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THE DIRT
Summer Issue 2020, Volume 46, Issue 2
What We Are Hearing page 4
Pandemic Postponement: The Vermont Flower Show page 9
Peonies: June
1 Beauty Queens page 27
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT Ralph Fitz-Gerald COMMITTEES
Horsford Gardens & Nursery
Ashley Robinson BUDGET AND FINANCE
2111 Greenbush Road
Ashley Robinson Landscape Designer COMMITTEE CHAIR
Charlotte, VT 05445
PO Box 28 Gabe Bushey - Crafted Landscapes, LLC
802-425-2811
Charlotte, VT 05445 802.425.5222
field@horsfordnursery.com
802.922.1924 EVALUATION & PLANNING
arobinsonld@gmail.com Sarah Salatino COMMITTEE CHAIR
Full Circle Gardens Ashley Robinson, Landscape Designer
VICE-PRESIDENT 68 Brigham Hill Road 802.922.1924
Essex, VT 05452
Hannah Decker INDUSTRY AWARDS COMMITTEE CHAIR
802-879-1919
Fairfax Perennial Farm, Inc. Ashley Robinson, Landscape Designer
info@fullcirclegardens.com
7 Blackberry Hill Road 802.922.1924
Fairfax, VT 05454 Elise Schadler LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR
802.849.2775 VT Urban & Community Forestry Program Gabriel Bushey - Crafted Landscapes, LLC
perennialfarm@surfglobal.net Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation 802.233.8551
Program Manager
111 West Street MARKETING & EDUCATION
SECRETARY/TREASURER COMMITTEE CHAIR
Essex Junction, VT 05452
Gabriel Bushey Ashley Robinson, Landscape Designer
802-522-6015
Crafted Landscapes, LLC 802.922.1924
elise.schadler@vermont.gov
176 South Maple Street
Vergennes, VT 05491 MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS
Pat Toporowski
802.233.8551 Hannah Decker - Fairfax Perennial Farm
Vermont Stone & Horticulture
gabe.w.bushey@gmail.com 802.849.2775
1869 Main Street
Ashley Robinson, Landscape Designer
Colchester, VT 05446
DIRECTORS 802.922.1924
802-876-7801
Nate Carr pat@vermontstone.com PROGRAM COMMITTEE CHAIR
Church Hill Landscapes, Inc. Ralph Fitz-Gerald - Horsford Gardens &
287 Church Hill Road Nursery
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 802-425-2811
Charlotte, VT 05445
802.425.5222 RESEARCH & AWARDS
Kristina MacKulin
nate@churchhilllandscapes.com
VNLA/Green Works VERMONT CERTIFIED HORTICULTURIST
Marlys Eddy P.O. Box 92 COMMITTEE CHAIR
Vermont Technical College N. Ferrisburgh, VT 05473 Nate Carr - Church Hill Landscapes, Inc.
PO Box 500 Toll Free: 888.518.6484 802.425.5222
Randolph Center, VT 05061 P: 802.425.5117
802.728.1207 Kristina@greenworksvermont.org VOLUNTEER PROJECT OUTREACH
mxe03080@vtc.vsc.edu www.greenworksvermont.org COMMITTEE CHAIR
Ashley Robinson, Landscape Designer
802.922.1924
THE D
IRT
2019/2
020, Vol
ume 45,
Issue
4
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Facebook: @greenworksvt & @vermontflowershow
COVI
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Instagram: @greenworksvt & @vtflowershow
VNLA New
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2020
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2
PRESIDENT’S LETTER Ashley Robinson, Landscape Designer
inside
this issue
Board of Directors 2
The President’s Letter 3
The Buzz 4
What We Are Hearing
Dear Fellow VNLA Members & Friends, Pandemic Postponement:
The Vermont Flower Show
It has surely been a wild start to the growing season! I sincerely hope you all have managed to COVID-19:
stay safe and sane. It seems at every turn we are being challenged by something new. Lately Where We Are Now
the dry, hot weather has us sheltering from the sun and hopeful for rain. Even our gardens and COVID-19: Where We Are
lawns are suffering the stresses of this turbulent time! Going - From the VNlA
Treasurer
I’ve always looked to the landscape to learn, feel joyful and fulfilled. This year is no different.
Congratulations to Member
In fact, the desire to garden, plant, and grow our landscapes has exploded recently. It seems
Tim Parsons
more and more people are looking to their gardens for health, reprieve and enjoyment. The
great reward in reaping the benefits of our outdoor spaces is being felt. It is in our nature to Welcome to New VNLA
want nature! Members
Finding joy during these stressful times is important and I feel it is a part of what we offer as an Calendar of Events
industry. I like to think we are contributing in some small part to the healing of our
Leonard’s Clippings 16
communities. Bringing people closer together through gardening is the safest closeness we can
have these days. Connecting to our neighbors and communities will always be important, The Lab 19
perhaps now more so than ever. Observations from the
UVM Diagnostic Lab
Now is a time for hope, but so too is it a time for action and trust in the goodness of life. As an
News from the VT Agency of
organization built to weather challenges, and shift with change, I am confident we are in a Agriculture Foods &
unique position to grow in new ways. There is opportunity for VNLA to affect positive, lasting Markets
influence on our communities. We can make a difference together, by supporting each other.
Persistent Pest Parasites:
The VNLA needs all of our support to continue to grow, especially now. As we reach out to Our Un-Bee-lievable
more of our communities to educate and to learn, we see how our collective efforts can Beneficials (Part 2)
influence change. We are in a position to help foster healthy landscapes and it is my hope that
The Idea Factory 26
together we can be the ones to make a difference.
Spirit of Place - Book
Review
Thank you all for ALL you do.
VT Forest Health Report
Happy Summer!
Peonies: June Beauty
Queens
Strictly Business 30
A Leadership Blueprint
Ashley New Member Profile: 32
TCE: Trudell Consulting
Engineers
Cover Photo Credits: Mark Dwyer; China Snow® tree lilac The Plant Lounge 33
(Syringa reticulata subsp. pekinensis ‘Morton’). China Snow® Tree Lilac
3
THE BUZZ
the low down on what’s up!
What We Are Hearing
I would like to introduce you to our RETAILERS/GROWERS/ Hinesburg
newest column - What We Are Hearing! WHOLESALERS
I received a query from a member asking “Our plant sales season has been really
if the VNLA could organize a way to Charlotte strong this year in spite of the
solicit “field/journal” notes from fellow limitations of operating during a
members/associates to take their “We are hearing that edible plants/ pandemic. We were fortunate to put in
temperature at a given point in time on trees and classic plants (vulgaris lilacs, place an online ordering system and
how people’s seasons are going so far. It forsythia, etc) are selling like crazy curbside pick up during all of April
was a great suggestion which we acted from our garden center customers. We through mid-June. There is no way we
upon immediately! are also hearing raised bed soil is could have accommodated the number
selling extremely well!” of sales we had with safe social
We decided a quarterly check-in, which distancing during peak season, and we
Colchester are grateful that our customers were
we could print in The Dirt, would be the
way to go. These “field/journal” notes happy to place orders online for next
“OMG plants plants plants plants
are organized by two categories: day pick up or home delivery. Our crew
plants, all colors all sizes all types!!!
Retailers/Growers/Wholesalers and rallied to make this work - it was three
Never thought that after 43 years
Landscapers/Designers and by region times the amount of work with zero of
selling plants that I would have to learn
(keeping names anonymous). While we the fun of talking to customers. But we
how to sell plants all over again……
have tried member-to-member sharing in once the customers came….they feel lucky to have a business and jobs
the past using a list serv and FaceBook, that are meaningful and help people
haven’t stopped coming!! Thank god!!
the launch of this column is timely as we grow food at home, and engage in safe
We are all so fortunate!! Stay well, be
strive to stay connected in any way we outdoor activities. Our Zoom classes
safe and healthy…..at home!!”
can through the pandemic we find were really well attended, and there is
ourselves living in. Elmore definitely a need for garden education
more than ever. There are many new
“We are swamped with orders for plants gardeners out there who have lots of
Thank you to all who shared their
this spring. We are working nearly questions and they could use support
“notes” and we look forward to even more
everyday since late March in the to be successful. I worry that without
responses for the Fall issue.
tunnels and fields.” the face-to-face interactions, they are
Kristina MacKulin, Executive Director “Our crew started all wearing masks making decisions without guidance
that will lead to problems. Hopefully
and staying 6 ft apart but now, three
they are not turned off from gardening
What We Are Hearing months into it, are only wearing masks
as a result, but heading into a life-long
Summer 2020 when we are working closely or around
new hobby!”
a customer or an older worker.”
Query: We asked for a short summary “Our wholesale sales were very strong
“We have barnside pickup and make
of what is happening with your as well. We are heading into 2021
deliveries and also ship plants; no
business/plants/clients, and or planning with lots of questions. While
nursery visits or picking out plants at
employees. How are you navigating we have been able to open to the public
the nursery at this time. We enhanced
COVID19, your workload, plans for now that things are slow, we don't
our online store; kind of like it this way
2021? These were the replies we know if that will be feasible during the
for now. Birds and bees and
received! busy sales period of late April to mid
porcupines seem to like it too.”
4
June in 2021. Our plant donations were Waitsfield completely over, not all will be back to
bigger than ever and our customers, for work, some will continue to work from
the first time, pitched in with “We had a record Mother’s Day hanging home with time on their hands to be in
contributions to our "grow it forward basket sale through our on-line shop the yard more easily. So many factors
fund" - something that was able to with parking lot pick up. We opened contributed to the unprecedented,
happen easily because of the structure May 15, two weeks later than usual and pandemic phenom season this spring
of online shopping. We are curious to sold more in those two weeks than our that most likely will not be there next
hear what others in the industry are usual four week May sales. We have year. We think sales will be early
planning for 2021, and grateful to the seen a decline in sales for June which because people will not want to miss
VNLA/Green Works for putting may be a reflection of our stellar May out on choices like this year because of
together this forum.” sales and also of the fact that the selling out of some items so early. We
Canadian second home owners in our heard comments suggesting this from
St. Johnsbury region are confined to Canada. We have customers. Most likely will have to
instituted strict Covid-19 parameters: continue with some form of curbside
“Spring harvesting and shipping went masks required, maximum of six cars in and online purchases, this may be the
pretty much normal for us. Our the lot, only one shopper per car (now new norm?”
Industry is used to adapting quickly to relaxed), shopping with purpose (no
abrupt change, especially in Spring, but lingering), no entry to greenhouses, no OUT-OF-STATE
a Pandemic? Across the Trade public restroom (portolet provided for
adaptation and perseverance is what Chichester, NH
the desperate). 99% of our customers
people exercised. Our landscape and have been very pleased. Only 1% gave “As far as what we are hearing: We
garden center customers have been us any push back.” have been going full steam ahead
busy with strong sales. The pace has despite the challenges that Covid 19
slowed in the last few weeks, but we Williston has presented. As a precaution, we
continue to ship each week from our have not allowed landscapers and
growers in north east Ohio and NJ into “What's happening with our business:
First a big thank you to our State architects to tag their own material yet
New England." but we hope to soon. Our wonderful
Department of Agriculture and
VNLA(Kristina) for all the hard work customers have all been great about
White River Junction
and communication they did to help us this and we’ve been remarkably busy
“What I’m hearing is: get through this pandemic. Our clients/ with deliveries and customer pickups
customers were very supportive and all season..”
• the phone won’t stop ringing
• people are spending money patient thank you.” Lebanon, CT
• contractors have more work then “Our employees have always worked
they can handle and can’t find It seems so long ago that we were
hard, especially this year. It was hectic,
enough help to take on new work together for the VNLA Winter Meeting
nerve racking and difficult for a while
• suppliers have sold fall plants and with an outlook to a strong spring on
but we got through it thanks to them.
now are out for the immediate the horizon. The weather in early
We can breathe now and feel a little
future on many staple items March gave us even more optimism as
normalcy.”
• people are still concerned about we started shipping steadily all across
COVID but not like it was 3 weeks “Navigating COVID-19 continues with the northeast. Mid March came and the
ago. sanitization and requiring face masks. cloud of Covid. Each state that we ship
• the phone won’t stop ringing Trying hard not to let our guard down to started handling it differently so it
• hardlines suppliers are out of some too soon.” was a very difficult end to March and
products, some for the season, and beginning of April.”
others can’t find raw materials to “Plans for next year, we are not making
any major adjustments to production “The weather in VT for April made it
make what they sell
just yet, our greenhouses were at easier for garden centers to just try to
• it needs to rain for a few days
capacity this year. But if sales seem to wait it out and see what May would
• sales have been good for 8 weeks
be the same as this year, we will be bring. The hardiness of all involved in
• they need to figure out a way to
prepared to make changes or additions the nursery and landscape industry
start the baseball season.
more quickly. Covid will not be started showing through as each
• the phone won’t stop ringing.”
company found a way to do some
5
business. Luckily much of what was who are moving forward with projects “As for COVID affecting my business. I
learned through web sites, online that they have put off for years. They have had to cut back on annuals, new
ordering, curbside pick up and delivery finally have more time to spend at tree plantings and other plantings from
will help many retailers continue to home and dream of what their our local Hosptial contract due to their
widen their reach into untapped sanctuary could be. May it be a new own financial issues. Otherwise
markets for future growth.” planting bed along their front everyone else in the world is definitely
foundation or a complete gardening and calling me for help. So
“Then came May, and all of the transformation of their backyard into I’m not worried about the future.”
homeowners staying home and working an outdoor living space.”
on their yards started to pay off for all “However I do normally work together
of us in the industry. We feel very “People have also been investing time with many volunteer organizations
confident in the future of our industry and effort in order to increase their from the local Garden Club, Master
and our place in it here in the northeast property's sustainability. I have never Gardeners, Prison work crews, VYCC
due to how all of our customers pulled seen so many new veggie beds in my and the mentally and physically
together to work through all of the life as I drive around and I even challenged. We work on all kinds of
changes and challenges we all faced overhauled my own at home. It's also gardening projects and watering
this year.” funny when multiple stores (including around the city of St.Albans. It is sad
Lowes) are sold out of watering cans.” that many of these community
“We appreciate all of the cooperation members are not available to get out
and trust our customers placed in us to “On the other hand, an equal amount help this year it means a lot to many of
fulfill as best we could all of their needs of people that I have spoken to are them.”
and demands which became barely able to pay their bills and almost
unprecedented and nothing that any of laugh at me when I mention landscape “As for the shortage in annual plants: I
us could have predicted. We continue projects.” am soooo glad that I planned ahead and
to have in place practices to keep our Pre-ordered 160 Hanging baskets in
employees and customers safe as we “I have been working from home 90%
December and bought local. My order
still provide the service and quality of the time this season and my more
was held until planting day.”
plants that you have come to expect significant installations have really just
from us.” started. I haven't had a ton of face time “With all this heat all it seems like all
with actual vendors yet but it sounds we are doing is watering so we decided
“We are potting new plants at a like business has picked back up from to add our side-by-side 4 wheeler to our
increased pace to restock the nursery what I understand. It seems as though team as well. It is our watering wagon
for fall and spring sales as we feel many Vermonters are taking even more pride that goes all over St.Albans. The 120
of the new gardeners from this year will in helping their fellow neighbors lately planters and other gardens have
be back through your doors in the and simply buying locally is an easy minimal water access so we had to be
spring. I look forward to when we can and great way to start.” creative.” I feel like 2021 will be a great
all gather again to share our stories and year as well but I haven’t had time to
love of plants.” Fairfax
think that far ahead with all the
“This year has been an exciting year for
changes in day-to-day life.”
LANDSCAPERS/DESIGNERS my business. I have added my husband
to the workforce due to accepting a
New In VT
Colchester large maintenance contract with city of
St. Albans planting and maintaining “As I have recently relocated to
“I wanted to let you know what I've the streetscape planters and the Vermont with my family and starting
been hearing as a landscape designer gardens in historic Taylor Park. I have my own Landscape Architecture Design
working for a design and build firm. also kept all of my my great residential Studio, I have complete optimism. I
This is my third year with the company maintenance customers as well. So
have seen people reevaluate their own
and each one has gotten more adding another person has been properties and make the sound decision
demanding on my end, even this year helpful. And, we haven’t killed each- to enhance their landscape in order for
with the pandemic.” other yet. It actually has been a them to live their best life.”
“ "Plandemic" is very fitting as I've pleasure and we are getting a
talked to a number of potential clients tremendous amount of work done.”
6
Rutland Stowe business has been strong with new
clients and project work.”
“Folks seem to be over the panic and “The uncertainty of the pandemic
focused on getting things done. Our certainly caused a slow ease into the “A quick shout out to all of my vendors
2nd home silo of business has been season. With our largest client being a who, as always, make things happen.
particularly active. We’ve added tick resort which was unable to operate, all Despite these challenges all in all so far
control services this year which has work there was put on hold and is still for 2020 we have been good to grow! I
been extremely popular with the TBD. A few other clients opted to tackle am wondering for 2021, do I need any
current spike in their numbers.” things themselves partly due to employees? Talk to me in October and I
finances and partly because they simply will let you know.”
Shelburne had the time on their hands! I have
been coaching them along as they need Vergennes
“After much uncertainty, this season
it. For this reason I did not hire any
has been anything but a “It has certainly been a strange season
employees so I am going at it on my
disappointment. There seems to still thus far. It has been our busiest season
own with the strong help of my
be a lot of consumer confidence in our and I have had to turn down work
husband.”
industry. We are already booking which is always uncomfortable. I have
hardscape and softscape projects into “Sourcing vegetables starts, seeds, and heard some nurseries are low on stock
the late fall. Our company is still annual flowers has been tough as as it was one of their busiest springs
working hard to follow all CDC homeowners tend to over buy….(who and maybe have ordered less than usual
guidelines and have worked it into our needs 10 watermelon plants?!) On the because of the uncertainty caused by
daily routine. We as a company feel flip side this has been a welcomed Covid. I do have long term concerns.
very fortunate to be in the position we challenge of my creativity and problem What are the dominoes still to fall and
are in!” solving and for some customers has how do they impact business in
forced ‘trying something new’. Overall the future?”
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7
Pandemic Postponement: The Vermont Flower Show
by Kristina MacKulin
As producers of the Vermont Flower Show, the 7irst the 7lower show committees will reconvene sometime
priority of the VNLA/Green Works Board of Directors in late Fall to begin their work anew to bring another
is the safety of all attendees, vendors, and volunteers 7lower show to life. We will just have to see if those
who participate in our signature event, the Vermont meetings will be virtual or not.
Flower Show. After
examining the data Although we are
on the COVID-19 disappointed we
pandemic all cannot bring our
through March- beloved show to life
April, the emerging in 2021, and we
theme was no one know many of you
knows for sure how will be too, we
long this virus will believe this is the
remain with us. right decision until
Now we are in July we can all be certain
and that still holds when holding large
true. events will be safe
again.
In an effort to keep
people safe as well The Vermont
as to help mitigate Flower Show
the spread of the remains a very
coronavirus, we necessary revenue
made the decision source for the VNLA
in late April to and the board of
postpone the 2021 directors are
Vermont Flower working on plans to
Show, scheduled for help bridge the
February 27, 28, revenue gap we will
and March 1, 2021. be experiencing,
The new dates are due to this
March 4-6, 2022. postponement. See
the article on page
Our show depends 11. In the coming
on hundreds of weeks, you will
volunteers, hear more from the
sponsorships, and board regarding
many donations, those efforts via
Top: The next generation - one of the best reasons we do our show! Kids in the Family
and the board felt Room exploring the world of worms. Bottom: The 2019 Vermont Flower Show - justemails as well as in
before we opened the doors on Friday. Photo Credits: Stephen Mease Photography.
the Fall issue of The
this was not the
year to ask for this Dirt.
support until we could better understand the longer
term effects the pandemic will have. In the meantime, SAVE THE DATE (March 4-6) for the
2022 show and if you have any interest in helping with
We issued a press release at the end of May to let our the planning of the next Vermont Flower Show please
members, vendors and as many people as possible contact Kristina at: kristina@greenworksvermont.org.
know of the postponement to ’22. In the meantime,
8
Three Things to know about Van Berkum Nursery
1) We are passionate about what we grow, from New England
Woodlanders to Wicked Ruggeds.
2) We specialize in healthy NH grown perennials, personal service,
and extensive plant knowledge.
3) We have friends in low places. (ribbit).
Van Berkum Nursery • 4 James Road Deerfield, NH 03037
LLC
(603) 463-7663 Fax 7326 • salesdesk@vanberkumnursery.com
www.vanberkumnursery.com
9
COVID-19: Where We Are Now
by Kristina MacKulin
Now that we find ourselves fully Bring a mask with you when you leave home to help slow the
immersed in living in a COVID-19 world, spread of COVID-19. The virus can spread before a person has
our ways of doing business and any symptoms. A mask helps protect others around you if you
conducting our personal lives have are infected and don’t know it. You still need to stay at least 6
shifted a great deal. In the beginning feet away from people you don’t live with, even when wearing a
what to expect and all the uncertainty was mask.
challenging and still continues to be.
Here in Vermont we have settled into a Heat and Humidity on the Way
rhythm, our COVID-19 numbers are holding steady, and it does
Summer heat is back in the forecast. So stay cool and hydrated,
feel like we have come a long way since the first Stay Home
and listen to your body to prevent heat-related illness. Check
Stay Safe order was issued. Our member businesses were some
on older adults and people with chronic medical conditions or
of the first to get back to work and now that health and safety
disabilities, who are generally at higher risk during hot
requirements have eased, it has made doing business a bit
weather, especially if they live alone or don’t have air
easier and hopefully a little less stressful.
conditioning. Follow this link for more information on hot
Here at the VNLA I/we continue to monitor all the COVID-19 weather and health impacts: https://
reports as well as news releases from the Governor, Agencies of www.healthvermont.gov/health-environment/climate-
Agriculture and Commerce & Community Development, the VT health/hot-weather.
Health Department and the CDC. We will continue to keep you
informed and please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if we can BUSINESS INFORMATION
help in any way.
There continues to be a plethora of information on the VT
HEALTH AND SAFETY Agencies of Commerce and Community Development and
Agriculture websites on current news, resources for businesses,
One place to keep informed on a daily basis about what is including sector guidance, financial assistance and
happening with COVID-19 in VT is to visit the VT Health unemployment information. New grant opportunities became
Department website (https://www.healthvermont.gov/ available on Monday, July 6 through the ACCD and will be
response/coronavirus-covid-19). It is updated on a daily coming soon through the VT Agency of Agriculture for non-
basis with the current COVID activity in VT (by town and dairy businesses. For more information on any of the above
county), where to get tested, FAQS, travel information and please visit their websites:
MORE. The site also posts a daily update – visit the “See the https://accd.vermont.gov/covid-19
Latest Update Button”. On July 6 they added some additional https://agriculture.vermont.gov/covid-19-information
information on keeping up with COVID-19 prevention that I
would like to share below. One area they address is mask Another very helpful resource is the VT Small Business
wearing in heat and humidity, which is especially pertinent to Development Center. You can sign up for email alerts and
our industry since so may of you work outdoors. they offer a tremendous amount of help and guidance in
navigating applying for business loans and grants. Visit their
Keep up COVID-19 Prevention website for more information: https://www.vtsbdc.org/
The beginning of July has seen record numbers of COVID-19 Our member businesses and associates have contributed to the
cases in parts of the United States. While our efforts have been health and well being of our communities by being able to
critical to slowing the virus’ spread, the national trend shows provide the plants and services so many in our towns and cities
that our progress can be fragile. We all want to keep Vermont were craving as we all are staying so close to home. THANK
healthy and open, and for that to happen we need everyone to YOU ALL for bringing that much needed joy into peoples lives.
continue to take prevention seriously. Keep up those simple
actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19: While it feels like a great deal of time has passed, I do try to
• remind myself that we are still in the beginning phase of this
Wear a face mask when around others if you are able
• pandemic. WE CAN’T LET OUR GUARD DOWN! On that
Keep 6 feet apart
• note, take good care our there while your work and while you
Wash your hands frequently
• play! Enjoy time with family and friends and most of all KEEP
Stay home when you’re sick
WELL AND SAFE!
10COVID-19: Where We Are Going -
From the VNLA Treasurer
by Gabe Bushey
donated time, materials, and
The Vermont Nursery and labor. This monetary
Landscape Association has
donation would help the
been a resource for both
Association offset some of lost
industry professionals and
flower show revenues we are
customers alike for over 50
anticipating in 2021 due to the
years. Customers looking for a
show’s postponement.
contractor or a place to shop
for their plant needs come to Third, each year we have an
the Association for references auction at the summer
and resources. Contractors, meeting. The board is looking
designers, and nursery into expanding this to the
professionals all gain a variety public possibly in the form of
of benefits from membership, an on-line auction. Donations
including access to industry 2018 Summer Meeting Auction at Shelburne Farms Coach Barn. could be made in the form of
We will miss gathering this summer!
conferences, networking plants, services, tools/
opportunities, VCH equipment, or other materials.
certification, - the list goes on.
The final idea would be more of a marketing opportunity as
Many of you are aware that the VNLA board had to make the well as a very positive community activity. The goal would be
very difficult decision to postpone the next Vermont Flower for VNLA members/associates to identify opportunities in their
Show until 2022. We came to this decision after considering communities to work on a volunteer project. It could be
several factors. We do not know where we will be with COVID. anything from planting a tree at a school, to installing a
Even if we have moved into a safer period of time with the virus planting bed at a library or perhaps installing a bench or small
will people in general feel safe enough to visit such a high patio in a park. We would coordinate with each other to do the
traffic event in February of ‘21? These past few months would work, hopefully in several locations across the state, on the
have been the time we would normally be approaching vendors same day. We would put it on social media and try to get some
and sponsors for their commitments as well as soliciting news outlets to cover it. It has potential to be a recurring event.
donations. With all the uncertainty and financial hardships
many are facing, it did not seem like the right time to be No one knows the situation better than Kristina, our Executive
making these requests. We also recognized that the Director. She has gone above and beyond in her dedication and
Association cannot afford to have a show that doesn’t have work with the Association, especially since the start of the
good attendance. The health and financial risks of having a Covid quarantines. Kristina has volunteered to take half salary
show in the late winter of 2021 were just too great. for the rest of this year. As a board we reluctantly accepted her
offer. Kristina and the board recognize the challenges ahead of
With all of that in mind and with a desire to ensure that we us, as well as understand that other organizations are dealing
have the ability to offer industry professionals, customers and with similar issues. The loss of revenue is affecting many
businesses the resources the VNLA offers, the board of organizations and businesses due to this pandemic.
directors is looking into several possibilities of alternative
revenue streams, as well as potential public outreach projects. Because the Association depends on flower show revenue every
other year as well as the decrease in membership dues revenue
The first item is adding a DONATE button to the VNLA this year (we are down $4,393 from last year; this is pre-
website. We are currently working on a strategy to implement COVID), cutting administrative costs is really the only option at
that button. Further information will be available soon. this point in time. We hope this will be temporary. This is one
of the reasons the Association had incrementally been raising
Second, the board is looking into a project in the Village of
membership dues over the last few years. We did not, however,
Essex that would be a small “pocket” park. It would be a similar
increase dues in 2020. We have been working toward bridging
approach to the past Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity
the gap between administrative costs and having membership
volunteer projects. However, the VNLA would receive a
dues cover those costs entirely, which would help reduce our
monetary donation to complete the project and we would then
reliance on flower show revenue.
seek VNLA volunteers to help us complete the project with
11Looking ahead over the next Congratulations to Member Tim Parsons
year and until our next flower
show in 2022, we have Each year the Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program and
identified a period of time Council sponsors the Vermont Tree Steward Awards as a way to
where finances could get recognize Vermont’s urban and community forestry champions.
short for the Association. The The recipient of the 2020 Leader Award is member Tim Parson, of
board has developed some of Middlebury College. The Leader Award is given to “an individual
the above strategies to help who, through services to their community or organization, has shown
mitigate our situation. leadership and dedication in carrying out an urban or community
forestry effort.” Tim is described on the VT Urban and Community
The board will also continue Forestry website:
to work toward seeking new
Tim Parsons is the Landscape Horticulturist at Middlebury College
members to join the VNLA.
and in this role he is responsible for maintaining and caring for the
Every member can help in
2200 trees on the Middlebury Campus. He has taught a "Trees in
this effort. Now more than
the Urban Forest" course several times, and provided informative
ever we are stronger and
field trips for other courses, including Forestry in North America. With his students he has
resilient together! We
developed emergency preparedness plans for the arrival of Emerald Ash Borer for both the town
welcome your feedback on
of Middlebury and the College. He is also a member of the college’s Master Plan
what I have discussed above
Implementation Committee, the Emergency Response Team, and the Community Council, and
and welcome more ideas as
has served on the Environmental Council. Tim Parsons has a passion for trees and an incredible
we work to sustain the future
gift to share that knowledge with others!
of the Association, which is
in its 56th year. Tim is a long-time VNLA member and past president of the Association.
Congratulations to Tim on his Leader Award! To learn more about this and other
Vermont Tree Steward Awards visit: https://vtcommunityforestry.org/programs/
awards/tree-steward-awards.
Participate in the
2020 Industry Awards Program
Start planning and scope
out your projects!
Applications will be available
in September.
12Welcome to NEW VNLA/Green Works Members!
Eastern Shore Nursery Kim Myers TCE, Inc.
Don Ward Vermont Technical College Lucy Thayer
PO Box 449 182 Berlin Street 478 Blair Park Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230 Montpelier, VT 05602 Williston, VT 05495
413-446-4662 614-619-9750 802-879-6331
dward@esnursery.com kimhmyers@gmail.com lucy.thayer@tcevtcom
https://www.esnursery.com Student Member https://www.tcevt.com
Associate Member Active Member
Category: Wholesale Nursery Leah Jacobs Category: Landscape
603 Chapin Road Architect, Landscape
Gnarly Roots, LLC Plainfield, VT 05667 Designer, Municipality, Museum
Jennifer Rosenthal leahrocketship@hotmail.com & Gardens
PO Box 902 Student Member
South Londonderry, VT 05155
802-375-5109
gnarlyrootsvt@gmail.com
https://www.gnarlyrootsvt.com
Active Member
Category: Landscape Install/
Maintenance
Get Certified in 2020!
Don’t delay and order
your study manual today!
www.greenworksvermont.org
888.518.6484
13CALENDAR OF EVENTS
July 6 - August 18, 2020 July 22, 2022 - 2pm November 11 - 12, 2020 -
New Directions in the American Association of Professional POSTPONED UNTIL 2021
Landscape Webinar Series Landscape Designers Webinar: Northeast Greenhouse Conference
Ecology, Culture, and the Designed The Dirty Truth About Plastic Pots & Expo
Landscape https://tinyurl.com/y7phl4qs Boxboro Regency Hotel
https://ndal.org/webinars-for- Boxborough, MA
landscape-practitioners/ August 3-6, 2020 - POSTPONED TO https://www.negreenhouse.org/
July 26 - 30, 2021
July 13-16, 2020 Perennial Plant Association National December 4, 2020
Cultivate ’20 VIRTUAL Symposium Ecological Plant Conference
Greater Columbus Convention Center Lancaster, PA Ecological Landscaping Alliance
Columbus, OH https://www.perennialplant.org Brooklyn Botanic Garden
www.cultivateevent.org Brooklyn, NY
August 5, 2020 OR https://www.ecolandscaping.org
July 16, 2020 - 1:30 pm August 12, 2020 - 8:30 am - 5pm
Soil: The Solution Beneath our Feet Advanced Landscape Design December 7 - 11, 2020
Webinar w/ Trevor Smith of Workshop w/ Patrick Cullina NGICP National Green Infrastructure
Land Escapes, Design, Inc. https://www.ecolandscaping.org Certification Program
https://tinyurl.com/ybep8edb Round Lake, NY
https://www.ecolandscaping.org
field@horsfordnursery.com
14Equipment & Tools for Landscape Professionals
Sprayers • Rakes • Loppers & Pruners • Saws & Extensions • Ladders • & More
OESCO: Serving
Growers’ Needs
Since 1954
8 Ashfield Rd.
Rt. 116, P.O. Box 540
Conway, MA, 01341
www.oescoinc.com 800-634-5557
Cobble Creek Nursery, LLC
W e grow a diverse selection of
B&B trees and shrubs at our
nursery in Monkton, Vermont. We
offer shade trees, ornamental trees,
flowering shrubs and dwarf conifers.
At Cobble Creek Nursery we are known
for quality Vermont Grown plants,
exceptional service and extensive
woody plant knowledge. Stop by for
a visit or give John a call for more
information.
John Padua
991 Tyler Bridge Road, Bristol, VT 05443
phone/fax: 802-453-3889 / e-mail: cobcreek@gmavt.net
15LEONARD’S CLIPPINGS!
by Dr. Leonard Perry, UVM Horticulture Professor Emeritus
under the guidance of the UVM no fall recess day in October, on
In PSS Department and Campus Student Government Association. campus classes will continue two days
news:
Thanks to the club and Dr. into Thanksgiving week (usually this
Starrett, the UVM campus was re- whole week is off), and the remaining
• 2019 was a very busy year for
accredited as a Bee Campus USA. few days of instruction and finals after
pollinator research, education,
• Congrats to both Martha Caswell, Thanksgiving will all be online/
and outreach activities at The
Co-Director, Agroecology and remote. These measures will
University of Vermont (UVM). The
Livelihoods Collaborative and minimize travel with students not
Gund Institute for Environment
Jorge Ruiz Arocho, Insect returning after that break.
received a significant donation to
Agroecology Lab M.S. student with
establish a center for improving
Yolanda Chen. Both were
pollinator health (https://
appointed fellows with the UVM
www.uvm.edu/gund/apis-fund).
GUND Institute where they will be
• Dr. Samantha Alger secured
sharing their research and work on
funding to establish the Vermont
agriculture and the environment!
Bee Lab which will strive towards
improving pollinator health
through education, research and
outreach (http://
www.vermontbeelab.com/). Dr.
Alger's research on a possible
adverse impact of domesticated On campus there will, of course, be
bees on wild bee health was the usual requirements for hygiene,
disseminated globally through a distance and masks, with all signing a
variety of new media outlets. Green and Golden Pledge (let’s hope
this is more effective than most usual
pledges). There will be testing and
tracing to try and contain the certain
• The Horticulture Club originally outbreaks. There will be fewer bodies
planned to give out African Violets in dorms, and in classrooms—most
and Peperomia at the Horticulture with increased seating distances at
Club's First-Year new student about 20% capacity. This means that
welcome event on campus in only a subset of students will be in a
August, however the club class, the others participating
Presidents felt that they would remotely or asynchronously (at
instead like to give them out to different times or during a certain
thank the "Essential Workers" at timeframe), if the class isn’t totally
• The UVM Beekeepers Club (Dr. the University of Vermont Medical online which is still an option. (For all
Mark Starrett advisor) had many Center during the COVID-19 my courses already online, this isn’t
activities on campus to foster Pandemic. an issue.) Another option may be to
awareness of honeybees and other use conference facilities on and off
pollinators. The club has over Fall will be interesting on campus, campus for larger classes.
1,000 current students on their to say the least. UVM has had a
listserv and is one of the most committee and others coming up with Classroom example: Fleming 101,
recognized clubs on campus. They reopening and instructional plans. original capacity 183, new fall capacity
are now part of a consortium of While the semester will be only two 31 or 17%. This doesn’t even address
other clubs on campus dedicated to days shorter, starting and ending on the financial side, a whole separate
improving the local, regional, the planned usual times, there will be story. In a letter from the UVM
national and global environment
16President Garimella in May, some of and the Northeast. So, it will be college students—I’m glad my time on
the highlights he mentioned were a interesting and anyone’s guess how campus will be minimal, if any.
best case loss in revenue from fewer many actually show up the end of
students returning and few out-of- August. There will be many more In the last issue I mentioned a couple
state students ($26 million of 7% of questions to be addressed such as of indoor plant name changes, now
the General Fund budget), that botanists are using
immediate Covid-19 related molecular research to revisit
expenses ($15 million), and plant evolution (phylogeny).
increased health care An outdoor plant with a new
premiums for employees ($5 name is Persian cornflower
million). “UVM is more reliant (pink relative of the blue
on tuition than nearly any cornflower), which you may
other public research know as Centaurea dealbata,
university—73% of our general now is officially Psephellus
fund expenditures are paid by dealbatus (reminding me of one
tuition… Vermont provides the of those trademark names that
third-lowest per capita support you can’t pronounce).
for higher education of any Rosemary was Rosmarinus
state. …Raising tuition as a officinalis, but is now related to
source of additional revenue is our annual and perennial
not an option, because we garden salvias, Salvia
already have the 4th highest rosmarinus.
out-of-state tuition among
public universities in the On a related topic to this
country, after only the herb and other scented
University of Michigan, the plants, exposure to scents
University of Virginia, and has been observed in studies
the UC system…” to have psycho-
physiological effects on
Already, to help address cognitive performance,
these millions of dollars in stress, and mood. Lavender
shortfalls, every expense is scent was observed to
being scrutinized, most improve concentration and
hiring stopped, delayed $30 computational accuracy,
million in borrowing for reduce stress and anxiety,
part of the multisport increase relaxation and
complex (mentioned in improve mood. Peppermint
previous issues of this scent resulted in enhanced
column), most UVM travel attention, alertness,
not permitted or funded, arousal, memory, and task
many senior administrators performance. Rosemary
forgoing a month of salary, enhanced alertness and
employees taking quality of memory, and both
Top: Psephellus dealbatus formerly known as Centaurea dealbata - Persian Cornflower.
furloughs, and non-union stimulated and improved
Bottom: Salvia rosmarinus formerly known as Rosmarinus officinalis - Rosemary.
employees having a pay cut mood. Citrus was observed
on a sliding scale by income. to increase scholastic
group activities, sports, public spaces
Endowments are restricted gifts given performance, reduce stress and
etc. many being informed by state
for a single purpose, so are not anxiety, and again both stimulate and
directives. You can stay tuned at the
possible to tap. improve mood. The latter also was
UVM Return to Campus website
improved by scents of cypress or
(https://www.uvm.edu/
Many students in higher education are vanilla. Blood pressure was observed
returntocampus). Personally, as I
projected to attend schools closer to to decrease too with cypress scent
write this, with the largest and
home or in state (73 percent of UVM (from the keynote presentation by Dr.
majority of increases of cases in the
undergraduates are from out-of- Charles Hall, at the 2019 America in
lower age demographics—including
state), or take a year off, and there are Bloom Symposium,
fewer high school seniors in Vermont www.americainbloom.org). Maybe
17you can consider sharing For 2020 they’ve chosen
the above when designing ‘Dancing
client landscapes, or Queen” (introduction by
selling herbs? Terpening in 2005). This
gold-leaved hosta reaches
One of THE most popular about 18inches high and
and carefree (unless 30inches wide, creating a
possibly if you have slugs mounding habit with pale
or deer) perennials, is lavender blooms in mid-
hosta. With hundreds summer. The bright
available, it is often hard to yellow foliage is broad and
choose the best. (I know wedge-shaped, with a
unless I’m in a “hosta” rippled margin, turning
mood, my eyes glaze like paler later in summer. It is
the deer-in-headlights a seedling of ‘Split
when confronted with so Personality’. You can learn
many.) To help with more about yearly winners
choices, and at the AHGA website
recommendations to (www.hostagrowers.org/
The American Hosta Growers Association 2020 Hosta of the Year: Dancing Queen.
customers, and to build on Hosta_of_the_Year.html).
(Photo courtesy Kent Terpening and the AHGA website).
already existing publicity,
consider the American
Hosta Growers Association
annual Hosta of the Year.
18THE LAB
putting it under the lens . . .
Observations from the UVM Plant Diagnostic Lab:
by Ann Hazelrigg, Phd.
diameter holes in the bark
Well, it has been interesting in this time of Covid-19. The in vertical or horizontal
UVM Plant Diagnostic Clinic has remained open for samples
rows. The birds tend to
from commercial growers, UVM researchers and Extension
like thin barked trees and
specialists. The UVM Extension Master Gardener Helpline,
may have a “favorite”
housed in the Diagnostic Clinic, has been closed until further
they visit repeatedly.
notice, although the 20 or so Helpline volunteers are still
They are looking for sap,
trying to answer questions through email. Everyone seems to
not insects. Deterring the
be a gardener this year (positive effect of the virus!) so it is
birds is the recommended
unfortunate to not have “all hands on deck” in the Clinic for
practice to avoid damage.
the home garden calls.
Use of burlap wrap, pie
tins, etc. may scare the
It has been helpful that most growers now have cell phones
birds. Trees can withstand
where they can snap a picture of a problem and email it for
some of this damage but
diagnosis. A lot of times this is the best place to start and if we
repeat visits and holes
can’t figure it out from pictures, then we can request samples.
encircling the tree will
I have had very few calls regarding winter desiccation or winter lead to stress and dieback.
injury from this past winter. So it appears we had a mild
I have recently joined the Sapsucker injury on willow.
enough winter and enough snow cover to protect plants. I did Jeniah Johnson
NH/VT Chapter of the
however, see extensive dieback on some sweet cherries, but
American Chestnut
these are rated for Zone 5 and can be vulnerable to cold
Foundation and am eager to work with the group to learn more
temperatures. I have seen a fair amount of frost damage on
about this beautiful tree that disappeared before I was born.
foliage of various woody ornamentals from the cold
The blight that wiped out these trees showed up at the Bronx
temperatures the state experienced May 13. Burlington’s
Zoo in 1904 and by 1940, most mature chestnuts were dead
recorded low was 33 F and Montpelier’s low was 26 F.
from the fungal disease. The American Chestnut Foundation’s
Below is a cool picture from a Burlington cemetery we received goal is to “develop a blight-resistant American chestnut tree
from a home gardener. According to Dr. Mark Starrett, via scientific research and breeding, and to restore the tree to
Horticulture Professor at UVM, “This is a spruce that has its native forests along the eastern United States. There are
undergone a genetic "reversion" where the original ("normal") several test plots throughout the country looking for resistance
spruce is now coming to the blight. The chestnut below is from a Williston chestnut
out from the dwarf plot and is
plant. It can be pruned showing an
to remove it but it will infestation of
keep "wanting" to do Lecanium scale.
this.”
I have had a few calls
and pictures about
Lecanium scale
holes in older trees. on Chestnut.
Yellow bellied Hope Yandow.
sapsuckers can cause
injury in various tree
species every spring.
Reverted Spruce. Kathy Nielson. The bird makes ¼”
19This was a photo I received from a neighbor noticing leaf
curling in her viburnum due to aphids. Once the leaves are
curled, it is tough to get in with a spray to control the pests, but
the damage is more cosmetic than damageing.
Top: Eleven foot 'live edge' chestnut beam from an old barn
in southern NH. Doug McLane.
Left: Viburnum aphid. Sand Davis.
If you are noticing problems, feel free to email pictures to
ann.hazelrigg@uvm.edu. If you need to send in a sample,
please contact me first so I know something is coming in since I
am not in the lab every day.
Specializing in Vermont Grown Plants
A Claussen tradition since 1972
Claussen's Greenhouse offers an extensive selection of plants, including annuals, perennials, herbs,
vegetables, chrysanthemums, poinsettias, spring bulbs, tropical houseplants and much more.
187 Main Street, Colchester, VT 05446 ~ (802) 878-2361 ~ WWW.CLAUSSENS.COM
20News from the VT Agency of Agriculture, Foods & Markets
By: Judy Rosovsky, VT State Entomologist
VNLA News and Updates June 2020 COVID-19 News:
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has issued guidelines for
Congratulations to all VNLA members for getting through the agricultural workers, some of which may be applicable to VNLA
cold, wet and pandemic spring! Summer is here, and the state work sites. The guidelines can be found at: https://
looks lush and glorious, even though we are in need of rain! www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/
guidance-agricultural-workers.html. They emphasize the
Legislative Update: need for PPE, masks and social distancing, and they have some
other helpful ideas. The CDC recommends that business
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets owners and managers conduct a workplace assessment that
(VAAFM) filed its adopted Vermont Hemp Rules with the includes health and safety hazards, especially those that
Vermont Secretary of State on May 6, 2020. The Vermont Hemp pertain to the spread of infectious diseases.
Rules became effective May 21, 15 days after filing the adopted
rule. These rules come in advance of the 2020 planting season. They suggest grouping workers into cohorts, that is, try to
arrange crews so that the people who work closely together on
The Vermont Hemp Rules set standards and expectations for one day will work closely together on other days and will not
record keeping, reporting, testing, and labeling. They also mix with other similar groups. Other possibilities for
include provisions for disposal of non-compliant crops and maintaining social distance between employees can include
products, inspections and enforcement. The rules are staggered shifts, meals and breaks, and smaller crew sizes.
important to protect public health, safety, and welfare, and to
support the Vermont brand and production of quality The State of Vermont issued new guidelines for nurseries on
agricultural products. The Vermont Hemp Rules can be found May 18th, and for Farmer’s Markets on May 28th. These can be
here, https://agriculture.vermont.gov/sites/agriculture/ found at https://accd.vermont.gov/content/stay-home-stay-
files/documents/PHARM/hemp/ safe-sector-specific-guidance. They continue to emphasize
Vermont_Hemp_Rules_effective_05_21_20.pdf. social distancing of at least 6 feet for both customers and
employees, the use of masks and hand hygiene (sanitizer, soap
“The Agency appreciates all the input from stakeholders and water, etc.). Nurseries and landscaping businesses can have
over the past year,” said Cary Giguere, VAAFM Director of up to 25% of approved fire safety occupancy or 1 customer per
Public Health and Agriculture Resource Management. “The 200 square feet for a total of 10 staff and customers combined.
process of educating hemp registrants on how the rules apply The temporary occupancy limit must be posted. Cashless
to their operations is just beginning, and the Agency looks transactions are preferred, as is curbside pick-up. Clean and
forward to this next phase.” disinfect frequently, create airflow (which can be easy on some
It is not too late to register to grow or process hemp crops or of the windy days we’ve been experiencing), check staff for
hemp products in 2020, but you must register with the Vermont fever and other signs of sickness, and designate a health officer
Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets. For more information for each shift. Three people can share a vehicle now. There are
about the Vermont Hemp Program, please visit: https:// other more guidelines about health and safety that each
agriculture.vermont.gov/public-health-agricultural- business owner and manager should review in the Sector
resource-management-division/hemp-program. Specific Guidance section for Agriculture and Forestry and in
the Additional Guidance for Greenhouses and Nurseries area.
If you have any questions about the new rules, please contact
VAAFM’s Cannabis Quality Control and Policy Administrator, Guidelines for Pick Your Own operations have been posted,
Stephanie Smith, at STEPHANIE.SMITH@VERMONT.GOV / too. They are similar to the CDC and State of Vermont
802-661-8051. material, and include specific details about container use.
Eating while picking is not allowed.
And if you would like a good summary of legislative activity
concerning natural resources, consider joining the Vermont These guidelines may change in the next few weeks, so please
Woodlands Association. You can access their legislative remember to check in to the ACCD website for updates.
updates from their website without being a member, by going Insect and Disease Updates:
to https://www.vermontwoodlands.org/resources/.
In national industry news, a large number of plants infected
with the potato disease Ralstonia were imported to
greenhouses in 44 US states. Vermont did not receive any of
21You can also read
