Environmental Horticulture

We are excited to announce a series of six 'Sustainable Landscape' workshops at the Landscape EXPO on October 12 and 13, 2011 at the Long Beach Convention Center. The series is co-sponsored by UC Cooperative Extension and the Landscape EXPO. Register for these workshops online at http://www.landscapeonline.com/research/article/14896and to get a free pass to the EXPO tradeshow, too!

Sign up for the Identification, Prevention, and Control of Abiotic Disorders in the Landscape taught by taught by Janet Hartin (Horticulturist, Univ. of CA Cooperative Extension) and learn how to identify common landscape symptoms from too much or too little water, light, or nitrogen, zinc, or iron and learn how to tell the difference between herbicide damage and that caused by soil compaction and poor drainage. Or, sign up for ABCs of Turf for a crash course in how to choose the best turf for your use and how to irrigate turf efficiently and in line with the new state water budget which restricts water use for large public and private landscapes.

Earn Dept. of Pesticide Regulation Hours, GCSAA Hours, Irrigation Association Credits, and Western Chapter of Arboriculture accreditation while you learn! If you have any problem registering online, please call Janet Hartin at 951.313.2023 or email her at jshartin@ucdavis.edu. See you in October!

Sustainable Landscape Workshops Schedule:

October 12 Program

9:00AM -10:30AM: Recommended Uses for Compost and Greenwaste in the Landscape (Bill Baker, William Baker and Associates)

Bill Baker is the owner of William Baker and Associates, a horticultural consulting and training company. He has served as project manager or administrator on three State-wide projects that focused on the development and utilization of composts. He is a certified arborist, a certified landscape irrigation auditor, a certified golf course superintendent, a California licensed pest control adviser (PCA), a qualified commercial applicator (QAL), and he holds a bachelor's degree in environmental studies. Bill serves as the consultant for all Green Industry programs at University of California Extension at Riverside and has taught several turfgrass and landscape classes. He has served as president of four industry-related associations and is a member of others. He has written articles for a number of green industry publications and regularly speaks at association meetings and conferences.

11:00am-12:30PM: Irrigation Scheduling to Promote Healthy

Landscapes and Reduce Water Waste (Dennis Pittenger, Univ. of CA Cooperative Extension)

Dennis Pittenger is a University of California Cooperative Extension Area Environmental Horticulturist in Southern California. He is a sought-after speaker and an experienced, nationally recognized expert in landscape water management, palm management, and care of woody landscape plants. He earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in Horticulture from The Ohio State University. Dennis has conducted many problem-solving field research studies related to these issues, including water needs studies on landscape plants and specimen palm transplanting. Dennis has authored numerous research articles and educational publications. He is the technical editor and co-author of the award-winning California Master Gardener Handbook, and he leads U. C. Cooperative Extension’s Web-based Center for Landscape and Urban Horticulture



1:00am-2:30pm: Identification, Prevention and Control of Abiotic Disorders in the Landscape (Janet Hartin, Univ. of CA Coop. Extension)

Janet Hartin is a nationally-recognized expert on sustainable landscape practices (irrigation and water management, greenwaste recycling and compost use, and integrated pest management stressing prevention) and has served as University of California Environmental Horticulturist for San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties since 1984. During her career, she has presented over 1,000 talks to both professional and consumer audiences. Janet earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in Horticulture from University of Minnesota. She is currently a Principal Investigator (with UC colleagues Loren Oki and Dave Fujino) on a $450,000 contract from the CA Dept. of Water Resources to monitor the performance of a wide array of ornamental trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and turfgrasses grown under various microclimates and irrigation regimes in various climate zones throughout the state. She recently authored a book entitled ‘Become a Landscape Company Owner’ and co-authored ‘Compost Use for Landscape and Environmental Enhancement’ with Dr. David Crohn http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/publications/organics/44207002.pdf (a free 92-page download) and routinely writes articles on sustainable landscaping principles and practices for industry publications. She currently serves as the Associate Editor for Environmental Horticulture for the University of California Division of Agriculture (ANR) and Natural Resources; serves on the statewide Master Gardener Steering Committee; serves on the UC ANR Peer Review Committee; and, is University of California Chairperson for the annual Turf and Landscape Institute.

October 13, 2011 Program

9:00-10:30am: Weed Identification and Control in the Landscape (Cheryl Wilen, Univ. of CA Coop. Extension)

As the integrated pest management (IPM) advisor for ornamentals in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties since 1995, Dr. Cheryl Wilen provides effective IPM strategies to farm advisors, governmental agencies, pest control advisors, and commercial growers and landscapers. Her research and extension program focus on 1) progressive integrated pest management techniques in ornamental crop production, landscapes, and turf; 2) IPM and water quality in urban environments; 3) evaluation and demonstration of least-toxic pest control systems; and 4) pesticide safety. Dr. Wilen is involved in UC workgroups, public service, and national and international scientific societies. She has been the co-chair for two statewide conferences (Pest Management in ANR and the California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers Research and Education Conference), co-chair of the Urban Systems review panel for the Exotic Pests grants, and chair of the Research Advisory Committee for the South Coast Research and Extension Center. In addition, she provides information and training to California policy makers regarding the use of pesticides and pest control.

11:00am-12:30pm: Prevention and Early Detection and Control of Plant Pathogens (Deborah Mathews, PhD, University of California, Riverside)



Dr. Deborah Mathews is a University of California Cooperative Extension Specialist on the Riverside campus who specializes in plant pathology with a focus on virus diseases. Currently her program deals mainly with ornamental plants, but she does some work with citrus, avocado and vegetable crops. As an Extension Specialist, part of her job is to perform information outreach to a variety of stakeholders in California, giving lectures on many aspects of plant pathology including general pathology, specific disease problems, new diseases, control and management. Dr. Mathews has 25 years of experience in plant pathology and is currently the only person specializing in virus diseases of ornamental plants in the state's UC Cooperative Extension system.

11:00-2:30pm : Success Stories: Sustainable Landscapes (peer to peer direct from your fellow landscapers and designers!)

Lawrence Ashcrow is holds a Bachelors of Landscape Architecture from Cal Poly, Pomona where his thesis project - a visionary solar-powered artist colony and constructed wetlands alongside the Los Angeles River - gained recognition in the Green Building council. The project was also entered into the United States Building Council’s contest, competing against architects and design teams from all over the world. Perhaps his highest honor yet, has been being selected by the horticultural faculty at his alma mater to design the grounds adjacent to the campus’ Farm Store. Lawrence has been a featured expert on HGTV, various radio shows, has delivered numerous speeches about sustainable landscaping to local gardening groups and botanical gardens. He volunteers for various organizations that promote local green community efforts, sustainable construction, and education. He also frequently works pro bono for many local schools and non profits, creating whimsical gardens for children and adults to learn more about gardening and nature.

Barbara Pond, owner of of Barbara Paul Landscape Design, has been developing sustainable landscapes for southern California landscapes and gardens since 1999. She studied Landscape Architecture at UC Irvine and UCLA and Horticulture at Orange Coast College. Barbara serves on the board of the Southern California Branch of the Mediterranean Garden Society. She is an active member of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers. She has twice been a featured Designer on HGTV's "Landscapers' Challenge" and is currently consulting with Long Beach Water Department customers who want to develop water-wise gardens. She is also teaching classes for the Long Beach Water Department focusing on water saving landscape design for the homeowner.