The Florida landscape industry is at a critical juncture where integrating innovative practices and sustainability is not just beneficial, but essential. This workshop focuses on equipping landscape professionals with KNOWLEDGE and tools to implement General Industry Best Management Practices (GI-BMP) and advanced water conservation methods. By embracing these practices, participants will learn how to reduce environmental impact, conserve water, and comply with local regulations while enhancing the health and aesthetics of landscapes. Whether it's tackling labor shortages or managing plant health more effectively, this workshop will provide actionable insights and solutions to help you elevate your business and contribute to a more sustainable Florida.
Date of Seminar: Tuesday, February 25th 2025
Time of Seminar: 7:45 AM - 3:45 PM (EST)
Venue Name: UF/IFAS Palm Beach Country
Venue Address: 559 N Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33415
Sponsored by
Additional Details:
- Light Breakfast + Lunch
- FDACS CEUs: Pending
- Free Event
- Parking Free - Details to Follow
Registration
Agenda
7:45 – 8:15 AM Doors Open & Registration
8:15 – 8:30 AM Welcome & Introductions
Jason Ellington, South Florida Territory Manager, Rainbow Ecoscience
8:30 – 9:30 AM Palm Planting: The First 45-Days are Critical
George Nottingham, Founder & Owner, Groundworks
When planting fully mature, field produced palms, during the first 45 days on site the installer & maintenance contractor collectively make choices that act to set their stage for total success, mediocrity or for failure with the palms. This discussion will highlight the state of co-dependence that exists between the installer and the maintenance contractor and will present certain functional absolutes that must be respected during that first 45 days to engender a reasonable chance of total success with the palms.
9:30 – 10:30 AM Palm Nutrition and Health After Installation
Dr. Mica McMillian, Palm Horticulture Specialist, Assistant Professor at University of Florida
This presentation will focus on nutrient deficiencies in palm trees and how to fertilize palms in different landscape scenarios. Attendees will learn to identify deficiencies and how to maximize fertilizer uptake in palm trees and the best management practices for palms in S. Florida. The most frequently asked questions of the palm professors will be discussed to provide insight into where to find the most relevant. Key Factors for Thriving Palms and Landscapes in South Florida information for palm issues. The goal of this presentation is to improve identification of common landscape palm issues, prevent the overapplication of fertilizers and improve resource utilization.
10:30 – 10:45AM BREAK
10:45 – 11:45AM [OUTDOOR] Guided Tour of Mounts Botanical Garden
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM Lunch
12:45 – 1:30 PM How To Utilize Plant Healthcare Tools in Landscape
Francisco Sicilia, Landscape Horticulture Specialist, Rainbow Ecoscience
Landscape maintenance operations are challenged by labor shortages, increasing client expectations, and finding new ways to create enhancement opportunities. Plant growth regulators are an innovative landscape management tool which reduces pruning, enhances plant aesthetics, and offers opportunities for enhancement sales. During this session we will discuss real life examples of plant growth regulator use in commercial landscapes. By the conclusion of this talk attendees will be familiar with where plant growth regulators can be used to save labor, improve plant health as an enhancement service, and how to educate property owners.
1:35 – 2:20 PM [OUTDOOR] Applying Best Management Practices for Shrub and Weeds - Observe & Discuss Actual Results
Francisco Sicilia, Landscape Horticulture Specialist, Rainbow Ecoscience
Plant Growth Regulation Technology – Attendees will see live examples of how PGRs enhance the health, beauty, and sustainability of our landscapes.
Innovative Herbicide Technology – Attendees will learn how to control weeds for long periods of time without the need for monthly herbicide use.
2:30 – 3:30 PM From Trees to Turf: Best Management Practices for Florida Landscapes
John Roberts, PH.D, Commercial Horticulture and Nursery Production, Extension Agent at University of Florida IFAS
This presentation will cover how basic landscape practices can greatly impact a plant’s life and duration in the landscape. Common bad practices will be covered in addition to preferential methods. This is a broadly encompassing presentation that will cover topics around IPM methods, trimming/pruning, irrigation, and soil/fertilizer considerations.
3:30 – 3:45 PM Raffle & Closing Remarks
