LVN News

Loma Vista Nursery announces the passing of Art Follett, longtime trusted friend, devoted family member and employee.  Art started working at Loma Vista Nursery in 1991 and quickly excelled in sales.  Art's passion and work ethic were two of his strongest qualities and these traits helped propel the nursery into what it is today.  Art was the face of the company for so many years and was always talking and listening to what was going on, even in his last days.  He loved his family, customers, employees and fellow nurserymen.  Art is survived by his wife of 25 years, Leanne; daughter, Alex; parents, Bud and Dorothy; and sibling, Roger.  There was a celebration of Art's life on July 4, at the Follett residence in Spring Hill, Kansas.  Art's family and the Loma Vista family appreciates the prayers and support.

ORNAMENTALS
Outside Plants May Need to be Watered by Ward Upham, K State

As we mentioned in an earlier newsletter, waterlogged soils push oxygen out of the soil that roots need to survive. Every living cell in a plant must have oxygen or it dies. Numerous parts of Kansas have had such a wet winter and spring that plants are entering the summer with weakened root systems. Therefore, even in areas with good subsoil moisture, plants may need additional water until the root system recovers to prevent leaf scorching and/or excessive leaf drop. This will be especially important for trees and shrubs that have been planted in the last few years.

Newly transplanted trees need at least 10 gallons of water per week, and on sandy soils they will need that much applied twice a week. The secret is getting that water to soak deeply into the soil, so it evaporates more slowly and is available longer to the tree's roots. One way to do this is to punch a small hole in the side of a 5-gallon bucket and fill it with water. Let the water dribble out slowly next to the tree. Refill the bucket once, and you have applied 10 gallons. Very large transplanted trees and trees that were transplanted 2 to 3 years ago will require more water.

A perforated soaker hose is a great way to water larger trees, a newly established bed or a foundation planting. In sun-baked soil, you may need to rough up the surface with a hoe or tiller to get the water to infiltrate easily. It may be helpful to set the kitchen oven timer, so you remember to move the hose or shut off the faucet. If you are seeing surface runoff, reduce the flow, or build a berm with at least a 4-foot diameter around the base of small trees to allow the water to percolate down through the soil, instead of spreading out.

Regardless of method used, soil should be wet at least 12 inches deep.

Use a metal rod, wooden dowel, electric fence post or something similar to check depth. Dry soil is much harder to push through than wet. Water established trees once every two weeks if rainfall is insufficient. (WU)

A Commitment to Green

“A few years ago, we realized the need to do everything we could to keep nursery plastic and containers from ending up in the landfill and Loma Vista Nursery has invested in this effort.”  Mark Clear, President

Loma Vista Nursery’s container recycling program was recently featured in NM Pro! “The Green Industry Lives up to its Name” tells of Loma Vista’s commitment to keeping nursery plastic out of the landfills. 

Loma Vista Nursery provides a convenient drop off location at their Landscape Distribution Center in Olathe, Kansas.  With support of the recycling program by Kansas City’s landscape companies, in 2009:

• Almost 70,000 containers were reclaimed for use.
• Six semi-loads of nursery plastic were recycled.

Investment in equipment by Loma Vista Nursery in 2010 now allows excess nursery plastic to be baled and shipped efficiently for recycling. 

Loma Vista Nursery has been growing quality nursery stock since 1991.