January 15, 2009
If it’s February, it must be time for the annual LO Growers Short Course. Held each winter, the Short Course offers an opportunity for nursery growers to network, share information and learn more about important issues affecting their operations.

This year’s Short Course takes place on February 11 at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton/Burlington. As always, the day concludes with the Growers’ Good Idea session.

In addition to the 18 speakers offering their expertise, Dr. Hannah Mathers of Ohio State University and the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre will present twice. She will speak about site preparation for field nurseries as well as sustainable nursery production.

Register online by February 5.

Short course speakers

Growers’ Summer Tour 2008
Jennifer Llewellyn, OMAFRA
 
A Digital Guide to Nursery Pests - Simplifying ID
Dave Cheung, University of Guelph
 
Site Preparation for Field Nurseries
Hannah Mathers, Ohio State University and Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
 
An OMAFRA Moment
Jennifer Llewellyn, OMAFRA
 
Sustainable Nursery Production
Hannah Mathers, Ohio State Univ.; Vineland Research and        Innovation Centre

Environmental Farm Plan: Opportunities for Nursery Growers
Margaret May, Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association
 
Tar Spot and Needlecast Disease Research
Tom Hsiang, University of Guelph
 
Managing Water with High Salts
Theo Blom, University of Guelph
 
Water Conservation and Treatment Technologies for Nurseries
Youbin Zheng, University of Guelph
 
Permit to Take Water
TBA, Ministry of the Environment
 
Great Lakes Water Quality and the Nursery
Donna Speranzini, OMAFRA
 
Rare Seed: A Developing Source from the U. of G. Arboretum
Sean Fox, University of Guelph Arboretum
 
Expanding Control Options for Growers
Nancy Cain, Cain Vegetation Inc.
 
Researching Native Perennials for Low Input Environments
Alan Sullivan, University of Guelph
 
Biopesticide Trials
Peter Isaacson, Canadian Nursery Landscape Association
 

Growers’ Good Idea Session

Automating Pot-in-Pot Installation
Jan Winkelmolen, Winkelmolen Nursery Ltd.
 
Air Root Pruning Container Trials
Melissa Spearing, Ground Covers Unlimited
 
Lake Sheridan and its Wetland
Pieter Joubert, Sheridan Nurseries
 
Co-op Students
Keith Osborne, Gro-Bark (Ontario) Ltd.
 
Deer Exclusion and High-End Wreaths
Tim Dyer, Kings Creek Trees
 
Trailer Watering System
David Braun, Braun Nursery Ltd.

This year’s short course sponsor is Gro-Bark. Register online at www.horttrades.com by Feb. 5 to take advantage of pre-registration fees: $65 per LO member, $75 for a potential member and $25 for a student. Onsite registration is $90.