President’s Message What is hardscaping? By now most people have heard of the term and understand what it means. Ten to fifteen years ago it would have been a different story. You see, the definition of “hardscaping” is the man-made features used in landscape architecture (e.g., paths, patios, or walls, as contrasted with vegetation). The ever most popular “outdoor living space” is extending the indoor living spaces outdoors and constructed with hardscape materials. Most of our design appointments include some form of hardscape materials along with softening the area with plants and flowers. If you look at the process needed to construct Brian Franco an outdoor living space you would construct the hardscape areas first and then come in with plants to make it all pop. All of this construction improves the value and appeal of the home and the return on investment is as good as redoing the indoor kitchen. As you can probably tell, this issue is about the different aspects of hardscaping. We have few articles on the topic covering different product lines and ways to estimate it correctly. Jeff Behlmer (a mentor and personal friend of mine) has done a outstanding job of growing a successful landscape design/build company and has mastered the art of correctly estimating hardscape work. From materials to labor, he has a formula and a track record to prove it. Stoney Suski from Unilock has been a representative for eleven years now and goes above and beyond for his customers. If you have ever participated in either the Home Show or Indiana Flower and Patio Show then maybe you would have seen Stoney delivering the unilock catalogs in his pajamas!!! Yes, that’s right, he got up and delivered them in his PJ’s just to make sure everyone had theirs before the show started. Stoney was instrumental in providing the Unilock article which is about their new U-CaraTM multi-faced wall system that looks to be a game changer. Jill Fouts has been a rep for Reading Rock for nine years and stands out as a leader amongst her male competitors. Reading Rock is the leader in large retaining wall projects all over the country. They have small garden walls and large commercial walls with everything in between. Jill writes about how segmental retaining wall best practices needs to includes education. David LaFara, our current president-elect, is well know for his passion of natural boulders. Most of us grew up with toys to play with, but David had rocks and he can’t stop playing and building with them today. He has created some amazing rock formations and has a specialty in creating awesome water boulders. David’s article provide help for all of us and provides all the formulas to quote stone accurately. We are changing the location for the annual shooting clays event that benefits the INLA scholarship program. Dean Richie, the summer meeting chair, has put together an exciting event that includes tours of some awesome landscapes including some of the award-winning Nancy Small’s projects and a new venue in northern Indiana for the shooting clays. This year’s event will be held in Valparaiso starting on August 9 with tours of several landscape projects and ending with dinner and fun. On Friday, we then go to Back Forty Sporting Clays in Bourbon, Indiana, for the annual shooting clays event. If you have never participated in this, then I highly recommend it. It is a lot of fun and there are some great door prizes and live auction pieces that make it worth while. Everything happens for a reason, just make the best of it! Brian Franco, INLA President bfranco@francoland.com
2018 INLA Officers Brian Franco, President Franco Landscaping, Inc. PO Box 34156, Indianapolis, IN 46234 317-858-3858; Fax 317-858-8906 bfranco@francoland.com Dave LaFara, President-Elect Tiffany Lawn & Garden Supply 4931 Robison Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46268 317-228-4900; Fax 317-228-4910 david.lafara@tiffanylawn.com Dean Ricci, Vice President Ricci’s Landscape Management, Inc. 502 Norbeh Drive, Hebron, IN 46341 219-996-2682; Fax 219-996-2680 dean@rlminc.com Brian Julius, Past President Walnut Ridge Nursery & Garden Center 2108 Hamburg Pike Jeffersonville, IN 47130 812-288-6691; Fax 812-288-1580 bjulius@walnutridge.com Rick Haggard, Executive Director & Publisher 3596 Linkside Court, Carmel, IN 46032 Office: 800-443-7336 Cell: 765-366-4994; Fax: 317-889-3935 haggard.rick@att.net • www.inla1.org
Board of Directors Jim Calvin (2018) Calvin Landscape • 317-247-6316 jim@calvinlandscape.com Kyle Daniel (2018) Purdue University, Nursery & Landscape Extension 765-494-7621 • daniel38@purdue.edu Kim Glass (2018) M.J. Schuetz Agency • 317-639-5679 kglass@mjsis.com Gabriel Gluesenkamp (2019) Designscape Horticultural Services 812-988-8900 • gabrielg@designhort.com Mark O’Brien (2020) Cardno • 574-586-2412 mark.obrien@cardno.com
Education: January 9–11 • Trade Show: January 10–11 Indiana’s largest, most comprehensive green industry event of the year! Offering educational workshops and seminars and a two-day trade show. Exhibit and show information at www.indianagreenexpo.com 2
Indiana nursery & Landscape association • www.inla1.org
Bob Wasson (2018) Wasson Nursery and Garden Center 765-759-9000 • bob@wassonnursery.com Shaun Yeary (2019) Greendell Landscape Solutions 317-996-2826 syeary@greendelllandscape.com