President s Message. Next Meeting Information. DC Branch, Inc. Spring is here!

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1 Vol. XXVII, No. 11 May 2014 DC Branch, Inc. The mission of the PGMS D.C. Branch is to foster integrity and excellence in grounds management by promoting professional development through education programs, networking, community service, and fellowship. President: Eric Wenger Complete Plant Health Care, Inc. Vice President: Christopher Erb Complete Plant Health Care, Inc. Treasurer: Doug McDaniel Grounds Management & Landscaping, Inc. Secretary: Joshua Nadler Bartlett Tree Experts Chair: Adam Newhart City of Gaithersburg At Large: Amanda Lee Laudwein University of Maryland Extension Ken Ingram University of Maryland Marie Rojas Borders and Butterflies, Inc. Term Expires 2014 Mark Scafide City of Gaithersburg Shawn Siefers The Care of Trees Term Expires 2014 Newsletter Editor: Michael Gildea Chevy Chase Club President s Message Spring is here! How can we tell? Because the phone is ringing, the inboxes are overflowing and everyone seems to have a severe case of Spring Fever! Those of us in the Green Industry are really just Suburban Farmers, growing and maintaining crops for our clients, so let s make hay while the sun is shining. Special thanks to our sponsors, Grounds Management Inc., Fountainhead Irrigation, Chesapeake Valley Seed and Horticultural Alliance, Kurt Nilsson and Amanda Laudwein for last month s meeting, their efforts, along with the caterer from Catholic University provided us with a great dinner and refreshments. Chris Vetick and the grounds crews at Catholic University are making hay for the staff, students, and guests that live work and visit their 180 acre campus in Northeast Washington DC. (continued on page 2) Next Meeting Information Meeting: Thursday, May 1, 2014 at 6:00 PM Location: Casey Trees Host: Sue Erhardt Sponsor: Casey Trees Meeting will feature a tour of the headquarters and a presentation on their tree nursery. Please RSVP through the following link: Casey Tree RSVP for PGMS DC Branch May 2014 Meeting Map on Page 6. Page 1

2 President s Message, continued President s Message, continued Despite the long winter and many challenges, the grounds at Catholic University looked great for our visit and tour on April 3 rd. Chris and crew are taking a progressive approach to grounds maintenance, using green and environmentally sensitive technologies from lighting and pervious surfaces to reducing traditional pesticides and fertilizers. It is obviously working because everything looked great. It was also great to learn from Stephanie Juchs of Casey Trees of the partnership between Catholic University and Casey Trees. This was so appropriate as the next DC Branch meeting will be at Casey Trees on May 1 st, 2014 at 6PM, how fitting. Be sure to RSVP early for this meeting. Also of note, we learned that a DC Branch member has attained Certified Grounds Manager status. Congratulations to Jonathan Kavalier, a Horticultural Supervisor at the Smithsonian, on becoming the 152 nd CGM in the Country. The next DC Branch Board of Directors meeting will be held on April 17 th, at 6PM. Please let us know if you would like to attend. Now let s go make hay and have a great spring! Page 2

3 PGMS DC Branch News The DC Branch-PGMS is pleased to announce that Jonathan Kavalier is the 152nd professional to successfully become a Certified Grounds Manager (CGM). The Certified Grounds Manager program, developed and offered by the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS), is the premiere program of its type in the Green Industry. Jonathan has been with Smithsonian Gardens since 2008 and currently serves as a Supervisory Horticulturist for over 180 acres of public gardens and landscaped grounds surrounding 14 museums in the Washington, DC area and 3 major support facilities in Suitland, MD. His responsibilities include the oversight of seasonal plantings, shrubs and perennial borders; installation of trees; snow removal; the procurement of supplies and equipment; educational outreach; the oversight of contracted operations: and the coordination of GMO activities with other Smithsonian offices/museums staff for scheduling and planning purposes. Job Opening: HORTICULTURE CREW LEADER & CREW MEMBER NEEDED FOR FINE GARDENING COMPANY Gardens Remembered, LLC is a small, detail oriented gardening service catering to fine residential gardens in the Washington, DC Metro Area. Specializing in extensive horticultural care for elite clients, areas of work include, but are not limited to: Pruning Aesthetic & Structural Design & Installation of Annuals & Perennials General Garden Maintenance Mowing Leaf & Debris Blowing/Removal Event Garden Staging Snow Removal Snow Blower & Shoveling Holiday Lighting Many of our jobs are referred to us by Landscape Architects & Designers, and require a more thorough approach to their gardening needs not found with traditional landscape maintenance firms. Our goal always remains in bringing clients gardens to a higher level. Currently, we are seeking (2) applicants to join our team. One position will require a working knowledge of fine detailed pruning with an emphasis in overall fine garden care. The other position is an entry level position, but will require a strong desire to learn fine gardening. Applicants must be able to work at least 3 full days per week in all types of weather, speak fluent English, and be able to lift and carry heavy items. Crew Leader requires an educational background in horticulture whether completed or in the process of completing. Crew Member is an entry level position and requires a true desire to learn proper gardening techniques. We offer a competitive pay rate and are willing to work with your school scheduling. If this type of work interests you, please your resume with cover letter to: Gabrielle Dandy-Horn, Business Manager, Gardens Remembered, LLC Gardens_Remembered@comcast.net. Phone Calls will not be accepted. Have something you want to announce to fellow PGMS DC Branch members? Have a special remembrance of one of our past meetings? How about a special picture? We d love to share through our monthly newsletter for you! Contact our Editor, Michael Gildea (mikeg@chevychaseclub.org)

4 Upcoming DC Branch Meeting Sites & Programs June 5, 2014 Virginia Theological Seminary Program: TBD Site Contact: Steve Slominski Sponsor: NEEDED July 17, 2014 American University (Washington, DC) Program: Field Day, Trade Show, and Seminar Site Contact: Mark Feist and Stephanie Destefano August 7, 2014 Olney Garden Center (Silver Spring, Maryland) Program: TBD Site Contact: Bill Harris Sponsor: NEEDED September 4, 2014 Ruppert Nursery Program: TBD Site Contact: Adam Tankersely Sponsor: NEEDED October 2, 2014 University of Maryland, Turfgrass Research Center Program: Site Tour/Talk Site Contact: Ken Ingram Sponsor: NEEDED November 6, 2014 Gaithersburg Equipment (Maryland) Program: Site Tour/Talk and Elections Site Contact: Jimmy Jacobs Sponsor: NEEDED Page 4

5 Sponsors and Educational/Training Opportunities Educational & Employee Training Opportunities Spring Landscaping Classes at Montgomery College Starting January 27 th Do you-- Want to learn about designing gardens & landscapes with digital tools? Want to incorporate more native plants in your business or home landscape? Want to learn the newest techniques for plant propagation like hydroponics and tissue culture? Want to learn how to identify and select the best trees, shrubs, and ground covers for good results? Express Certification Your FAST track to legal pesticide application. Online Training at your convenience! Take the exams in as little as two or three months. Approved for Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. (See website for details Contact: David Jefferson If any of these want to s is on your list for 2014, the Montgomery College Landscape Technology program is offering great classes to help you meet your goals and 3 class locations to make learning more convenient! Classes are offered at the Germantown and Takoma Park Campuses and at the Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood. For further information contact: Steve Dubik, steve.dubik@montgomerycollege.edu Page 5

6 Upcoming Green Industry Events Green Industry Field Day July 17, 2014 American University, Washington, DC Details to follow in the next few months! PGMS Spring Regional Seminar and Site Visit August 4 and 5, 2014 Minneapolis, Minnesota For information, visit: PGMS School of Grounds Management Conference October 22-24, 2014 Louisville, Kentucky For information, visit: Page 5

7 Next PGMS DC Branch Meeting: Casey Trees WANT TO SAVE GAS? Or just like the company of a carpool? Contact Amanda Laudwein a week before the meeting to make arrangements: laudwein@umd.edu, or Directions to Casey Trees Location: Casey Trees th Street, NE Washington, DC Host: Sue Erhardt, Director of Education Sponsor: Casey Trees The meeting will feature a tour of the headquarters and a presentation on their tree nursery. The Metrorail station is Brookland-CUA (Red Line) which is a 10 minute walk. The Metrobus stop is near the intersection of 12th and Irving Street NE (served by the H8) or the Brookland-CUA Metro station (served by the H2, H4, H6, G8, R4 and 80). At their office, there is ample street parking and they accommodate bicycles on-site. Please remember to RSVP for the meeting at: Page 6

8 Visit and thank our sponsors listed here and throughout the newsletter! Contractor Yard for Rent Contractor Yard For Rent in Kensington, MD - 1 year Lease, up to 20,000 sq. ft. $3,000 monthly. John@johnshorblandscaping.com Flower Bulb displays for retail Garden Centers featuring: The Biltmore Estate horticultural collection pre-packaged and loose display boxes crates of tropical and holiday items Flower Bulbs for your Garden Designs and Greenhouse Operations Tulips Crocus Elephant Ears Daffodils Fritillaria Dahlias Hyacinth Cannas Lilies Alliums Callas bare-root perennials Netherland Bulb Co is one of the largest exporters of Dutch flower bulbs. Still family owned and operated on both sides of the ocean offering the highest quality bulbs at the most competitive prices. Your area representative is listed below: Don Tyson, Landscape Accounts dtyson@netherlandbulb.com Phone Fax Netherland Bulb Co., Inc PGMS DC Branch Virginia Cooperative Extension IPM Net DC Cooperative Extension Green Industry Seminar University of Maryland Extension

9 PGMS Event Candids Special thanks to The Catholic University of America for hosting our April Meeting Top: Chris Vetick, our meeting host, led a tour of the campus. The Basilica of the National Shrine to the Immaculate Conception is in the background. Left: Chris Vetick talking about the natural turf management program at Catholic University Bottom: Stephanie Juchs gave a presentation on the work Casey Tree has done in collaboration with Catholic University on the campus. Special thanks to Grounds Management; Fountainhead Irrigation; Chesapeake Valley Seed; and Horticultural Alliance for sponsoring the April Meeting Page 8

10 DC Branch, Inc. The mission of the PGMS D.C. Branch is to foster integrity and excellence in grounds management by promoting professional development through education programs, networking, community service, and fellowship. Professional Grounds Management Society DC Branch News 1708 Grandads Lane Silver Spring, MD

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