Rebecca Levers, a certified University of California naturalist, will speak on “High Fire Hazard Severity Zones Within Redlands City Limits and Wildfire Basics” when the Redlands Horticultural and Improvement Society meets 7 pm Thursday, Nov. 17, at Redlands Church of the Nazarene, 1307 E. Citrus Ave.

Levers will discuss fire hazard severity zones and defensible landscaping, and her presentation will include an evacuation exercise.

Levers, who grew up on a small farm in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, has long been interested in both cultivated crops and native plants.

After retirement, she returned to school and received a Bachelor of Science degree in earth and environmental sciences with an emphasis in hydrology, according to a news release.

She also completed Master Gardener training in 2014, is a member of the California Native Plant Society and volunteers at the UCR Botanic Garden.

Redlands Horticultural and Improvement Society programs are open to the public. For information, go to Redlandsgardenclub.com.

Jennifer Miree Cope announces the publication of a new article revealing her expert advice on creating a moss garden for professional landscapers.

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, UNITED STATES, Nov. 7, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ — Jennifer Miree Cope is announcing the publication of a new article for the Daily Sundial that advises home gardeners and professional landscapers to learn about the two different kinds of moss. These are prostrate and upright. While prostrate moss spreads outwards like a blanket, upright moss grows vertically. Both can be beautiful but function differently.

Prostrate moss can take on a significant amount of moisture and grows quickly. Upright moss also likes moisture; however, it needs dry periods to avoid rotting. Moss is a good choice for gardens because it is attractive, low-maintenance, and sustainable.

When it’s time to plant moss, there are some special considerations, according to Jennifer. Moss adapts best when it has plenty of contact with the soil.

She recommends removing grass entirely if you intend to replace it with moss. Prostrate moss will not be able to compete with grass or other plants for space. For integrated landscaping installations, add moss after including any other plants first.

Both prostrate and upright moss have different growing instructions. If you are going to plant prostrate moss, Miree Cope says to shred a large piece of moss into fragments. Scatter that in the desired area. By shredding it, you cause the moss to enter a growth stage. It will spread until it comes into contact with the other pieces of moss.

For upright moss, choose a structure to support it as it grows. Gardeners can use a tree, building, pole, or other items. Add several moss gatherings to the base of the structure, she says. Each piece will use the item chosen for structure along with other pieces of moss to grow upward.

Immediately after planting, mist both upright and prostrate moss with plenty of water. After that, continue watering to keep the moss moist. Eventually, growth patterns will emerge, and growers will need to adjust their watering patterns accordingly.

Once established, moss is relatively low maintenance. That’s in addition to its beauty and sustainability. Moss requires very little care, especially compared to other plants.

People who choose to grow prostrate moss must take care to provide adequate water. Additionally, they should keep the area free of fallen leaves, branches, and other debris. Weeds can also inhibit the growth and health of prostrate moss.

Maintaining upright moss is all about managing its growth pattern. If something blocks the path of upright moss, it may try to grow in another direction. These unpredictable patterns can cause it to detach from its structure. It needs a clear space for healthy, secure growth.

About Jennifer Miree Cope
Jennifer Miree Cope graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1985 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. However, today she is far more well-known for her talents as a landscape designer. This pairs well with her love of the outdoors. Jennifer can often be found hiking in the mountains of North Carolina.

She’s also deeply involved with charities and non-profit organizations, including the Susan G. Komen Foundation and The Children’s Fresh Air Farm.

Jessica Brown
Mercury News Media
+1 303-800-6186
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San Pedro’s Front Street connects to Harbor Boulevard at the Vincent Thomas Bridge, curves around Knoll Hill and ends at Pacific Avenue — but it isn’t much to look at.

The roadway features largely an industrial landscape, with views of the China Shipping Terminal and stacked shipping crates.

But the street is finally going to see a long-planned beautification effort get underway.

The Los Angeles harbor commission approved the contract for the $5.6 million project this week, and the work is expected to begin in mid-January. Over the course of about a year, the project will create a pathway with pedestrian lighting, landscaping and irrigation.

A long-awaited beautification and landscaping project on San Pedro’s industrialized Front Street is set to begin construction in January 2023. (Courtesy The Port of Los Angeles)

The project will construct a 22-foot-wide landscaped area with a multiuse path along the north side of Front Street, adjacent to the China Shipping Terminal, according to the board report description.

A landscaped gateway area will be constructed at the northeast corner of Front Street and Pacific Avenue.

The Griffith Company of Santa Fe Springs was selected as the qualifying bid.

“This project has been on the books for many years,” said Tony Gioiello, deputy executive director of Development at the Port of LA

The port was willing to provide renewed presentations for the area’s neighborhood councils if needed, Gioiello said.

“I get asked a lot about this in the community,” Commissioner Anthony Pirozzi said during the Thursday, Oct. 20, commission meeting.

The project will be coordinated with another in the same vicinity, a $70.5 million overhaul of the interchange that connects the Vincent Thomas Bridge, Front Street and Harbor Boulevard to the 110 Freeway.

That effort, slated to begin next summer, has been on the drawing board for years and is expected to bring some much-needed traffic flow relief at San Pedro’s northern waterfront.

The Los Angeles Department of Transportation is currently working to install underground cables for that separate interchange project.

The busy — and often confusing — interchange now sends cars and port trucks alike off the freeway to the Vincent Thomas Bridge toward Long Beach, but also onto Harbor Boulevard, bordering some of the busiest terminals in the Port of LA

in June, the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners accepted $41.22 million in grants from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the interchange project.

Engineers have also said that new project will help extend the life of the aging Vincent Thomas Bridge, which opened in 1963, as traffic is expected to continue increasing.

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A pair of brothers in business pleaded guilty Friday to charges related to doing more than $1 million in insurance premiums while enduring employees on city demolition and road repair work.

Nicholas and Vito Dragonetti, turned in by a tipster last year, underinsured their workers at Dragonetti Brothers Landscaping and DB Demolition to pad their profits, prosecutors said in announcing the settlement.

“Workers doing dangerous work should be afforded every possible protection, yet these city contractors misclassified their employees for financial gain,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “As a result they put their workers at risk.”

Company presidents Nicholas Dragonetti, 49, and his brother Vito, 53, each pleaded guilty to offering a false instrument for filing while both their companies admitted to insurance fraud between 2017 and 2019, authorities said.

The two residents of Bellmore, LI, agreed to pay $1.2 million in restitution to the New York State Insurance Fund. They were barred from city contracts for the next three years in the probe.

According to authorities, the pair classified 217 laborers, foremen and heavy-equipment operators as florists, salespeople and office workers. Authorities also said other workers listed in NYSIF paperwork as office workers were actually registered as commercial drivers with another agency.

Since 1998, the brothers landed more than 100 city contracts worth millions of dollars for jobs including sidewalk reconstruction and pedestrian ramp replacement, work requiring heavy machinery and demolition.

The charges were brought in September 2021 against the long-time contractors. The plea agreement places independent monitors in their businesses for the next three years and appoints a new managing director for the landscaping business, authorities said.

The ban on city contracts includes any other companies where the brothers hold more than 10% ownership.

The agreement “sends a clear message that companies cannot line their pockets at the expense of its employee,” said Bragg.

©2022 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Shasta College, in collaboration with the University of California Master Gardner program, will host a workshop Saturday on mitigating residential landscaping fire hazards.

The workshop will include information on new legislation, such as AB-38 and AB-3074, that targets defensible space around homes. This workshop is a free event and will be held at the Redding Shasta College Main Campus in room 802 9 am to noon Saturday, Oct. 8th.

The workshop will include speakers from Cal Fire, Shasta College Horticulture, the insurance industry and the University of California’s Forestry and Natural Resources division. Presentations will cover aesthetically pleasing landscaping and gardening techniques, which comply with new fire-safety regulations and drought restrictions on irrigation.

For questions regarding the event, call Leimone Waite at (530) 242-2210 or write to lwaite@shastacollege.edu.

This event is sponsored by Shasta Master Gardeners, Shasta County Cooperative Extension, Bella Vista Water District and Shasta College.

Naturalistic landscaping revised

Published 12:12 pm Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Max Phelps does a fine job explaining naturalistic landscaping (Tryon Daily Bulletin September 28, 2022).

His blueprint is the natural setting. It is made up of native vegetation starting with mature trees as backdrop forming a canopy under which small trees and shrubs can flourish. Flowers, annuals and perennials as well as grasses and groundcovers make up the bottom layer of this landscape.

He recommends looking to nature for design ideas that will achieve this layered look. The first step is to evaluate what is already established. Phelps then recommends choosing some native trees suitable for your area and conditions but hedges his bets with “carefully selected exotic and non-native trees” as possibilities. The emphasis should be on “carefully selected.”Here his choice includes buckthorn which is one of the plants that is listed as invasive in the Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests, a publication of the US Department of Agriculture and Forest Service.

Lately much research and attention has been focused on the demise of butterflies and our native and honey bee populations. I would have liked to see more pollinator plants included in the list of perennial flowers. However I realize this is not the space for an exhaustive list and no harm is done.

Where I take great exception and feel the need to speak out are the recommendations Phelps makes for the ground cover layer. Ivy and I assume it is English ivy, vinca, wintercreeper and liriope are all listed in the Field Guide and identified as invasive and to be avoided. If anyone is interested in planting ivy, vinca or wintercreeper I would pay you to dig it up in our woods where I am battling the generous gift the previous owner bestowed upon us. Concerning wintercreeper, the Missouri Department of Conservation says “It climbs on just about anything that holds still long enough.” We already have Kudzu and English ivy doing that job.

As far as the pachysandra goes it too can be invasive, luckily we have a native alternative, Allegheny spurge (Pachysandra procumbens). We also have the option to plant the beautiful native Muhly grass, why would anyone want to choose Japanese forest grass instead.

The point is, we all need to do our own research. Professional landscapers, garden centers and nurseries are serving their customers and will provide what sells. Asking the right questions is a first step towards a beautiful and I might add sustainable landscape. Inviting invasive exotics is a sure recipe for disaster and an environmental nightmare, none more obvious than the kudzu that covers much of Polk County.

As Phelps states, living with nature has many benefits for people, trees, bees, birds and butterflies. What he is missing is the importance of making sure we provide the right living conditions, a habitat where invasive exotics will not out-compete our incredible diverse native plant communities and the creatures dependent on it.

Submitted by Christel Walter, Mill Spring

KINGSTON, NY — A community design meeting to get input on a landscaping design plan for a greenspace at the intersection of Broadway and Prince Street in Midtown will take place Monday, Oct. 3.

The meeting will be from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County, 507 Broadway, near the project site.

In collaboration with the Kingston YMCA Farm Project youth-led design team, the community design charrette will include a short presentation and interactive workshop with the goal of collecting community input for ideas for the greenspace at the intersection of Broadway and Prince Street, according to a press release from the city. KaN Landscape Design has been contracted by the city to develop the landscape plans, which will serve as a blueprint for creating an attractive, inviting public space at a crucial juncture of the Kingston Greenline in Midtown, the release said.

The design is expected to be completed by late spring 2023, the release said.

In addition to the community design charrette, KaN will host an on-site visit from 2 to 6:30 pm on Wednesday, Sept. 28, with DRAW and MAD The firm has also launched a public survey available online at https://bit .ly/3UDmw2l. More information about the project is also available on the website.

The project is managed by the city’s Department of Health & Wellness and is funded by the Creating Healthy Schools and Communities grant project through the state Department of Health, as well as federal American Rescue Plan Act funding.

The intersection of Broadway, Grand Street, and Pine Grove Avenue was realigned last year to eliminate a slight turn that motorists had to make when crossing Broadway from either of the intersecting roads. The realignment project required the city to demolish the former Planet Wings restaurant building on Broadway, which was the site of the former Kingston post office. Two small greenspaces were created as part of the realignment project.

‘Landscaping, floriculture has potential in Sabah’

Published on: Sunday, September 04, 2022

By: Bernama

TextSize:

TENOME: The landscaping and floriculture industry has the potential to be developed in Sabah based on the discouraging demand as the state imported 156.93 tons of fresh flowers valued at RM4.9 million last year, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Hajiji said the development of the industry can lower total imports of fresh flowers in the future and help improve the local community’s economy. He said this when officiating at the 2022 Flower Festival at Sabah Agriculture Park here today.

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“This Flower Festival can be a platform for floriculture and landscaping entrepreneurs to share information and experience and carry out business matching to develop the floriculture industry in this state. I also hope that this Flower Festival will be able to foster a sense of love for the beauty of flora as well as landscaping activities that are beneficial to the community,” he said.

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He said the Flower Festival should be held every year as it can draw more tourists to visit Sabah’s interior, especially the Tenom district.

healthy grass and soil.

Our landscapes provide us with beautiful surroundings, natural cooling, and the cleansing of our environment. Nearly 65% ​​of the annual culinary water consumption in Utah is applied to landscapes. Unfortunately, many landscapes are over-irrigated, wasting precious water.

Keeping water-wise landscaping principles in mind as we design, install, and manage our landscapes can help conserve a great deal of water. Though the heat of the summer is not the best time to install and irrigate new landscape plants, it is a good time to make plans for the fall when temperatures cool and less water is needed for irrigation. Consider these principles from the USU Extension Center for Water-Efficient Landscaping.

1. Planning and design. Develop a landscape plan, paying attention to sun, shade, soil conditions, slope, etc., then determine where plants should be placed for both function and aesthetics. For example, deciduous trees can be planted to increase summer shade as well as winter sun.
2. Soil preparation. Proper soil preparation improves plant water use efficiency in the future. Consider soil texture, structure, organic matter content, nutrient status, and pH when choosing plants. Soil can be tested at the Utah State University Soil Testing Laboratory.
3. Plant selection. Choose plants for the size and function of the area. Consider irrigation requirements, adaptability, bloom-time offsetting, mature plant size, and climate hardiness zones.
4. Practical turf areas. Plant grasses where they are functional. Choose species and varieties with lower water requirements and mow to a height of 2 ½ or 3 inches for deeper rooting. Properly fertilize to improve drought tolerance and recovery, and don’t gather grass clippings when mowing.
5. mulch Cover bare soil with mulch to prevent crusting, compaction, and evaporation of moisture. Organic mulches include wood or bark chips, nut shells, pine needles, etc. Inorganic options include gravel or crushed stone, lava rock, and cobblestones.
6. Efficient irrigation. Hydrozone or group plants with similar water requirements in the same irrigation zone(s). Use drip irrigation systems to apply water directly to plant roots. Water trees and shrubs less frequently than grass areas, but for longer periods of time.
7. Landscape maintenance. Control weeds, fertilize regularly, and control plant growth through pruning. Also monitor for and control damaging diseases and pests. Visit Utah Pests for tips.

For further landscaping tips, visit seven principles for water-wise landscaping.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – By this fall, the construction rubble that now represents Front Street downtown should be all but gone to make way for trees, boxwood, decorative grass and other landscaping, officials say.

The city’s Design Review Committee approved the proposed landscaping plan for Front Street, which is being rebuilt as part of the $27.65 million Strategic & Sustainable, Medical & Manufacturing, Academic & Arts, Residential & Recreational, Technology & Training – or Smart2 – Network project.

The committee, which met Tuesday morning, also approved designs for three other downtown area projects, in some cases with conditions.

The redesign of Front Street from South Avenue to Vindicator Square involves shrinking the downtown street from five lanes to one lane each for westbound and westbound traffic plus a turn lane.

Elements of the new streetscape will include planting of Princeton elm, honey locust and ivory silk trees, as well as boxwoods, feather reed grass and irises among other plants. In addition, there will be new planters, garbage cans and a freestanding bicycle air kit, with tools for cyclists to use to make repairs.

The selected plants are similar to those on Phelps Street, Joe Banner, project manager with Marucci & Gaffney Excavating Co., Youngstown, said. The goal is to try to get most of the landscaping done this fall, if possible.

“Trees are time sensitive,” he said. Perennials likely will be planted in the spring.

The other three projects the committee considered involved building additions.

Jim Sansabrino, project manager with ChangeUp Inc., Dayton, presented a request to replace the existing single-pane aluminum storefront of the JPMorgan Chase branch, 47 E. Federal Plaza, in Realty Tower, with a double-pane aluminum storefront. The building is owned by GreenHeart Companies Inc., Boardman.

The branch is “having climate issues” with the existing storefront, Sansabrino said. His company is in the process of bidding materials for the work but the contractor “would like to start as soon as possible,” he said. Late August likely would be the earliest work would begin at the bank branch.

Charles Shasho, Youngstown deputy director of public works, advised Sansabrino there could be issues related to upcoming downtown construction work as well as the Greater Youngstown Italian Fest, which is scheduled for Aug. 5 to 7.

Requests to install an accessibility ramp at Victorian Players Inc’s’ Hopewell Theater and to change two signs on the former Silver’s Vogue Shop building downtown were also approved, but in both cases committee members wanted more information.

The building will retain the Silver’s name on the 27 W. Federal St. storefront but two smaller signs facing West Federal and South Phelps streets would be replaced with black aluminum signs with white vinyl lettering that reads “Retail Galleria.”

Lori Bowser, representing FastSigns in Boardman, said she did not have an opening date for the galleria. The building is owned by QuickMed Urgent Care, Liberty Township.

Hunter Morrison, an urban planning consultant for the city who is chairman of the committee, echoed the sentiment of other members who wanted to see a more comprehensive plan for the building’s exterior.

The theater, 702 Mahoning Ave., earlier had sought approval for a small addition to the building to provide improved access but cost estimates put the project “just way out of budget,” Kevin Willis, principal at Strollo Architects, Youngstown, said. The ramp is being designed to accommodate the addition of the theater moves forward with it for additional restrooms.

Members of the committee, who wanted to see how the ramp would tie to the sidewalk and parking lot, approved the ramp with the understanding that an overall site plan would be forthcoming.

Copyright 2022 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.