^ -j^St->-^- ^jB ^^Iw I^V <«9^^ ^'^^ ^S^:.^ ^^*(| -- ■ tff.*'^ >-'*V5. "^ SmL. 1 -Ibl^^' ^^ ^ NEW HAMPSHIRE PLANT GROWERS ASSOCIATION / OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 1991 SUP" W re have a special name for the trees that come from our farms — ^ArcticMist.™ When yon order ArcticMistJ^' yon are not just buying a tree, but all of the time, attention, and care — ^from seedling to siiipping — 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 spnice, and pine (white, scotch, and red) are available. In addition, we are introducing fralsam, a fraser-balsam cross. Wreaths are also available. Since our famis are in New Hampsiiire and Vermont, we harvest otir trees later in tiie season than many other growers. We also do everything we can to minimize moisture loss after har\'est and during shipping. You can order the number of trees that is right for you — from 25 to a trailer load. We can anange 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 specihc information about this year's trees: Call us at 800/694-8722 or 603/237-5702. Send us a fax at 603/237-8439. Or write to us at 38 Bridge St., Colebrook, NH 03576. Our internet address is http://www.sibgotree.com SibgoTree Company We know what you want for Christmas'. ArcticMist Remember, you can only buy ArcticMisP^ at Sibgo Tree Company. TM CALENDAR October 19-21 New England Greenhouse Conference, Centrum Centre, Worcester, MA; Henry Hunting- ton at 603-435-8361. 24 Fall UNH-FFA Interscholastic Career Development Event, Univer- sity of New Hampshire, Durham, NH; David Howell at 603-862-1760. November 4-6 ERNA's Expo Fall '98, Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ; 1-800-376-2463. 17 MNEA/UMass Business Short Course, Holiday Inn, Boxboro, MA; 413-369-4731. 18 CGGA "Evening at the Green- house," DeVylder Florist, Cheshire, CT; 203-261-9067. January 6-7 New England Tree Fruit Meet- ing and Trade Show, Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Cen- ter, Sturbridge, MA; Bill Lord at 603-862-3203 12-13 Connecticut Nurserymen's Association Annual Meeting and Trade Show, Radisson Hotel, Cromwell, CT; 203-445-0110 19 Maine Landscape and Nursery Association (MeLNA) Trade Show; Sheraton Tara, South Portland, ME; Edith Ellis at 207-225-3998 19-20 Rhode Island Educational Meeting, Annual Meeting, and Trade Show, Doubletree Hotel, Goat Island, Newport, RI; 1-800- 758-9260 28-30 New England Growsl Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA; 508-653-3009 February 5 y[eLNA Recertification Workshop; Falmouth Country Club, Falmouth, ME; 207-225-3998 5-6 Farm and Forest Exposition ("Celebrate a Century of Agricul- ture and Forestry Progress"), Center of New Hampshire Holi- day Inn and Conference Center; Susan Rice at 603-271-3788 9 Second Annual Stockbridge School Job Fair, Campus Center, UMass, Amherst, MA; 413-545-2222 16 Symposium on Mycorrhizae, Stockbridge Hall, UMass, Amherst, MA; Kathleen Carroll at 413-545-0895 16 Vermont Small Fruit and Veg- etable Growers Meeting, Holiday Inn, Rutland, VT; Scott Pfister or Jon Turmel at 802-828-2431 17 Semitiar: "Nutrient Management in the Nursery and Landscape," con- currently in Amherst and Bridgewater, MA; Kathleen Carroll at 413-545-0895 17 Vermont Association of Profes- sional Horticulturaiists Winter Meet- ing, Holiday Inn, Rutland, VT; Scott Pfister at 802-828-2431 18-21 Sixth Annual Rhode Island Spring Flower and Garden Show ("Gardens of the Future"), Rhode Island Convention Center, Provi- dence, RI; Nancy Syme at 1-800- 766-1670 18-21 Eighteenth Annual Connecti- cut Flower and Garden Show ("A Garden to Celebrate"), Connecticut Expo Center, Hartford, CT; 860- 529-2123 26 Fifth Annual Ecological Land- scaping Association (ELA) Winter Conference ("Ecology and the Man- aged landscape"), co-sponsored by ELA, UMass Extension and the New England Wild Flower Soci- ety, Holiday Inn, Boxborough, MA; Nancy Askin at 978-897-7490 March 2-4 Second Annual New England Regional Turfgrass Conference and Show (NERTCS), Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RI; 401-848-0004 4 Thompson School Horticulture Curriculum Green Job Fair, Strafford Room, Memorial Union Building, UNH, Durham, NH; Rene Gingras at 603-862-1097 5-7 Vermont Flower Show, Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center, Burlington, VT; 802-244-5327 10-14 Portland Flower Show, Port- land Company Complex, Portland, ME; 207-225-3998 Departments 3 FORUM 6 NEW HAMPSHIRE NEWS 7 ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS 25 DIAGNOSTIC UPDATE Dr. Cheryl Smith 27 HOW ABOUT HERBS Tanya Jackson Features 15 PRACTICAL WORK EXPERIENCE Art Cady 17 ROTH IRAS Stephen Lawlor, CPA 18 MEMBER PROFILE Deerfield Gardens 21 THE NATIVES ARE HERE TO STAY Bruce Behan Columns 4 Z NOTES Jim Zablocki 12 THE GREEN SPOT Mike Cherim 15 PIONEER POINTERS Cover Dusty miller, Deerfield Gardens, photograph by Rick Raymond and Rachel Raymond of Blue Heron Images. 33mm camera, 24mm lens, T-Max film The Plantsnuut Is published In eaily February, April, |une, August, October, and December with copy deadlines being the flnt 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 member service. We will carry a short message (no artwork or logos) for one or two Issues of The PlAtitsman. AD SIZE 3 3/8-w X 2 l/4-h 3 3/8-w X 4 3/4-h 7-w X 2 l/4h 7'w X 4 5/8-h 7-w X 9 1/2-h 6x Ix $150 $30 $200 $40 $200 $40 $300 $75 $500 $100 Robert Parker houses. Durtiam, NH 03824, 603-862-2061; o Box S, Newflelds, NH 03856, 603-778-8353. OCOTOBER. NOVEMBER. 1998 > n t i / QUALin ; SELEaiON: ',& SERVICE' This Is What We Grow At MiUican Nurseries. ^ We're very serious about biological pest control. Are you ready? The Green Spot, Ltd. 603/942-8925 WHOLESALE SUPPLIER OF NURSERY & WETLAND STOCK TO THE TRADE. NURSERIES, INC. HERBACEOUS & WOODY WETLAND PLANTS -ORNAMENTALS PERENNIALS -GROUNDCOVERS -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 Trees Evergreens Shrubs Mon-Sai: 7:lX^ - 5;30 Sun; 9:00 - 5:ft) O'DONAL'S NURSERIES LocJted at junction o( routes 22 & 114 Gorham. Maine 04038 Phone (207) 839-4262 or 839-6364 Fax 207-839-2290 We specialize in growng specimen plant matenals THE PLANTSMAN Welcome, New Members! Deborah Carpenter 118 East Deering Road Deering, NH 03244 GCS Sales & Marketing 572 Gibbons Highway Wilton, NH 03086 Susan Gere 17 Severance Street, #2 Claremont, NH 03743 Greenside Up PO Box 447 Greenland, NH 03840 Judith Reeve Landscape Design 14 North Balch Street Hanover, NH 03755 Lawrence Greenhouse 200 Richmond Street Winchester, NH 03470 Perennial Design Landscape 425 Tibbetts Hill Road Goffstown, NH 03045 Smith Farm 3 Gibson Road Hudson, NH 03051 Sullivan Greenhouse RFD 2, Box 661, Route 135 Lancaster, NH 03584 Yankee Kingdom Orchard 2769 Lake Street West Addison, VT 05491 Endowment Update Peter van Berkum People who got to the Summer Meeting saw the second act of "The Airplane Skit." Yes, we're still trying to land, but getting closer all the time, with over $85,000 pledged. The donations are coming in fast now. We're ex- cited to announce that we will make our first grant in November, 1999. We've worked out a sched- ule: universities and research in- stitutions will be notified by next June about the availability of funds; grant applications will be received by September. We've been asked by people who've pledged if they will be re- minded of when the next install- ment of their contribution is due. We will be sending out reminders next month. Starting next year, reminders will be sent in June. So keep watching. The research will be starting and the rewards of our labor will soon be visible. (For those wishing to contrib- ute, checks made out to New Hampshire Horticultural Endow- ment can be sent to New Hamp- shire Horticultural Endowment, 7316 Pleasant Street, Loudon, NH 03301. For more information, con- tact Peter van Berkum at 603-463- 7663 or Henry Huntington at 603- 435-8361). Activities for Customers — and You It's useful to promote garden-re- lated programs and activities. These can create interests that in- crease sales. But promotion doesn't always need to be cold-blooded. Sometimes learning is enough. Sometimes you might be interested in learning too. Tower Hill Botanic Garden, PO Box 598, Boylston, Massachusetts 01505-0598, offers programs year- round — usually on evenings or Saturdays. Late October activities include a field trip to the Arnold Arboretum and Mount Auburn Cemetery, two hours of trail-blaz- ing, a seminar on "putting the garden to bed," and an evening of "beer tasting and evaluation" ("fifteen different styles, along with foods that are complimented by each, plus appropriate vessels and serving temperatures"). Dou- glas Williams, Program Coordina- tor, can be reached at 508-869- 6111, extension 21 or 24. The Urban Forestry Center, 45 Elwyn Road, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is — after a brief si- lence— once again offering talks — usually on Thursday evenings — and field trips throughout the year. Topics usually concern (not surprisingly) forests and trees. November's talks include Mary Tebo, community forest coordina- New Hampshire Horticulture Endowment the seed of a great idea is growing into a reality! tor with UNH Cooperative Exten- sion, speaking on caring for com- munity trees (November 12) and, a week later, Kevin Smith, a plant physiologist with the US Forest Service, discussing causes of de- cay. For more, the center's phone number is 603-431-6774. Tliank You, Tammy After several years of service, Tammy Hathaway has decided to leave the NHPGA Board. Besides helping in other, more general, areas, Tammy was in charge of publicity, sending news releases about our activities to other pub- lications. Her good sense and consistency will be missed and we hope she will continue to par- ticipate (maybe even volunteering occasionally) in the various events she once wrote about. For Repeated Viewings... Thanks to Faye Cragin, computer specialist, and Nancy Adams, Co- operative Extension, selections from T]\e Plantsnmn are on a NHPGA page on the UNH Cooperative Extension WEB site. The address of the Ornamental Horticulture Publications section of this site is . OCTOBER. NOVEMBER. 1998 FORUM Summer Meeting — Celebrating Renewal A gala introduction to the new — and ongoing — renovations at the UNH Research Greenhouses was a highhght of this year's Summer Meeting. But there were other highlights — the traditional tailgate trade show, exhibits of current research, tours of the university and its research facilities. Mid-morning, on the lawn in front of the greenhouses, UNH presi- dent Joan Leitzel welcomed NHPGA members and expressed hope for more connection between the university and the state's Green Industry. Plaques and life memberships were given to Bob Bergevin, John Carpen- ter, and Read Parmenter, long-time NHPGA supporters. Robert Demers, outgoing president, was recognized for his services. Later in the day, the annual auction gained the scholarship fund $1400.00. The day ended with the drawing for the door prizes. Hardy's Greenhouse won the Ball Red Book; Bruce Marriott, a radio; and Jeff Huntington, a color television. Many people were involved in organizing this day. Dr. Paul Fisher planned and coordinated the event. David Goudreault, assistant man- ager of the greenhouses, and other members of the university commu- nity— people in plant biology. Cooperative Extension, the Thompson School horticulture curriculum — all played a part. Vendors, NHPGA members, and our fine auctioneer Peter Callioris contributed. All de- serve our thanks and appreciation. Within the last few years, many biological products have been introduced in the horticulture industry. I applaud the efforts of everyone in getting these to the marketplace. Any new product that can make our work more efficient and safer for our workers and environment should be researched. Unfortunately, because biologicals do not need to go through the rigorous testing of conventional pesticides, growers are not receiving the full information on these products. Very little university testing has occurred. In many cases, because EPA is not involved in label- ing these products, there is no university testing to support their claims. Universities have the capability of inoculating various pests in a controlled environment — something a grower in a production range is not capable of doing. Growers have the idea that when they purchase these products, they are receiving controls. But unless the pest is present, there is no way of knowing if the product is actually controlling any of the pests claimed on the label. Recent data I received from Michigan State and the Uni- versity of Connecticut show that some of these products are no better than the control. It is important to request data from an independent source that compares the new product to industry standards. Most conventional pesticides today are far safer than most things that are involved in our daily lives. Gasoline, aspirin, and salt are far more toxic than most products in your pesticide locker. I don't condone the indiscriminate use of pesticides any more than that of gasoline or table salt. Jim Zablocki, technical manager of the Northern Horticultural Group, Scotts Company, welcomes comments, he can be reached at 603-224-5583. We thank the vendors who participated: Acorn Ridge Nursery Ball Seed Company B.E. Supply BioTherm Bobcat of New Hampshire Bramen Company Cannon Equipment Cavicchio Greenhouses Charter Oak Landscape Chestnut Hill Marketing The Conard-Pyle Company Davis Brook Farm The Don Ward Company D.S. Cole Growers Ednie Flower Bulbs Fafard First Pioneer Farm Credit Fletcher Granite Company Florists Mutual Insurance Four Seasons Marketing Fuller Systems GCS Sales Gold Star Sod Farm and Nursery Griffin Greenhouse and Nursery Supplies Harry Stoller and Company Hop River Nursery Imperial Nurseries Jolly Farmer Jolly Gardener Products K&S Associates Greenhouse Supply Laughton's Nursery Les Serres Rosaire Pion et Fils Liberty International Truck Millane Nurseries Millican Nurseries NE Nursery Sales Northeast Nursery Northern Nurseries OESCO Pleasant View Gardens Preforma Sales Pot Specialists Prides Corner Farms Retail Service Company Rimol Greenhouse Systems The Robert Barker Company Rough Brothers Tuckahoe Turf Farms Van Berkum Nursery Vermont Natural Ag Products Western Maine Nurseries W.H. Minkowski Winding Brook Nursery Yoder Brothers THE PLANTSMAN ^*I-VI^W www.Kc cul+u»^a Web ►'ticul+uce.co>»\ iM^P f's Jbei-is S£mpci-vi.^ns ■ Cr^^nl^a ^ Dynamic Cntf (Vxet Community lo: • |ind cesoucces, i>ifoi-»ia1io»v • Qflf..,d victual Irade skows — • enjoy our weeUly ■Hoi-t Towr news, ideas i-eflisff f foi- tl-ve f-cal ^King • shop in ouy sec«t-e-+»-'esence • ckot wi+K colliroques Brought to you e;cclusivfly on tKe • fpv'u'VJ or protrsoie p»-oducts • uncove»- lif^e-lcmq-leacning World Wide Web at tke addras^ you o»- plont avoilabilHy launcK poinis can grow to remember. "The landscape professional's choice for unique, landscape size plant materials" ♦ Largest tree & shrub inventoPi- in Seacoast NH ♦ Accessible & convenient location at Stratham Circle (Rtc. 108/33) ♦ Informative tree and shrub tagging system ♦ Quality ♦ Selection ♦ Friendly & knowledgeable staff (603) 778-3711 FAX: (603) 778-3773 Monday to Saturday, 7-7; Sunday, 9-S Other hours arranged by appointment STRATHAM CIRCLE Nursery & Landscape OUAllTY New England's Leading Full Line Seed House • Packet Seeds • Lawn Seed • Fertilizer • Grounds Maintenance Chemicals 1 (800) 326-HART FAST. COURTEOUS SERVICE The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. P.O. BOX 9169 WETHERSFIELD, CT 061 29-01 69 1 (800) 326-HART OCTOBER. NOVEMBE NEW HAMPSHIRE NEWS A State-of-the-Art Expansion On a recently purchased twenty- four acres on North Pembroke Road, off 106 in Pembroke, a 65,000-square-foot (seven 42'x216' bays) Nexus Big Sky greenhouse is being constructed by Pleasant View Gardens. Six-by-eight-foot tempered glass panels maximize light. The operation is automated. From potting and sticking until loading for delivery, material "is not touched by human hands." The entire floor is ebb-and-flood. Why is this being built? "At Loudon," Henry Huntington ex- plains, "we have over 30 uncon- nected buildings on a hilly site. We were getting tight on water. We wanted to automate. When we looked at the figures, we saw it made more sense to start over on level ground with a good wa- ter supply." The greenhouse will be in op- eration in November. Separate from the Loudon operation, with its own production crew, its product, however, will be "more of the same." A New Name In May of this year. Jolly Farmer Products announced the sale of their bark mulch and soils divi- sion, located in Poland Spring, Maine. In the future. Jolly Farmer Products will be focusing all of their resources on their green- house division in New Brunswick and will no longer be active in the bark and soils industry. The new company, renamed Jolly Gardener Products, Inc., is continuing the manufacture of softwood bark mulches and soil products at the Poland Spring fa- cility. Jolly Gardener will con- tinue to service lawn and garden centers, hardware stores, and nurseries throughout the North- east with the "Jolly Farmer" line of bagged mulches and soils, as well as supplying bulk mulch for commercial and residential use. The new owners, Sid Malone and Rusty Morrison, along with an investment group led by former Maine Governor John McKernan, have hired a new management team to work with them in expanding the company's market. Jolly Farmer PRODUCTS INC PLUGS ANNUAL PLUGS... year-roimd production of over b!JO varwiios in 3 5izp^512's, 28S's. £».'id i44's. VEGETABLE and HERB PLUGS...60v,.nelK-s.n:js,z«. •112V 288;. unci 14-'V< PERENNIAL PLUGS ov • GARDEN MUMS, KAIX ASTERS. FALL SPECIALTY' POTS. • HOLIDAY CROPS...PoiiiseltMS and Cyclamen aneen in this business a long time. We know our cusiomer's needs and demands, ll doseni make a difference of ihe » ^-^ • »->^ lime of year or tfie size of the project. Northeast Nursery covers it f ^^ all. Witfi the widest selecuon in wholesale plant maienals and ^^ landscape supplies in all of New Hngland it's no wonder many consider Northeast Nursery the best One-Stop shopping for all your landscape and green supplies. Supplying Fine Plant Material & Landscape Supplies 234 Newbury Street, Rt. 1 South Peabody. MA 01960 Tel. (508) 535-6550 Fax (508) 535-5247 THE PL A NTSM A N INTERNATIONAL TRUCKS, INC. 1400 South Willow Street, Manchester, NH 03103 Mitsubishi FG-4x4 turbo diesel, 12,000 GVWR limited slip rear axle, 3-person cab Fisher snow plow, 2 to 3 yd dump Lease for $513.90 per mo., 48 mo. First payment plus $550 security deposit due at lease signing with approved credit Your Source FOR THE Finest in Greenhouse Grow your business to new heights with structures, products, and accessories from Rimol Greenhouse Systems, Inc. Greenhouse Structures • Drip Irrigation & Fittings GH Film and Polycarbonate • Fertilizer Injectors & Timers Heaters, Fans. & Vents • Plant Carts & Monorail Systems Environmental Controls • Shade Cloth & Ground Cover Generators & Sensaphones • Benches & Expanded Metal Technology. New Company, New Ideas, New Way of Doing Business n RIMOL^ Greenhouse Systems, Inc. 670 N. Commercial Street Manchester, NH 03101-1149 Phone: 603-629-9004 Fax 603-629-9023 OCTOBER. NOVEMBER. 1998 The Green Spot Dealing with Mites You've probably heard the saying, "It must be something in the water." Well, when it comes to mite control, the water itself is the vil- lain (at least to the mites). The two-spotted mite (Tetranychus urticae) is an eight-legged web-forming pest of a huge as- sortment of economically important plants. They can overwhelm many of these, even those of great size, in a wide variety of conditions. They'll do the most damage, though, when the conditions are hot and dry. Logically speaking, one might assume, based on the information above, that the two-spotted mite might be suppressed if the growing condi- tions were less than ideal — cool and humid. Well, you know what they say about assuming.... but in this case, one would fare well. The two-spotted mite can be suppressed by fre- quent misting of the plant material. This action lowers the leaf temperatures and raises the leaf's microclimate humidity. Moreover, the new condi- tions will better support predatory mites, which should be par for the pesticide control course. In fact, the successes far outnumber the failures when it comes to the biological control of mites — the results are largely predictable. Want more? Try being a Web Wiper (just be- fore you inoculate with predatory mites). As the name implies, grab a sponge and start wiping heavily webbed areas. Under a microscope, it is clear the two-spotted mite's webbing is Mite Central Station: expecting females, newborn mites, unhatched eggs — a real nursery situa- tion—which can be wiped out with a sponge, in a snap. Wipe out one web; rinse the sponge thoroughly; wipe out another. Just can't trust the water — for fear of spreading the pests? Put a little insectical soap or other bio- friendly product on the sponge between swipes. Don't like mites? Rain on their parade, then blot them up and send in the dogs to finish the job. And remember-these mites hold no affec- tion for you either, so don't feel too badly about mopping up their community center. Mike Cherim, president of The Green Spot Ltd., Department of Bio-Ingenuity, 93 Priest Road, Nottingham, NH 03290-6204, can be reached by phone (6oj-g42-8g2^) or fax (603-942-8932). ■^il" Red Maple .5-3" caliper Varieties Red Sunset'-', Autumn Flame "" (P P 2377), and Armstrong specimen quality, own root (no incompatibility problems), high limbed for street and commercial use 604 Main Street, Cromwell, CT 06416 Phone (203) 635-5500 FAX (203) 635-3685 :%^K^^ Trees Since 1929 ^illane 9?ursenes,^nc. Growing 500 Acres of New Englanc) s Finest Trees i Shrubs Quality Young Plants from Worldwide Sources D.S.COT^ Growem 251 North Village Road. Loudon, NH 03301 Phone 603-783-9561 Fax 603-783-9562 TH E PLANTSMAN ^*?"^ Garden Center Consultations and Landscaping Designs Greenhouses, Nursery, Craft, and Christmas Shop 656 South Mammoth Road (Rte. 28A) Manchester, NH 03109 (603) 625-8298 MICHAUD Nurseries & Greenhouses Route 85, PO Box 334, Exeter, NH 03833 (603) 772-3698 Wholesale & Retail Annuals, Perennials, Nursery Stock Blue Heron Images Photography Catalogs, Brochures, Aiuiiul Reports. Web Sites, Special E\ Richard H Raymond Specializing in Horliciiltiiral Images Traditional and Digital Photographic Services : Heron Images. 1 Corauble Roa4 Durham. SH 03824 Phone (603) 659-7.M3 Rolling Green Landscaping & Nursery 500 varieties of perennials *> Annuals & herbs Ornamental trees, shrubs & vines -»» Trellises Wholesale prices available -^ Call for 1998 listing 64 Breakfast Hill Rd., Greenland, NH (Next to 1-95) 603-436-2732 Perennials, Plugs, Geraniums, Prefinished Mums Bulbs, Holiday Crops, Flowering Plants Joseph Giannino Co. Representing Fine Growers of Qualit}' Plant Material P.O. Box 757, Rowley, Massachusetts 01969 Telephone: 978/948-8167; Fax: 508/948-8167 RONALD B. LAURENCE, PE NH Licensed Professional Engineer #9384 Member NHPGA Greenhouse Environmental & Growing System Farm Machinery, Systems— Design, Modification Bird & Deer Protection Systems Also Export Assistance & Market Development 6 Greenleaf Woods Drive, #302 Portsmouth, NH 03801-5443 Phone: 603-431-3290 Fax: 603-431 -5804 E-mail: RBHNH@aol.com Ball Seed Company Your Source for Superior Plant and Seed Material Annual plugs, geraniums, "Vigor Indexed" seed, spring plants, perennials, pot plants, holiday crops, prefinished flatsA hanging baskets, and more! David Giurleo 324 Howard Street, Northboro, MA 01 532 Phone: 508-393-4534, Fax: 508-393-0003 Toll Free Pager: 800-719-9360 STEENBURG & CALLIORAS THE AUCTION PROFESSIONALS, INC." AUCTIONEERS Archie Stccnburgh 603/989-5690 Route 10, Haverhill, NH 03765 Peter Callioras, C.A.I. 603/868-1070 Calef Highway (Lcc), Dover. NH 03820 OCTOBER. NOVEMBER. 199! WEBBER'S DUBLIN Nursery PERENNIAL SIX-PACKS WHOLESALE PRICE LIST PERENNIALS * HERBS * WILDFLOWERS 150 Varieties in 6-cell packs UPS Shipping Available WEBBER'S DUBLIN NURSERY P.O. Box 266 Dublin, NH 03444 603-563-8180 603-563-8272 Cadpentedc "The Geranium Specialists" Wholesale Qrowers 1 Ijl" Geraniums (year round) 4" Pre-finished Geraniums 2 1/2" Ivy Geraniums & Fuchsia Martha Washington Geraniums Spring Hanging Baskets, LiUes/Bulbs Azaleas, Cyclamen, Poinsettias, Foliage J.B. CARPENTER & SON, INC. 603/659-3391 220 SOUTH MAIN STREET NEWMARKET, NH 03857 Inside or out, Quality is covered. HfiRn#IS As the authorized Harnois dealer in the Northeast, the professional staff at Greenhouse Supply, Inc will handle all your greenhouse needs. Whether you are looking for free standing or gutter connected houses, call us. GREENHOUSE SUPPLY, INC. 1-800-696-8511 FAX: 207-989-1553 email: greenhse@agrotech.eom httpV/agrotech.com THE PLANTSMAN Practical Work Experience: A Key Component Pioneer Pointers Here at UNH, Dr. Paul Fisher (along with oth- ers) is working to promote opportunities for students in the plant biology depart- ment, particularly the environmental horticulture program, to gain practical work experience in the Green Industry as part of our university education. The student here at the keyboard is most fortunate in having been nudged into an opportunity this sum- mer at Pleasant View in Loudon. While this fellow is committed to a future working in the field of flori- culture, he is beginning as a complete novice. So along with the chance to become familiar with aspects of growing and marketing floricultural plants, gaining experience with basic plant care, especially watering, was an important part of the experience. Beginning by giving me a smaller greenhouse area to tend to and observe the response of plants to tim- ing of watering and other practices, the growers gradually increased the area 1 would be asked to tend to whenever 1 was needed on the watering crew. The expert instruction and patience received from the growers — Rob Farquhar, Stuart Mills, Mike Goyoute, and others — enabled me to make much progress in understanding how to efficiently evaluate the requirements of a group of plants and go at it. An additional and very special aspect of the sum- mer work was assisting with the planting and care of display and trial gardens, whereby I developed quite a liking for the ornamental bedding plants of- fered by the Huntingtons. I found using these plants to be much like painting with brilliant colors and living textures. As Jeff Huntington laid out the gar- den with great sweeping gestures, we simply fit the plants into place where they quickly filled the beds with a lovely sight for the eyes. Being such a novice and yet so taken by the use of ornamental plants in the landscape, 1 have a heightened interest in observ- ing plantings of all kinds wherever I go. On a brief recent trip to New York City (my first), we criscrossed our way down Fifth Avenue and ended up at a formal garden at the upper end of Central Park. It was satisfying to recognize some of the plants in the flower beds. In fact, a couple that had been a bit of a curiosity sitting on a greenhouse bench were very nice to see growing in the gardens. Having had this summer of practical work experi- ence at Pleasant View, I feel much better poised to make full use of the two years of schooling ahead of me at UNH and am grateful for the oppourtunity. Art Cady is a junior in the Environmental Horticulture Program at UNH. Savvy Billing Alas, the peak of your season has passed and the majority of the plant material has been shipped successfully to the customer. Now you have the arduous task of sending an invoice to the customer and collecting the bill (account re- ceivable) on all those quality plants you grew. After all, collection of payment is the cash flow that pays your operating expenses and provides the return of your investment (profit). Have you ever considered the effectiveness of your billing system? Ask yourself the following: Is it easy and concise to follow (due date, mini- mum payment due, finance charge clearly stated, etc.)? Before you say, "Yes, of course," have an employee from outside the billing department provide a second opinion. Is the bill itemized and does it reconcile with the last invoice sent? Does the invoice provide the customer with a phone number to call if there are questions? Do you offer incentives to pay early or by a cer- tain date? Do you use your bills/invoices as marketing op- portunities for your business a k a marketing flashes — for example, "Don't forget to order your fall mums — we have a size to suit every customer's needs. Place your order today!" Lastly, do you send your invoices promptly? They should be sent within five days of shipment.lt is unfair to expect swift payment from customers if bills are not sent in a timely manner. Invest the time in revamping your billing system now. Savvy billing may mean quicker and easier collection of payment. It's worth it. (SW) first Pioneer Farm Credit is a farmer-owned cooperative providing financial services to the Green Industry. These include lending, leasing, business consulting, appraisal, payroll, recordkeeping/ accounting solutions, and tax preparation. For more information, contact the Bedford office at 1-800-825-3252. OCTOBER. NOVEMBER. 1998 PRUNERS ■LADDERS SPRAYERS^ SPRAYING ACCESSORIES' 2°"'^ot us for a " ^CO Catalog OESCO, INC. • PO Box 540 • Rte. 116 • Conway, MA 01341 5557 . 413-369-4335 • FAX 413-369-4431 • www.oescoinc.com • email:info@< A world leader in development, production and sales of horticultural products Only the finest floral procJucts bear the Yoder name You can aee them on television and in picture spreads in leading publications. In numerous store and ijarden center promotions. In municipal parks and botanical gardens and countless home and backyard settings li6der ...somethings to grow on Mary-Jayne Lattig (203) 468-8890 1-800-232-9557 Ext 800 Fax: (203) 468-8891 New England Ae'tere • Keepeake Azaleas • Foliage • Fomeettiae • Prophet ^eriee garden mums • Fot Mume Koeee * Dahl'tae * Hibiscus • Ne » Srokered Fluge ar^d Oeraniume • Ferenniale Quality Landscape-Grade Plants all season long! The Winter Blanket - a better way to overwinter your nursery stock Call for info or a product sample 1-800-692-7752 fax: 978/692-5887 1028 Horseneck Road, Westport, MA. 02790 508-636-4573 508-636-3397 FAX wvwv. sylvannursery.com Specializing In Heath... Heather... Bearberry... Perennials... Seashore Plants... also, a full line of quality nursery stock "Our Senice Keeps Growing and Growing." THE PLANTSM AN Roth IRAs: Just the Facts STEPHEN F. LAWLOR, CPA The new Roth IRAs created by the Taxpayer Re- lief Act of 1997 have created quite a stir in the investment and personal finance world. You cannot watch a business report or read a per- sonal finance publication without being bombarded by advertisements for "Roth IRAs." The way facts, figures, and information are thrown around in these ads, you would think the Roth IRA can do every- thing but cure cancer. This article will hopefully separate the facts from the hype and give you a bet- ter understanding of this new savings vehicle. The Roth IRA is an individual retirement account and, except for certain notable exceptions, is the same legal structure as traditional IRAs. Beginning in 1998, you will have a choice of where to put your annual $2,000 IRA contribution: either into a tradi- tional IRA or a Roth IRA (assuming you qualify for the traditional IRA: i.e., you are not involved in a qualified plan at work). You get only one $2,000 limit, so if you choose traditional IRAs, you cannot contribute to a Roth or vice versa. You can, however, split your limit ($1,000 Roth, $1,000 traditional for example) as long as it's not over $2,000. If your spouse works or if your income is over $4,000, you can make an additional $2,000 contribution for your spouse. You receive no deductions on your tax re- turn for a contribution to a Roth IRA as you do with traditional IRAs. However, while the money is held in a Roth IRA account, you pay no taxes on its earn- ings and, if you qualify, pay no tax when you take money out. There are two rules to satisfy in order to make a distribution qualified. First, it has to have been at least five tax years since you put your first dollar into your Roth account and second, one or more of the following must apply: 1. You are over 59 1/2 2. The distribution is instigated by your death or disability 3. The distribution is to pay qualified "first-time homebuyer expense" (up to $10,000 and can not have owned a home in the last two years) However, even if you take a distribution and you don't qualify under these rules, you still won't be taxed as long as you don't withdraw more than you have contributed to the Roth IRA. Once you with- draw more than you have contributed, the earnings withdrawn will be subject to tax and penalty. In addition, there is no age at which you must start withdrawing money from your Roth IRA and you can keep contributing to the Roth IRA even after age 70 1/2. (There are certain income levels which preclude taxpayers from contributing to a Roth IRA. These levels start at $95,000 for single people and $150,000 for married filing jointly.) Traditional IRAs may be converted to Roth IRAs begmning in 1998. In order to qualify, your adjusted gross income must be $100,000 or less; however, when calculating this $100,000 limit, you do not need to include the amount you intend to convert. In the year of the conversion, you must pay tax on the amount you convert to a Roth IRA (no penalty) and then, going forward, all Roth IRA rules will apply to that money (i.e., tax-free qualifying withdrawal). In addition, if you make the conversion in 1998, you can spread the tax you pay on the conversion over four years. This rule, however, only applies to 1998 conversions and to no other years. After learning the facts, the obvious questions are, "Should I contribute to a Roth IRA or a traditional IRA?" and "Should I convert to a Roth IRA?" The answers to these questions are not simple and they involve many assumptions, such as tax rates when you retire, assumed earnings returns, and how long the money will be held in the Roth IRA. Many invest- ment companies provide on-line Roth analyzers to monitor particular situations. But remember, before you take the plunge, talk to your tax professional and make sure you don't get caught in the hype. Stephen F. Lawlor, CPA, is a shareholder of Nathan Wechsler & Company, 33 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301-4004 (phone: 603-224-5357). The firm has Roth vs. regular IRA analyzer software at its disposal. This article was furnished by the Business Forum Of- fice (BFO) located at UNH in Roorn 216 of McConnell Hall. The BFO oversees a number of programs addressing the needs of businesses. The Center for Family Business offers several membership programs: the Penley and Shapiro programs provide seminars and newsletters on leadership, ownership, and psychological issues that can arise in family-owned businesses. For information, contact Peter Parady at 603-862-1107. OCTOBER.NOVEMBEI MEMBER PROFILE Deerfield Gardens Your Basic Wholesale Greenhouse Since 1994, a wholesale greenhouse operation, Deerfield Gardens, has quietly been in the process of being built. There's no sign out — "more important things have needed to get done" — but there is 25,000 square feet of green- house production space. And more being created. There's part-time help in spring, but keeping to basics and using mechanization whenever reason- able has kept this pretty much a two-person enter- prise. The two people are co-owners Karin and Eric Schmitt, sister and brother. Their family runs J. Sh- annon and Son, the large greenhouse operation in Woburn, Massachusetts, which evolved from a farm begun by an ancestor in the 1880s. Both Eric and Karin worked there and both planned careers in other fields — Eric studied busi- ness at Bryant College; Karin, history at Grove City in western Pennsylvania. But the business world and teaching seemed confining. After graduation, Eric returned to work at J. Shannon. When Karin graduated a year later, they began looking for land on which to build their own greenhouse operation. They wanted to be within an hour's drive from Boston. They looked at many sites — to the south and the west as well. The Deerfield, New Hamp- shire, site offered a small livable house (some had none or houses in extreme disrepair) and an ap- propriate amount (ten acres) of reasonably level land. All this on an accessible road (Route 43, not far from the fairgrounds). THEIR FIST CROP— mums— was produced in the summer of 1994 for sale that fall. That summer was a busy one. The site was prepared ("land that looks level isn't necessarily flat") — ledge was re- moved and a six-foot grade leveled and two 30'xl45' houses put up side-by-side, twelve feet apart. And a new well was dug (the old one was steady, but at one gallon per minute). The houses are Harnois Ovaltech. Eric sees the oval pipe frame as "stronger; the wider spacing (on five-foot centers, rather than four) allows in more light and the straight sides give more pro- duction space." Heat is oil-fired forced hot air. Rollup sides are used in spring. 1995 saw a spring crop of bedding plants and hangers. That summer, another 30'xl45' house was put up; another was added in 1996, creating a row of four. In 1997 — two 30'x70' houses began a second row parallel to the first. A 30'x34' was put up outside this configuration. THE OPERATION IS SIMPLE, straight forward. All material is planted in Scotts Bedding Plant Mix. A fork lift is rented ("It would be nice to own this — you could use it for other things — but it's cheaper to rent") to set pallets of mix near the appropriate houses. They do own a Bouldin and Lawson pot filler which is moved from house to house. There are no benches: material is grown on weed mat. A Netafim overhead irrigation system is used in all the houses for floor-grown material. Drip irrigation is used on hangers and field-grown crops. A centrally located Dosatron is used to fer- tilize. Watering is automatic. In each house, hanger lines are connected to one solenoid which connects to a Nelsen controller, but individual lines can be turned on or off manually. The Netafim system in each house is also connected to the controller — again, each line (each house has two) can be manually operated. "The time saved is enormous," Karin says. "Each house used to take two hours. Now it's just turning a valve." Each house has its own monorail system — a three-tiered carrier that moves down the center on an overhead track. The carrier can hold twenty flats. These separate systems will be joined (the track will go outside the houses), allowing material to move from house to house. There are two trucks — a twelve- and a fourteen- footer. Delivery is done when needed — usually weekly — to thirty or so businesses on their list. THE PL ANTSMAN MEMBER PROFILE Eric does the delivering — "It takes time from other things, but it's important to talk di- rectly to customers." THE CYCLE BEGINS in Janu- ary. Plastic curtains are hung in some of the houses and plants begun in the heated sec- tions. Pansies are grown in four-inch pots, twelve-inch ovals, and eight-inch hangers; osteospermum (seven variet- ies), in five- and eight-inch pots. Their first spring crop — in 1995 — was of four-inch annuals and hanging baskets. There were no packs — "we wanted to be different — to find our own niche." At first, they sold to J. Shannon customers — ]. Shan- non wasn't growing four-inch material at the time. Now they, as well as many wholesalers, have be- gun to do so, but "there seems to be enough busi- ness to go around." Hangers are major: eight lines of ten-inch and, above these, four of twelve, are in each of the houses. Material reflects today's trends: ten-inch material includes antirrimum, argranthemum, and felicia; ivy geranium is in twelve-inch "specialty baskets." These baskets are varied and include 10- inch "Wonder Gardens" (impatiens), 12-inch Com- binations, 14-inch Moss Combinations (a variety of hanging material), and 12-inch Geranium Combina- tions (geraniums, draecena, vinca). Color Bowls use both grown-from-seed and larger annuals; some are mixed to order. These were offered from the start and have al- ways been strong sellers — "we can't keep up." Summer offerings include 7.5-inch fiber annuals and ten-inch terra cotta pots. There is kale and pansies, but mums is the ma- jor fall crop. Five thousand five-inch are grown in trays inside; outside, ten thousand 7.5-inch and 3,000 oval (four plants in a sixteen-inch oval planter) are grown (pinched twice) on black plastic in three separate areas totalling 3000 square feet. Ten-inch mum hangers are being grown ("just to see what happens"). Belgian mums — with their In a time of niches and clever marl. Association Officers President ROBERT C. RIMOL 670 N. Commercial Street Manchester, NH 03101 629-9004 Vice President GEORGE TIMM PO Box 476, Rte. 137 S., Hancock, NH 03449 525-4728 Secrctnn/ / Treasurer CHRISTOPHER ROBARGE UNH/TSAS Horticultural Facilities Durham, NH 03824 862-1074 Directors ROBERT DEMERS 656 S. Mammoth Road, Manchester, NH 03103 437-6336 DAVID GIURLEO 324 Howard Street, Northboro, MA 01532 508-393-4534. ANN HILTON 4 Karacull Lane, Pittsfield, NH 03263 435-6425. HENRY HUNTINGTON 7316 Pleasant Street, Loudon, NH 03301 435-8361 PETER VAN BERKUM 4 James Road, Deerfield, NH 03037 463-7663 TIM WOLFE 37 Lake Street, Salem, NH 03079 893-5858 Extension Liaison NANCY ADAMS 113 North Road, Brentwood, NH 03833 679-5616 NH PLANT GROWERS ASSOCIATION The Plantsman Editor UNH Research Greenhouses Durham, NH 03824 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 43