LATEST NEWS

Learn from top experts at New England GROWS

BOSTON, Mass. – At the New England GROWS conference and trade show, Dec. 2-4 in Boston, landscape contractors, designers and architects will find inspiration, sharpen their skills and learn new techniques from top experts in their fields.

Nationally respected authors such as Michael Dirr, Rick Darke, Gordon Hayward and Page Dickey will share their secrets for creating beautiful, sustainable landscapes. Other seminars will address the latest developments in horticulture, soil science and hardscape. 

Landscape-related topics include:

• Planting choices for the living landscape

• Understanding the importance of soil pH

• Phyto landscapes: Using plants to clean up polluted water, soil & air

• New annuals & perennials for the New England landscape

• Stone in the garden

• New flowering trees & shrubs

• Self-seeding in the garden

• Snow & ice management: Contracts, litigation & liability

Fast-paced, 15-minute Sprint Sessions on the show floor are led by extension experts and address a range of practical topics, including:

• How to create & design pollinator habitats

• Invasive plants: Be on the lookout for these new invaders

• Using peonies in the landscape to conserve tiphia parasitoids of white grubs

• Managing emerald ash borer in the landscape

• Winter moth monitoring and control

Special expertise programs teach important skills for landscape professionals in the field:

• Essentials of plant ID 

• Electrical hazard awareness program 

• Massachusetts hoisting license recertification program 

A special program teaching the latest hardscape skills will take place in Arena West on the trade show floor. Back by popular demand, landscape construction students from the Thompson School at the University of New Hampshire will build a raised permeable paver patio during the show. The patio design includes some of the top outdoor living trends like a fire pit, water feature, low voltage lighting, pillar kits and sitting walls. Hardscape guru Bill Gardocki will highlight aspects of the build as it relates to installing hardscape projects per ICPI and NCMA industry approved specifications in informative 45-minute presentations throughout the day.

An ICPI advanced residential paver technician course will be offered at the show. This session will provide training in paver installations and covers the hottest topics in outdoor living space design such as multi-level and raised patios, outdoor fireplace and kitchen installation, pool deck construction and permeable interlocking concrete pavement. GROWS attendees can earn ICPI credentials and learn ways to improve installation efficiencies, as well as their bottom lines. 

New England GROWS has also expanded its programming with a seminar series designed for Spanish-speaking landscape professionals and those who work closely with them. Developed in collaboration with the National Hispanic Landscape Alliance (NHLA), the seminar program addresses a wide variety of business topics, including how to manage multi-cultural teams, customer service, and career development.

"Hispanic-American landscape professionals are a vibrant and influential segment of New England's green industry," said New England GROWS President, Rich Clark of Clark Farms in Wakefield, Rhode Island. "We're delighted to be partnering with the NHLA to offer programming that supports and enhances the career opportunities of Hispanic-Americans in the commercial horticulture industry."

Taught by NHLA instructors, the program includes the following sessions:

• Aumentando la Responsabilidad de su Equipo y sus Lideres (Increasing Crew & Crew Leader Accountability)

• Ganando la Confianza de Clientes Difíciles (Winning over Challenging Customers)

• El Ascenso en la Carrera Profesional, Dando el proximo paso (Moving Up the Career Ladder, Taking the Next Step)

• Understanding your Latino Workforce(in English)

The NHLA presenters are leaders in the landscape industry, including:

• José Arroyo, president, Jose's Landscaping, Greenville, SC, and secretary, National Hispanic Landscape Alliance

• Ralph Egües, managing partner, Cruz Fox, LLC, South Miami, FL, and executive director, National Hispanic Landscape Alliance

• Marisol Medrano Mejía, human resources director, CoCal Landscape, Denver, CO, and director, National Hispanic Landscape Alliance

• Juan Torres, chief operating officer, Denison Landscape, Fort Washington, MD, and president, National Hispanic Landscape Alliance

Attendee registration options start at just $29 for all three days of the conference, with early registrants realizing the most savings. Continuing Education Credits from a gamut of professional organizations are available at many sessions, including pesticide license recertification. For the complete agenda or to register, visit NewEnglandGROWS.org. To stay up to date with conference details, download the GROWS mobile app on iTunes or GooglePlay. 

A limited number of exhibit and sponsorship opportunities are still available. Interested industry vendors should contact Anne Franks vial email or (508) 653-3009.