Orange County Chapter • California Association of Nurseries & Garden Centers. • October 2006
Small Space Garden Railroading
by Victor Newlove
Don't miss this month's meeting! Our speaker, Victor Newlove, is the proud de-
signer, developer, and engineer of the Newlove and Pacific Railroad and he will
be sharing with us his expertise in garden railroading. Mr. Newlove, a native of
Southern California, is a graduate of Notre Dame with a degree in architecture.
He joined the firm of Armet Davis in 1963 and became a partner in 1972. Re-
printed here is the February 2006 article Victor wrote for Railroad magazine on
the creation of his backyard garden railroad...
I live in Southern California and have enjoyed large-scale trains since I first
saw them at a gift show in the 1970s. For years, our trains were set up inside
our house so that our three children could play with them. As the children grew
older, Carol, my wife, suggested that I set up temporary railroads in the backyard.
These would remain for a month or more, then we would take them down. Each
time the track configuration would change. I decided a number of years ago that I
would begin lobbying to have a permanent setup in the backyard. Persistence has
been my greatest ally.
(Continued on page 4)
When: Wednesday October 11, 2006
Where: Golden Dragon Restaurant, 2023 Harbor Blvd, Ste. A, Costa Mesa
Social: 6:30 p.m.
Dinner: 7:00 p.m.
Menu: An awesome selection of fabulous Chinese dishes chosen
especially for us by our friends at the Golden Dragon!
Cost: Only $20 with advance reservations, $25 at the door
1 CEU available for CCN Pros
Please RSVP to Three Star Nursery, 714-545-8449
by Monday October 9th.
Raffle donations are always appreciated!
http://www.occan.org
Orange County Chapter • California Association of Nurseries & Garden Centers. • October 2006
fficers
Chapter O irectors
d of D
and Boar
2006-200
7 Presidents Message
PRESIDENT
Welcome to Fall
H
Larry Baumgartner, CCNP
Home Depot, Lake Forest
SECRETARY opefully everyone had
Victoria Michaels, CCNP a great summer and
Victoria - Gardensmith you’re all looking forward to the fall
season.
TREASURER
Ted Mayeda As far as the chapter goes we had a
M & M Nursery wonderful summer, thanks to your
714.538.8042 support in our charity activities. First
our Golf Tournament was another
BULLETIN EDITOR success and the Plant Auction/Chili Cookoff was one of the best
Dave Lindsay ever. As I have mentioned in the past, if you have not participated
Hines Nurseries in either event, make sure to mark your calendar for next June &
August you’ll really enjoy it!!
STATE DIRECTOR
Macy Lindsay, ACCNP Our fall season will kick off with a bang on October 11th with Vic-
Hines Nurseries tor Newlove speaking on Small Space Gardening. We will be meet-
ing at one of our favorite restaurants, the Golden Dragon. Make
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR sure to rsvp as soon as you can. Many of our Board Members have
Victoria Michaels, CCNP heard Victor speak and have really enjoyed it. We feel this is a very
Victoria - Gardensmith important topic for today, since yards are reducing in size as the
price for lots goes up. So come and enjoy and get some helpful
hints.
CHAPTER DIRECTORS
Gary Hayakawa Lastly, we are only 2 months from our annual Christmas Party, so
Three Star Nursery mark December 6th on your calendar and we will give you all the
714.545.8449 details in next month’s newsletter.
Sharon Stolen
OC Cooperative Extension Larry Written contributions to our news-
letter are always welcome! Please
Larry Hashimura e-mail them to occangc@yahoo.
Hines Nurseries com or fax to 949.651.8977.
Bob Kahn
L&L
WEBMASTER
Dave Lindsay The Orange Blossom is published monthly by the Orange County Chapter of
949.929.5227 the CANGC, 17235 S. Newhope Street, Fountain Valley, California 92708.
http://www.occan.org First-Class postage is paid at Santa Ana, California. Subscriptions are avail-
able only to chapter members of the state association. Address all inquiries,
editorials, advertising and address changes to Orange Blossom, Editorial Of-
fice 17235 S. Newhope Street, Fountain Valley, California 92708
Orange County Chapter • California Association of Nurseries & Garden Centers. • October 2006
Grower Works - September 11, 2006 - Volume 46 Upcoming Events
Diaprepes Eradication to Start Department of Pesticide Regulation
(DPR) proposed the cancellation of October 7-8
In the coming weeks, the California nearly 100 pesticides because New Potting Shed Grand Opening
Department of Food and Agriculture registrants failed to provide data on Fullerton Arboretum
( C DF A) wi l l c o mme n c e a n volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 10AM - 4PM
eradication program for the Most registrants responded, and that 714-278-3579
http://arboretum.fullerton.edu/
Diaprepes Root Weevil in Southern list was whittled down to 15
California. The destructive plant pest products, including some labeled for
October 11
has been found in 10 locations in Los ornamentals, trees and shrubs. Some Chapter Meeting
Angeles, Orange and San Diego manufacturers did not submit VOC Victor on Small Scale Gardening
counties. The weevil is native to the information because the pesticides on Golden Dragon Costa Mesa
Caribbean, and is also found in the list may have been taken off the 6:30PM
Florida and Texas. CDFA has sent market, said Glenn Brank, DPR
out 1.7 million postcards targeted at spokesman. Some pesticides slated October 14
areas that the bug would most likely for cancellation in California are California Native & Fall Plant Sale
be found. Gowan Dimethoate E267, Fullerton Arboretum
Currently no production nursery falls Metasystox-R Spray Concentrate, 10AM - 4PM
within any of the 10 known infested Allityn, Diazinon ag500 and Stirrup 714-278-3579
sites. However, should a nursery be M. For more information, call (916) http://arboretum.fullerton.edu/
in a quarantine zone, the actions 445-4300.
necessary to ship plants could be October 21
very onerous due to the many and Following Up: CANERS-Funded 4th Annual Master Gardeners
varied life stages of the pest. CDFA Research Fall Gardening Seminar
is currently in the process of 8AM - 3PM
determining what actions would be Recently, the CANERS Foundation 714-708-1646
required of nurseries if found in a funded the research project titled http://www.uccemg.com/seminar/
quarantine zone. "Use of Light Spectrum Altering
Nurseries should be on the look out Shadecloth for Plant Growth October 21-22
for this serious pest. While no one Regulation of Six Woody Plant Annual Fall Plant Sale
wants to find it in their nursery, a Species." The project's objective was Quail Botanical Gardens
worse case for the shipping nursery to evaluate two colors of shadecloths 11AM - 4PM
and the rest of the industry would be for their ability to effect plant growth 714-278-3579
to have an inspector find it in a rates and plant shape and size. Click http://www.qbgardens.com/
nursery shipment. To learn more here..
about the Diaprepes Root Weevil, http://www .occan.org/images/ Have an event you’d like to
click here… LightSpectrumAlteringShadecloth.
publicize? Just let us know
http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ pdf
to learn more on the findings of and we’ll list it for you!
pdfs/Diaprepes.pdf
project leaders Thomas Chao and Don’t forget to check our website
California Could Cancel Pesticides Cheryl Wilen.
http://www.occan.org
Th i s s pr in g, the Ca l i fo r ni a for upcoming events, the site is
updated as we receive new
FREE CHAPTER DINNER information!
When you help us bring new members into the CANGC, we’ll buy your dinner!
It’s easy, just refer a local nursery or allied firm to join CANGC. Ask them to list
you as a sponsor and we’ll buy your dinner at the next regular chapter dinner.
For a membership application, or for any questions concerning CANGC, contact
any OC CANGC Board member or call CANGC direct: 800-748-6214
Orange County Chapter • California Association of Nurseries & Garden Centers. • October 2006
Small Space Gardening Railroads, continued...
(Continued from page 1) up with buildings and rolling stock. All
In Santa Monica, the standard lot sizes of these I gave to my son and two
are 50' x 150'. Therefore, the backyards grandchildren, who have also inherited
are smaller than what you would find the train bug. As expected, they now
in the Midwest or a more rural area. have a European layout installed in
Our backyard lies between the main their basement in New Hampshire.
house and a guest house and garage off I decided that I wanted a railroad that
the alley. We had planted this area with might have existed in the late 1940s or
grass. Four years ago, my persistence early 50s, so I bought a number of Piko
paid off. Carol and I decided that it kits that fit that time period. I also re-
would be nice if this entire area were to used several old Pola buildings that
be made into a patio, with one portion could be adapted to an American
dedicated to a garden railway. Victory the perimeter of the space. In addition, theme. The town and industry are al-
was mine! We use the patio as an ex- we added several ceramic sculptures by ways in a state of change. Whenever I
tension of the house for outdoor dining a local artist and a Bob Big Boy's replace a building or two I send them
and entertaining. The space is in con- statue, which we have owned for many to my son.
stant use all year, the weather being years. On the wall of the guest house
mild here, except during the rainy sea- we installed a 4'-high neon "N" from
son. an old Norm's restaurant sign.
The garden railway was started by first
sketching preliminary plans and then
laying out the track in the designated
space. With this, I could visualize
where the town, industry, and open ar-
eas might be planned. When the track
plan was finalized and installed, I ran
the trains around the track to determine
which portions needed to be raised and
leveled. I purchased rock ballast, in- Since I have no real sense for what
stalled the ballast after the track was types of plants were needed to comple-
laid, then leveled the track. For streets, ment my railway, I started to visit nurs-
Construction we used black sand that is sprayed with eries in the area. I experimented with
We started our project by removing charcoal fixative. Ceramic tiles that groundcovers, dwarf plants, and succu-
everything in the backyard except for resemble concrete sidewalks were used lents. My goal was to have real plants
the sycamore and palm trees. We also for building foundations. that look like small trees or old growth.
left the hedges and walls adjacent to Some of the plants I used were wooly
our neighbors. We then leveled the thyme for the groundcover, euphorbia
backyard into two tiers. Over decom- succulents, dwarf cypress and pines,
posed granite, we installed Arizona and fire stick pencil cactus. I used
sandstone pavers. For the garden rail- whatever would live and not take a lot
road, we left decomposed granite as a of care or water. Everything I did was
foundation for the tracks and placed an experiment, using as my palette
sunken boulders and river-rock dry plants, rocks, and whatever hardscapes
creeks for best effect. When it rains, came into my mind.
most of the moisture goes into the de- My intent was to create individual
composed granite, with excess run off scenes of everyday life. For example,
funneled to area drains. the gathering area in front of the
After the patio paving was completed, church has groups of people like you
we ordered colorful Asian pots in sev- The Railroad might find after a service. The gas sta-
eral sizes. These we arranged around I first had an entire European train set (Continued on page 5)
Orange County Chapter • California Association of Nurseries & Garden Centers. • October 2006
Small Space Gardening Railroads, continued... A Special Thanks To..
(Continued from page 4)
tion has a car that two attendants are
working on, like they used to do be- Plant list:
fore self-service stations became the The Newlove & Pacific Railroad
norm. Santa Monica, CA
USDA Hardiness Zones 9-10
Sunset Zones 23-24
Most plants are chosen for their
low-maintenance and low-water
needs, and purchased with a
sense of adventure in mind. The Every year David Bergman, President of
entire railroad is hand-watered Mobile Fire Extinguishers, Inc.,
once a week. Tracks are kept generously provides the fire extinguishers
The Future clear of creeping groundcovers for our annual Charity Chili Cookoff/
Now my ambitions turn to phase two with regular trimming using a Plant Auction at the Orange County
of my master plan, a feat not short of string trimmer, and the trees are Fairgrounds. In appreciation of his
crossing the Great Divide: the con- trimmed periodically to keep them generosity the chapter would like to
quest of the rest of the backyard. small. publicly recognize David and thank him
Carol, my wife of 41 years, has gener- again for his support of this worthwhile
ously deeded me a small section of the CONIFERS event. Thank you David!
yard for my train and village when we Andy dwarf white cedar
redid the landscaping. My plan for Chamaecyparis thyoides
Next time you need any type of Fire
phase two is to send her to relatives 'Andeleyensis'
Extinguisher service please call Mobile
for a visit in the east. Then the land Fire Extinguisher, Inc. at 800-747-8467.
grab begins, as I expand westward and Japanese Garden Juniper
http://www.mobilefire.net
build the track around the rest of the Juniperus procumbens 'Nana'
backyard. I am hopeful that it will be a
pleasant surprise, but I am fully aware SUCCULENTS
of my wife's power of eminent do- Fire sticks/pencil cactus
Euphorbia tirucalli
Flower dust plant
Kalanchoe pumilla
PERENNIALS & GROUNDCOVERS
Lemon thyme
Thymus x citroides
This year the chapter will donate the
proceeds from the Annual Charity Plant
Wooly thyme
Thymus pseudolanuginosus Auction & Chili Cookoff to the following
recipients…
Creeping thyme Ronald MacDonald House
Thymus serpyllum UCCE Master Gardeners
main. Wish me luck as I cross the CANERS Foundation
Great Divide. Sherman Library & Gardens
Fullerton Arboretum
Originally published in Garden Railways, Centennial Farms
2/06 Orange County 4-H
Blind Children's Center
Orange County Chapter • California Association of Nurseries & Garden Centers. • October 2006
Images from the Garden Market Expo
Some of the Raffle Prizes
Orange County Chapter • California Association of Nurseries & Garden Centers. • October 2006
Images from the Garden Market Expo
Orange County Chapter • California Association of Nurseries & Garden Centers. • October 2006
10 Future Trends In Gardening & Garden Retailing
I
become involved in this process, and
4. Drama - Bold foliage up higher, that retailers and growers could play a
had the pleasure of attending the even up to eye level, bold colors in major part, as well.
Perennial Production Conference your face, hanging down, dramatic
in Indianapolis this week, and of combinations, color and texture are 10. Fun - "Plants make people smile,
sitting in on several of American some of the buzzwords that Warner laugh and feel good," Warner notes. "I
Horticultural Society director Katy cites as coming from leading industry don't know what it is, but it's true." She
Moss Warner's presentations, one solo sources. tells a story about a survey done when
and one part of a panel discussion on she worked at Disney, in which the
trends, both of which were extremely 5. Technology - At the beginning of landscaping was cited as the number one
informative and containing much that her talk, Warner pointed out that the factor for people's positive impression of
was worthy of passing on. time between the Wright Brothers' the "atmosphere" of Disney World.
first flight and the first Space Shuttle
Top 10 Trends (from Katy Moss flight was only 67 years. "Technology -Brad Kenney, Sept 26, 22:33
Warner) is not competition with our business,"
she says. "It is our business, both
1. One Stop Shopping - "A beautiful currently and in the future." Clever
garden at your home is pretty basic, websites are a must.
Support Our Advertisers
but it's the hardest thing to find a
good designer who can design 6. Diverse Audiences - With 300
outside, using what you want, that can million Americans, niches abound
find the plants and match them, get everywhere, so it's critical to not limit
them in the soil and then tell you how the market to known segments--reach
to maintain them. This is the kind of out!
services we should offer," says
Warner, noting that plants can offer 7. Organic & Pesticide Free
both instant gratification and long- Products - Growers of all products
term beauty to consumers. are getting 20 percent premiums for
their organics, and consumers are
2. The Decorating Business - beginning to get sophisticated about
"Decorators get more for their these issues, so the potential for
products, they can charge a premium, growth is skyrocketing.
so this is actually a good thing.
Everyone needs to work on this. 8. Community Living -
Garden centers need to see ideas from Demographers are trying to figure out
the wholesalers, and consumers need what boomers are going to want when
to see 'wow' ideas from the retailers," they retire, but whatever they want
she says, noting that price is often not they will get because of the buying
the issue when questions of taste are power of the boomer numbers.
concerned. "Whatever it is, it's going to be huge,"
she says. "If it's 'new urbanism,' or
3. Consumer Success - Customers 'intentional communities,' a lot of
have to be successful, so the plants these people have decided they want a
have to be tough and hardy (and community with public gathering
quick!) "We are amazing as an spaces."
industry--we've been breeding these 3947 Lennane Drive, Suite 150
incredible plants, now we just have to 9. Kids Returning Outdoors - Sacramento, California 95834
make sure people know about them." "Amazing things are happening to re- 800-748-6214
This means education, as well as connect kids to the outdoors," she
assistance. says, noting that parents have to
Orange County Chapter • California Association of Nurseries & Garden Centers. • 2006
Support our Advertisers
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Orange County Chapter • California Association of Nurseries & Garden Centers. • October 2006
Map to Next Meeting
When: Wednesday October 11th, 2006
Where: Golden Dragon Restaurant
2023 Harbor Blvd, Ste. A Costa Mesa
Social: 6:30 p.m.
Dinner: 7:00 p.m.
Menu: An awesome selection of fabulous
Chinese dishes chosen especially for us
by our friends at the Golden Dragon!
Cost: $20 with RSVP, $25 at the door
1 CEU available for CCN Pros
RSVP to Three Star Nursery,
714-545-8449 by October 9th
The Orange Blossom
CANGC—Orange County Chapter
17235 S. Newhope Street
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
FIRST CLASS MAIL
Address Correction Requested