HortWest_2009-02

B . C . L A N D S C A P E & N U R S E R Y A S S O C I A T I O N P U B L I C A T I O N • F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 9

Urban Forestry Symposium

Good Things Orbiting PLANET

Snow Consolation

Fed’s Tax Credit

Environmental Farm Planning

• Protect the Environment - Protect your Business

• Workshops tailored to specialty horticulture

• Access funding for P. ramorum initiatives

Contact the BCLNA office for workshop detailsPhone: 604-574-7772 Fax: 604-574-7773 E-mail: [email protected]

For program information go tohttp://www.bcac.bc.ca/efp_programs.htm

HortWest

2

Message from the President

Spring a Time for Opportunity and EnduranceOn my way to speak at the Land-scape Congress in Toronto early in this new year, it oc-curred to me that it is not often that I would be travelling east in January to

get away from the snow in Vancouver. Not an entirely welcome concept.

This shocking twist of nature has af-fected our industry in different ways. Some of our members spent the Christ-mas holidays and beyond shifting snow from one unwelcome location to another. Some have lost greenhouses and/or valuable inventory from snow damage. And some have suffered from fl ooding as

the snow departed. This is not sounding very positive. But I am.

There are unprecedented economic chal-lenges affecting all our businesses. They are the mainstays of every news report and general conversation.

We are an industry accustomed to accept-ing and adjusting to the wiles of nature, and surviving. We don’t have to look back very far for examples of business-threatening issues that have been dealt with. And here we are. Ready to face another spring—hopefully, with the enthusiastic anticipation that spring, and our industry, deserves.

There are many extraordinary opportuni-ties available to us in our ‘green’ industry.

Now is the time to capitalize on those things that will move us forward. We can set ourselves apart with aggressive promo-tion, ongoing training, fi nancial astute-ness and positive, progressive, professional attitudes. We can add to our certifi cations; we can encourage apprentices; we can as-sess our businesses and pare down to our suitable niche.

The BCLNA is 55 years old. I am sure that history would disclose scores of hardships this association and its mem-bers have endured. But endure they did.

We will too.

Ruth Olde, PresidentBC Landscape & Nursery Association

FEBRUARY 2009

MANAGING EDITOR Renata Triveri

ADVERTISING Barb NelsonPhone: (604) 574-7772Fax: (604) 574-7773

HortWest is the Newsletter of the B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association for the horticultural trade in Western Canada. For further information, contact us at:Suite 102, 5783 – 176A StreetSurrey, B.C., Canada V3S 6S6Telephone (604) 574-7772 Fax (604) 574-7773

HortWest is owned by the B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association, and is published 10 times a year. Views ex-pressed inside do not necessarily refl ect the attitudes of the Association but are those of the writer concerned. Material may not be reprinted from this magazine without the consent of the publisher.

All advertising and editorial material are to be received one month in advance of mail out date.

HortWest is mailed under Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement N. 0288608

This magazine is printed in Canada by Globe Printers.

3

CNLA Following tradition, Past Presi-dent Fred Giesbrecht was appointed to be BCLNA’s representative on the CNLAboard. A motion will be presented at the next AGM to entrench this tradition of having the past president hold the BC portfolio at the national level.

Treasurer’s Report An earlier motion to pay down the BCLNA’s offi ce mort-gage by $12,000 was rescinded. The BCLNA Executive met for an interim review the association’s fi nancial situa-tion, noting that the budget is on track for the year ending June 2009.

Growers’ Commodity Chair Andrew Flokstra provided the board with an update on efforts to obtain fi nancial relief from the Provincial Emergency

Program (PEP) for December’s storm damage, which caused major losses for about 25 growers. Early estimates are that structural damage will be about $1.5 million with another $1 million in early crop damage. This latter amount is expected to rise sharply once the grow-ing season starts and full assessments are made. Board support was given to have staff proceed with advocacy efforts.

Island Chapter Chair Stephan Cranz is submitting a proposal to have a part-time staff member provide administrative support to that region. Once submitted, the proposal will be considered alongside other “wish-list” items for next year.

Committees An Industry Survey steer-ing committee will be struck to develop

the scope and relevancy of questions; such a survey is conducted every few years to take the pulse of the horticul-ture industry in BC. The membership committee met to discuss how business-es not currently defi ned in the bylaws are to be categorized for the purposes of membership fees and services; its recommendations have been put to the Governance Committee for further review. Cable Baker, who chairs the Landscape Awards committee, indicated that a series of banner ads recognizing this year’s winners are running in the Vancouver Sun beneath Steve Whysall’s In the Garden column.

Monday, January 19, 2009

BCLNA Board Highlights

COVER PHOTO

Frank Schortinghuis, and his team

at Allgreen Landscaping Ltd.,

received a 2008 Landscape Award

of Excellence for their work on this

Gabriola Island garden. Allgreen

added colourful plantings, a dry

streambed to take the place of a

rough front yard ditch, and a 120’

long stream replete with seven

waterfalls and lily pond in the back

yard. A stone patio area offers a

delightful vantage point from which

to view the yard. Photo: Allgreen Landscaping Ltd.

Order your FREE copies for distribution, and look for them at all public garden events!

Ideal appreciation gifts for:

Landscape clients • Garden centre loyalty club members • Trade show and show garden visitors • Donation seekers • Garden and social clubs • School garden clubs • and more!

Healthy Garden Guide 2009Now in print!

Available in small lots or by the case. Contact Ina Chang for yours: (604) 574-7772 or

ichang@ bclna.com.

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Sumas Gro-Media 1 1/26/09 8:23:51 AM

4

BCLNA’s Island Chapter has once again secured the best possible location for landscape vignettes at the Victoria Spring Home Show. Member demand to participate in the show was so strong last year that the BCLNA space has been ex-panded by 20%. To participate, contact Brian Russell by email: [email protected].

The event will be held on March 6, 7 and 8 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Arena, and promises to draw crowds with feature speakers Mike Holmes of Holmes on Homes and Kelly Deck of Take it Outside.

World Rose Festival BloomsThis spring’s string of home and garden shows will culminate in the World Rose Festival, June 19-21 in the brand new Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre expansion facility. The one-time event was the brainchild of the Van-couver Rose Society, which wanted to provide a public venue to promote roses in the landscape in conjunction with its hosting of the World Rose Convention (June 18-24).

Timed for the best rose blooms and to match industry’s participation in the can-celled VanDusen Garden Show, festival organizers are confi dent that the event will pique the interest of the VanDusen audience yet overcome the weather woes that contributed to its eventual demise. The indoor festival also anticipates that a signifi cant number of visitors will attend just to see the new convention centre, being one of the very fi rst events to be staged under the green roof.

Says Darlene Sanders, Festival Co-Chair and owner of The Avant Gardener, “Spring is a diffi cult time for everyone in the industry, but holding the festival late in June will give retailers and landscap-ers a chance to extend their peak season, while riding the wave of public interest in gardening as late into the summer as possible. The trick is to promote all things gardening while capitalizing on the seasonal attraction of the rose.”

Response has been very positive, Sand-ers adds, indicating that GardenWorks™, Phoenix Perennials, and Heritage Peren-nials have already committed to display gardens. Other big names in gardening, including Lee Valley Tools and Zeller & Son, are on board. BCLNA has also secured a 20 x 20 booth to represent mem-bers, distribute the Healthy Garden Guide and fulfi ll public education objectives.

Interest has blossomed, however, since the festival confi rmed a sponsorship arrangement with Global TV. Global’s partnership with the World Rose Festival guarantees frequent promotional spots on Etcetera, Global Village and potential news broadcasts. A comprehen-sive print and new-media marketing plan is in place with a Facebook group established, blogging and Twittering by Brad Jalbert of Select Roses (worl-drose2009.blogspot.com), and regular e-newsletter distribution.

To exhibit in the World Rose Festival, visit www.worldrosefestival.com or email opportunities@world rosefestival.com. For more information or to obtain a copy of the latest e-newsletter, contact Renata Triveri, industry liaison and festival logistics manager ([email protected]) or call (604) 523-0235.

Good Things Orbiting PLANETPLANET, the Professional Landcare Network, has launched a new program designed to unite its members around the world for a day of giving back.

The annual grassroots event is an oppor-tunity for PLANET members and other PLANET partners to come together for

BCLNA News Bulletins

Island Chapter Beautifi es Spring Home Show

5

a day of community service through vol-unteer landscape, lawn care, or tree care projects. “We know the green industry is committed to serving their communities,” said PLANET President Jason Cupp, CLP. “This is a great way to show that com-mitment to the nation and to educate the public about the importance of caring for our green spaces.”

The organization’s website, www.planet dayofservice.org, is a one-stop shop for members organizing their Day of Service events. They can register their company and project there, as well as see, via an interactive map, the loca-tions of the events as people register them. The website also contains project ideas and tips on planning and running events.

“If members aren’t able to create their own event, they can look at the list of reg-istered events and volunteer somewhere else in their region,” said Richard Heller, CLP, CLT, chair of the public relations committee. “We designed the website to be user friendly to make the planning of a PLANET Day of Service event as easy as possible.”

Log on to www.planetdayofservice.org for more information, or contact Heather Finney at the Professional Landcare Net-work offi ce by calling (800) 395-2522.

Landscape Clippings

BCLNA’s Urban Forest Council is of-fering a spring symposium to provide arborists, urban foresters and managers with knowledge gained from the Stanley Park wind storm and scientifi c research to help guide them in their day-to-day decision making processes. The educa-tional event will take place on Thursday, March 26 from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm on the second fl oor of the Stanley Park Pavilion (610 Pipeline Road, Vancouver). The ses-sions are offered with the support of the UBC Faculty of Forestry, the Stanley Park Ecological Society and the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), which is offering continuing education credits to participants.

The day’s program will cover: • Urban forest management strategies

& guidelines to foster the successful involvement of all stakeholders,

• Windthrow prediction & assessment, windfi rming strategies & long term stand density strategies,

• Use of WindCALC, an arborists tool to assess wind fi rmness of individual trees,

• Measurement of tree, stand and landscape attributes that contribute to windthrow,

• Measurement and interpretation of in-ternal decay and structure of trees using the Resistograph tool.

Urban Forestry Symposium

Continued on page 6

Windstorm damage to a tree in

Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC.

6

Easy Journey for Landscapers & GrowersLandscape and nursery profession-als can become journeypersons in one easy step! No exam is necessary. The HortEducationBC board recently ap-proved a transition period of one year (to expire on October 31, 2009) to allow professionals already operating within the horticulture industry to receive their Certifi cate of Qualifi cation (Journeyman equivalency) if they meet two specifi c criteria.

During this one-year transition period, individuals wishing to obtain a Certifi -cate of Qualifi cation as a Landscape or Production Horticulturist may apply to the Industry Training Authority, and in lieu of writing the challenge exam can provide proof of the following qualifi ca-tions:

• 9,720 hours in Landscape Horticul-ture or Production Horticulture, and

• Have a valid Certifi ed Horticulture Technician designation, OR a diploma or degree (transcript required) in either horticulture, agriculture or plant science.

The challenge application form cur-rently posted on the ITA website can be used for these applications. Upon ap-plication, HortEducationBC will assess all packages to validate work hours and credentials. HortEducationBC hopes this transition period will encourage more industry professionals to seek their Certifi cate of Qualifi cation and in turn, mentor new apprentices in their respec-tive commodities.

For assistance, contact Anne Kadwell: [email protected] or call (604) 575-3239.

Please make the following updates in your copy for future reference.

City of NanaimoJim Plasteras

City of SurreyGreg Ward, [email protected] Landscaping Ltd. (a div. of Bartlett Tree Service)4511 Alaska StreetBurnaby, BC V5C 4E1Phone: (604) 986-4678Fax: (604) 323-9280

The Green Man Landscape ServicesPhone: (778) 840-0323

GroundWorks Construction [email protected]@groundworksconstruction.comJohn Drost1056 Holmes StreetDuncan, BC V9L 2C8Phone: (778) 868-5664

KPMG LLPAbbotsford Offi cePhone: (604) 854-2200Kurt Bausenhaus direct: (604) 854-2213

LandecaReuben Butterfi eld, reuben@landeca .caMyers Industries Lawn & Garden GroupRae [email protected] Irrigation and Landscaping Inc.Ema il: christina@sancorlandscape .comSwaan Nursery has changed its name to Triple Swaan Nursery Ltd.The Garden Beautifi erAnthony Krakau454 Morrison Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1Y 5E2Phone: (250) 763-8729Fax: (250) 861-3817Email: [email protected] Silent Gardener2120, 244 Sherbrooke StreetNew Westminster, BC V3L 0A3

Think Green [email protected] Parks BoardBill Manning, [email protected]

2009 Buyers Guide

Bill Stephen, Stanley Park Forest Su-perintendent, will provide an engaging presentation and tour to lead participants through the restoration and rebuilding process in the aftermath of the 2006 se-vere winter storms. He will also share the Forest Management Plan, a document that will undoubtedly serve as a valuable resource for all urban forest managers and allied professionals.

Following, Dr. Steve Mitchell, UBC Faculty of Forestry will present tree and stand level windthrow assessment (statis-tical/diagnostic), post-storm windfi rming strategies, and long-term stand density management strategies. UBC colleague Ken Byrne will complement the session with a review of the background, assump-tions, experiments and results used to develop mechanistic windthrow models. Application of these models to assess individual tree stability in the urban forest context will also be discussed and demon-strated as part of the tour.

For arborists interested in mentoring up-and-coming professionals, Blair Veitch (Davey Tree Expert Co., BCLNA Direc-tor and Urban Forest Council vice-chair) will provide an update on arboriculture apprenticeship.

Registration for this day-long education-al session is $100 for BCLNA members ($125 for non-members). Lunch is included; come dressed for the outdoor tour. To register, contact Annika Ingram at the BCLNA: [email protected] or telephone (604) 574-7772.

More Landscape Clippings, page 9

A view of Lion’s Gate Bridge entering

Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC.

FEBRUARY18 BC Agriculture Council GalaRamada Plaza & Convention Centre,

Abbotsford

www.bcac.bc.ca

18-22 BC Home & Garden ShowBC Place Stadium, Vancouver

www.bchomeandgardenshow.com

19-22 PLANET Executive ForumDisney’s Beach Club Resort

Lake Buena Vista, FL

www.landscarenetwork.org

22-25 Western Canada Turfgrass Association Conference & ShowVictoria Conference Centre

www.wctaturf.com

MARCH6-8 Victoria Spring Home ShowSave-on-Foods Memorial Centre

www.chbavictoria.com

13-15 Nanaimo Spring FestivalBeban Park Social Centre

www.islandgardenshow.com

18-22 Canada BloomsMetro Toronto Convention Centre

www.canadablooms.com

26 BCLNA Urban Forester SymposiumStanley Park Ecological Society Offi ce

www.bclna.com

27-29 Chilliwack Outdoor Decor Yard & Garden ShowChilliwack Heritage Park

www.outdoordecorshow.com

28 California Pack Trials BeginVarious locations, schedules online:

www.ngb.org

APRIL17-19 Kamloops Home & Leisure ShowMcArthur Island Sports Centre

www.bchomeshows.com

22 BC Skills CompetitionTradex, Abbotsford

www.skillscanada.bc.ca

MAY20-22 BCSLA Land SummitTelus Whistler Conference Centre

www.bclandsummit.com

Industry events and programs

BCLNA OFFICE: 604-574-7772 September 23 & 24, 2009

Under the sa ils at the VancouverConvention and Exhibition Centre

Show theme: Gold, Silver and Bronze

Reserve your exhibit space today!

Ca ll Barb Ne lson (604) 574-7772 or ema il: bne lson@bclna .com

Call us for all yournative and ornamental

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3666 - 224th Street, Langley, BC V2Z 2G7 Canada

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Call for all wholesale ornamentals, native

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Phone: 604-854-6986Fax: 604-854-6982

[email protected]

Can Am Nurseries 1 10/24/08 2:52:00 PM

Help WantedCERTIFIED HORTICULTURALISTMCC Employment & Community Development is looking to hire a Certifi ed Horticulturist to join our Ecoworks Enterprise Responsibilities include:• Operational management of

contract and quality control including planted area maintenance, plant care and pruning

• Supervision of crew lead hand and crew members

• Inventory management and control• Pesticide/herbicide application

managementCompetitive wage rate and benefi ts package available.To apply: See complete job posting with full details on our website www.mccecd.bc.ca Start date: Immediately Closing date: open until fi lledEcoworks reserves the right to not

make any appointments.

Maple Leaf Garden Center in North Vancouver has openingsfor F/T and P/T sales assistants in the nursery and greenhouse.Previous experience preferred. Please email resume to mlgcnorth@ shawbiz.caOr fax to 604-985-0193.

For SaleHortWest is a highly targetted pub-lication reaching 1300+ companies, individuals, and affi liate organiza-tions. Book your classifi ed, market-place or display advertising today.

Call Barb Nelson: (604) 574-7772 or [email protected]

classifi edsthe

NewBCLNA Members

9

Final Approval

The BCLNA we lcomes the following new members as of December, 2008:Cedar Ridge Tree Care, Jason Timmis, Richmond, Active Landscaper

Kemper’s Landscape, Keath Kemper, Kelowna, Active Landscaper

Rob Reny, City of Surrey, Surrey, Individual

Seymour Greenery, Clinton Scarth, North Vancouver, Active Landscaper

Tom Baumann, University of the Fraser Valley, Chilliwack, Individual

West Coast Harvesting Ltd., Yaddy Kallu, Richmond, Active Grower (Interim)

Stephanie Holmes, Victoria, Student

And the following as of January, 2009:Craftsmen Contracting, Quinn Holtslag, Pitt Meadows, Active Landscaper (Interim)

Lanny Englund, City of Coquitlam, Coquitlam, Individual

Mountain Maple, Kerin Matthews, Delta, Active Landscaper

Timeless Landscaping, Daniel Vanderpol, Chilliwack, Active Landscaper (Interim)

Universal Castings Ltd., Rick Abbing, Aldergrove, Associate

Windward Nurseries, Bruce Piddock,

West Vancouver, Active Grower

Tentative Approval

The following companies will become BCLNA members a t the next board meeting unless a member provides a va lid reason for not accepting the applica tion:

Canadian Sunlight Enterprises Ltd., Jie Zhang & Henry Zhang, Richmond,

Associate

Focalpoint Landscape Design, Lori Hanus, Mission, Active Landscaper

Landscape By Design, Dr. George Marien, Chillwack, Active Landscaper

Tripower Nursery, Guohai Xia, Maple Ridge, Active Grower (Interim)

Whistler Landscaping, Bryce Anderson & Shauna Peachman, Whistler, Active Landscaper (Interim)

Jesse Houweling, Abbotsford, Student

A palpable buzz of celebration and camara-derie fi lled the Seymour Golf and Country Club banquet room last December, where 144 members gathered for the annual Landscaper’s Christmas Party. “For the past three years we’ve had about 90 attendees,” recalls BCLNA Landscape Coordinator, Krista Manton. “What an incredible surge in interest this year!”

Many company owners brought their key staff along so they could enjoy the festivi-ties. Jean Schwartz, The Garden Genie, said “I am grateful to my wonderful crew, and was glad I could share this party with them, and enjoy an evening of networking, eating, learning, and laughing.”

Sponsor participation was also remark-able, as growers recognized this as an ideal setting to network with their local market. Gold sponsor Jason LaRonde of Pacifi ca Nurseries praised the level of professional-ism in the room and encouraged every-one to work together and support each other as we move into more challenging economic times. Thanks to the following member companies for helping make it an extra special event:

Landscape Event Creates Buzz

Top: 58 Certifi cation designations were awarded

to individuals in BC in 2008. Those who attended

the Landscaper’s Christmas Party received

special certifi cation pins. Left to right (back) are

Ray Gerein, Finning Canada (sponsor); Scott

Hurst, CHT; Jeff Foley, CLP; Mike Vandergugten,

CHT; Kari Renaud, CLD; Colin Priddle, CLP; Brian

Huttema, CHT; and Peter Levelton, East Richmond

Nurseries (sponsor). Left to right (front) are Cable

Baker, CLP; Leslie Garbutt, CLP; Delaney Fisher,

CHT; and Daniel Vanderpol, CHT.

Gold SponsorPacifica Nurseries Inc.

Silver SponsorsHortProtect

J.R.T. Nurseries Inc.

Pine Meadows Tree Farms Ltd.

Bronze SponsorsAlouette Nursery

Golden Spruce Nurseries Inc.Qualitree Propagators Inc.

Valleybrook Gardens Ltd.

Above: Past Landscape Commodity Chair, Barbra

Fairclough presented the current Chair, Laurie

Anderson with a large wooden spoon that she insisted

would be more useful than a gavel for managing this

group!

Landscape Clippings

1 0

New Exec at BCAC BC Agricultural Council Executive Director, Steve Thomson, has let his name stand for nomination as a Liberal candidate in the riding of Kelowna-Mission. As a result, he will take a leave of absence during the nomination period. Thompson has been the coun-cil’s executive director since its inception 11 years ago, and he has contributed a great deal to BC’s agriculture industry.

Andrew Dolberg has been appointed to fi ll the position. Dolberg assumes the role having worked with provincial and national farm organizations. Most recently, he served with the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. Dolberg com-mences his duties in March.

TG Nursery & Sons in

Langley is among the list

of growers who tallied up

damage costs after this

winter’s freak snowfalls

around the south coast.

Marvyn Brown joined BCLNA as Finance Manager on Janu-ary 5 bringing excellent credentials in fi nancial and project management, as well as a solid understanding of programs, marketing and most importantly, keeping an organization

Industry Bits

BCLNA Hires New Finance Managerfocused on the needs of its key stake-holders.

BCLNA sincerely thanks Gayle Seguin who came out of retirement to assist the association during a lengthy person-nel search. Her knowledge, skills, and team support were invaluable in seeing BCLNA through an unusually busy and transitional time.

1 1

Snow ConsolationThis winter’s uncharacteristically heavy snow falls caused damage to more than 25 local companies’ greenhouse and cold frame facili-ties, but our neighbours in Oregon fear that repair and crop costs will surge to well over $18 million US after ice storms fl attened that region’s growing operations.

While little consolation to BC growers facing their own costly structure repairs, many are counting themselves lucky. Paulus Vrijmoed of Linnaea Nurseries Ltd. com-mented, “We could have suffered a lot more damage than we actually did. The greenhouses are insured with a deductable of $10,000. The plants, however, are not in-sured as the premium would be exorbitantly high. We predict that the [crop] damage might be in the 25% range. Overall, we do not think that our coming spring sales season will be affected much. As said, things could have been a lot worse.”

Keith Wildeboer agreed, “Most of the plants were small one-gallons and most will be salvageable. Another house had 4” liners and most will be okay. Although, damage to the crops is about 20%, that will have to be turfed.”

Melanie Stefi uk of HUB International Ltd. indicated that early insurance estimates were relatively minor, with fallout not nearly as extensive as that experienced after the storms of 1996. Nevertheless, greenhouse suppliers are keeping busy. Harnois Industries Inc. has extended a 25% discount to growers replacing houses due to snow, and Robin

Gehring of McConkey Co. has been fi elding calls for replacement parts as well as brand new houses with better structural ratings. “The worst structural damage,” she says, “seems to be to the cold frame type structures or larger houses that either were not being heated or where the customer seems to have forgotten to remove their shade cloth fabric.”

Barry McIntosh at Harnois suggests that people at least enquire about higher snow load capacities; “I think most growers will be surprised at how little the extra cost is for a little peace of mind. Gutter connects can be designed to take up to 90 lbs per square foot. While you might not need this type of load capacity, you should consider improving on the standard 15 psf minimum. Talk to your greenhouse manufacturer about these op-tions. A little extra cost might help you sleep better, and we can all use more of that.”

McIntosh further cautions, “While your greenhouse may not have collapsed, it might have received stress damage making the structure weaker. Inspect your greenhouses for deformations in the structural compo-nents such as arches, truss or crossties, gut-ters and especially where the gutter attaches to the support columns.”

And know the snow capacity of your green-house for next year: most are built to a mini-mum 15 pounds per square foot per building code. But remember, the minimum requires heat, which is used in the calculations. If you are not sure, contact your greenhouse manufacturer.

Greenhouses and SnowTips to share and know!

Island Chapter members were not immune. Andersen Nursery in

Ladysmith watched cold frames buckle, while the community was

struck by weather-related power outages and highway closures.

! c

lip &

sav

e

When planning snow removal, have the snow load capacity of your structure on hand and refer to this chart:

Snow type Estimated Weight per ft3

Light snow, no moisture 7 lbs

Medium snow, some moisture 14 lbs

Wet snow* 30 lbs

Old, compact or hard snow 30 lbs

*Rain adds 5.2 lbs per inch, or 62 lbs per cubic foot, so ensure all drains are cleared to reduce snow load!

Place 4 x 4 uprights under each arch or every other arch when you know a storm is coming to reinforce the center of the struc-ture. The Ridgeline implosion is a common structural failure in snow.

Cold structures are most vulnerable, so turn the heat up! If no heat is present, rent a construction heater; concentrate on thawing out gutter connects.

Snow-melt can be used on iced gutters, but salt is damaging to galvanized steel; check with your greenhouse manufacturer to select the right product.

Find two persons and a length of good rope. Throw the rope over the structure and have each person take an end, walk-ing down the length of the structure while gently pulling the rope back and forth. This will dislodge the snow at the top of the fi lm, easily sliding down the structure and easing pressure on the ridgeline.

Take a soft broom and push up from the inside to displace the snow. Caution: DO NOT shovel against your poly fi lm as it will tear or split easily.

If all else fails, cut the poly fi lm using a box cutter secured to a broomstick and let the snow fall through. It is much less ex-pensive to replace fi lm than it is an en-tire structure. However, doing so is very dangerous! Be properly equipped in safety gear, work toward your exit routes, ensure assistance is near but outside the struc-ture, and stand clear.

Courtesy Barry McIntosh, Harnois Industries Inc. and Robin Gehring, McConkey Co.

Grower Update

NATS in Langley (above)

was also hit hard with snow

damage.

1 2

BC’s horticul-ture industry was saddened by the sudden passing of Stan Hagan, Hon-ourable Minister of Agriculture & Lands, on January 15, 2009.

A resident of the Comox Valley since 1968, Hagen worked in the construction industry and later started an independent ready-mix company. His political career was launched in 1972 when he became a Comox Valley School trustee.

Hagen was appointed Minister of Agri-culture and Lands on June 23, 2008, and previously served as Minister of Sustainable

Resource Management, Minister of Human Resources, Minister of Children and Family Development, and Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts.

First elected to the Legislative Assem-bly in 1986 as the MLA for Comox, he was appointed to serve as the Minister of Advanced Education, Job Training, Science and Technology. During this time, Stan was responsible for promoting the TRIUMF-KAON science project, establishing Com-monwealth Distance Education Centre and Science World, initiating the Passport to Education program. He later served as BC’s Minister of Regional and Economic Development. In 1990, Stan was appointed Minister of Education and chaired the Canadian Council of Ministers of Educa-tion. In 1998, he was granted an honorary

Doctor of Laws degree from Simon Fraser University for his work.

Said Premier Campbell, “The province has suffered a great loss with the passing of my friend and colleague, Stan Hagen. He was a man who gave of himself to public life from 1986 until today. He loved British Colum-bia and the people who live here.”

Ruth Olde, President of the BCLNA, ex-pressed her deepest sympathies to Minister Hagen’s family, friends and colleagues. Olde noted that, “Minister Hagen was a passion-ate supporter of the horticulture sector, and will be truly missed by all of us associated with the BCLNA and our industry.”

Stan Hagen is survived by his wife Judy and their fi ve children.

In Memoriam

Hon. Minister Stan Hagen 1940-2009

Sanitize with certaintySanitization can be very costly if not done effectively.

• Iotron takes sanitization to a new level, offeringNursery Growers unparalleled results.

• Iotron utilizes irradiation technology to eliminatePathogens, fungi and molds on pots, trays, andstyroblocks.

• Iotron's sanitization method fully penetrates materialslike an X-ray, effectively sterilizing the material.

Field trials have proven that the sanitization level of pots prior to planting can affect plant yields.

Money does grow on trees!Be confident that your pots, trays or styroblocks are

the cleanest they can be from the start. A diseasefree environment creates disease free plants.

Benefits• Re-use old pots, trays & styroblock• Increase plant yields• Reduce maintenance on plants• Environmentally friendly process• No more need for harsh chemicals, steam or hot water

If your sanitization method leaves you uncertain, then it's definitely time to make a change.

For more information please contact Iotron Technologies Corp. 1425 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 6L3

Ph. (604)945-8838 Fax. (604)945-8827Website www.Iotron.com Email: [email protected]

Sanitize with certaintySanitization can be very costly if not done effectively.

• Iotron takes sanitization to a new level, offeringNursery Growers unparalleled results.

• Iotron utilizes irradiation technology to eliminatePathogens, fungi and molds on pots, trays, andstyroblocks.

• Iotron's sanitization method fully penetrates materialslike an X-ray, effectively sterilizing the material.

Field trials have proven that the sanitization level of pots prior to planting can affect plant yields.

Money does grow on trees!Be confident that your pots, trays or styroblocks are

the cleanest they can be from the start. A diseasefree environment creates disease free plants.

Benefits• Re-use old pots, trays & styroblock• Increase plant yields• Reduce maintenance on plants• Environmentally friendly process• No more need for harsh chemicals, steam or hot water

If your sanitization method leaves you uncertain, then it's definitely time to make a change.

For more information please contact Iotron Technologies Corp. 1425 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 6L3

Ph. (604)945-8838 Fax. (604)945-8827Website www.Iotron.com Email: [email protected]

Research Snippets

Container Height and Douglas Fir Bark Texture Affect Substrate Physical Properties (HortScience 43(2):505-508) The study measured the physical properties of fi ne (less than 0.9 cm) and medium (less than 2.2 cm) textured Douglas fi r bark and the effect of container height on these properties. Increasing container height resulted in a linear decrease in the quantity of water held by the substrate and a corresponding increase in air space. When container height was increased from 3.8 to 15.2 cm, the water-holding capacity decreased 20% for medium and 42% for fi ne-textured bark. Water content was not constant throughout the vertical profi le of the container. Substrate at the top of the 15.2 cm container had a water-holding capacity of 31-33% for the two bark substrates, whereas at the bottom of the container the capacity was 71% for fi ne and 57% for medium-textured bark. Total porosity increased linearly and bulk density did not change with increasing container height for medium-textured bark. In contrast, total porosity de-creased linearly and bulk density increased linearly with increasing container height for fi ne bark. These results suggest that the fi ne-textured bark was more prone to over compac-tion than the medium-textured bark.

BCMAL Report

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From the Canadian Nursery & Landscape Association

Feds’ Tax Credit a Win for Green IndustryIn the weeks leading up to the an-nouncement of the 2009 Federal Budget, the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance requested industry consulta-tion. The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) responded in a ma-jor way by providing Minister Flaherty with an action plan to stimulate the Canadian economy by investing in green infrastructure.

Michael Murray, CNLA President, was very pleased that Minister Flaherty took the recommendation seriously. “This is a great development for Canadian home owners and our industry. We hope this is just the beginning and look forward to this government’s support in the future”, said Murray.

Canadian homeowners are now eligible for the Home Renovation Tax Credit outlined in the Harper Government’s recent Federal Budget for 2009. Families will be eligible to claim a 15% non-re-fundable tax credit for eligible expenses made in respect of eligible dwellings. The credit will apply to expenditures in excess of $1,000, but not more than $10,000, resulting in a maximum credit of $1,350 ($9,000 x 15%). Money has to be spent by February 1, 2010 and only those contracts signed after January 27, 2009 can be used toward this credit fi led through homeowners’ 2009 tax returns.

Eligible expenditures include build-ing an addition, deck, fence, installing landscaping, constructing a retaining

wall, resurfacing a driveway, and laying new sod. Maintenance contracts (furnace cleaning, snow removal, lawn care, pool cleaning, etc.) are ineligible.

CNLA grower and retailer members are thrilled that the Home Renovation Tax credit could lead to an increase in pur-chases of trees, shrubs, annuals and pe-rennials; professional landscapers could realize more jobs on the books through the installation of these features.

CNLA estimates that the green industry contributes $14.48 billion to Canada’s economy and employs 132,776 people across the country.

HortWest_2009-02

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