April 2014 Landscape Trades

April 2014

VOL. 36, NO. 3

landscapetrades.com

Three chances to overcome fears — and boost profits Prevent implied warranties An open mind is a valuable business asset

WINKELMOLEN

Distinction Winning business plan earns national grower recognition for Jan Winkelmolen and Ans Mertens

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Contents PUBLISHER Lee Ann Knudsen CLP | lak@landscapeontario.com Editorial Director Sarah Willis | sarahw@landscapeontario.com Art Director Kim Burton | kburton@landscapeontario.com Editor Allan Dennis | adennis@landscapeontario.com Web editor Robert Ellidge | rob@landscapeontario.com Graphic Designer Mike Wasilewski | mikew@landscapeontario.com Accountant Joe Sabatino | joesabatino@landscapeontario.com Sales Manager, PUBLICATIONS Steve Moyer | stevemoyer@landscapeontario.com INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS REPRESENTATIVE Greg Sumsion | gsumsion@landscapeontario.com COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Angela Lindsay | alindsay@landscapeontario.com Advisory Committee Gerald Boot CLP, Laura Catalano, Hank Gelderman CHT, Marty Lamers, Jan Laurin, Warren Patterson, Gregg Salivan, Bob Tubby CLP

APRIL 2014 VOL. 36, NO. 3

Winkelmolen Nurseries, Lynden, Ont.

FEATURES

6 Canada’s Grower of the Year Innovation promotes quality and efficiency at Winkelmolen Nursery

BY SARAH WILLIS

Landscape Trades is published by Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 Phone: (905)875-1805 Email: comments@landscapetrades.com Fax: (905)875-0183 Web site: www.landscapetrades.com

8 Overwintering coneflowers in the nursery Researchers look to improve winter survival of Echinacea cultivars

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO STAFF Shawna Barrett, Darryl Bond, Rachel Cerelli, Tony DiGiovanni CHT, Denis Flanagan CLD, Sally Harvey CLT CLP, Jane Leworthy, Heather MacRae, Allie McInnes, Kristen McIntyre CHT, Kathy McLean, Linda Nodello, Kathleen Pugliese, Paul Ronan, Ian Service, Tom Somerville, Martha Walsh

COLUMNS

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BY Émilie Lemaire, Martin Trépanier, Suzanne Simard, Mario Comtois

14 DESIGNER’S NOTEBOOK National committee boosts profile of landscape designers

BY CHRISTENE LeVATTE

26 LEGAL MATTERS Be aware of giving inadvertent warranties

BY ROBERT KENNALEY

28 MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS Put three business fears to rest this year

BY MARK BRADLEY

30 SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPING Nativars are beautiful AND eco friendly

BY SEAN JAMES

32 ROAD TO SUCCESS Arrogance can hurt your success

BY ROD McDONALD

DEPARTMENTS ISSN 0225-6398 PUBLICATIONS MAIL SALES AGREEMENT 40013519 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT LANDSCAPE TRADES MAGAZINE 7856 FIFTH LINE SOUTH, MILTON, ON L9T 2X8, CANADA

Green Pencil Industry News New Products Coming Events CNLA News Provincial News Classifieds Where to Find it

4 34 39 42 43 44 45 46 APRIL APRIL 2014 2014 || LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE TRADES TRADES ||

33

greenpencil

Make a valuable business connection

Cultivate a garden writer D

o you read the gardening column in your paper with anticipation — or anxiety?

Are you prepared for the phone calls and customer requests for the plant that is featured?

Can you design a garden to reflect the trend or landscape style that the writer has described? Are your front line staff members prepped and ready to answer clients’ concerns about pests or diseases that may have been raised in the media?

At a recent meeting of the garden writers association, I recognized the breadth of knowledge and horticultural experience among members in the room. These people are invested

By Sarah Willis in spreading the word about the benefits of green. Members are accomplished writers (where most of them start), thoughtful photographers and practiced speakers. Today’s garden writers are tech-savvy and have embraced the electronic way to spread the word. They blog, tweet, instagram and pin with the best of them, AND they work old-school too, producing exhaustive books, columns and magazine articles.

However, I think a link is still missing in the connection between the horticultural trades and the garden writers, who have the ear of the public. Garden writers don’t exist to provide free advertising for your business, but they are a significant part of the communication chain that the green trades often overlook.

Industry manufacturers and suppliers work hard

4 | APRIL 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

to get their products in the hands of garden writers for mention or review. They reach out and provide plants, fertilizer, seeds, catalogues and tools to test and trial. But how many landscape designers or contractors touch base with a garden writer to let them know what trends they have learned about at professional development courses or conferences?

Or useful design tips they have found to work around difficult growing conditions?

As a garden centre owner, do you make a point of inviting a garden writer to visit your store, so he or she can see first-hand what plants and garden tools and accessories are new or useful, as well as how you maintain and display plants? Make yourself a go-to industry expert when they are looking for comments or clarifications on horticultural issues.

If you are looking to hold information nights for your clients, or seminars and workshops for customers, but your own staff members have stage fright, reach out to a garden writer for a professional, polished presentation customized for your needs.

Garden writers exemplify the local movement.

They are accessible, and know their audience and climate zone. In a world when novice gardeners are turning to the internet and looking to grow plants that aren’t hardy north of the 49th parallel, wouldn’t it be great to help a local writer pass along information that will help new gardeners succeed? It’s a two-way street; the garden writer gets some industry-insider information and gardeners in your area get sound advice on the plants that will best work for them.

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Winkelmolen Nursery gets po GROWER OF THE YEAR REACTS TO MARKETPLACE CHANGES by sarah willis At CNLA’s National Awards of Excellence gala held in St. John’s, Nfld., in January, Winkelmolen Nursery was recognized as Canada’s Grower of the Year. The companies who have won this award have several things in common; they are equally passionate about their plants and their people, they are always looking for mechanical or technical innovations to improve quality and efficiency, and keep an open mind about trying new ideas.

Now in its 35th year, Winkelmolen Nursery farms in Lynden, Ont., grows trees and shrubs for wholesale markets. Owners Jan Winkelmolen and Ans Mertens started off with 15 acres in 1979, and over the years, have bought six farms around their original property, now encompassing 600 acres. Their clients are garden centres, municipalities, conservation areas, landscape contractors and other wholesale nurseries.

The company built its reputation growing top notch bare-root trees, but recognized most Ontario garden centre customers didn’t want to pot up their own trees anymore, so the nursery added a complete line of container-grown trees to its inventory in 2008. Trees are grown in the fields, but dug and potted up for a year to be ready for the retail sales yard or landscape site. Selling containerized trees has the added benefit of expanding the company’s shipping season. Bare-root trees are still a large part of their sales for growing on or for garden centres that like to pot up their own trees, as larger volumes can be packed in one container, bringing shipping costs down. Winkelmolen Nursery ships bare root trees up to 50 mm caliper.

6 | APRIL 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

After researching production techniques, pot-in-pot production was chosen for the container operation. So far, 14,000 socket pots have been installed, with plans for an additional 10,000 this year.

Winkelmolen notes that overwintering containers upright in the ground isn’t an ideal solution yet, and they are always trying different methods to determine the best way to get their plants through the extremes of an Ontario winter.

Winkelmolen and Mertens travel extensively to industry seminars and shows in North America and Europe, always with an eye to improving their techniques, mechanization and efficiency, plant list and employee safety. With respect to new plant introductions, Winkelmolen says, “We update our inventory all the time, but err on the conservative side. We like to trial new plants for about five years before adding them to our production.” He adds that more than 20 plants of each new cultivar are tested at the nursery before making it into Winkelmolen’s inventory. It’s a slow process, he admits. The plants they see in Holland and Europe this summer won’t be introduced for a number of years.

Throughout their travels, the Winkelmolens keep their eyes peeled for innovative products and machinery. They found a siebeck treetying machine in Germany that has enabled the company to keep its product tied tightly, control the quality of the ties and do more tying in less time. This allows more trees to be stacked efficiently, allowing more product per load for more cost-effective shipping. An investment in battery-powered pruners has allowed work crews to get more done, and without the worry of injury. A pot-in-pot planter sourced

ints for quality and innovation in Oregon has been well worth the investment, as it allows crews to install new sockets in the fields at an incredible rate. GPS on the tractor ensures the rows are perfectly straight and correctly spaced.

Some of the innovative growing techniques used at Winkelmolen come from participation in the Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Incentive Program. Through this federal program, they have hosted a number of horticultural research projects and directly benefitted from the knowledge gained.

As any nurseryman knows, fall digging can be held hostage by the weather. Winkelmolen notes that one of the nursery’s best investments has been its digger. It has enabled crews to dig faster and more efficiently without having to worry about weather conditions or wet fields slowing down progress. “With this machine we can dig up to 15,000 bare-root trees a day, and it removes the soil efficiently and preserves the root structure.”

One of the factors contributing to the company’s national recognition is its commitment to the preservation of the environment. Winkelmolen Nursery is dedicated to growing the best possible product, while keeping the nursery and its surroundings healthy. In 2007, it completed an Environmental Farm Plan to take advantage of the government grants that help with innovative and environmentally responsible solutions for nursery production, and have made the most of this program every year since.

There are no streams or creeks on the nursery properties to provide a water source for the plants, so nearly all of Winkelmolen’s fields are all tile drained and tied into one of several irrigation ponds on each farm. Winkelmolen admits the challenge can be to make sure their supply of water lasts throughout the summer, so even the drip-irrigated pot-in-pot production area has tile drainage beneath each submerged pot to collect and recycle this precious resource.

To make sure the runoff from the nursery is clean, wetland bio-

filters have been planted around each pond, to remove any nutrients that may still be in the water. This has the side benefit of creating wildlife habitat.

Mertens estimates their production is currently half native plants and half cultivated ornamental varieties. They grow all their natives from seed, as well as all the rootstock for their grafted material. In keeping with the nursery’s commitment to the integrity and quality of its products, they collect their own seed as much as possible, being careful to source zone-specific genetic material. As a certified seed collector, Mertens tracks the source of the seeds, to ensure Winkelmolen is supplying locally-adapted native woody species Most companies in the green industry are family-owned businesses, and as such, employees benefit from family-based values.

Winkelmolen Nursery is no different, and treats its staff with warm respect. The company offers a health plan and optional RSP savings plan, as well as paid holidays. Turnover is very low; most employees have been with the nursery for over 10 years, some almost 25. Foreign employees recruited through F.A.R.M.S. return annually, with some employees returning to Lynden from Mexico for the last 22 years. Winkelmolen and Mertens count on their staff, and trust them to run the business when the family is away. Winkelmolen notes that the company isn’t reliant on job titles, but rather puts its stock in flexibility and responsibility from employees, and receives honest dedication in return.

Being honoured as CNLA’s Grower of the Year means that Winkelmolen Nursery will compete for the International Grower of the Year award, created by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH). Canadian growers Bylands Nurseries of Kelowna B.C., and Sheridan Nurseries of Georgetown, Ont., have won this prestigious award for the last three years. The AIPH congress and LT award ceremony takes place in China this summer.

APRIL 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

7

Evaluation of different crop management and overwintering techniques on winter survival of different Echinacea cultivars The production of Echinacea is economically important to the nursery industry, but new cultivars on the market are bred from less-hardy species.

BY Émilie Lemaire, M.Sc., agr.; Martin Trépanier, Ph. D.; Suzanne Simard, B. Sc.; Mario Comtois, B. Sc., (biol.), agr.

The Quebec Institute for the Development of Ornamental Horticulture (IQDHO)

In Canada, Echinacea is one of the perennial species with the greatest economic importance in the nursery, and may represent up to 15 per cent of ornamental perennial production. In the past ten years, new orange cultivars have been introduced that are very different from the traditional pink Echinacea purpurea.

Many of these new cultivars are hybrids between E. purpurea and E. paradoxa, a species found in the central section of the southern United States (Texas, Missouri and Arkansas). This ornamental gain has been at the expense of a loss of their resistance to cold. Significant winter losses are reported in most Canadian nurseries and the northern United States, so that some growers start production in heated greenhouses, in February, in order to sell the plants in bloom in the spring and avoid having to overwinter them. However, this passes a problem on to the consumer.

In an attempt to reduce winter losses for both growers and consumers, this project investigated different production techniques that allow the plant to acclimate to winter conditions. Among the practices that condition the plant, fertilization and pruning are essential.

The method used to protect plants against cold is also essential for their survival. Container-grown perennials are usually The experimental plot and the irrigation system at Laval University (June 29th 2012)

8 | APRIL 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

covered with insulating fabrics to minimize temperature variations and reduce losses.

Many producers protect their containergrown perennials by covering them with a combination of one or more insulating blankets and a sheet of white polyethylene. For more cold-sensitive plants, such as coneflowers, the majority of producers store them in unheated plastic greenhouses in addition to insulating blankets. Despite these precautions, growers observe significant losses for some cultivars. An interesting avenue for overwintering new Echinacea cultivars and more cold-sensitive perennial cultivars would be to store the plants in plastic greenhouses with temperatures varying between -15°C and 5°C to maintain a constant temperature in pots around -2°C under the insulation blankets. The goal of this project was to identify and apply different production methods to improve winter survival of orange-coloured coneflower cultivars.

Results and discussion As expected, we find that the species, Echinacea purpurea, presented very good winter survival, while significant losses were experienced for the other three cultivars. It is very important to note that the survival rate of plants tested following the 2012-2013 winter were unusually high, as it was for all ornamental nursery production that year. The causes of this phenomenon are still difficult to explain, but we believe fall conditions in 2012 were important factors. The normal losses allocated to

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coneflowers from hybridization with E. paradoxa are of the order of 15 to 50 per cent depending on cultivars and winters.

Fertilization regime key to fall conditioning The results of the fertilization treatments at both sites clearly show that to completely stop fertilization in August greatly improves winter survival of the most sensitive cultivars (Figure 1). For E. purpurea, well adapted to our climate, it is instead preferable to apply a conventional fall fertilization regime (continuous fertilization until midOctober). In its natural habitat, E. paradoxa receives very little water and few minerals from the end of the summer, allowing it to gradually enter into a dormant state necessary for its winter survival (mild winter).

If abundantly fertilized in August and September, no signal reaches the plant telling it to prepare its entry into dormancy and the plant will die, not because of freezing, but because of a complete depletion of energy reserves. Unlike woody species where the first mechanisms of dormancy are initiated by a decrease in photoperiod, most peren-

MATERIALS AND METHODS From January 2012 to December 2013, seedlings of three cultivars of orange coneflowers ‘Tiki Torch’, ‘Tomato Soup’ and ‘Tangerine Dream’ and a control, the purple coneflower E. purpurea, were grown in different experiments comprising three fertilization regimes, four treatments of flower pruning, two dates of potting plants and four methods of overwintering in two regions of Quebec. Two nurseries, Fleurs Rustiques of Saint-Damase, and Québec Multiplants of St-Apollinaire, as well as Laval University, were partners in this project.

Fertilization treatments F1: Continuous fertilization (≈200 ppm of 20-8-20)

up to mid-October (as do the growers);

F2: Continuous fertilization (≈200 ppm of 20-8-20)

up to beginning of August;

F3: Continuous fertilization (≈200 ppm de 20-8-20)

up to beginning of August, following by (≈100 ppm of

20-8-20) up to mid-October.

Flower pruning treatments T1: No flower pruning (control);

T2: Pruned when the buds wer visible;

T3: Pruned the the flower bud opened;

T4: Pruned flower once it wilted.

Dates of potting treatments Potting in February

Potting in June Four overwintering techniques Overwintering in cold storage at -2 °C

Outside under geotextile membrane and white polythene

Overwintering in an unheated tunnel under geotextile cover,

Overwintering in a tunnel heated when the temperature

reaches -15 °C and ventilated when it reaches 5 °C;

The site at Laval University had one additional treatment

consisting of a cold storage room kept at -2 °C.

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nials will only react to drops in temperature and change in photoperiod. In the case of Echinacea, it is easy to see that they do not meet any of these factors, since even in October, they keep producing new buds that will perish in the following weeks entailing an unnecessary expenditure of energy by the plant. Our experiment demonstrated that it is possible to “force” this setting of dormancy by a significant decrease in fertilization in late summer.

Percentage plant survival

receives no input signal to go dormant, and will die as its reserves become exhausted.

If it is difficult to induce dormancy by technical methods, another possibility to promote winter survival is the use of adequate winter protection. For each of the three production treatments of this project, we tested the four overwintering techniques listed above. These techniques did not significantly improve winter survival. These results pointed to a major finding. While overwintering in cold storage gave the best survival rate, this rate remained Pruning had no effect on hardiness relatively low, indicating that the plants canIn the flower pruning treatments, it was not survive a temperature of -2 °C — usually logical to think that cutting early flowering the ideal storage temperature for dormant stems would help the plants save energy, perennials or woody plants as it limits plant which could then contribute to their winter respiration without deep freeze, while presurvival. However, our results indicate that venting mold growth. This finding allows us the pruning of the flower stems had little to make an assumption, namely that it is not impact on the subsequent winter survival. the cold that kills coneflowers (up to a certain Early stem size has helped to foster the de- level), but rather an inadequate physiologivelopment of axillary buds on the crown, cal condition of plant prior to overwintering. promoting tillering of the plant and the for- This is exactly what was observed in the fermation of a wider crown. Tillering did not tilization treatment, where we concluded that improve survival in the winter, but it didn’t dormancy was favoured by an early decrease hurt. This can be explained by the fact that in fertilization. these plants were fertilized according to a If a plant is unable to tolerate a temperaconventional program used by producers. ture of -2 °C, no overwintering technique We therefore conclude that the pruning of will offer a high survival rate, except a lit, flower stems is a good practice to obtain a heated greenhouse. However, it has often larger (and therefore a better quality of plant) been found that specimens of cold-sensicrown, but it has no impact on the survival of tive Echinacea cultivars that have managed winter-sensitive Echinacea cultivars. to survive their first winter will survive the For a plant to go dormant more quickly following winters without problem. What in late summer, one might think that all that difference is there between a plant in its first needs to be done is to start its cultivation year and a plant in its second year? Visually, earlier in the spring. Our experiment on the a plant can reach a good size after only one age of the plants shows rather that to length- year of cultivation and have an abundant en the growing season just results in a larger root system. Another factor that has to be plant. These plants do not present a better considered is the technique of in vitro propwinter survival rate because again the plant agation of these cultivars. All these new cultivars that cannot be propagated by seed 70 Fertilization 1 are micropropagated Fertilization 2 60 by in vitro in media Fertilization 3 rich in growth hor50 mones. The plants 40 are propagated by axillary budding from 30 an original mother 20 plant obtained several months or years 10 before. These plants 0 have not known dorE. purpurea cv. Tiki Torch cv. Tomato Soup mancy for several Figure 1: Winter survival of cold-sensitive cultivar is improved years and are sold

by reducing fertilizer early.

12 | APRIL 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

The experimental design at the end of the season at Laval University (October 18th 2012)

to nurserymen once acclimated. We hypothesize that since these plants were kept actively growing for several cycles on cytokinins-rich media, they no longer respond to dormancy input signals brought by autumn temperatures and reduced photoperiod. But, after a first winter, the life cycle is put in order and the plant survives the following winter without problems if snow depth is sufficient. To validate this hypothesis, one should compare the winter survival of plants produced in vitro compared to seedlings of similar ages and obtained by dividing the crown of a plant of the same cultivar having already survived a winter. Further work will be needed to demonstrate this hypothesis and to propose improvements to the technique of propagation allowing the plant to respond to climate signals indicating the onset of winter.

Conclusion Our results indicate that completely stopping fertilization in early August causes a significant improvement in winter survival.

Early flower pruning encourage better tillering of the plant and provides more roots for some cultivars, but has little impact on winter survival. Potting up plants in early spring provides a plant with a larger crown in the fall, but our results show that it does not improve winter survival. Among the four overwintering techniques used, a greenhouse heated to -15 oC and ventilated at 5 oC offers more security against winter temperature deviations in areas where snow is scarce. LT Part of this project was financed through regional Industry Councils of Québec and Ontario, whom carry out the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP) acting on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Agriculture and Agri-Food (AAC) has committed to work with the industry’s partners. The opinions expressed herein are those of the applicant and are not to be considered as automatically shared by the ACC.

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Landscape designers gain a national voice In this series of articles, so far it has been all about the landscape designer’s business. We’ve talked about the evolution of the landscape designer, with a career path now that is as diverse as it is abundant, enjoying an enviable depth and breadth of market and practice choices. We’ve talked about new opportunities and tools now available to the landscape design industry to expand both practice and business including the LEED model, the project funding shift to green economics, project management models and value-added services; utilizing the tactical advantages within the scope and control of a landscape designer.

We’ve also talked about potential threats to our profession, foremost being the movement by the OALA towards a Landscape Architecture Practice Act in Ontario, which brought to light the realization that we have a real lack of national connectivity, identity and voice within our own profession.

At the January 2014 Landscape Ontario Designer’s Conference, Ron Koudys and I had the privilege of opening the event with the question, Is there a future in landscape design? What was an abundantly clear consensus amongst the group in attendance was yes, there most definitely is. History will record that it was after this event likeminded and passionate landscape designers got together and collectively decided the time had come to work towards a national landscape design representation mechanism.

It is the mission of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA), with its provincial association members, to develop programs, undertake initiatives, and form alliances in order to achieve sustainable prosperity for members and stakeholders.

To that end, in response to landscape design representatives from across the country and in consultation with the LO Landscape Design Sector Group and the Atlantic Association of Landscape Designers (AALD), the CNLA has created a Landscape Canada 14 | APRIL 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

sub-committee specifically for the landscape design sector.

Ron Koudys, CLD of Ron Koudys Landscape Architects in London, Ont., succinctly summarizes this new committee. “Landscape Design is a profession in Canada with roots that extend back over a hundred years; yet there is no national voice that represents this diverse and important industry. Creating an organization that provides leadership, education and the strength that comes from speaking with one voice is long overdue.”

This inaugural committee, the Landscape Canada Designer Sub-Committee, has elected Ellen Ruddick CLD, Price Landscaping Services, Moncton, N.B., as Chair and John van Roessel, CLT, CLP, JVR Landscape, Calgary, Alta., and founding member of Landscape Industry Certification, as Vice Chair, with an intended slate of provincial association representatives to follow. “This Landscape Designer sub-committee will offer a network to reach out to designers across Canada and work with them to address common issues and improve the Landscape Design profession.” says Ruddick, who is a founding member of the AALD. Beth Edney CLD, Designs By The Yard, Toronto, Ont., and Chair of the Landscape Ontario Landscape Design Sector Group, supports this national initiative saying, “The new Landscape Designer Sub-Committee is a welcome addition to Landscape Canada. I look forward to the synergy of having a national group to represent landscape designers across the country.”

Take a quick look south of the border to our American cousins, the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD), and the potential for the Canadian landscape designers as a represented sector is clear. Founded in 1989, the U.S. association is young by most landscape horticulture association standards, but a visit to their website www.apld.com neatly summarizes the intent and much of the wish list we are hearing this

BY CHRISTENE LeVATTE CLP

sector needs from across our country.

That wish list includes national representation, defining and advancing the profession, expanding certification, offering professional development opportunities, a Code of Ethics and events where designers can get together, network, exchange ideas, make connections, forge relationships, do some business and enjoy the camaraderie that comes from hanging out with the like minded.

To sum up the unique strength of the landscape design sector, we are the gatekeeper of the greatest, most treasured legacies of those that have gone before us and forged the profession and now, we find ourselves the vanguard of industry best choices and practices, beauty, artistry and sustainability, contribution and responsibility. A dedicated national sector effort will capture this uniqueness into a progressive and inclusive effort going forward.

The first task of the Landscape Canada Designer Sub-Committee will be to connect with all the provincial associations to facilitate communication with designers who are members, and endeavour to identify those who are not; a census of sorts to determine who we are, how we practice and our business issues whether regionally unique or nationally common.

From that point, momentum begins. Stay LT tuned!

Christene LeVatte CLP is a landscape designer and LEED Green Associate from Nova Scotia. Her family business Landscapes for Lifestyle, which she operates with her brother David Stenhouse CLT, has won several Landscape Nova Scotia Awards of Excellence and the 2012 National Award for Excellence in Landscape Design. LeVatte is currently working toward her CLD designation.

roadtosuccess

arrogance

BY ROD McDONALD

Arrogance is defined as the lack of humility, and humility is defined as being teachable. Being teachable has many rewards, and arrogance has many costs. Of all the sins that we can possess, arrogance is the most expensive. I write that not because I read it, but because I have paid the price for arrogance, and I have benefited by being teachable. The human experience is a shared experience.

Several years ago, the greenhouse and garden centre operators of Saskatchewan gathered in a hotel conference room in Saskatoon. We had brought up an expert on growing hanging baskets from Ohio, at great expense. She was a brilliant speaker with a colourful slide presentation, highlighting her speaking points. Seated ahead of us was a grower who, each time our guest speaker made a point, would “beak off.” He always had what he thought was a clever retort.

The mood in the room was uncomfortable. People were shifting in their seats.

It reached the breaking point. The fellow seated beside me tapped the interrupter on the shoulder, saying, “Why don’t you let her speak without commenting?” It may have sounded as if it was a suggestion, but that was his Canadian way of saying, “Shut up!”

The interrupter’s response was “I would, if she knew what she was talking about.”

The room went silent. We were in shock.

Finally, one of the members said to the speaker, “Please continue. We are enjoying your presentation. There will be no more interruptions.” Her seminar continued and it was filled with valuable information.

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Sometimes, a story just writes itself. It was not too long before the rude greenhouse operator was bankrupt, blaming his demise on the price of natural gas. Not once did he take responsibility for losing Listening to another’s opinion and expertise is important. his company, because he thought he knew everything. Arrogance is costly. increased my success. Sometimes, we have I can tell that story about a seminar in to get past the messenger in order to hear Saskatoon, a story about someone from my the message. province, but it is also a universal story, one We need to learn and to keep our learnthat occurs in all locations and all profes- ing ability alive no matter how successful we sions. A few years ago, I was in Toronto for are in our careers. Learning and adapting the annual gathering of the trade. I was in is a lifelong endeavour. I used to subscribe a seminar room along with many others. to a men’s health journal, a monthly, fourAcross the room, there was a fellow who page newsletter for those of us who possess had a smirk on his face. He caught my at- the XY chromosome. One contributor was a tention, and I watched his body language as highly respected urologist. In an article, the the seminar began. I thought to myself, this doctor talked about the ability to learn. He chap’s behaviour would be similar to my told the readers how he was not surprised story above. He did not disappoint. When that his success improved after completing the question and answer part of the seminar a thousand surgeries. He had expected that was opened up, there he was, holding court. improvement. What he was surprised to In essence, the subject was how smart he learn, was that his surgical success rate inwas in comparison to the rest of the room. creased after he had carried out two thouThe question needs to be asked: Why was he sand surgeries. And as his career approached there, if he was already smarter than every- the three thousand mark, his success rate one else? was higher, yet again. He said he had gotten It is easy to listen to advice from some- better by paying attention to what worked one we hold in high esteem. It is more dif- and what didn’t. He was not arrogant. He ficult to listen to people who we do not really did not think he knew everything. He emcare for, and to dismiss them. Yet, I learned braced learning, and that is what each of very useful information regarding soil-less us in the green trades must do as well, if we mixes and fertilizer selections from two dif- wish to increase our success. ferent people, who were not my cup of tea.

I did not have a great deal of respect for ei- I found that in my twenties, I was a good ther of these two people but they were the sales person. I could speak well and sold ones who, when I followed their suggestions, people on myself. In my forties, my sales

Lynne Lancaster

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roadtosuccess ability increased considerably, because I stopped selling customers on myself and started to listen to their needs. Sales always increase when needs are met. As I grew older, I came to realize that salespeople often talk themselves out of sales as often as into them. No one enjoys arrogance in a doctor, and no one is thrilled with arrogance in a sales person. In both situations, the patient or customer wants to be looked after.

Several years ago, I was sitting in a mediator’s office with my lawyer. I was suing The City of Regina for allowing golf balls from their course to crash through my glass greenhouse. The court had ordered us to mediation. My lawyer told me he had been in the same room a few weeks earlier. He was representing a woman who had filed suit against her surgeon. Her ask was for $50,000. As the mediation began, the surgeon told his patient, “How dare you waste my time by dragging me down here? Don’t you know how important I am?” My lawyer knew as soon as those words were spoken, that there would be a price to be paid for the surgeon’s arrogance. The client immediately announced she was amending her suit from $50,000 to $200,000!

The surgeon’s insurance company was not thrilled with his outburst.

Arrogance is costly.

I have a great stock broker/financial advisor. She looks after my account and pays great attention to detail. In short, I am satisfied.

My banker wanted me to meet with “their” guy. “Just listen to what he has to say.” No problem. I am always willing to listen. “Their” guy

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spent the first 15 minutes telling me how smart he was. Never asked me a single question about who I was or my needs, goals or aspirations. Some sales people talk themselves out of sales more often than into them. If you or I or anyone else is really, really smart or intelligent or talented, we don’t need to tell others. They will figure that out on their own.

The longer we stay in the trade, the more set in our ways we can become. It has taken so much effort to arrive at where we are, that we are reluctant to embrace a new way of doing things, or an alternative approach. If we form that wall of reluctance, we close ourselves off from a changing world. There was a successful greenhouse operator north of Regina, in the seventies and eighties. By the time 1992 arrived, his loyal clientele was dissolving at an alarming rate. He came by my place to cry on my shoulder. He uttered the all-too-common lament, “People are no longer loyal as they once were.” I suggested that if he made a few changes, he might win them back and some new customers as well. “What changes?” he demanded. I pointed out that he was still growing his bedding plants in dirt and using paper pots, and most customers were reluctant to accept that format. “But that’s the way I have always done it!” One more time, the story writes itself with no happy ending.

To finish off this column with a somewhat sad, yet funny story, I return to the seminar situation, which is a wonderful place to improve skills and to learn. There was a seminar leader, teaching us communication techniques to be utilized with our customers, staff and suppliers. The speaker was wonderful, and he backed up his assertions with research.

All of us but one, were fascinated with his information. The one who was not impressed was another grower who thought he knew everything. With each piece of information, the grower would respond with a comment. The speaker was exasperated. He said, dripping with a great deal of sarcasm, “Hey, you’re really good. Do you want to come up here and finish the seminar?” I was sitting with Ron Johnson from Keon Garden Centre out of Moose Jaw. Ron turned to me and said, “Oh no! That was the wrong person to say that to.” Sure enough, the grower leaves his chair, goes up to the stage, takes the microphone and proceeds to provide the audience with a bizarre lecture. There are some people you just can’t insult, no matter how hard you try. It took us several minutes to convince the grower that he needed to sit down and allow the seminar leader to continue.

Being teachable is a very important habit to develop in a changing world, where any one of us can fall behind and never recover if vigilance is not maintained. Humility keeps us on the road to success. LT

Rod McDonald owned and operated Lakeview Gardens, a successful garden centre/landscape firm in Regina, Sask., for 28 years. He now works full-time in the world of fine arts, writing, acting and producing in film, television and stage.

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managementsolutions

Three fears to cast off in 2014

BY MARK BRADLEY

From a very young age, fear has held us all back from doing so many things we now wished we’d done a lot earlier. Whether it was holding your head underwater, riding your first bike, asking your first girl out, flying on a plane, or going off on your own to start your business, we’ve all had fears that have held us back from doing things that, looking back, weren’t so bad at all. You probably wish you’d done most of these earlier, or more often. In that spirit, let’s turn the spotlight on some fears that will hold your business back in 2014.

Fear of paying higher wages This isn’t just a company problem, this is an industry problem. The green industry has always been one of the lowest-paying trades, and that continues today. With low wages and seasonal highs and lows in hours, it’s no wonder it’s so hard for us to attract talent.

And without talent, it’s no wonder many owners still find their hands pulling every string in their business. Could it be any different if you had better foremen running your crews?

Assume for a few minutes that you did raise your hourly rate for foremen, in an effort to attract better, more responsible talent. Even imagine a big raise… try $5/hr. In a 2,000-hour season, that five-dollar raise will cost you $10,000 more in wages and approximately another $1,500 in payroll taxes and deductions. Total cost: $11,500.

Next, assume that foreman’s skill and talent could increase the crew’s productivity by just 10 per cent. A three-person crew generating $300,000 in annual production would jump up to $330,000. I don’t believe that’s being overly optimistic; I believe it’s a conservative bet.

If you did $30,000 more work, you’d need to spend more on materials, but your equipment costs and your overhead costs wouldn’t need to change at all.

If we look at the math behind this example, our sales increase by 10 per cent. Wage 20 | APRIL 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

costs increase due to the wages for the foreman, and material costs increase due to the 10 per cent more work being done, but no other costs need to change. If this example played out in reality, you could expect an increase of net profit of $8,500 per crew. If you had three crews, that’s over $25,000 added to your bottom line.

Increasing wages Sales revenue Wage expenses Equipment expenses Material expenses Overhead expenses Net profit

+ $30,000 - $11,500 N/C - $10,000 N/C + $8,500

So ask yourself: Are you really taking the safe route by attracting lower-paid talent? Or are you limiting your profit, consuming all kinds of hours of your time, and requiring a higher supervision/management burden because you don’t have the necessary talent in key positions in your company?

Fear of equipment payments In our industry, the old school wisdom preaches you need to own your own equipment — to run your company without payments — and that’s when you really start to make money. Instead, this logic seems to have created an industry that fails to charge enough to recover the true costs of our equipment. Without payments, equipment is treated as free. And it is, but only if you ignore fuel, maintenance and insurance….

and as long as you never need to replace it.

Instead of fearing the commitment that comes with equipment payments or financing, take a few minutes to really look at the cost of doing work without being properly equipped.

Sharing equipment between sites is a waste of time! While transporting the equipment back and forth, the driver could, and should, be working on billable production work. The cost of every hour spent transporting equipment is about $50 (or the amount you charge per hour), plus the materials an employee could also be installing in those hours.

If it takes three crew members one hour to move material from the truck in the front to the backyard, you’ve spent three manhours moving material that could have been done in mere minutes with a skid steer.

At $50 per hour of lost productive time, and no materials installed during that time either, this represents a cost of approximately $300 in lost billable opportunity (productive time) You’re losing out on jobs! Crews equipped with the proper equipment can complete tasks faster. A backyard excavated with a mini-ex and two power wheelbarrows can be done in less than a quarter of the time when compared to a crew without equipment.

The benefits are clear: The work could be done for 33 per cent less cost, which will reduce my price on the bid.

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managementsolutions tunity when compared to the ‘by hand’ crew.

By the time the second crew finishes its excavation, the first crew might just be finished with the entire job and already on the next one. Equipment will greatly increase your sales capacity, or opportunity to produce more work.

Fear of being expensive One of the biggest concerns in our industry is lowball competition. These are the companies that price their work at a loss because

they don’t know what they’re doing. So, in some twisted effort to keep our costs competitive with these companies, we’re afraid to take on the costs of better staff, better equipment, and better technology. This way, we assume, we can still be competitive.

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If you’ve got a fear of getting outpriced, spend some time looking at other markets.

There are thousands of companies that get outpriced, and achieve tremendous success despite this fact. Starbucks, Honda, Coach, Lululemon, Nike, Ritz-Carlton, Oakley, DeWalt, 3M… all these companies thrive in competitive markets, throughout recessions, and despite hundreds of cheaper options, they don’t worry about being low-priced.

Why? They market themselves as a premium brand. Think about ways you could improve your company’s image to reassure your customers that they’re getting premium service: Your website; your business cards, your logo, your stationery; the way you dress for sales presentations; the look and feel of your brochures and marketing material; your proposal package, designs, and sales presentations; the age and cleanliness of your trucks and equipment; and the organization and cleanliness of your jobsites Good marketing can beat cheap pricing.

Don’t fear being more expensive. Instead, be afraid of looking anything less than your best. If you want to charge a premium, let your marketing give your customers the reassurance that you’re going to deliver a premium in return.

Just like the first time you dunked your head underwater, or the very first time you asked for someone’s phone number, fear often prevents us from doing things that would make our lives better, easier, and more enjoyable. Running our business is no different. From the first time you asked for a sale, to the time you watched your first foreman drive your truck and equipment down the road independently, we’ve all been afraid of changes that obviously will make our business better. Now, wiser and more experienced, just take that same wisdom and apply it to some of the biggest challenges you’re LT facing this year. You won’t regret it.

Mark Bradley is president of TBG Landscape and the Landscape Management Network (LMN), in Ontario.

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legalmatters

Avoid inadvertent warranties

BY ROB KENNALEY

People who work in our industry need to be careful about giving advice that goes beyond the scope of their expertise, experience or retainer. This is because the consequences of giving bad (or allegedly bad) advice or opinions can be significant.

If you are a designer or design-build contractor, you will have design obligations.

Simply put, a designer is expected to stand behind his or her design. For this reason, from the designer’s perspective, any limitations on the suitability or performance of a design should be spelled out in the contract between the parties, to avoid confusion and properly manage risk.

Yet the risks associated with arguably bad advice go well beyond the scope of the contract between the designer or design-build contractor and the client. In fact, the risks can often be much more significant in these circumstances, because the person giving the advice or opinion will most often not be receiving compensation for the statements in question. Also, in some cases that person might not even be insured for the alleged error or omission.

Know your scope Designers and consultants will frequently be asked to go beyond the scope of their contracts, for example by providing additional advice or opinions where the design requirements change. This can also occur, however, when the client asks for a comment on something collateral to the contract. For example, an owner might ask the design consultant if she thinks the home builder’s grading plan for the back yard looks good, or if a tree is likely to survive in proximity to a pool excavation, or if the pad for the gazebo construction is sufficient for the job, or if the gazebo would work in the back corner from a design perspective. In these cases, the designer might have a serious problem if the 26 | APRIL 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

Be careful when offering professional advice on hardscapes, designs or plant material that might be considered as a warranty.

basement ends up flooded, the 300-yearold tree dies, the gazebo collapses causing substantial damage to property or (heavenforbid) people, or if the gazebo ends up in conservation lands. In each case, it could be argued that the designer gave a warranty that her representation was accurate.

Consider also the situation where you, the contractor, encounter an unforeseen subsurface condition on-site. Your client looks to you to help solve the problem – and you want to help out. Accordingly, you suggest a solution that you think will probably work, and the client gives you the go-ahead.

In this circumstance, you, the contractor, have arguably given a “performance warranty,” in relation to your design solution. If it turns out the solution was inappropriate, the client may have a claim on the warranty and against the contractor for the negligent advice or opinion. If the contractor lacks errors and omissions insurance, the negligence

would be uninsured.

I’m certainly not suggesting you not try to assist the client when problems arise. There is, however, a world of difference between suggesting an option that the client might want to consider, and inadvertently assuming responsibility for a strategy or solution.

For example, there is a world of difference between saying to the client, “Here is a possible solution you might want to consider, but you will have to tell me what you want me to do,” and saying to the client, “Here is a solution that should work,” or even, “Here is a solution that I think might work.” The latter two might be relied on by the client as a warranty of the suitability of the solution.

Where the client insists that solving the problem is a workmanship issue, or a “means and methods” issue, as some owners would describe it, you may have no choice but to stand your ground and formally request written instructions from the client as

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legalmatters to how you should proceed, given that the problem or change in the work is beyond your control and responsibility.

Client relationships It is also important to realize that your relationship with the client might not factor into the equation. In this regard, you might want to say, “I don’t need to worry — my client would never, ever, blame me, or sue me, or otherwise drag me into something.”

Unfortunately, you could be both right and (terribly) wrong in your assessment. This is because in many cases it will not be the client’s call as to whether or not you should be named as a party in litigation. Rather, the client’s insurance company will have a subrogated right to pursue anyone the insurance company feels might be responsible for the damage caused. It is also true that an insurance company will often look for contributions towards settlement from anyone who might arguably be liable for the problem at hand.

28 | APRIL 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

Suppliers are not immune. The example that comes to mind is the Ontario pool company whose staff member quickly advised a client that a slide sitting in the back of her truck should work without difficulty in a pool the staff member was familiar with (through openings and closing, but not through construction). Although the pool company was not retained to provide this advice, it was held liable when, tragically, the oversized slide did not perform and catastrophic personal injury resulted. In the interests of space, I won’t set out examples of where the inadvertent advice of suppliers in our industry can become problematic — as I am sure dozens can be conjured up by the reader without difficulty.

In the end, ensuring that you and your staff are aware of, and consider, the potential consequences of inadvertent design advice or opinions is important. Often, the business relationship can be maintained while responsibility for the actual decision can be deflected back onto the client. In many cases,

particularly where risk associated with the issue might be significant, you and your staff should consider committing the fact to writing that you are not assuming responsibility for a particular decision or approach. LT

Robert Kennaley has a construction background and practises construction law in Toronto and Simcoe, Ont. He speaks and writes regularly on construction law issues. Rob can be reached at 416-368-2522, at kennaley@ mclauchlin.ca, or on LinkedIn. This material is for information purposes and is not intended to provide legal advice in relation to any particular situation. Readers who have concerns about any particular circumstance are encouraged to seek independent legal advice in that regard.

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sustainablelandscaping

Nativars: Yea or nay?

BY SEAN JAMES

Can we just appreciate something for its beauty or utility or... whatever? Many gardeners and nature lovers are trying to get more native plants into the yards of the public.

There’s a challenge though; natives are perceived to be less interesting and less showy than some of their foreign cousins.

Enter the “nativar,” which is just the new vernacular for a cultivar of a native plant.

The last few years have seen an explosion in nativars. Ninebarks (Physocarpus), switch grass (Panicum), potentilla (don’t you love it when botanical and common names are the same?) and many native tree species now have interesting cultivars in their arsenal.

Some are just pretty and others are particularly useful, such as the Green Pillar pin oak (Quercus palustris ‘Pringreen’), which suits our smaller yards.

Purple Dome aster is an easy sale, not only for its long-lasting fall colour, but also for its perfect, well-controlled, short form. (Don’t you hate it when they change a simple species name like Aster to something unpronounceable like Symphyotrichon?)

New dwarf sneezeweeds (Helenium cvs.) are perfect for rain gardens, pollinator support and xeriscapes and fit today’s smaller landscapes well. Factoid: It’s called sneezeweed because it was used to make snuff!

New forms of gardening are appearing as well. Bioretention cells, which clean runoff from impermeable surfaces,

need to be pretty for the public to embrace them. Winter Gold sparkleberry (Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Gold’) and dwarf sneezeweeds (Helenium cvs.) are beautiful salesmen for bioretention cells, bringing attention to the issue of stormwater management.

Just to keep us on our toes, a debate arises when we consider whether or not nativars fill the same eco-niche. Much of the reason we want folks planting natives is so our local fauna can feed on them, promoting biodiversity. There’s a good possibility that as we breed our natives to be more consumer-friendly — more beautiful — that local critters won’t recognize them as food. Will the flower fit the bee now that the flowers are bigger?

Will the butterfly see the bush as food to lay its eggs on, now that the leaves are purple, or yellow … or plaid? (Why are there no plaid-leafed cultivars? C’mon plant breeders, get on this one.)

Now for those who aren’t engaged in the native/biodiversity/nativar debate, just go on planting the nativars you think are pretty. There’s definitely no

D N A L E TRE

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sustainablelandscaping North American landscapes. It’s even embraced by the World Wildlife Federation.

If you keep your eyes peeled, there are many other varieties as well.

They just take a little bit more research and some knowledge of what’s native, so you’ll recognize the species.

For example, knowing that spotted geranium, Geranium maculatum, The aptly named ‘Fireworks’ Goldenrod isn’t an aggressive spreader, and adds well to the late summer garden. It’s valuable because it tolerates heavy clay and drought is the Ontario native and is great for pollinator support, (an issue the public is all too aware of these days.) means that you can go hunting for cultivars harm and it’s better than planting invasives. like ‘Espresso’. Discovering that species of It will also make landscapes more successful, alum root (Heuchera americana and H. vilsince the nativars are better adapted to local losa) are native, guides us to ‘Stainless Steel’ conditions. “Pretty for pretty’s sake” is okay. and ‘Green Spice’. Many gardeners probably There’s a great program called American didn’t know they were planting natives.

Beauties that seeks to promote nativars for On the other hand, if you’re planting

for wildlife or pollinator support, and you want to be perfectly sure that your plants will do the job, it might be best to stick to the pure species — and ones grown from locally-selected seed at that.

They may not be as over-the-top stunning as their big-city cousins, but their down-home, simple beauty gives them their own special appeal.

This could be seen as a complex issue, or a non-issue, depending on your point of view.

Something to add? Feel free to email me at sdjames@on.aibn.com and we can keep the LT conversation going.

Sean James is owner of an Ontario-based environmentally-conscious landscape design/build/maintenance company. In addition, he is an eco-consultant and a popular speaker.

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industrynews Canadian sites among landscape design contest winners

34 | APRIL 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

Research discovers receptors in plants ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the main energy source inside a cell and is considered to be the high-energy molecule that drives all life processes in animals and humans. Outside the cell, membrane receptors that attract ATP drive muscle control, neurotransmission, inflammation and development. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri have found the same receptor in plants, and believe it to be a vital component in the way plants respond to dangers, including pests, environmental changes and plant wounds. This discovery could lead to herbicides, fertilizers and insect repellants that naturally work with plants to make them stronger.

“Plants don’t have ears to hear, fingers to feel or eyes to see,” said Gary Stacey an investiJeongmin Choi, Gary Stacey and postdoctoral fellow Kiwamu Tanaka recently discovered the first plant receptor for extracellular ATP.

gator in the MU Bond Life Sciences Center and professor of plant sciences in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. “Plants use these chemical signals to determine if they are being preyed upon or if an environmental change is occurring that could be detrimental to the plant. We have evidence that when ATP is outside of the cell it is probably a central signal that controls the plant’s ability to respond to a whole variety of stresses.”

Stacey and fellow researchers, graduate student Jeongmin Choi and postdoctoral fellow Kiwamu Tanaka, screened 50,000 plants over two years to identify the ATP receptors.

By isolating a key gene in the remaining plants, scientists found the receptor that aids in plant development and helps repair a plant during major events.

“We believe that when a plant is wounded, ATP is released into the wound and triggers the gene expressions necessary for repair,” Stacey said. “We think ATP is central to this kind of wound response and probably plays a role in development and a whole host of other plant Roger Meissen

After a resoundingly successful first year, the All-America Selections Landscape Design Contest has concluded its second year with a 20 per cent increase in entries.

This contest incorporates AAS Winners, past and present. Each garden is responsible for creating and executing the design, generating publicity surrounding the contest and then submitting the photos, proof of publicity and an overall description of their design. A broad range of garden types participated, including large and small public gardens, seed companies, community gardens, master gardener programs and university gardens.

Agriculture Canada Ornamental Gardens, Ottawa, Ont., was the first place winner in Category II: 10,001 – 100,000 visitors per year. This garden won second place in 2012, and bettered themselves this year with a “Disc and That” theme. Disc (aka “This”) is a play on words alluding to the Asteraceae family of flowers which includes AAS Winners such as Echinacea and Gaillardia. The “That” consists of various other AAS winners such as ornamental millet ’Purple Majesty’ and ‘Foxy’ foxglove.

There were a total of 1,295 plants in the bed of which 1,053 are AAS winners.

Jardin Daniel A. Séguin, Saint-Hyacinthe, Que., was third place winner in Category II: 10,001 – 100,000 visitors per year. At this garden, 21 AAS varieties were beautifully planted in circular beds around a focal fountain. Student groups were responsible for maintaining the garden and promoting it to the general public as well as to the garden’s visitors.

All-America Selections recognizes and

thanks the contest judges who are industry experts in the field of horticulture and landscaping: Jeff Gibson, Landscape Business Manager and Susan Schmitz, Trials and Education Manager, both with the Ball Horticultural Company; Bruce Hellerick, Senior Horticulture Specialist, The Brickman Group; and Barbara Wise, author and Director of Floriculture, Landscape Services, Inc.

industrynews responses to environmental changes and pests.

We believe that with further study, researchers may be able to identify ways to naturally work with a plant’s own processes to protect it from major environmental events, plant wounds and insects.”

Future research will focus on how this receptor works with ATP, its protein structure, how it reacts to pests and how it may signal growth. The study, “Extracellular ATP signaling in plants,” was published in Science, and includes research from Sang Yeol Lee with the Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University in Korea. The study was funded in part by grants from the U.S. Department of Energy – Basic Energy Sciences and the Republic of Korea.

Insurance industry develops best practices training tool for contractors Despite the high profile that winter slip and fall claims have in our industry, the number one insurance claim from the landscape construction and maintenance trades is actually from vehicle-related losses. It makes sense, given that the landscape trades are a mobile workforce and a great deal of time is spent driving to and from job sites and suppliers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the human element is actually responsible for 90 per cent of accidents, not road conditions, so addressing the people factor should greatly reduce the likelihood of traffic accidents.

In response to the increasing number of automobile accident claims, the Canadian Nursery and Landscape Industry’s endorsed insurance partner, Marsh Canada is offering industry members its online Driver Improvement System.

Recognizing the nature of landscape construction and snow removal operations mean that traditional in-class training isn’t always practical, Marsh has adapted its online driver’s training module for horticulture industry businesses.

This online safety training tool has proven effective at reducing accidents in other industries.

Marsh has produced four different training modules, all aimed at reducing the risk of injury or accidents. The summer modules are Lifting and Ladder Safety and Safe Driving: Straight Truck, and the winter modules include courses on Winter Driving as well as Snow and Ice Risk Control.

Kevin Nauss, of Price Landscaping Services 36 | APRIL 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

in Lutes Mountain, N.B., is a big believer in staff training, and holds 45-minute tailgate talks weekly through the season. Nauss was one of the initial testers of CNLA’s new online training tool, and pronounced it “very detailed and quite thorough.” He added that there was a lot of in-depth information provided in clickable links, that the user could access if they need more references.

Nauss also noted “the short self-tests along the way were excellent — a great way to review the information you had just read about.”

The training programs have been customized to be relevant in each province across the country, and any company can take advantage of these risk management tools. For more information and pricing, visit www.carriersedge. com/ce/signup-cnla.htm. Marsh Canada notes that once all drivers in a company have successfully completed the courses, a discretionary premium discount may be available under the HortProtect insurance program.

New shipping system from Van Belle To give customers a competitive edge when producing finished containers, Van Belle Nursery re-designed its Youngplants shipping method using the principles of lean manufacturing.

The new FloGo Shipping System saves labour while potting, reduces freight costs and eliminates waste. The key to the labour saving is that liners arrive de-potted. According to customers who have tested the new system, not having to de-pot the liners helped save anywhere from one to four people on their potting lines. Van Belle still offers the classic waxed box option, but the positive experience of customers who have tested FloGo is a great indicator that it will become the company’s primary method soon.

A second benefit the system offers is freight savings. Through the re-design of the box size, the move to standard-size pallets, and the space saved by shipping pot-less, FloGo enables Van Belle to ship 15 per cent more plants in the same space.

Green industry tour to South Africa A unique opportunity exists to visit South Africa from Oct., 15-29 with John and Kelly Schroeder of Valleybrook Gardens. The Schroeders have been leading tours for nursery industry travelers for over a decade, and this will be their third trip to South Africa. Their trips are fun and educa-

tional, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the interesting countries and places they visit. South Africa is an outstanding horticultural destination with amazing plants, a thriving garden centre industry and beautiful scenery. The garden centres of South Africa are outstanding examples of lifestyle marketing. The tour will include Capetown, Johannesburg and the garden route.

An optional safari will ensure this is a trip of a lifetime. A full itinerary is available at www.valleybrook.com. Contact John at 800 824-1120 or js@valleybrook.com for more details.

Exmark wins engineering award The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers has awarded Exmark Manufacturing a 2014 AE50 award. Exmark’s Lazer Z X-Series zero-turn riding mower with EFI and RED Technology was deemed one of the year’s most innovative designs in engineering products for the food and agriculture industries. In recognition of this achievement, the Lazer Z XSeries mower will be featured in the January/ February 2014 special AE50 issue of ASABE’s magazine, Resource: Engineering & Technology for a Sustainable World.

The Lazer Z X-Series mower was recognized as a complete product, as it includes a number of engineering innovations that increase efficiency and productivity. Exmark’s exclusive RED technology combined with Electronic Fuel Injection, and an industry-first electronic governor system, delivers an up to 41-percent reduction in fuel consumption, with increased responsiveness and performance.

New name for OFA Short Course

AmericanHort, the new horticultural trade association created by the merger of the American Nurserymen’s Association and the Ohio Florists Association, is reimagining the annual OFA short course, starting with a name change.

Calling it Cultivate ’14, the event will be held in Columbus, Ohio from July 12-15 this summer.

Details are available at www.cultivate14.org.

‘Northwind’ named Perennial Plant of the Year Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’ is only the third ornamental grass to be named Plant of the Year following Calamagrostis xacutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’, 2001, and Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’, 2009.

The genus Panicum, native to North America,

industrynews lation of Panicum virgatum he raised using wild-collected seed from plants growing along railroad tracks in South Elgin, Ill. In July 1983, he noticed that one plant had wider leaves and a very upright growth habit, unlike the typical arching form of the others. He gradually built up stock of the upright one. In 1992, when Northwind Perennial Farm opened, he introduced it and named it ‘Northwind’. There are no serious insect or disease problems with switchgrass.

Plants are best divided in spring. ‘Northwind’ is not patented. It can be reproduced from divisions.

Echo announces new president

Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’

is a member of the Poaceae family (formerly family Gramineae). This warm-season perennial grass has blue-green foliage and stands more erect than is typical of the species. Regardless of nomenclature, members of Panicum are excellent perennial grasses for the landscape.

Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’ spreads slowly to form erect clumps of slender, steel-blue leaves about five feet tall. In late summer, the foliage is topped by a haze of showy, finely-textured flower panicles that rise to six or even seven feet, and that open golden yellow and mature to beige. It grows best in full sun, but will tolerate light shade. Deep roots make ‘Northwind’ remarkably drought-tolerant, once established.

Like most ornamental grasses, Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’ is seldom eaten by deer.

Roy Diblik selected ‘Northwind’ from a popu-

Tim Dorsey has become the second American president of outdoor power equipment manufacturer Echo, a subsidiary of Yamabiko Corporation of Japan. He replaces retiring president Dan Obringer. Dorsey has worked for Echo for 18 years in a variety of positions including the last seven years as Vice President of Systems and Logistics. As a member of the executive team, Dorsey played a key role in the company’s growth and profitability over the years. Dorsey and his family live in Cary, Ill. He is a graduate of DePaul University.

Kawasaki offers replacement engine assemblies The Engines and Power Products Division of Kawasaki Motors is now making short block engine assemblies available for its popular FS and FX engine series units. The introduction allows lawn care professionals to easily extend the operational life of mowers. According to the company, gasket kits are included with the sale of every short block assembly, and assemblies are shipped with an attached oil filter. The new LANDSCAP E TRADES

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38 | APRIL 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

EU supports green infrastructure research The European Landscape Contractors Association (ELCA) is pleased with the new EU-research program Horizon 2020 passed by the Council of the European Union. From 2014 to 2020 the EU will provide 70 billion Euros for research and innovation. One of the targets is the promotion of research activities within the area of the green industry.

During the last several years, ELCA has lobbied for the integration of certain topics of research into this new program. Researchers will now be looking at the positive effects of a green-dominated living environment on health and wellbeing of people, as well as simultaneously researching the effectiveness of urban green on improving the climate in urban areas.

ELCA president Emmanuel Mony points out: “The gardening and landscaping industry can only develop innovative solutions regarding building with green in urban and living areas and for industrial building on the basis of wellfounded and scientifically researched data.”

GrootGroenPlus presents new theme The 23rd edition of international trade fair GrootGroenPlus, which was held in October 2013 in Zundert, the Netherlands, was a huge success. Organizers are already working on the 24th edition, which will be themed #365green.

Today’s market has made the classic distinction between a spring season and fall season disappear. For all those who are flexible in growing their crops and marketing them, this offers a lot of opportunities. Given that fact, GrootGroenPlus decided upon #365green as a theme for the next edition of the trade fair. The trade fair is especially active on social media and allows participants and visitors to meet each other through this hash tag.

This new theme brings a completely redesigned website, www.grootgroenplus.nl. The website offers easy navigation for attendees and provides registration and access to a broad selection of pictures, movies, and other materials.

LT

VOL. 35, NO. 8

SOURCE BOOK

short block engine assemblies are available at authorized Kawasaki Engine Dealers throughout the country.

cover ideas

Find up-to-d ate

final choices

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LTsourcebo ok.com 9/19/2013

11:52:57

AM

38 | APRIL 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

newproducts Retaining wall or step light The Lite On retaining wall/step light from Surefoot Hardscape Products features 20,000 hour CREE bulbs with that come with a five-year warranty. The 1.9 watt bulb emits a warm coloured light. The waterproof design is made from heavy duty die cast aluminum with powder coated finish.

Surefoot Hardscape Products www.surefootedging.com

Pumice hand cleaner The new Gojo Ecopreferred Pumice Hand Cleaner quickly and effectively cleans medium to heavy soils and conditions hardworking hands. Developed for those who work in oil, grease and heavy soils, the hand cleaner supports sustainability objectives. Environmental credibility is achieved through UL’s Ecologo Certification as well as being a USDA Certified Biobased product.

Gojo Industries www.gojo.com

Chainsaw The new Husqvarna 543 XP chainsaw is light, fast and remarkably compact, meaning it can be used for hours at a time, without the burden of heavy equipment. Extraordinary limbing performance has been a main characteristic for the Husqvarna pro chainsaws for years. Now, with the launch of the 543 XP, a new weightstandard of 4.5 kg has been set in the pro range. Outfitted with X-Torq, the 543 XP has 20 per cent less fuel consumption and up to 75 per cent lower emissions.

Husqvarna www.Husqvarna.ca

Website builder Compass Creative Studio has an innovative new online marketing tool called Worksites.net — a do-it-yourself website builder designed specifically for contractors in the landscaping and home improvement industries. Subscriptions include industry-specific marketing advice, lead tracking capabilities, automated content coaching and hosting. Users can quickly build an impressive, professional website that is mobile ready, and can edit anytime and anywhere. Uploading new pictures, modifying content or even changing themes can be done quickly and easily.

Compass Creative Studio www.worksites.net APRIL 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

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APRIL 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

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newproducts Roller bed conveyors for portable screener Lake Erie Portable Screeners has added three roller bed conveyors to its line of screening equipment. The company designed the new ground, stacking and radial stacking conveyors to withstand the harsh demands of processing materials in construction, landscaping and aggregate applications. They can be used with Lake Erie’s Pitbull 2300 screening plant to produce three grades of material at once.

Lake Erie Portable Screeners www.pitbullscreeners.com

Vibratory tampers Bomag’s new line of vibratory tampers offers a wide range of models that allows users to select a machine that suits the requirements of any job. The tampers combine low operating weights with excellent compaction performance for use in applications such as trench construction, utility and cable backfill compaction, landscaping, and small repair jobs.

From 128 lbs. delivering up to 3,372 lbs. of impact force, to a 150 lb. model that gives 3,822 lbs. of impact force, these rugged tampers are designed and built for long service life.

Bomag America www.bomag.com/canada

Porcelain tiles Sunnywei International introduces Eco-Outdoor 2.0, a two cm-thick full body outdoor porcelain tile. Available in a wide range of colours and sizes, Eco-Outdoor 2.0 is Green Leaf certified for recycled content. Tested for low water absorption, this tile has an anti-slip surface, high breakage load and abrasion resistance.

Sunnywei International www.sunnywei.com

Spreader

Zero-turn mower Kubota’s new Z700-Series includes three models: The Z723, Z724 and the Z725, providing a highquality and productive zero-turn mower at a competitive price. The Z700-Series is a true workhorse boasting powerful Kohler Command V-Twin engines and integrated Parker 14 cc pump and wheel motors in three cutting widths (48-, 54- and 60-in.).

Kubota www.kubota.ca

This all-season spreader features a stainless steel frame that directly supports the hopper base and hopper itself. The hopper has a 100-lb. capacity and comes included with a rain cover and grate.

The enclosed gears are protected from spreading material and the elements to help keep them in prime working order. There is also a fully adjustable gate dial with a handy application reference chart.

Rittenhouse www.rittenhouse.ca

40 | APRIL 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

Mower The MC was Walker’s first entry into the commercial market, and has been updated with a clamshell tilt-open body style, making it easier to completely expose the operating components, and it is now standard with a 7-bushel catcher. The C19 is a popular machine for commercial operators getting started in high-end property maintenance. It uses a 19-hp Kohler OHV engine and an efficient design to deliver power to decks of multiple sizes and types with a number of implements and attachments available.

Pro Power Canada www.propowercanada.ca

Retail management guide Retail management is more demanding than ever. To set store and employee policy, to ensure productivity and accountability, the independent garden centre manager needs the proper tools.

Common $ense Tools for IGC Managers,

by J.P. Lamarche, will help retail staff develop opportunities to increase sales, keep staff motivated and well-trained.

Walk-behind mower John Deere introduces two commercial 61-inch hydraulic walk-behind mowers. Available with either pistol grip or twin loop controls, the new WHP61A and WH61A are available with 23.5-hp engines. The models offer a 5.8-gallon fuel tank, standard electric start and standard electric PTO. The WH61A features twin loop controls, a heavy-duty hydraulic drive transmission, and a 7-gauge fabricated floating steel deck.

John Deere www.JohnDeere.com/MowPro

JPL Biz www.jplbiz.ca

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www.ThamesValleyBrick.com APRIL 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

41

newproducts Grass collector The Grasshopper Company introduces the the HighLift 15B PowerVac. The collector can be emptied from a raised position at the flip of a switch. With a maximum vertical emptying height of 72 inches, it allows operators to empty clippings and debris with precision into an elevated space such as a pick-up bed or trailer, or other hard-to-reach areas. A 15-cubic ft. capacity and a tapered bottom that compacts debris means continued productivity with fewer stops.

The Grasshopper Company www.grasshoppermower.com

Mini spreader

Paving slabs The new Infiniti slabs from Permacon have the look of carved stone with a subtle slate texture.

Available in three colours and sizes for modular, linear or checkerboard installation.

Permacon www.permacon.ca

Ace Torwel’s new Economizer Mini pickup truck and utility vehicle spreaders are ideal for small narrow spaces, like sidewalks. Performance advancements target more efficient, reliable snow and ice control in third-cu. yd. models. The rugged Economizer Mini V-box spreaders are lightweight; hoppers are made of 50/52 series aluminum and frames are constructed of 304 stainless steel. Economizer Mini spreaders feature a quiet, durable 5.5 hp Honda gas engine with built-in overload protection.

Ace Torwel www.acetorwel.com

comingevents April 25-May 11, Arbor Week,

www.arborweek.com

August 2-6, ISA Annual Conference and Trade Show, Milwaukee, Wisc.

www.isa-arbor.com June 18, Fifth annual Canadian Water Summit, Toronto, Ont. www.watersummit.ca

August 17-20, Fall Alberta Gift Show,

Northlands, Edmonton EXPO Centre, Edmonton, Alta. www.cgta.org

August 5-7, IGC Show East, Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, National Harbor, Md. www.igcshow.com

August 17-20, Canadian Fertilizer Institute 69th Annual Conference, Ottawa, Ont.

August 6-7, Penn Atlantic Nursery Trades Show (PANTS), Pennsylvania Convention

August 19-21, Independent Garden Center Show Chicago, Navy Pier, Chicago, Ill.

www.igcshow.com

www.gardencentresofamerica.org

Center, Philadelphia, Penn. www.pantshow.com

July 12-15, OFA Short Course, Greater

August 10-13, Toronto Fall Gift Show,

Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio. www.ofashortcourse.org

International Centre and Congress Centre, Toronto, Ont. www.cgta.org

July 29-August 1, Turfgrass Producers International Summer Convention and Field Days,

August 10-15, IGCA Congress, Ireland.

June 18-21, 15th Annual Snow and Ice Symposium, Columbus, Ohio. www.sima.org June 23-26, Garden Centres of America Summer Tours, San Francisco, Calif.

www.cfi.ca

August 21-23, Farwest Show, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Ore. www.farwestshow.com August 27-30, Plantarium, International

Philadelphia, Penn. www.turfgrasssod.org 42 | APRIL 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

www.igccireland2014.com

Trade Centre, Boskoop, Holland. www.plantarium.nl

LT

cnlanews Better your business with savings programs The CNLA Member Services Committee is working hard to ensure that our programs are competitive and relevant to our members. You spoke and we listened, partnering to provide two new programs. Need a large truck? You can now access significant savings on Isuzu Trucks by letting your dealership know that you are a member of the association. With the season getting underway, ensure that your staff are upto-date on their health and safety training with Employers First. Members receive a 10 per cent discount of the regular pricing.

These are just two of our 22 savings programs designed for businesses in the green industry. Have a suggestion for a new program? Let your provincial CNLA rep know and the committee will look into it. Contact your provincial association for more information, or visit www.cnla-acpp.ca/cnlaboard to find your representative.

Benchmark your business Please invest a few minutes in your industry’s success by responding to a survey. Your participation is key to helping CNLA serve members better. Plus, survey results will be shared in upcoming Newsbriefs, giving you a chance to benchmark your business against others in the industry. As well, each survey offers participants the option to win an iPad mini!

Own a landscaping business? Visit www. cnla-acpp.ca/landscapers to fill out the survey for the 2013 calendar year.

Own a garden centre? Visit www.cnla-acpp. ca/retailers to fill out the survey for the 2013 calendar year.

NAPPO acknowledges McTavish The North American Plant Protection Organization thanks Bruce McTavish, of Vancouver, B.C., for his stellar work representing Canadian industry on the international NGO. McTavish recently stepped down after representing Canadian industry at NAPPO since 2002, following a mentoring period by Henry Heuver who had performed that role so skillfully as one of the originators of the Industry Advisory Group in NAPPO. Over the years, McTavish has been active in the detailed work of several NAPPO panels, most notably development and implementation of standards on Plants for Planting

Ian McDonnell, Executive Director of NAPPO, presents Bruce McTavish with an award to acknowledge his contributions to NAPPO and the industry, at the 2013 NAPPO meetings held in Guelph, Ont.

and through NAPPO, coordinated Canadian industry input to global phytosanitary standards of the International Plant Protection Convention. As a regular participant at NAPPO Executive Committee meetings, McTavish was also influential in the development of strategic priorities and direction for NAPPO. He also took on a specific project for NAPPO during a sabbatical, namely development of a curriculum for post-secondary institutions offering diploma/degree programs in regulatory science, plant protection in particular.

McTavish was recognized by NAPPO at the 2005 and 2013 annual meetings for his contribution to the protection of plant resources in North America. He will be missed by NAPPO for his knowledge, experience, practical approach, sense of humour and knowledge of phytosanitary issues.

ported by both CFIA and USDA-APHIS, boxwood blight is not a regulated pest in Canada or the US. It is therefore impossible to track the possible spread of this destructive pest of boxwood and Japanese spurge. Buyers are therefore cautioned to purchase boxwood only from suppliers that are known to self-propagate, and that have stringent bio-security and best management practices in place.

As a further precautionary measure, landscapers and retailers are urged to NOT bring or plant new boxwood plants onto sites with existing and mature boxwood plants.

CNLA has learned that there have been a few detections of boxwood in the landscape in the summer of 2013. However, due to the non-regulated status of C. buxicola, it is not known where these infested boxwood originated. For further information, visit www.cnla-acpp.ca/growers

Pathways to professionalism

Cead mile failte!

Ever wondered which certification you should obtain in the landscape industry: Red Seal, Journeyperson, or Landscape Industry Certified? The CNLA Certification Committee has created an infographic showing the different pathways to professionalism. Check it out at www.cnla-acpp. ca/pathwaysinfographic, and feel free to share it on your website or social media pages. Choose the path that’s right for you; all options lead to success in the landscape industry.

Know your boxwood supplier

One hundred thousand welcomes to the 56th International Garden Centre Congress being held Aug 10-15 in Ireland. This exciting opportunity is open to Garden Centre Canada members who want to explore the beautiful and innovative garden centres of the emerald isle. Also on the program are historic gardens, castles, Trinity College and the Guinness Storehouse — just to name a few!

This is an exciting trip you won’t want to miss! Register now, as space is limited! www.igccireland2014.com.

LT

Growers, retailers and landscapers are reminded to use extra caution when purchasing boxwood plants this coming spring to avoid the spread of C. buxicola, or boxwood blight.

In a cooperative decision made by nursery growers in both Canada and the U.S, and sup-

The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association is the federation of Canada’s provincial horticultural trade associations.

Visit www.cnla-acpp.ca for more information.

APRIL 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

43

newbrunswickupdate Landscape Trades devotes space in each issue to provincial association news.

This issue features an update from Landscape New Brunswick and Landscape PEI. New Brunswick is not generally known for its tall mountains. Now that I’ve told you that I will immediately counter by informing you that, despite that truth, we do experience some significant peaks and valleys in our industry life here.

Let’s strike out. Let’s put on our best hiking boots and scale our highest summit while we are still strong, eager and somewhat delusional.

Mount LHTI derives its name from the maritime expression Landscape Horticulture Training Institute, and that refers to our little, one-room schoolhouse perched at the pinnacle. It’s four years old and built on three blocks. Happily for us, it is a growing success. Almost 85 per cent who pass through its doors are successful in challenging the government’s apprenticeship block exams and moving up to the next level.

More importantly it is growing in reputation and awareness. When we compare where we are now to where we thought we would be when we started four years ago, we are bang on. We are currently lobbying PEI to join us on the hike toward Red Seal, and our hope is to make that happen this year.

If we take a moment to look back from whence we came, we can still see many of the successful events that we have hosted since December, when we first struck out on this adventure. We held a budget workshop with LMN, an ICPI certified installer program with Shaw Brick, our annual ACES and IPM Symposium, along with a plethora of many and varied one day sessions on a variety of topics. It’s nice to get them behind us so we can lighten the load for the rest of the winter journey.

Every topography has its flatlands; the great plains if you will. While we’re travelling along this even ground, let’s stop and rest a minute and talk about why we even bother to do the things we do. While you boil the tea, I’ll tell you a story.

The week after the ICPI workshop, I requested feedback in the order of, “What did you think of it all?” From that, I received the following response which put a lot of things into perspective. John McLaughlin of Riverview Lawns and Gardens told me this about his two employees who participated: “They both came away with 44 | APRIL 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

Ben Scholten teaches our Block One class in January at the Landscape Horticulture Training Institute.

much more knowledge than they believed they had. Amazed at how engaged it has made them feel.” I thought the second part of the commentary was quite profound, and I’ll leave it at that for you to ponder. Let’s lace up and get moving...

A now distant peak, but not forgotten, was my personal bike ride across PEI in August to raise awareness of the Pink Days in Bloom campaign for the Atlantic Breast Cancer foundation. Nowhere else in Canada could you cycle the breadth of a province and at the same time swing by the doorways of so many industry friends and colleagues. Some fuelled my belly with pink muffins, pink lemonade, lobsters (somewhat pink under the right light) and then sent me pedaling along my way. Others generously donated cold hard cash for the cause. Many did both. It was the best week of my summer, and I plan to do it again this year.

As always, between great peaks there are often significant valleys. Some are crevasses that can be deep and foreboding. We have to manoeuvre through too, these if we wish to carry on. One of our apprenticeship students, who is also the son of one of our members, lost his infant son in the new year. He was the second son of a second son, and the name of the company was Two Boys Landscaping, so you can see the

puzzle I’m presenting starting to come together.

A week after Jakab’s passing, his family gave birth to another son, Deon. It’s a tragic story. The family asked for donations to be made to our little landscape horticulture school that sits high upon the mountaintop and our plan is to create a lasting legacy in his name. I promise to keep you posted.

Ahead in the distance we see another rise in elevation, our annual Awards of Landscape Excellence gala. This year it is to be presented as a more multifunctional event. A multitude of peaks so to speak, as we are promoting it as our big industry social… a kitchen party, a banquet, gathering of souls. We don’t care what you call it, just so long as you come out and join us.

So as you can see, industry life in N.B. and P.E.I. is a journey; sometimes up, sometimes down, sometimes flat. The weather here is good, and our constitution is strong. We take what we can from the positive, to strengthen us for the negative. I wish everyone the same. LT

Jim Landry, CLP Executive Director of Landscape New Brunswick

classifieds BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES ESTABLISHED MUSKOKA LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE COMPANY FOR SALE Successful, respected company, locally owned and operated, is looking for a professional and dedicated purchaser. Well-maintained fleet of trucks and equipment. Dependable staff, loyal customer base. Year-round operation.

For serious inquiries only, please reply in confidence by email to: MuskokaOpportunity@gmail.com LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE COMPANY FOR SALE Well-established grounds maintenance company serving the York-Region area for 39 years.

Locally owned and operated, successful and respected company. Very loyal customer base.

Owner retiring. Serious inquires only.

Reply by email to landscapeopportunity2014@gmail.com

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CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING INFORMATION

All classified ads must be pre-paid by credit card. Rates: $62.15 (includes HST) per column inch (approx. 25 words). Deadline: 10th day of the month prior to issue date. Space is limited to a first-come, first-served basis. To advertise: E-mail your name, phone number and ad to Robert at classifieds@landscapeontario.com.

Online classified rates are $67.80 HST included for Landscape association members and $90.40 (HST included) for non-members. Online ads are posted for 31 days. View ads online at www.landscapetrades.com

SERVICES AND SUPPLIES

ONTARIO’S LARGEST LANDSCAPE LIGHTING SUPPLIER Up to 50% off 190 Bovaird Dr. W. Unit 53-55 Brampton, ON, L7A 1A2 Tel: 905-874-1022 • Fax: 905-874-0095 www.estatelighting.ca

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES MORI NURSERIES LTD. GENERAL MANAGER Mori Nurseries Ltd. is seeking a highly motivated professional who has a proven track record to manage day-to-day issues with sound business principles to ensure that the company achieves the approved budgetary target.

For further information or to send resume: email: interplant@morinurseries.com fax: 905-262-6711 Attention: Linette Garrett POSITIONS AVAILABLE Klomp’s Landscaping Inc. is a commercial residential landscape firm. Located St. Marys Ontario is looking for fun, hard working individuals to join our team.

Positions available include: • Business Controller • Landscape Foremans • Landscape Labour • Landscape Designer • Junior Estimators • Maintenance Foreman Experience, expectations and compensation can be discussed upon contract. Resumes can be forwarded to susan@klomps.ca Questions: 519-284-0254 Macuto Nurseries Experienced farm workers required to perform manual work. Hand cultivating, digging and tree planting. Hourly rate $10.25.

Also required: Driver - Class A licence, Z Certificate and Mobile Crane Operator 0-8. Driver hourly rate $17.50.

Seasonal employment starting April 1, 2014 to Nov 30, 2014. Job site Keswick, Ontario.

Fax resume 905-898-0360 or call 905-898-6856

Advertise your products and services in

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

INTERNATIONAL LANDSCAPING INC Outstanding full-time and seasonal opportunities are available for qualified people to join our well established and award-winning landscape design, construction, and maintenance company located in north Oakville. We are currently hiring for: Landscape Maintenance Foreperson Requirements include: a high degree of horticultural skill and knowledge, demonstrated supervisory and communication skills, ability to physically participate in day to day planting and maintenance, a demonstrated knowledge of trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals, knowledge of turf related practices. Ability to identify insects, diseases and weeds, and to recommend effective treatments. A positive, friendly manner to ensure excellence in customer service and employee morale. A valid driver’s license (D class an asset). Year round employment.

Landscape Maintenance Technician Requirements include: strong horticultural skills, experience in all aspects of property maintenance,valid driver’s license (class D an asset). Year round employment.

Seasonal Planting Technician Requirements include: Physical fitness, excellent work ethic, working on Saturdays, love of the outdoors and seasonal planting, creative & enthusiastic, ability to work independently. Year round employment.

Landscape Construction Technician Requirements include: Working knowledge of all aspects of landscape construction, including precast concrete pavers and walls, natural flagstone paving and walls, retaining wall construction, preparation of planting beds and installation of plant material, operation of skid steers, miniexcavators and loaders. Must have valid driver’s license (D class an asset). Carpentry skills an asset. Year round employment.

Compensation to commensurate with experience.

Start challenging yourself today in an environment that embraces diversity and rewards innovation.

While we appreciate all applications we receive, only those under consideration will be contacted.

Email your resume to: hr@intland.ca or fax to 905-876-0400 www.internationallandscaping.com WORK WITH AN INDUSTRY LEADER!

or online at landscapetrades.com APRIL 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

45

where to find it COMPANY

PHONE

EMAIL

WEBSITE

404 Stone Ltd. 28

PAGE

905-887-3404

sales@404stone.com

www.404stone.com

AMA Plastics Ltd 34

800-338-1136

ama@amaplas.com

www.amaplas.com

Beaver Valley Stone 46

416-222-2424

info@beavervalleystone.com

www.beavervalleystone.com

Best Way Stone Ltd 15

800-BESTWAY

info@bestwaystone.com

www.bestwaystone.com

Bobcat 27

infocenter@bobcat.com

www.bobcat.com

Caledon Treeland 30

800-268-9516

treeland@treeland.ca

www.treeland.ca

Chrylser Canada 13

519-973-2000

www.chryslercanada.ca

CORE Outdoor Power 19

855-831-CORE

sales@coreoutdoorpower.com

www.coreoutdoorpower.com

Cut Above Natural Stone 33

888-557-7625

info@cutabovenaturalstone.com

www.cutabovenaturalstone.com

Electrical Safety Authority 35

877-372-7233

www.esasafe.com

Gro-Bark (Ontario) Ltd 10

888-GRO-BARK

www.gro-bark.com

Husqvarna Canada Corp 23

800-HUSKY62

www.husqvarna.ca

Hustler Turf Equipment 39

800-395-4757

www.hustlerturf.com

keith@gro-bark.com sales@hustlerturf.com

John Deere Limited 31

www.johndeere.com

Kubota Canada Ltd 11

905-294-7477

info@kubota.ca

www.kubota.ca

Maple Leaf Mulch 37

905-852-4335

sales@mapleleafmulch.com

www.mapleleafmulch.com

Miller Compost - The Miller Group 32

866-877-6457

compost@millergroup.ca

www.millergroup.ca

Miska Trailers 47

800-306-2111

sales@miskatrailers.com

www.miskatrailers.com

National Leasing 18

866-586-5501

sales@nationalleasing.com

www.nationalleasing.com

Navascape by Permacon

5

www.navascape.ca

Oaks Concrete Products by Brampton Brick

2

800-709-OAKS

info@oakspavers.com

www.oakspavers.com

Pave Tech Inc 21

800-728-3832

sales@paveedge.com

www.pavetech.com

Permacon Group Inc 48

800-463-9278

www.permacon.ca

Pro Landscape by Drafix Software 29

800-231-8574

sales@prolandscape.com

www.prolandscape.com

Stihl Limited

9

519-681-3000

info.canada@stihl.ca

www.stihl.ca

Thames Valley Brick 41

905-637-6997

info@thamesvalleybrick.com

www.thamesvalleybrick.com

Unilock Ltd 24, 25

800-UNILOCK

georgetown@unilock.com

www.unilock.com

Wilson’s Fresh Blueberries Inc 41

705-799-0315

info@wilsonsfreshblueberries.ca

www.wilsonsfreshblueberries.ca

Wright Manufacturing 17

888-337-2199

sales@wrightmfg.com

www.wrightmfg.com

Zander Sod Co Ltd 22

877-727-2100

info@zandersod.com

www.zandersod.com

Join us on June 21, 2014 for our 25th Anniversary Birthday Bash!

A wide selection of natural stone and precast concrete products • Flagstone • Interlocking • Cultured Stone • Masonry products • In-Lite LED Lights

• Retaining walls • Aggregates • Accessories • Bulk/bag road salt • Kichler LED Lights

Office and yard: 25 Langstaff Rd. E., Thornhill, Yonge & Hwy 7-407 Manufacturing plant: 12350 Keele St., Maple 416-222-2424 or 905-886-5787 Fax: 905-886-5795 Yard: 2777 14th Avenue Markham, On. 905-479-2201 Fax: 905-479-2202

46 | APRIL 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

www.beavervalleystone.com

neW

Melville速 Pavers and Slabs

DoWnLoaD oUr Free 2014 eLectronic cataLogUes.

Permacon.ca