owe me money? Does it identify how long the money has been outstanding? Is there someone responsible for customer follow-up? EXAMPLE: You've shipped and billed an order for $5,000. This order costs you $3,5000 to grow and was funded by an operating line (cost 10%). At first glance, you have a net profit of $1,500 — or 30% (not bad, even by Wall Street standards). Assume that the account takes 90 days to pay. You'll still have to pay the inter- est on the operating line ($87.50) and you'll lose the opportunity to invest the $1,500 (at 10% APR cost $37.50). As a result, your net profit has been reduced to $1,375— or 28%.
SOLUTION
Generate a list that allows you to view the receiv- able(s) by customer, number of days outstanding, and amount owed. Establish a program which rewards prompt payment (cash discount), and penalizes late payment (finance charge). Most importantly, follow up with the customers to insure that the money is forth- coming. (O.W.)
Firs! Pioneer Farm Credit has an experienced consulting staff willing to assist you in the area of financial management. For more information, call the Bedford Office at 1-800-852-3252.
IDNE 4- IDLV 1996
23
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-^
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The
ted?*" '*!bcK-:J:S
• •
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't^'Sfe ^
*(VAV^«tf*t^ f A^t
for the Northeast.
::^:sf y ^ ^ .- -cvx 'Sn.'*'-
^■* -MrfWuiv^
GRIFFIN
GREENHOUSE & NURSERY SUPPLIES
r< A S S A mn USETTS'NiWYQRK«MAINE»CONNECTICUT
CALL 508-851-4346.
'Poinsettias 'Annuals • Perennials
Wholesalers & Retailers
•Potted Plants •Seasonal Crops •Supplies
Visit our 12 Greenhouses & Garden Center
Claremont Hill, Newport, New Hampshire
(603)863-1089
OPEN YEAR ROUND
24
THE PLANTSMAN
with Agritourism
Michael Sciabarrasi
W^hen evaluating the feasibility of alternative agritourism enterprises, you need to answer several fundamental questions How will the enterprise fit in my current operation? What special skills are needed? Will government regulations restrict my options? What market strategies work? Will the en- terprise make money?
Whether or not the enterprise fits your current opera- tion depends on your personal goals and objectives and your available resources. You need to consider not only if the activity will be a financial success, but also if the enterprise is fun. Your desire and willingness to educate and entertain visitors are essential.
PERSONAL SKILLS
A successful agritourism enterprise means a steady flow of visitors who anticipate enjoying the "experience" of visiting your operation and expect to be treated well. There will be times when a large group of visitors is scattered throughout your operation, a critical piece of greenhouse equipment fails, and an animal has gotten loose from your petting-zoo. Your patience and ability to handle minor crises will be tested. You must be able to calmly deal with the roaming visitors, capture the loose animal, and arrange for equipment repair while keeping a smile.
Communication skills and patience are essential when dealing with the public. You, or the person in contact with the visitors, must be able to speak clearly and con- cisely, handle difficult questions and challenges, and "entertain" visitors. If you appear preoccupied or in a rush, the visitors won't feel they're getting their money's worth and may not return.
REGULATIONS
It is critical to be aware of regulations pertaining to agritourism enterprises. Local, state, and federal govern- ment concerns include restrooms, septic systems, drink- ing water, commercial kitchens, signage, zoning permits, employees, and room and meals tax. Of particular note.
be aware that agritourism enterprises, such as a retail store or petting zoo, may require a variance from the lo- cal zoning board of adjustment. If you plan to process and handle food products, be certain to contact the State Department of Public Health Services.
It's not always clear which agency or local government is responsible for individual regulatory issues. Begin your search for information by contacting familiar local/ state agencies and educational organizations, such as UNH Cooperative Extension.
MARKETING
Location plays a key role in marketing. Is your operation near a city or another tourist attraction? Are you within a few miles of a major roadway? Accessibility of your en- terprise and proximity to other attractions help to draw visitors. A poor location may be difficult to overcome.
Aesthetics is critical to success. Your operation must be clean, well organized, and free of odors. You will have to get to those minor repairs and general cleanup and paint jobs which are often treated as low priority.
Promotional strategies for your agritourism enterprise should include brochures and newspaper advertising. These two techniques tend to be more effective than di- rect mailing. If it's within your budget, advertising on ra- dio and in regional magazines can also be effective.
Unless your enterprise is exactly like another, you will more than likely benefit from cooperation on a local level. The more places tourists can visit, the more they will come to an area. Competition in the tourist industry comes from other regions which are trying to attract visi- tors, not from your local community.
Lastly, a substantial portion of a business' sales are repeat customers. To keep people coming back, you may need to change or add new features to your enter- prise. Keep an updated mailing list of customers to in- form them of upcoming activities or special events.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Prior to starting an agritourism enterprise, you need to
lUNE *■ lULV 1996
2S
decide if the enterprise must make money in and of it- self, or if the enterprise will serve to draw customers to your operation. Keep in mind that an agritourism activ- ity will likely help an already profitable operation achieve a higher level of returns, but it is improbable that this sideline activity will be able to rescue a busi- ness operating at a substantial loss
What you charge for an agritourism activity depends on your goals. You may not want to put a lot of time and effort in the activity and hope that additional prod- uct sales justify the minimal time and expense. You may charge a nominal fee, which would represent the out-of- pocket cost incurred. Or, you may want the agritourism enterprise to generate profit as well as enhance product sales.
You should keep track of the receipts and expenses of the agritourism activity. If the activity is minor, re- ceipts (if any) and expenses are often combined with other business records On the other hand, if it is a ma- jor activity which needs to show a profit, revenues and expenses directly associated with the enterprise should be kept separately.
OTHER ISSUES
Other key issues pertinent to operating an agritourism enterprise are liability and labor Since you are re- sponsible for the safety of any person on your prop- erty, liability coverage is absolutely essential. Liability insurance should be designed to protect both your as- sets and earnings capacity from potential claims. For a family business, you need a policy with personal and business liability coverage on both spouses. Work with your insurance agent to get the coverage needed.
When adding an enterprise, always consider the im- pact on labor requirements. How will the labor needs be met? Can you cover the labor required with family members or will you need to hire help? The employees involved in a agritourism activity may be classified dif- ferently (as non-agricultural employees), depending on the nature of the enterprise. A change in classification may mean a different set of labor rules and regulations.
The success of your agritourism enterprise will de- pend on careful planning. Be certain to realistically as- sess not only your resources and market, but also your desire and disposition towards making the enterprise work.
This article is based on information from "Agritourism in New York State Opportunities and Challenges in Farm-Based Recreation and Hospitality" published by the Department of Rural Sociology at Cornell University, Uhaca, 1993.
Michael Sciabarrasi is Extension Specialist, Agricultural Business Management, in the Department of Resource Economics and Development at UNH, Durham, the phone number there is 603-862-1700.
THE GREEN SPOT
J^
Conventional growers know — or should, anyway — that before selecting a pesticide, they must first identify the pest causing the damage. Moreover, the chosen pesti- cide must be labeled for the pest and the crop on which it is present. The same holds true for biological pest control. In fact, it is even more critical: many natural and synthetic chemicals are quite non-selective, whereas most predators and parasitoids are pretty particular.
When contacting your bio-control supplier for his/her recommendations, it is fruitless to describe your plants' foes as "little green things with legs." If you lack positive identi- fication (from either a book or a bug-person), the following criteria may help your supplier get to the root of your prob- lem: 1. In millimeters, what is the approximate size of
your pest?
Does it have six, eight, or more legs?
What is its color and shape?
Is the coloration consistent on the pest's body?
Is the coloration consistent throughout the pest
population?
Is there honeydew present? (Look for stickiness,
ants, black sooty mold.)
On which plant parts does the pest congregate most?
What are the feeding patterns and/or damage?
Are there various life stages present? 10. Are there distinguishing characteristics: hairs, cottony
masses, siphoons (rear-end aphid structures), wings, etc?
The answers to the questions above combined with tem- perature, humidity, and crop information will bring you much closer to sorting out the actual problem(s) at hand. Purchasing a I0x-40x magnifier and an arthropod field guide with color photos will be quite useful too. Monitoring with visual sticky traps may also help. Pay close attention to the crop by scouting weekly, it is true that the season is hectic. However, without some basic knowledge of the pest(s) at hand, the season can quickly turn to pure hell. The Green Spot, Ltd., Department of Bio-ingenuity, 603-942-8925.
7. 8. 9.
^■■:*M^-
Garden Center
Consultations and Landscaping Designs Greenhouses, Nursery, Craft, and Christmas Shop
656 South Mammoth Road (Rte. 28A)
Manchester, NH 03103
(603) 625-8298
2«
THE PLANTSMAN
The More You Grow, The Mom You Know.
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lONE *■ I ULV 1996
27
'^-
HOW ABOUT HERBS
-i*.
j^vik
How About. ..Basil!
As spring heats up, our thoughts turn toward the warmer weather herbs — like basil. Nothing can match the fragrance that rises around you when you work among a thriving planting of spicy, clove/mint, cinna- mon, and licorice/lemon scented basils. Even more fun is using them in cooking.
New basils are being developed all the time, but some of the old fa- vorites are not being forgotten. I still prefer the classic Lettuce-Leaf Basil iOcimum basilicum var. 'crispum') and Broadleaf Sweet Basil (O basil- icum) for my major harvest and sup- ply of frozen pesto. Both produce large leaves with excellent flavor. The spicy, sweet-flavored lettuce- leaf type is one to shred right into your green salads or a tomato sand- wich, or pile onto a plate of vine- ripened tomatoes and top with a little olive oil and shredded cheese. T'is hard to beat for summer lunch.
Basil Genova Profumatissima ('Perfume Basil') lives up to its name. I tried this one from Shep- herd's Garden Seeds last year and found it excellent for pesto and able to do well in other culinary uses too. Its flavor and fragrance are unmatched. These Stuffed Shells are one of our family favorites. They're great to prepare ahead of time and pop into the oven whenever you need them.
STUFFED SHELLS WITH BASIL
Make the filling.
1 cup finely chopped fresh basil
leaves
2 eggs, well beaten
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups freshly grated Parmesan
cheese 1 generous tsp freshly grated nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste
Mix beaten eggs with cheeses and basil. Add seasonings and adjust to taste. Cook about 20 large pasta shells in 6 quarts boiling water until just tender. Do not overcook. Drain and rinse with cold water.
Stuff each shell with about 3 tbsp of filling and place in casserole dish. Top with Basil Tomato sauce and bake in preheated 375F oven or about 25 minutes — until top is bubbly.
BASIL TOMATO SAUCE
2 carrots, coarsely grated 1 small red onion, chopped
1 cup fresh basil leaves, coarsely shredded
2 pounds fresh Italian (plum type) tomatoes
2-4 garlic cloves salt to taste
Combine the ingredients in a heavy saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and adjust seasoning. Blend in food processor for a smooth sauce or simply stir well to break up tomatoes. Top stuffed shells before baking, or use on other pasta dishes.
Basils germinate and grow fast if the soil, sun, and air are consistently warm — over 55F. It's not a crop to be hurried It needs plenty of sun- light and moisture even when ma- ture, in order to keep those new leaves coming. Keep the flower heads picked off and feed the plants after a heavy harvest. For a longer season, many people replen- ish their gardens with young basil plants in midsummer and this is when 1 try out some different types. I tried 'True Thai' last year. It's a
striking plant about two feet tall with a marvelous clove/mint/spice scent and purple stems. The flower heads are large and flat — an elegant purple color. They are worth drying if you decide to let them remain on the plant — they hold their fragrance for months. The leaves are excellent for use in stir fries and in this Fresh Basil Chutney
FRESH BASIL CHUTNEY
1 cup raisins
1 cup firmly packed fresh Thai basil
leaves 1 firm tart apple (Cranny Smith is
good) 1 orange 1 jalapeno chili pepper, seeded and
diced fine juice of 1 lemon
Cover the raisins with 1 cup of hot water and set aside to plump for 10 minutes. Quarter and core apple. Peel orange and cut into chunks. Drain raisins and gently squeeze out the extra moisture. Chop these in- gredients quickly in the food proces- sor. Squeeze the lemon over all and salt to taste. This makes two cups and is excellent with grilled chicken, fish, or ham.
This year promises to be an exciting one for basils. Everyone's talking about African Blue Basil {Ocimum basilicum 'African Blue'), which is very interesting, as it is not considered a culinary variety Its leaves (green, with purple veins, purple stems, and a touch of purple at their base) have a very strong camphor fra- grance Word is out that it repels Japanese beetles — which is amazing, because those beetles usually de- vour basil if they can get to it. I grow my pesto crop plants under
2S
THE PLANTSMAN
'^-
HOW ABOUT HERBS
-^
floating row cover to protect them. 'African Blue' grows very large — three feet or more — and thus should make quite a statement in the gar- den. (A fellow gardener gave me a rooted cutting and I an eager to see what happens.) And I was recently reading a catalog from a small busi- ness in Kentucky and found a basil of similar description called 'Ameri- can Blue Basil'. ..this could get mighty confusing!
Other basils mentioned in my various readings are 'IVlrs. Burns,' a lemon variety that is not as delicate as the more common O. citriodorum. This is available from Companion Plants in Athens, Ohio (614-592- 4643). Also of interest to me is 'Aussie Sweetie,' from T. DeBaggio Herbs in Arlington, Virginia (703-243- 2498). This is a variety that never flowers (making it less work to grow
as a crop) and is described as hav- ing a minty sweet fragrance that is almost floral
There's a great deal of discussion about purple basils — how they vary so much in color and often change in only a few generations, some- times leaving us altogether. 'Dark Opal' and 'Purple Ruffles' still seem to be the varieties most often avail- able, although DeBaggio mentions 'Rubin' (which closely resembles Dark Opal) and 'New Guinea' (which resembles Rubin). (DeBaggio has a fascinating article on the purple basils in the April/May 1994 issue of The Herb Companion.)
If you find a good purple basil, be sure to make some purple basil vinegar and enjoy this Holiday Basil lelly, a traditional favorite in our family.
HOLIDAY BASIL JELLY
2 cups sugar
1 cup Dark Opal Basil vinegar
1 cup finely grated horseradish, well
drained 1/2 bottle pectin (like Certo)
Boil sugar and vinegar 3 minutes. Add horseradish and stir well, Return to boil for 1 minute. Stir in pectin. Remove from heat, skim, and pour into sterilized glass jelly jars. Makes 3 6-ounce glasses.
Without a doubt, basil is one of summer's most popular herbs. We've barely scratched the sur- face— of varieties as well as culinary uses. There's plenty of room for lots more good reading and experimen- tation.
Tanya ]ackson, a well-known area herbal- ist, can be reached at 603-431-6774.
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lONE ♦ lULV 1996
'^-
-^
DIAGNOSTIC LAB
□
Spring is finally here (I thini<)! If April showers bring May flowers, then what do April snowstorms bring? One disease that was favored by the abundance' of winter was SNOW MOLD. We had perfect conditions (early snowfall on green turfgrass with moist, unfrozen soil) for the de- velopment of both pink and gray snow mold. The snow acts as an in- sulator, keeping out the cold and dry air while maintaining the moist conditions necessary for fungal growth. Last year, problems with pink snow mold continued into the early summer, thanks to cool night temperatures, a pattern that seems to be repeating itself this year.
The cloudy, wintry weather also brought the 'typical' problems to greenhouse crops. Pythium root rot and BOTRYTis blight caused problems on many crops. Oedema was very common on ivy geraniums, resulting in defoliation of the plants in two severe cases. All three of these dis- eases are favored by over-watering, while excess humidity and poor air circulation favor the development of botrytis and oedema. Thelaviopsis root rot has been diagnosed on ge- raniums and columbine. This fungal root rot is becoming more common since the loss of benlate, particu- larly when field soils are added to the growing medium. Preventative measures include using sterilized potting mix and fungicide (thiopha- nate methyl) drenches.
Impatiens necrotic spot virus (iNsv) has reared its ugly head in the last few weeks (mid-April to early-May). The virus has been diag- nosed on impatiens, tomatoes, pep- pers and begonias Remember — the key to controlling INSV is to control thrips and to rogue and destroy in- fected plants (See the lune/|uly 1995 issue of The Plantsman for a review of symptoms and management of insv).
Twig dieback due to winter in-
jury/drought stress is beginning to show up on a wide range of woody species. We can expect to see more of this as the season progresses, thanks to drought stress effects from the last three seasons. Trees and shrubs that were installed last sea- son will require extra care this grow- ing season (pruning, ample water during dry periods, and fertilization to promote new root growth). Drought stress symptoms are also becoming more evident on conifers, especially hemlock. Reddish-brown needles may appear scattered throughout the tree or may be con- centrated on the side of the tree exposed to winter winds. Spruce in exposed locations are exhibiting these one-sided symptoms. The symptoms should not be confused with rhizo- sphaera needlecast symptoms. Spruce infected with rhizosphaera have purple-to-reddish one-year-old nee- dles. Fungicides to control rhizo- sphaera should be applied when the new grovrth is 1-1 1/2 inches long.
lune and |uly traditionally bring a number of plant diseases and prob- lems to New Hampshire growers. Bacterial blight on lilac and for- sythia was a common problem last year. A combination of pruning and copper fungicides provide effective control. Shoot blight (Monilinia) continues to be a severe problem on Prunus sp. Fungicides should be applied during bloom, and infected twigs should be removed during dry weather. Primary apple scab lesions should be evident on Malus sp. by early June. Secondary scab infec- tions should be controlled with fun- gicides to reduce the likelihood of early defoliation on susceptible crabapple cultivars. We can expect TWIG blights and cankers such as kabatina, phomopsis, sphaeropsis (diplodia), botryosphaeria, and cytospora to be common on drought-stressed trees and shrubs.
Removing the affected twigs should provide satisfactory results. Arbor- viTAE LEAF MINERS were a problem last year The damage to the shoot tips resembles winter burn. Insecti- cides should be applied from mid- )une to mid-)uly to prevent egg lay- ing by the adult moths.
Turfgrass diseases and problems to watch for during May-june are
snow mold, RED THREAD, DOLLAR SPOT,
and LEAF SPOTS. Prolonged spring- like weather favors the development of red thread and pink snow mold. Once the night temperatures be- come warmer (65F), diseases such
as BROWN PATCH, PyTHIUM BLIGHT, AND
ANTHRACNOSE become more common. Leaf spots on annuals and peren- nials (i.e., SEPTORIA, TULIP FIRE, DIDY-
MELLA on iris) should be controlled with a combination of sanitation, proper spacing, and fungicides. The damage caused by botrytis blight to annuals and perennials can be re- duced by thinning the plantings to allow for better air circulation. Plant bug feeding injury usually appears in late )une-|uly. The damage ap- pears as circular spots with brown- reddish borders that often occur in clusters on the leaves of herbaceous crops.
Mid-May through mid-july is the critical period for managing most plant diseases. Remember — sanita- tion is the most important cultural method for preventing disease problems.
If you wish to submit plant material to the PDL for diagnosis, send samples {with a check for $12.| to. The UNH Plant Diagnos- tic Lab, C/O Dr. Cheryl Smith, Plant Biol- ogy Department, Spauldina Hall, UNH, Durham, NH 03824. Samples should be accompanied by an identification form [available from your county Cooperative Extension). Cheryl Smith is the UNH Coop- erative Extension Specialist in Plant Health, and can be reached at (603) 862-3841.
30
THE PLANTSMAN
'^-
-^
Have you ever considered repaint- ing your place with some upbeat color inside and out? Tear some- thing down; build something new; put on an addition — construction al- ways sparks a customer's interest. Maybe even a new greenhouse will show people that you are planning for the future, i had customers come in weekly to monitor our progress when we built our greenhouse. You know what happens when they enter a place — impulse, impulse, impulse. They all left with something. I al- ways made sure I had plenty of color to offer them.
We grow quality — things that people can't get anywhere but at a garden center. We try to grow differ- ent sizes, new varieties — bigger, better, more unusual niche items that trade stores can't offer. There's no way trade stores can match home- grown quality. Make sure the cus- tomer knows you grew it — a lot of customers like home-grown material.
Shop your local trade stores.
ca.
|e try to groiw
different sizes,
new varieties...
more unusual niclie items...
There's no iway
trade stores can match
hom e-gr oum
quality.
Know what they have to offer so that you don't duplicate these items. See if any of your vendors are selling the trade stores the same items they are selling you and at what price. At this point, you may want to stop dealing with that ven- dor. In some cases, vendors may want to keep your business and sharpen their pencils.
Do display gardens. Do you know that businesses hire landscapers and designers to make their land-
scapes nice and colorful so that people will notice them? They have to purchase all their material. Well, we've got it for free. ..well, sort of free, but you should use it. Great landscapes and display gardens re- ally draw people in Demonstrating the items you sell really helps build sales. Plant pansies during pansy season; plant annuals and bedding plants during bedding plant season; plant mums in the fall. Display as much as you can and change with the season to put your customers in the mood of that season.
These are just a few of the things we have done and they seem to be working. I hope a few of these help you. Let's face it — what I just wrote about are things we should already be doing. Doing them makes good business sense. And there's much, much more.
Bob's at Demers Garden Center, 656 South Mammoth Road, Manchester. He can be reached at 603-625-8298.
'Helping You to Qrow"
B»E^ Supply
GREENHOUSE SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT
Hemlock Road, Langdon Mailing Address: P.O. Box 0, Charlestown, New Hampshire 03603
• Nu-Form Products
• Reb Products
• Pre-filled Flats & Pots
• Distributors for Plasti Form &l Plasti Vac
• Restricted Pesticides
• Kord Products
• Fertilizers
• Distributors for Hyde Park & Sunshine Soils
603-835-6930 Fax: 603-835-2180
lUNE * |OLV 1996
31
'^-
FROM THE BOARD
-^
Competing Against the "Big Box" Stores
Bob Demers, Jr.
No matter where your business is located, you will, at some point, be faced with chain stores or supermarkets out to gain some quick cash by selling garden center goods. It's frustrating to see them selling goods at cost or near cost, even though they say they don't do that. (I've often thought about sell- ing turkeys at cost at Thanksgiving just to see what they'd say.)
Unfortunately, the items you are selling in the prime of your season are the same ones they're liquidat- ing. They use these items to draw people into their stores where other departments can make a profit on the customers these low prices at- tract.
You have to put your frustrations aside and think clearly about ways to improve and strengthen your own business in areas in which they are weak. What can you do to draw cus- tomers to your store? Why would they want to shop there? You have to imagine yourself as a customer and try to see why you would want to shop at your place.
Some things to keep in mind is that the trade stores are not going anywhere: they have been around forever — just like insects. They may be bought out — but it's usually by a bigger chain. And some of these trade stores make millions of dol- lars monthly (some — even weekly), so don't think you're going to drive them away As far as what items they're selling and why, that is simple — price, price, price Let's face it — price sells There are people who live for bargains, coupons, and sales and think that getting a 99-cent ge- ranium is great We all know what they're getting for 99 cents
There are people out there who have never seen a real garden cen- ter. That's what we have to work
on — getting those people into our stores. Here are some things we did that might help you as well
We don't compete against the Big Boxes. We will not get involved in their price wars. Whatever price you advertise on a product, it is their policy to beat it by 10%, so even if you lower your price or sell at cost, but you're not gaining any- thing. You're actually paying be- cause you haven't made any profit to pay for the ad. Don't sell the same brands they sell. Sell different — or better — ones. Seventy-five percent of your business is from repeat custom- ers and chances are they'll buy what- ever you recommend There will be some "big box" items, however, that you'll need to carry because your customers ask for them
Watch your sales. Don't give your product away with gimmick ads. Chances are you're not going to get the bargain hunter anyway because some trade store has bought 100 trailer loads of the one trailer load you bought and wants to unload it faster. You've got to ask yourself, "Do I really want just bargain hunt- ers or do 1 want quality repeat cus- tomers?" Remember that you make money only one month out of the year, so make enough to survive for the other eleven.
Do things to reassure the cus- tomers that you're here to stay. Don't let your stock run out to the point that you have nothing to sell. If you don't have it, they'll go some- place else — just as you would. It may not be as good, but they did what they set out to do.
There are some inexpensive ways to assure people that you plan to stick around for a few more years. Keep your place swept clean; keep your display areas nice and neat. continued on page 31
Association Officers
President
BOB DEMERS, |R.
Demers Nursery & Garden Center
656 South Mammoth Road
Manchester, NH 03103
625-8298
Secretary I Treasurer
CHRISTOPHER ROBARGE
UNH / TSAS
Horticultural Facilities Manager
Durham, NH 03824
862-1074
Directors
KENNETH GOSSELIN
207 Cranwell Drive
Manchester, NH 03109
627-6599
TAMMY HATHAWAY
61 Squamscott Road
Stratham, NH 03885
778-3912
ANN HILTON
4 Karaculi Lane
Pittsfield, NH 03263
435-6425.
HENRY HUNTINGTON
Pleasant View Gardens
RFD #3, PO Box 3701
Pittsfield, NH 03263
435-8361
ROBERT RIMOL
17 Wyndmere Drive
Londonderry, NH 03053
425-6563
PETER VAN BERKUM
4 lames Road
Deerfield, NH 03037
463-7663
32
THE PLANTSMAN
^em ^ampshires finest & freshest ^reesl
Mountaf
C j- rj I* ^^ Fraser Fir - Balsam Fir
Farms
White Pine - Scotch Pine
QUALITY CHRISTMAS TREES
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Our trees are sheared by hand to achieve a medium taper with a soft natural
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Qraded and priced with successful retailing in mind.
NEW
HAMPSHIRE
PLANT GROWERS
Summer Meeting
Thursday, August 8
at Dell-Lea Country Club
Chichester, NH
m his ye;
.his year, the New England Nursery Association (NENAI will hold its annual Summer Meeting & Trade Show in conjunction with the New Hampshire Plant Growers' Association (NHPGAI and the New Hampshire Landscape Association INHLA). All three organizations will gather on Thursday, August 8, 199b, at the Deli-Lea Country Club in Chichester, for a joint summer get-together.
Co-hosts for this joint gathering include D.S. Cole Growers, Gateway Gardens, IVlillican Nurseries, Pleasant View Gardens, and van Berkum Nursery.
The day's events include tours of the co-hosts' facilities, a series of informal educa- tional seminars, and a trade show of over 100 exhibitors.
Recreation is hearty: NENA's traditional volleyball tournament will be held through- out the day and horseshoes, frisbee, and pick-up soccer are there for everyone. And food's hearty too: the day begins with coffee and doughnuts; lunch is a full New England Lobster Bake featuring clam chowder, lobster, steak, corn, salads, and water- melon; and hamburgers and hot dogs will be on the grill in the late afternoon.
The event will be larger (over 1000 attendees are expected) and more varied — a chance to see beyond New Hampshire, meet new people, learn some new things, and have a very good time.
Registration before |uly 26 for NENA/NHPGA/NHLA members is $35.00 per person. (If you register four or more from the same company before |uly 26, deduct $5.00 per adult.) Guests are $45.00; children 12 and under are $15.00. After |uly 26, member registrations are $45.00; guest are $55.00; and children, $20.00. (So it's sensible to register early.)
For more, contact Bill Stockman at 603-569-5056.
NH PLANT GROWERS ASSOCIATION The Plantsman Editor UNH Research Greenhouses Durham, NH 03824
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT NO. 43
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