The PLANTSMAN LOTS OF PEOPLE GROW LOTS OF GERANIUMS AND ASTERS AND MUMS... AND A LOT OF PEOPLE BUY THEM. BUT ALONGSIDE THE GENERAL MARKET ITEMS, YOU CAN CHOOSE AN AREA OF SPECIALIZATION. SEE PAGE THIRTEEN. October/November 1992 HARRY STOLLER & CO., Inc. 109-113 Essex St., Haverhill, Mass. 01830, (508) 373-6838, (800) 322-0332 We cater to the small and medium size nursery in any quantity desired: 1. New heavy grade domestic burlap sqs. untreated & no-rot-treated 2. Open burlap bags 3. New windbreak burlap 4. Balling bags 5. Wire baskets 6. Flat-folded burlap basket liners 7. Truck covers 8. Sisal twine & poly twine 9. Woven polypropylene sqs. J& 35 Portland St., East Rochester, NH 03867 • (603) 332-7388 • 332-0127 • 332- B & B CONTAINER AND BARE ROOT GROWN: TREES - EVERGREENS • SHRUBS SMALL FRUITS - FRUIT TREES - ROSES - AZALEAS ■ RHODODENDRONS ANNUALS • PERENNIALS • GERANIUMS • 10" FALL MUMS NURSERY CARTS • TRACKING TRAILERS CAU. OR WRfTE FOR CVVTALCX3 • DELIVERY SBWK:E OR FARM PICK4JPS WELCOME • HARDY NH GFK^ PLANT f^TmWL VAN BERKUra NURSERY Peter & Leslie Van Berkum 4 James Road Deerfield. NH 03037 (603) 463-7663 Eleven varieties of Ferns in our selection of perennials native to the U.S. Propagators/Growers of established contai ner perennials C AL EN D AR October 19-21 The 1992 New England Greenhouse Con- ference, Sheraton Sturbridge Inn, Sturbndge, MA; for informanon: Richard Emerson at (603) 329-5525. November 2-9 OhioFlonsis' AssoaaaonMexico FhricukureTour; for information(61 4)487- 1117. 5-7 The 1 99 2 Imemaaonal Plug Con/erencv.Buena Vista Palace, Orlando, FL; for inf ormat ion: J ulie A. Stewartat( 708) 208-9080. 6-9 TheAssoaaaon ofSpeaahcy Cut FlowerGrowersFifthNaaoiudConference un Speciality Cut Flowers , Sheraton BurlingtonHotelandConference Center, Burlington VT; for information: ASCFG, 155 Elm Street, Oberiin, OH 44074;phone:(216)774-2887. Tifovember 17-18 A Business Short Course — Strategies for Today's Business Cli- mate, the Mamot, Worcester, MA; for information: |ohn Bragg at (508) 534-1775 or Kathleen Carroll at (413) 545-0895. 17 Granite State Garden & Flower Show Organizational Meeting, 5 PM at Demers Garden Center, 656 South Mammoth Road, Manches- ter, NH; for information: (603) 625-8298. 19 NHPGA Twilight Meeting, 3:30-5:30 at Murray Farms, River Road, Penacook, NH; for informa- tion, Dave Murray at (603) 753- 6781. 30-December3 The 42nd Annual MeeangofthelncemaaonalPlant Propagators' Soaety EastemRegion , St. LouisMamot Pavilion Downtown, St. Luuis,MO;for intormation: OarrellApps (215)338- 6901, or Paul Smeal(703) 231-5609. January 1993 5 EastemRegionalNuTserymeri 's .'\ssoaMion(EKNA}TTcukShow. The Concord Resort Hotel, Kiamesha Lake, NY; forinformation: (205)872 2095. February 3-4 Nen^EnglandGrows'95. Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA; for information: Virginia Woodat(61 7) 964-8209. 4-6 Farm & Forest Exposition, Center ot New Hampshire Holiday Inn &. Convention Center, Manchester, NH; for information: (603) 271-3552. March 15-17 New Englarvi Landscape Ex- position, Center of New Hampshire Holiday Inn & Convention Center, Manchester, NH; for information: Guy Hodgdon at (207) 439-5189. Juty 11-13 Imerrumonal Floriculture In- diisay Short Course Trade Show, Cincinnati Convention Center, Cincinnati, OH; for information: (614) 487-1117. And tool^in^ ahead.... March 16-19, 1994. Granite State Garden & Flower Show, National Guard Armory, Canal Street, Manchester, NH; for information: Bob Demers, Jr., at (603) 625- 8298. COVER LDslOLEUM PRINT: HEATHER MILLER DESIGNER: ]ONI DOHERTY INSIDE FROM THE BOARD The Forgotten Season .Aruirea Capron 5 FORUM 7 NH NEWS 11 ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS 13 Future Trends: The Coming of Age of the Elderly Ralph M. Winslow }r. 17 Does Your Business Have a Future Without You? Bob Normar\deau 18 PROFILE Crossing the River: JM Landscaping Nursery & Garden Center 23 Summer Meeting 25 A Look at Favorite Shade Gardening Plants Doug Roudy 29 Synopsis-Board Meetings 31 MARKETING TIPS Merchandising: Speciality Plant Groups for 1993 Tirm Sawtelle 32 EPA Fact Sheet: Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides The Pldncsmun is published in eariy Febm- cirv, April, June. .August, October, and December with copy deadlines being the 5th ol each prior month. While camera- ready ads are preferred, set-up assistance is available at a nominaal tee. Free classified advertising is ottered as a member service. We will carry a short message (no artwork or logos) tor one or two issues ot The Plants man. AD SIZE 6x 3 3/8" V V X :3/8"h $120 $30 3 3/8" V V X 4 7/8"h $160 $40 7" ^ V X 2 3/8"h $160 $40 V X 4 7/8"h $250 $50 7" \ V X 10 "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. October/November 1992 1 No Surprises. EXPERIENCE. At The Conley Farm, we have been growing high quahty Balsam and Fraser Christmas Trees since 1 968. This year we have 8,000 trees, all marked by grade and size, ready for harvest. LOCATION. Our regular customers — most of them have been with us for about 1 5 years — appreciate our Southern New Hampshire location which allows easy access for inspection of the crops. Plantation visits are welcome anytime. SERVICE. Our convenient location, an elevator loading system, and roads that are accessible for any size truck in any weather make shipping efficient and cost effective. QUALITY. As a result of an upgrading program started in 1982 we are now able to grow better trees faster. The freshness of our trees after harvest is insured by a custom designed shaded storage area. And, since we only sell trees grown on our farm what you see is what you get. No surprises. Call Bill at 603/ 332-7102, or Marty at 603/ 332-9942, for more information or to schedule a visit. The Conley Farm The wholesale grower of Balsam & Fraser in Southern New Hampshire FROM THE BOARD THE FORGOTTEN SEASON Andrea Capron TOO OFTEN, fall is a forgot- ten season in perennial gar- dens. If your gardens have faded out by the end of the summer, think about adding some fall color for next season. Native New England Aster (Aster novaeangliae), chrysan- themums, several sedum variet- ies such as Sedum 'Autumn Jay' (or 'Brilliancy'), and Boltonia asteroides all bloom m the fall. Also consider planting ornamental grasses that come into their glory late in the season. Early fall, with its cooler temperatures and more fre- quent rain, is also a good time for dividing — and an especially good time for dividing early spring bloomers like phlox spe- cies {Phlox subuiata and P. stolonifera) . Maintenance is another im- portant step in the fall. Con- tinue deadheading and trim- ming back. AFTER FROST, YOU CAN CUT BACK TO THE GROUND PERENNIALS THAT USUALLY DIE BACK— OR YOU CAN LET THE STEMS AND FLOWER HEADS STAND, TO ADD INTEREST TO THE WINTER LANDSCAPE. If autumn is really dry, continue watering your perennials as thor- oughly as usual. After frost, you can cut back to the ground perennials that usually die back — or you can let the stems and flower heads stand, to add interest to the winter landscape. Old flower heads of sedum, purple coneflower {Echinacea spp.), and black-eyed susan {Rudbeckia spp.) contrast well against the snow. It is a good idea to mulch perennials deeply for winter after the ground has froien — not to protect them from freez- ing and the cold, but to insulate them from alternating cycles of freezing and thawing. Repeated freezing/thawing cycles can dam- age roots and crowns and even heave your plants right out of the ground. Use a mulch that will not mat down and smother the crowns. Hopefully, this advice will be helpful to those home gardeners who will be spending time this winter planning that perfect pe- rennial garden — the one you'll have next year — the one with-' out drought, bugs, or disease and with perfectly color-coordinated flowers that bloom from early spring to late fall. ^ Andrea Capron is co-muner of Deer Cap Orchards, Center Ossipee, NH. October/November 1992 AUTOFOG DRaMl Chemical Applio g[ No Run-Off g[ No Labor 6 g| No Exposure gj No Problem rAutotog", a revolutionary low-volume chemical applicator Apply chemicals automatically as ultra-fine fog porticles. Eliminate worker exposure end labor costs, while providing uniform, consistant coverage. Complete space fumigation and leaf deposition is achieved due to the extremely small particle size. There is no costly chemical run-off Two models are available: SLVH and LVH. When horizontal airtans are used, the SLVH v^ll treat up to 25,000 square feet; the LVH will treat up to 70,000 square feet. Contact your Dramm distributor today: DRAMM P.O Box 1960 fvlanrtowoc, Wl 54221-1960 414-684-0227 FAX 414-684-4499 FORUM NcMT Members Bursey's Farm Markets Route 101. Intervale Road Wilton, NH 03086 Rowers of Salzbury Route 101, Salzburg Square Amherst, NH 03031 Greenfield Gardens RFD 1, Box 278 Peterborough, NH 03458 ■*! H.F. Michell Co. (Scott Stewart) 421 Park Street West North Reading, MA 01864 ■* Joyce's Flowers 89 Amherst Street Amherst, NH 03031 Nancy Carlisle Interiors 126 B Hall Street Concord, NH 03301 ■* Newsky Greenhouse 221 Dame Road Durham, NH 03824 Outback Farm RFD 2, Lane Road Chichester, NH 03263 ■* Perennial Design Landscaping 8 Goffstown Back Road Goffstown, NH 03045 Wayside Farm Whiteface Road North Sandwich, NH 03259 New Advertisers During the downturn (and after a long-overdue rate increase), The Plantsman lost some of its long-time friends. This was under- standable— an ad in The Plantsman may not be a top priority in rough times. But although the sizes changed, a lot stayed on. We never said much, but we're glad you did. Things look better now — new people are coming on board — in the August/September issue — Conley's Tree Farm (the second of three issues), Clinton Dean (one issue) and L.D. Oliver (one year). And in this issue. North Country Organics (one issue), D.S. Cole Growers, Wageman Insurance, and Dramm Corporation (all one year). The Plantsman appreciates the support — from both old friends and new. We thank you and urge our readers to do the same by patroniz- ing the companies that advertise with us. (B.P.). Concerning the Granite State Garden and Flower Show^ Herb Rice "The Flower Show is in imminent danger of dying. It has not been held for two years now. People have to start showing some interest now so we can have a show for next year. We need some commit- ments for display gardens and com- mercial booths. Does anyone have any ideas for a less expensive place to hold the show? Can anyone suggest any corporate sponsors who might help underwrite costs? Please contact any officer or board mem- ber of NHLA or Herb Rice at (603) 668-4191 with any ideas or suggestions or offers of time and talent. This show is extremely important to our industry. We shouldn't have to go to Boston to go to a Flower Show." Herb Rice is a member of the New Hampshire Laruiscape Association. Recycling Plastics The disposal of plastic film and containers continues to be a major concern of Green Industries. That concern has been enhanced by soon-to-be imposed regulations re- stricting disposal of single polymer plastics. As a consequence, many businesses are examining recycling as an option for disposal. Below is a partial list of companies which accept or buy recycled plastics. Enviro Tech, Norwood, MA Contact: Jon DeFreitas (617) 769-4260 or (800) 225-9892 • plastic film North American Plastics Recycling Corp., Fort Edward, NY Contact: Tom Tomaszek (518) 747-4195 • plastic film Obex, Inc., Stamford, CT Contact: Celeste Johnson (203) 975-9094 • nursery pots, plastic film Ontario Recycling, Inc. Rochester, NY Contact: James Kubrich (716) 328-4253 • plastic film, rigid plastics Plastic Recovery Corp. New Haven, CT Contact: Thomas Goetting (203) 785-0458 • plastic film, mixed plastics Plastic Recycling Services, Inc. Parkersburg, WV Contact: Dick Bonnet (304) 485-88062 • nursery pots A more complete list has been compiled by Arthur Amidon of Amidon Recycling, Wilton, NH, (603) 654-6577. Shipping requirements vary with individual companies. Some pay freight costs while others require delivery. There may also be mini- mal amounts that a company will accept. It's best to contact the companies for details about packing and shipping. Source: Floral Notes, UMASS Coop. Ext., hUAug, 1992, vol. 5, #1. ^ CLASSIFIED Seeking part-time winter employment in the growing industry: Real Fallu, owner, Perennial Design Landscaping. References available. Telephone: (603) 497-4060 October/November 1992 5 Ne^vton Greenhouse 32 Amesbury Road, Newton, NH 03858 603-382-5289 Quality Plants green and flowering from 2 1/2" to 10" pots Holiday, bedding plants, & dish gardens year round cut snaps, pot mums, Gloxinias and African violets Licensed propagator of Mikkelsen & Ecke New Guinea Impatiens L^RCHMONr IRRIGATION / SNOWMAKING in Manchester, NH Providing all your irrigation needs. Design Services also available. 180 Zachary Rd. Unit»3 Manchester, N.H. 03101 ,<(uu7fi77^, (603) 622-8825 ^K\\mS^i^0m\ml/'m/ 1-800-558-9888 IN NH ONLY "The Qeranium Specialists" Wholesale Growers 2 1/2" 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 JOHN B. CARPENTER, Vres^dem ROBERT ]. CARPENTER, GeneraJ Manager 603/659-3391 220 SOUTH MAIN STREET NEWMARKET, NH 03857 Winter Spring Summer or Fall. Northeast Nursery's One-Stop Shopping Covers It All. It doesn't make a difference what the time of year, or the size of the project. Northeast Nursery has supplies and materials for all your needs. North- east Nursery has the widest selection in the wholesale plant materials and landscape sup- plies in all of New England. We direct ship throughout all of New England and offer many other services. Stop by today and see why many consider us the best in suppling the landscape and green industries with quality products and services. We're Northeast Nursery, your one-stop nursery for all your shopping needs. ^, y^Northeast Nursery, Inc. Supphing Fmc Phiiil Malcnal Si iMndscupc SuppliL 234 Newbury Street, Rt. 1 South Peabodv, MA 01960 (508) 535-6550 Fax (508) 535-5247 NEW HAMPSHIRE NEWS Homeless, but Hopeful A Seventh Annual Seacoast Area Flower and Garden Show is being planned for the spring ot 1993, but there's a hitch — as of Labor Day, it had no confirmed location. Ac- cording to Brenda Schure of the Portsmouth Visiting Nurses Asso- ciation, the sponsor ot the event, The Air Force has "moth-balled the Pease Rec Center," where the event was so successfully held last year, "because ot the cost ot keep- ing It open." So the tlower show committee is looking into alternate sites. Among them are two on Lafayette Road, the Channel Building and the old Data General building. The com- mittee would like "35,000 square feet (10,000 more than last year), overhead doors, and a cement floor." If you have ideas, contact Brenda at (603) 436-0815. The Granite State Garden and Floiver Shoiv — Not this Year, But Maybe Next On Thursday, September 3, a group of concerned representatives from the NHPGA, the NHLA, and the NH Women's Federation of Garden Clubs met with Granite State Board members Real Fallu (Vice- president) and Ginny Grand Pre (Secretary) to discuss the revival ot the Granite State Garden and Flower Show. Action was taken. The Man- chester Armory was tentatively leased for March 16-19, 1994- A meeting will be held at Demers Garden Center on November 17 to elect officers and plan fund-raising events (a plant auction is being planned for July) for 1993. The idea IS to spent a year raising funds and seeing how much public inter- est and corporate support can be generated. If, by December, 1993, support seems to be lacking, the Armory- lease will be cancelled and any money raised will be used to pay debts. Any left over after that will be divided among the organizations involved for use in educational projects. So — things are stiil tentative — but moves have been made. It will be a year of hard work. For infor- mation, contact Bob Demers, Jr., at (603) 625-8298. UNH Compost Application Study The University ot New Hampshire (UNH) Compost Technology Cen- ter (CTC) was established at the Kingman Research Farm in Mad- bury-, NH, in the late fall of 1990. The thinking behind this center was the growing emergence of composting as a preferred manage- ment practice for many solid wastes and the lack of solid research in- formation on composting — such aspects as siting, costs, environ- mental aspects, quality standards, and product end use. On August sixth, UNH initiated a project to study the application of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost on Northeast soils and look into some ot the social and political issues associated with com- post use. "Successful management of solid waste depends as much on public attitudes as on scientific in- quiry," says Dr. George Estes, who heads the research. The three-year study totals $267,000 in grant money. Contributors include the Solid Waste Composting Council, the Agricultural Experiment Station, UNH, the Soil Conservation Service, the NH Cooperative Extension, and the NH Depart- ment of Transportation. The project will investigate the effects of MSW compost application in soil conditions unique to the Northeast, specifi- cally low soil temperatures, limited land areas, and acidic soils. Ten sites will include highway right-of- ways and sod and corn production fields. Sites are at the Center, at Winding Brook Turf Farm in Lyman, Maine, and on the em- bankments along the Route 4 by-pass in Durham, NH. Surveys conducted by Drs. John Halstead (Resource Economics) and Larry Hamilton (Sociology and .Anthropology) will examine people's attitudes toward MSW composting. Dr. William McDaniel (Natural Resources) will study potential ground water contamination. .■Achievements already include procuring equipment (an IH Hy- drostatic 100 HP 4-wheel drive tractor, a Wildcat FX 700 windrow turner, and a Mill Creek top dres- ser unit), construction of a 40x100' storage/mixing pad, clearing a five-acre windrow site and the beginning of research and demonstrations. C'urrent projects include evaluat- ing the effects of differing rates of MSW compost on field corn pro- duction and the construction of an equipment storage building. .Another project is a look at the use of solid waste materials in the growing of a wildflower turf, treated and handled like normal grass turf, but seeded with wild- tlowers and used for landscaping. Dr. Estes is at Nesmith Hall, UNH, Durham, NH 03824. He can be reached at (603) 862-3205. 1992 SBA Tree Planting Grants On .August 24, Small Business Ad- ministration (SBA) District Direc- tor William K. Phillips announced that a grant totalling $65,079 had October/No \' EMBER 1992 7 NEW HAMPSHIRE NEWS been awarded hy the SBA to the state of New Hampshire under the federal government's national tree planting program. The amount of the grant was based on the state's total population. Under this program, funds for tree planting on state or local go\- emment land are made available to states which agree to match at least 25% of the grant. In addition, any state or local government which participates in the program must utilize small businesses as contractors. In New Hampshire, thirty-three local governments applied to the Division of Forests and Lands, which has established a ranking system to evaluate each proposal. The following nine communities, plus one school district, represent- ing a commitment of almost $71,000, were selected: Alton, Concord, Manchester, Mount Vernon, New Ipswich, Northum- berland, Orford, Wolfhoro, Wood- stock, and the Souhegan Valley School District in Amherst. The total dollar amount which will be ultimately awarded to small busi- nesses exceeds $136,000. For information on this initia- tive, now in its second year, con- tact Mary Reynolds, NH Division of Forests and Lands, at (603) 271- 2214. Contractors interested in bid- ding on one of the local projects should contact the community involved. People Peter Corey recently sold his share in The Village Green Florist and Greenhouse, Littleton, to his part- ner, Everett Aldrich. Peter contin- ues to live in Whitefield and be active in the NHPGA. John Bryant, owner of Millican Nursery, Chichester, has been appomted to the New Hampshire Community Tree Commission. Andrea Capron lett Spider Web Gardens, Center Tuftonboro, on August first for new enterprises. She and her husband are operating Deer Cap Orchards on Route 16 in Center Ossipee. Along with grow- ing crops and running a farm stand, they've leased blueberry production acreage and an apple orchard. They're putting up a 14x48 poly house this fall (for bedding plants) and plan to put up two tunnel houses (for vegetable production) in the spring. Along with all this, Andrea's now a full- time student at UNH, studying Occupational Education. Deer Cap is not the only place where new greenhouses are going up. This winter, at Apple Ridge, Boscawen, Dave and Tina LaRo- chelle put up their second Harnois house (they also have three bow- bent houses from Ledgewood Farms). This new house is a 30x100 Ovaltech — double poly with roll-up sides and DinaGlas ends. An interesting teature (Dave's addition) is a steel 8x10 roll-up door. Made by Clopay, the door, made in small sections, rolK onto a rod, and allows maximum light penetration. The house, pro- pane heated, is used for bedding plants and hangers — and an in- creasing production of herbs. Down in Pittsfield, at Pleasant View Gardens, the Huntington!> are building a 25,000-square foot Nexus gutter-connected house. It will be environmentally computer- controlled with moveable benches. Heating will be hot water — star-tin aluminum heat pipe and gas boil- ers. One innovation will be trench drains in the concrete floor leading to a diversion ditch. Eventually a pond will be dug to catch run-oft. The house should be in full opera- tion by Januaty. It will be used for the production of Fischer geraniums. And Doug Cole at D.S. Cole Growers, Loudon, is finishing up the interior of a new glass house similar to his first, a four-bay 17,000-square foot house from Verbakel-Bomkas. This also has moveable ebb-and-tlci benches and one new aspect is a transport line down the centet aisle. The benches roll out to it and a pneumatic lift puts them onto the conveyor belt to be brought to other locations. ("A real simple thing," Doug says, "that adds a lot to overall effi- ciency.") If all goes as planned, the new house should be full of double impatiens stock plants by late October. Design America The NHA'T Teletlora Unit held Its Design America Competition at Jolly Fanner on August 12. The theme was 'Rediscover America;' there were two phases: a surprise package in which each contestant is given similar materials (roses and assorted foliage this year) and T^signer's Choice,' in which the designer could interpret the theme in any way he chose. The Winner of the Day was Suzanne Arthur of the Ford Flower Company in Sa- lem, NH. In her Designer's Choice, she interpreted the automotive era in which people discovered Ameri- ca by car. She created a base by layering such diverse materials as carrots, poppy pods, grapes, mosses, pittisporum and galax leaves in a pave technique. From this. Bird of Paradise blossoms and statice shot up at dramatic angles. Gears (from semi rigs) were incorporated into the design, repeating the circular elements used and emphasizing the theme. Suzanne will design in the na- tional competitions in Los Angeles in January. Second place went to Kristin Bouftard of Giraf s Flowers in Shelbume, Vermont. Rich Talbot of McCleod's of Concord, NH, was third. Congratulations to all participants. ^ THE Plantsman Wre rogng you. A quality^ wholesale grower of shrubs, trees, and evergreens in Chichester, N.H. Call for our free catalog |^~31 (603) 435-6660. MILLICAN NURSERIES, INC ? SEEDS/ QUALir/ 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 DRAGON PRODUCTS COMPANY Lawn & Garden Limestone Decorative Landscape Stone White Playsand P.O. Box 1521 • Portland, ME 04104 (800) 541-9127 Northern Grown Trees Evergreens Shrubs Mon-Sat 7:00 - 5:30 Sun: 9:00 - 5:00 O'DONAL'S NURSERIES Located atjuncnon 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. ROSEBUD & T SUMMER ICE impatiens PS. COLE Growers-iiiiiiiiiiiiii! 240 North Village Road, Loudon. NH 03301 (603) 783-9561 Fax (603) 783-9562 Your Double Impatiens Source I AN INSURANCE TEAM UP To PROVIDE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY If you are in the plant growing business YOU QUALIFY for the best health plan anywhere. The cost is low and the benefits are right. Call us for a quote 1-800439-2451 or (603)623-2451 Let Rough Brothers' expertise turn your greenhouse into a powerhouse — for profits. Call the experts at Rough Brothers tor intormation ana technical assistance on these qualiTv products Manufacturers of; • WhiteHouse • The International • Harvest House • The "2100" gutter-connected house • Free-standing poly arch houses • Techlite glazing • Ro-Flo benches • Ebb & Flo benches Distributors of • Alcoa Alunninum Fin Heating • Heating and ventilating equipment • Maintenance supplies, glass, parts ...and more Rough Brothers Box 16010, Cincinnati, Ohio 45216 P.O. rrrr\ ROUGH BROTHEnS 1-800/543-7351 * TOP LINE TURF SEEDS ■A- QUALITY GRANULAR GMF FERTILIZER * CUSTOfV! MIXING - OUR SPECIALITY ■A- DOLOMITIC LIME * DELIVERY THROUGHOUT NEW ENGLAND In NE 800-624-2952 l« VT 800-244-4628 FAX 802-893-2194 Grow with the Best L.D. OLIVER SEED CO., INC. P. O. BOX 156 MILTON, VERMONT 05468 ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS Business Short Course A two-day course entitled, "A Business Short Course: Strategies for Today's Business Climate," to be held at the Marriot in Worcester, Massachusetts, on November 17-18, will give manag- ers and staff of landscape and nursery businesses "the important techniques and strategies needed to survive, and perhaps even thrive, in today's business climate." Topics include the difference be- tween cash flow and profit or loss, managing accounts receivable, in- ventory management, investment analysis, pricing and bidding, and labor management. Case studies will be discussed. Co-sponsored by the Massachu- setts Nurseryman's Association and the Massachusetts Cooperative Ex- tension Service, the course costs $45.00 per day. (This includes lunch and coffee.) Registration deadline is November 13. For more, contact John Bragg at (508) 534-1775 or Kathleen Carroll at (413) 545-0895. Buxton Begonia Update New greenhouse — new direction! Buxton Branch, American Begonia Society, has maintained the Barlcley Collection of begonias for many years at Northeastern 's greenhouse in Woburn, MA. Last Easter, the collection was moved into a rented facility in Sudbury. The greenhouse is a 35x110 glass house erected in the forties. Buxton found it complete with old carnation-growing benches still filled with soil. They've used these as natural capillary mats, keeping them soaked, thereby in- creasing the humidity and reducing watering needs. Two hot air fur- naces have been added; a plastic curtain may be put up to establish two temperature zones this winter. The greenhouse is maintained by a volunteer staff. Buxton currently maintains a collection of over 500 begonia spe- cies and hybrids at Sudbury. This collection boasts hybrids from the mid-1800s, some of which may not survive elsewhere. The Barkley Collection is the only large non-commercial collec- tion in New England, but it may soon lose some of its non-commer- cial status. In order to keep the greenhouse going, Buxton Branch has decided to embark on a program of growing some of the varieties for wholesale markets. For further information, write Frank Green, 20 Cross Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420. Minor Use Pesticide Bill from AAN Update, July 20, J 992, arid information from the Minor Crop Farmer Alliance Senators Daniel Inouye (D-Hl) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) intro- duced S.2980, the 'Minor Crop Assistance Act,' to stem the ex- pected loss of pesticides needed on so-called minor crops — which in- clude nearly all fruit, vegetable, and nursery crops. The bill has two purposes. First, it provides incentives to chemical manufacturers to reregister safe minor-use pesticides. Second, the bill would add flexibility to the EPA's regulatory system by providing for "the en- hancement and effective coordina- tion of current progrart^s in USDA and EPA." It directs the EPA to grant conditional registrations of pesticides that would not create an adverse effect on the environment and provides for a new minor use program to be established within the USDA. S.2980 is a companion to the House bill (H.R.4764) which has been successfully folded into the main FIFRA reauthorization bill and is now awaiting full House Agricultural Committee action. Hurricane Relief "Reports from our fellow nursery- men in Florida indicate that Dade County's nursery industry had been virtually wiped out. Most of the nursery owners aren't currently concerned with their nurseries. Many of their homes, and those of their employees, were either destroyed or severely damaged. There is no power, water, fuel, or telecommunications. Authorities have indicated it could be months before services are restored." The Florida Nurserymen and Growers' Association (FNGA) and the Florida Foliage Associa- tion have already started trucking supplies to the nursery growers in the Dade County area. NENA has sent a contribution to the FNGA and are asking its members to do the same. The NH Plant Growers' Association has also made a contribution in the name of all its members. If people wish to send their own personal contributions, the address is: FNGA Hurricane Relief Fund, 5401 Kirkman Road, Suite 650, Or- lando, FL 32819. Fafard Dies at Age 92 Conrad Fafard, founder and retired President and CEO of Conrad Fafard &. Company of Agawam, MA, died Sunday, September 6, at the HoUywocxl Medical Center in Hollywood, Florida. Known as "the father of the peat moss industry in Canada," he was born in Sainte- Germaine, Quebec in 1900. In the 1930*s, he began importing peat moss from Germany; when World War II cut off his supplies, he be- gan producing his own product at Sainte-Bonadventure, Quebec. The Canadian peat moss industry grew from there. Fafard retired in 1970 and lived in Fort Lauderdale, FLA, and East Longmeadow, MA. He's survived by his wife of 62 years, children, and grandchildren. .Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Educational Fund, 82 Howard Street, Spring- field, MA 01105. »•■ October/November 1992 11 The Mitsubishi Fuso 4WD FG. Built to work where others can't. There's alw ays been a need for a need for a four- wheel drive, cab- over light-duty truck that can con- quer sand, snow , steep hills, and off- roadcondiUons. A real truck. The 127 HP, 11,600 Ib./GVW, jntercooled, turbochargeddiesel, MrrSUBrSHlFUS04WD FG, is exactly that truck. A cab-forward design with excep- tional {ront and side visibility lets the driver see over, and around, snowplows. Up, anddown, hilly terrain. And threatening conditions that conventional designs hide. Wheelbase options help maintain the original design integrity that's often sacrificed by unBecessary adaptions. A durable, reliable chassis, frame^ and suspension system notonly makes the ride smooth. But also protects the truck, the load, and yoxu' investment. And, accepts a variety of body and box options. It Is a truck that has survived over 5.000 miles of threatening conditions in the Australian outback to finish '*' the 1988 Wynn's Safari Rally Race when 50% of the entrants didn't. • MrrSUBISHI FUSO 4WD FG will work on those jobs that destroy .^j ordinary, conventional trucks. .j:^^':r'5^^^^i^^®^5'^-"«^9W;---5^r J. LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL ^W 1400 South Willow Street ^ 1^ Manchester, NH 03103 I lITr D U ATI n M A I ' Parts: 669-8524 INTeHNATIUNAL NH WATS: 1-800-562-3814 4 MITSUBISHI FUSO LOTS OF PEOPLE GROW LOTS OF GERANIUMS AND ASTERS AND MUMS. AND A LOT OF PEOPLE BUY THEM. BUT ALONGSIDE THE GENERAL MARKET ITEMS, YOU CAN CHOOSE AN AREA OF SPECULIZATION— UNIQUE, BUT WITH ENOUGH CUSTOMER APPEAL TO MAKE IT WORTHWHILE, AND BROAD ENOUGH TO GIVE THE GROWER SOME FLEXIBILITY ALONG WITH THE PLEASURE OF SEEING A NEW CROP WELL DONE SEVERAL AREAS (OUT OF MANY) ARE SUGGESTED IN THIS ISSUE'S ARTICLES BY RALPH WINSLOWAND DOUG ROUTLEY. THEN TINA SAWTELLE TALKS ABOUT SOME ASPECTS OF THEIR MARKETING. FUTURE TRENDS: The Coming of A^e of the Elderly Ralph M. Wmslo^v jr. Extension Program Associate, Agnculmral Resources PERHAPS MANY OF US aren't aware of it, but, nevertheless, we are becoming an aging society. Due to increased lite span coupled with a lowered birth rate, senior citizens are becoming the largest segment of our population. In fact, "the number of older people residing in this country is ex- pected to reach at least 32 million by the year 2000, with a disproportionate growth among the elderly over 75 years of age."' This simple prediction may have a decided effect on the plant industry. For nursery owners, this means that an increasing proportion of plant sales will involve older people. People in the landscape construction industry, espe- cially those working with architects and designers of senior care facilities, may find it useful to be aware of issues critical to the elderly. And for those doing planting design, senior care housing will undoubtedly be on the increase, bringing with it a new set of design criteria. To remain competitive in this ex- panding market, people m the plant industry should educate themselves about the needs of an aging population. In addition to increasing m sheer numbers, senior citizens are also very much interested in horticulture. According to a 1975 Harris Poll conducted amongst elderly Americans, gardehing and raising plants was second only to socializing with friends as popular recreational activities. Fueled by members of the yet- to-retire baby boom generation, the upcoming elderly should be vital, affluent, and far from ready for the rocking chair on the porch. And because of more readily available education and greater worldliness, these new elderly may very well be a discerning, quality-minded client. J. Diane Y. Carstens. She Planning and Design for the Elderly (New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, 1985), p. I. ^^' However, in order to respond to this •* potential market, nursery people will 't need to educate themselves about the ap- propriateness of plant choices for the eld- erly. Unlike their younger counterparts, senior citizens perceive and relate to plant materials differently. When recommending plant material tor older customers, consider the following points: ROWER COLOR. As people age, visual perception generally declines. The lens within the eye thickens, yellows, and tends to ab- sorb shorter wavelengths of light. Color sensitivity, particularly ro the shorter wavelengths at the far end of the spectrum, including blues and purples, diminishes. Therefore, the elderly tend to perceive bright, intense colors best — particularly yellows, or- anges, and reds. Avoid cool colors, such as greens, blues, and purples. Plant materials that have flowers in this color range, especially large flowers or, per- haps, an abundance of smaller flowers that are effec- tive in mass, would appeal best to the elderly. FALL FOLIAGE. As described above, seniors tend to perceive bright colors best. Plant materials which have consistently good fall color in this color range would be good selections for the elderly. During the shortening days of autumn, which parallel_ an elderly person's own stage in life, bright, cheery fall color could boost a person's spirits at a time when depres- sion may all too often be a way of life. EFFECTIVE FRUITS. Large, brightly colored fmits are best perceived by the elderly. However, good contrast between fruit and foliage color, whether fmits are masked by foliage, and the potential for attracting unwanted insects as well as desirable birds, are additional factors that corne into play when selecting plants for effective fruits. October/November 1992 13 ACCORDING TO A 1975 HARRIS POLL CONDUCTED AMONG ELDERLY AMERICANS. GARDENING AND RAISING PLANTS WAS SECOND ONLY TO SOCIALIZING WITH FRIENDS AS POPULAR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. BOLD TEXTURES. Remember that visual acuity tends to decline with age. This means that fine details can be lost to an elderly person as well as the ability to discern between light and dark values. Therefore, greater contrast in plant textures and foliage colors is required. Plants with bold textural effects read from a distance, are more effective than fine textured plants which must be viewed up close to be enjoyed. Since perception be- tween light and dark values is dimin- ished? such as discerning between bright sunlight and deep shade, shade trees that cast heavy shade are best avoided. Trees that offer dappled light and light shade would be better choices. FRAGRANCE. Over time, one's sensitivity to odors can greatly decline, since as many as 73% of the nerve fibers responsible for sensing smell can be gone between the ages of 76 to 91. As people age, a prefer- ence evolves for flowery odors over fruity ones. This does not mean that planting tor fragrance is in vain, hut that the plants selected should be strongly fragrant as well as used in quantity in mass plantings. Also, plants that release fragrance when bruised might be effective when used to edge walkways. FA.MILIARITY/REME.MBRANCE. Using familiar plants, especially plants from one's childhood, can help foster a sense of belonging as well as being con- ducive to putting an elderly person in familiar, com- fortable surroundings. Since many senior citizens are in the 70-90 year range, plants that would have been commonly planted 75-100 years ago, so called "old- fashioned" plants, would be good selections as would be many of our native plants. BIRDS/WILDLIFE ATTRACTORS. Because many of the elderly lead rather sedentary lives and spend a great deal of time either sitting or reclining, plants that attract wildlife — particularly birds — can be a great source of enjoyment. In addition to plants that pro- duce food for wildlife, choices that provide nesting sites and protection, as well as flowers, can help at- tract desirable bird species. Although commonly used landscape plants generally cause few problems, for the elderly, certain characteris- tics could spell disaster. Some examples are: ALLERGENIC PLANTS. As people age, they tend to become less sensitive to allergens. However, certain pollen producing plants as well as those irritating to the touch should be avoided. POISONOUS PLANTS. Since some seniors may at times be childlike, older people may become disori- ented and not be aware of where they are or what they are doing. Therefore, avoid plants that could be poisonous if ingested. Although fruits are most likely to be ingested, plants with other poisonous parts, such as seeds, flowers, and leaves, should also be avoided. BEE/INSECT ATTR.ACTORS. Avoid plants that un- 14 THE PLANTSMAN duly attract bees and other undesirable insects. Such insects could be a hazard, particularly if they occur in substantial numbers. Consider not only plants that attract such insects because of fragrant flowers, but also because of decaying fruits. For example, in the fall many types of crabapples drop fruits which rot and attract yellow jackets that can deliver severe stings if disturbed. MESSY PLANTS. Plants which pro- duce undue amounts of leaves, fruits, or dead wood could be considered a liability for the elderly, as well as an additional maintenance problem. These plants, if located near walkways, can cause slippery conditions which could spell trouble for an elderly person. Dead wood, while merely an inconvenience to a younger, more mobile person, could be a formidable obstacle for a less agile senior citizen. ARMED PLANTS. Plants that have thorns or prickles could prove to be a safety hazard to the elderly, espe- cially if located near walkways or pedestrian areas. Sensitivity to touch, pressure, and vibration declines in people over 50, and one's threshold to pain in- creases with age. In addition to the hazard of being injured, older people may not even be aware that they have been hurt. To demonstrate how these criteria might be ap- plied, consider the example of the common forsythia. Since the elderly tend to perceive yellows and oranges best, this plant offers nearly ideal flower color. .More- over, it is a plant familiar to many people and could be considered to be a plant from the childhood memories of many. Although it generally does not have effective fall foliage or colorful fruits, it is not a safety hazard, for it is neither poisonous nor does it have thorns or messy fruits. Because it satisfies several ot the above criteria, forsythia, given the availability oi hardier, more compact cultivars, would be a good plant tor an elderly client. Compare this choice with the frequently — and often over — used evergreen yew. This plant does not have effective flowers, fruits, or colorful fall foliage, although its foliage could provide good contrast to deciduous plants as well as offering winter appeal. In addition to providing cover for birds, fruiting types would supply food for them. However, since the seeds, as well as other plant parts, are poisonous, non-truit- ing (male) forms are preferred, but should be used with discretion. As we become an older society, the elderly may very well prove to be an important target sales group of the future. But in order to respond to this potential market, people in the plant industry will need to sen- sitize themselves to the critical issues and concerns that come into play when recommending plants tor an older clientele. Ralph Winslow is an Extension Pro-am Associate, Agricultural Resources for Belknap County. He can be reached at (603) 524-1737. »•- EASTERN WHITE PINE 6-10' Height Beautiful, heavy, Vermont, Connecticut Valley nursery grown. ^rowing 500 Acres of New England's Finest Trees & ShruDs o04 Mam Street Cromwell. Connecticut 06416 Phone (203) 635-5500 ^ax (203) 635-3685 ^illane Srjiirseries,%c. WHOLESALE SUPPLIERS Bark Mulch - Hemlock & Mix Bagged Mulch - Cedar & Pine Landscape Ties Cut & Split Firewood We are here to fulfill your needs.... Call Toll Free today! New Hampshire: 1-603-863-3311 New England: 1-800-537-0031 Jolly Farmer Products East Lempster, New Hampshire 03605 WHOLESALE GROWERS • Annual & Perennial Plugs • Rooted Cuttings • Tuberous Begonias • Bedding Plants • Potted Annuals • Hanging Baskets • Cyclamen - Liners, Prefinished, Rnished • Poinsettias- Cuttings, Prefinished, Finished Nationwide: 1-800-695-8300 Local: 603-863-3370 "Integrity, quality and reliable service since 1967' 'Poinsettias 'Annuals 'Perenials Wholesalers & Retailers Visit our 12 Greenhouses & Garden Center Ciaremont Hill, Newport, New Hampshire (603)863-1089 OPEN YEAR ROUND 'Potted Plants 'Seasonal Crops 'Supplies DOES YOUR BUSINESS HAVE A FUTURE Without Your Bob Normandeau DOES YOUR BUSINESS have a future without you? Think about it. It took years, lots of patience, smart decisions. Or were they good guesses, lots oi risks, plenty of stress and hard work — hard physical work? That's probably what you did to get your business up to its present value. It was your talent, your foresight, your knowledge, your experience, your judgement, and your abilities that put it together Yes, the good peole you hired helped make it hap- pen. But think about it. What if you had not done what you did? Do you now understand how important you are to your business? What will happen when you're no longer around to make things happen? Thousands of businesses dissolve or are reduced to a fraction of their value when owners die or become dis- abled. That's too bad, because the resulting chaos among family members and business associates could have been avoided of only the proper questions ha been asked and answered in advance. Questions like... a How much will it take to buy or sell my share or his/her share in the business? "« Who will own the business after I'm gone? 'e' Can they run it successfully? "i' Will my absence result in a financial burden by requiring the services of an experienced business manager? ¥ What are the various methods available to protect the value of a business? ■ft' How do we provide continuation? All too often these questions are asked only after an owner or partner dies. All too often, without his or her availability, the wrong answers come up. And the business begins to die. Here are two scenes that demonstrate these principles. SCENE A IS AT THE GREEN LEAF GARDEN CENTER: Background ; Brothers George and Fred bought the Garden Center five years ago from an old man who just wanted out! He couldn't stand dealing with the public any more and his accounts receivable were kill- ing him. George and Fred each put up $25,000. They got along very well. The business grew and now has substantial value. The were offered $500,000 for the business a month ago. They love the work and turned the offer down flat. Today: This morning Fred died of an embolism to the brain. He was ringing up a sale when it happened. He was dead within 20 minutes. The funeral was uneventful, but after everyone had gone home, his wife read Fred's will. It said, "1 leave everything to my beloved wife Emelda!" Guess who has a new partner? George not only has to learn how to work with Emelda — now each of her six children think changes are needed at the Garden Center. Poor Emelda — she never had to deal with all this! Poor George — he's in a no-win position, unless he buys Emelda out. Let's see... that's $5000,000 di- vided by 2 — no way George can come up with that. Fine, says Emelda, I'll give my share to the kids. SCENE B IS AT THE GREEN LEAF GARDEN CENTER Background: Same — but after reading an article in The PlantSTTian, Fred and George sit with there independent insurance agent and work out a buy/sell agreement. They work out an agreement that goes like this. If one dies, the other uses the proceeds from a life insurance policy to buy the widow's share. If no one dies, the cash value of the policy is used to provide retirement benefits to each. The premium is paid by the business, the cash value becomes an asset to the business and perpetuation is assured. Events today: Fred dies just as before, but now after the funeral, George gives Emelda a check for $250,000. He received that money from the insurance company because he was the policy beneficiary. Emelda transfers Fred's share of the business to George. George now owns 100% of the business. George is saddened by his brother's untimely death, but he now can run the business without interference from inexperienced relatives. These two scenes demonstrate clearly why many sound businesses fail to survive after their owners leave this planet. Plan your business' future. Talk to an experienced insurance agent or financial planner. Your family, your employees, your customers, your suppliers are all de- pending on you to make one more smart decision. »*• Bob NoTmandeau is President of Wageman Insurance Company, 1217 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03101. He can he reached at (603) 623-2451. October/November 1992 17 M M CROSSING THE RIVER JM iMttdscapinz Nursery & Garden Center of New Hampshire THE BOULDER BESIDE ROUTE 5 wasn't left by some Pleistocene L'lacier retreating up the Con- U VTtA. -^llnecticut River valley — its ^^==5^^ edges aren't worn enough for that. It arrived there more re- cently— quite recently, in fact. Jim and Mary Musty put it there last year to mark their new location. This was when JM Landscaping Nursery & Garden Center of Piermonc, New Hampshire, moved across the river to Bradford, Ver- mont. Along with the rock, already there's a large shop and office, three greenhouses, a shade house, a nursery, the beginnings of display gardens. The place looks settled, part of the landscape. But getting here took longer and was more lively than its solid appearance im- plies. After Jim and Mary (both Piermont natives) graduated from UNH (both studied plant science), they spent a few years away (he did landscaping for The Blooming Place in Concord; she was in the greenhouse at Dartmouth). They wanted their own business and in 1979, they returned to Piermont and put an ad in the local paper. They had a pick-up and a few hand tools and got themselves some jobs. And some more after that. Landscaping became their main source of income, but along- side that, they were developing a nursery and garden center next to their home. They started with perennials. "We've always had good perenni- als," Mary said. "Out front we had great display gardens." But it was small — a shop, two fifty-foot greenhouses and a nurs- ..-ry — ail on less tnan an acre; tne 16x24 shop "carried no hard goods; there was parking for only six cars; a pallet of peat moss lasted three years." 18 THE PlANTSMAN "Sure, we had customers," Jim said, "loyal customers that came hack year after year and who were really sad to see us move, but there was just not enough traffic to make it pay for itself." They'd been looking at possible locations for a long time. Then, in 1989, the owner oi a fourteen-acre tarm near the intersection oi Routes 25 and 5 on the Lower Plain of Bradford, Vermont — some- one they'd approached ten years before — was willing to sell. The .Mustys bought. It was a good choice. Route 5 is a major road just oii Interstate 91. Although Bradford and Piermont seem like isolated farming communities, they are bedroom communities for workers in the Hanover/Lebanon area as well. People living here work at Dartmouth College, .Mary Hitchcock Hospital, or at the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) in Hanover. These are the region's biggest em- ployers and the traffic flows up and down the valley to and from work each day. But there were concerns. One was about setting up the business under the regulations of another state. The first — and most compli- cated— of these was the require- ment to obtain approval from the regional environmental board man- dated by 'Act 250.' Reacting to "uncoordinated and uncontrolled" land use "which may be destructive to the environment and which is not suitable to the demands and needs ot the people of the state of Vermont," Act 250 was set up to regulate of the use of the land and environment, basing its rulings on a "comprehensive ^tate capability and development plan." Under Act 250, the state is divided into nine districts. Each district has its own three-member quasi-judicial commission which determines whether and under what conditions a land-use permit may be issued. A nine-member board appointed by the governor oversees on the state level. Jim and Mary had to bring to their regional board the complete plans for what they wanted to do. These included finished architec- tural drawings of the proposed gar- den center. The board assessed the plans for such factors as its effect on traffic, aesthetics, usage of town resources (schools, utilities), and its effect on wildlife habitat. Its proximity to places of historic significance was considered and a geological ap- praisal was done. The study was very thorough. The procedure took nearly a year. Neither .Mary or Jim is espe- cially fond of paperwork and both feel "New Hampshire is more pro- business," but things went well. The only complication was a sug- gestion that the soil was of "ar- cheological significance" (archeo- logical items had been found in similar soils), but this idea was not pursued. Their proposals accepted by late 1990, they could now wonder whether their customers would pay the Vermont sales tax (then 4%; now 5%). To find out, that De- cember they sold Christmas trees at their new location in the unheated barn. To their relief, people bought. The volume was up from one hundred trees to tour hundred and lots of wreaths — and "four hundred is good business tor us." Their new visibility increased the amount they could sell. In January, 1991, they began to build the garden center. They de- stroyed the house (they burned it down, actually) — they saw no way to adapt it — and tore down the outbuildings — which left only the 30x100 barn. They gutted that and rebuilt the interior. With the help M M of carpenter friends, they raised the ceiling five feet (the original ceil- ing was only seven). They took out the old cement and put in a new concrete floor with a hot-water ra- diant-heating system imbedded in it. After the interior was rebuilt and painted, they placed old post- and-beam structural pieces bought from a dealer in Lyme here and there to give it "a bam-like look." Outside, they added a porch ("this was Mary's idea") and painted the whole structure red, with white trim. The first floor became the shop; the second, offices and stor- age. JM Landscaping of Piermont was in its new home. A 12x30 addition was built on the south gable end. This con- nects the shop with a 30x100 double-poly New Englander. De- tails are subtle selling points: the porch floor is bluestone ("to let people know we do that kind of stuft^'); the greenhouse floor is brick (they do that too). In August, the New Englander seems like a display house, with its foliage plants set around a foun- tain, its benches of begonias and ivy, and above them, hanging bas- kets of fuchsia and lantana ("we sell lots of hangers"). But it is used for production as well. They begin growing pansies and annuals in February, and start perennials at various times of the year. And in August, 1200 poinsettia cuttings ar- rive ("We could buy finished plants, but we just enjoy growing things"). They grow simply. There's a small potting bench at the far end of the house and what- ever bench space is needed for pro- duction is used ("our customers like to see things growing"). They're too busy for lilies, but might some- day force bulbs. After the New Englander was up and operating, the two houses from their Piermont location were set up behind the New Englander and parallel to it, their positions fore- casting a future headhouse. Mums are grown in one of these. Alongside the north gable end, a 20x50 shade house was built this spring. Hemlock from a local mill was used. ("I know it should be pressure-treated, but hemlock is strong — ordinary white pine at our place in Piermont lasted twelve years.") The rafters are covered with inflated double poly; the roof is high — the peak is "probahlv 18 feet from the ground"; the steep angle (12 over 12), prevents snow build-up. The gable ends will be boarded; the side next to the barn is already boarded; the other side is open and covered with plastic that can be rolled up in good weather. Perennials — some started from seed in the display house, others bought bare-root fall and spring — are dis- played on two-level hemlock benches (bottom:4 1/2 x 8; top: 2 1/2 X 8) designed to let the cus- tomer see plants on both levels clearly. The nursery covers an acre. (A October/November 1992 19 M M B farmer hays the rest o( the land.) In winter, protection is surpris- ingly simple. The perennial beds and some of the more sensitive nursery stock are covered with a layer of plastic, a layer of hay, then another layer of plastic. Most of the nursery stock is dug into the ground where they're standing "and maybe covered with a few bark chips." Everything does fine. Landscaping is still the main source ot income, accounting for 60% of the total. The numbers employed depend on the econo- my, but right now both Mary and Jim have their own crews. (The garden center has a full-time manager, Russ Pazdro, and Mary's sister, Margaret, does a lot of the growing.) Jim specializes in larger design and construction projects; Mary, in garden plantings (espe- cially annuals) and maintenance. Does their design work have a certain style? In northern New Hampshire, your choices are prag- matic. Mary favors certain plants for their hardiness: begonias are "easy and can be used in both shade and sun." Color's impor- tant— she uses lots of marigolds, salvia, double and single impa- tiens. Jim's designs often include stonework — retaining walls, pa- tios, walkways. A current project includes a gazebo (cedar) and a waterfall. But this is unusual; "most people really don't want something different," Jim says. "They want something that's easy to mamtain and makes the house look nice." He likes "stuff that works" — thmgs like taxiis . But some plants are used more fre- quently than others — shadbush, tree lilacs; he likes Emerald Lus- ter maples, red oak, witch hazel... there's an aesthetic side along with the sensible. From the field in hack of the nursery, on a clear day you can see — behind the piles of bark mulch and loam, beyond the hills on the other side ot the river — Moosilauke rising in the distance. A tempting vision — both Jim and Mary ski, but they have less time for it now. (Last year they did manage to spend a day on the beginner's slope at Tenny Moun- tain with their two sons, aged four and six.) There's too much going on down here to allow much think- ing about higher elevations. Right now Jim and Mary are still learn- ing the logistics of running a much larger business. "This year, for the first time, we didn't have enough. Salvia... we kept running out of salvia...." Along with re- learning the quantities needed (an intuitive thing before), they're trying new crops — this year, it's ornamental grasses. And they're .increasing the range and variety of items sold in the gar- den center — cedar baskets, llama manure, local crafts, pumpkms — these are all new. And they're building display beds. ..planning a headhouse.... No — not much skiing for awhile, but this winter, things should be lively enough without it. (B.P.) JM Landscaping Nursery & Garden Center is on the Lower Plain, Route 5, Bradford. Vermont, 05033. The phone there is (802) 222-5354. «5*-^4.. All Natural Land Care Supplies Offering Natural Fertilizers, Soil Amend- ments and Pest Controls for the Profes- • Landscaper ■ Turf Care Expert ■ Arborist • Nurseryman • Orchardist • Perennial Grower • "Vegetable Grower • and Retail Dealer For more inforrrtation contact North Country Organics - Depot St. Bradford, VT 05033 • 802/222-4277 WINDING BROOK TURF FARM, """ 240 Gnswold Rd Wethersfield. CT 06109 RTlll Kennebunk. ME 04043 • QUALITY BLUEGRASS • BLUEGRASS - FESCUE BLENDS ' LOW MAINTENANCE BLENDS ' PENNCROSS BENTGRASS In CT 203-529-6869 Distributor For • Silva-Fiber a Outside CT IS • ®=l Paweri Ub) »» IDEAL A Weston Nurseries Introduction A phrase which stands for the very best that fifty years of horticultural innovation and testing can produce. Weston Nurseries is proud to have developed and introduced these outstanding plants for the benefit of the American Nursery Industry. R])ododendroom PMJ (Hybndized in 194C) FOR THE FINEST "NEW ENGLAND-GROWN" PLANTS, VISIT OUR WHOLESALE SALES YARD OR CALL AND ASK FOR TOM WILHELM, DAVE WALKER OR TOM WILLLAMS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HELPING YOU. Rhododendron PMJ ( 1940)* Rhododendron Henry'sRed (1958)* Rhododendron Shrimp Pink Hybrids (1958)* Rhododendron Agio (1964)* Rhododendron Olga Meiitt (1964)* Rhododendron Weston's Pink Diamond ( 1 964 ) * Rhododendron Molly Fordham (1966)* Rhododendron Milestone (1972)* Since 1923 Rhododendron April Snow ( 1978)* A2aleaJaneAbbon(1942)* AzaleaVyking(1958)* Azalea Pink and Sweet (1963)* Azalea Parade (1963)* Azalea Golden Showers (1963)* Azalea Pink Clusters (1972)* *Year Hybridized Weston Nurseries I Inc. ff/i of Hopkinton Growing New England's largest variety of landscape-size plants, shnibs, trees and perennials. E. Main St. (Rte. 135), P.O. Box 186, Hopkinton, MA 01748 TeL (508) 435-3414, From Boston 235-3431, Toll free in MA, 1-800-322-2002 FAX 508-435-3274. CAVICCHIO GREENHOUSES. INC. Wholesale Growers no Codjer Lane Sudbury, MA 01 776 (508)443-7177 ANNUALS PERENNIALS HARDY MUMS GROUND COVER KALE & CABBAGE FALL PANSIES JUMBO ANNUALS HOLIDAY PLANTS CLASSIC PERENNIALS HARDY FALL ANNUALS FLOWERING HANGING BASKETS n 'Our goal, quality Our strength, our employees" FOR A GREEmOUSE VEFJNJTLV VIFFERENT COMTACT: ELLIS B.SPRAGUE ORONO. MAINE o TEL: 207-866-4747 FAX: 207-866-4747 HPROOIS STEENBURG & CALUORAS THE AUCTION PROFESSIONALS, INC. ™ AUCTIONEERS: Archie Steenburgh 603/989-5690 Route 10, Haverhill, NH 03765 Peter Callioras, CA.I. 603/868-1070 Calef Highway (Lee), Dover, NH 03820 Featuring 'NH Gold' Forsythia the best of the new, hardy forsythias, developed here by Paul Joly t? several sizes available WINDSOR ROAD NURSERY RT. 2, BOX 884, CORNISH, NH 03745 Call for ar\ appointment: 603-543-3239 or send for a catalog ROOTED CUTTINGS & POTTED LINERS of other hard-to-find shrubs &. trees ¥ PERENNIALS & NURSERY STOCK wholesale & retail LANDSCAPE CONSULTING NORTHERN NURSERIES WHOLESALE HORTICULTURAL DISTRIBUTION CENTERS U.S. Route 5, White River Junction, VT 05001 16 Pinkham Road West, Harrington, Nh 03825 SER VING THE PROFESSIONAL WITH ABOVE GROUND PLANT MATERIAL Distributors in the following lines: •Lofts Seeds • BirchmeierSprayers • DeWitt Weed Barrier • Corona Hand Tools • Earthway Spreaders • Lebanon TurfFertilizers • Mulch & Grow Hydroseeding Fiber • Nursery & Landscape Supplies Contact: Jim Babb, Mgr., White River Junction, VT, (802) 295-2117 Bob Avereil, Mgr., Barrington, NH, (603) 868-7172 - -a' GOOD SERVICE • DEPENDABLE QUALITY . CONVENIENT LOCATION The NHPGA 1992 Summer Meeting From the home-made doughnuts and cider to the drawino of the door pn:e, the NHPGA's 1992 Summer Meeting went well — jolly Farmer had the dav well-organized. A policeman directed traffic; staff directed park- ing; after stopping at the registration btxith, you followed the sign^ through the greenhouses to the trade show in back. There were over seventy exhibitors in the trade show — all of them willing to talk; we were able to see a large industrial tub grinder in ac- tion and a demonstration of a Blackmore Drum Seeder; We were given tours of the greenhouses in which the boom-sprayers, the fog chambers, and the rwo-nered system for watering hanging baskets seemed especialK noteworthy. And before doing any oi this, we were able to watch the NHA'T Teleflora Unit 'Design America' competition. Then there was lunch — Perillo's all-you-can-eat barbecue. And after that, the scholarship auction with Peter Callioras as auctioneer. Dr. Pat Vittum spoke on "Biological Control — Where are We?" in the morning and gave a "Review of Insect ID &. Control" after the auction in the afternoon. Both talks were lively, informative, and well-attended. And finally, Len Harten (ffom Woodman Florist in Salem) won the door prize, a weekend for two at the Snowy CKvl in Waterville Vallev. So the day was worth-while. As in any event of this size, thanks are due to many people: to every- one at Jolly Farmer, whose organizational skills and attention to detail were evident at every turn; to Peter Callioras, who donated hi-- time tc help make the auction a success; to all the exhibitors who contributed items; to Perillo's, for the fine lunch; to Pat Vittum, for all that useful information; to the Board Members who made phone calls, ran the lec- tures, helped with the auction, etc, etc.; to Bob Demers, who, along with everything else, brought lots of new faces to the trade show;, to Chris Robarge, who organized the publicity and registration.... Thank you everyone. See you next year. *» liiustranon by Boh Parker THE NEW HAMPSHIRE PLANT GROWERS' ASSOCLATION AND THE NH/VT TELEFLORA UNIT WOULD LIKE TO THANK THESE PEOPLE WHO EXHIBITED AT THE NHPGA SUMMER MEETING: AMS Marketmi;: Batiey Nurseries, Inc.: Baker Co./Medford Nursery, Jiv.; Ball Seed Co.: B.E. Supply, Berber Peat Moss, Inc.: Blackmore Co.: Bobcat of Boston, Inc.: Bramen Co.. Inc.: Cavicchio Greenhouses: Chapin Watermatics: Charter Oak Landscape and Nursery Sales: Clinton Dean Enterprises: D.A. Posocco, Inc.: Dragon Cc: Dramm Corporation: Exportation Daniel Sage. Inc.: Farn\ Famih Insurance: First Neu' Hamp- shire Bank: Fisons Horaculture , Inc.; /\' Sttisons Marketing', Inc.; Fred C. Gheckner & Co.. Inc.: Gardenworks Marketing: Gold Suir Sod/Nursery: Griffin Greenhouse & Nursery Supply: Hamois Greenhouses: Harry Siolkr 6^ Co.; Hop River Nursery: Horsford Gardens & Nursery: IF Supply Co.: Keepsake Collectables: Kingston Nurs- ery: K'nuitic' Nursery: LAN Nurseries: Liberty intt'matioruil Truck: Milkine Nurseries: Nexe Engbnd Nursery Sales: North Country Orj;anics: Northeast Nursery. Inc.: Northern Nurseries: Orchard Equipment: P.F. McHugh Cu.: Plants Intematioruil, Inc.: Pot Speciaiists. Jnc.: Prides Comer Farms, Inc.: Ouansett Nurseries: R.D. MacMillan CV).: Resource Conservation Sert'ict's, Inc.: Riley's Christmas Tree Farm, Inc.: Roaring Brook Nurseries: Roots 'n All; Sharon Sales Co.: Skidelsky & Co.; Spence Farm: Smnford Seed; Stuppy Greenhouse Mfg.; Syracuse Pottery, Inc.; TAK Etiuipmeni: Tamow Nursery; Tekfbru Service: The Conrad-Pyle Co.: The South Forty: The von Trapp Nursery: Tuckahite Turf Farms. Inc.; vai\ Berkum Nursery: Vaughan's Seed Cu. Vermont Natural Ag Products. Inc.: Wageman Insurance: Western Maine Nurseries. Inc.; Yankee Garciene- . SUPPORT THESE FINE FOLKS— THEY SUPPORT THE NHPGA i*. O C T O B t R / N O V F M B I R 1 992 2 J \ \ 4 // ,Y^ing ^oii To Q r, o ^o B,E, SUPPLY GREENHOUSE SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT pre-filled flats * RR 1 • TYLER BRIDGE ROAD • HINESBURG, VERMONT • (800) 525-9405 • FAX (802) 482-4056 • CALL US FOR COMPLETE LISTINGS • FAX US YOUR WANT LIST • HAND PICK YOUR TREES •WELL DIRECT SHIP • QUANTITY DISCOUNT PRICING GROWERS OF FINE QUALITY SHADE TREES October/November 1992 29 fffill \^ nurseries inc. A growing tradition since 1832 WHOLESALE ONLY Growers of Quality Hardy Plants Trees • Shrubs* Evergreens B&B and Container Grown Wide Range of Materials West Newbury, Massachusetts 01985 508-462-6688 We welcome your visit! t ■sr The Plantsman offers free classified advertising (no artwork or logos) as a member service for one or two issues. Please mail your classified to Robert Parker, Editor UNH Research Greenhouses Durham, NH 03824. INSURANCE SPECIALISTS SINCE 1967 BUTLER -FLORISTS' & growers' insurance agency, inc. 20 South Street, Westborough, MA 01581-1696 TpI- S08-366-1512 "^''^ y""^ ^^^^ Broker lei. DUO 000 \J\L ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ infomat^on. SPECIAl PACKAGES FOR • Reloil Floritis ■ Gorden Cenlen ■ Londuopen • Wholnala Giowen > Sod Forms • Arborists • Nunenes • Flo»«r;Gih ■ Tree Forms ■ Suppliers ■ Vegetoble Growers • Associotions ■ Interior Londstaper • Fruit Growers • Farmers Morkels " Roodside Forms • Hortitullurisis ■ Outdoor Crop ■ Christmos Tree Soles SPECIAL COVERAGES • Pitk Your Own • OH Premises Power ' • Cut Kour Own ■ Tronsporlotion • Consequenliol Crop • Gill Pack-liquor • Pollution • Srhsdule Floater • Business Interruption ■ Collopse/Undeiground • Flonsi E t 0 ■ Replotement Cost • Consequential Relrig • Pestitide/Fertiliier • Prol londsropo Desigr and more One Call Gets It All! As a major grower, distributor, and broker. Imperial Nurseries can satisfy your need for a wide selection of quality plant mate- rial and a full range of hard- goods. And as your primary source, we can do it with a sin- gle phone call from you. You'll save time . . . and save money on special promotions . . . while offering your customers the very best. The quality and depth of inven- tory we provide, from both our Connecticut and Florida farms and the many quality growers we represent through our bro- kerage operations, give lawn and garden centers, landscap- ers and nurserymen what they need . . . when they need it. Make Imperial Nurseries the primary source for all your horticultural needs. Call 1-800- 343-3132 today to discuss how we can meet your requirements. Crowing Oper.tioni: Oranbv.Cr. Qumcy. FL Distribution Cenlen: Aslon. PA, Cincinnati. OH, C.lumbus.OH, Piiisburuh, PA, Manassas. VA, Uhiie Marsh, MD. Vsindsor,l.l Brokerage Offices: Oranbv,CT, Sandv.OR IChlibrol Division of Culbro Corporation 30 THE Plantsman MARKETING TIPS MERCHANDISING Specialty Plant Groups for 1993 Tina Sa, ^-,-^^,, . K,.... I A . o CHARLES LAUGHTON • PRESIDENT NURSERY STOCK • ANNUALS dave polygri-;en ■ nursery sales PERENNIALS FERTILIZERS • INSECTICIDES Cal Laughton, Florist Distributors of Sentinel Foam Overwinter Blankets WHOLESALE AND RETAIL NURSERY Tel. 1 -800-63 3 -01 59 155-165 Princeton Blvd. No. Chelmsford, MA 01863 LAUCHTONS 1992 ASSOCIATION OFFICERS President Bob Demers, ] r. Demers Nursery & Garden Center 656 South Mammoth Road Manchester, NH 03 103 625-8298 Secretatry I Treasurer Christopher Robarge UNH/TSAS Horticultural Facilities Manager Durham, NH 03824 862-1074 Directors Andrea Capron Box 23 2 Center Ossipee,NH038I4 539-6030 Peter Corey RFDl,Box678 Whitefield,NH 03598 837-9113 Bruce Holmes PO Box 75 Center Tuftonhoro, NH 03816 569-2127 Henry Huntington Pleasant View Gardens RFD#3,POBox3701 Pittsfield, NH 03263 435-8361 Peter van Berkum 4 James Road Deerfield, NH 03037 463-7663 Roger Warren Box 318 Meriden,NH 03770 469-3226 (H); 448-6110 (W) Richard Zoerb Gloeckner & Company, Inc. 72 Hawkstead Hollow Nashua, NH 03063 886-8665 TWILIGHT O MEETING UPDATE Murray Farms November 19, 3:30 to 5:30 The last NHPGA Twilight Meeting before the start of the holiday season will be at Murray Farms on River Road in Penacook, NH. Appropriately, the main crop is poinsettias (55,000 square feet of them). But there's a whole series of other things to see: innovative benching systems (a new cantilever design as well as an-other "peninsular modular stackable" system that's been used and modified over several years), a chip- burning boiler (one of several boilers in Dave's collection), a Wadsworth MicroStep climate control system, and recently designed equipment for handling bulk- bagged media. Dave and Don also use higher night temperature (DIP) to regulate plant growth and this technique will be discussed as well. Dave and Don — and probably some other Murrays along with them — will be your hosts. The meeting begins at 3:30 (a little earlier than usual, to give members a chance to see some things in daylight). Murray Farms is on River Road in Penacook (a map and directions will beon the flier). It should be an evening for everyone to learn and relax and celebrate the beginning of a successful holiday season. For information, call Dave Murray at (603) 753-6781. NH PLANT GROWERS ASSOCIATION THE PLANTSMAN EDITOR UNH RESEARCH GREENHOUSES DURHAM, NH 03824 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 43