Welcome to 'Sprout,' American Nurseryman's e-newsletter published on the first and third Thursdays of each month. For even more, be sure to read our February issue.

All that and pretty, too
Consumer confidence rose in recent weeks, but in this weird economy, you never know … and so it might be a bit tricky to convince customers and clients that plants are more than just pretty. Leave it to the folks at America in Bloom to dispel that rumor—better yet, to provide the facts and figures you need to make that sale. Packed with information from horticultural economist extraordinaire Charles Hall, the publication presents in brilliant color the argument that ornamental plants are a necessary part of our lives. Yeah, we knew that, but here’s the tool that’ll help you convince everyone else. And for more, see the item directly below. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll use it to sell plants, too. Read more>

Crime-fighting plants
We reported on this years ago—so long ago, in fact, that the date escapes us: Plants can help to reduce crime. If memory serves, the study we reported involved moveable planters that were placed in urban areas known for high crime rates. The statistics showed that crime was significantly reduced when the planters were present; when moved to different areas, the planters appeared to have the same effect. Not sure how many municipal governments took notice. Now, though, Dr. Marvin Miller, president of America in Bloom, explains in a YouTube video that plants can reduce crime up to 80%. You really need to watch this. See more>

Aquascape installs water system in Africa
The International Needs Network School in Kiyindi, Uganda, got some much-appreciated help from the Aquascape Foundation folks in January when volunteers installed a 20,000-gallon rainwater harvesting system that will provide clean drinking water for approximately 900 school children. Rainwater captured from two school buildings and a nearby medical office is passed through a subsurface chamber where particulate matter is removed. The collected water is stored in a 15,000-gallon reservoir before passing through an ionization system into a 5,000-gallon tank where it can then be accessed by hand or electronic pump. The system was designed by Ed Beaulieu, chief sustainability officer for Aquascape Inc. Read more>

PGMS focuses on water — and best work
Speaking of water, it’s the main topic of the Professional Grounds Management Society’s 2012 spring regional seminar and site visit, scheduled for March 22 to 23 at Arizona State University in Tempe. Plus, the organization is now accepting entries for its Green Star Awards Program, which recognizes exceptional grounds management programs, managers and crews for landscapes that exhibit a high degree of excellence in categories including sustainability practices and policies, turf management, landscape design—and more. Deadline for submissions is August 3. Read more here and here.

Really?
Dig out your old bicycle pump; you’re going to need it. The cost of gasoline nationwide is skyrocketing—again—due to, let’s see, want to pick a reason? The cost of oil is increasing (what’s new?); add “problems” with Iran (again, what’s new?), potential refinery slowdowns, economic woes worldwide, economic woes stateside … the list is seemingly endless. What we do know is that the cost at the pump has increased half a buck in two months. And it’s not stopping there. It’s already over $4 in many areas; several experts predict a gallon of regular will exceed $5 and rev up to $6 before we see any relief. For a long-winded explanation of gasoline prices, you can visit http://www.api.org/oil-and-natural-gas-overview/fuels-and-refining/gasoline/whats-up-with-gasoline-prices.aspx. Just be prepared for a whole lot of tap-dancing around the topic. Read more>

PANTS teams with Master Nursery Garden Centers
The PANTS show is “co-locating” this year with the Master Nursery Garden Centers’ Conclave to make it easier for Master Nursery members to participate in both events. The combined show is scheduled for July 30 to August 2 in the Greater Philadelphia area. And if you go—and we hope you will—be prepared to celebrate the 40th anniversary of PANTS. Read more>

It’s a field day!
Save the date: June 21, West Chicago, Ill. Darwin Perennials Day will showcase new selections for 2013, plus seed-raised perennials from Kieft-Pro-Seeds, flowering shrubs from Ball Ornamentals, mixed container ideas and more. There’s even breakfast and lunch in addition to industry pros offering their advice in a series of seminars. Mark your calendar. Read more>

People News

Tosovsky receives ANLA Hall of Fame honor
Chuck Tosovsky, president of Home Nursery Inc., Albers, Ill., has been inducted into the American Nursery and Landscape Association’s Hall of Fame, ANLA’s highest honor. Tosovsky has served the industry and the association for more than 50 years, having represented Illinois on ANLA’s board of governors and serving as president of the Illinois Nurserymen’s Association (now the Illinois Green Industry Association). Read more>

Lonnee elected MNLA prez
Debbie Lonnee, planning and administrative manager for Bailey Nurseries Inc., St. Paul, has been elected president of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association. Heidi Heiland, Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens of Plymouth, was elected as MNLA vice president; and Herman Roerick, Central Landscape Supply of St. Cloud, was elected as secretary-treasurer. Mike McNamara, Hoffman & McNamara Nursery & Landscape of Hastings, was newly elected to the MNLA Board of Directors. Read more>

Hunter promotes Hunter
Greg Hunter has been promoted to vice president of operations for Hunter Industries; he previously held the position of VP of marketing for the company. Read more>

Summers joins Garden Center Group
Danny Summers has joined The Garden Center Group as community manager; his focus will be to guide the communication process between retailers and the group’s service providers and preferred vendors, an alliance consisting of more than 150 firms. Read more>

Fornari joins BASF T&O
Frank Fornari has joined the BASF Professional Turf & Ornamentals team as sales specialist for Florida and southern Georgia. Based in Florida, Fornari will focus exclusively on greenhouse and nursery growers, and will support the associated BASF ornamental distributors in the Southeast. Read more>

Lafferty named Master Nursery interim CEO
Jeff Lafferty, vice president of Master Nursery Garden Centers, has been appointed to the position of interim CEO. Bill Jameson, president and CEO since 2004, is vacating the position to pursue other interests. Read more>

Hot Products

Coral Reef Dianthus
PlantHaven introduces Dianthus Coral Reef, a new Scent First® Pot selection from Whetman® Pinks, the UK’s leading breeder and propagator of award winning, perfumed Dianthus. Coral Reef has a gorgeous mass of spicy fragrant, deep coral flowers with white picotee on short, sturdy stems. The Scent First® series produce fragrant, bushy, prolific, perpetually flowering plants. The glaucous foliage forms a unique, compact habit with a height and spread of 8 to 10 inches. No vernalization is required for blooming. Dianthus Coral Reef is ideally suited for containers, borders, mass landscape planting or cut flowers. Read more>

Grading plane
Earth & Turf Products offers its grading plane for small tractors, featuring 60-inch grading width; 280-pound weight for compatibility with small compacts (35 hp and under); dual, angled-blade design for smooth leveling; bolt-on, reversible cutting edges for long service life; and a category I three-point hitch. Read more>

Extendable arm option
Bobcat introduces an extendable arm option for the M-Series E55 compact excavator, providing an additional 30 inches of reach when fully extended. The arm is operated by a rocker-style thumb switch located on the joystick; it offers a hydraulic clamp capability and a unique retention pin that holds the arm in the retracted position, allowing use of up to 16 different attachments. Read more>

Broad spectrum herbicide
BioSafe Systems introduces AXXE Broad Spectrum Herbicide, formulated as an herbicidal soap utilizing ammonium nonanoate. AXXE is formulated as a liquid concentrate that is mixed with water and is powerful, effective and economical for control of annual and perennial broadleaf weeds, as well as mosses, liverworts and lichens. Made of natural fatty acids, AXXE works by removing, or “burning,” the waxy cuticle of green vegetation, and will not move through soil to injure nearby plants. AXXE works within hours of application, produces no residue, and is available in commercial and retail formulations in 5-, 30-, 55- and 275-gallon sizes. Read more>

Algicide/fungicide
Also available from BioSafe Systems is the new and improved ZeroTol 2.0 algicide/fungicide. New labeling provides an updated active ingredient statement, an increased number of controlled pathogens, and new labeling instructions for the treatment of artificial turf. ZeroTol 2.0 is used to treat and control plant pathogens on ornamental plants and turf; the product’s active ingredients include 27% hydrogen peroxide and 2% peroxyacetic acid. Due to its fast acting oxidation process, mutational resistance of harmful organisms is not possible. ZeroTol 2.0 is available in 2.5-, 30-, 55- and 275-gallon sizes. Read more>

Finally: We start ’em young!