The Scoop - May 2021

MAXIMIZING LINKEDIN

ECONOMIC LESSONS

ASSESSING YOUR FLEET

CONSTRUCTING A WINNER PLUS:

PROPER HANDLING OF STOCK

may 2021 n v44 n5

ALSO INSIDE:

OUTDOOR WATER EFFICIENCY

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION

PLACE YOUR

WHOLESALE & PROFESSIONAL TURF SUPPLY

& l a u n An l a c i p Tro

PLANT ORDERS TODAY!

IT’S ONLY NATURAL TO BUY FROM THE GROWER

BEDDING PLANTS, HANGING BASKETS, PATIO TUBS, TROPICALS, EDIBLES & SEASONAL ANNUALS

5500 BLAINE AVENUE | INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MN 55076 | F: 651-450-9380 | E: WHOLESALE@GERTENS.COM

gertenswholesale.com | 651-450-0277

WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

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8 Events 41

10 Outdoor Water Efficiency in Minnesota, 2021 President Malooly writes about trends in responsible landscape stewardship practices from a water-efficiency perspective.

22 Learn New Trends at Northern Green Virtual Access the sessions from Charlie Hall, Brent

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Proper Handling of Stock Is the Key to a Successful Sales Season MDA’s Steve Shimek says keeping stock looking great may require more attention than expected.  

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10 Things Salespeople Shouldn’t Do on LinkedIn

Chad Diller encourages you to contribute something valuable to the LinkedIn lawn care and landscaping community.    

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What Have We Learned Since the Last Economic Downturn? Pt. I

Dr. Chengyan Yue shows what consumers’ consumption of floral products did

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24 Build a Strong Culture with Certification Do you acknowledge your employees’ accomplishments on your social media page or website?

30 Surplus Auction The MNLA Foundation announces an even easier way to donate unused items.

56 Membership Renewal Besides the benefits of membership, you could win $150 just for renewing online with MNLA.

58 The ROI of GILI Here are five ways your employee brings a return

Excellence in Planting Design Project Profile

Institute.

Ground One Landscape Design + Build + Maintain created this courtyard using

Assessing Your Fleet’s Needs

Christopher Lyon from NTEA helps to navigate making decisions from cost control to improving operational efficiencies.    

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sync this season.

during the last economic recovery.  

an excellent selection of plants with limited space.  

41

Horvath, Ken Simons, and Leslie Halleck to stay in

Long-Term Use of Bioretention for Heavy Metals Removal

Nathalie Shanstrom, PLA explains why the benefits of bioretention systems

on investment from the Green Industry Leadership

61 Legislature 2021: The Online Session Forrest Cyr talks about the daunting task for Minnesota’s government when conducting legislative business online.

62 Share The Scoop The digital issue of The Scoop is available to all personnel of MNLA member companies.

typically far outweigh the concerns.    Landscape & Hardscape Install & Design  Garden Services & Landscape Mgmt  Garden Centers  Growers: Nursery & Greenhouse  Irrigation & Water Mgmt  Arborists & Tree Services  All

Cover photo: Ground One Landscape Design + Build + Maintain.

Table of Contents Images: Top: iStock.com/dem10. Middle: iStock.com/alphaspirit. Bottom: Dr. Michael Goatley, Virginia Cooperative Extension. may 21 MNLA.BIZ

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DIRECTORY

may 2021 n v44 n5

MINNESOTA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION Successful Businesses Grow Here!

1813 Lexington Ave. N., Roseville, MN 55113 651-633-4987 • Fax: 651-633-4986 Outside the metro area, toll free: 888-886-MNLA, Fax: 888-266-4986 www.MNLA.biz • www.NorthernGreen.org Mission: The mission of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association is to help members grow successful businesses.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Tim Malooly, CID, CLIA, CIC, President Water in Motion 763-559-7771 • timm@watermotion.com Randy Berg, Vice-President Berg’s Nursery, Landscape/Garden Center 507-433-2823 • randy@bergsnursery.com Matt Mallas, Secretary-Treasurer Hedberg Supply 763-512-2849 • mmallas@hedbergaggregates.com Faith Appelquist, MNLA-CP Tree Quality LLC 612-618-5244 • faith@treequality.com Terri McEnaney Bailey Nurseries (651) 459-9744 • terri.mcenaney@baileynursery.com Patrick McGuiness Zlimen & McGuiness PLLC (651) 331-6500 • pmcguiness@zmattorneys.com John O’Reilly Otten Bros. Garden Center and Landscaping 952-473-5425 • j.oreilly@ottenbros.com Jeff Pilla, MNLA-CP Professional Turf, Inc. (Proturf) 952-469-8680 • jeff@professionalturf.com Nick Sargent, MNLA-CP Sargent’s Landscape Nursery, Inc. 507-289-0022 • njsargent@sargentsgardens.com Cassie Larson, CAE MNLA Executive Director 651-633-4987 • cassie@mnla.biz STAFF DIRECTORY Executive Director: Cassie Larson, CAE • cassie@mnla.biz Membership Director & Trade Show Manager: Mary Dunn, CEM • mary@mnla.biz Communications Dir.: Jon Horsman, CAE • jon@mnla.biz Education/Cert. Manager: Susan Flynn • susan@mnla.biz Dir. of Government Affairs: Forrest Cyr • forrest@mnla.biz Regulatory Affairs Manager: Jim Calkins • jim@mnla.biz Accountant: Kris Peterson • kris@mnla.biz Foundation Program Coordinator: Paulette Sorenson • paulette@mnla.biz Administrative Assistant: Lora Sondrol • lora@mnla.biz Advertising Sales: 763-295-5420 Betsy Pierre, Advertising Mgr • betsy@pierreproductions.com Legislative Affairs Consultant: Doug Carnival 6

MNLA.BIZ may 21

Ancom Communications Inc and Midwest Radio Rentals ............ 9 Arborjet .................................................................................................. 48 Bachman’s Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes ................................ 3 Borgert Products, Inc. ......................................................................... 53 Bullis Insurance Agency ..................................................................... 46 Carlin Horticultural Supplies/ProGreen Plus ................................ 46 Central Landscape Supply ................................................................. 25 Contree Sprayer & Equipment Co, LLC ............................................ 25 Cushman Motor Co. Inc ...................................................................... 43 Davey Twin Cities Wood Products .................................................... 57 Edney Distributing Co., Inc. ............................................................... 50 Fury Motors ........................................................................................... 44 Gertens Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply .............................. 2 Gopher State One-Call ....................................................................... 50 Green Turf Sod Farms ........................................................................... 4 Haag Companies, Inc. ......................................................................... 18 Hedberg Supply ................................................................................... 59 Jeff Belzer Chevrolet ...................................................................... 32–33 Keen Edge Company ........................................................................... 29 Kubota .................................................................................................... 31 Landscape Alternatives Inc. .............................................................. 52 Maguire Agency ...................................................................................... 9 Out Back Nursery ................................................................................... 9 Plaisted Companies ............................................................................... 7 Rock Hard Landscape Supply ........................................................... 46 SMSC Organics Recycling Facility ..................................................... 12 Sterling Arbor ....................................................................................... 21 Sunbelt Midwest .................................................................................. 59 Synthetic Grass Supply ....................................................................... 52 The Resultants ...................................................................................... 43 The Tessman Company ...................................................................... 54 Toft’s Outdoor Supply ......................................................................... 49 Top Notch Equipment .......................................................................... 11 Tri-State Bobcat, Inc. .......................................................................... 40 Versa-Lok Midwest .............................................................................. 55 Wheeler Landscape Supply ............................................................... 12 Ziegler CAT ............................................................................. Back Cover

UPCOMING

MNLA continues to plan education and events for the green industry. All precautions will be taken to meet social distancing requirements and the guidelines set in place by local and state agencies as well as venues. Should changes occur causing an event to be cancelled due to COVID-19 issues, your registration would be refunded in full.

MNLA FOUNDATION WIDMER GOLF TOURNAMENT

JUL

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Mark your calendars and get your foursomes together! All proceeds benefit the MNLA Research Fund.

Crystal Lake Golf Club, Lakeville ➽MNLA.biz

SIMA SYMPOSIUM ROADSHOW

JUL

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In 2021, SIMA will pilot the Symposium Roadshow — four smaller, strategically located events that will bring all the things people love about the show into a smaller footprint, possibly closer to home.

Earle Brown Heritage Center, Minneapolis, MN ➽SIMA.org

PLANT COMBINATIONS WITH STEVE KELLEY AND ARLA CARMICHIEL

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On this learning garden tour, we will visit both Noerenberg Gardens, a public garden on Lake Minnetonka, and the home garden of Steve Kelley and Arla Carmichiel. Both gardens are known for their diverse collection of plants and stunning combinations.

Noerenberg Gardens, Minnetonka ➽Kelley & Kelley Nursery, Long Lake

LANDSCAPE DESIGN TOUR

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Mark your calendars now for the 2021 drive yourself tour. Details will be in place soon! ➽MNLA.biz

MNLA MEMBER APPRECIATION

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

MNLA will be celebrating our members with a full day of fun. Stop by the MNLA Office during the day for treats, then continue the fun into the evening at CHS Field for MNLA Night at the Saints Game!

MNLA Office, Roseville ➽ MNLA.biz

MNLA NIGHT AT THE SAINTS GAME

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

You are invited to the 6th Annual MNLA Night at the Saints Game. Price includes game ticket and dinner — and tons of fun with colleagues and MNLA friends!

CHS Field, St. Paul ➽ MNLA.biz

JUMPING WORMS & THEIR EUROPEAN COUSINS IN MINNESOTA: STATUS, IDENTIFICATION, SPREAD, IMPACTS, & RESPONSE

SEPT

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The Scoop, May 2021, Issue 5 is issued monthly,

Join us on the University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus mall for a discussion about

12 times per year. All original works, articles or formats

jumping worms and the threat they pose to native ecosystems, the green industry, and

published in The Scoop are © Minnesota Nursery &

designed landscapes.

Landscape Association, 2021, and may not be used

University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus

without written permission of MNLA, 1813 Lexington Ave N., Roseville, MN 55113. Subscription price is $99 for one year, which is included with member dues. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Scoop, MNLA, 1813

2021 MNLA seminars generously supported by:

Lexington Ave N., Roseville, MN 55113.

Editorial Contributions. You are invited to share your expertise and perspective. Article ideas and manuscripts

WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

Your Trusted Partner

should, whenever possible, reflect real and specific experiences. When submitting an article, please contact the publisher at jon@mnla.biz or 651-633-4987. MNLA



reserves the right to edit all Scoop content.

➽Information on industry events: MNLA.biz/events. Free member-only videos: MNLA.biz/OnlineEducation.

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MNLA.BIZ may 21

Business

 Skills Training

 Networking



Leadership Development

General

A Deeper Shade of Green Local Genetic Origins

TM

Native Minnesota Woody & Herbaceous (651) 438-2771 • Fax (651) 438-3816 BRIAN FERGASON, CPCU 651.635.2781 612.247.7346 Cell bfergason@maguireagency.com www.maguireagency.com 1970 Oakcrest Avenue, Suite 300 Roseville, MN 55113

www.outbacknursery.com

Call us first for all your native planting needs

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Visit our website at WWW.ANCOM.ORG MOTOROLA, MOTO, MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS and the Stylized M Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC and are used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 2021Motorola Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Outdoor Water Efficiency in Minnesota, 2021 Tim Malooly

Water in Motion

In this article, it is not my intent to furnish an opinion on the role of government in our lives. This article is about water-efficiency and trends in responsible landscape stewardship practices, not irrigation systems.

In 2003, after suffering a veto by then-Governor Jesse Ventura on April 1, 1999, Minnesota passed legislation that became statute 103G.298 “Landscape Irrigation Systems”: “All automatically operated landscape irrigation systems shall have furnished and installed technology that inhibits or interrupts operation of the landscape irrigation system during periods of sufficient moisture. The technology must be adjustable either by the end user or the professional practitioner of landscape irrigation services.”

Sometime around 2005, I was invited to a meeting in Denver hosted by the U.S. EPA. The meeting included several representatives of the Green Industry, water resource officials from several western states, and EPA staff. At the time, there were severe droughts underway in the Western US threatening water reserves and a growing worldwide conversation about the increasing global population, migration to cities, industrial and societal treatment of water resources, and the possibility of freshwater “scarcity” in the foreseeable future.

At the meeting, EPA explored Green industry attitudes about outdoor water use, and the interest in and what role the Green Industry might play in promoting water-efficient products and practices. EPA later pitched a then-unnamed program to build awareness of our (North American) use of water resources, and a program goal to achieve water use reductions of 20% without negatively affecting our daily lives. The participants left the meeting with requests

by EPA to furnish ideas relevant to their industry sub-sector that might be utilized to achieve its stated goal.

Late in 2006, the EPA announced the WaterSense® Partnership program. The WaterSense program was/is

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voluntary and seeks to partner with industry and individuals to educate the public about and (further) develop and promote water-efficient products and practices. Broadly speaking, the original EPA goals to achieve 20% water savings without negatively impacting our daily lives included: • Actions and technologies to reduce leaks in municipal drinking water systems • Establishing a water-efficient product labeling program similar to the Energy Star® program (of energy-consuming products) to educate consumers to make informed decisions when purchasing water-using products • Certifying individuals who practice water-using professions or who might influence the practices of using water Much has transpired since the launch of the WaterSense program — too much for this short article. Some sub-industries (such as plumbing fixture manufacturers) saw an immense opportunity and rushed to develop, label and promote water-efficient products. Today, for example, it is nearly impossible to construct or renovate a building in North America without including WaterSense-labeled faucets, toilets and showerheads. To the water-purveyor segments, sales of water meters, backflow prevention assemblies, and technologies to measure water use and detect problems increased exponentially.

To many in the Green Industry, EPA’s entrée to influence water-using products and practices, volunteer or not, was/ is seen as government meddling or scope-creep and, was — and still is — generally resisted or at best, begrudgingly accepted.

14490 Northdale Blvd, Rogers, MN 55374 Toll-free: (888) 824-6559 Phone: (763) 398-0079 Fax: (763) 551-7916 www.topnotchequipment.com

YOUR COMPACT CONSTRUCTION, LANDSCAPING & ARBORIST EQUIPMENT HEADQUARTERS At Top Notch Equipment we promise to look out for our customers by providing top notch products and top notch service you can trust. With our headquarters conveniently located in Rogers, Minnesota, we are able to provide sales and service not only to our home but also to the entire USA.

Top Notch Equipment became the first dealer in the United States to carry the new CAST brand of articulating loaders.

Cast loaders are designed for the landscape, tree care, and property maintenance industry.

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

“

RESPONSIBLE LANDSCAPE STEWARDSHIP IS LARGELY BASED IN BEHAVIOR AND CHOICES MADE IN THE CLIENT’S BEST INTEREST, REFERENCING INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICES.

”

In Minnesota in 2012, legislation that essentially codified Low Impact Development, on top of recent-past legislative actions, provided for an accelerated approach to promoting — and funding — improved water-efficient practices, including outdoor water-use.

In 2021 in Minnesota, the promotion of outdoor water-efficient products and practices includes cost-share programs whereby owners of landscape irrigation systems can receive irrigation system assessments by accredited WaterSense Partners, and install or improve (at impressive discounts) water-efficient products such as rain sensors, EPA-labeled SMART irrigation controllers, and efficient spray sprinkler bodies.

The programs to promote improved outdoor water use practices not only contemplate reduced water consumption, but also seek to reduce surface water pollution and watershed protection. At the “high-end” of the scale, harvest and reuse projects — where landscape irrigation is reclassified as a stormwater BMP — have exploded on new or redeveloped Minnesota landscapes as a means to accomplish watershed protection and reduce dependence on drinking water for outdoor (and some indoor) purposes. Many harvest/reuse projects receive cost-share funding to help pay for the design and implementation of reuse equipment and properly designed and specified irrigation distribution equipment.

Thinking at the boots-on-the-ground level, when consulting with your clients about easy

ways to “be green” with often big and measurable rewards, here is a list of actions for your consideration: • Properly install and place into service: ❏ Basic rain-sensing technology — 18–20% water use reduction annually • Inexpensive, 1-season payback in many cases • Required by law, not usually included in local cost-share programs ❏ Advanced rain-sensing technology — 20–25% water use reduction annually • Inexpensive, 1-season payback in many cases • Sometimes included in local costshare programs ❏ SMART irrigation controller — 10%– 20% water use reduction annually • A great alternative to set-and-forget scheduling (see chart above) • The system must first be in good physical and design condition • Cost varies, often included in local cost-share programs ❏ EPA WaterSense-labeled sprinkler bodies — 5%–10% water use reduction annually • Can be expensive to implement as a retrofit • Sometimes included in local costshare programs • Arguably, should replace “basic” spray bodies and become the dailydriver of a responsibly-behaving industry

• Adjust stewardship practices such as: ❏ Regular, periodic irrigation system maintenance • Spring start, autumn close, break-fix is not “maintenance” • This is a behavioral adjustment that should be SOP among the industry and is becoming demanded by increasingly informed clients ❏ Don’t water before June 1st or after September 15th — 20%–40% water use reduction annually • This is a behavioral adjustment that should be lead by the industry but, is being increasingly demanded by informed clients ❏ Mow at 4.5"–5" June 1st to Sept. 15th • The benefits are many of this approach Responsible landscape stewardship is largely based in behavior and choices made in the client’s best interest, referencing industry Best Practices. Most of the outdoor water-efficient programs promoted by EPA and increasingly by local units of Minnesota government include or reference industry Best Practices; long-established and which should be SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) among our members. But, often, they’re not.

When thinking about ways to help your clients “be green,” actions to improve outdoor water-efficiency are among the lowest hanging fruit; often affordable, measurable, and if implemented with other Best Practices, make for a better performing landscape. may 21 MNLA.BIZ

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MDA INSPECTIONS

PROPER HANDLING OF STOCK IS THE

KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL SALES SEASON KEEPING STOCK LOOKING GREAT MAY NEED MORE ATTENTION THAN EXPECTED. Steven Shimek MDA Nursery Program Coordinator

Stock must be kept and displayed under conditions of temperature, light, and moisture sufficient to maintain the viability and vigor. The following are some considerations to keep your plants in good condition and keep your customers happy and coming back for more.

Cold Injury We are all anxious to get growing in the spring and don’t want to miss out on any early season sales opportunities.

This doesn’t mean the sales lot should receive shipments before the danger of extreme cold has passed. Plants moved from southern states are particularly vulnerable to cold injury as they may have broken dormancy making them more sensitive to cold temps. Use of northern grown sources may help avoid some of this, but protection from unseasonable cold weather should also be made available in the event the mercury drops. Often damage may not show up until much later. Loss of flower buds on flowering shrubs and trees may not be evident. Exposed roots are particularly sensitive to cold temperatures.

Extreme cold during the winter can also cause damage to plants that were not properly protected. Managing temperature fluctuations can be as important as the minimum temperatures reached. Plants under cover for the winter that warm up too early can be damaged by subsequent low temps. This is a balancing act trying to keep plants dormant long enough while encouraging growth when conditions are right.

iStock.com/ChamilleWhite

Dormant Nursery Stock Held for Sale Dormant plants need to be kept dormant until they are ready for planting. Bare root storage facilities maintain conditions of temperature, moisture, humidity, and light to maintain dormancy. These cool, moist, humid, low-light conditions can be difficult to reproduce in a retail setting. As a result, handling bare root nursery stock for retail sale can be a challenge. The shelf life for dormant bare root plants is limited by less than ideal storage conditions. Bare root stock should be potted or planted as soon as possible upon delivery. Roots must always be kept moist. Drying happens quickly when plants are exposed to the sun.

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Dormant packaged plants are another way to market dormant plants. Packaged plants are often intended to entice gardeners that just can’t wait until potted nursery stock is available. Packaged plants typically show up in March or April before weather conditions allow planting. These plants are meant to be kept in a dormant condition until they are planted. If kept dormant, these plants can remain viable for an extended time.

However, they are often displayed inside a heated store with disregard to retarding growth and, like bare root plants, have a limited indoor shelf life.

Once plants begin to grow, the packing material quickly dries out and the yellow spindly growth that develops in low light is not sustained. Once packaged plants begin to grow, they must be potted to restore vigor or destroyed.

Care of Balled and Burlapped Stock Held for Sale Trees and shrubs that are dug and wrapped with burlap to protect the ball of earth need special handing as well.

Balled and burlapped or “B&B” stock held for sale must be kept in moisture holding material that adequately covers and protects the ball of earth and must always be kept moist. Once dug, these plants should be planted as soon as possible. Of course, not all can be planted immediately so maintaining the viability and quality of B&B stock requires conditions to keep roots from drying out. In many cases, this means root balls are covered with wood chips or other mulch. Wrapping root balls with plastic is also an acceptable treatment.

In some cases, irrigation can be used to keep root balls moist. Stock collected for shipping and stock delivered directly to a planting site should be covered as best as possible.

Irrigation and Hand Watering Watering sometimes doesn’t get priority, and hand watering is commonly tasked to new or temporary employees.

Hot, dry conditions and parking lot locations can quickly dry out plants.

Understanding that watering should fill the entire soil volume of the plant is important. Monitoring moisture in containers can be as simple as judging the weight of a dry container versus a

iStock.com/Olga Seifutdinova

completely watered plant. Clogged sprinkler heads, displaced drip emitters, or broken irrigation lines can quickly lead to plant losses.

Start with Quality Stock Most of the stock moving in the nursery trade is good quality and in a healthy condition.

However, a critical eye is needed when receiving plants. The rush to unload a delivery and the excitement of having stock to sell sometimes overwhelms the need to carefully inspect the product being received. Limited availability of a particular plant can also make the delivery that much more important. People tasked with unloading should be trained to spot problems to ensure nothing is missed.

Part of the equation is to choose proven sources. Poor quality, diseased, or infested stock should be rejected and returned. Keeping shipments isolated from other stock on site can prevent possible problems from spreading. Minnesota Department of Agriculture Nursery Inspectors are available to assist in documenting problems to facilitate resolution.

Stock offered for sale must conform to The American Standard for Nursery Stock, ANSI Z60.1, published by AmericanHort. It can be found at: https://www.americanhort.org/ nursery-standards/. This standard defines the size of the container, root-ball, or spread of roots to assure the appropriate ratio of roots to top growth. Undersized containers can

mean plants are pot bound. Undersized root balls or spread of bare root stock may not be adequate to support the plant. This is a rare occurrence, but buyers should be sensitive to stock with poor root development or size in relation to top growth.

Demanding quality stock from your suppliers, providing care needed to maintain health and vigor, and monitoring stock for plant pest problems are keys to success for you and your customers. ➽ STEVEN SHIMEK is the Agriculture

Nursery Inspection Program Coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Contact Steven at: steven.shimek@state.mn.us or 651-201-6619. may 21 MNLA.BIZ

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LINKEDIN

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10 Things Landscaping Salespeople Shouldn’t (& Should) Do on

LINKEDIN Chad Diller Landscape Leadership

WHETHER YOU SELL COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPING, residential landscape design, or even lawn care treatment programs, many of your ideal prospects have something in common. They’re networked professionals — executives, board/committee members, property managers, company owners, salespeople themselves…you name it. They also know a lot of other people just like them.

iStock.com/dem10

Making new connections and developing

meaningful relationships with these ideal prospects can be a particular challenge, particularly in the postpandemic business world. “Social distancing” and “reducing exposure” has made traditional sales methods more difficult. Commercial landscaping business developers can’t just “swing by” as easily. Homeowners have become more apt to resist face-to-face meetings.

So how do you create a network to feed your sales pipeline? One useful solution that I see many landscaping salespeople ignoring or improperly utilizing is LinkedIn. Regardless of your current opinion on this social platform, consider the following: • From early 2018 to Q3 of 2020 LinkedIn has grown from 546 million to 722 million active users,

a 33% surge (Business of Apps).

• In Q1 of 2020, visits to LinkedIn increased 22 percent year-overyear. (LinkedIn) • In 2019, LinkedIn was voted the most trusted network. (Business Insider)

LinkedIn can be a valuable tool for landscaping salespeople. The keyword is “can.” There are hurdles that fre­quently get in the way of that. In the past five years, I’ve focused my own professional networking efforts on LinkedIn and have learned a lot. I’ve also connected with thousands of lawn and landscape industry professionals and observed what they are doing (and not doing). If you’d like to start using LinkedIn or improve your current success, I have 10 tips for you.

These will help you create more of the sales opportunities you’re looking for.

1. D ON’T Skimp on Your LinkedIn Profile — DO Optimize It Optimizing your profile isn’t difficult.

The guiding principle I would recommend when doing this is to keep asking yourself the question, “Why does this really matter to my prospect?”

Some considerations as you optimize your LinkedIn profile: • Communicate empathy for your prospects’ real problems over your position of authority/ expertise • Use high-quality images in your profile and cover photos • Add clear, concise info that talks about what you do, who you do it for, and where.

• Add content to the “Featured” section of examples of work you’ve done or points of interest to your prospects. may 21 MNLA.BIZ

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LINKEDIN

• In addition to your education and certifications, simply explain your work experience in a way that explains how you have helped people just like your prospect. Resist using industry jargon and buzzwords.

• Get happy clients/professional connections to write you recommendations.

2. DON’T Copycat Meaningless Drivel — DO Be Uniquely Interesting You may admire industry peers. They’re good people. But don’t just copy what they do on LinkedIn. You may see some really great ideas that you want to use but try to be different. If you follow enough green industry peers, you’ll see a lot of copycats. I’ll explain more about being uniquely interesting in my later points.

3. D ON’T Only Post on Whims — DO Plan Ahead & Leave Room for Inspiration I can’t tell you how many times I write a LinkedIn post and then delete it before I publish it. As I sit and criticize my own thoughts, I realize they sometimes aren’t the best ideas for the moment. Now while there should always be room for spontaneity, planning ahead and filing away great ideas is a great way to approach social media. Organize your ideas on a spreadsheet or subscribe to a social media content tool to schedule out posts. Start small and work your way up with more frequency.

4. DON’T Beg for Business — DO Become an Intriguing Resource This may be one of the most common offenses I see…posts begging people to schedule consultations, get quotes, or set up meetings.

Focus on helping your prospect. Share useful and thoughtful content. Celebrate the privilege of helping your clients in specific ways.

Share unique solutions to their problems.

I’ve always found that sales come easily when I have an “abundance mentality” and am not a typical, desperate salesperson.

Couple that with genuinely wanting to help people and your prospects will be the ones begging to work with you, not the other way around.

5. DON’T Post Too Much or Too Little — DO Find the Right Consistency I would recommend trying to come up with a minimum of at least two meaningful things to post each week. You can ramp this up to 5-7, but it’s really important that you don’t overdo may 21 MNLA.BIZ

19

LINKEDIN

• Don’t just post a link to an article/page.

Share a brief, insightful commentary, and then tell the reader that you’re adding the link in the comments below. The link will get more visibility.

• Don’t write big paragraphs in your posts.

Make each paragraph no more than 2–3 lines. The first 2 lines are the most critical.

• Ask questions or make statements that evoke emotion in the first 2 lines of your post.

• Try using emoji.

• Post images and follow the steps above to give some written context.

• Add native LinkedIn videos. These native videos auto play in the feed and often get more views than just an external video link.

• Tag your connections and their companies in posts when it makes sense.

• Use relevant hashtags relating to your geographic market and the services you provide.

7. D ON’T Post Poor Visual Content — DO Invest in Equipment & Professional Help In addition to creating useful, compelling content as I’ve previously mentioned, my firm belief is that people are getting tired of bad-quality videos.

• Buy a gimbal (motion stabilizer) for $100–$200 and make smoother videos.

• Consider investing in professional photography/videography and/or a better camera for yourself.

• Invest in an external microphone to eliminate background noise.

Understand that creating great images and videos is an art. Some artists have stronger natural abilities, but all true artists strive to become better.

things if you’re neglecting any of the points in this article. More isn’t better. Focus on quality first, then quantity. Remember there can also be too much of a good thing.

I have followed some pretty insightful people on LinkedIn but when they choose to post 3-4 times per day, my feed is completely full of them. There’s a careful balance here you’ll have to strike. I have found that the best times to post to LinkedIn are Tuesday-Thursday between mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

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MNLA.BIZ may 21

Try this out for yourself before you make a steadfast rule. Post similar types of content at different times and days and see what seems to get the most traction for you.

6. DON’T Just Post Links — DO Post in Various Formats There are a lot of opinions and recent studies on this topic. Here are some recommendations based on articles I’ve read and the results of users I’m familiar with:

8. DON’T Just Push Your Agenda – DO Become a Valuable Member of Your Niche’s Community Try to strike a healthy balance of producing your own content and interacting with that of others. Otherwise, you’re going to appear to be that guy/gal who just only talks about themselves. Here are some ideas of how you can build a niche community: • Like, comment on, and share the content of others with some supportive commentary.

• Create a private direct message group with active LinkedIn users. Share the links to your recent posts in that message thread and have others go and engage with your posts. Return the favor.

“

FOCUS ON HELPING YOUR PROSPECT. SHARE USEFUL AND THOUGHTFUL CONTENT. CELEBRATE THE PRIVILEGE OF HELPING YOUR CLIENTS IN SPECIFIC WAYS. SHARE UNIQUE SOLUTIONS TO THEIR PROBLEMS.

• Write recommendations for your connections’ profiles.

• Occasionally write a post asking your followers about how you can help them.

• Share links to your posts in LinkedIn Groups. Just don’t overdo this. If you belong to 10 groups, share one post a week to one group and spread it around.

9. DON’T Send Intrusive Direct Messages – DO Establish a Meaningful Relationship First You know exactly what I mean. We all get these messages and they are annoying.

Keep in mind that if you’re going to message someone and request a connection, become their friend first. Don’t be that guy/gal. Take a long-term approach to build these relationships and when they see you are unique and intriguing they will be more apt to respond to you.

”

10. DON’T Give Up – DO Stick With it & Be Patient I’ve landed big clients thanks to LinkedIn, but it takes time. For me, it’s really easy to be self-critical when people don’t like, comment, or share. However, I have been amazed when I meet green industry peers at conferences, and they mention specific posts I’ve shared and why they enjoyed them.

Believe that you have something valuable to offer and develop a heart for helping people over selling to them. Try to constantly improve. Be selfless. Have fun. It will pay off.

active participant in the LinkedIn lawn care and landscaping community. Make some friends.

Give something valuable. And keep doing it.

Feel free to follow me on LinkedIn. Send me a connection request and tell me what you’re trying to accomplish. I’d be happy to help in any way I can.

Put These LinkedIn Tips into Action for Your Lawn Care or Landscaping Company Tips are great, but nothing is going to change if you approach LinkedIn without enthusiasm and dedication. Start today. Optimize your profile. Take some action steps to be a more

certifications such as an ISA Certified Arborist and

➽ CHAD is the Director of Client Success for Landscape Leadership. Prior to joining our team, he served as a marketing manager for one of the Top 150 Companies in the Green Industry. In addition to his vast marketing experience, he also has held Landscape Industry Certified Technician. He currently resides in beautiful Lancaster County, PA. This article was first published at landscapeleadership.com/blog/10-things-landscaping-salespeople-shouldnt-should-do-on-linkedin.

may 21 MNLA.BIZ

21

There’s still time to register and take in the tremendous VALUE that Northern Green Virtual has to offer. Learn about trends in the Green Industry, and the new equipment and materials available to improve your operations. Check out these sessions available now on www.NorthernGreenVirtual.org!

 LEARNING NEW

TRENDS The Green Industry in 2021: Will it be 2020 2.0?

In this session, CHARLIE HALL discusses the current economic conditions, the status of the lingering effects of COVID-19, and the outlook for spring 2021. He also incorporates the structural changes already brought about

by C-19 and the business responses (key success factors) for success in the green industry marketplace. Are you trying to determine your best path forward? Then you do not want to miss this session!

New and Underused Perennials and Grasses Tried and new, see which plants have stood the test of time and which will likely survive and thrive in the gardens of the Midwest. Gain insight from a grower and breeder of hardy perennials with 29 years of experience and a wide variety of tastes when it comes to plants.

THE SHOW LIVES ON! ON-DEMAND ACCESS UNTIL SEPT. 1 GIVES YOU GREAT OPPORTUNITIES! REGISTER NOW AT NORTHERNGREEN.ORG

Landscape Lighting Design Ideas & Elements Experts from the field go over professional landscape lighting design and why there is a need for outdoor lighting as well as lighting design concepts. Additionally, we discuss the difference between good lighting and great lighting. Please join us to UP your lighting game.

The Plant Parenting Revolution: Connect & Cultivate Houseplant Trends to Maximize Retail Sales The zeitgeist of nurturing ownership, thoughtful collecting, and creative display is in full bloom in the world of houseplant hobbyists. Houseplants, both old and new, are hot again with homeowners, apartment & dorm dwellers, and at the office. Succulents, orchids, and unusual foliage plants fill the feeds of millions of social media users.

Indoor edible and ornamental gardening is gaining momentum. More than simply looking for ways to bring nature indoors, or grow their own food, people are also looking to collect, connect, and nurture. This session covers current growing plant-keeping trends, the future of the houseplant craze, current and future popular plants + sales & marketing opportunities and strategies for independent garden centers.

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MNLA.BIZ may 21

Knecht’s Nursery & Landscaping recently featured a “Congratulations” article on their website blog highlighting the hard work of two employees who passed the MNLA Certification Exam this spring. The article acknowledged their accomplishments and included a little information about each of the new CPs. Knecht’s also mentioned their commitment to continuing education and their desire to help their customers and staff be successful in their gardening and landscaping efforts.

Do you acknowledge your employees’ accomplishments on your social media page or website? It is an excellent way to acknowledge their hard work, make them feel part of the team, and let them know that you appreciate them.

Do you let your customers know that you employ MNLA Certified Professionals? Passing the Certification Exam shows the public that your employees have demonstrated they are knowledgeable and experienced, and it shows that you have taken that extra step to set your business apart as a leader in the industry.

Think about highlighting employees and their achievements either on your website or social media page. Your MNLA Certified employees and customers will thank you.

GET ALL YOUR CONTRACTOR SUPPLY NEEDS! CALL US FOR THE BEST SELECTION IN THE INDUSTRY GROWERS: Nursery Containers, Wire Baskets/ Burlap , Horticulture Tools, Corrugated Tree, Protectors, Digging Spades, Osmocote Fertilizers and Grower’s Mixes.

NURSERY STOCK: Deciduous Shrubs, Evergreen Shrubs, B&B Trees, Perennials, Specialty Conifers, Specialty Deciduous and *Field Direct Trees.

RETAIL: Chemicals, Grass Seeds, Tools/ Pruners, Water Gardening, Supplies, Garden Hose, Bird Feeders, Feed and Yard Ornaments.

EROSION CONTROL: Wood Blankets, Straw Blankets, Geojute, Sod Staples, Silt Fence, Grass Seed & Sediment Logs.

CONTRACTORS: Edging, Fabrics, Low Voltage, Lighting, Retaining Wall Systems, Pavers, Bulk Materials, Safety Supplies and Wheelbarrows.



® ® PAVING SYSTEM FEATURINGCHARLESTON CHARLESTON HIGHLAND STONE® FEATURING PAVING SYSTEM WALL SYSTEM & HIGHLAND STONE® WALL SYSTEM!

Congratulations Simone & Taylor!

www.centrallandscape.com

1-800-772-3888 | Fax 1-888-257-5577 | sales@centrallandscape.com

4026 County Road 74 South

|

St. Cloud, MN 56301

Knecht’s is thrilled to announce we have two more certified professionals on our staff this year! Taylor Rasmussen and Simone Schneegans share in our passion and curiosity for all things plant related and worked hard to pass a rigorous test qualifying them as a Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association Certified Professional with an emphasis in the Garden Center field.

Taylor has been part of the Knecht’s family since 2018. His strong organizational skills and steadfast work ethic makes him the perfect fit to lead our production crew. If we need to find a tree on our nearly 10 acres, Taylor always knows

BRINE/DE-ICER 200 or 300 gal

BRINE/DE-ICER

BRINE/DE-ICER

500, 750, or 1000 gal

1300 gal

where to find it. He is a key player in our operations. With a background in biology, he is our in-house resource for questions about any critters that might be hopping, slithering or running through the nursery. Taylor is a kind, smart and reliable person that we are lucky to have as part of our team.

Simone is also starting her 4th season with Knecht’s and wears many hats

SKID UNIT

DUAL SKID UNIT

TREE SERVICE

30, 50, 100, 150, 200, or 300 gal

30, 50, 100, 150, 200, or 300 gal

Tank size options

here. She helps to lead our retail crew, exceeds at customer service, writes blogs for our website, and manages our Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest accounts. Not only is she creative and brilliant, but she also makes every day exciting and fun with her sweet and sassy personality. Simone has an extreme passion for all plants, which make her the perfect fit as part of our

NURSE TRAILERS

TRAILERS

1005, 1065, or 1300 gal

30, 55, 85, 100, 200, or 300 gal

THREE POINT

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50, 68, or 110 gal

Knecht’s family.

Simone and Taylor join Jim, Leif, Deb, Bernie, Tracy and Heidi with the MNLA – Certified Professional credentials. We believe the benefits of continued education in our line of work are invaluable and want to help every one of our customers and staff be successful in any gardening and landscaping

55, 110, 200, 300, or 400 gal

40, 60, or 100 gal

ULTRA LOW PROFILE 50, 68, or 110 gal

efforts. We are grateful for the efforts Simone and Taylor have put into their education and every day on the job. Congratulations Simone and Taylor! ➽ NEXT AVAILABLE TESTING DATES ARE October 22 or 29 and November 5 or 12,

PEST CONTROL

SPACE SAVER

VIEW-SAVER

2021. Sign up at www.mnla.biz.

may 21 MNLA.BIZ

25

ECONOMICS

LEARNED What Have We

SINCE THE LAST ECONOMIC DOWNTURN?, PT. 1

Dr. Chengyan Yue, Professor, Bachman Endowed Chair in Horticultural Marketing, Dept. of Horticultural Science and Dept. of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota. Manlin Cui, PhD Student, Dept. of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota

ECONOMIC REPORT U.S. AND MIDWEST INDOOR PLANTS AND FRESH FLOWER CONSUMPTION: 2009–2019 The economic downturn during 2007–2009 changed people’s expenditure on floral products as well as other products — and some of those changes outlasted the recession. How did consumers’ consumption of floral products do as the economy recovered? This report summarizes consumer expenditure patterns on floral products during the 2009–2019 economic downturn.

Left: iStock.com/Berezko. Top: iStock.com/scisettialfio.

The Consumer Expenditure Survey is a nationwide

household survey conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. When taking the survey, participants report expenditures for goods and services for the previous three months. In the survey, indoor plants, fresh flowers, and potted plants are referred to collectively as “flowers”, and include bouquets, corsages, funeral flowers, and wedding flowers. In this report, we use the rich panel data with observations for four consecutive quarters from 101,726 U.S. households (between 2009 and 2019) to examine the floral consumption patterns and trends in this post-recession decade. The expenditure data were adjusted for inflation based on the 2009 Consumer Price Index.

flower expenditure across regions (Figure 1).

The average monthly expenditure for participants who purchased flowers was quite stable with a slight decrease from $58 to $55 between 2009 and 2019. However, the percentage of population purchasing flowers decreased from 29% to 23% and the similar pattern was observed for each region (Figure 2). Among the four studied regions in the United States, participants from the Midwest maintained a relatively high flower expenditure over time, with an average of $58 in 2019.

The Midwest also had a higher percentage of population who purchased flowers. In contrast, the West had the lowest average monthly flower expenditure and the South had the lowest percentage of flower purchasers.

Geographic Difference of Flower Consumption Trends We found similar patterns in average monthly

Flower Consumption Trends by Age Cohort Age is a major factor that impacts flower consumption. Figures 3 and 4 show the average

monthly spending and the percentage of population purchasing for different age groups.

Overall, the average monthly spending slightly decreased for all age cohorts except for participants who were between 40 and 54 years old. Notably, participants in 40–54 age group spent an average of $64 per month in 2019 on flowers, which ranked the top among all age cohorts. Participants aged 55 years and older generally spent more than the U.S. average, but spent less than participants who were between 40 and 54 years old after 2018.

The percentage of population who purchased flowers shrunk nearly 10% for these two age cohorts, but they still had the highest percentages of purchasers in 2019 compared to other age cohorts. In comparison, participants aged between 25 and 29 years old and those aged 25 years and younger not only spent substantially less than the national average, but also had the lowest percentage of may 21 MNLA.BIZ

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ECONOMICS

28

MNLA.BIZ may 21

population who purchased flowers. However, we did observe a slightly upward trend in the percentage of flower purchasers for the 25 years and younger age cohort during this decade, especially after 2015.

The flower consumption trends by age cohort in the Midwest show similar patterns as the national level. Consistent with Figure 1 and Figure 2, Figure 5 and Figure 6 show participants from the Midwest spent more on flowers than the U.S. average, and had a higher percentage of population purchasing flowers. Notably, after 2017, the 25-39 age cohort’s average monthly expenditure reached the level of the 55 years and older cohort. In addition, the percentage of population purchasing flowers for the 25 years and younger age cohort exhibited an increase from 12% to 16%.

Figure 7 shows the transaction percentage of monthly expenditures by each age cohort from 2009 to 2019. The most obvious pattern is that participants aged 55 years and older represented a significant proportion of the monthly expenditures for all years. The transaction percentages for other age cohorts had been consistent with minor changes over time.

Seasonal Trends of Flower Consumption Figure 8 shows the average monthly flower expenditure in different months of a year. As expected, May was the top month with an average monthly expenditure of $86 for the Midwest and $75 for the United States. The average monthly expenditure peaked in the second quarter of a year, which is due to not only the higher demand but also the raised prices as a response to the increased demand.

Takeaways We have seen differences in consumer purchasing patterns for indoor plants and fresh flowers across geographic regions and demographic cohorts. We summarize our key findings as follows: • The average monthly expenditure on flowers has been steady over time.

• The percentage of population making flower purchases has declined over time.

• Compared to other regions, the Midwest has the highest percentage of flower purchasers and consumers in the Midwest have the highest average monthly flower expenditure.

• The older age group (55 years and older) is still the major flower consumer because it has the highest percentage of flower purchasers.

• The average monthly expenditure by consumers who are between 40 and 54 years old has surpassed the average expenditure by consumers aged 55 years and older since 2018.

• In the Midwest, the younger age cohort (25–39 years) consumers’ average monthly spending has reached the expenditure level made by the older age group (55 years and older) since 2017.

• The floral industry needs to devise marketing strategies to penetrate the market and reverse the decreasing percentage of population purchasing indoor plants and fresh flowers. ➽ CHENGYAN YUE holds the Todd and Barbara Bachman Endowed Chair in Horticultural Marketing, Professor at the Department of Horticultural Science and Department of Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota. By better understanding consumers’ and other stakeholders’ preferences, Dr. Yue’s research provides guidance and implications for marketing horticultural products in strategic ways, which help increase the products’ success in the marketplace. Photo credit: David Hansen.

Keen Edge Company Bill Burke / General Manager | Phone: 262-749-8097 Email: bburke2@keenedgeco.com

Find a dealer at www.wrightmfg.com may 21 MNLA.BIZ

29

Su rplu s AUCTION

BID. WIN. DONATE.

We are pumped to announce an EASY way to donate unused items!

1

 Donate it online

2

 Deliver it to Fahey Auctions

Want to clean out surplus supplies, materials, plants, or equipment?

We have two great no-fuss solutions! Donations will be used toward green industry workforce development! Plus, get a charitable donation receipt.

When can I donate? When are the auctions?

Donations will be taken the first 3 weeks of every month. An auction will be held the last week of each month. Donations need to be submitted a minimum of 2-weeks ahead of a given auction to be included. Ongoing auctions year-round make this EASY! • May Auction Donation Deadline: May 21, 2021, Auction held May 24-31 • June Auction Donation Deadline, June 19, 2021, Auction held June 20-30

What can be donated?

• Nursery stock, trees, shrubs, perennials, native plugs, plants of all sorts.

• Landscape/Nursery Supplies; new containers, landscape fabric, edging, tarps, wire baskets and burlap, Sisal twine, bagged mulch, etc.

• Hard Goods: tools, lumber, pavers, irrigation supplies, etc.

• Equipment: new or used trucks, trailers, landscaping, nursery equipment, attachments, tires, mowers, blowers, rollers, sprayers, etc.

• Office Equipment: computers, printers, copy machines, furniture, etc.

• Personal recreation, home goods, boats, docks, hunting and fishing, campers, ATV’s, patio furniture, etc.

• ANYTHING YOU WANT TO LET GO OF! Go to these websites How do I donate online?

Donate surplus from your phone or computer. Go to www. biddingforgood.com/mnla to log on, enter your items, and upload a photo. Items donated must be available to be picked up from the donor’s location in Minnesota.

to donate or bid:

WEB: www.biddingforgood.com/mnla MOBILE: bforg.com/mnla

Want to drop off your donation instead of posting it online?

Take it to Fahey Auctions for a drop-off and indicate you’d like the proceeds to go to the MNLA Foundation.

Questions?

Contact Paulette at 651-633-4987 or email paulette@mnla.biz

Than k you!

PROCEEDS BENEFIT INDUSTRY RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE MNLA FOUNDATION.

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To qualify, vehicles must be used in day-to-day operations of your business and not solely for transportation purposes. Must provide proof of business. ©2012 General Motors Visit gmbusinesschoice.com or your Chevrolet or GMC dealer for details. Take delivery by 9/30/12. ©2012 General Motors ©2012 General Motors

Business Choice is designed for business owners who rely on their vehicles for their day-to-day operations.

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302 302 302

www.jeffbelzerchevy.com Version # 4 Version # 4 Version # 4

Document Name GMC1-12-FCO-03178-302_v4.indd Document Name GMC1-12-FCO-03178-302_v4.inddLinked Graphics Art Director Control Document Name GMC1-12-FCO-03178-302_v4.indd 12KTFLCHEV032.tif Linked GraphicsRGB

Retail Planning Flyer Control Art Jarret Petsch •Mechjpetsch@jeffbelzer.com Scale 100 8.75”952-469-7063 x 11.25” Bleed Chevy CopyDirector Writer TBD

RGB

12KTFLCHEV032.tif RGB HD CC with Dump_psd.psd Linked GraphicsRGB Control Art Director 11CHSL00054.jpg RGB Mech TBD Copy Print Scale Scale 100 12KTFLCHEV032.tif RGB None BusinessCentral_KO.ai ProjWriter Mgr csenn HD CC with Dump_psd.psd RGB 11CHSL00054.jpg RGB Scale Please 100 GM_business_choice.ai TBD Copy Writer Jeff Belzer Lakeville,Mech MN. call the Commercial Department at 952-469-4444.

Print Scale None BusinessCentral_KO.ai csenn Proj Stock None HD CC with Dump_psd.psd RGB Acct Mgr Svc kdenmark cube_0758.jpg RGB GM_business_choice.ai Print Scale Trim None 8.5” x 11” BusinessCentral_KO.ai csenn Proj Mgr Family_shot cube_exprss_slvrdo_a6.tif RGB All Rebates & incentives to dealer, must qualify for same, prices subject to change.

Stock None Live None 8.25” x 10.75” kdenmark Acct Mgr Svc afinnan cube_0758.jpg RGB Folded Size Prod GM_business_choice.ai RoundStep_3in_Chevy_Silverado.jpg RGB Family_shot cube_exprss_slvrdo_a6.tif RGB Stock Live None 8.25” x 10.75” kdenmark Acct Svc cube_0758.jpg RGB Tonneau_Chevy.jpg RGB Folded Size None afinnan Mgr TBD 1 RoundStep_3in_Chevy_Silverado.jpg RGB Finishing Buyer To qualify, vehicles must be None used in day-to-day operations of your business and notArtProd solely for transportation purposes.

Must provide Family_shot cube_exprss_slvrdo_a6.tif RGB Family_Option_a3.tif RGB Tonneau_Chevy.jpg RGB None Folded Size None afinnan ProdBuyer Mgr TBD RoundStep_3in_Chevy_Silverado.jpg RGB 4320G_cs.tif CMYK Finishing Art Family_Option_a3.tif RGB Colors Spec’d 4C TBD Copy Edit Visit gmbusinesschoice.com or your Chevrolet or GMC dealer for details.

Tonneau_Chevy.jpg RGB 4320Gss.tif CMYK 4320G_cs.tif CMYK Finishing None TBD Art Buyer Colors Spec’d Family_Option_a3.tif RGB 4C TBD 1PROCS.tif CMYK Copy Edit nminieri/pm Mac with Business Central Special Instr.

4320Gss.tif CMYK 4320G_cs.tif CMYK 1PROSS.tif CMYK Colors Spec’d 1PROCS.tif CMYK 4C Business Central TBD CopyMac Edit nminieri/pm Special Instr. with 4320Gss.tif CMYK BasePkg_ss.tif CMYK Publications None 1PROSS.tif CMYK 1PROCS.tif CMYK 12KTFLCHEV021.tif RGB Mac nminieri/pm with Business Central Special Instr. None BasePkg_ss.tif CMYK Publications

CONTENT CONTENT CONTENT

Job Description 8.75” Chevy Retail Planning Flyer 11.25” Bleed Trim 8.5” x x11” 8.75” x 11.25” Chevrolet, 50Bleed & Cedar, Box 965, Trim Live 8.5” 8.25”x x11” 10.75”

Publications None

Colors In-Use Cyan Colors In-Use

Last Modified 4-17-2012 3:37 PM 4-17-2012 3:37 PMDate Last Modified Printer Output 4-17-2012 3:37 PMDate Last Modified TITAN 4-20-2012 1:48 PM Printer Output

User ma-klane User

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Job # GMC1-12-03178 Job # GMC1-12-03178 Job Description Chevy Retail Planning Flyer JobJob #Description GMC1-12-03178

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PROJECT PROFILE

Blueston MID-CENTURY COURTYARD

EXCELLENCE IN PLANTING DESIGN AWARD PROJECT PROFILE Ground One Landscape Design + Build + Maintain

Excellence in Planting Design Award Project Profile

ne may 21 MNLA.BIZ

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PROJECT PROFILE

T

his year’s winner of the Excellence in Planting Design Award is the project “Mid-Century Bluestone Courtyard” by Ground One Landscape Design + Build + Maintain. This special designation was created by the Landscape Awards Task Team to promote projects that showcase outstanding planting design. The goal is to encourage landscape designers to feature plants in their plan while incorporating artistry, proper horticultural practices, and appropriate installation in their project. This award is chosen in the same way as the Judges’ Choice Award. At the end of reviewing all projects, judges submit their top picks for both the Excellence in Planting Design award as well as the Judges’ Choice Award. The winner of both awards is announced at the Green Industry Awards Celebration.

Judge’s Comments • The before and after pictures are telling.

Before, it was a fairly large space that was ill-used or not used at all. A very utilitarian space, not a front entry. After, it’s a welcoming, tranquil spot. It might be hard to get guests in the house!

• Excellent selection of plants with limited space. Most of the combinations will stand the test of time, and it was a great choice to keep a few existing specimens.

• Just the right amount of stone was worked into the plantings. It is nice to see the amount of green in the space compared to what was there before.

• This entrance terrace looks like it was part of the original plan. Both the hardscape material and the plants enhance each other and add to the whole.

NEWS & NOTES

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MNLA.BIZ may 21

Project Description from Ground One Landscape Design + Build + Maintain Our client owned a unique mid-century modern home in Edina with an existing outdoor courtyard situated in the center of their home. Our design process focused on exploring ways to create a relaxing and functional space that continued the design aesthetic of our client’s home with Asian inspired elements while creating a seamless connection between the traditional rooms in their home. The goals were to update the space while optimizing circulation and adding lush planting areas with a design that pays homage to the architecture of the home.

We started by removing the existing concrete patio and wooden deck while saving a clematis vine and sizable clump of Japanese forest grass because the client loved it so much. Site

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Left: Completed project front entry.

Above: Before photo through existing doors.

Before photo showing existing concrete and wooden deck.

drainage was a problem with the existing space, so our solution involved sloping the courtyard toward the east and utilizing a sub-surface drain tile terminating in a drywell under the front lawn.

There were two existing stoops leading to the kitchen and home office that were covered with expanded weathered metal that the client loved and therefore kept.

After reviewing material options for the new courtyard space, the client selected full-color patterned bluestone because of its natural beauty and durability. The bluestone presented as a nice neutral quality, which worked well visually from inside and outside the home. Polymeric sand was installed in the joints to help with long-term maintenance. The old wooden deck was replaced by a new concrete stoop overlaid with bluestone treads and patterned bluestone to match the courtyard area. While appropriately sized, the new stoop was also constructed with proper frost footings and low voltage under cap lighting for safety and ambiance.

Before photo looking toward kitchen showing existing concrete and wooden deck.

A recirculating drilled boulder surrounded by washed beach pebbles and a stone Japanese lantern worked well with the desired relaxed Asian theme. The water feature also includes an auto-fill device that will allow the irrigation system to keep the water at the proper level to aid in minimizing maintenance. Lush plantings including a Japanese Maple, boxwoods, grasses and groundcovers were all irrigated with a drip xerigation system that is also set up to water seasonal planters.

The plantings are nicely balanced with the stonework. Landscape lighting provides the finishing touch by increasing safety and ambiance, extending the hours of enjoyment throughout the year.

The goals for this project were achieved and the client is thrilled with their mid-century modern bluestone courtyard. Their new courtyard is a seamlessly connected outdoor dining and relaxation room addition to their home. The courtyard paving, lush plantings, recirculating water feature and landscape lighting all work together to make today’s living at and working from home far more enjoyable.

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PROJECT PROFILE

 BEFORE Construction progress photo looking toward home office showing concrete removal and plants that were saved.

BEFORE  Construction progress photo outside of living room showing pier footings for new concrete stoop.

 DURING Construction progress photo showing installation of step treads and under cap lighting.

DURING  Construction progress photo showing installation of recirculating water feature.

 AFTER Completed project photo showing washed beach pebbles, stoop, and paving detail.

Completed project photo showing first impression views upon entry into new courtyard.

AFTER  Completed project photo showing new bluestone patio with planting area and stone bollard light.

 AFTER Completed project photo showing lush plantings and stone bollard light.

AFTER 

38

MNLA.BIZ may 21

Completed project photo showing lush plantings with recirculating bubbling boulder water feature.

The kitchen is to the right side while the living room is straight ahead.

 AFTER Completed project photo showing view looking back at home office and entry doors with bubbling boulder and stone bollard light.

AFTER  Completed project photo showing lush plantings and bluestone patio dining area.

 AFTER Completed project photo showing bluestone patio dining area just outside the kitchen.

AFTER  Completed project photo showing connection with bluestone dining patio and main living room stoop connecting courtyard to home.

 AFTER Completed project photo showing landscape lighting and how the new bluestone courtyard connects to the main living space in the home.

may 21 MNLA.BIZ

39

NEEDS Assessing Your Fleet’s

FROM COST CONTROL TO IMPROVING OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES

Christopher Lyon, NTEA

iStock.com/alphaspirit

The Association for the Work Truck Industry

may 21 MNLA.BIZ

41

iStock.com/alphaspirit

FLEET MANAGEMENT

HOW DO FLEET MANAGERS MEASURE OPERATIONAL NEEDS? SEVERAL APPROACHES HELP QUANTIFY NECESSARY FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS WHILE FILTERING OUT END-USER OPERATOR DEMANDS OFTEN COMMUNICATED AS NEEDS. In the end, fleet managers are responsible for maintaining order between operational realities and requirements of the work that needs to be accomplished. Fleet departments are often viewed as red marks in organization budgets.

Without understanding the importance and unsung accomplishments of fleet operations, it is easy to see them as expenses and operational necessities rather than assets that can increase productivity and lower the bottom line. Fleet managers, though, can act as champions for their organizations and potentially turn a perceived expenditure into a tangible resource.

Making sense out of dollars Every successful company needs a sound business plan. Controlling costs and saving a few cents on every dollar spent can compound in the long run. Regulating expenditures within your control contributes to the success and solvency of an organization.

This journey normally begins with leadership directing fleet managers to reduce overall operating expenses. Creating a business plan becomes a necessity. Taking the time to analyze fleet operating costs and address problems, rather than cure symptoms, can pave the way to long-term success.

Some fleet managers fail to effectively execute long-range goals. This often occurs when 42

MNLA.BIZ may 21

management expects instant cost reductions, which fleet managers accomplish by: • Eliminating surplus vehicles and equipment • Extending service intervals • Deferring maintenance • Reducing parts inventory Although these items may need to be addressed, they are short-term solutions and can increase overall operating expenses down the road. At some point, lengthening service intervals and postponing maintenance may result in costs that are greater than savings.

Downtime is frequently overlooked as an expense that takes a toll on operational efficiency. Stocking enough inventory for maintenance and repairs as well as optimizing the amount of second-line equipment often brings greater financial savings in the long run.

Taking a closer look at vehicle inventory In the vocational fleet world, inventory can be an asset or liability, and having the right type for your vehicles is critical to cost control.

Fleet managers should periodically take a global view of their operations to assess inventory, prioritize needs and take action to reduce costs.

In the late 1890s, Italian economist Vilfredo Parerto suggested the principle of factor sparsity, or the 80/20 rule, which means 80 percent of effect comes from 20 percent of cause. This paved the way for ABC analysis.

Although this principle is more commonly used in materials management, exercising the process behind it can give fleet managers cost control insights.

ABC analysis is a way of categorizing inventory based on quantity and amount of resources consumed. Although there are no defined thresholds for each class, different proportions are weighted based on where they fit within the organization’s overall inventory.

A items account for a small amount of inventory but are high in value and resource consumption B items represent a moderate amount of inventory and moderate consumption of resources C items account for a large amount of inventory and small consumption of resources To put this numerically, A equipment may only represent 20 percent of the fleet; however, it could account for 60 percent of operating costs. B equipment would represent 30 percent of the fleet and 25 percent of operating costs, and C equipment would account for 50 percent of the fleet and 10 percent of operating costs.

Understanding the importance and use of these assets is key to overall cost control efforts. Your A items normally account for specialty equipment, designed to accomplish specific tasks. However, this equipment often carries the highest acquisition and maintenance costs.

Determining required outcome As technology advances, fleet managers can no longer rely on what they have always purchased to continue their operational efficiencies. Conducting front-end research and following a systematic approach will help lessen the burden of determining operational requirements of work vehicles.

Begin by defining what the work truck needs to do. The following questions should be answered before designing a new vehicle.

• What is the primary purpose of the truck?

• What are the towing payload requirements?

• What is the unit’s operating environment?

After addressing these basic functional questions, look at performance requirements and technical solutions for increasing

efficiency. What is the desired maximum speed at full capacity? Have you accounted for special equipment — dimensionally and operationally?

Consider the operating conditions and environment. Will this equipment be used in urban or rural conditions? What is the anticipated topology (e.g., is terrain mostly hilly or level)? Take environmental factors into account. Will the vehicle operate in snowy and salty conditions?

Adjusting your truck design to these metrics can decrease costs through risk mitigation, reduced maintenance and extended truck life. For example, consider upgrading transmission and engine cooling systems for vehicles operated in high-temperature regions. Relocate air tanks or use remote drain systems in humid climates. Use heated mirrors, windows and upgraded air dryers in extreme cold regions.

Review maintenance histories of your existing fleet. Looking at failure points can help identify where adjustments are needed.

Either changing the specification or matching the proper type of equipment for the defined job will ensure optimal efficiency.

Leveraging data Using accurate data to drive design changes can improve performance and assist in reducing operating expenses. Taking a few steps to capture specific data can help fleet managers increase operational output and productivity. For most businesses and organizations, resources are limited. Collecting specific information on units that consume the highest amount of resources (i.e., fuel, maintenance, acquisition cost) will likely provide data that can be turned into savings by analyzing and adapting operations.

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Learn more Although many organizations function within their own parameters, it’s important to look at industry trends and find the balance of being innovative without reinventing the wheel. NTEA offers data and resources to help fleet managers optimize their operations and benchmark with others in the vocational community. Learn more at ntea.com/fleetresources. ➽ CHRISTOPHER LYON is NTEA’s Director of Fleet Relations. NTEA offers access to

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HEAVY METALS Long-Term Use of Bioretention for

REMOVAL

Nathalie Shanstrom, PLA Sustainable Landscape Architect, LEED AP, The Kestrel Design Group

Kestrel Design Group

This content has been reprinted from the DeepRoot Green Infrastructure blog.

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BIORETENTION

Table1 : Sources of cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc in roadway runoff. (From Torno 1994) Metal

Sources

Aluminum

Natural as well as anthropogenic sources such as aluminum works industries

Cadmium

Tire wear, brake pads, combustion of soil, insecticides are also other sources

Chromium

Corrosion of welded metal plating, moving engine parts, brake lining wear

Cobalt

Wastes from tire and vehicle appliance manufacturing

Copper

Metal plating, bearing and bushing wear, moving engine parts, brake lining wear, fungicides and insecticides

Iron

Auto body rust, steel roadway structures, moving engine parts, corrosion of vehicular bodies.

Lead

Leaded gasoline, tire wear

Nickel

Diesel fuel and gasoline, lubricating oil, metal plating, bushing wear, brake lining wear, asphalt paving

Zinc

Tire wear, motor oil, grease

Gunawardena et al 2013 found that atmospheric zinc deposition was correlated with traffic volume, and copper, cadmium, nickel, and lead, were correlated with

BIORETENTION HAS BEEN SHOWN TO EFFECTIVELY REMOVE HEAVY METALS FROM STORMWATER RUNOFF, WHICH MAKES IT A VERY USEFUL DESIGN TOOL. However, there are two common concerns related

to long term use of bioretention for heavy metals removal: 1. When will breakthrough occur, i.e. when will the binding sites be saturated so that dissolved heavy metals start leaching out of the bioretention systems?

2. When will heavy metal concentrations in the bioretention soil reach toxic levels?

Based on research to date we believe the benefits of bioretention systems typically far outweigh the concerns.

Sources of heavy metals in stormwater runoff Heavy metals from normal pavement and vehicle wear are washed from pavements into stormwater runoff when it rains or snows.

Unless they are intercepted, for example, through Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs), stormwater runoff carries these heavy metals into receiving surface waters.

If allowed to reach excessively high concen-

trations in downstream surface water bodies, these heavy metals threaten the survival of aquatic organisms at all levels of the food chain.

Heavy metals can also be toxic to humans, and most can be lethal. At sub-lethal levels, they can negatively impact the central nervous system, lungs, kidneys, liver, blood composition, urinary system, and reproductive systems. Long-term exposure can also cause cancer. For more detailed information on human health effects of each individual heavy metal, see OSHA’s website.

Heavy metals of concern typically include copper, chromium, mercury, nickel, zinc, lead, arsenic, and cadmium. Primary sources of these heavy metals in stormwater runoff include vehicle and pavement wear and maintenance, buildings, and atmospheric deposition. Building sidings are major sources of copper, zinc, lead, and cadmium; and atmospheric deposition contributes copper, cadmium, and lead (Davis et al 2001).

Arsenic is commonly an ingredient in road salts. Table 1 below lists sources of the heavy metals of primary concern in roadway runoff in more detail.

Heavy metals removal mechanisms in bioretention Many studies have shown that bioretention

Dr. Michael Goatley, Virginia Cooperative Extension

traffic congestion.

SCMs, including trees and soils, as in a Silva Cell system, are very effective at removing heavy metals from stormwater runoff. Mechanisms for heavy metal removal from stormwater runoff in bioretention SCMs include sedimentation, filtration, adsorption and vegetation uptake. Sedimentation and filtration effectively remove particulate forms of heavy metals. Particulate heavy metals are therefore expected to be removed from stormwater

(Opening Image): Bioretention area at Kestrel Design Group.

(Above): One of 25 bioretention facilities on James Madison University campus. may 21 MNLA.BIZ

47

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BIORETENTION

runoff as long as the bioretention cell’s soil is not clogged (i.e. as long as it drains adequately).

Dissolved heavy metals are removed from stormwater by sorption onto soil organic matter and clay. Once the sorption capacity of a soil is saturated, dissolved heavy metals will “breakthrough”and dissolved heavy metals will be discharged to receiving waters. Because dissolved heavy metals are more bioavailable than particulate bound heavy metals, they may be more detrimental to aquatic ecology (Kominkove and Nabelkova 2007 in Hatt et al 2011), so long term retention of dissolved heavy metals is especially important (Hatt et al 2011).

In many studies, most heavy metals were found primarily in particulate forms in stormwater runoff (e.g. literature review in Morquecho, R. 2005), with the exception of zinc, which is found primarily in dissolved form. However, whether heavy metals are in dissolved or particulate can vary depending on many factors, including, pH, temperature, and the presence of binding sites (e.g. literature review in Morquecho 2005).

Summary of Research Related to Efficiency of Bioretention for Heavy Metals Removal Both traditional bioretention and trees and soil below paving, as in a Silva Cell system, have been found to have high heavy metal removal rates (e.g. Davis et al 2003, Page et al 2014).

Organic matter provides binding sites for heavy metals, so it is not surprising that organic matter has been found to improve a bioretention cell’s dissolved heavy metal removal lifespan.

Morgan et al (2011) compared columns with varying amounts of compost, ranging from no compost to 50% compost (by bulk volume), and found that increasing organic matter content increased time to breakthrough for dissolved cadmium and zinc (i.e. bioretention lifespan for dissolved cadmium and zinc removal). More specifically, they found that “Increasing the compost fraction from 0% to 10% more than doubles the expected lifespan for 10% breakthrough in 15 cm [6 inches] of filter media removing cadmium and zinc” (brackets added). Time to breakthrough continued to increase significantly from 10% to 30%, and from 30% to 50% compost.

Copper removal also increased with increasing compost fraction. They concluded that “Based on the field study results, organic matter is the most important constituent when considering removal of dissolved toxic metals in a bioretention facility.”

Li and Davis (2008) found that metals are captured in the top 10 cm [4 inches] of the bioretention soil, and Jones and Davis (2013) also found that metals were most concentrated near

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BIORETENTION

the inflow point and in the top 3–12 cm [1.2 to 4.7 inches] of the bioretentionc ell.

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Research Related to Lifespan of Bioretention For Heavy Metals Removal So, given all this, when will breakthrough occur, i.e. when will the binding sites be saturated so that dissolved heavy metals start leaching out of the bioretention systems, and when will heavy metal concentrations in the bioretention soil reach regulatory thresholds? The answer is “it depends.” The following factors typically increase the time before breakthrough occurs and the time it will take for heavy metals to build up to toxic levels: 1. lower influent heavy metals concentrations (influent heavy metal concentrations vary a lot from site to site) 2. greater content of soil organic matter and other heavy metal binding sites 3. smaller contributing watershed (resulting in lower influent heavy metals concentrations, all other things being equal) 4. pre-treatment to capture sediments and associated heavy metals That being said, studies generally indicate that at “typical” concentrations of heavy metals, with organic matter content typical for bioretention soils, and with typical contributing watershed size, the amount of time it takes for heavy metals to build up to toxic levels in bioretention soil, or to “breakthrough,” is generally at least as long as typical useful bioretention and pavement lifespans.

When will heavy metal concentrations in the bioretention soil reach toxic levels?

Since dissolved heavy metals are more bioavailable than particulate bound heavy metals, long-term retention of dissolved heavy metals is particularly important. Of all the heavy metals of concern, zinc has been shown to be the most mobile, and it is therefore typically the first heavy metal to breakthrough. Based on column experiments using synthetic stormwater to investigate the removal and retention of cadmium, copper and zinc, Morgan et al (2011) found that, “at stormwater concentrations of zinc and cadmium, 15cm [6inches] of filter media composed of 30% compost and 70% sand will last 95 years until breakthrough, when the effluent concentration is 10% of the influent concentration” (brackets added). This 95 year lifespan is significantly longer than a typical useful pavement or bioretention lifespan, so based on this study, a typical bioretention system should not experience the breakthrough of heavy metals. Moreover, with breakthrough defined as “when the effluent

50

MNLA.BIZ may 21

Dr. Michael Goatley, Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Tour of a bioretention facility at James Madison University.

concentration is 10% of the influent concentration”, 90% of the heavy metals are still retained in the bioretention system at breakthrough.

When will heavy metal concentrations in the bioretention soil reach regulatory thresholds?

Several field studies indicate that at typical stormwater concentrations, concentrations of heavy metals in bioretention soils are not expected to reach regulatory thresholds for at least a few decades (see summaries below).

The time span for heavy metals to accumulate to concentrations that exceed regulatory thresholds could be significantly increased with pre-treatment to capture suspended solids.

Even if high levels of heavy metals are captured in bioretention cells, this is typically still preferable to the alternative of no treatment: piping the heavy metals to surface water bodies. Heavy metals are more easily cleaned out of bioretention cells than out of surface waters. Where bioretention cells are designed under pavement, for example, with Silva Cells, it is more difficult to access the soil if/when soil replacement is desired, BUT,

at least as importantly, the risk of human ingestion of bioretention soil under pavement s also much smaller than the risk with open bioretention cells (i.e. not under pavement).

These heavy metal concentrations are not typically harmful to trees.

Results from representative studies estimating bioretention lifespan for heavy metals removal based on soil concentrations are summarized below.

• The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (2008) studied a 3-year-old demonstration project as well as 7 older pervious interlocking concrete paver (PICP) sites (ranging from 4 to 17 years old) and 5 bioswales (ranging from 2 to >18 years old). Soil quality results (copper, zinc, lead, iron) from older PICP and bioswale sites indicated that land fill disposal or remediation of the underlying soils would typically not be required when the pavers or swales need to be replaced. The concentrations of metals in the bioswale cores were below background concentrations for agricultural soils. Metal concentrations in soils

at the demonstration site in 2005 and 2007 were similar, indicating little if any accumulation of metals in surface soils over a two year period.

• Jones and Davis (2013) assessed accumulated lead, copper, and zinc media samples from a 4-year-old bioretention cell. They found that “After 4 years of operation, total metal concentrations are well below the regulatory cleanup thresholds stipulated by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the U.S. EPA. Significant capacity for metal accumulation, at least on the order of several decades, is estimated to remain … The media sequential extraction results indicate that accumulated metal will remain largely sequestered within the cell rather than become mobilized into the environment. [italics added]” • Davis et al (2003) studied the effect of constructed bioretention boxes and 2 field scale bioretention cells on copper, lead and zinc removal. United States hazardous waste disposal legislation does not yet include regulations for may 21 MNLA.BIZ

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BIORETENTION

BMP sediment and soil. However, several states are beginning to adopt the U.S. EPA Part 503 biosolids regulations to regulate stormwater BMP sediment disposal. These regulations limit cumulative metal loadings allowed through the application of wastewater biosolids. Several researchers have used these regulations to evaluate metal accumulation in bioretention soils.

Davis et al (2003) found that “after 20 years, cadmium, lead and zinc accumulations reach or exceed regulatory limits for biosolids application (U.S. EPA,1993). The time required for metal accumulations to reach these limits are 20, 77, 16, and 16 years for cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc, respectively.” They also evaluated the media with respect to hazardous waste classification criteria based on allowable toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) concentrations. The EPA developed the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) to determine whether a waste may be accepted into a typical municipal landfill (as defined by RCRA Subtitle D) based on its potential to leach dangerous concentrations of toxic chemicals into ground water.

If TCLP analytical results are above the TCLP D-list maximum contamination levels (MCLs), the waste cannot be accepted at a typical municipal landfill and must be taken to a hazardous waste disposal facility. Only cadmium and lead have TCLP limits.

Results from the bioretention media study by Davis et al (2003) showed that “After 20 years, accumulated levels of these two metals approach, but do not exceed, the allowable TCLP extraction levels. The time required to reach the TCLP limits are 50 years for cadmium and 26 years for lead. This example, however, assumes that all metals are readily available and will be extracted in the TCLP; it is, thus, conservative. Greater metal accumulation could occur before TCLP limits are reached.”

NEW

• Li and Davis (2008) studied lead, copper, and zinc removal in a bioretention cell 3 years after installation and again 4 years after installation and found that “the captured metals exhibited a strong association with the media, suggesting that they are not washed out by subsequent wet weather flows.” Lead was the limiting metal in bioretention accumulation and exceeded regulatory values for heavy metals in residential soils (based on mean of values of 30 states in the U.S., typically based on child soil exposure at home). This lead was tightly bound to the soil and not likely to be washed out.

SCOOP COMING

In January, MNLA will be introducing a reConclusion designed Our goal is tosite, provide even greater Research has Scoop. shown that on an average breakthrough is not likely to value occur within the the useful lifespan ofthrough pavement.this Time to breakthrough to you, member, vital can be increased by increasing matter provide more communication service.soil Toorganic do that, we toneed to know binding sites in the soil. Time before heavy metal concentrations in what your current needs are! We would like to gather the bioretention soil reaches regulatory thresholds will vary a lot your feedback onconcentrations. how you read Thefield Scoop, which depending on influent Several studies indicate content value most, and what you wish we would that at typicalyou stormwater concentrations, concentrations of heavy metals in bioretention soilsfive are not expected to reach include.

Please take minutes and give regulatory us your thresholds for via at least a few decades.

The timespan for heavy metals to 5-question survey found here: opinions a quick accumulate to regulatory thresholds could be significantly increased http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ScoopFeedback. If with pretreatment to capture suspended solids. Even if toxic metals do you’d rather forward your comments via email,soil send accumulate to regulatory thresholds, covering bioretention with those tosuch jon@mnla.biz. pavement, as in a Tree in Soil under Suspended Pavement, will minimize the chance of human ingestion of the soil.

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MNLA.BIZ may 21

WRITERS WANTED We’re also looking for members who love to write – members who want to share useful information, ideas, and innovations with their fellow members in

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BIORETENTION

References Davis, A. P., Sholouhian, M., and Ni, S. (2001).

Loadings of lead, copper, cadmium, and zinc in urban runoff from specific sources. Chemosphere, 44(5), 997–1009.

LET’S GOLF! Widmer Golf Tournament will be held on July 20 at Crystal Lake Golf Club in Lakeville.

Crystal Lake Golf Club boasts a premier first-class facility and course. Featuring stately pines, pristine wetlands, and ponds.

To register, go to www.MNLA.biz/events or call 651-633-4987.

Davis, A. P. , Shokouhian, M., Sharma, H., Minami, C., and Winogradoff, D. (2003). Water quality improvement through bioretention: Lead, copper, and zinc removal. Water Environment Research, 75(1), 73–82.

Gunawardena, J., Prasanna Egodawatta, Godwin A Ayoko, and Ashantha Goonetilleke. 2013. Atmospheric deposition as a source of heavy metals in urban stormwater. Atmospheric Environment 68: 235-242.

Morgan, J.G., K.A. Paus, R.M. Hozalski and J.S. Gulliver. (2011). Sorption and Release of Dissolved Pollutants Via Bioretention Media. SAFL Project Report No. 559, September 2011. http://purl.umn. edu/116560.

Morquecho, R. 2005. Pollutant Associations With Particulates In Stormwater. Thesis. Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the Graduate School of The University of Alabama.

Page, J. L., R. J. Winston, and W.F. Hunt, III. (2014).

Field Monitoring of Two Silva Cell™ Installations in Wilmington, North Carolina: Final Monitoring Report.

Hatt, B.E., Steinel, A., Deletic, A., and Fletcher, T.D. (2011). “Retention of heavy metals by stormwater filtration systems: Breakthrough analysis.” Water, Science, and Technology. 64(9), 1913-1919.

Torno, H.C. (1994). Storm Water NPDES Related Monitoring Needs. Proceedings of an Engineering Foundation Conference. ASCE, New York, 10017-2398.

Li, H. and Davis, A.P. (2008). “Heavy metal capture and accumulation in bioretention media.” Environmental Science & Technology. 42, 5247-5253.

Toronto and Region Conservation. (2008). Performance Evaluation of Permeable Pavement and a Bioretention Swale, Seneca College, King City,

Jones, P. and Davis, A. (2013). ”Spatial Accumulation and Strength of Affiliation of Heavy Metals in Bioretention Media.” J. Environ. Eng., 139(4), 479–487.

Ontario.

➽ NATHALIE SHANSTROM is a sustainable landscape architect with The Kestrel Design Group.

Kominkova, D. and J. Nabelkova. (2007). Effect of urban drainage on bioavailability of heavy metals in recipient. Water Science and Technology 56(9), 43–50.

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TIME TO RENEW! GREAT INCENTIVE FOR ONLINE RENEWAL! The first part of June you should receive an email with information about renewing your 2021–2022 MNLA membership. If you renew your membership online by July 31, 2021 you will be entered in a drawing for $150 CASH! (This does not apply to delayed payment option.)

DID YOU KNOW? You have the option of delaying your dues payment until August 15, 2021.

Feel free to contact the MNLA office if we can be of any assistance to you during the renewal process or for more information on any of our products and services. We are available at 651.633.4987 or mnla@mnla.biz.

Your continued support and involvement as a member of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association is greatly appreciated! Providing you with education, legislative support, networking, and other member services is why MNLA exists.

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GILI

A COMPANY’S ROI

The Green Industry Leadership Institute (GILI) is a unique leadership development program custom designed with a Green Industry focus. It incorporates highly interactive exercises, discussions, lecture-style learning, and project-based activities and sessions. Using these multiple learning methods creates a rich adult-learning environment. GILI will prepare your employee to take a stronger and more confident leadership role in your company and includes these tangible takeaways:

1. The students engage in discussions and learn tips and tricks in improving processes, realizing new strategies, and gaining advice from Green Industry presenters.

Students are collecting ideas from others each time they meet. This is a continual improvement opportunity for the company. Sponsors and managers can be key influencers by engaging with the student monthly to hear suggestions and support their leadership development.

2. The projects the students manage and execute is meant to improve their company in a meaningful way. Note that these are projects that affect the entire company, not small individual projects that only help the student get their own tasks done. The process of choosing

COURSE OBJECTIVES This unique program is grounded in leadership development best practices. It aims for students to:

and developing the project includes rounds of feedback from the sponsor, facilitator and fellow students.

3. Students develop a network of peer advisors to engage with as they grow and advance in their career.

This network builds Green Industry alliances, provides feedback on continued development, and expands opportunities for the company.

4. Feedback from sponsors indicate that individuals who have graduated truly appreciate their company’s investment in them, become more confident in their roles, and become more aware of how they affect the organization’s success.

5. Students gain a closer relationship with the MNLA organization and can step into a volunteer-leadership role in an area they feel can make a difference for them personally as well as represent their company on a regional-state level.

MORE INFO & FULL PACKET AT WWW.MNLA.BIZ/LEADERSHIP.

• Take OWNERSHIP of their company’s mission and bottom line • Have greater CONFIDENCE in decision-making • Identify and FACILITATE SOLUTIONS within their company • DEVELOP A NETWORK of peer advisors to engage with as they grow and advance in their career • COMPLETE A PROJECT that improves their company in a meaningful way

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MNLA.BIZ may 21

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Upcoming Classes & Events WIDMER GOLF TOURNAMENT

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JUL 20

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MEMBER APPRECIATION DAY

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AUG 18

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MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTER For these events, all precautions will be taken to meet social distancing requirements and the guidelines set in place by local and state agencies as well as venues. Should changes occur causing an event to be cancelled due to COVID-19 issues, your registration would be refunded in full.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Minnesota Legislature 2021: The Online Session Forrest Cyr

MNLA Director of Government Affairs

In 2021 (and every year ending in an odd number), the Minnesota Legislature works to produce the state’s budget for the following two years. This is a massive undertaking during normal operating protocols and is a massively daunting task for the legislature when conducting legislative business online.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the session has largely been conducted online, with House and Senate committees offering public access, viewing, and testimony online for all. While there have been challenges and growing pains for legislators, staff, stakeholders, and the public to adapt to this new reality, the legislative process continues unobstructed. During this time, legislators continue to meet with interested parties on matters related to public policy with the online forum presenting many new opportunities along with the expected challenges.

With the transition to conducting legislative business online, legislators have been highly accessible during the 2021 session. Minnesota is a large state, and with the adoption of virtual meeting software by legislators and staff, the statewide legislative delegation is much easier to connect with, despite the Capitol complex being closed.

During meetings with MNLA members and staff, legislators are eager to learn as much as possible about Green Industry public policy issues and the industry’s ongoing success in Minnesota in the face of numerous challenges from COVID-19. These constituent meetings with MNLA members and Green Industry professionals puts a face to the industry for legislators. These meetings have been productive and help build a solid foundation for future advocacy work.

Additionally, MNLA continues to engage with the legislature during the budget process, offering testimony both for and against various pieces of legislation, including

both policy initiatives and budget proposals. Just as with legislative meetings between staff, MNLA members, and legislators, these committee meetings in both the Minnesota House and Senate were conducted online. MNLA staff and volunteer leadership testified over Zoom, contributing to legislative discussions about pesticide use and restriction, state nursery operations, tree waste disposal in Saint Paul, and other topics relevant to MNLA members and the Green Industry.

COVID-19 has changed how we do business, both in the field and at the Capitol. At the time this column was written, the legislature was beginning to craft, discuss, and pass their larger state budget bills, which are passed and negotiated on throughout the rest of the legislative session. Following the session (and the possible many special sessions), be sure to keep an eye out for additional information about the state’s budget for 2022-2023.

During this process, MNLA continues to work to secure money for invasive species programs, Emerald Ash Borer mitigation, and other programs essential to the Green Industry in Minnesota.

Following the end of session, MNLA will craft a summary of the state’s budget for 2022-2023 with a focus on the budget that impacts the Green Industry. In the meantime, staff and volunteers will continue to work online to ensure that the interests of MNLA members are properly represented at the Capitol.

➽ TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOUR INVOLVEMENT in advocacy can help your business and the green industry in Minnesota, contact Forrest Cyr at forrest@mnla.biz, or visit www.mnla.biz.

may 21 MNLA.BIZ

61

SHARE THE SCOOP!

SHARE THE SCOOP!

Each month, the Scoop is mailed to every member company of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association. A portion of your annual dues covers your yearly subscription to our official publication, which is one of the most-loved benefits of MNLA membership.

Because each company only receives one copy of the Scoop, it’s important to share the wealth! Make sure your employees are able to take advantage of the insights and information in this magazine by putting it in your company break-room, or directly into the hands of that employee you’d like to develop into a leader in your company.

Want to make the Scoop accessible to everyone in your company? Every month, we publish an online issue of the Scoop, using a leading web platform for magazines. This digital issue is available to all personnel of MNLA member companies. To utilize this member-only benefit, simply send us the email addresses for whomever in your company you would like to receive the Scoop. We then email the link directly to your employees’ inbox each month. In fact, our online issue is available a week before the hard copy of the magazine arrives. Your employees will be privy to the latest and greatest information!

➽ TO RECEIVE THE ONLINE SCOOP, email Lora Sondrol at lora@mnla.biz.

Photo credits: Left: Ida Jaros/Shutterstock.com. Middle: iStock.com/stevecoleimages. Right: iStock.com/amtitus.

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MNLA.BIZ may 21

Mem ber

Day

MEMBER APPRECIATION DAY

11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | MNLA Office 1 8 13 L e x i n g t o n A v e N , R o s e v i l l e , M N 5 5 113

Thank you to our sponsor:

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5:30 p.m. | CHS Field 36 0 N B r o a d wa y St , St Pa u l , M N 55101

MNLA Night at the Saints is back!

Our group will gather for a pre-game picnic dinner in the Lawn Party Space and then watch the game from outfield seats. Limited seats are available. Register online at MNLA.biz.

Thank you to our sponsor:

S E N D Y O U R C R E W S ! The MNLA office is located at 1813 Lexington Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113. I F Y O U ’ R E I N T H E A R E A — S T O P B Y !

Visit www.MNLA.biz for more information.

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