LCA Groundwork Sept/Oct 2022

CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER 2022

29 LCA Networking Event: Top Golf Time: 4:30 pm–7:30pm

NOVEMBER 2022

3 LCA Awards Ceremony and Dinner

DECEMBER 2022

8 LCA Networking Event: Guinness Brewery Tour Time: 4:30 pm–7:30pm

Top Golf Germantown 20101 Century Boulevard Germantown, MD 20874

Bethesda Marriott 5151 Pooks Hill Road Bethesda, MD 20814

Guinness Open Gate Brewery 5001 Washington Boulevard Halethorpe, MD 21227

2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Paul Jester—President

J&G Landscape Design, Inc.—(301) 476-7600

Aaron Raines—Immediate Past President

Live Green Landscape Associates, LLC —(443) 763-8580

Ron Rubin—Vice President SavATree—(703) 625-4400

Jeff Rossen—Secretary/Treasurer JRossen Landscape—(703) 327-2284

DIRECTORS

Matt Glover, CLT

Wray Brothers Landscapes—(301) 906-1571

Zack Kline A.I.R.—(240) 772-1639

Robert Lehnhoff

Lehnhoff’s Supply—(443) 921-5789

Kristen Mowery

McHale Landscape Design, Inc.—(240) 508-8056

Scott Pickett, CLT, CPH

Live Green Landscape Associates, LLC—(410) 833-9640

Barry Schneider Surrounds, Inc.—(703) 906-7600

Jeff Waters SiteOne Landscape Supply—(240) 375-7470

LCA STAFF

Matt Coffindaffer, MBA, CAE, Executive Director

Kimani Grandy, Marketing Specialist

Lynne Agoston, Managing Editor

Victoria Baltz, Production/Project Coordinator

Barbara Bienkowski, CEM, Exhibits/Sponsorship Manager

Tim Foley, Member Services and Meetings Specialist

Dawn Rosenfeld, Director of Accounting Services Deryck White, Website Manager

GROUNDWORK, the official publication of the Landscape Contractors Association, MD•DC•VA, is published bimonthly by LCA, 1300 Piccard Drive, Suite LL 14, Rockville, MD 20850.

P: (301) 948-0810 F: (301) 990-9771

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Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–5 pm (EST).

LCA is not responsible for opinions expressed and facts presented by contributing authors.

Editorial Deadline: The deadline to submit copy is the 20th of the month for the following bimonthly issue and is on a space–available basis.

Advertising & Classifieds: All ads must be high-resolution PDF and pre-paid Contact Barbara Bienkowski at bbienkowski@msp-amc.com for more information and the deadline schedule.

Copyright © 2022: Landscape Contractors Association, MD•DC•VA. Reproduction of any material allowed only with prior written permission from LCA. LCA’s core purpose is to advance the success of its members and provide a community for green industry professionals.

Together we can do so much!

Jester, PLA, ASLA 2022 President

Hope everyone is doing well! We are now past Labor Day and looking forward to the cooler fall days and nights. I am excited for fall family events like camping trips, pumpkin patches, apple picking, and nights around the fire. We love doing things like this throughout the year and always have a great time with family and friends. The people we hang out with are fantastic and fun to be around, but they are also a great support team to have on our side. Throughout life, the support we receive can help us overcome times of strife and encourage us learn and grow. These people can also be there with us to celebrate our successes.

I’ve learned that this close circle of support that each of us develops is referred to by psychologists as “social support.” It is often identified as a key component of solid relationships and strong psychological health. Whether we are facing a personal crisis or just need some help around the house, these social support relationships play a critical role in how we function on a day-to-day basis. Psychologists have defined three main forms of social support: emotional, instrumental, and informational. Each type addresses different concerns in our lives, and all of them

support our physical and mental health needs.

As my knowledge of social support continues to grow, I came across a thought-provoking quote that I wanted to share with you: “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” This quote is attributed to Helen Keller and is a short but power statement. I believe it is a great summary of the ideals and goals of social support. We may struggle through different aspects of life, but by working with and relying on our friends and families, we are capable of achieving amazing things.

I look at LCA as an extension of my social support circle and rely on many of you to assist with various matters throughout the year. While we cannot always connect in person, many of you are a phone call or email away to help and support me in life. This accessibility and reliability is reciprocal and is a positive sign of a healthy support circle. LCA strives to create opportunities to expand this social support circle through educational and networking events throughout the year. Listed below are some of new the events to wrap up the year. And, as always, we are excited to come together and high-

light some of the beautiful projects at our annual awards event.

• September 29, 2022 – LCA Networking Event at Top Golf

• November 3, 2022 – LCA Awards Ceremony and Dinner

• December 8, 2022 – LCA Networking Event at Guinness Brewery

I am thrilled that LCA can host these new events and look forward to seeing what other opportunities we can offer to our members for continued learning, networking, and fun for years to come. I can’t wait to see everyone there and hopefully meet some new faces along the way. As always, I want to thank all of our members for supporting this organization and being involved with LCA. I truly believe it is a great organization for building our professional and personal “social support” opportunities.

Respectfully, Paul Jester, PLA, ASLA LCA President 2022

Paul

Wild About Hydrangea— Hydrangea arborescens

By Barry Schneider, Surrounds

Our senior landscape architect, Howard Cohen, loves using native plants. A few years ago, he started specifying Hydrangea arborescens ‘Haas’ Halo’ for some of his planting plans. So it is easy to understand why he was excited to learn, after attending a recent LCA seminar on native perennials, that ‘Haas Halo’ was the only wild hydrangea to receive a five-star rating by researchers at the Mt. Cuba Center in Delaware.

At the Mt. Cuba Center Trials, 29 hydrangea, including our old favorites ‘Annabelle’ and Incrediball, were evaluated for five years. ‘Haas’ Halo’ was the only variety that received five stars.

Style Meets Substance

This cultivar originated from a seedling selected from the Pennsylvania garden of Joan Haas by Frederick Ray, a plantsman and horticulture professor. Ray selected the arborescens seedling for its upright growth habit and oversized lace cap flower heads supported by sturdy stems (no drooping!).

The promotional material for H. arborescens ‘Haas’ Halo’ states, “style meets substance in

Hydrangea arborescens.

Photo by Pleasant Run Nursery, Allentown, New Jersey.

Wild About Hydrangea

this knockout that offers the perfect combination of horticultural excellence and pollinator value.” Specifically, ‘Haas’ Halo’ thrives within a broad spectrum of light exposure and tolerates dry conditions once established—and the bees love it.

Unlike other hydrangeas, this one is bred to be pollinator friendly.

In the trial at Mt. Cuba Center, plants in full sun displayed huge flower heads that were consistently among the largest in the entire evaluation. Whereas other hydrangeas such as ‘Annabelle’ are sterile, the ‘Haas’ flower head is an unusual combination of fertile and sterile parts. Clusters of tiny, cream-colored flowers that provide nectar and pollen for pollinators are surrounded by larger, pure white flowers that are sterile.

Arboresens ‘Haas’ Halo’ also had a nearly flawless performance when grown in the shade. It displayed uniform growth, deep bluish-green foliage, and flower heads that continued looking great for months after their midsummer bloom.

The Facts: Hydrangea arborescens ‘Haas’ Halo’

Common names: Smooth Hydrangea, Wild Hydrangea

Hardiness zone: 3–8

Height: 3’ to 5’ tall

Spread: 3’ to 5’ wide

Shape: Upright

Bloom cycle: June to October on new wood

Flower: Lace cap

Sun: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Tolerates moist to dry conditions

Characteristics: Attracts pollinators

Landscape use: Foundation plantings, massing, cutting gardens, native plant gardens

Maintenance: Prune close to the ground in late winter to encourage vigorous stem growth.

Photo credit: Plants Nouveau

Channel your inner foreman and bond with your industry colleagues at Top Golf Germantown, for a night of fun, food, drinks, and of course, networking! No need to have a decent golf swing or score a lot of points—it’s all about having fun! Each player will receive: • 2+ hours of Top Golf game play

Program:

4:30 pm–5:00 pm Welcome remarks and brief sponsor presentation

5:00 pm D inner buffet served in the Signature room

5:00 pm–7:15 pm Top Golf game play

7:15 pm–7:30 pm Closing remarks

Location: Top Golf Germantown 2 0101 Century Boulevard Germantown, MD 20874 Parking: Free parking is available onsite. Registration Fee: $75 per person Thank You to Our Sponsor: Limited sponsorships still available. Contact Barbara Bienkowski at bbienkowski@msp-amc.com

2021

Grand Award

Residence @ Shallow Creek

Surrounds Inc.

For this project, we demolished the existing pool and deck area and installed a new outdoor living area in the backyard. Elements of the renovation included installation of all new hardscape features to include all walls, patios, steps, guest parking area, and pool and spa copings; new open air deck/porch with outdoor fireplace, grill with bar, lighting, and outdoor audio; contemporary pool cabana with outdoor lighting, audio, and TV; all new landscaping; new fencing and outdoor playset with rubber mulch; all masonry around the pool and deck areas; and a new deck with covered space and grilling.

Keep Your Lake Free of Invasive Weeds With Drone Applications

Reprint courtesy of SOLitude Lake Management

Superintendents know that lakes and ponds are essential to the success of any golf course. But when invasive vegetation species creep in, the beauty and functionality of these waterbodies can be spoiled

and leave superintendents feeling like they are fighting a losing battle against Mother Nature. Luckily, new developments in drone technology are allowing superintendents to take back control.

Also known as unmanned aerial systems (UAS), drones are changing the way that experts approach controlling nuisance and invasive aquatic weeds. This advanced technology plays a key role throughout

Drone technology is one solution that not only supports effective and efficient applications, but does so without harming our sensitive ecosystems.

Drones eliminate the need for specialists to interfere with non-target areas used by visitors, employees, and residents.

the process, starting with data collection and surveillance. With a bird’s-eye view of the site, professionals are better able to map target areas and identify safety challenges such as difficult terrain, flooding, infrastructure damage, or dangerous wildlife.

Managing Nuisance and Invasive Vegetation With Drones

Drones can be utilized to manage many different nuisance or invasive plant species. Some of the most common floating aquatic weeds include water hyacinth, giant salvinia, water chestnut, and crested floating heart. Common emergent wetland plants include cattails, phragmites, Brazilian pepper, and flowering rush.

Drones have the ability to make highly targeted applications, making

it easier to access sensitive or hardto-reach areas without putting the environment or aquatic experts at risk. Because they are able to make applications from above, areas that are normally inaccessible by human experts, either via walking or ATV, can now be effectively managed with precise applications.

Tackle Vegetation Problems With Less Fuss

Golf courses take pride in cultivating beautiful landscaping around their water resources. As any superintendent can attest, excessive activity on the ground can create distractions and interfere with both work and play.

In addition to optimizing the treatment process, drones are discreet and less intrusive in residential and recreational locations. Drones elim-

inate the need for experts to interfere with these areas and help ensure flowers, turf, and other ornamental growth remain untouched.

Critical Drone Technology Features to Ask About

As with any innovation, it is critical for superintendents to understand drone technology, its features, and the experts who use it in order to select the best aquatic management partner for your business. So, what should you look for or ask about? Here are four critical capabilities and features that you should consider.

1. Pilot expertise. In an age of fastmoving technology, it may seem like drones can be used by anyone. However, running afoul of airspace regulations can result in significant fines and unwanted

publicity. Drones should be operated by experienced pilots licensed through the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA).

2. Mapping technology to protect the environment. Look for an aquatic management partner that has the ability to not only perform site surveillance, but those that use geographic information system (GIS) software to pre-program custom treatment routes and ensure precise herbicide applications to avoid impacts to non-target zones.

3. Drone programming and carrying capacity for cost-efficiency. Unlike recreational drones used for casual photography, those

used for invasive species and vegetation management are significantly larger with a 6-foot wingspan and advanced battery capacity. These larger drones can transport approximately 35 pounds of liquid or granular herbicide during an application route. Once emptied—often in just 2–3 minutes—the drones are returned to a designated reloading station. Reloading can be completed onshore, in a boat, or from a truck bed. This efficient technology is an excellent tool for wide-area coverage in difficult-to-reach or ecologically sensitive environments, as it can treat up to 200 acres a day, making it a cost-effective solution for large or remote areas.

4. Privacy software. It is critically important to ask any potential aquatic management partner questions about privacy. To protect the privacy of those working, enjoying, and living on your golf course, drones should be configured with software designed to block recording near living spaces.

Drones have changed the game for invasive species and nuisance vegetation management, adding to professionals’ toolbox to support healthy, beautiful, long-lasting waterbodies. If your business is searching for a solution, ask your aquatic management partner about their drone application capability.

After site surveillance, drone pilots use GIS software to preprogram custom treatment routes for precise herbicide applications.

Available from these suppliers:

Buds & Blooms Nursery Brown Summit, NC • 800-772-2837

Chesapeake Nurseries Inc Salisbury, MD • 410-742-5622

David’s Nursery Exmore, VA • 757-442-7000

Homestead Gardens Davidsonville, MD • 443-607-1919

Shreckhise Nurseries Grottoes, VA • 540-249-5761

Spring Run Farm Coatesville, PA • 610-380-1402

Zirkle’s Nursery Bridgeton, NJ • 856-207-3548

Leverage Social Media for Human Resources

By Steven Cesare, Ph.D., The Harvest Group

It is all too clear to successful business owners that social media has moved quickly from being a mere cosmetic aspect of the company marketing plan into a vital determinant of capitalistic advantage. Unique resources and ongoing attention are now commonly being devoted to social media, just as resources and attention are traditionally allocated

To remain current, visible and “fresh,” prescient companies frequently have a presence on at least the following four platforms: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. Extending that thought, social media postings should occur bi-weekly on each of the platforms, with appropriate costs, results and tracking metrics being tracked

within a well-developed, targeted and successful social media strategy:

1. Recruitment : In conjunction with its own website, the company should consistently populate, refresh and publicize all vacant positions. Job descriptions, salary ranges, training

mation, available benefits and the like represent the current standard for human resources

Leverage Social Media for Human Resources

2. Employees: This topic fuels the company’s Rewards and Recognition Program by highlighting new employees, tenured employee work anniversaries, recent achievements, successful performance, employee commendations, training certifications and promotions, as well as biographical sketches that personalize each employee’s distinct contributions to the company.

3. Educational: Supporting customer service, these social media postings frequently include useful information to improve viewers’ awareness, initiative and competence through topics like how to trim a rose bush, plant health care, fertilization tips, proper application of bark or mulch, irrigation improvements and installing new plants or trees.

4. Job Quality: It’s always beneficial to highlight successes by sharing before and after photos or videos of new installation, enhancements or tree service

work, especially when accompanied by the manager’s and foreman’s names to document their accountability. People’s memories may lapse with time; photos and videos permanently improve those memories.

Building upon social media platforms and content categories, it is important to note the current mode of presentation is far more elaborate and dynamic than it was just a few short years ago. Long-winded, drab, static PDF postings are from a bygone era; dynamic information transfer is the new standard.

To that point, there is an increased emphasis on 30-60 second video presentations rather than two or three still photographs. Aerial captures of drones flying over new construction projects, documenting yard departure routines, or detecting invasive tree hazards actively engage the viewer across topography, sense and imagination. Likewise, the migration from placid to progressive information can also be seen in company websites that contain an embedded

audio-visual thumbnail of the company president verbally escorting the viewer across and through the various sections of the company website (e.g., who we are, project gallery, careers, customer testimonials).

To accompany this increased information placement, an increasing number of companies have added functional staff to monitor social media.

For example, while some landscape companies have outsourced their social media analytics to third-party vendors who provide weekly reports on key metrics, other landscapers utilize part-time consultants, interns, or full-time internal social media employees.

Social media is not only here to stay, but quickly is becoming an indispensable platform to convey company branding, cultivate organizational culture and publicize myriad human resources functions (e.g., staffing, training career ladders) necessary to engage interested job applicants to help the company achieve sustainable success.

Reprinted with permission from Lawn & Landscape, September 2021.

“Having a clear, concise social media strategy can only benefit your business in terms of recruiting, customer service and other areas.”

Winter Downtime

By William Moore,CSP, ASM, LIC, ASCA-C, President, Executive Property Maintenance

Winter is right around the corner and as we prepare to change from a green to a white season, we are jamming out the last of the projects; busy here, race there. When we are actually able to collect our thoughts, something happens during the winter months. DOWNTIME!

As employers, what do we do with the team when it’s not snowing? Well, there is no perfect answer and every company is different and has different ideas. This question came up to the panel at the Snow Expo this year. I think we can all agree that our teams need to earn an income for themselves and their families,

and we also want them to always be available for any inclement weather.

Each year I start to ponder ideas and try to be creative to keep busy. I know some companies have a firewood department; chop firewood and sell it for additional revenue. That’s a great idea!

Here are some of the things we have done. Besides the obvious, washing and stocking trucks for the next event, PM (Preventive Maintenance) on equipment, refueling/inspection is also done. Something we have incorporated is a sweeping division (weather permitting, of course). Send

crews out to sweep parking lots and porter lots for trash debris, blowing salt away from doors (to keep corrosion down from jambs). The clients love it, because during those off times it keeps the sites neat and tidy while giving team members hours.

Another thing we do is, TRAINING, TRAINING, TRAINING! We do all sorts of paid training, whether it be sidewalk equipment, plow, salters, training employees to be versatile on other pieces of equipment that during busy times may not get the opportunity i.e., skid steers, loaders, pushers, etc. As a refresher, we also do site visits. The training becomes

very useful just like any training should, making it fun, having game plans, and giving the team hours.

Something we also do is trim and obstacle clearing. Sometimes trees are overhanging a parking lot or sidewalk interfering with a crew during an event or even when mowing grass. It’s a great time to get it done and see what’s in the way without leaves. It makes the next visit to the site, whether mowing or plowing, a lot easier.

Other ideas we have thought of is repainting older equipment and spraying rust inhibiter on them. This keeps the equipment looking fresh and keeps the team working. Preparing for spring is another good one. It can never can be too early to start inspecting the summer equipment, while keeping an updated inventory list. Sharpening blades, grease, maintenance, etc.

EDUCATION! We look for education anywhere we can find it whether it’s course offerings from the Michigan Green Industry Association, training sessions on equipment, management education, seminars, speakers, safety classes, state or department of agriculture training, and online resources for CEUs or credentials. This is extremely valuable during the downtime when we are not rushed and we can get ahead on credits or add certifications. This adds value to your team. There is always something to be learned.

Upsell work during the downtime is always great because it brings in revenue. For example, we offer and promote holiday and seasonal décor including winter interest pot changes, holiday tree lights, wreaths, or seasonal containers with cool materials. It adds a little something to the portfolio of what one’s company offers. It keeps teams moving

and generates revenue. WIN, WIN, WIN!

Not all of these ideas work for everyone but be creative – talk, brainstorm with other peers and contractors, see what they do. Talk to your team, bounce ideas on constructive things to do. Share these ideas. It’s no trade secret, we all have to make a living and the team has to make a living. And we want to keep the team committed and loyal to each and all of us. These ideas have benefits on both sides of the coin – they bring in revenue and allows team members to get hours. They make clients happy and sites look nice. They protect equipment and prepare us for the following season. Can’t really lose.

Reprinted with permission from The Landsculptor , a publication of the Michigan Green Industry Association.

Manor View Farm

Walnut Springs Nursery, Inc.

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