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Lessons From a Trade Show

1/10/2016

Louise Clarke and I set out for MANTS (Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show) on January seventh in the wee hours of the morning. The event has been held in Baltimore for the last 35 years according to the organizers of MANTS and, it’s the largest Trade Show of its kind in the U. S. Usually the trade show conflicts into my class schedule at the university so I go infrequently – I haven’t been in several years. I was thrilled that I could see the latest and best plants and equipment and educate myself as I walked around the trade floor – talking with the exhibitors.

January seventh was ideal because the Garden Writers Association (GWA) that we both belong to was having a light breakfast and a meet and greet. We heard from several exhibitors that had unique products and we had a chance to mingle with friends and to hear about new happenings in the green industry – articles being written, new books being published and a plethora of other activities that GWA members are involved with.

I tried to register online before I left but I had missed the deadline. But, I was able to register for the trade show with ease and in a few minutes we were in.
Once on the trade floor, the first thing to catch my eye was the large potting machine – in its bright primary colors. (right) Ellis Products is known for its state-of-the-art equipment. Every large plant operation benefits from having a product like this to help increase productivity, create more consistent planting regimes and have overall consistency with size in the growing rows.

As we walked into the convention center we saw the tiered fountains with a display from Proven Winners. (see above)

Then I met Kate and Jenna (left), both from Longwood Gardens where I also teach – one is a former student and the other will be a student of mine in the near future. I was delighted to see them. Brian Trader, the head of domestic and international programs at Longwood Gardens brought a large group of interns to see the show. The Trade Show helps make the needed connections for future success in the industry.

I was on the lookout for products that I could talk about in classes this semester. I did find the perfect display that I would discuss in my Food Crops class – NON-

GMO seeds. There was one booth, Lake Valley Seed that prominently displayed a black and white label reading NON-GMO on their colorful seed banner.

I stopped to talk with the exhibitor and she said this is something that consumers need to be educated about. “Most people don’t know that majority of all packaged seed is NON-GMO because the mega corporations have no way of regulating consumer seed – but they can regulate large farming operations and the seed that they use for production. “ This is a topic that I am passionate about. I don’t want to be eating RoundUp® in my food just because it makes weed control easier for farmers. She was as passionate about the topic as I am.

I was thrilled when I ran across Pinelands Nursery booth (right). They had the perfect information that I can use for a class that I am developing for next fall – Native Plant Communities. They had amazing posters that they shared so that I could use them in my classroom at the university – the perfect educational tools. Of the 1,000 vendors most had educational information that enhanced their product lines. Pinelands Nursery was a stellar example of wanting to educate their clients.

Creek Hill Nursery had an aesthetically colorful and well-designed booth with plants grouped by type. The greenroof plant trays were impressive with succulents and other xeric plants. (above)

As a tree lover I found an amazing drum-rolled tree – an old technique used to

The new GWA booth was beautiful. (below) It was crisp and fresh looking with the organization’s new logo included. Gleaning new members was part of the promotion emphasized by GWA. Louise was working here with the new team from Kellen Management Group from New York. Becky Heath from Brent and Becky’s Bulbs and Kate Kopsey stopped by for the photo- op too!! Kate just completed writing The Downsized Veggie Garden published by St. Lynn’s Press. They had a colorful booth filled with all their latest garden books.

transplant balled and burlap (B&B) trees. (right) The tying method is a dying art and to see this amazing specimen tied so beautifully warranted a close-up photo. This method of B&B actually is better for the tree because the trees are hand-dug and the horticulturist digging the tree makes judgement calls that a tree spade can’t make. Trees are usually dug with a wider root ball and shallower

depth unlike the narrow and deep ball made by tree spades. The former provides a greater root system when transplanted over the tree spade dug specimens.

I also liked the recycled pallet containers with cascading grasses in them – a clever marketing scheme while also recycling. (below- left)

The new method for bareroot tree transport was evident in the Steve Myers and Son Nursery booth. (below- right) The trees are bagged to keep moisture in while being transported. They’re usually packed with nothing covering the root system. Bagging makes a happier tree.

Brotzman Nursery had an Ilex ‘Sparkleberry’ (Sparkleberry winterberry holly) trained into a small tree. (below- left) This was the first time that I ever saw someone do this with this cultivar before – I hope it catches on – filling the small tree niche.
Louise found exactly what she needs for her staff at Morris Arboretum’s Bloomfield

Farm – a giant tarp for leaves. (below- right) The Product Factory, maker of the Lawn Bagg® and the large Lawn Tarp had numerous products including a very large bag for composting leaves. The bags keep the landscape tidy looking while providing next year’s leaf mulch.

Louise liked Meehan’s Miniatures. (above)

I stood next to one of my favorite designs at the show – Ilex (winterberry holly) was

vibrant – eye candy for the show patrons. (above- right) The design was unique. If I was a bird, I wouldn’t want to leave the Foxborough Nursery booth. When we walked outside – getting ready to leave Baltimore, I could not help looking at the beautiful twilight as the buildings began to light up in the night sky. It was a perfect ending to an exciting and educational day. (below)