Cheryl R. Boyer

Nitrogen Immobilization in Plant Growth Substrates: Clean Chip Residual, Pine Bark, and Peatmoss

Rising costs of potting substrates have caused horticultural growers to search for alternative, lower-cost materials. Objectives of this study were to determine the extent of nitrogen immobilization and microbial respiration in a high wood-fiber content substrate, clean chip residual. Microbial activity and nitrogen availability of two screen sizes (0.95 cm and 0.48 cm) of clean chip residual were compared to control treatments of pine bark and peatmoss in a 60-day incubation experiment. Four rates (0, 1, 2, or 3 mg) of supplemental nitrogen were assessed. Peatmoss displayed little microbial respiration over the course of the study, regardless of nitrogen rate; followed by pine bark, 0.95 cm clean chip residual, and 0.48 cm clean chip residual. Respiration increased with increasing nitrogen. Total inorganic nitrogen (plant available nitrogen) was greatest with peatmoss; inorganic nitrogen in other treatments were similar at the 0, 1, and 2 mg supplemental nitrogen rates, while an increase occurred with the highest rate (3 mg). Clean chip residual and pine bark were similar in available nitrogen compared to peatmoss. This study suggests that nitrogen immobilization in substrates composed of clean chip residual is similar to pine bark and can be treated with similar fertilizer amendments during nursery production.

Marketing with More: An In-depth Look at Relationship Marketing with New Media in the Green Industry

Garden-center businesses have unique challenges related to the marketing of products. New and social media offer a way for garden-center operators to connect with customers and market products online in an effort to compete with box stores. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how some garden-center businesses use social media and email marketing to build relationships with customers. Findings from eight in-depth interviews indicate garden-center stakeholders believe they are practicing relationship marketing through their e-newsletter and Facebook accounts. However, strategic planning is limited to an e-newsletter, marketing efforts show characteristics of one-way communication, and strategic measurement is absent. Lack of measurement could hinder the formation of profitable relationships. Owners, employees, and customers place high importance on educational content shared via social networks, but view advertising through new media differently. It is recommended garden-center owners and employees implement relationship-marketing techniques based on strategic measurement and planning to produce loyal brand advocates.