In this issue:
  • A Perennial Party!
  • Five Tips for Overwintering Grasses
  • Updates on the Gravel Garden
  • Get to Know Our New Operations Manager
  • Doubling Propagation Space to Meet Demand
  • NCNLA Member Spotlight: Hoffman Nursery
  • Better Knowledge of GI Can Help Promote Efforts
  • Green Roofs Make Solar Panels More Efficient
  • Farmers Restore Native Grasslands as Groundwater Disappears
  • Tips to Get the Plants You Need
  • Upcoming Events
A Perennial Party!
Last week, Hoffman Nursery and local partners hosted a "pop-up" event. We had a blast, and it was invigorating to see our colleagues in person. We followed local safety protocols so we could visit and protect everyone. And, wow—did we see some great plants!

Get a small slice of the fun in our video.

This event was part of the Perennial Plant Association (PPA)'s hybrid symposium. Big thanks to PPA and our partner hosts, Plantworks Nursery and Sarah P. Duke Gardens.
Techniques
Five Tips for Overwintering Containerized Grasses

Why overwinter grasses? You'll get a head start on spring sales and produce bigger, better-rooted plants. Revisit this post on overwintering grasses in container production.

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hoffmannursery.com
Update on the Gravel Garden
In April of this year, we shared an article from Dr. Jared Barnes, horticulture professor at Stephen F. Austin State University. He and his students planted a gravel garden. According to Barnes, they're using the science that weed management can be induced by increasing the stress of the site conditions and by lowering the level of nitrogen in the soil. And they're trying out perennials that they hope will grow well in the hot, humid conditions of the Southeast.

Dr. Barnes is using Facebook Live sessions to highlight the horticulture program. We're thrilled his first video begins with an update on the gravel garden (and its grasses)!

News from the Nursery
Get to Know Our New Operations Manager

This past June, we added Craig Reynolds as our Operations Manager. He and our team are making the nursery John and Jill Hoffman successfully built more robust for years to come. Find out more about his role and what he brings to the nursery!

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www.greenhousegrower.com
Doubling Propagation Space to Meet Demand

The international daily newsletter FloralDaily profiled Hoffman Nursery recently. They wrote about the value of grasses, the demand that drives us to expand, and the practices we're implementing to meet new challenges.

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www.floraldaily.com
NCNLA Member Spotlight:
Hoffman Nursery
The North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association profiles member companies, and Hoffman Nursery got the spotlight late this summer. In the profile, Senior Director of Sales and Operations David Hoffman tells how he got into the business, outlines a typical day at the nursery, and shares some of the issues we're concerned with at the nursery.

Going Green
Better Knowledge of Green Infrastructure Can Help Promote Efforts
A recent study of residents in Toronto and Philadelphia found that just over a quarter of them had hear the term "green infrastructure." That lack of awareness could make it more difficult to address climate change. Green infrastructure is a powerful tool for reducing the environmental impact of development and meeting the challenges of climate change. If residents aren't familiar with it, they're less likely to support green infrastructure projects and advocate for them in their neighborhoods.

You can help! Tell your customers and colleagues about the power of plants and the benefits of green infrastructure (GI). For more info on GI and resources you can share, check out our green infrastructure page.
Green Roofs Make Solar Panels More Efficient

A recent study found that a green roof improved solar panel performance by as much as 20% at peak times and by 3.6% over the length of the experiment. The solar panels worked better when they were not too hot, and plants kept them cooler.

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www.greenroofs.com
Farmers Restore Native Grasslands as Groundwater Disappears

As water becomes even more scarce, farmers in Texas and other nearby states are turning to native grasses. Turning cropland to grazing land and adding native grasses on crop edges are some of the alternatives they are trying.

Read more
apnews.com
Tips to Get the Plants You Need
In the wholesale trade, getting the plants you need when you need them can be challenging, especially in the current environment. Our Sales Team has a few tips to make sourcing grasses and sedges easier.

1. Design from Availability Rather than the Catalog.
Current availability is your best tool for knowing which plants to include in your planting plan. Our catalog (and website) helps you decide which plants are appropriate based on the site and cultural requirements. Availability is where “the rubber hits the road.” Current availability shows which plants are in stock and the forecast for when future crops will be ready.

If you see current or future crops listed within the timeframe of your project, then they’re good candidates for your plan. Even better: reserve them as soon as your selections are set. If a plant does not show current or future crops during your project timeframe, opt for a different selection that does.

Upcoming Events
October 11-13, 2021; Grand Rapids, MI
The AmericanHort Finished Plant Conference is the event to attend for finishing growers of bedding and potted flowering plants, indoor and outdoor perennials, and fast-turn flowering shrubs. With a grower-focused trade show and education for all expertise levels, you won’t want to miss out!

David Hoffman speaks on October 12th at 8-9 am on Get Your Grass Toolbox in Order. He will cover the essentials and share our experience growing grasses and sedges. Attendees will get the scoop on cultural practices, IPM, and production scheduling. David will dig into the differences in finishing cool-season grasses, warm-season grasses, and sedges. He'll also be joining the Grower-to-Grower Panel session focused on perennials on October 13th at 2:15pm. Please join David at the conference and finish your best crops ever!
Current Availability
Download Availability & Order Form
Includes liner prices, number of liners in stock, future availability, and order form. 
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