The Greenhouse Issue PEOPLE PLANTS PRODUCTION - A grower goes home Approachable containers - Digger magazine
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APRIL 2021
The Greenhouse Issue
PEOPLE • PLANTS • PRODUCTION
A grower goes home
PAGE 21
Approachable containers
PAGE 25
Efficient heating
PAGE 31
Villains of the greenhouse
PAGE 41
PUBLISHED BY
March 2021 Vol. 65 No. 3
25 31
The Greenhouse Issue
Our annual Greenhouse Issue of Digger includes articles on people,
COLUMNS
7 President’s Message
plants, production and pests. Read the coverage starting on Page 21. 46 Director’s Desk
.
21 Profile: Spring Creek Gardens Inc. DEPARTMENTS
Brent and Becky Skiles grew a small fruit stand into a major
greenhouse operation that serves big and small buyers. 8 Calendar
10 Northwest News
25 The approachable container 37 Classifieds
Helping consumers break the rules of design, for fun and profit. 39 Subscription Info
40 Ad Index
31 Feeling the heat 41 Growing Knowledge
Greater efficiency in greenhouses can reap big rewards
45 Digger Marketplace
41 Villains of the greenhouse
When seedlings fail, Rhizoctonia damping-off, root and stem rot
may be the cause.
19 Nursery Guide LIVE
impresses online visitors
The OAN virtual marketplace paired buyers and
suppliers for making next season count.
On the cover: Nothing heralds the spring season more than a colorful container. PHOTO BY
CHRISTINA SALWITZ.
On this page: Left: Conifers and annuals provide a unique color scheme for container Printed in Oregon on domestic
gardens. PHOTO BY CHRISTINA SALWITZ. Right: A condensing natural gas unit heater brings in recycled paper when available.
outside air, burns it, then vents it back outside. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEREK SMITH
4 APR I L 2 02 1 D IG G E R M AGAZINE.CO M
STEVE’S
Plan
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Your business is as individual as you are, so don’t settle for a
one-size fits all business insurance plan. You deserve a plan
custom designed to address your specific needs.
American National agents have proven experience and
success protecting green industry professionals by providing
personalized plans. With a coordinated array of insurance
coverage for business and family, we can service all your
insurance needs.
Visit www.an.insure/digger to contact an agent near you.
PROUD MEMBER OF
Products and services may not be available in all states. Terms, conditions and eligibility requirements will apply. Life
insurance and annuity products may be underwritten by American National Insurance Company, Galveston, Texas.
Property and casualty products and services may be underwritten by American National Property And CasualtyCompany or
American National General Insurance Company, both of Springfield, Missouri. 19-069.304407.V1.8.19
Leonard Adams
Insurance
Protecting you, 29751 S.W. Town Center Loop West
your business PH
Wilsonville, OR 97070
503-682-5089 PORTLAND
and your PH
FAX
888-283-7219
503-682-5099
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Employee Benefits ____________
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STAFF
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• Dental EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 503-582-2003
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• Life & Disability COMMUNICATIONS & 503-582-2013
WEB DESIGN MANAGER
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Personal PUBLICATIONS MANAGER 503-582-2009
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• Auto DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS 503-582-2008
& PUBLICATIONS
• Home Zen Landis zlandis@oan.org
• Life EVENT & EDUCATION
MANAGER
503-582-2011
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DIRECTOR OF EVENTS 503-582-2005
Agribusiness Stephanie Weihrauch sweihrauch@oan.org
Coverage DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
& ADMINISTRATION
503-582-2001
• Property & Casualty
DIGGER
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ART DIRECTOR & 503-582-2009
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medical and dental ____________
Copyright © 2021 by the Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN).
Digger magazine is an official publication and a member service of the
Oregon Association of Nurseries, 29751 S.W. Town Center Loop W.,
Wilsonville, OR 97070.
REPRINTS AND SUBMISSIONS Digger allows reprinting of material
with written permission; requests should be directed to the editor. We
are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photo-
graphs. Contact the editor for contribution information.
To receive information and a free quote, contact: SUBSCRIPTION AND CHANGE OF ADDRESS Circulation is con-
trolled. Domestic subscriptions are complimentary to qualified U.S.
nursery industry members. Non-qualified U.S. subscriptions are $42.
Randy Skinner or Kristi Charlton Qualified foreign subscriptions are $35 to Canada; $45 to Mexico; and
$80 for all other countries. Single copy rate is $6 while supplies last.
Notify OAN Publications of change of address. Please allow 3-4 weeks
Leonard Adams Insurance for address change.
503-296-0077 or toll free 866-907-1850 Postmaster: Change of address correction requested to above address.
randys@lacoinsurance.com ADVERTISING Contact OAN Publications at ads@oan.org for display
kristic@lacoinsurance.com and classified advertising rates. Deadlines are the 1st of the month
preceding the month of publication.
www.lacoinsurance.com
6 APR I L 2 02 1 D IG G E R M AGAZINE.CO M
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
2020–2021
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Kyle Fessler Woodburn Nursery & Azaleas Inc.
PRESIDENT 13009 McKee School Road N.E.
Woodburn, OR 97071
Brighter
sales@woodburnnursery.com
503-634-2231
FAX 503-634-2238
days ahead
Josh Robinson
Robinson Nursery Inc.
P.O. Box 100PRESIDENT-ELECT
Amity, OR 97101
josh@robinsonnursery.com
877-855-8733
FAX 503-835-3004
This past month marked the one-
Todd Nelson
Bountiful Farms Nursery Inc.
17280 Boones Ferry Rd. N.E.
VICE PRESIDENT
Woodburn, OR 97071
year anniversary of our lives getting
info@bountifulfarms.com
503-981-7494 flipped upside down by COVID-19. Kyle Fessler
What began as a passing phrase on the news ticker OAN PRESIDENT
Simnitt Nursery Jim Simnitt
138 NE 22nd Ave.
PAST-PRESIDENT
Canby, OR 97013
quickly turned into what some expected could be the Great Recession 2.0.
simnittnsy@canby.com Uncertainty became the norm. Expectations changed by the day. We were all in need
503-266-9640
FAX 503-263-6330
of direction, and many of us didn’t know where to turn to get the answers we craved.
Wes Bailey
Smith Gardens Inc. Regardless of global events, March is typically a time of chaos in the nursery indus-
23150 Boones Ferry Road N.E.
TREASURER try. It’s the time of year when we deal with the problems of the day, and don’t look out
Aurora, OR 97002
wes.bailey@smithgardens.com too much farther than a week into the future.
503-678-5373
The chaos increased exponentially last spring. For some growers, the question of
Amanda Staehely
Columbia Nursery
29490 S, Jackson Road
SECRETARY
the day for was no longer “What are we shipping?” but “Will we ever ship again?”
Canby, OR 97013 The potential was there for the industry to take a massive hit. Our previous bout
amandastaehely@gmail.com
503-810-2598 with economic disaster led to the demise of nearly half the nurseries in Oregon. It took
Ben Verhoeven
Peoria Gardens Inc. us nearly a decade to climb out of that.
32355 Peoria Rd SW
MEMBER AT LARGE Fast-forward a few weeks. A brief pause in operations allowed many of us to exam-
Albany, OR 97321
benv@peoriagardens.com ine our businesses and evaluate ways to move forward in the new world we were facing.
541-753-8519 Consumers took advantage of their time at home to evaluate their surroundings as well.
____________ As our executive director loves to frequently point out, “Gardening isn’t canceled!”
Gardening, in fact, was not canceled. Gardening may have just received a new lifeblood.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS New generations of potential nursery customers were suddenly stuck at home, sit-
ting in a foreign corner of
Tom Brewer
HC Companies Inc. ProCal their living room that had
tbrewer@hc-companies.com
ASSOCIATE MEMBER
become the de-facto “home
Looking back on the events that unfolded
503-686-8448
Adam Farley
Countryside Nursery office.” They suddenly real- last year, I feel extremely blessed to be
afarley@countrysidenursery.com
CONTAINER GROWER ized that their new home
503-678-0511
office could sure use a
where our industry is today.
Monrovia Ron Kinney
rkinney@monrovia.com
CONTAINER GROWER house plant or two.
503-868-7941 Looking out the window to see the sun shining over a not-so-picturesque yard
Moana Nursery Joe Dula revealed the need for some landscape rejuvenation. Those kids on zoom in the other
joed@moananursery.com
CONTAINER GROWER
503-266-8170 room? Ripe was the opportunity to get outside and plant a few vegetables in the garden.
Jesse Nelson
Hans Nelson & Sons Nursery Inc. Looking back on the events that unfolded last year, I feel extremely blessed to be where
jnelson@hansnelson.com
FIELD / BARE ROOT GROWER our industry is today. As businesses, we are always looking to build our customer base. This
503-663-3348
is far from the way any of us expected it to happen, but it’s a blessing that has brought our
Chris Robinson
Robinson Nursery Inc.
chris@robinsonnursery.com
FIELD / BARE ROOT GROWER passion of growing plants to more new gardeners than we could ever imagine.
877-855-8733 In spite of the rocky start, last spring proved to be a great one for many in the
KG Farms Inc. Jay Sanders nursery industry. Some reported record years, and it seemed like the spring gardening
jsanders@kgfarmsinc.com
FIELD / B&B GROWER
503-678-3245 attitude continued straight through the summer and into the fall.
Lorne Blackman
Walla Walla Nursery Co. Inc. This year has all the making of being another great one for the industry. Limited
lblackman@wallawallanursery.com
GREENHOUSE supply and an increased enthusiasm for live goods present a grand opportunity for our
509-522-9855
growers. More importantly, we have the potential to build on this connection created
Tyler Meskers
Oregon Flowers Inc.
tyler@oregonflowers.com
GREENHOUSE with a new generation of gardeners. We can fan the flames of that passion for plants
503-678-2580 that will last a lifetime.
Gary S. English
Landsystems Nursery
gary@landsystemsnursery.com
RETAIL
541-382-7646
DIGGER MAGA Z IN E.COM A PRIL 2 02 1 7
APR Calendar
Get the word out about your event! Email details to calendar@oan.org
by the 10th day of the month to be included in the next issue of Digger.
APRIL 1
HORTICULTURAL SCHOLARSHIP
APPLICATIONS DUE
Do you know any high school, college or
graduate students who are considering a
career as a nursery or landscape professional?
If so, April 1 is the last day to apply for one
of the 19 different scholarships supported by
the Oregon nursery industry and offered by
the Oregon Nurseries Foundation. Awards
range from $500 to $1,500, and are sponsored
by individuals and OAN chapters. For more
information, log on to www.oan.org/onf, or
contact Stephanie Weihrauch at 503-582-2001
or scholarships@oan.org.
APRIL 22
EARTH DAY
Whether you’re heading out to clean up
pollution in your neighborhood or writing your
representative about climate action, Earth Day is
the second national celebration this month that
reminds us all of the importance of caring for
the environment, and the role that nurseries can
play. Visit www.earthday.org to learn more. APRIL 30
NEW VARIETIES SHOWCASE DEADLINE FOR FARWEST
APRIL 23–25 The tier 1 submission deadline for the New Varieties Showcase at the 2021 Farwest Show is
OREGON AG FEST April 30. Tier 1 submissions gain extra visibility in the July issue of Digger magazine, which
Ag Fest is an annual family event where is directly mailed to more than 7,500 green industry subscribers. If you have an exciting new
Oregonians share an appreciation of where plant introduction, the New Varieties Showcase is the place to show it off to garden centers,
their food, fiber and flora come from. This year, growers, landscape designers and architects, trade publications and garden writers. We’re
the event will be a three-day drive-through looking for plants with such characteristics as new colors, better manners, increasingly compact
experience where visitors will follow CDC shape, extended seasons of interest, and improved landscape and production performance. To be
guidelines and stay in their vehicles at all times. eligible, all plant selections must be new to the market for 2021 or 2022; available for order from
The three-day ag-stravaganza takes place at the a Farwest Show exhibitor; and have different attributes than plants currently on the market.
Clackamas County Event Center (694 NE 4th Complete a submission form at www.farwestshow.com. Contact Zen Landis with questions at
Ave, Canby, Oregon). The cost is $22 per vehicle 503-582-2011 or zlandis@oan.org.
to enter. Log on to www.oragfest.com for a
schedule of available times.
social media event listings may also have and health official guidance to mitigate the
APRIL 6–29 details about other tree planting ceremonies spread of COVID-19, all guests must register to
SOIL SCHOOL 2021 so you can join in on the tradition. The attend the individual sites of the 2021 California
This annual educational event for small acreage holiday gatherings are often connected with Summer Trials (formerly California Spring
farmers, landscapers, gardeners, grounds environment-related activities. For more Trials). More than 20 breeding companies are
managers at will be held online through a series information, visit www.arborday.org. set to showcase their new genetics with unique
of seminars. Eight live sessions will be held on location dates and times. Group sizes will be
Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6–7 p.m., JUNE 10 limited, and some companies may offer private
but also recorded for later viewing. Soil School DUFFERS CLASSIC - TENTATIVE appointments before or after the event time. For
is presented by West Multnomah Soil & Water Save the date for the annual golf tourney, more information about the trials, please contact
Conservation District and Tualatin Soil and which will tee off at the Stone Creek Golf Oster and Associates at www.growertalks.com/
Water Conservation District. To register for a Club in Oregon City, Oregon. A benefit CaliforniaTrials.
session, visit wmswcd.org. for the Oregon Nurseries’ Political Action
Committee (ONPAC), the event is a great way JUNE 26
APRIL 30 to reconnect with friends while supporting HORTLANDIA - TENTATIVE
ARBOR DAY a strong nursery industry voice in Salem The Hardy Plant Society of Oregon (HPSO)
The last Friday in April is nationally and Washington D.C. Sponsorships available. has tentatively scheduled the annual plant
recognized as Arbor Day, where we celebrate Check the OAN website, www.oan.org/ and art sale at the Portland Expo Center. The
the important role trees play in our lives. duffers for updates. Hortlandia Committee of the HPSO board is
Reach out to your preferred garden center monitoring the ever-changing conditions of
to purchase a tree of your own, or ask a JUNE 23–27 the pandemic and will provide updates as the
staff member if they know of any a nearby CALIFORNIA SUMMER TRIALS show dates come closer. If you have questions,
tree planting events. Your local news and To stay in compliance with local ordinances email info@hardyplantsociety.org.
8 APR I L 2 02 1 D IG G E R M AGAZINE.CO M
The biggest Green Industry trade show in the West
GET YOUR BOOTH
FarwestShow.com MeetTHE
SAVE Me There
DATES
AUGUST
August18–20 2021
18–20
0
Todd Nelson, Sharon Kearn, Portland 2021
Scott Durst, and Tiffanie Baker
Bountiful Farms Nursery
Farwest Exhibitor
Northwest News
OAN members and chapters are encouraged to send in relevant news items, such as new hires,
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE new products,Using
acquisitions,
natural enemies
honors received and past or upcoming events. Email news@oan.org.
Lady beetles
Common Natural Enemies
Adalia
bipunctata:
for biological control Coccinellidae
Two-spotted
of Nursery Crops and Garden Pests Find out which natural enemies already Target pests: Aphids,
lady beetle
in the Pacific Northwest exist, and monitor their numbers to whiteflies, scales, mites and
determine the ratio of natural enemies to pests. other small, soft-bodied
These tactics can enhance biological control as a part of insects. All life stages are
an integrated pest management plan: predatory.
Identification: Adults and
• Provide supplementary habitat and food sources larvae are usually red and
for natural enemies, especially for the growth stages black patterned. Adults are
in which the organisms do not feed on pest insects. round and smooth, while
• Manipulate the behaviors of natural enemies with larvae are elongate and spiny
attractants, or by structuring and arranging plants. in appearance. Eggs are
• Boost numbers by releasing commercially available oblong and yellow or orange,
or lab-reared natural enemies, when available. usually laid in clusters but The life cycle of Hippodamia
also individually. convergens, clockwise from top left:
• Introduce natural enemies that are absent in the adult, pupae, eggs and larvae
system, but present in the natural areas nearby. Monitoring: All stages can
POCKET • Use complementary pest management be found on plants where
pests can be observed or
GUIDE techniques to protect natural enemies from
disturbance. These could include applying pesticides searching for prey.
to fight predators and discouraging ants, among Similar to: Chrysomelid
other management practices. beetles (pests) Cucumber beetle, a Chrysomelid
Download free pocket EC 1613
Revised March 2021 3
similar in appearance to lady beetle
5
guide for nursery
pests from OSU
By Melissa Scherr, Robin R. Rosetta General observation tips Ground beetles
Oregon
and Lloyd State
L. Nackley University Carabidae
When doing visual counts:
(OSU)
Using this Extension
guide Service has • Inspect the underside of leaves. Target pests: soil arthropods,
Scaphinotus marginatus larvae
revised
This guide is a 24-page
designed to help you pocket
quickly learn and
Predators stay in areas where food is
available and lay their eggs near pest insect food
some seeds
Identification: Adults are dark
identify the most common natural enemies found in
guide called Common Natural
nursery systems.
resources. and metallic with textured
• Approach fast-moving insects slowly. Predators wing covers (elytra). Larvae
Enemies ofenemies,
Nursery as well asCrops
Each card provides the name of a natural enemy or
a group of natural identificationand have to be fast and usually have good eyesight, and are grub-like, mobile and often
have large jaws. There are many
can be frightened off by large movements nearby.
Garden
Use this fieldPests in the other
guide to supplement Pacific
information, target pests and monitoring suggestions.
publications • Use nets, beat sheets and trays or traps to get a Pacific Northwest species; size
varies from a few millimeters to
closer look. It’s a good idea to keep a few vials or
Northwest. It is free for grow-
that can provide more complete information.
Images are from the Ken Gray collection unless
containers with you in the field to capture and hold 5 cm or more. Pterostichus melanarius
insects of interest for close examination. Monitoring: Adults are active
ers, home
otherwise noted.gardeners,
Used by permission.and
• Avoid using traps that capture and kill. If natural at night. Look under flat objects
such as rocks and wood. Use
teachers
FOR HOME PRINTERS: to Print
download.
on regular paper or cardstock. Fold on the
center horizontal line and then cut on the dotted lines to create three
enemies are present, killing traps may damage their
populations in the nursery. dry pitfall traps to capture
night-active beetles. Larvae
Authors Melissa Scherr,
double-sided cards per sheet. Laminate if desired. • Make observations about behavior. The best
way to identify natural enemies is to observe them
are found in soil samples.
Adults and larvae are typically
Robin Rosetta, and Lloyd
Melissa Scherr, research associate; Robin R. Rosetta, former Extension
feeding on prey. Observe the insects interacting
in the nursery. Or, collect and place pests and
found in areas where organic Carabus nemoralis.
debris accumulates. Can be Photo: Udo Schmidt
Nackley
Horticulture, Oregoncreated
State University.the guide
Lloyd L. Nackley, toprofessor,
horticulturist, nursery crop pest management; both of the Department of
assistant suspected predators together in an enclosed
environment to see if the pest is attacked.
encouraged with improved
North Willamette Research and Extension Center, Oregon State University.
identify 17 natural nursery Faced with a shrinking budget, the horticulture program at Clackamas Community College is on the list of
habitat, such as beetle banks.
2 4 6
pests, how to monitor them, programs under review for possible elimination by the school board. PHOTO COURTESY OF CLACKAMAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
and other facts. There are also
details about identifying para-
sitized pests or pests infected COLLEGE HORT PROGRAM IN finalize decisions in June.
with diseases. It is a supple- OREGON MAY BE ELIMINATED The department intends to mount a defense
ment to other integrated pest
The horticulture programs at Clackamas and fight for its continued existence. The CCC
management publications, pro-
viding suggestions for natural Community College in Oregon City, Oregon Horticulture Advisory Committee — which
enemies and biological control may be on the chopping block. Administrators includes several industry representatives from
plans. at the two-year school are considering a num- OAN-member nursery and greenhouse busi-
To download the guide, go ber of program cuts due to a declining enroll- nesses — met last week over Zoom to discuss
to tinyurl.com/4zn2nvvs
ment and revenue. They say they need to find potential responses. A number of stakehold-
$1.3 million in savings for the next academic ers discussed ways of defending the program’s
year (2021–22). importance, including submitting a letter, which
The two-year school offers one of three is in the works. A petition has been posted for
post-secondary horticulture programs in stakeholders to show their support.
Oregon. The others are housed at Oregon “The hort program at Clackamas is very
State University (Corvallis) and Chemeketa important to the industry,” OAN Executive
Community College (Salem). Director Jeff Stone said. “It is critical that we
Clackamas is conducting an Academic continue to train people for the opportunities our
Reduction and Elimination process, to determine industry offers. Our advocacy team is monitor-
which programs will be trimmed or eliminated. ing this process and will work with the college to
The horticulture department and others have been make a strong case for horticulture education.”
asked to respond to a series of questions that will The department serves Clackamas,
help the administration make recommendations. Washington, Yamhill and Multnomah counties,
The school’s Board of Education is expected to which are four of the five largest nursery coun-
More COVID-19 coverage online
Further updates on how the COVID-19 virus is impacting the greenhouse and nursery
industry is online at www.diggermagazine.com/category/coronavirus. We are
reporting on the most current information as of press time, but please check online for
the most up-to-date information.Horticultural Maz-O-Lite
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541-646-7075Northwest News
ties in Oregon. The state’s nursery industry been awarded a grant to study the impact immigration amnesty, and does not do
generated $1 billion in sales in 2019. butterfly bush can have on an ecosystem. enough to secure U.S. borders.
The department offers degree pro- His study, “Fertility, population dynamics, The Oregon Association of Nurseries
grams in horticulture and arboriculture, and pollinator attractiveness of standard has long been involved in pushing for
as well as certificates in irrigation technol- and ‘sterile’ cultivars: Buddleia as a case comprehensive immigration reform that
ogy, plant health management and land- study may inform the way forward for our resolves the status of immigrants currently
scape management. national industry” will address several ques- present, secures the border, and provides
The potential demise of the department tions. He hopes to learn what happens to for a sufficient labor force for agriculture.
comes as the number of two- and four-year pollinator attraction to butterfly bush with OAN Executive Director Jeff Stone
college horticulture degree and certificate reduced fertility, what the fertility is of mod- called the bill encouraging, but said it
programs nationally has declined over the ern cultivars compared to old classics, and if needs to be a more complete effort.
last two decades, according to a 2019 study population modeling can be used to establish “Resolving the status of current resi-
in the HortTechnology academic journal. a “safe” threshold of fertility. dents is very important,” he said. “Families
In 1997, 446 postsecondary schools Learn about the other grant recipients need to be kept together. Undocumented sta-
offered 4-year degrees, 2-year degrees and/or and their projects at www.hriresearch.org. tus is very complicated. The worker may be
certificates in horticulture. That declined to documented but the spouse not.”
253 in 2012 and 209 in 2017. Stone noted that not everyone wants or
In Oregon, Linn-Benton Community IMMIGRATION REFORM BILLS needs to become a citizen, and any immigra-
College (Albany) eliminated its horticulture INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS tion bill should address worker visas as well.
program in 2019. Mt. Hood Community Democratic lawmakers introduced the He called for a visa system that is renewable
College eliminated its program earlier, as did U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, an immigra- and portable, so that the worker can stay in
Clark College in Vancouver, Washington. tion reform proposal backed by the Biden the same field of agriculture, but not be tied
administration, in February. to a particular employer.
The bill, introduced as House “Without a visa system, all it does
HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH Resolution 1177 in the House and Senate is hit the reset button just like the 1986
INSTITUTE AWARDS GRANTS Bill 348 in the Senate, would provide an immigration amnesty,” Stone said. “Not
The Horticultural Research Institute earned path to citizenship for undocu- all workers wish to become American
(HRI), the foundation of AmericanHort, mented immigrants who were in the United citizens. Some are here to earn money and
has awarded $364,000 in grants to fund States as of January 1, 2021, while also return home, and that should be fine too.
several research projects in 2021. Projects increasing the limits of legal immigration. We have a need for agricultural workers,
range from innovations to crop production There is a security component, they have a need to provide for their fami-
for both greenhouse and nursery segments, whereby security would be added to ports lies, and it’s a win-win.”
emergent consumer research, pollinator of entry. The bill would also attempt to Stone noted that what happens before
research, and plant disease projects. reduce migration by investing $4 billion in citizenship is equally important.
Local researcher Ryan Contreras, the economies of Central American coun- “It’s more important to adjust the sta-
Ph.D. from Oregon State University, has tries. Opponents said the bill amounts to tus of workers quickly,” he said. “Recent
We are Growing
Opportunities include
• Sales: Nursery stock & greenhouse products
• Customer Service: Experienced industry professionals for individualized sales support
• Management: Product management
• Clerical
Come grow with us. Send your resume to newhorizons@ehrnet.com
12 APR I L 2 02 1 D IG G E R M AGAZINE.CO Mproposals have involved a ‘touchback’ pro- Agriculture reported that good progress WATER PROJECT APPLICATION
vision where the person must go to another was made in 2020 in its treatment efforts DEADLINE IS APRIL 28
country, then return to ‘get right with the to eradicate the Japanese beetle, which The Water Project Grants and Loans
law.’ That might be impractical, and we’d were focused mostly in the Cedar Mill program offers funding opportunities
like to see them given the opportunity to go area west of Portland. “We will continue through the Oregon Water Resources
through customs at a local airport instead. our aggressive approach in 2021 while we Department. The 2021 application dead-
Consulates and embassies alone won’t be have the upper hand,” officials stated in a line for instream and out-of-stream water
prepared to handle the traffic.” website update. supply projects is due by 5 p.m., April 28.
A separate and less ambitious bill, The beetle is a voracious garden and “This program was created and passed
the American Dream and Promise Act, nursery pest that will eat most any plant at the urging of the Oregon Association
would provide a path to citizenship only or shrub, but is known to especially love of Nurseries,” OAN Executive Director
for Dreamers — meaning those brought to rose plants. Although the beetle is well Jeff Stone said for Member Update. “It’s
the United States as children — as well as established in the East and Midwest, it designed to increase access to water supply
noncitizens with temporary protected sta- has only a toehold in Oregon. It was first projects, and we hope people will take a
tus. The House was scheduled to consider detected in the state in 2016, and officials look and make good use of the program.”
this bill in March. hope to stamp it out. According to the Submit an application online for
agency, 42 percent fewer beetles were funding if you wish to invest in projects
trapped in 2020 than in 2019, and 58 per- that meet water supply needs and result
ODA REPORTS ADVANCES IN cent fewer were trapped in a designated in public economic, environmental, and
JAPANESE BEETLE BATTLE treatment area. Read more on social or cultural benefits. Approximately
The Oregon Department of www.japanesebeetlepdx.info/updates $3 million remained available for
E HEART OF
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DIGGER MAGA Z IN E.COM A PRIL 2 02 1 13Northwest News
grants in November 2020. Log on to financial position indicates we can issue FREE IPM DOWNLOADS FOR
www.oregon.gov/OWRD for the forms. a dividend, we do — it’s the best way we GROWERS AND LANDSCAPERS
Visit their website to learn more about can support our policyholders right now.” PUBLISHED
the Water Projects Grants and Loans online, This is the 12th year in a row SAIF The Northwest Center for
and schedule pre-application conferences has been able to offer a dividend and the Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP) has sev-
with the program coordinator by emailing 24th dividend since 1990. eral new resources for growers and land-
WRD_DL_waterprojects@oregon.gov. SAIF will value and calculate the scapers to help them make smart decisions
dividend at the policy level in June, and about chemicals the other tools they use
therefore we won’t know the amount that to manage pests and weeds.
SAIF DECLARES $210 MILLION will be applied to each policyholder until A downloadable guide presented in
DIVIDEND FOR POLICYHOLDERS then. More detailed information regard- both English and Spanish covers how
SAIF, the state-chartered work- ing the dividend, including FAQs, will be pesticides impact aquatic ecosystems. A
ers’ compensation insurance company, available on saif.com at that time. second bilingual reviews glyphosate and
announced a $210 million dividend for OAN Executive Director Jeff Stone alternative weed management strategies.
policyholders in a release. The dividend serves on the SAIF Board of Directors. Growers can also learn about integrated
will be distributed in July. It will be based “Since being confirmed, I have voted for pest management with a comprehensive
on premiums paid for policies whose term $1.015 billion in dividends back to poli- tenant guide, as well as separate docu-
ended in 2020. cyholders while increasing service to the ments for managing common bindweeds,
“Oregon businesses continue to face injured worker,” he said. azalea lace bugs, flatweed, root weevil.
tremendous uncertainty,” said President For more information, visit Videos are also available to watch on the
and CEO Kerry Barnett. “When our tinyurl.com/j5e68hth site at www.pesticide.org.
MATERIAL FLOW
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14 APR I L 2 02 1 D IG G E R M AGAZINE.CO MAnnouncements
JASON BIZON APPOINTED
BAILEY WEST COAST MANAGER
Jason Bizon has been
appointed as West Coast
general manager for Bailey,
according to a release from
the company. He was pro-
moted internally from the position of
western region sales manager. Bizon will
have oversight over the operation of the
company’s Washington and Oregon facili-
ties. He was previously the national sales
manager for Carlton Plants and has exten-
sive experience in horticultural produc-
tion, shipping, and sales management. He
will be working from Dayton, Oregon.
Bizon will take the former place of
Shane Brockshus, after Brockshus was
promoted to become Bailey’s new chief
operating officer. The move was one of
several Bailey made to fill vacancies left by
the executive team promotions announced
in January.
The following positions will be working
from Bailey’s office in St. Paul, Minnesota:
Ryan McEnaney has been promoted
to Bailey’s marketing and communications
manager. He was the public relations and
communications specialist for the company
for the past seven years. McEnaney has more
than 10 years of experience in marketing and
communications.
Tiffany Nohl will serve as inside sales
manager for the company. Since 2011, Nohl
has worked in inside sales and as the licens-
ing representative for Bailey’s consumer
brand. She earned the promotion for helping
develop the company’s brands, training pro-
grams, and internal processes.
Lisa Swast has been appointed brand
and licensing sales representative for Bailey.
She has been an inside sales representative
since 2017 and will support growers using
the company’s consumer brands.
OHP INC. HIRES TECHNICAL
SALES MANGER
Katelyn Jones has been hired as a tech-
nical sales manager for OHP Inc, according
to a release from the company. She was
DIGGER MAGA Z IN E.COM A PRIL 2 02 1 15Northwest News
previously a sales representative at Harrell’s, ences from State University of New York serving as orchards for Harry & David
and has additional industry experiences from (SUNY) Cobleskill. and nursery manager for J. Frank Schmidt
Adama Agriculture Solutions and Nutrien Padden will be centrally based out & Son Co.
Ag Solutions. of Canby, Oregon to support growers in Co-CEO Oscar Verges noted that
Jones is taking over the customer port- Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Cully’s expertise has led to tremendous
folio of Dennis Kern, who is retiring after Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, improvements to the blueberry breeding
19 years of service to OHP. She will serve Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Alaska, and nursery company.
new and existing customers in California, and Hawaii. He can be reached by email
Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado. Read at jason.padden@mycorrhizae.com or by
more at www.ohp.com/news. phone at 503-523-6863. GRIFFIN GREENHOUSE
SUPPLIES JOINS GRO GROUP
Griffin Greenhouse Supplies has
MYCORRHIZAL APPLICATIONS FALL CREEK FARM & NURSERY become a distributor member of the
HIRES SALES MANAGER HIRES REGIONAL DIRECTOR Gro Group buying group, according to
Jason Padden has been hired as a Scott Cully has been appointed a release from the company. More than
Western states sales account manager for regional director for the United States and 25,000 retail locations use Gro Group net-
Mycorrhizal Applications (MA), accord- Canada for Fall Creek Farm & Nursery work of North American lawn and garden
ing to a release from the company based Inc., according to a release from the com- distributors. As a manufacturer, Griffin
in Grants Pass, Oregon. He has 16 years pany. He previously held the position will be better positioned to reach regional
of experience in the horticulture industry as general manager for Fall Creek since markets through the group. Visit
and earned a bachelor degree in plant sci- 2008, with additional industry experience www.griffins.com for more details.
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16 APR I L 2 02 1 D IG G E R M AGAZINE.CO MWHAT I'M HEARING
Positive indications for 2021
O
NE YEAR AGO, on March 6, Willamette Valley experienced an ice storm
2020, Plant Nerd Night was held that came with a vengeance. Roads closed,
for the 19th consecutive year with trees toppled, greenhouses caved, businesses
more than 500 attendees. Little did we know closed, residential and commercial areas lost
that the following week COVID-19 restric- power for multiple days, and plants were Mike Darcy
tions would begin, and Plant Nerd Night covered in ice. Head “plant nerd,” longtime speaker, host of
suddenly had the dubious distinction of I was shocked at the extensive damage gardening shows on radio and TV, and author
of the In the Garden email newsletter.
being the last large in-person consumer gar- that was done to plants from the ice that
You can reach Mike, or subscribe to his
dening event that year. formed on branches and limbs. The weight newsletter, at itgmikedarcy@comcast.net.
Gone was Gardenpalooza, gone was the of the ice caused major limbs — some the
Clackamas County Master Gardeners Spring size of trees themselves — to crash to the
Garden Fair, gone was Hortlandia (the ground. Many mature trees in my neighbor- a particular problem with a plant.
Hardy Plant Society of Oregon Annual Plant hood simply fell over. Birch, maple, oak, or Neil said that he was surprised that
and Garden Art Sale), gone was the Portland fir, there was no discrimination. even in the winter, the volume of questions
Rose Society Annual Spring Rose Show, and What does all of this mean for garden did not diminish and remained high.
the list goes on. centers for 2021? That is the major question. Another good indicator is mail-order
For many plant vendors who relied on It will take a crystal ball to predict the business, especially orders that have later
these spring garden events as their major future and that is especially so in the garden spring shipping dates. If gardeners are order-
source of income, it simply was not to be. industry because there are so many varying ing now for a later shipping date, this would
If that was not enough, much of factors. Weather, of course, is high on the indicate that they are planning ahead. That is
Oregon suffered from horrendous wildfires list, but also, is the desire to garden. a good sign of ongoing gardening interest.
that destroyed many homes and even some During this unsettling past year, there Even though there was extensive dam-
towns in the late summer. The heavy smoke has been a huge surge in gardening and age from the recent ice and snowstorm,
created an air quality that was deemed haz- much of it is due to the participation of nov- there is something positive to be gained
ardous. People were told to stay indoors, ice gardeners. The challenge for our industry from this. Many of the trees and shrubs that
and many garden centers temporarily closed. has been to make their gardening experience were killed or damaged will be replaced.
Then, this past February, parts of the rewarding so that it will be ongoing. One neighbor who was removing a tree
that had toppled said that he was trying to
Positive indicators be positive and was looking at it as a new
Ice storm damage from the display
I can think of two good planting opportunity!
garden at Dancing Oaks Nursery.
Co-owner Leonard Fultz said there are indicators that are positive
plants and deer fence under this oak. for the garden center busi- Seeing more novices
PHOTO BY LEONARD FOLTZ. ness in 2021. One is garden Northwest Garden Nursery in Eugene
helplines, which can provide recently held their annual Hellebore Open
a good indication of interest Garden Days. This year it was spread out
in gardening. over two weekends — Friday, Saturday and
Neil Bell, of the Oregon Sunday for both weekends. To help alleviate
State University Extension crowding, they partnered with Gossler Farms
Service in Marion and Polk Nursery in Springfield and held the event at
counties, told me that the both locations. The final tally was that both
“Ask Extension” (extension. locations completely sold out of hellebores.
oregonstate.edu/ask-expert), Marietta O’Byrne of Northwest Garden
has been extremely popular. Nursery said that for the first time, she
This is a service whereby noticed many more novices than she remem-
someone can email a gar- bers seeing in past years. Many new people
den question and receive an were asking basic questions about growing
answer from an extension hellebores and that also is a good sign.
agent. Pictures can be sent Roger Gossler echoed what Marietta
along with the email if there is said about customers asking about the
DIGGER MAGA Z IN E.COM A PRIL 2 02 1 17WHAT I'M HEARING
Shoppers peruse the Hellebore Open Garden at
Northwest Garden Nursery in Eugene, Oregon in 2020,
before mask mandates were in place. PHOTO BY ERNIE O’BYRNE,
NORTHWEST GARDEN NURSERY
fundamentals and he took that as an indi- many plants sold for replacements for what ing far from their home due to the threat
cator that they had not grown hellebores has been lost to the ice storm. of COVID-19. Blooming daffodils, tulips,
before. Gossler Farms Nursery has an exten- Like Gossler Farms, Dancing Oaks has pansies, primrose, and more can quickly
sive display garden and there were many both a retail and online presence. Leonard brighten up a spring day and improve the
questions about some of the perennial and said their website traffic has been steady home garden.
shrubs growing there. He felt it was a sign with many orders coming from the New We cannot predict the future, but in
that there was also interest in other plants. England states. analyzing the last year, we can at least begin
Roger also said that their on-site sales are Local garden centers are reporting good the planning process to ensure more success
good, and their mail-order business has been early season sales with vegetable seeds con- for this year. Certainly, many of the new
strong with no sign that it is declining. tinuing the same strong trend as last year. It gardeners of last year will have been so suffi-
is not unusual for some vegetable seeds to ciently successful that they will continue with
Selling replacements already have been sold out and replenished. their new endeavor. Growing their own food
Dancing Oaks Nursery in Monmouth Of course, there are many hard good sales may be a bonus that will add to their grow-
suffered extensive storm damage with many including tools, soil and fertilizers related to ing enthusiasm for gardening.
large trees uprooted. A large oak in one of the sale of vegetable seeds. Half joking, Foltz said that that when
their display gardens was toppled and ruined Customers seem to also want color, people receive their vaccination, he hopes
much of that display garden. Co-owner and who can blame them? It has been a they will also get a big shot of the garden-
Leonard Foltz believes that there will be long winter with many people not ventur- ing gene.
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18 APR I L 2 02 1 D IG G E R M AGAZINE.CO MAccess the booths and videos at APRIL
5
www.NurseryGuideLIVE.com until:
Mikaela Eaton took advantage of
using the Nursery Guide LIVE virtual
marketplace right from her desktop.
PHOTO BY MIKAELA EATON.
clicks into place
OAN’s first virtual show connected the industry in a new way in March
BY JON BELL
Z
EN LANDIS, THE Oregon Association of Nurseries’ events devices around the country — and even around
and education manager, knows what it’s like to prepare for the world — Nursery Guide LIVE offered nursery
and help run a big and important professional association industry vendors and customers a chance to interact,
event like OAN’s annual Farwest Show. You prepare for months, learn, buy and research in a way they never really
deal with logistics and coordination, get the basics set up and then, have been able to before. It wasn’t a substitute for
come showtime, open the doors and kick it off. the face-to-face interactions that the nursery industry
“The whole thing just goes into a huge blur and then you’re thrives on, but it filled a void and gave a glimpse at just
like, ‘What just happened?’” said Landis, who’s been involved with how a virtual event could become a part of the bigger
OAN events for the past two picture in the future.
years. “That’s how it goes from “We are happy and
the event planner side of things.” pleased with having had
Turns out that the same to jump on board with a
rush and wave of frenetic energy virtual online business-to-
needed to set up a virtual event. business platform,” said
Landis said she felt it during the Allan Niemi, director of
first-ever Nursery Guide LIVE, events for the OAN. “We
an interactive marketplace for see potential for this, espe-
the OAN buyer’s guide and web- cially in the way that we’re
site. The membership needed the able to service all sectors of the
event because the Farwest Show industry. Yes, people do want
was sidelined by COVID-19 in face-to-face trade shows like
Megyn Pike, customer service representative at Handy Safety Knife
fall 2020. Farwest, but there’s also just a
offered demonstrations of their ring knife. The compact tool works
Held March 18–19 on desk- for people needing to cut twine, tape, and other materials off and on real convenience behind a virtual
top computers, laptops and mobile throughout the day. CAPTURE BY OREGON ASSOCIATION OF NURSERIES marketplace that really caters
DIGGER MAGA Z IN E.COM A PRIL 2 02 1 19Nursery Guide LIVE clicks into place
Center, top: Digital strategist Monica Hemmingway presents “Five Keys to Getting Your Green Industry
Business Found Online in 2021” on March 17. Center, bottom: Dave Malenfant, director of the Center for Supply
Chain Innovation at the Texas Christian University presents With "Future Trends in Logistics: Partnering for
Success" the following day on March 18. CAPTURE BY OREGON ASSOCIATION OF NURSERIES
to buyers and sellers. We’re looking forward tunity to trade contact information and con- trial psychol-
to the future opportunities that a virtual nect directly through a Zoom-like interface. ogist Monica
event can provide.” “It was really easy in terms of user Hemingway.
setup,” said Leigh Schaffer, marketing Her presenta-
COVID curveballs manager for Everde Growers, a nursery tion, “Five
Like just about every- with 14 farm locations Keys To Getting
thing else in the world, across four states. “It was Your Green
the trade show scene got really easy to showcase Industry Business
turned on its head in our brand and products in Found Online in
spring 2020 with arrival multiple ways. We upload- 2021,” covered
of COVID-19. Shows ed videos and multiple the importance
far and wide, including photos, and having our of having a strong
Cultivate’20 (Columbus, brand video there really web presence and
Ohio) and the 2021 Mid- helped make our booth how nurseries can
Atlantic Nursery Trade a place people wanted to increase their online
Show (Baltimore), shifted visit virtually.” visibility.
to online options. Though there were The second
When the OAN some technical difficul- morning kicked off
was forced to cancel the ties in trying to chat with with an energetic pre-
Farwest Show last August, booth visitors in real time, sentation from Dave
the association did not Everde nonetheless had Malenfant, director of
rush to offer a virtual nearly 170 visitors, many outreach and partner-
substitute right away. It of which could turn out to ships at the Center for
instead planned Nursery be positive leads. Supply Chain Innovation
Guide LIVE. The asso- “We are a passionate at Texas Christian
ciation teamed up with sales team and we’ll take University. His talk,
Showmetry to create the every opportunity to fol- “Future Trends In Logistics:
online experience, which low up with everyone who Partnering For Success,”
would allow exhibitors to showcase their visited our booth,” said Nicholas Staddon, covered the transformation
products and services and interact with company spokesperson and plantsman for of the supply chain man-
prospects in virtual booths. Everde. “I think it’s terrific that the OAN agement system and how
Nursery Guide LIVE was all set to made the effort at such a busy time of year shipping and logistics are
launch February 17–18, but then an epic for everyone.” advancing through automation,
snow and ice storm thumped the Portland- artificial intelligence and other
Metro region, knocking out power for days Education for all technologies.
and damaging nurseries in the area. Show In addition to the sales opportunities Both of the keynotes were
organizers postponed the event for a month, Nursery Guide LIVE provided, educational recorded and can also be viewed
and it went live for two days March 17–18. sessions also offered enrichment to attendees. on the Nursery Guide LIVE site
The first-ever event, sponsored by the The Handy Safety Knife Company, which through April 5.
HC Companies, featured dozens of exhibi- makes small utility knives that fit on the In fact, the entire Nursery
tors and drew hundreds of attendees from finger, held several video sessions on how to Guide LIVE site, including all
across the U.S., Canada and even overseas. use its products, and Staddon hosted mul- vendor booths and content, will
Exhibitors ranged from nurseries offering tiple “Plant Chat” sessions where he talked be accessible through April 5, one
nursery stock, seedlings, plants, trees and about new tropicals that Everde is carrying. of the nice aspects of the online
other materials to container manufacturers, Staddon’s presentation is available for down- platform.
associations and nonprofits, and providers of load at the company’s virtual booth through “This was totally different than
insurance, software and other services. April 5. anything we’ve ever done before,”
The Showmetry platform allowed Nursery Guide LIVE kicked off each said Kyle Fessler, a greenhouse grow-
exhibitors to upload videos and photos, morning with keynote speakers, which were er with Woodburn Nursery & Azaleas
highlight products, share company informa- sponsored by GrowerTalks/Green Profit Inc., of Nursery Guide LIVE. “It’s a
tion and offer educational presentations. It magazine. The Wednesday keynote featured good platform that easily enabled us
also gave exhibitors and attendees the oppor- licensed arborist, digital strategist and indus- (CONTINUED ON PAGE 40)
20 APR I L 2 02 1 D IG G E R M AGAZINE.CO MSpring Creek Gardens Inc.
OAN MEMBER PROFILE
Founded: 1984 by Brent and Becky Skiles
BY CURT KIPP
W
PRODUCTION: HO SAYS YOU can’t go home? Home Improvement, a big player in the
Greenhouse 100% Certainly not Renee Phelps. Eugene area. The farmhouse Renee used to
She has done it, moving live in was now the company headquarters.
KNOWN FOR: back home to eventually take the operational “So I went back to work with my parents,
High quality, wholesale bedding plants,
vegetables, herbs, containers, and baskets,
reins at Spring Creek Gardens Inc., a whole- live on the same property as my parents, and
grown with an environmental ethic sale greenhouse operation located between my old bedroom became my office at 40 years
Eugene and Junction City, Oregon. old,” she said. “It was overwhelming to step
OAN MEMBERS SINCE:
1995 But sometimes, home isn’t quite the into a business of this size and this complexity.”
KEY PEOPLE
same as you remember it.
Brent and Becky Skiles, owners; Back in the 1980s, the nursery was just a ‘Humble beginnings’
Renee Phelps, chief operating roadside produce stand. Renee spent her teen Renee’s mother, Becky Skiles, remembers
officer; Zach Phelps, transportation years there, selling fruits and vegetables one feeling overwhelmed herself. She and her
and projects manager; Jen Skiles,
year to help pay for her college education husband, Brent Skiles, founded the business
finance and human relations
manager; Francisco Martinez, head After college, she worked in the sport- in 1984, leading it through all of the changes
grower; Becky Peterson, sales ing goods industry for many years. When she and growth.
manager; Alex Sanchez, production finally did come home, in 2010, she found “Sometimes I would stand out in the mid-
manager; James Larson, facilities everything had changed. dle of the yard and watch the trucks and the
and IT manager; Bonnie Abbott,
The farm she where she came of age shipping cards and the people with clipboards,
container and basket design.
had become a thriving wholesale greenhouse everybody racing around doing their thing,”
CONTACT:
operation — one that grew bedding plants, she said. “And then inevitably the thought
91045 River Rd.
Junction City, OR 97448 containers, baskets, vegetable starts and came to my mind, what have we created here?
herb starts for retailers across Oregon and I don’t think anybody had any idea that it
541-688-5424
Washington. Customers now included Fred would become what it has become.”
sales@springcreekgardens.net
Meyer, a longtime regional chain that is part They started out just wanting to have a
ONLINE:
www.springcreekgardens.net of retail giant Kroger Company, and Bi-Mart, fruit stand.
a big regional chain with 79 stores. “And we did have a little fruit stand
LISTINGS:
The nursery also sold to independent out under a big old black walnut tree, right
1 . stores and garden centers, including Jerry’s alongside the highway,” Becky said. “We
DIGGER MAGA Z IN E.COM A PRIL 2 02 1 21You can also read
