Green for Life April/May 2013

A Landscape Alberta Nursery Trades Association member publication

April/May 2013 Vol. 1, NO. 2

Engaging the Next Generation

2012 Landscape Awards

2 I Green for Life April/May 2013

Calendar of Events

MANAGING EDITOR Nigel Bowles LAYOUT & PRODUCTION Kyla McKechnie EDITOR Marnie Main ADVERTISING Erynn Watson I Phone 780‐489‐1991

Landscape Alberta Green for Life is a professional publication for the landscape horticultural trade in Alberta.

Editorial and Advertising Landscape Alberta 200, 10331 ‐ 178 Street NW Edmonton, AB T5S 1R5 P: 780‐489‐1991 F: 780‐444‐2152 admin@landscape‐alberta.com www.landscape‐alberta.com

Landscape Alberta does not assume responsibility for and does not endorse the contents of any advertisements herein. All representations or warranties made are those of the advertiser and not the publication. Views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Landscape Alberta or its members.

Material may not be reprinted from this magazine without the consent of Landscape Alberta.

ISSN No: 1929‐7114 (print) ISSN N0: 1929‐7122 (online)

Landscape Alberta Executive Committee

President ‐ Dean Falkenberg Greenview Nurseries & Tree Farms Corp.

1st Vice President ‐ Chris Brown CRS Brown Landscape Services Ltd.

2nd Vice President ‐ Dave Montgomery Green Oasis Services Inc.

Treasurer ‐ Arnold van de Ligt Manderley Turf Products Inc.

Past President ‐ Gerard Fournier For Trees Company Ltd.

April 2 – 3, 2013 Standard First Aid & CPR Training Edmonton Training Centre: 12304‐118 Ave To register, call Erynn at 1‐800‐378‐3198

April 2 – 3, 2013 Standard First Aid & CPR Training Calgary Training Centre: 7236‐10 Street NE To register, call Erynn at 1‐800‐378‐3198

April 12, 2013 The 2nd Annual Eagle Lake Outdoor EXPO 2013 Glenmore Inn East, Calgary, AB For information: 403‐262‐5600

April 13 – 14, 2013 The Calgary Horticultural Society’s Garden Show www.calhort.org

May 4, 2013 ISA Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist and Municipal Specialist Exam Olds College, Olds, AB www.isaprairie.com

May 13 – 17, 2013 Skills Canada Alberta Competition Edmonton EXPO Centre www.skillsalberta.com

July 2 – 7, 2013 WorldSkills Competition Leipzig, Germany

July 12, 2013 Nursery Growers Group Educational Tour Abbotsford, BC www.growersbustour2013.eventbrite.ca

July 22 – 26, 2013 Hort Week Olds College, AB www.oldscollege.ca/hortweek

Landscape Alberta Staff

Nigel Bowles, Executive Director nigel.bowles@landscape‐alberta.com

Marnie Main, Member Services Director member.services@landscape‐alberta.com

On the Cover: 2012 Landscape Award of Excellence Winner Residential Landscape Construction Peter Hughes Landscape Kelly Residence

Erynn Watson, Member Services Assistant erynn.watson@landscape‐alberta.com

Valerie Stobbe, Trade Show Coordinator valerie.stobbe@landscape‐alberta.com

Kyla McKechnie, Administrative Assistant admin@landscape‐alberta.com

Follow us on Twitter @landscapeab

Cheryl Teo, Bookkeeper accounting@landscape‐alberta.com Green for Life April/May 2013 I

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Industry and Association News …

Landscape Alberta President’s Dinner and Landscape Awards  Peter Hughes Landscape ‐ Kelly Residence Our annual President’s Dinner and Awards presentation  ULS Maintenance and Landscaping Inc. ‐ was held March 8, 2013 at the Coast Plaza Hotel in Calgary. Bayview Residence

 Landform Inc. ‐ Hills This year, the Mike Haberl Sr. Landscape Industry Certified  Peter Hughes Landscape ‐ Decore/McQueen Residence Award was presented to Susan Hogan for achieving the  Alpha Better Landscaping Inc. ‐ The Water Centre highest score at the 2012 technician exam. This award was  Year‐Round Landscaping Inc. ‐ EEEL Building U of C established by the Landscape Alberta Board of Directors to  Salisbury Landscaping ‐ MacDonald Residence honour Mike’s contribution to the Certification program.

He was the owner of Prestige Landscape Maintenance and CNLA National Awards of Landscape Excellence was very involved with Landscape Alberta for many years. Winners of the 2013 Canadian Nursery Landscape Mike was passionate about the Certification program and it Association (CNLA) National Awards were announced was his determination that fueled acceptance of the during the 10th annual national awards gala in Niagara program by industry, allowing it to grow to the success it is Falls on January 30, 2013. Co‐hosted by Landscape today. Mike’s son, Michael D. Haberl, was on hand to Ontario's Denis Flanagan and new CNLA President present the award.

Christene LeVatte, it was an evening to remember! Nine

awards were presented to companies and individuals Arnold Heuver, a long time supporter of the nursery across the country, showcasing Canada's best. See the industry and our association, was the recipient of the 2012 winners at www.cnla‐acpp.ca/awards.

Executive Choice Award. He has held several positions within Landscape Alberta including Treasurer and Chair of The CNLA President’s Award recognize members that the Nursery Growers Group. Arnold also acted as a have actively participated in raising the level of representative for Alberta to the CNLA, and was a member professionalism in the industry across Canada . This year’s of the Landscape Alberta Board of Directors. To this day, President’s Award was presented to Gloria Beck of Arnold is an active player in the industry and association. Parkland Nurseries & Garden Centre Ltd. in Red Deer, AB. The Executive Choice Award was designed to recognize Gloria was the first female President of the CNLA, serving members who have worked to help the association grow from 1995‐1996. She has been involved in the industry for and achieve its long‐term goals. over 30 years, and owns and operates one of the largest retail garden centres in Central Alberta. She joined the CNLA in 1986 as Garden Centres Canada Chair, moving through the board, eventually becoming President. She also took over Canada’s seat on the International Garden Centre Association Board, where she also went on to become president. Congratulations to Gloria.

Dutch Elm Disease Confirmed in Maple Creek, SK In August 2012, a single American elm tree was diagnosed positive for Dutch elm disease (DED) in Maple Creek, SK, 100 kilometers east of Medicine Hat, AB.

This DED infected elm tree was growing in a back alley and was promptly removed and buried at the community’s landfill. After a thorough inspection of the area by officials from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, no elm firewood was found.

The Landscape Awards program received a record 43 The Town of Maple Creek plans to schedule additional elm entries this year, with 34 awards going to 14 companies. tree surveys for DED in 2013. Banded elm bark beetles See pages 9‐13 to view the award‐winning projects.

(BEBB), believed to be a potential vector of DED, have

been found for the past several years by the community’s We would also like to congratulate those companies whose elm bark beetle monitoring program. award‐winning entries have been nominated for the 2014 National Awards of Landscape Excellence:

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Landscape Alberta Growers Establish Scholarships more susceptible since the eggs are almost always laid in The Landscape Alberta Growers Group has approved two or near wounds that provide easy entry into the plant. new scholarships, valued at $1,000.00 each, to be awarded annually to Olds College students enrolled in a horticultural A heavy infestation may kill a plant quickly while lesser, but program. continual, infestations may weaken and stress the tree,

causing dieback and death over a longer period of time.

The Growers established a set of criteria for the awards which includes a full time student earning a minimum GPA One of the first symptoms of borer attack is a slight sap of 3.00, enrolled in Production Horticulture (preferably flow mixed with frass at the entrance site of the larvae. with an interest in nursery production), or a third or fourth Later, "sawdust" accumulates at the entrance and on the year Landscape Gardener Apprentice who is currently ground as the larvae clean out their tunnels. Leaves often employed in nursery production or has experience in wilt and turn reddish‐brown, and branches die back. nursery production.

Entrance holes are irregularly shaped at the bottom of the

gallery and are often associated with sunken and cankered New Pest Threat to Ash Trees As if the Emerald Ash Borer isn’t enough of a threat, areas on stems and branches. The exit holes at the top are another potentially devastating pest is making its presence round and often have empty pupae skins protruding from known in Edmonton. them. Completed galleries are about 3 inches long and 1/4

inch in diameter.

An infestation of the Lilac Borer, or Ash Borer, (Podosesia syringae) was discovered in a newly developed part of Infested branches may also have swollen areas with southwest Edmonton this past fall where many ash trees cracked bark that has broken away from the wood. This were affected. The City of Edmonton Forestry Department may be more noticeable in the spring. is examining the extent of the infestation and attempting to determine the origin.

Growers and landscape contractors should begin an

inspection program to identify and report this pest. For This borer can be a serious pest of lilacs and other photos and more information on the pest, visit members of the olive family, as well as ash (Fraxinus spp.). http://bit.ly/UkffDp. Plants that have been wounded or are under stress are

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Aubin Nurseries Ltd. Serving the Prairies since 1927

Casino Hardy Apricot

Crystal Blue Spruce

Dexter Hardy Apple

Large outdoor perennial availability

Box 1089 Carman, MB R0G 0J0 Toll Free: 1-866-745-6703 Toll Free Fax: 1-866-623-6187 brian@aubinnurseries.ca www.aubinnurseries.ca 6 I Green for Life April/May 2013

Online Training for Green Industry Managers Online training for the Landscape Industry Certified Manager program (formerly Certified Landscape Professional, CLP) is now available through Ontario’s Humber College.

The Landscape Industry Certified Manager program is designed for owners and managers of green industry companies and focuses on the core skills required to run a successful business. The online program training is designed to give you access to the course at any hour of the day.

Program topics include: Marketing

Technical Landscaping Leadership

Human resource management Strategic planning

Financial management Law and business risk

The online program is facilitated by certified instructors and has been developed in partnership with the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) and Landscape Ontario. The Spring/Summer 2013 session starts in June. See the online course information at www.humber.ca.

The goal of providing online delivery of the program is to help prepare candidates to challenge the exam for the Landscape Industry Certified Manager designation. Contact the Certification Administrator at the CNLA office for information: Laura Brinton 1‐888‐446‐3499, ext. 8620.

Australian Nursery Tour: Fall 2013 Visit Australia from October 21 through November 2 with John and Kelly Schroeder of Valleybrook Gardens. The Schroeders have been leading tours for nursery industry travelers for over a decade. Their trips are fun and educational, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the interesting countries and places they visit. The two‐week tour includes beautiful gardens, great garden centers and innovative nurseries. Sydney, Melbourne, the Blue Mountains, Tasmania and the Yarra wine region are just some of the places you will visit. There are lots of opportunities to add on some private holiday time before or after, perhaps the Great Barrier Reef or Ayer’s Rock.

Contact John 1‐800‐824‐1120 or js@valleybrook.com for more details.

In Memoriam It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Paulette Frederick, a dedicated and respected team member with Cheyenne Tree Farms (Beaumont, AB). Paulette passed away after a brief and courageous battle with cancer, and we send our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and coworkers. She is fondly remembered by the many association members and staff that had the pleasure of working with her, and she will be dearly missed by the Wotherspoon family at Cheyenne.

Thank You to our 2013 GreenPro Sponsors

Engaging the Next Generation

By Mark Bradley

It’s been said a lot, studied a lot, and if you’ve head down, horns up and straight forward. You need to be the same with company hired under‐30 workers, you’ve seen it a lot. This systems and procedures. If you dance around your rules or take them lightly, your younger generation is different. Generations younger workers will have absolutely no respect for them. They have short going back years have always seen the differences attention spans and they’ve been wired since the age of two to filter out non‐ in the way they were raised, compared with the essential information, even when it’s directed at them. They’ve grown up with 1,000 current generation, but perhaps none more so commercials a day spouting what comes out of the other end of the bull. Don’t let your words get lost in the filter. Be ultra serious about your systems and expecta‐ than now. tions.

So how do you deal with this generation of workers in your company and on a jobsite? The Imagine if life depended on your employees following systems. You simply couldn’t fact is, they’re here and they’re not going put up with workers who don’t. It’s not that you can’t get better respect for your anywhere — and you’re going to have to depend systems; it’s that you don’t try hard enough. For an example of a nice lesson served on them for results. You have a simple choice: You up cold to a Gen Y crew member by his firefighting comrades, go to can continue to do things your way, and they’ll do http://bit.ly/YYAKWA. I couldn’t put it any better. things their way, and you can fight it out while your business suffers. Or, you and your foremen Short attention spans need short‐term goals can learn to manage and motivate differently — This generation gets information in quick doses. From commercials to video games and get more out of these young employees. to YouTube and Facebook/Twitter, information comes fast. They deal with it; then

it’s out of sight, out of mind. Convey your goals and expectations the same way.

It’s critical that you, as an owner, and just as Three quick meetings a day will help. importantly, your foremen, learn to get the most out of the people who work for you. Wishing for Start of day: Set the goals, review what’s missing/needed (materials, equipment, etc.) the old days and complaining that this generation Mid‐day: Review the goals. Are we on track, has anything changed? doesn’t work like you worked isn’t going to End of day: Did we hit the goals? What’s needed for tomorrow? Recognize hard change a thing; but here are a few tips that might:

Be honest when hiring Start off on the right foot. This generation works so they can have fun. If you expect long hours, weekend work and hard labour, be straight up at the beginning. If you misrepresent the job before they start, they’ll get frustrated, they’ll resent their job and your company, and they’ll underperform until they quit or are terminated.

Engage them from day one Throw them in headfirst on day one. Give them responsibilities, but be realistic. Make them the VP of trailer operations or jobsite cleanups, and advise them that their job is to keep things neat and organized. Let them know they will be held responsible and be clear about the standards. A checklist and/or regular evaluations are key — you can’t expect them to know what you want if you don’t tell them.

Don’t tolerate helplessness, stomp it out. Don’t feed into it by answering questions they can figure out for themselves. Force them to think through a n d a n s w e r t h e i r o w n q u e s t i o n s .

Be a bull when it comes to company systems Bulls don’t mess around. They know one way — Green for Life April/May 2013 I

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work or give constructive criticism; one or the other, but your job, and if you can teach people to do it as well or don’t be fake either way. better than you, you’re indispensable and you’re sure to be

successful.

Use the daily meetings to coach future superstars

Gone are the days of the mindless labourer, and that’s not Sub‐par performers are for golf necessarily a bad thing. Young workers today like to Be quick to pull the trigger on those who are hurting rather understand the who/what/when/where and whys. They than helping your productivity. Their attitudes and work want set goals and clear direction on where they’re going. ethic will spread like cancer through your company. This They get bored with tasks that seem to have no objective generation in particular will resent the fact that or provide no feedback. After all, most of this generation under‐performers are rewarded as well as good performers grew up with video games rather than television. In video and they will reduce their standards to meet the lowest games, every screen has a goal, a score, and a way to acceptable level of performance. Sooner than later, the advance (‘level up’). All of this can be good for your lowest level of performance will become your company’s business — but you have to give these employees what standard, while you shake your head saying, “I just can’t they need. find good people.”

Give them a task, explain how to do it and why it’s done It’s been said that all employers get the employees they that way. Expect questions and answer them without being deserve. Keeping poor performers is the easy way, and the insulting. Give them the results (their score) at the end of lazy way. Great companies and great foremen face the each day and each job. Are we on track or falling behind? tougher challenges head on and deal with hard issues Where is their job taking them? Can they advance/level up straight away. And that’s exactly what makes them great. in your company? How?

Mark Bradley is the president of Landscape Management Ask for feedback in the meetings, i.e., what could have Network and TBG Landscape. He writes about lessons made your job faster/easier today? Explain why you’re learned in running and growing his own landscape business. doing your work in that order? Show me how you

inspected that equipment before using it. The secret to Reprinted with permission from Landscape Management success in almost any business, or in any role for that Network. matter, is simple: Be the best teacher. If you’re good at

Welcome to our New Members (January 15 - March 15, 2013) ALL PRO Vegetation Management Ltd. Troy Colling 992 McKenzie Drive SE Calgary, AB T2Z 1N5 Phone: (403) 257‐0111 Fax: (403) 257‐0992 allproveg@telusplanet.net www.allproveg.ca

Calgary Greenworks (1990) Ltd. Robb Honsberger Box 49031, 7740‐18th Street SE Calgary, AB T2C 3W5 Phone: (403) 279‐7857 info@calgarygreenworks.com www.calgarygreenworks.com

Calscapes Ltd. Douglas Armitage #919, 1811 ‐ 4th Street SW Calgary, AB T2S 1W2 Phone: (403) 333‐5353 doug@calscapes.ca www.calscapes.ca

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Creative Landscape and Design Ltd. Daryl Beck/Lisa Robinson Box 159 Delburne, AB T0M 0V0 Phone: (403) 347‐2343 Fax: (403) 302‐3688 creative@creative‐landscape.com www.creative‐landscape.com

Mirage Landscaping Inc. Jeff Peters #6, 6304 Burbank Road SE Calgary, AB T2H 2C2 Phone: (403) 252‐5235 Fax: (403) 259‐5235 jeff@miragelandscaping.ca www.miragelandscaping.ca

SPR Construction Inc. Shaun Rusnack Box 22, Site 17, RR 2 Strathmore, AB T1P 1K5 Phone: (403) 934‐4499 Fax: (403) 934‐6902 shawn@sprconstruction.com www.sprconstruciton.com

Takla Maintenance Corp.

Andrew Takla 875 Ryan Place Edmonton, AB T6R 2K3 Phone: (780) 707‐8329 Fax: (780) 430‐8781 taklamaint@gmail.com

TD Canada Trust ‐ Agriculture Services Mark Johnson 2045 ‐ 34th Street NE Calgary, AB T1Y 6Z2 Phone: (403) 292‐1254 Fax: (403) 292‐1253 mark.i.johnson@td.com www.tdcanadatrust.com/ agriculture

Top Notch Landscaping Ltd. Jody Francis 39 Sage Hill Manor NW Calgary, AB T3K 0H1 Phone: (403) 861‐3414 jody@topnotchlandscaping.ca www.topnotchlandscaping.ca

2012 Landscape Awards

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t took our judges three days to evaluate the record 43  Provide a marketing opportunity to those companies entries submitted for the 2012 Landscape Awards that receive an award program. Judging standards are reviewed and updated  Encourage a company’s employees to aspire to every year, and this is reflected in the results: the excellence judges gave 18 Awards of Merit and 16 Awards of  Provide an opportunity to compete in the National Excellence. The 2012 Landscape Awards were presented Awards of Landscape Excellence at the President’s Dinner held at The Coast Plaza Hotel in Calgary on March 8, 2013.

Members can enter projects into nine different categories

covering construction, maintenance and design.

We would like to thank this year’s volunteer judges for Construction categories have subcategories for taking their assignment seriously and giving so generously submissions ranging in dollar value so that contractors can of their time and expertise. enter multiple projects ‐ providing a method of ensuring

the program covers projects with different styles and Chris Brown, CRS Brown Landscape Services Ltd. scopes.

Adele Goodwin, Earthworm Landscape Design Co.

Blair McMurdo, Fantascapes Landscaping Design category entries must include a plan drawing, a Jeff Oudyk, Land Tec Landscape Contractors Ltd. complete plant list and a thorough project description.

Brenda Ruzycki, Classic Landscape Centre Construction and maintenance entries must include digital John van Roessel, JVR Landscape (2006) Inc. photographs along with a written description of the Jordan Voogd, Sunstar Nurseries Ltd. project. The official entry form includes tips on how to

make your entry shine ‐ remember that the judges need We would also like to give a special thank you to Expocrete good photos and a well‐written description in order to Concrete Products and Manderley Turf Products Inc. for properly evaluate each entry, so take your time and give being prize sponsors for the 2012 Landscape Awards. Top your entries the best opportunity to succeed. honours went to Landform Inc. for Residential Landscape Construction/Feature, and Peter Hughes Landscape for Each entry is evaluated using a set of criteria; the Residential Landscape Maintenance. submissions are not judged against each other. There are

two award levels: a Merit Award goes to an entry that The Landscape Awards Program earns 70‐84 points, and an Excellence Award goes to an

entry earning 85 or more points. Entries that achieve The Landscape Awards reflect the association's Excellence status are eligible to be selected for the commitment to creating and preserving the beauty of the National Awards of Landscape Excellence, a Canada‐wide urban landscape. The program is also designed to reward program developed by the Canadian Nursery Landscape independent landscape contracting professionals who Association. execute top quality landscape projects.

Any member who is interested in volunteering to judge The Landscape Awards program has four main objectives: next year’s landscape awards are most welcome ‐ please  Encourage landscape contractors to be the best in contact Marnie at the Landscape Alberta office their field marnie.main@landscape‐alberta.com.

Highest Score Awards Congratulations to Landform Inc. and Peter Hughes Landscape for achieving the highest scores in the 2012 Landscape Awards.

For their achievement, they were awarded with a $500 product certificate from the 2012 landscape award sponsors.

Jeaneen Harvey‐Galas of Expocrete Concrete Products presenting Aynsley Hughes of Peter Hughes Landscape with their highest score award.

Arnold van de Ligt of Manderley Turf Products Inc. presenting Chris Chetcuti of Landform Inc. with their highest score award.

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Awards of Merit

A. GLI Landscaping Hergott Residence Residential Landscape Construction

B. GLI Landscaping DeWinton Acreage Residential Landscape Construction

C. Year‐Round Landscaping Inc. Calderbank Residence Residential Landscape Construction

D. Year‐Round Landscaping Inc. Jones Residence Residential Landscape Construction

E. Landform Inc. Semmens Residential Landscape Construction

F. Earthlings Inc. Kratchmer Residence Residential Landscape Construction

G. Salisbury Landscaping Cameron Residence Residential Landscape Construction

H. Landform Inc. Karoleena Commercial Landscape Construction

I. Alpha Better Landscaping Inc. Calgary Courts Centre Commercial Landscape Construction

J. Prestige Landscape Group Ltd. Aspen Estates Retaining Wall Commercial Landscape Construction

K. Year‐Round Landscaping Inc. Crescent Heights Promenade Commercial Landscape Construction

L. Year‐Round Landscaping Inc. Canmore Centennial Park Commercial Landscape Construction

M. Year‐Round Landscaping Inc. Payne Residence Residential Landscape Features

N. ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc. Springbank Residence Residential Landscape Maintenance

O. Landform Inc. Chamberlain Residential Landscape Design

P. OnGrowing Works Ltd. Turcotte Residence Residential Landscape Design

Q. JVR Landscape (2006) Inc. Dugdale Residence Residential Landscape Design

R. Earthworm Landscape Design Co. The Laughing Dragon Project Residential Landscape Design

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Awards of Excellence

A. Landform Inc. Lister Residential Landscape Construction

B. GLI Landscaping Yarmuch Residence Residential Landscape Construction

C. ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc. Bayview Residence Residential Landscape Construction

D. ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc. Mount Royal Residence Residential Landscape Construction

E. Peter Hughes Landscape Kelly Residence Residential Landscape Construction

F. Landform Inc. Hills Residential Landscape Construction

G. Alpha Better Landscaping Inc. The Water Centre Commercial Landscape Construction

H. Year‐Round Landscaping Inc. Sugiyama Residence Residential Landscape Features

I. Landform Inc. Bergmann Residential Landscape Features

J. Landform Inc. Winters Residential Landscape Features

K. Prairie Ridge Landscapes Ltd. Winfield Heights Water Feature Residential Landscape Features

L. Year‐Round Landscaping Inc. EEEL Building, University of Calgary Environmental Landscape Construction

M. ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc. Ramsay Residence Residential Landscape Maintenance

N. Peter Hughes Landscape Decore/McQueen Residence Residential Landscape Maintenance

O. Julia’s Alpine Garden McGuinness Back Yard Residential Landscape Design

P. Salisbury Landscaping MacDonald Residence Residential Landscape Design

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Showcase your expertise and creativity…

Enter the 2013 Landscape Awards Entry forms and guides are available online at www.landscape-alberta.com.

The Landscape Awards program is only open to Landscape Alberta members.

For more information, contact Kyla McKechnie admin@landscape-alberta.com 780-489-1991 or 1-800-378-3198

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Grow Our Industry — Train an Apprentice

As you begin a new season, possibly with new hires, try to Apprentices are usually paid an hourly wage, which identify workers with the talent and potential to become increases according to their time and experience in the skilled employees and offer them an opportunity to trade. Rate of pay is based on a specific percentage of the prevailing journeyman’s wage in their shop. advance in the landscape industry by becoming an apprentice. We have been advising the industry over the past several years that worker retention can be increased Registered apprentices receive notification listing the with better training, and the Landscape Gardener dates for technical training sessions at Olds College, where Apprenticeship program meets this need. there are typically two intakes of apprentices in any

academic year: fall and winter. Apprentices are This successful program offers an abundance of hands‐on encouraged to register as soon as they receive their learning in both the hard landscape skills of pavers, water notification in early May to ensure a seat, as spaces are gardens, wood construction, irrigation and surveying; allocated on a first‐come, first‐served basis.

balanced with the soft landscape skills of plant identification, tree planting, soil analysis, plant production Landscape Gardener Program Outline and landscape design. As a Journeyman Landscape First Period training options include: Workplace Safety, Gardener, you are in high demand in our industry.

Tools, Machinery and Hydraulics, Soils, Plant Identification

and Use and Maintenance I, Botany, Greenhouse Production and Environment, Landscape Construction and About Apprenticeship Apprenticeship is a combination of on‐the‐job and Maintenance Fundamentals.

technical training in an earning‐while‐learning arrangement that leads to certification as a Journeyman in Second Period training options include: Workplace a recognized trade. The apprenticeship programs at Olds Communication and Personnel Management, Irrigation College are under the administration of Alberta Fundamentals, Site Assessment and Surveying and Layout, Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

Landscape Construction I, Plant Identification and Use and

Maintenance II, Pest Management, Turf Maintenance.

Apprentices work under qualified tradesman to become familiar with the principles, skills, tools and materials of a Third Period training options include: Landscape Design trade. Olds College provides technical training for four‐ Fundamentals, Plant identification and Use and year trades. During this time, apprentices are indentured Maintenance III, Plant Physiology, Sustainable Irrigation Practices, Arboriculture and Urban Forestry, Landscape (under contract) to an employer(s) who provide opportunities for apprentices to work and gain experience Construction II. in the trade, and to attend in‐school technical training.

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Fourth Period training options include: Landscape Design, Business Operations, Plant Identification and Use and Maintenance IV, Nursery and Sod production, Estimating and Tendering and Contracts.

Career Opportunities  landscape construction and maintenance  parks/golf course maintenance  urban tree care  pest control  nursery production  greenhouse production  sod production  retail/wholesale horticulture marketing and sales

Admission Requirements To enter the program, apprentices must be 16 years of age and have a minimum of a Grade 9 education or its equivalent, or pass an entrance examination administered by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

Application Procedure Apprentices attending Olds College must first be indentured as apprentices in the Province of Alberta unless special circumstances exist.

All applications and inquiries regarding apprenticeship should be made to a Regional Service Centre of Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. Prospective apprentices are encouraged to visit the Alberta Apprenticeship and Serving Industry Training website: www.tradesecrets.alberta.ca.

View program information at http://bit.ly/12Qm3NN. Landscape Alberta has prepared an information package for employers and employees that will help you and your workers understand what the Landscape Gardener Apprenticeship Program (LGAP) is all about. To request your free LGAP information package, email admin@landscape‐alberta.com.

Canada with Prairie Hardy Trees

Northwest Montana Grown Grower of cold hardy, large caliper B&B Shade, Ornamental & Evergreen Trees

Red Seal Designation

The Red Seal Program represents industry's recognition of an interprovincial standard of excellence for skilled trades. Why add a Red Seal designation to your journeyman certificate?

 Mobility. Red Seal is recognized in every province and territory in Canada. Red Seal shows employers across the country that you are an exceptionally skilled tradesperson.  Competitive edge. When you can write Red Seal on your resume, employers know your work meets a standard of excellence.  A mark of quality. Professional designations give you personal satisfaction. They’re a mark of your quality work and dedication.

For more information on Red Seal, visit www.red‐seal.ca.

Colorado Blue & Green Spruce, White & Black Hills Spruce Ash Aspen Birch CVI Shubert & Crabapple Hawthorn Maple Poplar Lodgepole, Ponderosa & Scotch Pine 3240 MT Hwy 35 Kalispell, Montana 59901

1-888-349-1422

fax: 1-888-349-1455

www.fourseasonsnurserymt.com

We coordinate freight to your site. Approximately 320 miles to Calgary, 500 miles to Edmonton Green for Life April/May 2013 I

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Inside the Minds of Homeowners

By Chuck Bowen

One of the things we do at Lawn & Landscape Magazine is to provide landscape contractors with practical information that helps them run their business better.

And the best way to do that is to help you understand your customers better.

Late last year we conducted the first major post‐recession survey of homeowners’ perceptions of the landscape industry. We asked more than 850 homeowners across the country why they buy landscape and lawn care services, what they think of contractors, and how they decide what to spend on improving their green spaces.

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Their answers might surprise you.

We call the project Grow the Market and launched it in our February issue. In our initial report, sponsored by Syngenta, we focused on three major topics of interest: homeowner perceptions of the cost of landscape services (too high), their expectations of service (also high), and the impact they think landscaping has on the value of their home’s eventual selling price (again, high).

Here are some key findings:  About 85 percent said maintenance and lawn care contractors are too expensive  70 percent said landscape installations are prohibitively expensive  A third of homeowners who fired a contractor – or never hired one in the first place – said it was because of price  About a quarter of all homeowners have increased the amount of landscaping and lawn care they do around their house; 9 percent of them are hiring more contractors  76 percent of homeowners cut their own grass  89 percent treat their own turf or don’t apply anything  30 percent of homeowners are planning a major landscaping project in the next two years  The most important source of information when selecting a contractor is a recommendation from friends and family, followed by online reviews and seeing trucks in the neighborhood

So what does this mean for you?

These data make it pretty clear that homeowners need to be coached past the price question and shown the value that a new landscape or lawn care program will bring them. That value for many consumers means more time spent with their family or more enjoyment of their landscape. A majority of respondents said they value their outdoor space and see the value that a landscape brings to their neighborhood. The challenge is to find that value and drive it home, especially when yours isn’t the cheapest bid.

Our survey also makes it clear that homeowners often feel taken advantage of – nearly half said they don’t trust what contractors tell them. That

means you have to make sure to communicate clearly and effectively to manage your client’s expectations. You know that you’re juggling hundreds or thousands of clients, run‐ ning your own business and your family life, but customers tend to think only about their patio that you’re building.

85% 76% 30% Think contractors are too expensive

Cut their own grass Are planning a major landscape project

The most important source of information when seeking a contractor to do yard work, is a recommendation from

friends and family That communication also comes into play when consumers choose a landscaper. By almost a three‐to‐one ratio, homeowners rely on recommendations from friends and family when they hire someone. A happy customer with lots of friends is your best source of new business.

We’re going to roll out more data from our report throughout the year on topics like irrigation services, organic services, and how homeowners feel about up‐sells. We’ll also bring you case studies of contractors across the country who are using this research to grow their markets.

To stay connected between issues, I encourage you to follow Grow the Market on Twitter at @growthemarket. You’ll get regular updates on statistics, news and other information that can help you sell and market your company more effectively.

And if you want more insight into this report or a 30,000‐foot view on national industry trends, please give me a call. I’m always happy to talk about what’s going on and always here to help.

Chuck Bowen is editor and associate publisher of Lawn & Landscape magazine, the leading publication for landscape contractors and lawn care operators. Email him at cbowen@gie.net.

This article is reprinted with permission from the author.

Sidebar: Read the full February report here: http://bit.ly/WI6cOK For more case studies follow Grow the Market here: www.twitter.com/growthemarket

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April is Safe Digging Month Alberta has a very comprehensive and complex underground infrastructure that provides essential goods and services to Albertans. Each year, there are numerous instances where the integrity of this infrastructure is jeopardized by improperly conducted ground disturbances.

Failure to Call Before You Dig to have buried facilities identified and their locations marked, is the most frequent cause of buried facility damage.

The stakeholders in the buried facility damage prevention

process – the digging community, buried facility owners The consequences of damage to buried facilities can and operators, buried facility locators, regulatory agencies, include service disruptions, environmental contamination, training providers and the Alberta One‐Call centre – all property damage, personal injury and death. agree that the prevention of damage to buried facilities is a

shared responsibility.

All ground disturbers, including contractors, homeowners and land owners, can save time and money and keep As April is the traditional start up of the annual digging themselves and our province safe and connected by season, the Alberta Damage Prevention Council proclaims following ground disturbance and buried facility damage April as SAFE DIGGING MONTH and encourages all ground prevention Best Practices. These include making a call to disturbers to always Call Before You Dig. 1‐800‐242‐3447.

Alberta One‐Call in advance of any ground disturbance www.albertaonecall.com project, waiting for the buried facility locates to be done, respecting the locate marks, exposing any conflicting buried facilities before using mechanical excavation equipment, and digging with care.

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