Landscape Alberta Green for Life July/August 2019

JULY/AUGUST 2019 VOL. 7, NO. 4

A LANDSCAPE ALBERTA MEMBER PUBLICATION

Improving Soil For Success Greening Canada’s Highways Tree Planting Research Update

Company Culture Communicating and Engaging The Team

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JULY/AUGUST 2019 VOL. 7, NO. 4

CALENDAR ADVANCING THE PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY

November 13, 2019 Landscape Alberta Nursery Producers Annual Auction Calgary, AB www.greenindustryshow.com

November 14 – 15, 2019 Green Industry Show & Conference Calgary, AB www.greenindustryshow.com

MANAGING EDITOR Joel Beatson CONTENT & EDITING Kyla Hardon LAYOUT Kris Locke Landscape Alberta Green for Life is a professional publication for the landscape trade in Alberta.

Editorial and Advertising Landscape Alberta 18051 107 Avenue NW Edmonton, AB T5S 1K3 P: 780-489-1991 F: 780-444-2152 admin@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 Board of Directors

CONTENTS

04

Industry and Association News

08

Improving Soil For Success

12

Company Culture – Part 1: Communicating and Engaging The Team

Brian Gibson, Green Drop Lawns Ltd., Chair Ken Ruddock, ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc. Cody Brown, Tree to Tree Nurseries Ltd. Jeff Oudyk, CSLA, AALA, JLG, Land Tec Landscape Contractors Ltd., Vice Chair John van Roessel, CLM, CLT, JVR Landscape (2006) Inc., Treasurer

14

A Look Back at Our Association

Keith Plowman, K Plowman Contracting Ltd. CLM. Laura Watson, Finning Canada Adam Jansen, The Jansen Group Landscape Alberta Staff Joel Beatson, CAE, CLM,­­ CEO joel.beatson@landscape-alberta.com Marnie Main, Member Services Director member.services@landscape-alberta.com Valerie Stobbe, Trade Show Coordinator valerie.stobbe@landscape-alberta.com Kyla Hardon, Communications Coordinator kyla.hardon@landscape-alberta.com Lindsey Johnson, Events & Relationship Coordinator lindsey.johnson@landscape-alberta.com Cheryl Teo, Bookkeeper accounting@landscape-alberta.com On the Cover Pure Landscape Design & Construction, Windermere Retreat, Award of Merit Follow Our Social Media Instagram: @landscapealberta Twitter: @landscapeab

NEW MEMBERS GLVT Garrett Vogelaar B-2322 5 St Nisku, AB T9E 7W9 Ph. 587-600-9185 info@glvt.ca www.glvt.ca

@ Your Service Rhey Agoot 515 2A Ave W Brooks, AB T1R 0B1 Ph. 403-409-4240 rheyatyourservice@gmail.com

Leaf Ninjas Dave Carlton 240 27 Ave NW Calgary, AB T2M 2H4 Ph. 403-971-5230 info@leafninjas.ca www.leafninjas.ca Norse Landscapes Lee Gill Site 6 Box 108 RR 1 Okotoks, AB T1S 1A1 Ph: (403) 909-1861 lee@norselandscapes.ca www.norselandscapes.ca

Facebook: @landscapealberta

GREEN FOR LIFE JULY/AUGUST 2019 • 3

Industry and Association News the park amongst many other activities. In addition to the whips planted onsite, each student was given a seedling to plant at home. Approximately 13,000 seedlings were handed out across Edmonton for planting this year in celebration of Arbor Day.

2019 Garden Centres Canada Summit – July 10-12, 2019 CNLA is gearing up for the launch of their first “Garden Centre Canada Summit” which will be take place in southern Ontario on July 10-12, 2019. Garden centres from across Canada are invited to participate. The three-day event starts at a 110-acre award-winning nursery and garden centre Canadale Nurseries in St. Thomas.

Lunch will be at Canadian food retailer Farm Boy, specializing in selling fresh produce and food products, with an emphasis on farm-to-table wholesale. Following will be a visit to the boutique retail garden centre in downtown Burlington, Centro Gardens, with dinner and a presentation at the new Robson sales yard and head office of Connon Nurseries in Waterdown.

A conference will be held on day two with Keynote Speaker Dr. Charlie Hall, who specializes in innovative management and marketing strategies, financial analysis and benchmarking for horticulture businesses, Alexandra Grygorzyck of Vineland Research and Innovation Centre speaking on “Keeping your customer happy: what they notice, what they don’t and why it matters!”, and Larry Lee from the China Horticultural Society speaking on “Buy Correct, Buy Direct”, as well as a panel discussion with a number of industry experts. Spaces are limited.

To register or find out more information contact Anne Kadwell at anne@cnla-acpp.ca.

Arbor Day Celebrations The City of Edmonton held their annual Arbor Day Celebration on May 10, 2019 at Whitemud Park. 600 grade one students from across the city came for a day of fun as they learned about the importance of trees in their community.

Davey Tree volunteered their expertise and equipment, and Landscape Alberta staff were on hand to assist their colleagues from the City of Edmonton. Students had the opportunity ride in bucket trucks, slide down a zip-line and plant seedlings in

International Garden Centre Congress this September The International Garden Centre Congress is being held September 1-6, 2019 in Windsor, England and the CNLA is inviting our member garden centres to take part in this exciting international event.

Tour at a glance: The week will start with a visit to a recently opened and

Snow and Ice Risks Given the challenges the CNLA and associate provincial members face related to snow and ice liability, and obtaining cost-effective and sustainable insurance, the need for standardized Snow and Ice Operations Risk Management Guidelines has long been recognized. In October 2018, Marsh Risk Consulting worked together with the Landscape Ontario Snow and Ice Management Group to complete the first iteration of the CNLA Snow and Ice Operations Risk Management Guidelines document.

For more information, go to gfl.me.h4r6 to read more. For business insurance, please contact Marsh Canada Limited at 1-888-949-4360 or cnla.hortprotect@marsh.com/

GREEN FOR LIFE JULY/AUGUST 2019 • 4

Industry and Association News purpose-built large garden centre, followed by a visit to Bombay Sapphire for a gin making tour and lunch. The afternoon will include visits to Stewart’s Garden Centre in Christchurch and Haskin’s Garden Centre New Southampton.

We stop in Esher to visit Garson’s Garden Centre and end the week with a tour of Windsor Castle before the Gala Dinner at the hotel.

Make sure to sign up soon as the spaces are limited.

Day two will start at Coolings, an award-winning, plant-focused garden centre followed by a trip to Ruxley Manor Garden Centre and a visit to Pixie Major, home of the Ruxley fairies and dragons.

Afternoon tea will be served at Millbrook Garden Centre’s newly opened restaurant before boarding a boat at Greenwich on the Thames towards London, taking in the sights with a stop for a ‘flight’ on the London Eye. Day three will include a presentation on the UK Garden Centre Association’s annual inspection process, showing best practice from the award-winning garden centres awards. Delegates will enjoy seeing the Changing of the Guard, followed by a trip to Wisely Gardens, home of the Royal Horticultural Society with their newly opened retail centre. The afternoon includes visits and dinner at two very different Squires’ Garden Centres.

For more information and to register for this year’s Congress, visit https://igca2019.co.uk/

Skills Canada Alberta Provincial Competition The annual Skills Canada Alberta event was held at the Edmonton Expo Center at Northlands, May 8-9, 2019. Over 10,000 youth ranging from grades 5 to 11 attended the two days to learn about careers in 43 different trades, including Landscape Gardening.

Day four will take delegates to Ayletts to see their amazing Dahlia Festival, as well as an afternoon at Hatfield House enjoying a drink reception in the private gardens of Lorde and Lady Salisbury and a Medieval Banquet in the magnificent 15th Century Great Hall.

Landscape Alberta once again participated in the Provincial Skills Competition Try-A-Trade® event engaging nearly one thousand students, parents and teachers from across Alberta to try their hand at the Landscape Horticulturist Try-A-Trade® booth. It was one of many featured at this annual event, which strives to increase interest and awareness of career opportunities in the skilled and technical trades sectors.

The final tour day will impress guests with a visit to the world-famous Kew Gardens.

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GREEN FOR LIFE JULY/AUGUST 2019 • 5

Industry and Association News Vineland Releases Chinook Sunrise Rose Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (Vineland) officially released Chinook Sunrise, the second ni Vineland’s 49th Parallel Collection of roses developed for their hardiness and ability to blossom almost anywhere in Canada.

Chinook Sunrise is a low-maintenance addition to landscapes because of its black spot tolerance and winter hardiness across Canada. It’s also a repeat bloomer, so it stays stunning all season. Chinook Sunrise will be available at garden centres and greenhouse across the country in time for the 2019 growing season.

More information is available at 48throses.com.

City of Calgary Releases Outdoor Homeowner Water Guides The City of Calgary has completed their one-year project to complete a series of guides geared at homeowners about responsible outdoor water usage. Landscape Alberta members were involved in several steps along the way from the initial planning meeting of stakeholders to review of the draft documents. This is a great resource to share with staff and customers alike.

More info can be found at calgary.ca/waterguide.

BCLNA Bus Tour to Oregon July 9 – 11, 2019 This one-of-a-kind, guided excursion is a comprehensive, educational and highly entertaining way for growers and horticultural professionals to visit key Oregon nursery locations with fellow horticulturists. Guests will visit the major horticultural companies that distribute nursery plant materials and supplies and get a first-hand look at new and emerging nursery practices and technologies in the top nursery growing region in the United States.

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GREEN FOR LIFE JULY/AUGUST 2019 • 6

Industry and Association News Itinerary Day 1: We board the bus bright + early, get breakfast in Washington and drive to the first nursery stop for lunch and a tour.

This is followed by the second stop of the day and eventually we continue south to the Oregon Garden Resort to check in and explore local restaurants and brew pubs in Silverton, Oregon.

Day 2: A jam-packed day with five tours throughout the region with lunch along the way. After returning for the evening, guests will be treated to a dinner event with local horticultural professionals for a casual opportunity to connect.

Day 3: After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, we will be visiting the last two nursery operations with lunch planned before returning back to BC.

“Help us shine the spotlight on the amazing things your company does by sharing human-interest stories from your work.”

Story format can vary to suit your needs, and our Communications Coordinator can work with you on writing and editing to make your story the best it can be!

If you have a story to tell or would like to know more, please contact kyla.hardon@landscape-alberta.com.

Register: https://bclna.com/events/ bclna-bus-tour-to-oregon/

Everything you need to create the perfect landscape Our Members are Amazing; It’s A Fact

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Behind every great company are the people who keep it running. Help us shine the spotlight on the amazing things your company does by sharing human-interest stories from your work. Some examples of stories to consider sharing include:

Landscaping Services

• Volunteer work your company/team commits to • A special project • A inspiring, motivating personal story • How your company was started, its history, and/or hallmark year stories (i.e. 50 years in business) • Best business practices you’d like to share • And many more Shared stories could be featured on our social media pages, website, or in our Green for Life magazine, which creates an excellent marketing opportunity for your company. Audiences love to see the people behind the logo!

Potted & Caliper Trees

Shrubs & Perennials

Annuals & Hanging Baskets Tree Installation

Firewood Mulches

Rainbow Play Systems

Decorative Stone, Gravel, & Soils

Blue Grass Nursery, Sod, & Garden Centres Red Deer: 1-855-533-4777 Calgary: 1-877-826-0468 Edmonton: 1-780-862-4383

www.bluegrassnursery.com GREEN FOR LIFE JULY/AUGUST 2019 • 7

Improving Soil For Success Greening Canada’s Highways Tree Planting Research Update

BY DR. DARBY MCGRATH VINELAND RESEARCH AND INNOVATION CENTRE

Understanding and improving the soil quality of a planting site that has been affected by construction is often critically important to ensure trees can become established. The construction process can significantly alter soil structure and function, as topsoil is removed and stockpiled and heavy equipment compacts sites. Water is the main limiting factor in tree establishment, so in post-construction soils where roots cannot access water and nutrients, trees often do not survive.

On highway roadsides, trees face additional challenges because it is not standard practice to irrigate newly planted trees. Sites are seldom mowed, so trees must compete with ground vegetation

for scarce resources. With the support of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Landscape Ontario, and the Landscape Alberta Nursery Producers Group, the Greening Canada’s Highways project was initiated to improve tree establishment in highway plantings.

Ontario research trial In 2014, we began soil remediation research trials in Ontario. The objective of the research was to develop a method for preparing soils that was economically feasible, and created the necessary soil properties trees need to survive and grow. We developed a

GREEN FOR LIFE JULY/AUGUST 2019 • 8

Improving Soil For Success remediation protocol that uses deep-ripping (fracturing the soil create a soil remediation calculation tool that provides customized structure) to a depth of 90 cm, followed by application and inrecommendations based on soil conditions at the planting site. corporation of varying amounts of organic amendments into the Users of the tool can take soil samples for organic matter content soil. Using this method, we create a planting bed where drainage and texture, and estimate the amount of amendment they will need is improved, soil is workable and multiple trees can be easily to add to reduce compaction and improve soil conditions for trees. planted together (in contrast to much more labour-intensive tree The soil calculator and a tree species selection tool that is unique planting required in compacted soil). The remediated soil, which to Canada, as well as information on how to sample soils and carry has been de-compacted and mixed out soil remediation for tree planting, with organic amendment to a depth can be found at of nearly 30 cm, promotes a rootwww.greeningcanadianlandscape.ca. ing depth adequate for trees, but “On highway roadsides, Alberta research trial more importantly, space for roots to expand horizontally. We testtrees face additional In 2016, we planted separate reed applying compost at 0-, 10-, challenges because it is not search trial sites in Edmonton, 25- and 50 per cent rates, on a volCalgary and Airdrie, Alta., to build ume-to-volume basis. This helped us standard practice to irrigate on research findings from Ontario. to understand the thresholds of orAt these sites we tested different ganic matter required to reduce bulk newly planted trees.� organic amendments that would density (compaction) enough to let be available to the local landscape tree roots grow, while also improvsector. We used municipal compost ing available water holding capacity (comprised of leaf and yard waste, (plant available water), porosity and and in Calgary including manure from the Calgary zoo) and comnutrient availability in the soils. The treatment where we added 25 posted pulp and paper residuals (waste products that are currently per cent compost amended into the soil proved to be the best for incinerated during the paper-making process). These amendments tree growth and improved soil quality. were incorporated into planting beds and compared alongside Soil texture, bulk density and organic matter interact to influence trees planted according to the current planting specification of water availability. The soil present on planting sites will differ each city. With support from the Landscape Alberta Nursery based on these properties. Therefore, we used the trial to help

(403) 203-3338 admin@foothillsnurseries.com GREEN FOR LIFE JULY/AUGUST 2019 • 9

Improving Soil For Success

Producers Group, we are continuing to monitor the trial sites in Alberta for two more growing seasons, but so far the findings from the research trials are promising. Compared to the current municipal planting specification treatment of the trial at each site, tree growth and soil quality have generally been improved in soils that incorporated both municipal compost and the composted pulp and paper residuals.

Putting research in practice - from lab to landscape Much of the information available about soil quality is based on requirements for producing agricultural crops. For instance, a commonly cited organic matter content goal for agricultural soils is three to five per cent. Although this is a value that reflects the requirements of agricultural crops, it is often the default range used for assessing organic matter content in urban soils for tree planting projects as well. Soils in forest ecosystems resemble neither urban soils nor agricultural soils. They tend to be high in organic matter content, have high water holding capacity, and receive regular inputs of organic matter through fallen wood and leaf litter, resulting in a pool of stored and readily available nutrients, thanks to the myriad actions of soil biota. Therefore, when sampling soils with tree

establishment in mind, the soil analysis recommendations available from labs may not accurately reflect improvements needed. It is worth noting that the highway roadside soils possessed soil organic matter contents between 2.5 and four per cent, pre-remediation, but previous tree planting efforts at these sites had not succeeded.

The research findings from our project suggest that increasing organic matter content of the planting soil to approximately eight to 10 per cent resulted in the greatest improvement in soil quality and tree growth. In many tree planting projects in urban or semi-urban landscapes, hitting the right levels of increased organic matter would help to reduce compaction and increase water availability for trees.

To help with the hand-off of the research and methods we have developed, we have been working with the Highway of Heroes Living Tribute to design a standard practice for soil preparation and planting. As the Tribute campaign and project continues to roll out planting 117,000 trees along a stretch of Highway 401 between CFB Trenton and the Coroner’s Office in Toronto, it is exciting to see the project findings in action. For more information on the Highway of Heroes Living Tribute visit www.hohtribute.ca.

Reprinted with permission from Landscape Trades.

GREEN FOR LIFE JULY/AUGUST 2019 • 10

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Company Culture – Part 1: Communicating and Engaging The Team

BY JACKI HART

• • • • • • • • • • • •

What are the Company Core Values?

What’s non-negotiable?

How do you treat each other?

What’s not acceptable?

How does everyone know what’s right and wrong in your business?

For example, if one of your core values is Personal Growth – what does that mean exactly?

Are staff supposed to self identify what they need/want to learn (either personal skills or technical skills)?

Who supports their goals?

What is expected of them and you?

How will progress be measured and communicated?

What if the goals change?

What will it look like every day if Personal Growth is a part of daily culture?

I’ve worked with many companies and teams to identify and define their Culture and Core Values. For the companies that print them into the employee handbook and post them on the wall – there’s little or no impact. But for those who enliven and communicate the Core Values as a part of daily focus and language – it’s transformational.

When Core Values can be used every day to guide decisions, discussions and behaviour there is no looking back. These companies attract right fit people, clients, suppliers and projects/contracts. Their policies align with the core values, processes, performance evaluations, brand messaging, social media posts – everything aligns, and creates the company ‘slip stream’.

Recently, I spent a day with a management team of ten. We were working on stepping up their personal leadership abilities, and solving perennial challenges. We went through an exercise, where in two groups, they listed all of the company processes and policies they felt were consistently broken or not working. A year previously, the Company Core Values had been clearly defined and communicated.

When we looked at the lists produced by the two groups, what I saw, was a bunch of ignored core values. I challenged them to rhyme off the values to me, which they did with ease. Then I asked them to help me to understand how their lists could exist if the core values were being followed?

After an interesting silence, one by one, they piped up and started talking about which core values weren’t being followed, and what the different outcome would be if they were to keep those values at the forefront of every hour each day. The energy in the room became so dynamic and exciting! They could see very quickly how the solution to most of their challenges was right in front of them. All they had to do was agree to fully engage in the culture that was already established. It was a very cool

GREEN FOR LIFE JULY/AUGUST 2019 • 12

Company Culture: Communicating and Engaging The Team

“In my experience, most of the reason for inconsistent results is rooted in a lack of understanding and clarity on what’s expected and what’s wrong-fit.”

revelation for them all – and I’m looking forward to hearing back from them with examples of how their engagement and shift in mindset is making a difference this spring. I’m confident that their ‘aha’ moment in our Leadership Day session will carry them through to hold themselves and each other accountable to consistent behaviour, alignment with policies and consistent engagement in procedures across the board.

So, if your company struggles at times with achieving consistent attitudes, actions and accountability, have faith. In my experience, most of the reason for inconsistent results is rooted in a lack of understanding and clarity on what’s expected and what’s wrong-fit. If you’re not sure about how effective a clearly defined company culture can be, then contact CBH to begin defining your Core Values, and see for yourself.

Collaborative Business Help (705) 706-1425 jacki@getcbh.com www.getcbh.com

GREEN FOR LIFE JULY/AUGUST 2019 • 13

A Look Back at Our Association

Brendan

Summer Expo, August 2002 at Foot

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hills Nurseries

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