Horticulture Review - August 2011

Chapter events

For more chapter event listings, visit www.horttrades.com.

August 17 Golden Horseshoe Golf Tournament Willow Valley Golf Course, Mount Hope Come enjoy a social outing with fellow industry members at the Golden Horseshoe Chapter Golf Tournament.

August 18 Georgian Lakelands summer barbecue Clearview Nursery, 8257 County Road 91, Stayner Nothing says summer like a barbecue. And, few pleasures in life can compare to the joy of great food and sharing a few laughs. The Georgian Lakelands Chapter summer barbecue is a superb opportunity to have a little fun. We invite you,

Looking For A Miracle?

Seed and Topdress this Fall with

your family, employees and associates to attend.

There are great activities planned for children, both young and old, along with hamburgers and hot dogs with cold salads and dessert. Cost is $10 for adults and only $5 if you are 10 and under. It all takes place, starting at 4 p.m. 705-428-0063.

August 25 Durham Chapter’s Annual Barbecue T. Arnts Loam Supply, Pickering The Durham Chapter’s annual summer barbecue will take place from 3 - 7 p.m. This event will feature a supplier showcase, dinner provided by the Chapter and much more. If you are a supplier looking to participate, contact Helen Hassard at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354, or helen@landscapeontario.com.

August 26 Ottawa Golf Tournament The Canadian Golf and Country Club, Ashton The Ottawa Chapter invites you to come out to its annual golf tournament in support of The Ottawa Food Bank.

September 9 London Golf Tournament Pine Knot Golf Course, Dorchester Treat yourself to a great day on the links! Support your association and take a well-deserved break.

Our sponsors have been very generous, and we invite everyone to come out to this event. Contact Carla Bailey at cbailey@landscapeontario.com.

Bringing the lawn back from the dead!

Aug. 20

Sept. 15

s )MPROVES GRASS SEED GERMINATION AND ESTABLISHMENT s )MPROVES DROUGHT TOLERANCE AND SURVIVAL

COST EFFECTIVE TOPDRESSING Easy-Flo 1-866-507-8348 info@easy-flo.ca 2 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011

Visit

www.easy-flo.ca FOR MORE INFORMATION AND LOCAL DISTRIBUTORS

September 10 Windsor Golf Tournament Orchard View Golf Course, Leamington Come enjoy the last of summer at the Windsor chapter’s annual golf tournament.

September 11 Waterloo Chapter Baseball Tournament and Picnic Breslau Community Centre, 200 Woolwich St., Kitchener Join the Waterloo Chapter for the annual baseball tournament taking place at Breslau Community Centre, starting at 8 a.m.

September 15 Golden Horseshoe Chicken Roast TBD Mark your calendars for the Golden Horseshoe Chapter’s annual chicken roast. This event has been a success of the chapters for many years, come find out why! The barbecue will start at 5:30 p.m.

Landscape Ontario and industry events

For more Landscape Ontario and industry event listings, visit www.horttrades.com.

September 12 - 13 Canadian Snow and Ice Expo Rideau Carleton Entertainment Centre, Ottawa The Snow and Ice Sector Group of Landscape Ontario will host this inaugural event. For exhibitor information, contact Paul Day at paulday@ landscapeontario.com, 800-265-5656, ext. 339.

September 14 - 15 Municipal and Contractor Fall Equipment Show 2011 Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex Formerly called The Snow and Ice Symposium, the Snow and Ice Sector Group of Landscape Ontario, the Ontario Parks Association and the Municipal Equipment and Operations Association are hosting the Municipal and Contractor Fall Equipment Show 2011. This year’s conference program features many opportunities to help make your operations more efficient and cost effective. For exhibitor information, contact Paul Day at paulday@ landscapeontario.com, 800-265-5656, ext. 339.

September 28 Learn about organic horticulture Humber College, Toronto Whether you are a professional or just learning, this course will provide the knowledge needed to become a better gardener. The science and practice of organic horticulture will be introduced, along with the concepts of landscape management. For more information, email ceappliedtech@humber.ca, or phone 416-675-5094.

September 30 - October 1 Landscape Industry Certified Exam St. Clair College, Windsor St. Clair College and The Windsor Chapter are hosting the first annual Landscape Industry Certified Test for the Windsor Chapter. There is space for 18 industry professionals to test the exam, along with the students from the College.

For more information on the exam, to sponsor the event or to volunteer as a judge, visit horttrades. com/clt, or contact Rachel Cerelli at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 326, email rachel@landscapeontario.com.

Selling Flower Bulbs for over 20 years

October 19 - 20 Expo 2011 Toronto Congress Centre, North Building Lots of great changes are happening at Expo 2011. This year the show will move 100 yards to the North Building at the Toronto Congress Centre. Visit www.loexpo.ca for more information.

November 3 - 5 Spreading Roots, an urban forestry symposium Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Ave., East, Toronto The Ontario Urban Forest Council presents Spreading Roots: working together to protect our urban trees. Call 416-397-1355 for details.

November 9 Building Your Prosperity Landscape Ontario, 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton Landscape Ontario has created this introductory seminar to get business owners started on the road to success. To see more information on the program, go to www.horttrades.com/prosperitypartnership-initiative.

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Landscape Ontario staff LO staff members are committed to member service. Please call with your questions or concerns.

Tel: (905) 875-1805 or 1-800-265-5656 Fax: (905) 875-3942 Web: www.horttrades.com

Landscape Ontario’s mandate is to be the leader in representing, promoting and fostering a favourable environment for the advancement of the horticultural industry in Ontario.

Suffix for all e-mail addresses below: @landscapeontario.com

Executive Board

Windsor Chapter

President

President: Mark Williams Board rep: Garry Moore

Past president

Garden Centre

Tom Intven, tintven@ Robert Adams, robertadams@ First vice-president

Tim Kearney CLP, tkearney@

Administrative assistant Jane Leworthy, ext. 301, jleworthy@

Growers

Provincial Board

Interior Plantscapes

President: Greg Scarlett CLT Board rep: Mark Humphries, mhumphries@

Controller Joe Sabatino, ext. 310, jsabatino@

Grounds Management

Secretary/treasurer

Durham Chapter

Executive assistant Kathleen Pugliese, ext. 309, kpugliese@

Manager, education, labour development and membership Sally Harvey CLT, CLP, ext. 315, sharvey@

Second vice-president

Dave Braun

Executive director Tony DiGiovanni CHTR, ext. 304, tonydigiovanni@

Chair: Michael Van Dongen Board rep: Bob McCannell, bmccannell@ Chair: John Hewson CLP Board rep: Brian Marsh

Phil Charal, pcharal@

E-mail suffix for all staff members: @landscapeontario.com

Chairs: Mark Ostrowski Board rep: Gerwin Bouman Chair and board rep: Stephen Schell CLT

Irrigation

Education, labour, and certification project coordinator Rachel Cerelli, ext. 326, rachelc@ Seminar and safety group coordinator Kathy McLean, ext. 306, kathym@ Membership coordinator, Helen Hassard, ext. 354, hhassard@ Chapter coordinator, Georgian Lakelands Chapter Lexi Dearborn, ext. 317, ldearborn@

Chair: John Lamberink CIT Board rep: Steve Macartney CIT, CLT

Chapter coordinator, London Chapter Carla Bailey, ext. 356, cbailey@

President: Michael LaPorte CLT Board rep: Warren Patterson

Landscape Contractors

Chapter coordinator, Ottawa Chapter Martha Walsh, ext. 368, mwalsh@

Golden Horseshoe Chapter

Lawn Care

Manager, information technology Ian Service, 416-848-7555, iservice@

Georgian Lakelands Chapter

President: Fiore Zenone Board rep: Brian Cocks CLT

London Chapter

President: Grant Harrison CLT Board rep: Peter Vanderley CLP

Ottawa Chapter

President: Sarah Johnston Board rep: Bruce Morton CLP, CIT

Toronto Chapter

President: Lindsay Drake Nightingale Board rep: Ryan Heath CLP, CLT

Upper Canada Chapter President: Dan Clost CHTR Board rep: Paul Doornbos CLT, CLP

Waterloo Chapter

President: Rob Tester Board rep: David Wright CLP

Chair and board rep: Peter Guinane Chair: Steve Tschanz Board rep: Alan White, awhite@

Landscape Design Chair: Tony Lombardi CLD Board rep: Paul Brydges

Lighting

Chair and Board rep: John Higo

Snow and Ice Management

Manager, Pesticide Industry Council Tom Somerville, tsomerville@ Executive director Ontario Parks Association Paul Ronan, ext. 349, pronan@ Director of events and trade shows Gilles Bouchard, ext. 323, gbouchard@ Trade show manager Paul Day CDE, ext. 339, paulday@ Trade show manager Lorraine Ivanoff, ext. 366, lpi@

Chair: John Fulford Board rep: Gerald Boot CLP, geraldboot@

Trade show coordinator Linda Nodello, ext. 353, lnodello@

Members at Large

Conference and events coordinator, Kristen McIntyre CLT, ext. 321, kristen@

CNLA Board Rep

Director of public relations Denis Flanagan CLD, ext. 303, dflanagan@ Publisher Lee Ann Knudsen CLP, ext. 314, lak@

Gregg Salivan Bruce Warren

Gerald Boot CLP, geraldboot@

Web editor Robert Ellidge, ext. 312, rob@

Horticulture Review

Art director Melissa Steep, 647-723-5447, msteep@

The Voice of Landscape Ontario

August 15, 2011 • Volume 29, No. 8 Views expressed in Horticulture Review are those of the writer concerned. Horticulture Review and Landscape Ontario assume no responsibility for the validity or correctness of any opinions or references made by the author. Copyright 2011, reproduction or the use of whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited. Published 12x per year. Rates and deadlines are available on request. Subscription price: $43.51 per year (HST included).

For subscription and address changes, please e-mail subscriptions@landscapeontario.com

4 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011

Editorial director Sarah Willis, ext. 313, sarahw@ Editor Allan Dennis, ext. 320, aldennis@

ISSN 0823-8472 Publications Mail Agreement No. PM40013519 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses To: Circulation Department Horticulture Review 7856 Fifth Line South Milton, ON L9T 2X8

Graphic designer Mike Wasilewski, ext. 343, mikew@ Sales manager, publications Steve Moyer, ext. 316, stevemoyer@ Communications assistant Angela Lindsay, ext. 305, alindsay@ Communications assistant Shawna Barrett, ext. 305, shawna@

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

It’ll be alright come August

By Tom Intven LO president

W

hen my father emigrated from Holland in 1950, he worked for a year at McConnell Nurseries in Port

Burwell.

Spencer McConnell at the time owned the largest nursery in Canada, specializing in mail order. In those days there was a large rural population in Canada and mail order was king.

This was before the appearance of today’s garden centre, when the Sears catalogue was the Tom Intven preferred way to shop.

Dad worked in the propagation department with a generous and flamboyant character by the name of George Blyth. George was a long serving employee who had seen the ups and downs of the nursery business through the depression and WWII. His phlegmatic temperament was well suited to the stressful and seasonal nature of our industry. Whenever the pressures of spring began to rise or crises would occur, especially with issues related to the weather, George would always say, “Oh Bill, you watch, it’ll be alright come August.”

In other words, no matter what the spring throws at you, weather- or economy-related, the season will unfold as it should. By the end of August, we will be in a good place again.

I have reminded myself many times of George’s words during this most unusual and stressful spring. In many ways the cliché still rings true: most of our business is done in spring; you know how you are doing by August. It’s the month that allows some perspective on the year.

And historically for the last 25 years or so, for the most part, things are normally alright by the end of August.

But right across the entire country, this spring was much, much different. In April, I sent out a ‘Word on Encouragement’ by email to all of our members in an attempt to keep our spirits up during the continued cold and wet weather.

I was buoyed by the many responses from our members, who showed appreciation of knowing that 1) we can’t do anything about the weather, 2) we are all in the same boat together and 3) we should be grateful for what we have.

But the cold, wet weather relentlessly kept

coming right until the middle of May, demoralizing our spirits, delaying our work schedules and keeping our customers at home. So now that it’s August, let’s step back and see what we have learned from this late, cold spring and early summer.

• Climate change is giving huge swings in the predictability of the weather. Wild variations in the weather are becoming the norm. As one astute nurseryman observed, “It was a year of firsts and records, again.” Record rainfall, record sustained low temperatures, record number of consecutive days of rainfall, record high winds (Let’s not forget the wind storm in Niagara), record days without hydro for some, the list goes on.

• In our industry weather rules and trumps the economy big time. We are always looking for a reason on which to blame a slump in business, but this year proved beyond doubt that the weather is the most important factor in our business.

• We were off balance more than usual, while the inclement weather tried the patience of us all, made us stretch our resources and made ALL very, very tired. Our industry is de-moralized by the lack of return on time, energy and resources during this past spring.

• The best laid plans have to be changed.

Adaptability was the key to survival this spring with changing work schedules, sale schedules, shipping schedules. The more quickly one was able to adapt, the more successful one was.

• Have a plan B, C and D for next year.

opportunities in April and May. While a delayed spring builds pent-up demand, the fear of loss of relevance was real.

All of this was put into global perspective today when I spoke to a fellow nurseryman from B.C., who told me he was severely depressed one day in June when looking at his financials and the lack of prospects of recouping losses from the spring. So he started to make a list of his good fortunes, compared to the rest of the world. The longer he thought, the longer the list became. In his words, “Ninety-nine per cent of the people in the world would love to change places with me in a heart-beat.” He walked away from this selfhelp session with a new positive frame of mind that has lasted ever since.

So while we may not have reached all our financial or production goals in this challenging and unusual spring, with the right perspective, George Blyth’s comment still rings true, “You watch – it’ll be alright come August.”

Tom Intven may be reached at 519-631-1008, or tintven@landscapeontario.com.

At this time (I am writing this in June), I’m not sure that it will be ‘alright come August’ for many of us. There definitely were lost opportunities in March, April and May, along with lost sales, lost production time, and stifled momentum.

Most contractors lost four to six weeks of their peak production time, which many say is very difficult to recoup in a 32-week season.

The big fear in May for many was that customers would just forget about gardening or landscaping this year, bypassing the gardening season and segueing right into the summer cottage season. The long weekend in May really marked the START of the gardening season in Ontario. We had to teach our customers that gardening could be done in June and July. June had better weather, and some catch-up was made, but for many of us, not enough to offset the lost HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011 5

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Make them never forget how you made them feel Tony DiGiovanni CHTR LO executive director

M

any times, I have heard or read the following quote: “They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”

These words are usually associated with the retirement, or at a celebration of someone’s lifetime achievement, or acceptance of a prestigious award where the honoree is sharing a life lesson.

My own memoTony DiGiovanni ries reveal the truth implanted in this simple quotation. The school teachers whom I remember are the ones that truly cared about their students. The experiences I remember are the ones that were filled with positive emotion.

This seemingly universal truth is a double-edged sword. I also remember those teachers who made me feel inadequate or stupid.

If we look for ways to reflect positive feelings in our personal relationships, we will generate a legacy of goodwill. The same is true in our business life. The more we make our customers feel like we care about them, the more the relationship will be cherished.

We make people feel good We are in a very fortunate business, because the products and services of horticulture make people feel good. We are in the “feeling” business. Our work can stimulate

feelings of joy, wonder, awe, reflection, pride, contemplation, creativity and many other emotions. Our work very rarely generates negative feelings (unless we do a bad job).

As an example, I remember the very first Canada Blooms at the Toronto Congress Centre. The traffic was at a standstill, because of the size of the crowds. There were fights in the parking lot. Everyone came angry and frustrated, however, something magical happened as soon as they strolled through the entry garden and into a building filled with beautiful plants and incredible gardens. Fifteen years later people are still talking about the beauty and the scents. They remember the individual gardens.

They also remember who built them. Often in a discussion about Canada Blooms, the conversation will inevitably turn to specific gardens built by various garden builders or sponsors.

They remember because the gardens communicated at an emotional level and left them with a positive emotion.

Stimulate emotions I am convinced that the best way to promote our industry is to design, build and maintain gardens at a level that stimulate emotions. Our work must communicate beyond the physical realm. All of us can point to examples when this has happened, but it is not easy. It takes commitment, experience, practice, knowledge, volition, craftsmanship, enthusiasm and passion (and sometimes a proper budget) to work at an emotional level. It is a worthy pursuit to aspire to communicate at this level.

Canada Blooms offers one of the best venues to make an emotional connection and communicate the benefits of our industry.

6 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011

Visitors are met with thousands of creative and inspirational ideas. Many of those ideas will be translated into reality. It is the one place where we can showcase our very best.

As everyone knows by now, Canada Blooms and the National Home Show are co-locating next year. As one of the largest indoor events in North America, it will generate more attendance and more resources. The co-location will allow us to improve the level of the garden experience. We will have more opportunities to leave an indelible impression and stimulate an emotional connection with thousands of visitors.

Garden builders wanted Do you have the talent, creativity and aspiration to build a garden at Canada Blooms next year? Do you want to take your team to the next level? Do you have awe-inspiring ideas that you want to share with the public and trade?

If you do, please contact me. We are currently looking for a few select landscape professionals to build “wow” gardens at Canada Blooms.

The space, material handling, sand and bark are free. In addition, you will be given a plant budget, advertising and cash support. We will even work with you to find sponsors. No other festival provides so much support to the select group of garden builders.

Canada Blooms offers a great venue to create lasting memories. Visitors “will never forget how you made them feel.”

Tony DiGiovanni may be reached at tonydigiovanni@landscapeontario.com.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Associations with the same goal Denis Flanagan CLD Director of public relations

A

s part of my job description, I represent Landscape Ontario on several boards and committees with other organizations. One of those organizations is the Ontario Horticultural Association (OHA).

Founded in 1906 by the provincial government, the OHA has grown to 270 societies boasting over 30,000 members across Ontario.

Over the years, I Denis Flanagan have had the pleasure of giving presentations to many of those societies. I have often met LO members at these meetings who have formed local partnerships with the society. Not only does this make good business sense, but it demonstrates that we support the principles of the OHA.

Those principles simply state: • Love of gardening • Deep enjoyment in sharing your knowledge • Commitment to preserving and restoring Ontario’s natural environment • Dedication to making the community we live in beautiful, sustainable and livable Successful partnership A recent example of a successful partnership was when the Ayr Horticultural Society approached me to help with a special garden they were installing to celebrate the organization’s 90th anniversary.

They were looking specifically for assistance to locate a mature-sized native red maple.

They made contact with one of our members ,Phil Dickie of Fast Forest in our Waterloo Chapter. Phil was able to supply a beautiful wire basket specimen for the Society’s dedication ceremony Another great example of our successful partnership with the OHA is our relation-

ship with the local Milton society. Many of our members have worked on projects with the local society. Sean James of Fern Ridge Landscaping was the society’s president for several seasons. These connections have resulted this year in several volunteers helping to maintain the University of Guelph trial gardens on your Milton site.

Landscape Ontario provided lots of information for the annual OHA convention in Sudbury this July. Several hundred members participated in workshops, networking sessions and planning for the future.

In 2012 the provincial association is planning to hold the 106th annual convention in the Niagara region. The theme will be ‘Gardening Then and Now, 1812-2012.’ It’s a great opportunity for us to showcase the wonderful history of our industry and celebrate the benefit of partnerships.

Denis Flanagan may be contacted at dflanagan@landscapeontario.com.

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011 7

PROFESSIONAL AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Leadership and the challenging spring of 2011

By Sally Harvey CLT, CLP Education and Labour Development Department

T

his past spring will be one talked and written about for many years. Open up any newspaper or magazine, and the focus is been on the weather. It reminds me of my fatherin-law, who was a great farmer, but never satisfied with the weather. It was too hot, too rainy, or too something for the crop of discussion, or the task at hand.

I, too, transitioned in to farmer mode this year, as the weather caused unreal delays in getting on to the landSally Harvey scape site with my company. Projects were behind, clients were not signing on because of the cool, wet weather, and staff and equipment were ready to go, but not able to accomplish anything according to plan.

The poor weather rapidly transitioned into summer-like conditions, as soon as the election came and went. Suddenly, clients rose from their winter cocoon ready all at once to get started yesterday. More STRESS! Yes, we have all had a particularly stressful start in 2011. This includes business owners in every sector, to all levels of staff, who were trained and oriented in preparation for a great season, yet the weather delayed their much-anticipated start. Some were kept busy, while others were sent home to wait.

Once the weather turned and the season started, we were slow getting out of the gate.

Once the client approvals drove in, it was scheduling mayhem.

In June, I received numerous calls from owners cancelling their attendance at various meetings and events, due to internal human resource issues. I have never heard from so many of our members relaying that they lost critical staff this spring, soon after the craziness started.

And it wasn’t from competitors, but to completely new career paths. Our short term expectations as owners this spring did not match the career vision and goals for several key employees.

Many were caught off guard. In early spring we had excess staff due to the weather, and then quickly were clearly short-staffed when the insane rush arrived. As owners, we have seen this before. We were tired, but knew we would sur-

vive and get our clients taken care of. However, we did not all have the time to share our wisdom with our staff. We did not encourage and coach as we would have liked to. They could not see past another exhausting day or week. Many departed, leaving significant operational gaps in several firms.

Never before have I witnessed this exodus!

It reminds me of the doctor crisis, when the government imposed an income ceiling.

Let this be a lesson for the future. All staff, whether in the landscape horticulture industry or the medical field, want and need to be assured that they have a solid career opportunity with their employer.

We know that there is a shortage of skilled labour and this is projected to increase as boomers retire and as the green industry grows. We also know that we have much work to do to attract and recruit new workers who have different lifestyle needs to fill the skilled labour gap.

More importantly, it is clearly time to develop staff retention strategies to support and sustain our existing skilled workforce. A revolving door does not build a strong foundation in an industry that is so dependent on human capital. In response to this need, Landscape Ontario will expand the opportunities for development in regards to human resource management aimed at owners and supervisors at Congress and with the winter seminars.

I also encourage you to challenge the Certified Landscape Professional (CLP) designation. One of the seven manuals is the human resource management module. The manual and seminar will teach and remind you and your management steam of the basic foundation for solid HR practices, as they apply to your landscape horticulture business. If you have not already, start the journey today. Register at: http://bit.ly/pxJNJM. Barriers to skilled labour As you may have noticed in past articles, Landscape Ontario, in partnership with Humber College and Ontario Parks Association, was awarded a grant project by Employment Ontario.

Research will examine the challenges and barriers to skilled labour development in our industry.

It is a Labour Market Partnership Project.

Many of you participated in the survey last month. I encourage you to attend one of the four, half-day sessions in August, either in Ottawa, Sudbury, Toronto or London. These sessions are free and professionally facili-

8 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011

tated by John Butcher, who has been tasked to work with our industry to find solutions to barriers. We anticipate that employee retention strategies will be one of the barriers. I urge you to register to participate to be part of the HR solution. Go to www.horttrades.com/ labour-market.

Worker reintegration WSIB introduced a new Worker Reintegration (WR) program in Dec. 2010 that applies to all workers, including those in the construction industry. This means that the return to work for re-employed or injured workers is now integrated under this new WR program. It has a strong focus on work retention.

The goal of the WR program is to help employers and injured workers to maintain their employment relationship throughout the recovery/rehabilitation process. The intention is to ensure dignified return to work for the injured worker.

Most injured workers can return to some type of work even during the recovery period.

Returning to daily work and life activities can actually help in the recovery process. Worldwide research shows that the longer a worker is off work due to injury or illness, the less likelihood there is of that person returning to work.

Ultimately the program produces workers who return to decent, safe, productive and sustainable employment.

There are new expectations of employers: • Increased active participation and communication between all stakeholders.

• Maintain open and regular communication with injured worker as soon after injury as possible and throughout recovery period.

• Attempt to identify and provide suitable and productive work.

• Employers have the duty to accommodate work /workplace to the extent that it does not cause the employer undue hardship.

• Co-operate with WSIB For more information on employer obligations in regards to Work Reintegration go to http://bit.ly/mOLdtO. To find the WSIB site, go to www.wsib.on.ca/en/community/WSIB. Sally Harvey may be contacted at sharvey@landscapeontario.com.

THE UNDERGROUND WORLD

Safe excavation update

By Terry Murphy CLP

T

his will give you an update on the issues within the underground industry over the last 12 months.

The Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA) continues to be the driving force for the collective management of the underground infrastructure in Ontario. Here are the main issues and status as we enter the summer months of 2011.

The goal of the Terry Murphy ORCGA is to promote utility damage prevention for all excavation firms and to the public through education, training and awareness in Ontario. Work is currently underway to create a national organization.

LO on ORCGA board LO continues to serve on the ORCGA board of directors and supports all damage prevention initiatives by ensuring that all our members and other horticultural firms are up-to-date on our damage prevention efforts. LO has been represented on the ORCGA board for the past eight years.

One of our proudest achievements is to see the statistics on underground utility hits for the landscape industry reduced by over 34 per cent for 2010 over 2009 results. This is a great accomplishment.

The important message that supports the work to see a continual decline in underground utility hits is, “Always get locates before you dig.” Never start a job that the equipment operator does not have the locate paperwork on their person.

Follow the Best Practice Guide when excavating. Contractor costs for an average utility hit is about $4,000, plus a lot of administration time.

the house inlet. Any private lines to backyard swimming pool heaters, change rooms, barbecues, etc., require separate locates by the owner. Do not dig in a backyard without asking the owner about any private underground utility lines that may be present. The equipment operator is responsible for making sure that the owner has provided private backyard locates.

ORCGA has regional councils (similar to the LO Chapter structure) and is looking for LO firms to be part of the organization’s governance by participating in two to three meetings a year. See the ORCGA website, or call Jim Douglas at 1-866-446-4493 if you wish to be part of this organization.

Bill 180 cancelled As I wrote in my previous column, the proposed One-Call legislation received first and second readings in the provincial government this year, however, Bill 180 as it was known, was cancelled when the Liberal government

ended the current session at Queen’s Park and called a fall election. MPP Bob Bailey, PC representative for Sarnia, (who sponsored Bill 180 as a private member’s bill) has a commitment from the provincial Conservatives and leader Tim Hudak, to approve Bill 180 if elected in October.

An improved record Our industry has made great progress in the last 18 months in improving our damage prevention management. Thank you for your concerns and your commitment in getting locates and for being part of our industry improvement efforts. Let’s continue our improvement to reduce hits and support our government committee in contacting all provincial parties to support Bill 180 after the Oct. 6, 2011 election.

Please direct all comments and inquiries to Terry Murphy at tvmurphy@ca.inter.net.

WSIB audit Utility hits are recorded by ORCGA’s Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT), Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) and the Ministry of Labour, and may trigger an audit from WSIB. Remember that locates provided by Ontario One Call are only from the street to HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011 9

SYSTEMS FOR SUCCESS

Sales versus operations

By Mark Bradley

T

his series of articles, published in Horticulture Review for the past two years, follows Dan, a struggling landscape contractor, and his long-time friend and mentor Bill, who has recently introduced Dan and his company to systems.

Dan dragged his boots through the door of the diner where he was meeting Bill for a quick lunch. They had planned a light casual Mark Bradley lunch — no shop talk.

But one of Dan’s top foremen had just given his notice that he was leaving.

“I won’t find a replacement that good in mid-season,” shrugged Dan. “This one is going to sting.”

“What reason did he offer?” asked Bill “He got another job,” said Dan, “But he was a different person these past few months.

I’d been working him hard, and he kept complaining about getting the worst of the work.

He felt his jobs always had too few hours and he was burning out trying to meet the goals.”

“Was he right?” asked Bill directly.

Dan was quick to answer, “More than I’d like to admit. The wet weather set us back this spring. We’re barely keeping pace with our sales goals and our schedule is off by three weeks because of the rain. We’re getting aggressive on our hours to make sure we sell enough work. It’s probably too aggressive, but we lack a systemized approach to estimating.

Job hours differ depending on who quotes the job. That is because the person quoting the work has never actually done the work. But sales staff is blaming our crews. They say we can’t sell jobs, because our crews take too long.”

Not confident in estimates Bill kept going, “It sounds like you agree, at least somewhat, with your crews. You’re not confident in your estimates a lot of the time.”

Said Dan, “Honestly, yes. It costs us on some jobs, and I hope we make it up on others. We lack consistency. I have three people here who put prices together, but give us all the same job to price and we’ll come up with three different prices.”

Bill replied, “Sales people are often good with people, but lack experience in the field.

Operations people are good in the field, but might not be the right fit for sales. But when you’re estimating a job, you’re straddling both sides of the fence — sales and operations. If they’re out of balance, then so is your business. In reality there is no fence — there is only the customer.”

Dan jumped in, “And nothing good can come out of any mistake on our estimates: When hours are under-estimated, there’s no money in the job. It’s easy to sell, but I burn out my best field crews trying to hit unrealistic deadlines, or they take shortcuts, and I’m back six months later spending three times as much fixing issues. When the hours are overestimated, we get out-priced. And, even if we do win the work, the crews slow down and use up those extra hours. We rarely finished under-budget.

“So what can I do?”

Bill took a bite of his pie, and then looked up to respond to his worried friend. “Naturally, sales want to keep hours, and therefore prices as low as possible. This will help them sell the job. But your field staff wants as many hours in the bid as possible. This way, they will finish their jobs on time, without feeling burnt out. Would you agree?”

“Exactly,” said Dan. “And neither side is ever happy.”

Conflicts between sales and operations “Every company has the same problem with sales and operations. On the surface, it’s a conflict, but can’t you see they both have the same goal?”

“No,” said Dan, “they have the opposite goals. Sales wants less hours. Operations wants more hours.”

“They have opposing wants, continued Bill. But they have the same goal.” Your sales staff, would they rather work for a company that’s stable and secure, and can afford to pay them what they are worth, or a company that struggles to meet payroll and could go under with the slightest downturn in the market?”

“The stable company, of course.”

“And would you agree that your field staff feels the same? Do you believe they would like secure jobs where they are paid at the best levels in the industry?”

“Of course,” agreed Dan.

10 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011

“Then,” continued Bill, “their goals are not different. They want the same thing. In fact, you all want the same thing. Everyone wants to work for a busy, profitable company that can not only offer stable employment, but above-average pay.

“What you need,” Bill continued, “is better communication. What’s stopping you from bringing those two groups together before the estimate goes out the door? How much would it cost you to bring a foreman back half an hour early on a Thursday to review estimates before they are presented to customers? A one-hour discussion will cost you less than $100 and save you thousands. When the people that do the work are involved in planning the work: • Hours estimated are more accurate • They help plan optimal crews and equipment to reduce the costs and time • They help plan better material use which reduces waste • They can identify suggestions in the design phase that could save time and increase value to the customer and/or profit System works for both sides “The system works. Foremen cannot stretch the hours, or else sales will suffer and they will be less likely to hit their goals. They’ve also been involved in estimating the hours, so they cannot just blame sales for underestimating jobs. Salespeople will better understand how to reduce hours by designing the job for value and productivity instead of setting unrealistic expectations for the crews. Having foremen help value-engineer estimates can only bring two things: a better price for the customer, or a better profit for the company. Sometimes, even both.”

“I’ve always wanted to do it,” said Dan, “We just get…” “...so busy,” said Bill. “I know. But ask yourself, ‘Are you really too busy to take a couple hours a month to review estimates?’

Or, are you too busy because your operations people never had a chance to improve your estimates?”

Mark Bradley is the president of The Beach Gardener and the Landscape Management Network.

VOLUNTEER PROFILE

John Higo

Landscape lighting sales, Turf Care Products Canada, chair Lighting Sector Group, LO board of directors This issue features John Higo, who has been involved in the landscape lighting business since 1999 with Turf Care Products Canada. In that time, he has held volunteer positions with the Illuminating Engineering Society and Landscape Ontario. He has also conducted numerous speaking engagements at industry events and teaches at local colleges.

He was alsoreceive a member Sign up to your own of the Canada Blooms Garden copy of LO’s weekly Build Team this year and one of the organize-mail update ers of the first-ever lighting symposium at Landscape Ontario, which attracted a capacity attendance.

What inspired you to join Landscape Ontario?

A desire to help develop and promote the professionalism in our industry, coupled with a sense of community. I believe that many heads are better than one, and many voices...louder.

Where do you volunteer within the association?

I currently serve Week as the chair and provincial LO This gives you board representative of the Lighting Sector advance notice Group. of association Do you have a favouriteevents memory and during chapter activities. your volunteer experience?

So many, but I would say the most rewarding for me to date Lindsay has been the Contact Angela involvement with the Make-a-wish alindsay@landscapeontario.com, Foundation on a couple of projects. The or call 1-800-265-5656, ext. 305. overwhelming feeling of support and

Are you getting all the news?

I don’t know about an improvement, but I community when you see would love if more people knew about the what can be accomplished power of connection and networking that by volunteering and the association offers. The most common donations, and the question I am asked by people considering humbling experience of joining is, “What are the benefits?” It is working for young people the intangible benefits that are hardest to who are infinitely stronger quantify. We should sing them from the and braver than you could rooftops...perhaps article will. imagine being. Are you getting all thethis news?

Do you perform other volunteer work What benefit do outside of Landscape Ontario? you receive from Yes, I serve on the landscape lighting volunteering?

Sign up to receive committee for the Illuminating The comradeship of my of Society, and am helping to Engineering peers, a hint of ayour sense ofown copy write a Recommended Practices document altruism, and the joy of being able to give weekly LO’s with them. I contribute when I can to Fair just a little back to an industry thate-mail has update Vote Canada, and I also volunteer with a allowed me to make a living and take care local soccer league. of my family.

What suggestions do you have to improve Contact Angela Lindsay the association? alindsay@landscapeontario.com

Are you getting all the news?

Sign up to receive your own copy of LO’s weekly e-mail update

Sign up to receive your own copy of LO’s weekly e-mail update

Are you getting all the news?

Sign up to receive a copy of LO’s weekly e-mail update

Contact Shawna Barrett

Are you getting all the news?

Contact Angela Lindsay alindsay@landscapeontario.com, or call 1-800-265-5656, ext. 305.

shawna@landscapeontario.com, or call 1-800-265-5656, ext. 305.

Are you getting all the news?

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011 11

CONTRACTORS’ COLUMN

Instinct can help contractors avoid problems

By Arthur Skolnik

H

omeowners say they look for contractors they can work with, while on the other side of the coin, contractors say they’re looking for homeowners they can work with.

When I arrive at a potential client’s home, brush off the dust, grab my clipboard and tape measure and ring the door bell, I really don’t know what or who to expect. I’ve already spoken to the potential client on the phone, but people are generally on their best behaviour during the initial phone conversation. When I’m on their property, they rightfully feel at ease and it’s during this critical time I need to evaluate if they’re going to be the type of client for whom I want to work.

My instinct is on high alert. I need to weigh the size and scope of the job against how easy I think it will be to work for the client. Potential clients can ask me for references, speak with my last few clients, call Landscape Ontario, or check out my website, but I can’t do any type of background check of them. All I have is my instinct.

Sometimes I’m invited into the kitchen or living room for a brief discussion, and then we move outdoors. Other times I wait until the dog settles down and my potential clients puts their shoes on before coming outside to walk the property and discuss what they want. During this critical get-to-know-each-other time, my feelers are out and my instinct at work.

Once in a while, a husband and wife will start arguing about the extent of the landscaping they had in mind, because they’ve just realized they have different needs and wishes. I hate when that happens and feel uncomfortable. Sometimes spouses will disagree with a comment from their partner, just grit their teeth and squeeze out the words, “Alright dear, as you wish.” My instinct

is definitely on high alert when these situations take place.

Most of the time things are smooth and comfortable for all parties and my instinct doesn’t set off any warning bells. However, once I have the job signed, the mood can change as the job begins. As a contractor, I never know what each day will bring. I know I am decent, honest and have integrity. All I ask is that the client behaves in the same way.

Here is a brief list I wish I could give to all my potential clients: • Landscape contractors and their employees are people too, with pride, honour, dignity, feelings, families and responsibilities. Don’t disrespect us.

• Don’t bring your stress onto my job site, even if it is at your house.

• If you have more money than I have, it doesn’t give you the right to talk down to me or behave badly.

• If you offer me and my crew water or juice — especially when it’s hot outside — or washroom facilities, that sort of kindness bodes well.

• Words of encouragement like, nice job, looks great, it’s exactly what I wanted, are words we respond well to.

Many years ago, I was asked to quote on a very large job in arguably the most exclusive area of Toronto. The homeowner thought my initial price was too high, so I lowered it before meeting him again.

For the next week, after he again thought my price was too high, I couldn’t bring myself to call him to discuss my lowered price. Finally his wife called and asked when I’d be back to discuss the new budget. With great courage and some trepidation, I told her I wasn’t going to

12 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011

be working for them. At that moment, I felt the weight of a great big heavy backpack being lifted off my shoulders. My instinct had been knocking, but I hadn’t been listening.

Three things can happen at the end of a job: you can make money, break even, or you can lose money. The worst thing that happened by not doing that big job was, I didn’t lose money, which I would have, had I agreed to do the job for the price he wanted. The following year, I heard that the contractor who took the job lost his shirt.

As it turned out, another job came up with margins at which I felt comfortable. Instinct trumps ego every time. Don’t start a job just because you think it can be profitable. Know it will be profitable, or let someone else’s ego rule their decision to do that job.

The bottom line is to use your instinct. It may become one of your most valuable tools.

Unfortunately, some of the lessons aren’t worth the price you need pay to learn them. But fortunately, lessons cost less as time goes on and your instinct becomes more acute.

What do you look for, or listen to when you meet potential clients that shapes your decision to work for them or not? What comments would you add to a list which, if you could, you’d give to all your potential clients? Send me your comments.

Arthur Skolnik owns Shibui Landscaping in Toronto and is a member of the Landscape Contractors Sector Group. You may contact him at shibui@rogers.com.

Wage survey A wage survey to reflect 2011 levels is currently on horttrades.com.

The analysis of this information is a valuable planning tool for new and existing businesses. Information can be used for benchmarking purposes and to cultivate prosperity. It also helps in promoting the industry as a career choice. Please take the time to complete the surveys. The surveys are completely confidential and only aggregate numbers will be used in the final report. To access the survey, go to www.loit.ca/wagesurvey.php.

Social media: Not the end of the line for communication

By Helen Hassard Membership coordinator

R

ecently I reconnected with an old friend.

We had been great friends for a while, but eventually the relationship had gone completely web-based with just a few Facebook messages and emails.

While chatting with him, I found that this had been the case with many of our ‘close friends.’ I know that happens naturally over time, but it seems extremely common with my generation (Gen Y).

Helen Hassard So, how come in a time when we have cell phones, social media, email, snail mail and are basically connected 24-7, are we losing touch with each other?

Well perhaps the problem is that social media has become more than it was ever intended. It was originally designed as another tool for connecting like-minded individuals and sharing information. Instead it has become the

crutch that makes connecting with others simple but shallow. We use it because it’s an easy way to communicate. But since it’s so easy, many of us have forgone other communication tools and in doing so, lost the ability to build truly meaningful relationships.

I don’t mean to paint everyone with the same brush, as some people are able to maintain online relationships in a meaningful way.

Social media certainly has its place among our other communication tools. All I’m saying is maybe we need to step back for a minute and think about if you are getting what you need from social media.

I realize that this column is meant to inform the members, both regarding their benefits and new initiatives/opportunities coming up, so I will cut to the chase. LO wants to communicate with you. We want to hear your ideas and share our information with you. To do this, we have leveraged multiple communication tools (yes social media is one of them, and yes, if you’re reading this magazine then you’re on the right track), but let’s not forget the face-to-face communication taking place regularly at chapter meetings, seminars, trade shows

and special events. The relationships you build at these events are priceless, and after all, who wants to go have a beer with their laptop?

Ways to communicate with LO Go to the events page to learn about exciting face-to-face events www.horttrades. com/2011-summer-events or www. horttrades.com/comingevents.php Follow Horticulture Review on Twitter @ HortReview Follow Green for Life on Twitter @ green_for_life Connect with LO staff and members on LinkedIn and join discussion groups about industry topics www.linkedin.com/ Landscape Trades magazine www.landscapetrades.com/ Horticulture Review www.horttrades.com/ horticulture-review And, of course, the simple telephone at 1-800-265-5656.

Helen Hassard may be contacted at helen@landscapeontario.com.

NEW MEMBERS DURHAM Native Plants in Claremont Karen Abrahams 4965 Westney Rd, Pickering, ON L1Y 1A2 Tel: 905-649-8176 Membership Type: Active GEORGIAN LAKELANDS Sunset Point Property Services Ltd Andy Rainey 3964 Conc 12, Stayner, ON L0M 1S0 Tel: 705-444-8455 Membership Type: Active GOLDEN HORSESHOE Aesthetics Group Greg Davis 1092 Highway 8, Stoney Creek, ON L8E 5H8 Tel: 905-643-9933 Membership Type: Active Horticolor Canada Philip Hielema 24 Aquadale Dr, St. Catherines, ON L2N 3R6 Tel: 905-650-8523 Membership Type: Associate

TORONTO Account-Ability Training Linda Wiesner 754 Roseheath Dr, Milton, ON L9T 4R4 Tel: 905-467-5253 Membership Type: Associate Atlas Landscape Inc Constantino (Dino) Kotsikas 16715-12 Yonge St, Suite 236, Newmarket, ON L3X 1X4 Tel: 905-235-6500 Membership Type: Active Supreme General Contractors Limited Fernando Cavasinni 1100 South Service Rd W, Oakville, ON L6L 5T7 Tel: 905-855-8063 Membership Type: Active UPPER CANADA Grounded Landscape & Design Inc Rick Murray 1291 Unity Rd, RR 1, Glenburnie , ON K0H 1S0 Tel: 613-549-5530 x1 Membership Type: Interim

Planit Green Landscapes Landon Wieske 328 Garner Rd, Ancaster, ON L9G 3K9 Tel: 905-304-7366 Membership Type: Interim

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011 13

Chapter News Members show off at Gardens of Distinction Tour

By Carla Bailey London Chapter coordinator

With the temperatures reaching into the high 20s, it was a beautiful day on July 9 for the 3rd annual Gardens of Distinction Tour in London.

Attendees enjoyed 10 locations within London (three in St. Thomas), perfect skies and friendly Landscape Ontario professionals at every garden.

Each scene presented different concepts and solutions to what for some homeowner or business people could be an overwhelming challenge.

Whether the challenge was a small space, sharp inclines, creating the place for entertaining, establishing a hideaway in the city, or just a hectic lifestyle, members of Landscape Ontario provided countless solutions and insights. The transformations of the many beautiful and peaceful places were truly inspiring. Guests were blown away with the detail to each site.

Each garden is a testament to the passion these practiced landscape companies have and the pride was evident once conversations began with the many visitors. The attendees of the Gardens of Distinction tour had the unique pleasure of discussing their challenges with a Landscape Ontario professional who had created the space being visited. Through this format, people went home with ideas on how to turn their space into their own secret haven from the world. Guests

This garden created by Hunter Home and Garden was one of many to wow visitors on the Gardens of Distinction Tour.

were able to see how these gardens matured and how livable their own space could be with help from design professionals.

The members were able to meet potential new clients, as well as showcase their hard work.

Not only did each Landscape Ontario member have the opportunity to demonstrate a living showcase of their different talents, but they also promoted the Green for Life brand.

Promotions at location garden centres, nurseries and associated suppliers helped drive ticket sales. All funds raised will go towards future Landscape Ontario London Chapter community projects. In the past, these projects included Alex’s Butterfly Garden, London Children’s Hospital and The Banting House Global Garden.

Members involved with the tour included Beamish Landscape Construction, Canadale

14 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011

Nurseries, Coldstream Land Escape Company, Eden Gardenworks, Escapes Outdoor Living Design, Greentec Landscape Design and Construction, Hunter Home and Garden, Jay McKinnon Company, Moore Water Gardens, Nicola’s Garden Art, Patrick Callon Landscape Designer, Rural Roots Landscaping and TLC Professional Landscaping.

Those serving on the organizing committee are Michelle Peeters, Wendy Harry CLT, Jerry Hakkers and Jason Zehr. They all did a fantastic job of running the Gardens of Distinction Tour.

A thank you to all of the following members who helped promote and sell tickets: Baseline Nursery, Canadale Nurseries, Moore Water Gardens, Parkway Gardens, Springbank Gardens, and Van Horik’s Greenhouses.

Keeping your chapter connected Windsor tournament hits a home run

Bellaire Landscape wins first baseball tournament.

Members of the Windsor Chapter took time out of their busy season to enjoy the first annual LOWC Baseball Tourney at Co-An Park in McGregor.

The July 2 event was termed a home run success. On the field, Bellaire Landscape won the four-team tournament, while all 60 family and friends enjoyed a fun-filled day that also included a barbecue and pool party. Organizers said the tournament will definitely be an annual LOWC event for years to come.

A special thanks goes to the LOWC events committee that organized this great event: Dan

Garlatti, Garlatti Landscaping (chairperson), Tom Davis, Topgrade Landscape, for setting up the diamonds and organizing the on-field play and to Mike Bellaire, Bellaire Landscape, and his wife Olivia for hosting the barbecue social afterwards at their lovely home with a beautiful pool that certainly got its use that day.

Said Dan Garlatti, “It is only through the volunteering of these committee members and their willingness to become actively involved with the LOWC membership, that great events like these can take place. Thank you all so much! And, thank you to everyone who came

out and played or watched the games. See you all there next year!”

Landscape Ontario’s golf season is well underway. Already, tournaments have taken place in Upper Canada, Waterloo and Toronto Chapters, while this month tournaments are scheduled for Golden Horseshoe, Durham and Ottawa. In September, golfers will enjoy events in London, Windsor and Georgian Lakelands. More information available at horttrades.com

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011 15

Hillen Nursery Inc Botanical Name

Qty. 1 Gal Qty. 2 Gal Qty. 3 Gal Botanical Name Avail. Price Avail. Price Avail. Price

VINES Ampelopsis glandulosa Elegans 432 8.00 Campsis radicans Balboa Sunset 475 8.00 Campsis radicans ‘Flamenco’ 180 8.00 Celastrus orbiculatus Diana 210 8.00 Celastrus orbiculatus Hercules 278 8.00 Celastrus scandens 235 8.00 Hedera helix Baltica 514 6.00 Hydrangea anomala petiolaris 167 6.00 Lonicera x Mandarin 168 8.00 Lonicera brownii Dropmore Scarlet 210 8.00 Lonicera heckrottii Goldflame 200 8.00 Lonicera japonica Halls Prolific - new 270 Parthenocissus quinq. Engelmannii 222 6.00 890 8.00 Parthenocissus quinquefolia 1,000 6.00 Parthenocissus tricus. Veitchii 983 6.00 Polygonum aubertii 1,000 6.00 Wisteria sinensis Alba 22 6.00 106

EVERGREENS Azalea Golden Lights 273 Azalea Mandarin Lights 258 Azalea Northern Lights 200 Azalea Orchid Lights 469 Buxus Faulkner 246 5.00 945 Buxus microphylla 156 5.00 232 Buxus X Green Gem 950 5.20 439 Buxus X Green Mound 1,000 5.00 112 Buxus X Green Mountain 652 5.00 1,000 Buxus X Green Velvet 1,000 5.20 1,000 Chamaecyparis pisifera Filifera 172 5.00 284 Chamaecyparis pisifera Filifera Aurea 155 Cotoneaster dammeri Coral Beauty 1,000 5.00 502 7.00 Cotoneaster dammeri Major 147 7.00 Cotoneaster microphyllus 120 5.00 Cotoneaster salicifolius Repens 726 7.00 Euonymus fortunei `Emerald n Gold` 1,000 7.00 Euonymus fortunei Canadale Gold 730 7.00 Euonymus fortunei E.T. 112 7.00 Euonymus fortunei Emerald Gaiety 1,000 5.00 621 7.00 Euonymus fortunei Goldtip 328 7.00 Euonymus fortunei Surespot 190 7.00 Euonymus fortunei Vegetus 138 7.00 Ilex X meserveae Blue Princess 840 5.00 733 Juniperus chinensis Gold Coast 160 5.00 218 Juniperus chinensis Gold Star 310 5.00 360 Juniperus chinensis Mint Julep 400 5.00 320 Juniperus chinensis Pauls Gold 78 5.00 84 Juniperus chinensis Pfitz. Compacta 215 5.00 240 Juniperus chinensis San Jose 41 5.00 112 Juniperus communis Repanda 386 5.00 114 Juniperus conferta Blue Pacific 550 5.00 200 Juniperus horizontalis Andorra Compacta 297 5.00 57 Juniperus horizontalis Bar Harbor 39 5.00 133 Juniperus horizontalis Blue Prince 84 5.00 136 Juniperus horizontalis Icee Blue 989 6.00 821 Juniperus horizontalis Lime Glow 205 6.50 117 Juniperus horizontalis Prince of Wales 419 5.00 Juniperus horizontalis Wiltonii 445 5.00 150 Juniperus horizontalis Yukon Belle 355 5.00 1,000 Juniperus media Armstrongii 122 5.00 163 Juniperus sabina 276 5.00 333 Juniperus sabina Buffalo 41 5.00 102 Juniperus sabina Calgary Carpet 131 5.00 Juniperus sabina Skandia 150 5.00 114 Juniperus squamata Blue Carpet 96 5.00 288 Juniperus squamata Blue Star 407

16 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011

12.25

13.50 13.50 13.50 13.50 11.00 11.00 11.20 11.00 11.00 11.20 11.00 11.00

11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 13.00 11.50 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00

Qty. 1 Gal Qty. 2 Gal Qty. 3 Gal Avail. Price Avail. Price Avail. Price

Picea abies 379 7.00 150 Picea abies Nidiformis 108 Picea glauca 32 7.00 300 Picea glauca Conica 622 Picea glauca Densata 100 7.00 Picea omorika 211 7.00 Picea pungens Fat Albert 128 Picea pungens Globosa 40 5.00 274 Pinus mugo var. mugo 1,000 Pinus strobus 276 Rhodondendron Northern Starburst 113 Taxus cuspidata Aurescens 91 5.00 52 Taxus cuspidata nana 56 5.00 275 Taxus X media Densiformis 1,000 5.00 6 Taxus X media Hicksii 1,000 5.00 902 Taxus X media Hillii 630 5.00 730 Taxus X media Wardii 648 5.00 144 Thuja occidentalis 254 Thuja occidentalis Brandon 27 5.00 180 Thuja occidentalis Golden Globe 108 5.00 35 Thuja occidentalis Little Giant 126 Thuja occidentalis Nigra 313 5.00 917 Thuja occidentalis Smaragd 161 5.00 1,000 Thuja occidentalis Wintergreen 832 Thuja plicata Spring Grove 480 Tsuga canadensis 206 5.00 240

11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 22.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00 11.00

DECIDUOUS SHRUBS Acanthopanax sieboldianus 387 7.00 Acer ginnala 292 7.00 30 Acer rubrum 807 7.00 Acer saccharinum 120 7.00 Acer saccharum 232 7.00 Acer tartaricum Bailey Compact 108 7.00 Alnus glutinosa 195 7.00 Amelanchier alnifolia 658 7.00 Amelanchier canadensis 653 7.00 Aronia mel. Autumn Magic 404 7.00 Aronia X prunifolia Viking 266 7.00 Berberis thunbergii Rose Glow 270 6.00 299 9.50 253 Berberis thunbergii Royal Burgundy 235 Berberis thunbergii Royal Cloak 601 6.00 85 9.50 Berberis x Emerald Carousel 237 9.50 Buddleia davidii Black Knight 290 7.00 Buddleia davidii Dartmoor 112 7.00 Buddleia davidii Ellens Blue 450 7.00 Buddleia davidii Ile de France 704 7.00 Buddleia davidii Nanho Purple 337 7.00 Buddleia davidii Petite Plum 400 7.00 Buddleia davidii Pink Delight 470 7.00 Buddleia davidii Purple Prince 783 7.00 Buddleia davidii Royal Red 336 7.00 Buddleia davidii White Profusion 140 7.00 Callicarpa japonica Issai 120 Caryopteris clandonensis Dark Knight 256 7.00 Caryopteris clandonensis Grand Blue 417 7.35 Caryopteris clandonensis Worchester Gold 174 7.00 Cercis canadensis 460 7.00 Chaenomeles speciosa Nivalis 492 7.00 Chaenomeles speciosa Rubra 982 7.00 Chaenomeles speciosa Texas Scarlet 648 7.00 Chaenomeles sup.Crimson and Gold 243 7.00 Chaenomeles sup.Pink Lady 144 7.00 Clethra alnifolia Pink Spire 640 7.00 Cornus alba Elegantissima 549 7.00 Cornus alba Ivory Halo 146 7.45 Cornus alba Red Gnome 160 7.00 Cornus alternifolia 766 7.00 Cornus amomum 1,000 7.00

8.00

13.50 13.50

8.00

c.

Botanical Name

Many More Cultivars and sizes available Qty. 1 Gal Qty. 2 Gal Qty. 3 Gal Botanical Name Avail. Price Avail. Price Avail. Price

Cornus stolonifera Kelseyi 574 7.00 Corylus americana 134 7.00 Cotinus coggygria Royal Purple 377 Cotoneaster apiculatus 256 7.00 Cotoneaster horizontalis 342 7.00 Cotoneaster preacox Boer 1,000 7.00 Deutzia crenata Nikko 823 7.00 Deutzia gracilis 560 7.00 Deutzia gracilis Aurea 123 7.00 Deutzia gracilis Duncan 126 7.00 Euonymus alatus 255 5.00 1,000 8.00 Euonymus alatus Compactus 1,000 5.00 383 Fagus sylvatica Purpurea 533 7.00 Forsythia Kumson 477 7.00 Forsythia ovata Ottawa 940 7.00 Forsythia X inter. Northern Gold 1,000 7.00 Forsythia X intermedia Goldtide 140 7.00 Forsythia X intermedia Lynwood 420 7.00 Genista tinctoria Royal Gold 319 7.00 Gymnocladus dioica 24 7.00 180 Hibiscus syriacus Aphrodite 319 5.00 Hibiscus syriacus Collie Mullins 152 5.00 24 Hibiscus syriacus Diana 450 5.00 344 Hibiscus syriacus Minerva 144 5.00 Hibiscus syriacus White Chiffon 72 5.60 127 Hibiscus syriacus Woodbridge 390 5.00 Hydrangea macr. Bouquet Rose 200 7.00 Hydrangea paniculata Kyushu 192 7.00 Hydrangea paniculata Pinky Winky 418 7.60 Hydrangea paniculata Tardiva 348 7.00 Hydrangea serrata Bluebird 440 7.00 Ilex verticillata Afterglow 1,000 7.00 Ilex verticillata Southern Gentleman 508 7.00 Itea virginica Henrys Garnet 193 7.00 Kolkwitzia amabilis Pink Cloud 821 7.00 Ligustrum ovalufolium 288 7.00 Ligustrum vulgaris 723 7.00 Liriodendron tulipefera 144 8.50 Lonicera tatarica 231 7.00 Lonicera tatarica Arnold Red 1,000 7.00 Lonicera xylosteum Claveys Dwarf 156 7.00 Lonicera xylosteum Emerald Mound 1,000 7.00 Lonicera xylosteum Miniglobe 555 7.00 Magnolia stellata Royal Star 157 Magnolia X loebneri Leonard Messel 336 Philadelphus coronarius Aureus 437 7.00 Philadelphus Innocence 866 7.00 Philadelphus Minn.Snowflake Dwarf 364 7.00 Philadelphus Minnesota Snowflake 560 7.00 Philadelphus Natchez 238 7.00 Philadelphus X virginalis 295 7.00 Physocarpus opulifolius 1,000 7.00 Physocarpus opulifolius Diabolo 1,000 7.60 600 Physocarpus opulifolius Seward 987 7.85 Populus tremuloides 158 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa Coronation Triumph 140 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa Dakota Sunrise 793 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa Gold Drop 944 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa Goldfinger 158 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa Goldstar 283 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa Mango Tango 552 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa McKays White 338 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa Tangerine 188 7.00 Prunus cistena 359 5.00 1,000 7.00 23 Prunus incisa Kojou-no-mai 155 7.00 Quercus bicolor 297 7.00 Quercus palustris 192 7.00 Quercus robur Fastigiata 633 9.00 Rhus aromatica 156 7.00

8.00

9.00

8.00 8.00 8.60

11.00 11.00

8.60

8.00

Qty. 1 Gal Qty. 2 Gal Qty. 3 Gal Avail. Price Avail. Price Avail. Price

Rhus aromatica Low Grow 556 7.00 Rhus typhina 1,000 7.00 Rhus typhina Tiger Eyes 15 10.50 294 Ribes alpinum 1,000 7.00 Ribes aureum 127 7.00 Rosa Henry Kelsey 168 7.00 Rosa Bonica 615 7.00 Rosa Carolina 595 7.00 Rosa J P Connell 143 7.00 Rosa John Cabot 345 7.00 Rosa rugosa Hansa 638 7.00 Rosa rugosa Morden Blush 121 7.00 Rosa x Champlain 251 7.00 Rosa x George Vancouver 170 7.00 Rosa x The Fairy 382 7.00 Salix bebbiana 450 7.00 Salix caprea 1,000 7.00 Salix discolor 721 7.00 Salix eriocephala 454 7.00 Salix exigua 1,000 7.00 Salix gracilis Purpurea Nana 1,000 7.00 Sambucus canadensis Aurea 1,000 7.00 Sambucus nigra 117 7.00 Sambucus nigra Black Lace 70 9.50 25 Sambucus pubens 224 7.00 Sorbaria aitchisonii 495 7.00 Sorbaria sorbifolia 1,000 7.00 Sorbaria sorbifolia Sem 1,000 7.00 298 Spiraea alba 840 7.00 Spiraea arguta 201 7.00 Spiraea betulifolia Tor 250 7.00 Spiraea bumalda Gold Mound 1,000 7.00 Spiraea japonica Anthony Waterer 770 7.00 Spiraea japonica Crispa 933 7.00 Spiraea japonica Dakota Goldcharm 511 7.00 Spiraea japonica Froebelii 1,000 7.00 Spiraea japonica Golden Princess 693 7.00 Spiraea japonica Goldflame 1,000 7.00 Spiraea japonica Little Princess 1,000 7.00 Spiraea japonica Magic Carpet 1,000 7.25 Spiraea japonica Shirobana (Genpei) 427 7.00 211 Spiraea japonica White Gold 486 7.00 Spiraea nipponica Snowmound 276 7.00 Spiraea vanhouttei 447 7.00 Spriaea vanhouttei Golden Fountain 1,000 Stephanandra incisa Crispa 1,000 7.00 Symphoricarpos albus 1,000 7.00 Syringa meyeri Palibin 1,000 7.00 Syringa patula Miss Kim 1,000 7.00 Syringa vulgaris 436 7.00 Syringa vulgaris Beauty of Moscow 106 7.00 70 Syringa vulgaris Primrose 188 7.00 Syringa X prestoniae Minuet 150 7.00 Tamarix pentandra 109 7.00 Viburnum dentatum 328 7.00 Viburnum dentatum Chicago Lustre 642 7.00 Viburnum nudum Winterthur 122 7.00 Viburnum opulus Nanum 252 7.00 Viburnum plic. Summer Snowflake 119 7.00 Viburnum plicatum Mariesii 260 10.00 Viburnum plicatum Shasta 176 10.00 Viburnum trilobum 161 7.00 Viburnum trilobum Bailey Compact 744 7.00 Weigela florida Alexandra 203 7.60 Weigela florida Bristol Ruby 255 7.00 Weigela florida French Lace 355 7.60 Weigela florida Nana Variegata 627 7.00 Weigela florida Rumba 546 7.00 Weigela florida Victoria 212 7.00

12.50

11.50

8.00

8.00

9.00

8.00

RR 2, Mount Brydges, ON N0L 1W0 Tel: 519-264-9057 • Fax: 519-264-1337 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011  17

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS Story celebrates owner’s success

The Toronto Metro newspaper published an article on the success of Mike Riehm, owner of Envirobond Products. To read the article, see the online version at http://bit.ly/oy32M0.

LO members interviewed on outdoor tips

A number of Landscape Ontario members were interviewed in an article for The Toronto Star’s online home information news source, yourhome.ca, for tips on creating great outdoor spaces. The article states, “With prime patio and deck season upon us, we spoke with several GTA deck and patio contractors — all members in good standing with Landscape Ontario for tips on creating great outdoor spaces.” To read the entire article go to http:// bit.ly/q0Yfkm.

Contest draws much media attention

A contest by an Ottawa landscaping company and interim member of LO, Instant Lawn, has attracted a great deal of media attention in the

city. Entitled, Ottawa’s Worst Lawns Contest, residents submit a photograph of a bad lawn, and if it was deemed the worst in the city, it could win a $15,000 lawn makeover. The company is owned and operated by Adam Sarumi.

To view the television interview, go to http:// bit.ly/qJMrZc, and to read the Ottawa Citizen story go to http://bit.ly/qd8oW1.

Geosynthetic Systems marks 30th year

Geosynthetic Systems of Ottawa is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Geosynthetic Systems specializes in products used in soil management and stabilization.

DDR sold

DDR Landscape Contractors announced the sale of the company to TGC Acquisition Corporation on July 8. Based in Oakville, DDR has been a member of LO since 2002. In a press release, TGC Acquisition Corporation stated that all of the employees will continue to work at DDR and the previous owners will remain an integral part during the transitional period.

Water festival now major event

What began as a small gathering of water gardening enthusiasts seven years ago has evolved into one of Ottawa’s most popular horticultural events. The Pond Clinic’s Ottawa Water Garden Festival gives proceeds to the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. This year’s event was held on July 9. Guests were invited to take a swim in a natural pond, or enjoy a barbecue.

Each year hundreds of area families and businesses attend the festival. The annual Pond Tour features a dozen of the most spectacular water gardens in Ottawa. Guests of this selfguided tour are given a ticket book with maps and directions to help guide them from pond to pond at a relaxing pace.

Vineland welcomes new research team members Three research scientists have joined Vineland Research and Innovation Centre team. Dr. Bernard Goyette, post harvest technologies, Dr. Valerio Primomo, vegetable breeder, and Dr. Anissa Poleatewich, plant pathology, bring their respective research expertise and experience to the facility.

Dr. Poleatewich has joined Vineland from Penn State University.

Her area of research will include development of biocontrols and other alternatives to chemical pesticides for control of plant diseases and weeds with an emphasis on integrated pest management in vegetable, fruit and ornamental crops grown in Ontario.

Dr. Goyette joins Vineland from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

He is concerned with postharvest handling including pre-cooling, storage and packaging to maximize quality.

Dr. Primomo comes to Vineland from Pioneer Hi-Bred as a molecular breeder for several crops.

18 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011

LO encouraging members to take part in National Tree Day Following the federal government’s proclamation of National Tree Day, Landscape Ontario and Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) are working towards helping members celebrate the day on Sept. 21.

The day became official following parliament passing a private member’s bill by MP Royal Gallipeau last year. LO executive director Tony DiGiovanni, said, “As an industry we commend Royal Gallipeau for initiating National Tree Day. It is a testament to the economic, environmental and social benefit of trees that this private member’s bill actually came to fruition during a minority government.”

Landscape Ontario is asking members to work with their local schools to encourage a tree planting event on Sept 21. It is hoped members will use their existing relationships with teachers, principals, or trustees and adopt a school to host a tree planting event. The organizing committee suggests the member could bring the classroom outdoors and show students how to plant and care for a tree donated by the member. A press release has been created in which the member can fill in the blanks of the template and forward it to local media outlets before the event and follow up with a few photos from the event.

CNLA has developed press releases and toolkits which are available at www. canadanursery.com/nationaltreeday to give members the materials they need to carry out a successful event. Included in the press releases is a message to visit a local garden centre to buy

a tree and participate in National Tree Day. “National Tree Day will also raise public awareness that trees can be planted in the fall as well as spring. The industry looks forward to helping promote this very important day,” says DiGiovanni.

Partnership with Tree Canada A partnership was formed with Tree Canada to

co-promote events. The press releases include the logos of LO’s Green for Life, CNLA and Tree Canada’s National Tree Day. CNLA is requesting any members who initiate an event to contact staff to let them know which school you are working with. Email details for your planting event to joseph@ canadanursery.com. A list of the programs will be included on the website.

Total of 27 high schools now offer landscaping programs As a direct result of Landscape Ontario’s efforts there are now 27 high schools offering Specialist High Skills Major programs in horticulture and landscaping.

The schools should be supported as much as possible with members having a link between their company and the high school. By doing this it will encourage more participation in co-op programs and raise awareness about available career opportunities.

The schools includes, Elliot Lake Secondary School, Grey Highlands Secondary School (Flesherton), St. John’s College (Brantford), Kernahan Park Secondary School (St. Catharines), Stamford Collegiate (Niagara Falls), Loyola Catholic Secondary School (Mississauga), Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School (Oshawa), G.L. Roberts Collegiate and Vocational Institute (Oshawa), Uxbridge Secondary School

(Uxbridge), McKinnon Park Secondary White Oaks Secondary School (Oakville), Notre Dame Secondary School (Burlington), E.C. Drury High School (Milton), Saltfleet Secondary School (Stoney Creek), Cobourg District Collegiate East (Cobourg), Kenner Collegiate and Vocational Institute (Peterborough), Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School (Peterborough), Alexander MacKenzie Secondary School (Sarnia), St. Clair Secondary School (Sarnia), St. Michael Catholic Secondary School (Niagara Falls), Banting Memorial High School (Alliston), St. Patrick’s High School (Ottawa), Nantyr Secondary School (Innisfil), Huron Park Secondary School (Woodstock), College Heights Secondary School (Guelph), Resurrection Catholic Secondary School (Kitchener), and in Toronto, Bendale Business & Technical Institute, Don Mills Collegiate Institute and Parkdale Collegiate Institute.

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011 19

Letter to the editor The following are my comments on the article about the underground economy and the request to the provincial government to bring back a home renovation tax cut as published in the July issue of Horticulture Review.

The idea of a home renovation tax cut seems logical, but it is not the solution. Taxes are too high! There comes a point when people feel that they are paying too much tax and they want a break. It is that simple.

I do not blame our customers for asking for a break on the HST. When I look at the amount of tax on our invoices compared to what we used to charge with just the GST, I am shocked. This Liberal provincial government has been in revenue-grabbing mode since day one. Remember before they first were elected, they promised to not increase taxes during the campaign? We voted for them and the result was a huge regressive personal tax increase called the health tax, which hit lower income earners far worse than higher income earners — so much for a progressive income tax.

We voted for them a second time and the result was a huge tax grab called the HST. I am all for this tax, as it creates a simpler and better tax for business. However, when you tax more things, the rate should have been brought down to be revenue neutral. A fair rate would have been 11 per cent not the 13 per cent we currently pay. What is that old expression? Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. You can guess what will happen if they are elected for a third term.

If Landscape Ontario really wants to get involved to fight the underground economy, then it needs to lobby the government to lower taxes, and permanently. Asking for a specific credit for our industry just won’t do it. We need to start educating the members about economics and that raising taxes eventually reduces government revenues. It slows economic growth which over

time affects all of us.

Let’s face it, landscaping is not an essential service, and when the economy slows down we will see our revenues drop. This puts pressure on pricing, lowering margins as well. An economy with reasonable levels of taxation creates a sustainable environment for all of us to prosper, with greater government revenues over time.

We also need to be realistic in asking government for help. The reason taxes are so high is that we have too many government programs which we cannot afford. Asking for another one creates an uneven playing field favouring one group over another, which in the long term

creates a poorly functioning economy that leaves us all to suffer.

I encourage Landscape Ontario to get involved with as many groups as possible in the next provincial election this fall, and let our voices be heard. We want lower taxes and we are willing to accept lower government spending!

If not, we will end up in the same shape as Greece, where tax evasion is a way of life and the government is completely broke.

Marc Arnold Rockcliffe Landscaping, Ottawa

Over 40 candidates challenge Certified tests

A total of 41 candidates took the next step towards certifying their professional standards.

The 41 candidates and 33 judges and volunteers battled oppressive heat and humidity during the annual two-day Landscape Industry Certified testing event on July 21 and 22 at Landscape Ontario home office in Milton.

20 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011

Rachel Cerelli, project coordinator, said, “Members of the industry prove their competence by successfully earning Landscape Industry Certified designations.”

Documentation was sent to Planet in the U.S. with the grades for the written tests, but results had not been returned to LO by press time.

Valued sponsors of the test days include: Platinum – Stihl, Clintar; Gold – Snap Edge, Echo; Silver – Permacon; In-kind – Battlefield, Hamilton Sod, Walker Mowers, Barreto, Billy Goat, Kooy Brothers and M. Putzer Nursery. The next test days are in Windsor on Sept. 30 and Oct 1, and then in Milton on Oct. 24 and 25.

Anyone interested in challenging the Landscape Industry Certified exam should not delay. To register, go to horttrades.com/ landscape-industry-certified.

LO STAFF PROFILE

Joe Sabatino Controller

What is your job description at LO? Although my official title is controller, I think accountant is more appropriate for the duties I perform.

My duties include all accounts receivable and accounts payable functions, as well as financial statement and budget preparation. In short, anything that has a dollar sign attached to it comes across my desk in some shape or form.

What is your background before coming to LO, and when did you begin work at LO? After graduating from McMaster University in 1990, I had a variety of accountingrelated positions, including junior auditor with a chartered accounting firm, assistant controller with an auto dealership and accountant for a manufacturing company.

It was my good fortune to be considered and eventually hired by LO in January of 1996.

When not at work, where can you be found?

When you look up the definition of homebody, there must be a picture of me. When not at work, I am home with my wife Sandra and sons Alexander and Claudio. I try to keep in touch with my childhood friends, but between work and family life, it is difficult to coordinate at times.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

As a child, I loved sports — basketball and football — but never had any delusions of doing that professionally. Instead, I can recall a project I was assigned in grade 5 where the same question was asked of me.

What I recall aspiring to at that time was to become an architect.

What inspires you during your time at LO? My time at LO is the only time in my work life that I have actually enjoyed coming to work in the morning. My workload makes the time fly by each day and the

staff members are all a joy to work with (most of the time, anyway).

Name your all-time favourite movie, musical group and TV show.

I love watching all types of movies: horror, action, drama, even chick flicks. I especially enjoy the ones with a bit of reality in them, such as Rudy, We are Marshall, Remember the Titans and Men of Honor.

I was never into any one particular musical group growing up; it was more about what caught my ear. Today, I listen to the same top 40 type of music that my children listen to.

As for TV shows, I love whatever makes me laugh. The one show that does it for me every time is The Big Bang Theory.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I have not had the opportunity to travel much as of yet. I am of Italian descent and plan to one day visit Italy. I would also love to visit Spain, or Greece.

Tell us one thing about you that few of your colleagues know about you.

The fact is I can pretty much be read like

an open book — not a lot of secrets here.

I guess the one thing I can tell you is I always wished I had the voice for singing.

I love music, but the only time I sound good when singing along with the radio is if I crank it up to the point that I can’t be heard.

Read

Horticulture Review

ONLINE!

www.horttrades.com/ horticulturereview

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011 21

Shine in the quest for horticultural excellence

The Dunington-Grubb award winning project submitted by Oriole Landscaping has been featured in several consumer magazines.

By Kristen McIntyre CHT Conference and event coordinator

The days start feeling long at this time of year, as enthusiasm dwindles. Heat and humidity have drained us and it seems like there is no end in sight. You may begin to question if anyone will notice the extra hours you put in redesigning your end cap displays, facing the stone, or positioning every shrub and tree exactly into place.

Let me assure you, if you submit images of your work into LO’s Awards of Excellence program, the judges will notice.

LO’s Award of Excellence program provides our members the opportunity to showcase their talents. This industry is alive with creative, skilled and enthusiastic people, and it is our opportunity to showcase the best of our best.

LO manages several programs, including Retail Garden Centre with 14 categories; Growers with 11 categories and Construction, Maintenance and Design with an astounding 39 categories.

Again this year the judges of the construction, maintenance and design programs will also award Green for Life stamps to projects that qualify. They will look for green practices and the quality of construction, maintenance and design in sustainable landscapes. Criteria such as permeable paving, native plantings, water conservation and re-use, best practices and green roof technology, etc., will be considered.

“The award-winning projects are breathtaking, and they impress me more each year,” says Denis Flanagan CLD, Landscape Ontario’s director of public relations. “Our members consistently demonstrate superior design sophistication and horticultural comprehension, and continue to reach new levels of craftsmanship.

To back it all up, these companies are leaders in areas ranging from safety to new technology. “

Winning entries are viewed each year by thousands of people — both consumers and the trade. Award winning projects have been featured on HGTV, in Garden Inspiration magazine, dozens of newspapers and media publications, at Canada Blooms and LO Congress. Photographs have also been used to illustrate articles on numerous websites and in The Toronto Star, Ottawa Citizen, London Free Press, Toronto Sun, and many more – not to mention numerous trade publications including Landscape Trades

and Horticulture Review. Award winning projects and companies are also frequently profiled in Horticulture Review.

Taking great photos that showcase the true depths of your landscape takes time and practice.

Most landscape photography experts say that an overcast day is best for taking effective landscape shots. A bright sunny day does not capture the hues and deeper shades in a landscape. Also recommended is keeping shadows in mind – they detract from your picture, and remember to take more shots than you need. It provides you with more options.

Best wishes to everyone for a great season, and remember to take lots of photos on your job sites and at your retail operations this summer. Before shots really help to sell your work. Deadlines are Aug. 31, by 4 p.m. for garden centre program entries, Oct. 3, by 4 p.m. for construction, maintenance, design programs and special award nominations. All entries are submitted at www.loawards.com and are open to active and interim members only.

For more information on the Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence programs, feel welcome to contact me directly, kristen@landscapeontario.com, or visit the above-noted website.

Plastic recycling program evolves and increases intake The 2011 version of the National Plastics Recycling event saw over 76,000 pounds of material collected across Canada from June 25 to July 4.

The pilot project began four years ago at Landscape Ontario’s home office. It has since grown to the national level, with Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) involved. This was the first year to use garden centres as collecting depots.

Organizers estimate that 40 per cent more plastic was collected this year compared with last year, and enough volume to pack about five 53-foot semi-trucks to the brim.

A total of 25 LO members acted as depots and actively worked with their customers to encourage the recycling of plastic pots and trays.

In Ontario, organizers were only able to provide an estimate of 75 skids of horticultural plastics collected across province.

One LO member, Tim Dyer of King’s Creek near Ottawa, expressed how happy he was to receive a number of plastic pots that he can

22 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011

re-use in his own nursery production.

Overall response, say organizers, was very positive. Gardeners appreciated having convenient places to deposit their used pots.

“Neighbourhood garden centres truly want to work toward a solution,” says Renata Triveri, CNLA retail priorities manager.

Appreciation was expressed for the work of CleanFARMS, West Coast Plastics, BFI Canada (Parksville), Plastix Canada, and Myers Lawn and Garden Group — each managed transportation and recycling of the collected garden plastics in their respective regions.

Triveri says, “Down the road, the horticulture industry is looking for ways to reduce the use of plastics in nursery production. Until that time, the industry is committed to developing a sustainable program for plastics recycling.”

The National Plastics Recycling Event is scheduled to return in 2012 from June 22 through July 1. For more information contact Renata Triveri at CNLA, 1-888-446-3499, ext. 8730, or renata@canadanursery.com.

Canada Blooms is a societal game changer

By Mark Cullen

Now that everyone knows Canada Blooms and the National Home Show will co-locate, it is an excellent time for us to reflect on the purpose and goals of the number one gardening event in the country.

When visitors to the 2011 edition of Canada Blooms strolled through the entrance, they were wowed in a very big way. The monstrous feature garden created by the members of Landscape Ontario was a creative wonder.

The wow factor at Blooms is no mistake.

It was part of the vision in the very beginning of the venerable festival of flowers and gardens in 1996. In an effort to learn more about the Mark Cullen pedigree of the festival, I talked with two of the founders of the event, Kathy Dembroski of the Garden Club of Toronto and Tony DiGiovanni, LO’s executive director.

Here is what I learned: Volunteer driven To suggest that Canada Blooms is unlike any other consumer show that you have ever attended would be an understatement. Truth is, it is not defined as a show at all, but as a festival. It is a celebration of the very best that the Canadian flower and garden industry has to offer. The original goal, after all, was “to produce a world class flower and horticulture event,” according to Dembroski.

The contribution of 17 feature gardens is made on a volunteer basis by the members of Landscape Ontario. Landscape contractors, designers, landscape architects and even landscape maintenance companies contribute time, materials, creative expertise and of course a host of plants. It’s all brought together in a collection of modern, cutting-edge gardens coordinated under one theme.

As Tony DiGiovanni likes to point out, if they were to remove all of the assets at Canada Blooms that are installed and maintained by volunteers, the admission fee would only cover the cost of the venue (Direct Energy Centre).

During the first edition of Canada Blooms in 1996, there were many worried organizers. DiGiovanni says that he did not sleep the night before the event opened, as he was afraid that no one would show up. He reflects, “It

was overwhelming and outstanding. The first show was at Toronto Congress Centre and exceeded all expectations. Traffic on the 401 at Martingrove ground to a halt, and radio traffic reporters were telling people to stay away due the congestion. Once the public made it through the entrance something magical happened. Their moods immediately changed as they walked through the gardens. They were delighted by the fragrance and beauty.”

It turned out that Canada Blooms was an opportunity for the green industry to demonstrate the benefits of their work.

Canada Blooms fulfills a dream The ultimate success of Canada Blooms is the bringing together of many diverse groups.

Owned jointly by the Garden Club of Toronto and Landscape Ontario, the professional and amateur volunteers number in the thousands.

Everyone is proud of what is accomplished each year by working together. Competitors helping competitors.

Thousands of trees and shrubs are forced into bloom ahead of the natural blooming cycle, just in time for Canada Blooms. This past spring there were over 15,000 flowering bulbs in bloom.

given back to horticultural/social causes and countless volunteer hours and dollars invested over 15 years, it is time to recognize that the gift is not one that is exclusive to Toronto.

Most of the visitors arrive from points outside of the 416 area. Over five per cent come from outside of the country. So Canada Blooms has become a gift to Canada.

Credit for success When asked who is responsible for getting Canada Blooms to this place in time, DiGiovanni turns to Dembroski and says, “It would not be successful without the full participation and support of Kathy and the Garden Club of Toronto.” She in turn looks to Tony and exclaims, “Only with the support of Landscape Ontario was our success secured.”

With attitudes like this, is it any wonder that this event has managed to climb to the top 10 of the heap in the world of horticultural celebrations. Canada Blooms has fulfilled the dreams of its founders and become a societal game changer.

For details of this year’s event go to www.canadablooms.com

What is the future?

When Kathy Dembroski and Tony DiGiovanni look into the crystal ball 15 years from now, they see great things. As DiGiovanni says, “Currently people plant gardens for aesthetic reasons. However, there are economic, environmental, lifestyle, therapeutic, recreational, spiritual, tourism, health, wellness and community benefits that are only beginning to dawn on a whole new generation of gardeners.

Canada Blooms can mobilize people across Canada to green their communities and leave a positive legacy for the future.”

In order to continue to thrive, the organization must remain volunteer-driven with a focus on the big picture. Canada Blooms must infect all visitors with a desire to contribute to their community and environment in a meaningful way. Stewardship, volunteer participation, celebration, education and the pursuit of excellence is the way to a successful future for Canada Blooms.”

A gift to Toronto The original concept was to produce an event that would be a gift to Toronto, according to Kathy Dembroski. With more than a million visitors since its inception, over $500,000 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011 23

Stensson keynote to reveal secrets at Expo

By Linda Nodello Trade show coordinator

flow through a garden centre. He’ll also delve into the secrets of exceptional guest service. As well, the benefits of making a long-term commitment to environmental practices and sustainability will be explained.

A phenomenon swept North America back in 2006 — The Secret.

Its popularity came from a contemporary, titillating title Give incentive — The Secret. Doesn’t everyone to come back want to be in on a secret?

The window of opportunity to make The best secrets, many think, a profit is narrow in the world of are kept by those in positions garden centre retailing. According of power. Powerful people are to Stensson, garden centres must thought to keep their success stratfind ways to make their guests come egies hidden from the public. Not back to their stores more than during so in the horticulture industry! the spring season crunch. Creativity The secrets of Canada’s and dynamic sales promotions that largest, multi-branch garden cenencourage repeat visits and purtre, Sheridan Nurseries, will be chases are needed. The most successrevealed on Wed., Oct. 19. ful programs give guests an incentive “A tough economy and stiff to come back in another season. competition makes for challengRetailers need to impress guests ing times in retail garden centres. as soon they enter the store and then The pathway to success lies in getfollow through by having knowlting back to basics and offering Karl Stennson believes that the pathway to success lies in getting back edgeable staff service the guests. to basics and offering what customers are looking for. what today’s guests are looking An advocate of hiring staff with for,” says Karl Stensson, president of Sheridan selling more products and increase your aver- leadership skills, acquired through such orgaNurseries. nizations as Scouts and Girl Guides and sports age sale per customer.”

Stensson is a third-generation nursery“The only constant in gardening retail teams, Stensson believes retailers must proman with a lifetime of experience building is change,” says Stensson. “Being success- vide exceptional guest services. one of the most successful garden centre busi- ful means more than stocking the latest Leadership and success generally go nesses. He has toured the world looking for trends in plants and products. Success comes hand-in-glove with a commitment to excelwhat works and what doesn’t to serve home from encompassing every aspect of the busi- lence and to the communities in which one lives gardeners. Those secrets will be shared in ness – the store, marketing, guest services, and works. Karl Stensson is an industry icon the keynote address kicking off Landscape knowledgeable staff and innovative product. and influencer. He generously gives time and All elements are equal in the equation of suc- of himself to the industry. He has received the Ontario’s Expo 2011.

President’s Award from the Canadian Nursery cess.”

Industry trailblazer At Expo 2011, Stensson will take you on Landscape Association and three awards from “Karl Stensson is an industry trailblazer and a global tour, having spent years travelling to Landscape Ontario, including a honourary life a leader among his peers in the garden centre Australia, Germany, Great Britain, Holland, membership – LO’s most prestigious award. industry. Besides being a pre-eminent grower and the U.S. and across Canada doing field No one should miss this presentation of hardy nursery stock, his company is a desti- and global research. His travels have given by Karl Stensson. His opening keynote, on nation of choice for consumers,” says Michael him a bird’s eye view of what it takes to be an Oct. 19 at 8 a.m., lies on the cusp of Sheridan Van Dongen, foreman/supervisor, Van Dongens industry leader. Possessing an acute awareness Nurseries’ 100th anniversary. As the company Landscaping and Nurseries in Hornby. and experience, acquired from sharing urban prepares to celebrate this significant mileVan Dongen volunteers as the chair of markets and customers with big box stores, stone, you can expect to hear, for the first Landscape Ontario’s Garden Centre Sector helps him deal with the competitive chal- time, Stensson’s predictions of global industry Group, which hosts the symposium at Expo. lenge of being an independent business owner. trends and what the future holds.

He continues, “Those attending the symposium Relevant guest engagement is something well This event is sure to sell out. Prices start will find inspiration and motivation to go back understood by the Stensson family and busi- at $55. It is recommended that you purchase to their garden centre and implement some ness. tickets before Oct. 7. Plan to bring your entire Those attending the symposium will see team. They, too, will benefit from seeing and of the ideas generated. You will save all the time and money on the secrets learned when some great entrance treatments, making a good hearing the presentation, participating in the Stensson spent touring other garden centres. first impression on your guests. You’ll also dis- Awards of Excellence ceremony, enjoying a Karl has also taken lessons he has learned from cover creative ways to display plants and prod- scrumptious breakfast and visiting the vendors his ancestors, dating back to 1913. When you ucts. To ensure guests receive the most out of at Expo 2011. know and take action on the secrets, you’ll be a store visit, he’ll show how to improve traffic 24 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011 25

Auction in wine country raises over $20,000 to help industry The best of plant material, cash give-aways, free draws, wine samplings and over $20,000 to help with horticultural research and scholarships was all part of the annual Industry Auction.

Formerly known as the Growers Research Auction, this year the name was changed to reflect more of the industry. It took place on July 14 at Blue Sky Nursery in Beamsville.

The Growers’ Awards of Excellence entries were judged in the morning and the winners announced at the end of the auction. An Awards of Excellence certificate went to each of the 12 winning lots, which were then auctioned off.

The winners will again be recognized during the Retail Garden Centre program luncheon held at the Toronto Congress Centre on Oct. 19, in conjunction with Expo.

Special appreciation goes to the dedicated members of the awards judging panel, who offered their time and expertise: Jen Llewellyn, OMAFRA; Glen Lumis of the University of Guelph; Len Mancini of Holland Park Garden Gallery; Michael Pascoe, Fanshawe College; Rita Weerdenburg, CNLA, and Jim Lounsbery, Vineland Nurseries.

Each auction lot was assigned a raffle number, with all winning bids entered into a draw for a 40-inch LCD TV, donated by Plant Products, won by Dolores Delvecchio of Entire Landscapes who held the winning ticket.

With the auction being held in wine country, a special attraction this year was the wine sampling courtesy of Vineland Estates. Lunch was generously sponsored by the host, Alice Klamer of Blue Sky Nursery.

John Wright from the LO Foundation supervised the special fund-raising raffle draw.

The grand prize of $5,000 went to Helmut Zgraja, while second prize of $1,000 was won

by Maria Bau-Coote, and Del Cressman picked up the third prize of $500.

Organizers are grateful to Fanshawe College students and teachers for all of their help at the event. Appreciation also goes to Blue Sky Nursery for hosting the event, LO’s Growers Group and LO staff for all of the hard work and support at the auction.

2011 auction donors Product for the auction was generously donated by the following companies: Agrium Advanced Technologies, ASB Greenworld, Blue Sky Nursery, Braun Nursery, Canadale Nurseries, Canadian National Exhibition, Connon Nurseries/NVK Holdings, Downham

Bidders competed for great plant material.

Nurseries, Dutchmaster Nurseries, Engage Agro Corporation, Gro-Bark Ontario, Ground Covers Unlimited, Hillen Nursery, JC Bakker & Sons, Kam’s Growers Supply, Langendoen Nurseries, Laurel Forest Farms, Living Carpet, M Putzer Hornby Nursery, Maple Leaf Nurseries, Mori Nurseries, Pieper Nurseries, Plant Products Co., Sheridan Nurseries,

Somerville Nurseries, Syngenta Canada, Timm Enterprises, University of Guelph Laboratories, V Kraus Nurseries, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, Willowbrook Nurseries and Winkelmolen Nursery.

The next event for the growers is their annual tour, scheduled for Sept. 15. At press time, no location had been determined.

Growers Award Winners, 2011 Category

Plants

Company

Judges’ comments

Category 1 Evergreens Field Grown Upright and Spreading

Picea pungens ‘Neon Blue’

Mori Nurseries

Great colour, good uniformity, great impact, vigorous root system for establishment in landscape.

Category 2 Evergreens Container Grown Upright and Spreading

Assorted evergreens

Mori Nurseries

Judges impressed with plant health, very clean, good colour, instant impact.

Category 3 Broadleaf Evergreens

Assorted broadleaf evergreens

Mori Nurseries

Nice colour, good impact, wonderful assemblage of colour, great scale.

Category 4 Deciduous Shrubs

Assorted deciduous shrubs

Mori Nurseries

Nice presentation, great quality, very good colour mix, great retail package.

Category 5 Deciduous Ornamental Trees 300 Cm Or Less

Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Worplesdon’

Connon Nurseries/NVK

Good uniformity, great colour, interesting trees.

Category 6 Deciduous Ornamental Trees Top Grafted/ Worked

Syringa meyeri palibaniana

Langendoen Nurseries

Excellent head, good uniformity, these are more mature trees and are more difficult to grow.

Category 7 Caliper Trees

Syringa reticulata ‘Ivory silk’

Braun Nurseries

Good size trees, mature, nice form.

Category 8 Vines and Groundcovers

Assorted vines and groundcovers

Mori Nurseries

Well rooted, great quality, nice composition .

Category 9 Perennials

Assorted perennials

Connon Nurseries/NVK

Artistic composition, great quality, unusual perennials.

Category 10 Unusual and Rare Plants

Ginkgo biloba ‘Bejing Gold’

Connon Nurseries/NVK

Really rare and unusual, unique variegation, great full colour.

Category 11 Design on a Skid

Display of assorted material

Sheridan Nurseries

Unique! Great presentation, very creative.

Judges’ Choice

Assorted perennials

Connon Nurseries/NVK

Outstanding quality – well done!

26 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011 27

CLASSIFIED ADS SERVICES AND SUPPLIES LARGE TREE MOVING AND SALES 115 inch and 90 inch tree spades available for hire. Largest truck mount machine in Ontario.

Call Burkraft Services (905) 689-1269 TREE TRANSPLANTING Transplanting trees up to 9” truck diameter with 10,000 lb. rootball. 44”, 80” & 90” spades to move trees with and can basket up to 90” 100 acres of trees to choose from.

BOTANIX OXFORD INSTA-SHADE RR # 2, Burgessville ON N0J 1C0 Tel: (519) 424-2180 • Fax: (519) 424-2420 Toll Free: 1-800-387-0246 Contact Jan Veldhuizen Email: jan@oxfordinstashade.com www.oxfordinstashade.com

NURSERY STOCK Scenic Grove Nursery Linden ‘Glenleven’ 50-70mm Linden ‘Greenspire’ 50-70mm Lynden, Ontario Email: marty@scenicgrove.com Fax: (905) 648-6395 Hofland Gardens Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Ground cover Tel: (905) 355-3392 E-mail: hoflandgardens@phc.igs.net

www.horttrades.com/ classifieds CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING INFORMATION

All classified ads must be pre-paid by VISA or Mastercard. Rates: $45.20 (HST included) per column inch Min. order $45.20. 15% discount on ads run for entire calendar year. Box Numbers: Additional $10. Confidentiality ensured. Deadlines: 20th day of the month prior to issue date. (eg: June issue deadline is May 20th).

January deadline is Dec. 1. 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 or fax to (905) 875-0183. Online advertising: Website only ads are available for $45.20 (HST included).

Website ads are posted for 30 days and are limited to 325 words.

EQUIPMENT

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

FINN Hydroseeders & Bark Blowers New and Used: • Flex Guard FRM • Soil Guard BFM • Erosion Control Blanket Seed & Fertilizer Toll free: (888) 761-1101 Fax: (905) 761-7959 www.fibramulch.com

KLOMP’S LANDSCAPING INC. Klomp’s Landscaping Inc. has been creating outdoor living spaces that enhance the lives of our clients by consistently meeting their individual needs since 1989. We have established a reputation as the leader in landscape design and construction within Southern Ontario, through a variety of residential and commercial projects. We are currently offering an exciting opportunity within company.

FOR SALE • Spray tanks, skid mounted for pickup, 450 gal., complete with diaphragm pump and electric hose reel.

• Radi-Arc Boomless Spray System Vic (905) 793-3266 AUCTION SALE All greenhouses and coldframes, equipment, nursery stock. Complete list available from tavistocknursery@yahoo.ca Phone (519) 462-2434 • Fax (519) 462-2734 or visit www.billhorstauction.com

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Landscape Design/Build Company Manager Inside and Out Garden Design is a small, award winning design and build company located in Toronto.

We are looking for a manager to oversee all aspects of running the company.

Must have at least 5 years experience in the industry, have good people and organizational skills, and enjoys working independently.

Please email sheree@insideandoutgardens.ca or call (416) 534-3691

View these ads and more on our website

FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL HARDSCAPER Responsibilities: • Reading and interpreting plans • Project management (time, budget, scope) • Quality control on all aspects of an installation Qualifications: • Minimum 2 years construction experience with natural, precast pavers and retaining walls • Valid Driver Licence • Critical Eye to Detail • Strong work ethic • Self-motivated • Team Player • First-Aid training or other certifications are an asset • Must be able to meet physical demands of the job • Punctuality and reliability is essential • Ability to read and understand designs Please Note: Wage is negotiable Please apply by: Email: inquires@klomps.ca Fax: (519) 284-0359 Or in person: 2963 Road 119, RR7, St. Marys Ontario, N4X 1C9

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28 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011

Tree planting celebrates honourary degree A surprise tree planting ceremony held just before the provincial board meeting on June 29 commemorated the honourary Bachelor Degree in Applied Studies from Humber College given to LO’s executive director Tony DiGiovanni. The Ginkgo biloba, a favourite tree of DiGiovanni’s, was planted on the front lawn of LO’s home office in Milton. The tree was a gift from Tony’s wife Maxine DiGiovanni, who attended the ceremony, along with family members Becky and Craig Stovel and Anna Marie DiCarlo. Denise Devlin-Li and Joe Tomona, dean and associate dean of Humber’s School of Applied Technology, spoke at the presentation, which was moderated by LO president Tom Intven. LO board members attending the ceremony were quick to pitch in to help with the installation.

AD INDEX COMPANY

PAGE

PHONE

WEBSITE

Custom-fabricated steel planters

Braun Nursery Limited........................................13.......... 800-246-6984......................... www.braungroup.com Caledon Hills Perennials.....................................23.......... 905-473-1145......... www.caledonhillsperennials.com Christmas Décor (Turf Management Systems)....21.......... 866-615-4147..................... www.christmasdecor.net Connon Nurseries/NVK Holdings Inc.................32.......... 905-628-0112.................. www.connonnurseries.com Earthco (G&L Group).........................................30.......... 416-789-4749......................... www.earthcosoils.com Easy-Flo................................................................2........... 866-507-8348................................... www.easy-flo.ca Ground Covers Unlimited...................................11.......... 705-277-3005..... groundcoversunlimited@gmail.com Hillen Nursery Inc.............................................16-17.......519-264-9057 Kobes Nurseries Inc . .........................................14.......... 905-263-8814.................... www.kobesnurseries.com Legends Landscape Supply Inc.........................18.......... 905-336-3369....................... www.landscapestore.ca Limestone Trail Company Ltd.............................15.......... 905-563-8133........................www.limestonetrail.com M Putzer Nursery................................................31.......... 905-878-7226....................putzernursery@primus.ca Newroads National Leasing.................................5........... 416-587-1021................. www.newroadsleasing.com Potters Road Nursery Inc...................................12.......... 519-688-0437.............. www.pottersroadnursery.com Riverbend Farms (Ontario) Ltd...........................19.......... 519-765-2130......... riverbendfarms@amtelecom.net Sipkens Nurseries Ltd..........................................6........... 866-843-0438................. www.sipkensnurseries.com Stam Nurseries.....................................................7........... 519-424-3350.................... www.stamsnurseries.com Tradewinds International Sales Co Inc...............3........... 877-654-6458.......... www.tradewindsinternational.ca Truly Nolen (Turf Management Systems)...........7........... 866-615-4147............................. www.trulynolen.com Uxbridge Nurseries Ltd.......................................20.......... 905-655-3379................www.uxbridgenurseries.com Winkelmolen Nursery Ltd.....................................9........... 519-647-3912.........................www.winkelmolen.com

Don’t miss this one-time opportunity to buy planters featured at the Landscape Ontario garden, Canada Blooms 2011!

13 units available in Milton, Ont. Wooden edge surrounds double as seating Indestructible, will last a lifetime — and look great

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Contact Rob Ellidge, 647-722-5645, rob@landscapeontario.com

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011 29

Haig Seferian receives highest honour from ASLA Haig Seferian says he was very emotional when informed he had been named to the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Council of Fellows for 2011.

“When I received the phone call from the ASLA president informing me of my acceptance, prior to the official announcement, I was very emotional,” said Seferian.

Fellowship is among the highest honours the ASLA bestows on members and recognizes the contributions of these individuals to their profession and the society at large based on their works. Individuals considered for this distinction must be ASLA members for at least 10 years and recommended to the Council of Fellows by the Executive Committee of their local chapter.

Only 40 members received the honour this year, with only two Canadians among them.

Janet Rosenberg was also nominated by the ASLA Council of Fellows Executive Committee in the Works Category.

LO members will know Haig Seferian from his duties as master of ceremonies at the annual awards night at Congress. Seferian also volunteers on LO building management and landscape design committees, as well as on the Canada Blooms garden build team.

“I had been told by numerous individuals that this process normally takes two to three attempts to finally become a Fellow to the association. When I was applying and putting together my presentation for the ASLA, I read a few of

the previous entrants’ life works and I felt very pale in comparison. Even now, the thought that I am a Fellow of the ASLA fills me so much pride that I want to burst. Honestly, this is something that I thought I might get in another 20 years. I am truly honoured that my peers feel that I am worthy of this at this stage of my life/career.”

Seferian says his chosen vocation does not feel like work.

“I have had a lot of fun doing what I do on a daily basis. I guess that the real question is, do you enjoy what you do? The days and weeks fly by and you get to see change take place in front of you through the landscapes you have designed and built through to policy changes in the way our industry is taught and the way apprentices work their way up the ranks.”

He explains that he will wear the FASLA badge with great honour and pride throughout the rest of his life. “I encourage everyone who reads this to know that working for the community and the betterment of our industry will give you great self satisfaction and you will be recognized by your peers for your commitment. I have such passion for our industry and the work our office does. In fact, there is not a day that goes by that I don’t race to get to the office to start another day.

There are just not enough hours in the day to do what I want to do. I know that I made the right decision in my career choice.”

Over the past 32 years Seferian has defined strong industry leadership, participated in government affairs advocacy groups, and provided

industry leadership as a student mentor. He has designed and built millions of dollars worth of public-space community projects, and still continues to provide public and industry education in the field of landscape architecture throughout North America. He received his BLA from the University of Guelph.

Community achievement Just after the announcement of the Fellowship, Haig Seferian was involved in a special project in his community of Burlington. A public focal point on the waterfront since 1978, time had arrived for the centre courtyard garden space at the Burlington Art Centre to be revitalized.

Plants had overgrown the garden and the water feature did not work.

As with all non-profits, the Burlington Art Centre had limited funding to revitalize, beautify and create a great garden that would accommodate expanded activities and the growth of the centre’s programs and events.

Seferian was asked to re-design the garden for the BAC. “It is always an honour to contribute to enhancing the community. The opportunity to update the courtyard garden and bring it into the 21st Century, including updates to ensure accessibility for all people’s needs and ages, was rewarding for me and my team. Everyone that worked on creating this great garden demonstrated a commitment to giving back to the community.”

Haig Seferian will be presented his Fellowship in San Diego during the ASLA general meeting and expo from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2.

We’re Big. On Earth.

At Earthco Soil Mixtures we just love dirt, and have been rolling around in it for more than two decades. As one of the largest suppliers of bulk planting soils, screened topsoil, peat loam, compost and mulch, we love to see customers turning our brown soil into their green space. For landscape contractors and gardeners, for commercial or residential needs, call Earthco Soil Mixtures as your trusted supplier. Just don’t call us inside to wash up.

Call us at 416.789.4749

earthcosoils.com gandlgroup.com

30 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011

Concrete

Aggregates

Soil

Salt Waste

Brown marmorated stink bug confirmed in Ontario modity groups as a pest of significance during the 2011 Canadian Minor Use Pesticide Priority Setting meetings The ministry says it needs to know where BMSB may be in Ontario.

There is currently no management strategy for this The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has confirmed the presence of the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) in Ontario.

BMSB is an agricultural pest and attacks ornamental trees and shrubs. It overwinters as an adult in protected areas, such as outbuildings and homes, and can be a significant nuisance pest to homeowners.

The pest was first detected in Pennsylvania 15 years ago. Since that time, it has spread and has now been reported in 33 states (and counting). In Canada, the BMSB has not been found in any crops, however, it has been intercepted in some shipments of imported goods coming into several provinces including Ontario.

Experts have been saying it is likely only a matter of time before this insect shows up in the field. With the latest report, that time may here sooner than anticipated. The sample submitted by a homeowner in early June has been confirmed as the BMSB. It was discovered indoors in a home.

In a press release ministry officials stated, “We don’t know where this insect originally came from. It may have moved in with cargo or vehicles, or it may have over-wintered here, indicating a small and as yet undetected population has established itself in Ontario. When asked if a more specific location can be given, OMAFRA officials stated, “Since the insect was found in an urban area and indoors, they may not be reporting the location because others were not found and it is not known whether it arrived on its own or in a shipment of cargo.”

OMAFRA specialists and program leads are working with consultants, growers, the University of Guelph and other agencies to conduct a monitoring program in representative host crops through trapping and field surveying in 2011/12. Funding to purchase trapping equipment has been provided by the Niagara Peninsula Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Hort Crop Ontario, and the Northeastern IPM Centre (Great Lakes Vegetable Working Group).

BMSB was identified by numerous com-

pest. Based on the U.S. experience, it typically takes a few years before BMSB populations build to a level where it is considered a crop pest, or a nuisance to homeowners.

If you find suspect stink bugs, collect a sample and call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 for details on where to send it. Place the insect in a leak-proof container, and kill it by freezing or adding it to rubbing alcohol or vinegar.

This year let us remind ourselves that our earth is the source and root of all life, including our own. We care for the environment by growing shrubs, evergreens and trees. Please take a moment to consider how our actions can help preserve our planet for future generations.

7314 Sixth Line, Hornby, Ontario L0P 1E0 Phone: 905-878-7226 • 1-800-377-3363 • Fax: 905-878-8737

www.putzernursery.com

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32โ HORTICULTURE REVIEW - AUGUST 15, 2011

1155 Dundas St. W. (Hwy. #5), West Flamborough, Ontario 7HO รท )D[ www.connonnurseries.com email: mail@connonnurseries.com