The Scoop Online - May 2018

Hardscapes: You Can’t Fight Water

Also Inside



Green Industry Benchmark Report

Out & About Spring Soil Networking News

IMPROVING RECRUITING & RETENTION Propagating the People/Plant Connection

Vol: 41 No: 05 May 2018 T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E M I N N E S O TA N U R S E R Y & L A N D S C A P E A S S O C I AT I O N

TM

Years later, it’s easy to see which pavers have KolorLast!

Introducing KolorLast by KolorLast locks in color, prevents fading and resists the punishing effects of Mother Nature, salt and acid rain. It makes it easy to remove liquid or food spills and rust marks - minimizing or preventing stains altogether. Check out KolorLast at all Hedberg Supply locations today!

PLYMOUTH 1205 Nathan Lane North Plymouth, MN 55441 (763) 545-4400

STILLWATER 8400 60th Street North Stillwater, MN 55082 (651) 748-3158

www.hedbergsupply.com

FARMINGTON 4375 170th Street West Farmington, MN 55024 (651) 423-5048

Volume 41 No. 05 May 2018

➾ S E CT I O N TITLE

CONTENTS 14

Mem ber

h Mont 54 19 IN THIS ISSUE 8

Events

10 Improving Recruiting and Retention President Frampton encourages us to work on the careers solutions that will best fit our industry.

31

12 Out & About Photos from supplier shows, education sessions, and career days.

14 How Consumers View Hydroponics Are your customers willing to pay more for lettuce that’s locally-grown using reclaimed water? 



46 Spring Soil Faith Appelquist explains how soil is the frontier between geology and biology.

48 Leadership Peer Groups The second series in our newest leadership

19

You Can Assist Our Flying Jewels Mary Maguire Lerman has practical advice on how garden centers and growers can support hummingbirds. 



program starts in September.

50 Early Success for MNLA-Sponsored Legislation Two major pieces of legislation moved forward

22 Hardscapes: You Can’t Fight Water You can’t fight water and win, but Derek Tweten shows that you can build your hardscapes to manage it effectively. 

in early legislative maneuvering.

52 Networking News 54 Member Appreciation Day Wednesday, August 14 marks the return of a

31 2018 Green Industry Benchmark Report

day to honor YOU!

Chad Reinholz offers the top five lessons learned from their latest survey. 

  

41 Propagating the People/Plant Connection Heidi Heiland describes how her companies strategize to recruit and retain inspired employees. 

 Landscape & Hardscape Install & Design  Garden Services & Landscape Management  Garden Centers  Growers: Nursery & Greenhouse  Irrigation & Water Management  Arborists & Tree Services  All

The Scoop, May 2018, Issue 5, is issued monthly, 12 times per year.

All original works, articles or formats published in The Scoop are © Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association, 2018, and may not be used 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 Lexington Ave N., Roseville, MN 55113.

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

may 18

MNLA .biz

5

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

scott frampton, president

Landscape Renovations 651-769-0010 • sframpton@landscaperenovations.com

tim malooly, cid, clia, cic, VICE-PRESIDENT

AD LIST All Stone Solutions ........................................................................................... 11 Arborjet ............................................................................................................ 18 Bachman's Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes .................................................... 3 Borgert Products, Inc. ....................................................................................... 34 Bullis Insurance Agency .................................................................................... 11 Carlin Horticultural Supplies/ProGreen Plus ..................................................... 40 Central Landscape Supply ................................................................................ 51 CST Distributors ............................................................................................... 35 Cushman Motor Co. Inc ................................................................................... 20

Water in Motion 763-559-7771 • timm@watermotion.com

Edney Distributing Co., Inc. ............................................................................. 32

randy berg, mnla-cp, SECRETARY-TREASURER

Fury Motors ...................................................................................................... 16

Berg’s Nursery, Landscape/Garden Center 507-433-2823 • randy@bergsnursery.com

FAITH APPELQUIST

Tree Quality LLC 612-618-5244 • faith@treequality.com

matt mallas

Gertens Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply .................................................. 2 Gopher State One-Call ..................................................................................... 32 Haag Companies, Inc. ...................................................................................... 30

Hedberg Supply 763-512-2849 • mmallas@hedbergaggregates.com

Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies .......................................................... 4

mike mcnamara

Jeff Belzer Chevrolet .................................................................................. 28–29

Hoffman & McNamara Nursery & Landscaping 651-437-9463 • mike.mcnamara@hoffmanandmcnamara.com

john o'reilly

Otten Bros. Garden Center and Landscaping 952-473-5425 • j.oreilly@ottenbros.com

jeff pilla, mnla-cp

Landscape Alternatives Inc. .............................................................................. 51 Maguire Agency ............................................................................................... 44 Midwest Transmission Center / DBA Clutch & U-joint Proven Force ............... 18

Bachman’s, Inc. 612-861-7600 • jpilla@bachmans.com

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum .................................................................... 35

nick sargent

Out Back Nursery ............................................................................................. 11

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

Plaisted Companies ............................................................................................ 7 Prairie Restorations, Inc. ................................................................................... 40 Resultants for Business, Inc. (RFB) .................................................................... 49

executive director:

Rock Hard Landscape Supply ........................................................................... 18

membership director & trade show manager:

SMSC Organics Recycling Facility .................................................................... 40

Cassie Larson, CAE • cassie@mnla.biz Mary Dunn, CEM • mary@mnla.biz communications dir.: Jon Horsman, CAE • jon@mnla.biz education/cert. manager: Susan Flynn • susan@mnla.biz Government Affairs Dir: Larry Johnson • larry@mnla.biz

The Tessman Company .................................................................................... 43 Tri-State Bobcat, Inc. ........................................................................................ 38

regulatory affairs manager: Jim Calkins • jim@mnla.biz administrative asst.: Gayle Anderson • gayle@mnla.biz accountant: Kris Peterson • kris@mnla.biz foundation program coordinator:

Truck Utilities, Inc. ............................................................................................. 11

advertising sales: 952-934-2891 / 763-295-5420

Wheeler Landscape Supply .............................................................................. 44

Paulette Sorenson • paulette@mnla.biz

Faith Jensen, Advertising Rep • faith@pierreproductions.com Betsy Pierre, Advertising Mgr • betsy@pierreproductions.com legislative affairs consultant: Doug Carnival

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may 18

Unilock ............................................................................................................. 53 Versa-Lok Midwest ........................................................................................... 24

Xcel Energy ...................................................................................................... 20 Ziegler CAT ......................................................................................... Back Cover

Volume 41 No. 05 May 2018

➾ S E CT I O N TITLE

Bringing Green to the Urban Landscape with Load-bearing Soil.

Nicollet Commons, Burnsville

The 5-state area’s licensed supplier of CU-Structural Soil ®

CU-Soil® can be compacted to 100% peak density to bear the load of pavement while allowing tree roots to grow through it. Use under sidewalks, parking lots, medians, plazas and low-access roads.

Excellent for stormwater capture with its rapid infiltration rate of >24" per hour and 26% porosity after compaction to 100% peak density.

THE SOIL EXPERTS.

Elk River, MN • plaistedcompanies.com • 763.441.1100

Comprehensive 57-page Guide online You’ll find this Guide on our website. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency website also lists regional tree species suitable for CU-Soil®.

Call to place an order for pick up; or we’ll deliver to your jobsite.

CU-Structural Soil is a registered trademark of Amereq, Inc.

Grow trees surrounded by pavement with CU-Structural Soil®. Designed by Cornell University, this patented blend of crushed stone, clay loam and Gelscape® Hydrogel Tackifier creates a soil porosity matrix that increases rooting volume under pavement and thus tree longevity—plus prevents sidewalk heaving!

➾ C ALE N DAR

MAY5 THE SECRETS OF TREE RINGS: What Our Trees Can Tell Us About the History of our Environment

➾

JULY24

JULY 14–17

➾

CULTIVATE 2018

MNLA.biz

Cultivate18.org

Join your fellow Hackers for Horticulture at the 28th Annual Widmer Golf Tournament.

Proceeds benefit the MNLA Foundation Research Fund.

Cultivate is the premier national event for horticulture professionals.

Arboretum.mn.edu In honor of the Arboretum’s 60th anniversary and as the very first of the Janet Sinner Endowed Horticultural Speaker Series, attend this interesting workshop and learn more about trees and time. You’ll discover how tree rings can help scientists determine historic temperatures, rainfall, fire events, and even health of the ecosystem.

MNLA FOUNDATION WIDMER GOLF TOURNAMENT Majestic Oaks Golf Club Ham Lake

Columbus, OH

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum



AUG14



MNLA NIGHT AT THE SAINTS GAME

AUG7 TESSMAN COMPANY BUYING SHOW & HORT ACADEMY Mystic Lake, Prior Lake Tessmanseed.com New show location for 2018! Ready to help with all your greenhouse, nursery, garden center and landscaping needs.

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MNLA .biz

may 18

AUG8 ➾

CHS Field, St. Paul



LANDSCAPE DESIGN TOUR MNLA.biz Join us for the annual design tour. This year we are partnering with ASLA-MN. Spend the day visiting inspiring landscapes and networking with your landscape design and landscape architect peers.

MNLA.biz

➾

You are invited to the 4th Annual MNLA Night at the Saints Game. We have reserved the Star Tribune Skybox for our group. Includes a ticket to the game and dinner.

2018 MNLA seminars generously supported by:

AUG2

JULY26

➾

BAILEY SUMMER EXPO



MNLA Office, Roseville

MNLA.biz Join us for a halfday outdoor plant identification skills training event. Whether you are a seasoned professional looking to improve your plant I.D. skills or are new to the green industry, this event is for you.

AUG 14–16

➾

MEMBER APPRECIATION DAY

NAME THAT PLANT: Plant I.D. Skills Training Bailey Nord Farm, Cottage Grove

This annual summer event is open to all Bailey Nurseries customers, and features displays, seminars, demonstrations and tours.

AUG14

IGC SHOW

MNLA.biz

Navy Pier, Chicago

We will be celebrating our awesome members with a full day of fun.

Stop by the MNLA office for donuts in the morning and ice cream in the afternoon. Then join us for an evening at CHS Field in St. Paul to watch the Saint Paul Saints take on the Sioux Falls Canaries.



IGCshow.com Tradeshow and education sessions focused 100% on the special interests of independent garden centers.

AUG9 CARLIN BUYERFEST Earle Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center Carlinsales.com BuyerFest is the annual trade show that brings everyone together under one roof: valued customers, vendor representatives and the Carlin/ProGreen staff.

SEPT19 ➾



MNLA FOUNDATION SHOOTOUT Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club, Prior Lake MNLA.biz Don’t miss this annual sport clays charity event that raises money for scholarships! The course runs at a beginner’s level — the focus is on fun. Proceeds benefit the MNLA Foundation Scholarship fund.

KEY:

 Business

 Skills Training

 Leadership Development

 Networking

General ➾

All information on these and other industry events are online at MNLA.biz. may 18

MNLA .biz

9

➾ F R OM THE PRESIDEN T

Improving Recruiting and Retention Greetings fellow members, it’s March 19th and there is still a little snow on the ground.

Temperatures are average for this time of year and there is snow in the forecast for this week. It appears we will have what many would consider a normal start to the season, in terms of weather.

As I talk with many of you daily it’s apparent we are all ramping up our operations and the hunt for seasonal and full-time staff is ongoing. It’s interesting to learn what recruiting strategies and methods everyone is using and adapting to the current workforce. It’s clear there is not one method that’s a sure thing for everyone. It is also evident that recruiting is like investing — it’s best to have a broad portfolio of resources. What is also now the new normal for all of us is the extremely low availability of folks that are interested in many of our careers, regardless of what we pay, though often based in misperception.

I enjoy learning how many of you have begun implementing better retention methods. Some of the strategies include year-round employment, ongoing career development, acknowledgement for certifications, and pay competitive with peer professions. Lower turnover provides a deeper bench, increased morale, and better opportunities to recruit.

There may not be a one-size-fits-all nor a perfect solution to the inevitable full-time and seasonal needs of our profession. However, we recognize there isn’t anyone we can rely on to do it for us. We need to acknowledge the challenges and develop solutions that work for our

Scott Frampton



Green Industry Benchmark Report Hardscapes: You Can’t Fight Water

Also Inside

MNLA President

Out & About Spring Soil Networking News

IMPROVING RECRUITING & RETENTION Propagating the People/Plant Connection

Vol: 41 No: 05 May 2018

T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E M I N N E S O TA N U R S E R Y & L A N D S C A P E A S S O C I AT I O N

unique situations, and work with related professions to encourage state and federal governments to augment our efforts.

MNLA is actively engaged in educating and providing resources and articles for members to improve their recruiting and retention efforts. The Association along with the Foundation has been actively involved in working with local schools to increase the available pipeline of students with scholarships and recruiting events.

To further develop our efforts we are pleased to announce the creation of a Career Development Committee in 2018. The initial purpose of this committee will be to work with industry segments to create a manual for members to use for employee career development and advancement. I will continue to provide updates as the committee work takes place. Please contact myself or Cassie Larson if you have an interest in serving on or providing resources for this committee.

Please feel free to contact me regarding any questions you have about the MNLA or nursery and landscape business generally.

SCOTT FRAMPTON can

be reached at: sframpton@landsca-

perenovations.com.

ON THE COVER

Long-time MNLA volunteers Scott Frampton and Heidi Heiland have been a part of the conversation on workforce, green industry careers, and best recruitment and retention practices for many years. In today’s climate of scrambling to fill crews and finding enough leaders to complete the work that’s available to us now, it’s more important than ever to focus on company culture, and how to keep the individuals you have while creating a situation that people will want to be a part of. In this issue, Scott and Heidi share some of the best ideas they’ve implemented in their companies.

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may 18

CUT STONE •Steps: Kodiak & Field Stone • Engineered Wall Stone • Hearth/Mantels • Caps/Sills • Large Slabs/Treads

BRAD GERLACH www.allstonesolutions.rocks allstonesolutions@ gmail.com 651.249.4388

A Deeper Shade of Green Local Genetic Origins

TM

Native Minnesota Woody & Herbaceous (651) 438-2771 • Fax (651) 438-3816

www.outbacknursery.com

Call us first for all your native planting needs

➾ OUT & ABOUT

STAFF FROM MNLA AND THE MNLA FOUNDATION get out of the office many

&

times during the spring. Supplier shows, education sessions, and career days are a few of the events we’re a part of during these months of preparation. We hope to see you out and about soon!

MNLA and TBG cooperated to offer a Silica Dust & Construction Competent Person Training session at TBG.

Adam Tripp, TBG Safety Services Department Manager.

Rock Hard Landscape Supply’s Rob Kirk, Nathan Halvorsen, and Zach Newell brought equipment to the Silica Training session.

MNLA participated in Gertens Wholesale’s 2018 Spring Education Expo at Mystic Lake Casino.

Dirty Boys Landscaping’s Bill Robinson, Rawley Rohan, and Keith Killian.

University of Minnesota’s Sam Bauer presents a turf session at the Gertens Show.

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MNLA .biz

may 18

Some vendors had an opportunity to talk more in-depth about their products.

The Gertens team put on a great program and made everyone feel welcome!

MNLA and MTGF members spent an energizing morning with St. Paul Saints co-owner, Mike Veeck, and co-founder of Fun Is Good, Fran Zeuli, as they shared key elements of the Fun Is Good philosophy.

The MNLA Foundation promotes green industry careers around the state. Over 2,500 students attended Bridging Exploration Day at Central Lakes College.

Central Lakes’ Horticulture and Landscape Construction Program decked out their classroom!

Staff and Bob Marzolf experience milk production virtually!

may 18

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13

HOW CONSUMERS VIEW

HYDROPONICS Consumer Preferences for Hydroponic Lettuce Irrigated with Reclaimed Water

Chengyan Yue | Professor, Department of Horticultural Science and Department of Applied Economics,

Bachman Endowed Chair in Horticultural Marketing, University of Minnesota

Shuoli Zhao, Ph.D. candidate | Department of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota Xiangwen Kong, Ph.D. student | Department of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota

ydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil. It is a production system that grows plants in mineral nutrient solutions with or without an inert growing media to provide mechanical support. Due to its possibility of obtaining more products in less time, no soil depletion and shorter crop maturation cycle, hydroponics has been popularized as an economical and profitable technique. According to a market report by Research and Market, the world hydroponics market value is anticipated to grow from $19.95 billion in 2015 to $27.33 billion in 2020. In the U.S., IBIS World reported that revenue for the hydroponic crop farming industry has maintained growth over the past five years and is still projected to expand through 2022 with an estimated $874.5 million in revenue. Consumers’ increasing needs for local produce will continue to support the growth of this industry.

While almost any crop can be grown hydroponically, the most common crops are lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, strawberries, and peppers, as those are well-supported in the nutrient solution. Head lettuce, as the second largest vegetable crop in the United States in terms of production by weight, has attracted a lot of consumers’ attention regarding hydroponic production. Additionally, while hydroponics uses less water than conventional production, the expanding global population still demands sustainable water management in agriculture. Reclaimed water, which is a method of converting and reusing wastewater, alleviates the strain on limited water availability and offers a pragmatic solution for hydroponics (e.g., enhanced nutrients, environmentally friendly). Regardless of the benefits conveyed in hydroponics with reclaimed water, little is known about consumer preference and willingness-to-pay for such produce. We conducted an economic experiment to bring better understanding of consumers’ attitudes and market segmentation for hydroponic lettuce irrigated with reclaimed water.

Group 1: 47% ‘Locally-Grown-Oriented Consumers’

Preference Characteristics

The Method and Findings

To investigate consumer preferences for hydroponic lettuce using reclaimed water, we collected surveys from 463 consumers. On average, the age of sample respondents was around 40 years old; the education level was approximately some college to a college diploma; 33% of participants were male; 53% were married, and 32% of participants had one or more children under 12 years old. In general, the demographic backgrounds of participants were consistent with US census data except that our sample had a higher percentage of female participants.

Willingness to pay. The estimation results show consumers do not differentiate between traditionally produced lettuce and hydroponically produced lettuce. However, they are willing to pay a premium of $0.094 per head for lettuce irrigated with reclaimed water, and they are willing to pay $0.143 premiums for locally grown lettuce compared to non-locally grown ones. Interestingly, we observed a small group of consumers that strongly opposes hydroponics.

Market Segmentation. Based on the preference variations among our consumer respondents, three consumer segments were identified: Locally-Grown-Oriented Consumers, Environment-Oriented Consumers, and Technology Adopters. The preference characteristics and demographic profile for each segment are summarized in Figure 1.

Locally-Grown-Oriented Consumers comprised 47% of the consumer respondents and they strongly prefer locally grown lettuce. At the same time, participants in this group are against hydroponics to a greater extent than the other two groups, and they also prefer lettuce irrigated with reclaimed water more than city water. Regarding social demographics, this group has the largest proportion of participants who are between 41 and 60 years old compared to the other two groups, and Locally-Grown-Oriented Consumers are also more likely to have children be married, and have the largest average household

Group 2: 16% ‘Environment-Oriented Consumers’

Strong preference for locally grown lettuce.

Prefer soil gown method more than hydroponics.

Opposed to hydroponics.

Price is not a primary concern.

Prefer reclaimed water more than city water.

Demographic Profile

Group 3: 37% ‘Technology Adopters’ Sensitive to price.

Favor hydroponics.

Do not like reclaimed water.

41–60 years old.

Retired elders.

Younger consumers

Married female.

Relatively low income.

Male.

Have children.

Married, have children.

Smaller household size.

Full-time employed.

High school or college degrees.

Graduate degrees.

Upper-income class.

Figure 1. Preference characteristics and demographic profiles for identified consumer segment

may 18

MNLA .biz

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size. Additionally, they possess the highest possibility of being in an upper-income class, and people in this group are most likely to be employed full-time and the least likely be retired or unemployed.

Sixteen percent of respondents belong to the Environment-Oriented Consumers group. They prefer soil-grown methods to hydroponics, but they do not exhibit a particular preference for locally-grown produce, and price is not one of their primary concerns. Compared with the other two groups, the Environment-Oriented Consumers have the lowest proportion of members between 18 and 40 years old but have the most respondents older than 61 years old, so they are most likely to be retired. This group consists of the largest proportion of low-income members and are the least likely to have children at home or being married. Lastly, Environment-Oriented Consumers are eco-driven, so they prefer environmentally-friendly labels.

The rest of the consumers (37%) are Technology Adopters. Comparatively, they are the most sensitive to price, whereas they also prefer hydroponics the most. Technology Adopters do not exhibit strong preference for local product, and they do not prefer reclaimed water, so participants in this group do not care whether the product is locally grown as long as it is low-priced and produced by hydroponic methods using city water. More than half of Technology Adopters are between 18 and 40 years old, and the proportion of this age range is approximately the same as that of the Locally-Grown-Oriented Consumers. Meanwhile, Technology Adopters are the most likely to be male in comparison with the other two groups, and the proportion of members who have graduate education degrees in this group is also the greatest. Finally, only two percent of consumers in this group belong to environmental groups, and regional or local labels, healthfulness, food safety labels, and Eco-labels are the least important for them.

1. On average, consumers do not show a significantly stronger preference for lettuce grown in a hydroponics production system compared to the conventional counterparts. Nevertheless, a subset of consumers (37%), Technology Adopters, are identified to strongly prefer hydroponically-grown lettuce, and they do not like reclaimed water nor a locally-grown method.

Marketing strategies should be launching special offers or setting competitive prices for hydroponic produce and the target market should be male and full-time employed consumers.

2. The price premium participants are willing to pay for locally grown is the highest compared to the other studied attributes.

Especially, Locally-Grown-Oriented Consumers tend to have high-income and the largest household, and be female, middle aged, and employed full-time. One marketing strategy for hydroponics targeting to this group could be relating a hydroponic production system with the locally-grown attribute.

3. Consumers have a significantly positive attitude towards the usage of reclaimed water. As the target consumer segment, Environment-Oriented Consumers tend to have a higher percentage of consumers who are older than 60 years old, not married, low income and retired. Retailers could attract them by informing and educating about the ecological environment benefits of the hydroponic production system.

Acknowledgement: This research was funded by On the Horizon funding, University of Minnesota.

CHENGYAN YUE

holds the Todd and Barbara Bachman Endowed

Chair in Horticultural Marketing, Professor at the Department

Takeaways

Overall, this study indicates that as long as retailers could adopt targeted marketing strategies by reaching out to different types of consumers, hydroponics would be considered as a desired alternative technique to the conventional production method. Here is a summary of our takeaways:

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.

Author photo credit: David Hansen

may 18

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Arborjet provides cutting edge solutions to the green industry’s insect and disease problems.

From high tech equipment to formulations that change the way we think about plant health care, Arborjet offers the tools you need to save America’s landscapes.

arborjet.com

YOU CAN ASSIST OUR

FLYING JEWELS Garden centers and nurseries can be a great support system for our Ruby-throated hummingbirds!

Mary Maguire Lerman | Past chair, Minnesota State Horticultural Society

may 18

MNLA .biz

19

➾ H U M M I N G BI RD S

Your One Tractor Solution

30o

58% Grade

One Tractor, Over 30 Commercial Grade Attachments:

Schedule a Ventrac Demo with:

Cushman Motor Company, Inc. 2909 E Franklin Ave • Minneapolis, MN (612) 333-3487 • 1-800-759-5343 www.cushmanmotorco.com

Here is how to create the hummingbird support area at your garden center:

BOOST SPRING SAVINGS WITH REBATES. Adding Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) to water well pumping systems can increase efficiency and lower operating costs.

Plus, we offer rebates from $400–$8,000 per VFD for various applications—from agricultural, golf course, and landscape irrigation, to municipal water supply. Other systems may also qualify. For more information contact an energy efficiency specialist at 855.839.8862 or visit xcelenergy.com/MotorEfficiency.

© 2018 Xcel Energy Inc.

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ou can create Hummingbird areas for your garden center/nursery this spring and summer. Why support hummingbirds? Hummingbirds are at great risk of losing their summer feeding habitats over the next 60 years, primarily due to climate change. They are important pollinators of native plants in North America and of fruit crops in tropical areas. Hummingbirds must consume the nectar from up to 1,500 flowers per day to sustain their very busy metabolism. One book I’ve read stated that in order to sustain the same metabolism level as ruby-throated hummingbirds — which move their wings up to 200 times per second — a professional football player would need to consume 150 lbs. of potatoes per day!

Incidentally, our ruby-throated hummingbirds are one of the smallest hummers found in the U.S., measuring 3 to 3.5 inches in length and weighing only about 3 grams.

2/16/18 11:03 AM

• First, assemble plants that hummingbirds are attracted to for their food (nectar) supply. Supply a fact sheet for customers that will list these plants (and their light and moisture needs) so that they can choose plants that will adapt to their specific garden.

Set up some visual aids — colorful posters of hummingbirds and stock hummingbird feeders at your plant display area to attract customers.

• Next, stock this display area with plants that are only organically grown — absolutely no pesticides should be applied to plants destined for pollinators. What kind of plants should you stock? Perennials, annuals and woody plants. How do you know which of these plants to choose? See sidebar for list of plants with great nectar for hummers.

A simple way to provide perennial plants for hummingbirds is to market the Hummingbird Pollinator Paks that the Minnesota State Horticultural Society (MSHS) is promoting. Each large market 6-pak has 6 well-established perennials that attract

GROW THESE PLANTS TO ATTRACT HUMMINGBIRDS TO YOUR GARDEN: LATIN NAME

COMMON NAME

Annuals: Abutilon Flowering Maple Agastaches Hyssops Canna generalis Canna Lily Cleome hassleriana Spider Flower Cuphea ignea Cigar Plant.

Firecracker Plant Fuchsia Fuchsia Lantana camara Lantana Mirabilis jalapa Four O’Clocks Nicotiana alata Tobacco Plant Nicotiana langsdorfii Langsdorf’s Tobacco Nicotiana sylvestris Only the Lonely Nicotiana — the best!!!

Nicotiana — many more Penstemon Beardtongue Petunia Petunia Salvia buchanii: ‘Wendy’s Wish’ Buchanan’s Sage ‘Ember’s Wish’ Buchanan’s Sage Salvia coccinea Mexican Sage Salvia farinacea Mealy-cup Sage Salvia greggii Autumn Sage Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ Blue Anise Sage ‘Amistad’ Blue Anise Sage Salvia patens ‘Blue Angel’ Gentian Sage Salvia splendens Scarlet Sage Tropaeolum majus Common Nasturtium Verbenas Vervain Annual vines: Ipomoea purpurea Ipomoea quamoclit

Morning Glories Cypress Vine

LATIN NAME

COMMON NAME

Phaseolus coccineus Scarlet Runner Bean Thunbergia alata Black-eyed Susan Vine Hardy Perennials: Aquilegia Columbines Alcea rosea Hollyhocks Delphinium Larkspur/Delphinium Hemerocallis Daylilies Heuchera Coral Bells Hibiscus hybrids Hardy Hibiscus H osta plantaginea — huge blooms in late August attract hummers; many other hostas will also attract hummers Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal Flower Lobelia syphillitica Blue Lobelia Monarda didyma, fistulosa: Oswego Tea, Bergamot, Beebalm Penstemon digitalis Foxglove/ Beardtongue Phlox paniculata Garden Phlox Salvia nemerosa & others Many perennial Salvias Native Perennials: Agastache foeniculum Fragrant Hyssop Aquilegia canadensis Wild Columbine Impatiens capensis Jewelweed Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal Flower Lobelia siphilitica Wild Blue Lobelia Lobelia spicata Pale-spiked Lobelia Monarda didyma Bergamot Monarda fistulosa Beebalm Penstemon digitalis Foxglove Beardtongue Penstemon gracilis Slender Penstemon Penstemon grandiflorus Showy Penstemon Penstemon hirsutus Hairy Penstemon

hummingbirds. Each plant is separately labeled with care instructions and each plant is growing in the equivalent of a 3-inch cell. The colorful pak handle displays the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, the only hummingbird that regularly visits Minnesota.

Your promotion of these MSHS paks not only helps pollinators, it also provides a benefit to the MSHS to help provide educational programming throughout the state of Minnesota. In addition to Hummingbird Pollinator Paks, three other pollinator paks are available. Separate market paks for bees, butterflies and another specifically for Monarch butterflies are available. All the pollinator paks are grown at Glacial Ridge Growers near Glenwood, Minnesota, which is one of two growers in the state recognized as growing free of neonicotinoids. Their website is: www.glacialridgegrowers.com.

What plants are featured in the pollinator paks?

• Hummingbird — Giant Purple Hyssop, Wild Columbine, Heuchera ‘Firefly’, Cardinal Flower, Blue Lobelia, Beebalm • Bee — Anise Hyssop, Blue Wild Indigo, Vanilla-scented Clematis, Prairie Smoke, Foxglove Beardtongue, Wild Petunia

LATIN NAME

COMMON NAME

Phlox divaricata Phlox pilosa Ruellia humilis Verbena hastata Verbena stricta

Wild Blue Phlox Prairie Phlox Wild Petunia Blue Vervain Hoary Vervain

Weeds: Verbascum thapsus Mullein

Great or Common

Tropical Plants: Abutilon Flowering Maples Buddleia Butterfly Bush Hibiscus Hibiscus Woody Plants: Vines Campsis radicans Trumpet Flower ** Do not plant on or near any wood structure Lonicera sempervirens Coral or Vining Honeysuckle available in red, orange and yellow flowers Shrubs Syringa Lilac Weigela florida Weigela Trees: Aesculus hippocastunum Horsechestnut Catalpa speciosa Northern Catalpa Cercis canadensis Eastern Redbud Crataegus Hawthorn Liriodendron tulipifera Tulip Poplar ** yes we can grow it now in the Twin Cities Malus Flowering Crabapples Malus Apple Trees

Meadow Blazingstar, Prairie Blazingstar, Wild Lupine, Orange Coneflower • Monarch — Swamp Milkweed, Showy Milkweed, Sullivant’s Milkweed, Common Milkweed, Butterfly Milkweed, Whorled Milkweed Hummingbirds are attracted to large displays of nectar-rich blooms. So, planting a few plants of this and that won’t bring in many. If you want to attract a display of hummingbirds, then plant a mix of many different plants that will provide nectar throughout the entire growing season. The very first year the Longfellow Gardens opened (it is in Minnehaha Park — on top of the bridge over Hwy. 55), I designed an area with literally hundreds of Mealy Cup Sage (Salvia farinacea ‘Victoria Blue’) and also a large number of Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’. That fall these plants provided entertainment to the neighborhood residents when there were several dozen hummingbirds on site literally fighting over the blooms.

MARY MAGUIRE-LERMAN

is a Minnesota-based horticulture

educator and environmental advocate.

• Butterfly — Pale Purple Coneflower, Button Blazingstar,

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HARDSCAPES: YOU CAN’T FIGHT WATER

(BUT YOU CAN MAN

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Derek Tweten | Barrett Lawn Care

NAGE IT) Throughout my fifteen-year tenure in the green industry I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of many interesting and challenging projects, as well as work with many talented people. These people, projects, and my engineering background have afforded me a vast and diverse understanding of hardscaping.

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onstructing a quality hardscape that will stand the test of time in normal soil conditions, using conventional construction techniques, can be difficult. Constructing the same when high water tables or underground springs are present is a very different task. I have implemented successful solutions in both large and small retaining walls and patios, and in both new construction and repairing failed hardscapes by other contractors that exhibit the water conditions I mentioned. I would like to share some of this knowledge here and highlight what was perhaps the most difficult/interesting project I have been involved in regarding ground water.

In new construction of course, we know to pay attention to soil conditions while we excavate. What do we do when we encounter conditions that are not favorable to providing the feature we are building with structural integrity? Water in the hardscape feature is perhaps one of the most challenging conditions we can find, and will often cause the highest, and fastest failure rates. Since water expands when it freezes, improperly managed water will cause our completed work to begin moving during the first freeze/thaw cycle post installation. This is an issue for our warranties and reputation, but more importantly we have then failed our customer.

Perhaps the best way to look at any situation regarding water in the landscape, surface water or ground water, is that you cannot fight water and win. Rather we must find an appropriate way to manage the water in each given situation and provide it a way to behave itself and thus we coexist in perfect harmony. Unfortunately, I could not author a book today with a recipe for all situations. Every situation is unique and has its own challenges. I can only offer some basic thoughts and principles that have proven to be successful and have stood the test of time.

It is important when you find wet conditions to attempt to determine where the water is coming from, and how much water there is. Is there an irrigation leak? Is there a lake or pond/retention pond nearby? Are you working in a low area that receives a large amount of run-off? If there is a body of water near and your work area isn’t

significantly higher in elevation it is very likely that the water table is simply that high. If this isn’t the case, and you don’t find a leak in the irrigation system or similar it is safe to deduce there is simply naturally occurring groundwater in that area. This is common. I once was excavating for a large retaining wall and exposed a flowing stream running through the area where the wall had to go. We came up with a solution and that wall stands there strong today.

We know that we must provide the water a place to exist without negatively impacting our structure. We must also take into consideration the load or surcharge that our structure will realize as our modifications for the water will also have to support this.

My recommendation is that rock should be used to create an environment that water can reside in, and flow through, while providing structural integrity for what we are building above it. I believe that the aggregate should be a minimum of 1½". There are so many variables such as how deep we need to go, how much water is present, etcetera. For the subbase, river rock can be used, and I like angular aggregates as they interlock well. The excavation should be completely wrapped in a strong, permeable, fabric of your liking to add strength and prevent soil migration into the subbase we are trying to create. Typically, I do not believe that drain tile is needed, or provides any benefit, in this subbase, but in extreme situations I have used it. The rock should be packed in appropriate lifts as you build up to maintain the needed strength of the subbase. Once the appropriate elevation for the situation has been achieved, fold the fabric over the packed rock and lay the same fabric across the entire subbase. From this stage on we can use conventional construction techniques to complete the project. In some situations, it is possible to need to build a retaining wall for example directly on top of the rock subbase, but I find this is rare.

The following is a summary of a unique situation I worked on five years ago or so, illustrating some of what we have discussed here. There was a large amount of groundwater present and moving through the property. The soil was very heavy clay which made moving the water through the structure and property challenging. may 18

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Prior to this project I often would say “I have seen it all.” This project was a reminder that it is impossible to have ever done so!

I had been working with this customer for several years as we were phasing in a new landscape across the entire property. There was a failed patio of around 950 square feet in the back of the house that was on the list to be repaired at some point. I had been asked a few times by this customer what my thoughts were as to why it failed. I summarized the likely candidates and basically said there’s only one way to know. In 2013 I was given the green light and would have never guessed I would find what I did. Prior to this project I often would say “I have seen it all.” This project was a reminder that it is impossible to have ever done so!

When we removed the existing pavers, we found perforated drain tile beneath them. It became obvious, once we found that the previous contractor had put drain tile under impervious pavers, that we had a water issue, but to what extent was yet unknown. The first two photos (at left) show the standing water in the excavation and the third photo shows water literally running out of the foundation of the house. There was so much water running through this property that the foundation was full of water. It took the better part of a day to empty the block foundation. The sump pump ran in the basement, but water had never made it into the basement. The neighbor next door did not even have a sump pump. (Photos 1–3) Due to the volume of water present, and the heavy clay soil, we decided to use drain tile to help manage the water. We directed the water to the rear of the property where there was a natural water draw. We built a drain field in the subbase and ran tile for the downspouts and foundation drain tile through this system as photos 4–7 illustrate.

With the drain tile system complete, we filled the space with rock, packing in intervals as mentioned earlier in this article. There was no fabric on the foundation due to no material migration being possible, and to allow water to freely enter this new drain system.

(Photo 8) Once we had made appropriate space for the water to reside we were at an elevation where we could continue the project with conventional construction techniques. With fabric encapsulating the subbase we began installing the class V to finish the patio. From here on the project is a conventional installation. (Photos 9–10) This was a very interesting project from beginning to end and was truly a great experience. The result was exactly what the homeowner wanted. I stopped in the following spring to check in with the customer and found that nothing throughout the patio had moved.

The customer also noted that the sump pump never ran again after we completed this project. (Photo 11–13) DEREK TWETEN

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can be reached at derek@barrettlawncare.com.

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FIVE LESSONS FROM THE 2018

GREEN INDUSTRY BENCHMARK REPORT Chad Reinholz | HindSite Software

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➾ BE N CH M A RK RE P O RT

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t HindSite, we’re a data-driven company. We like to make decisions based on data. To help you do the same, every year we conduct the most comprehensive survey of the green industry available and compile the data into a report we call the Green Industry Benchmark Report (available to download free at www.hindsitesoftware.com/report). It’s full of great competitive insights that can help you grow your revenue and profits faster.

If you like data, the Benchmark Report is for you. But if you just want actionable takeaways, here are five lessons from the 2018 Green Industry Benchmark Report:

#1

Be Prepared for a Labor Shortage

The first lesson we learned from the Green Industry Benchmark Report is that you better be prepared for a labor shortage. That showed through in a number of the questions that we asked.

First, attracting and retaining employees was the #1 issue reported by 36% of respondents, more than double that of inefficient operations and up nearly 10% over last year’s results. In the past, marketing to acquire customers was either the number one issue or within a few percentage points of attracting and retaining employees. So the takeaway is that it’s becoming easier to find work and a lot harder to find employees to do the work.

It wasn’t just that response that shows the issues businesses are having finding and keeping employees. 80% of respondents said they’re raising prices and the number one reason given is because of rising labor costs.

Another side effect of a tight labor market is wage inflation. Because employers can’t find employees to do the work, they need to protect existing employees by increasing their wages. As a result, 43% of respondents expect their employee wages to increase by more than 3% next year and nearly 20% expect wages to increase by 5% or more.

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Plus, according to 88% of survey respondents, it’s either Very Difficult or Somewhat Difficult to find good employees. Just 12% said it was either somewhat or very easy to finding good employees.

Even worse, when you cross-reference the recruiting tactics of what those who find it Very Easy or Somewhat Easy to find employees, you find that they’re really not doing anything different than everyone else.

So when it comes to recruiting employees, there is no magic bullet. So what is a business owner to do?

Get More Out of Your Existing Staff

First, try to make your existing employees more efficient and more productive. That’s exactly what software enables you to do. We talked to Kurt Dotson from Greenway Irrigation a couple years ago and he told us he was able to do 150% more work with less people thanks to software. There are a number of ways software helps you do more with less.

From the moment a customer calls, software makes it easier to troubleshoot, schedule, route and bill your customer.

Having customer information always readily available makes everything in your business operate more smoothly.

Kurt wasn’t the only one who thought software made him more efficient: The Benchmark Report found that 53% of respondents said software either made their operations more efficient or improved productivity.

So one way to avoid the labor crunch is to get more out of your existing staff.

Incentivize to Retain

Another issue you may face in a tight labor market is employee retention. Some of your employees may start to think the grass is greener elsewhere and, because their skills are in demand, they may find that they can earn more at other businesses.

So you need to be able to retain the employees you have. As we saw earlier 43% of survey respondents expect to increase may 18

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employee wages by more than 3%.

That’s a significant increase. And if it’s just a flat wage increase, is that really good for your business?

What’s the solution? Incentivize your employees.

One way one of our customers does that is by leveraging customer satisfaction surveys. In our software, once you mark a job complete, you can automatically send an email to the customer detailing what was done, when you were there, any notes from your field employees and more. At the bottom of that email you can include a link to a customer satisfaction survey. Your customer clicks the link, completes a short survey, and you leverage those survey results in your incentive program.

For example, if your field employees or office staff deliver a score greater than 4.75 out of 5 in a given month, they earn a bonus. It’s a really great way to leverage real customer feedback to measure your performance and encourage customer-centric behavior.

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Even better — your employees are potentially earning more – but only if they deliver measurable results.

And those measurable results help your business improve customer satisfaction, increasing customer retention and referrals and ultimately growing your revenue.

#2

Focus on Profitability

According to the Green Industry Benchmark Report, most businesses are seeing revenue increase. But profitability isn’t really changing. For a lot of green industry businesses, especially smaller ones, they likely are content just knowing they cash flow and there is money in the bank.

But that doesn’t necessarily create a sustainable business. Profitability creates a sustainable business.

Revenue growth has been consistently strong in the typical green may 18

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➾ B E NCHMARK REPORT

industry business. In 2017, 20% of respondents said their revenue grew by more than 20% year-over-year.

That’s pretty phenomenal growth.

Yet profits have pretty consistently been the same, with anywhere from 65–70% of respondents reporting profits of less than 20% of their revenue. So while revenue is up, profit margins have remained relatively unchanged the past six years. Here are some tips to improve profitability: Manage Labor to the Minute For time and material service work, manage your labor to the minute.

Software can help. I’ve heard from a lot of green industry contractors that they know they’re losing money because of the way their team rounds time in the field. They may arrive at a site at 8:52 a.m. and leave at 10:04. They’ll write down 1 hour, when in reality, they were working for another 12 minutes. If you’re charging $75 an hour, you just lost $15 on one job.

The easy solution is to have your employees time in and out of jobs electronically in real time. Then you’re capturing every penny that you’re owed.

If you’re doing maintenance work, managing labor to the minute means you’re going to want to know how long your crew or employees were working on a job site. Many maintenance businesses don’t track labor time. They merely want to know if a job was complete or not and know their profitability as a whole, instead of for each customer or even each visit.

But you need to track all your time and material to get customer-bycustomer and job-by-job budget vs. actual reporting so you can see how much you made on each customer, each crew, each service, etc. and adjust at renewal time to ensure you’ve maximized profitability. Without that data, you’ll be unable to make an informed decision.

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#3

of 5 8-hour days. Your crews and technicians would likely appreciate the extra day off and you may actually be able to get more work done in those 4 10-hour days as you would in 5 8-hour days. This is especially true of millennials – they enjoy flexibility and are more likely to choose an employer based on the flexibility of that employer.

Consider Your Benefits

We ask about health benefits every year, and this year we found that 5% more businesses are offering health benefits than the previous year. Roughly 45% of the respondents we asked are now offering some type of health benefit.

Why? Because it’s another way employers can attract and retain their employees, which is important in a tight labor market.

Consider an HSA

One health benefit to consider is an employer contribution to a Health Savings Account, or HSA. Basically, an HSA is a tax-favored account similar to a 401K which employees can use to pay for medical expenses. Plus, unlike another popular plan, the Flexible Savings Account, it’s not a use-it-or-lose it proposition. So an employee can contribute money to that account and have it grow tax free if they don’t incur a lot of medical expenses.

You’ll want to consult a benefits lawyer, but generally, employers can contribute funds to employee HSAs. So if you don’t want the liability of health insurance, but instead want a predictable contribution to your employee’s health care, HSAs are a great option.

Review your PTO Policy Another benefit employees love is paid time off. It doesn’t have to be complex, but setup a paid time-off plan where employees earn hours based on how long they’ve worked at your place of business. It doesn’t have to be anything complex. Giving someone a week off a year doesn’t impact your productivity too much, and may actually improve it because employees can use that time to recharge and refocus.

Flexibility Matters A final benefit suggestion: Be flexible. If your office staff needs to take off early to go to their child’s softball game or has a sick child and wants to work remotely, let them do it. In the field, consider offering 4 10-hour days instead

#4

Training matters.

Amazingly, almost 15% of green industry businesses offer no training, though the good news is that almost 25% of respondents train on a weekly basis. So, does training matter? You can see that those that grew by more than 10% were more likely to train more frequently, performing more weekly and monthly training than their industry peers.

Details Matter

When training, cover the details first. Everything is important, from how to answer a phone call from a customer to how to find more work on a property.

Then, don’t be afraid to quiz your employees. Bill Belichick is notorious for asking his players about minute details in the gameplan or an upcoming opponent’s tendencies on third down. Periodically ask your employees how to do a specific task and coach them if they provide an incorrect or incomplete answer.

Check Your Work

Finally, have some type of quality control program. We talked earlier about customer satisfaction surveys. One of our customers has said when they first started using them, they discovered that there were common issues that kept popping up in the surveys. They were able to add some additional training, fix the issues and improve their service as a result.

Other customers have created what we called assessments.

They can either be in the form of a Yes/No question that ensures someone has done what they were supposed to do on

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About 70% of those that experienced revenue growth of more than 10% year-over year also used this specialized software. Of those that grew by less than 10%, about 38% were using software. a job, or they can capture information in the form of a quality control check that a manager or crew leader can perform rating the work.

By using those customer satisfaction surveys and quality control assessments, you’ll be armed with plenty of data to conduct bi-monthly or even weekly training sessions with your staff and be on the way to producing better service and better customer satisfaction.

#5

Software Is the Best Investment You Can Make

When we examined the data from the 2018 Green Industry Benchmark Report to determine the biggest predictor of high revenue growth, we weren’t surprised. For the sixth year in a row, those with field service software grew their revenue much faster than those who weren’t using it. So, invest in field service software because it can make a huge difference in your business and deliver big ROI. First, consider that 50% of our respondents said they use field service software. It’s nearly 75% for those with more than 10 employees. So, if you have a business of any size and aren’t using this kind of software, you’re likely at a disadvantage because your competitors are more than likely using it.

We saw earlier that the #2 issue in the typical green industry business is inefficient operations. Guess what? Field service

software can help you with that. 42% of people who use it said it makes their operations more efficient. 13% said it improved productivity. So, if you’re having a hard time finding employees to do the work, field service software can help make the existing employees you have more efficient.

As an example: Our owner had an irrigation business prior to starting HindSite, our field service software. He found that he was only earning money on about 50 to 60% of the time that a typical irrigation technician was being paid. After he implemented the software, that number was as high as 80 to 90%. He was able to earn a lot more money out of his existing staff, and this was in the late 90s. Today, field service software is much more functional than it was back then.

And the results are obvious. About 70% of those that experienced revenue growth of more than 10% year-over year also used this specialized software. Of those that grew by less than 10%, about 38% were using software. So high-performing companies were much more likely to say they were using software than their slower growing counterparts.

CHAD REINHOLZ

is Director of Sales and Marketing at HindSite

Software and can be reached at chad@hindsitesoftware.com.

may 18

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➾ F OU NDATION

In my almost 40 year career, I have never felt the interest in the environmental world and the desire to be sustainable as I do today.

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have heard this question asked many times before and possibly you have as well. “What business are we in?” While some colleagues may state that we are in the green industry, the real answer is that we are in the people business; selling our wares to people who need our products and services. We focus on this with our unwavering attention to customer service and salesmanship.

Our business is the people/plant connection. This not only speaks to the reality that we need the natural world to survive, but more specifically it honors the knowing of our connection to the earth.

We have an innate sense of our deep bond with the ecosystem, not only from a survival perspective, but from a spiritual connection that is less understood, honored or discussed.

The people/plant connection has great capacity to impact the world, today more than ever. We can heal ourselves and our planet with green approaches. We see this in a myriad of ways from stormwater management, to the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes, to installing natives for the benefit of pollinators, to the blend of horticulture and agriculture and CSAs feeding America.

We are only beginning to scratch the surface of how our industry can be at the forefront of this sustainable movement.

In my almost 40 year career, I have never felt the interest in the environmental world and the desire to be sustainable as I do today.

It is an exciting and opportunistic time, but we will only reap those rewards if we make some changes within our industry, including our own internal dialogue and business models. For example, we cannot present ourselves as low-paying menial jobs; we cannot continue to overuse our resources of heat, water, plastic, and chemicals; and we cannot give away our intellectual property as if it holds no value. We are in the driver’s seat of our future as an industry and together we are better.

Millennials are the first generation that would prefer to visit a local garden center than make purchases at a big box store. Millennials are craving the people/plant connection, personal interaction, experiences and education. Millennials are not only seeking this as consumers, they are also eager to find a meaningful career that is sustainable. We are primed to be their go-to source not only for products but professions. After all, we are the profession that sells the people/plant connection!

At GrowHaus, our nursery and garden centre, and at Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens, our field divisions, we seek out the next generation as team members and they are discovering us as well. We want to be known for our culture; we work hard but have fun; we honor everyone’s birthday; we offer an educational allowance as a benefit and our compensation is higher than average; we select a nonprofit of the year to make a difference with and let our team know how we are giving back. We bring horticultural therapy to various populations. We tap into the foodie in all of us and prioritize every opportunity to grow, design, install, and harvest edibles. We grow everything neo-nic free, keep bee boxes on site, and sell our honey at the garden centre. We capture water from the roof for reuse and brew our own compost tea. We are modeling as much sustainability as we can.

Buying Show & Hort Academy

Tessman Company

ing c i r P l a Speci rms! & Te Garden Centers

Greenhouses

Visit the Tessman Buying Show & Hort Academy to take advantage of our Show Specials and Dating. Your Hometown Team is ready to help you with all of your Greenhouse, Nursery, Garden Center and Landscaping needs!

August 7, 2018

Mystic Lake Center Minnetonka Ballroom

2400 Mystic Lake Blvd Prior Lake, MN 55372 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Best terms in the industry • New product lines • Educational seminars • Best prices of the season • More than 50 vendors • Travel allowance • Expert speakers • Detailed product information • Breakfast – Lunch Buffet – Adult Beverages • Monday evening Social with vendors

RSVP by Monday, July 30 to Bev Reiten or Gail Krull Phone: (651) 487-3850 Fax: (651) 487-3115 Email Bev: breiten@tessmanseed.com Email Gail: gkrull@tessmanseed.com

Landscapes St. Paul, MN

Fargo, ND

Tea, SD

1300 Sylvan St. St. Paul, MN 55117

610 39th St. N Fargo, ND 58102

46954 Mindy St. Tea, SD 57064

Phone: (651) 487-3850 Fax: (651) 487-3115

Phone: (701) 232-7238 Fax: (701) 232-7278

Phone: (605) 368-2586 Fax: (605) 368-2809

FR E E !

Proper plant selection is critical to long-lived, healthy and sustainable landscapes, and understanding the planting site itself — its soil, light, moisture, exposure, and size — is crucial to choosing plants that will thrive.

BRIAN FERGASON, CPCU

651.635.2781 612.247.7346 Cell bfergason@maguireagency.com www.maguireagency.com 1970 Oakcrest Avenue, Suite 300 Roseville, MN 55113

The Plant Elements of Design selection program will help you find plants that match the conditions of your landscaping site.

This extensive database of plants includes photos and care information you can use with your clients. Go to www.landscapeplants.extension.umn.edu to try it today!

Plant-Elements-of-Design.indd 1

8/11/2017 8:34:49 AM

➾ F OU NDATION

All of these methods are GrowHaus and Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens’ differentiator in our employee recruitment. But they can be yours, too! They help prospective team members choose our industry as their destination, or choose our company instead of our colleagues. Our unique approaches benefit our company culture and help us hold our heads high that we are the people/plant connection. We are making a difference and can impact our environmental world, one landscape and one team member at a time!

This helps with our employee retention. With recruitment and retention, we have the support of the MNLA Foundation whose mission is to improve the environment in the north central region by investing in research and education. Through MNLA Foundation’s fundraising events, members collectively benefit with future educated and trained employees.

Be the people/plant connection! Bloom On! HEIDI HEILAND is

a member of the

MNLA Foundation Board and can be reached at heidi@bloomonmn.com.

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➾ S E CT I O N TITLE

SPRING SOIL “ We know more about the movement of celestial bodies than about the soil underfoot.” — Leonardo da Vinci

Faith Appelquist | GrowHaus and Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens

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I peered down into the six-inch hole, hoping to plant a tree here. A thin milk-chocolate layer at the top gave way to swirling khaki and taupe.

Water pooled on the surface. This soil was damaged during the construction of a new house.

ardeners fussing over the plants on top of the soil might look beneath their feet, to the microbes and invertebrates that call soil their home. People think soil is static and inert, like the rocks from which it comes. Nothing could be further from the truth. Rich top soil is the frontier between geology and biology, a mix of weathered rock fragments and decaying organic material.

What’s the difference between dirt and soil? Dirt is the stuff that’s under your fingernails. Dirt is the stuff you sweep off the floor.

Soil is way more than that. It is one of the four things you can’t live without; water, air, sunlight, and soil. All of our food comes from soil, all of our clothing comes from soil, and all of our houses come from soil. So without soil you would be hungry, naked, and homeless.

Here is how to assess your soil. Take a handful of it and smell it. It should smell earthy and sweet, not sour. It should crumble easily. If it comes out as a block, then it may be compacted. Stick a coat hanger in it and if it resists, you have compaction. Feel it. Is it smooth? Does it make a nice ribbon between your thumb and forefinger? That’s a loam. Look at the color; the darker the soil, the more organic material.

You don’t want to work a soil when it is wet because that could destroy the structure. The structure is how the individual particles of sand, silt and clay are arranged. If you break the structure, soil can puddle or break and that can cause problems by increasing the amount of compaction and reducing drainage.

To improve damaged soil, add compost by gently working it in with a tilling fork. The microbes and other animals can create aggregates as organic matter increases.

Soil is like a bowl of granola; add some milk to it and it stays pretty crunchy. But if you took that granola and crushed it before you added the milk, you end up with mush. And you don’t want that in a soil. You want soil to have good strong aggregates. This allows roots to penetrate and water to drain. You don’t want your plant roots to be waterlogged, you want a nice mixture of air and water present. Healthy soil means healthy plants and healthy people.

FAITH APPELQUIST

is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, an

ISA Municipal Specialist MN, and an ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist®. Faith can be reached at faith@treequality.com.

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INTRODUCING THE NEXT PROGRAM IN MNLA’S GREEN INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP SERIES, PRODUCED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF THE TWIN CITIES:

If you’re looking for a highly effective and affordable soft skills development tool for your emerging leaders, MNLA’s Leadership Peer Groups is your solution.

Utilizing Rod Johnson’s Peer Insight method, this course helps to connect the content in a formal training program with the context of how to use it in your career.

What will participants walk away with?

• Progression in career • Personal development • Expanded personal and professional connections • Growth in the soft skills vital to your company’s success

CONNECTING CONTENT TO CONTEXT

Details • Each course includes six Tuesday sessions on Sep. 18, Oct. 2, Oct. 16, Oct. 30, Nov. 13, and Nov. 27.

• Sessions will be from 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., with snacks and beverages provided. This timing allows opportunities for networking informally over supper after the meetings.

• Deadline for applying for the autumn course is Wednesday, August 29.

• $595 per participant Our Facilitator Rod Johnson of Growing Your Leaders has successfully facilitated numerous peer learning groups for over 10 years by always innovating and pondering how to improve the impact of each meeting, and the performance of each participant.

Criteria Each applicant must fulfill ONE of the following criteria: • Graduate of MNLA’s Green Industry Leadership Institute (or similar program) • Industry experience of five years • Hold a management position in an industry company Application Each applicant will need to complete the application form at www.MNLA.biz/leadership.

Limited seats are available for each course!

2018 AUTUMN COURSE (SEP.-NOV.):

Sales & Marketing

This course will include discussions around Sales, Customers, Customer Service, Marketing, and Sales Management.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR PARTICIPANTS • Having greater self-awareness of how they operate on a team.

• Increasing their confidence in fulfilling their business role.

• Improving their ability to execute on a daily basis.

• Performing work at a new level.

➾ ME MBER N EWS

TIME TO RENEW!

WELCOME NEW MNLA MEMBERS! Green Lakes Landscaping, Inc. Eileen Piper Excelsior, MN, 952-460-0509

Pure Green Lawn Service Een Johnson Byron, MN, 507-272-1676

Impressions Outdoor Living Brian Rivers Minnetonka, MN, 952-220-2971

Pure Scenery Landscaping, Inc. Rick Mitchell Merrifield, MN, 218-330-3923

JR Ferche, Inc. Jason Ferche Rice, MN, 320-393-4625

Rain Bird Andy Gangl Shoreview, MN, 651-356-5689

Ledebuhr Lawn Care Paul Ledebuhr LaCrescent, MN, 507-458-7973

Stamm’s Lakeshore Electric, Inc. Vinson Stamm Nisswa, MN, 218-831-0357

It’s that time of year — keep an eye out for your 2018–2019 MNLA membership renewal notice. In order to save the association printing and mailing costs, we ask that you return your membership renewal form promptly.

Modern Barnyard LLC Jim Beck Waite Park, MN, 320-253-8033

Sticks & Stones Brian Skuzacek Annandale, MN, 320-274-6853

Northern Bloom Horticultural Services Janelle Frick Minneapolis, MN, 651-269-2117

Traut Companies Wayne Bills Waite Park, MN, 320-251-5090

If you prefer, you can renew your membership online — it is now easier than ever! Go to www.MNLA.biz, click “Sign in” in the upper right hand corner of page, and enter your username and password. While signed in, you will be asked to review and update your company’s information which will be published in the MNLA Membership Directory and in the online directory.

One Call Contracting, Inc. Roger Klein Andover, MN, 763-480-9197

VM Masonry LLC Val Miller LeSueur, MN, 612-986-4766

RENEW TODAY!

Strengthen Your Culture and Align Your Team.

A plan is only as effective as its execution and execution is dependent on culture ... people, alignment, focus and ability to solve issues.

RFB® Strategic Execution is the essential business platform for owners and their leadership teams to make the most of their time and talent.

DID YOU KNOW?

You now have the option of delaying your dues payment until August 15, 2018. Just complete the online form (link provided with email renewal notice) or select the delayed payment option on the paper renewal form and include your credit card information.

The RFB system incorporates “TRACTION” and the Entrepreneurial Operating System, (EOS®) to help you achieve a healthy culture and shared vision which will:

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.

► Eliminate frustration ► Optimize value ► Create accountability

Optimizing Business Value ► Improving Lives 715-386-2800 | www.theRESULTANTS.com

If you’re ready to improve your culture, meet with an RFB Business Advisor to receive a FREE copy of Gino Wickman’s “TRACTION”, a complete look into simple, yet powerful ways to run your company with more focus, growth and enjoyment.

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➾ G OV E RN MEN T AFFAI R S

2018 Session Brings Early Success for MNLA Sponsored Legislation Two major pieces of legislation move forward in early legislative maneuvering at the Capitol.

The legislative session got off to a quick start in February and already at the time of the Scoop deadline for our May edition, the Minnesota House Civil Law Committee recently heard and passed House File 3577, our legislation to limit salt runoff into waterways and grant applicators liability protection. The bill was Larry Johnson re-referred to the Environment and Natural Resources Government Affairs Director Policy and Finance Committee for a discussion on a possible fiscal cost to the Pollution Control Agency to implement training modules and oversight of the certification for applicators. As we have reported during the past several months, this effort was introduced several times over the past few years but was never heard in a committee. Tim Malooly and Larry Johnson representing the Association testified in the earlier House Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee on March 13 but did not testify in this committee.

The Senate version of the bill, Senate File 3199, was heard on Wednesday March 21st in the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee. Tim Malooly and Larry Johnson from the association again spoke in favor of the provisions at this hearing. The bill was passed and sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee which must hear the bill before the 2nd Committee Deadline on March 29th to give the bill an opportunity to continue moving toward the Governor’s Desk.

On the page facing this article you will see a one-page issue paper explaining this legislation along with a list of organizations we have partnered with to pass the bill this session.

Our other major piece of legislation is House File 3214/ Senate File 2602. This legislation will allow irrigation contractors the ability to repair/rebuild backflow prevention assemblies by broadening the pool of con50

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tractors who can train and certify to meet this growing need, saving clients time and money each spring when the system is needed to come back on line for irrigation after the winter.

The Minnesota Plumbing Board met in a special session to consider the legislation on Monday afternoon and took a position opposing any changes to the current code. MNLA Vice President Tim Malooly submitted comments on the record supporting our proposal which came as a result of the new plumbing code.

Although the plumbing board was unanimously opposed, there were several members who voiced a willingness to work with our association and others on possible changes to the proposed language. At this point, the bill’s prospects are slim for the legislative session, but we are optimistic that it will garner significant attention both from the legislature and the general public to give us further momentum going forward.

As always, your Government Affairs team stands ready to answer questions or help explain, often complex, legislative operations and policy.

LARRY JOHNSON can

be reached at: larry@mnla.biz.

SUPPORT LIABILITY RELIEF FOR CERTIFIED SALT APPLICATORS & SMALL BUSINESSES WHILE PROTECTING MINNESOTA’S WATER RESOURCES Currently landscape professionals and others perform snow and

d v c w y c i o h y t

ice removal during winter months using anti-slip/ de-icing products to protect the public from injury.

Over-application of chloride-based products is detrimental to our waterways, but applicators are often pressured to apply more product than necessary or ideal to meet demands from their clients to minimize slips & falls on the owners’ property. These demands and concerns about potential litigation lead to applicators having few options other than over-application of product which results in water pollution. Even when these applicators follow best practices, they may still face litigation threats.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency currently provides training for salt applicators to learn best practices to significantly reduce the use of chlorides while maintaining safety. This proposed

W

legislation connects anti-slip/anti-ice application best management practices to liability protections for salt professionals and their

– i t p i o i W a p o

clients — the small business owners across the State of Minnesota — to avoid uncontrollable circumstances and unexpected litigation costs while protecting the public’s safety and the health of Minnesota’s waterways.

This common-sense legislation provides liability exemption for salt applicators who have completed certified training available through the PCA as well as to their clients, the property owner, occupant or lessee of the land maintained by these salt applicators.

The organizations, businesses and associations shown below join together to urge the Minnesota Legislature to take quick action in 2018 to pass this common-sense legislation which benefits not only struggling small business owners, but our 10,000 lakes, rivers and streams by preventing unnecessary chloride runoff and further irreparable damage to our vital Minnesota waterways.

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➾ NE T WORKIN G N EWS

NETWORKING NEWS M AY 2 0 1 8

NURSERY MNLA NETWORKING NETWORKING EVENT GROUP CHAIR: 20, 2018 January

XXX Seasons Curling Club, Blaine Four XXX

Fun was had by all at the January 20th MNLA Networking event held at Four Seasons Curling Club at Fogerty Arena in Blaine. The seasoned curling pros from Four Seasons Curling Club were great instructors, and explained terminology, scoring, and the basics of the game including throwing and strategy. Our group then had the opportunity to take the ice, form teams, and play a few games. Even though no one had curled before, it didn’t take long for everyone to get into the swing of it, and there was foolhardy talk of an allMNLA team at the next Olympics! Following the fun on the ice, MNLA members mingled while enjoying appetizers and a cold drink.

NURSERY NETWORKING GROUP March 1, 2018 Bailey Nurseries

The Nursery Networking Group met on March 1st at Bailey Nurseries for coffee, networking and a tour. Tree growers shared concerns for the next growing season and were treated to a tour of the coolers with Bailey’s Farm Managers highlighting this year’s crop. Thanks to Brenda Wickenhauser, Nursery Grower Networking Group Leader, for planning this meeting every year.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE NEXT MNLA NETWORKING EVENT: MNLA NIGHT AT THE SAINTS GAME ON AUGUST 14TH.

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âž¾ S E CT I O N TITLE

Tuesday, August 14

Member Appreciation Day Mem ber

Donuts in the morning! (FREE) Ice cream in the afternoon! (FREE) A summer buffet and baseball in the evening! ($28)

Day At MNLA Headquarters 1813 Lexington Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113

7:00-10:00 am

12:30-3:00 pm

(FREE, NO RSVP REQUIRED!)

(FREE, NO RSVP REQUIRED!)

Stop by for soft-serve!

Drive-in for donuts & coffee!

At CHS Field

360 N Broadway St, St Paul, MN 55101

5:30 pm

Kick back with a cold brew and a baseball game! $28 gets you a summer buffet and a great spot to watch the Saints game with MNLA friends! Bring your co-workers, friends, and family for this fun outing! Seats are limited and registration is required.

Visit www.MNLA.biz or call Sue Flynn at 651-633-4987 to secure your spots now!

Thank you to our sponsors:

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may 18 18 may

MNLA FOUNDATION Improving the Environment by Investing in Research and Education

1813 LEXINGTON AVE. N | ROSEVILLE, MN 55113 | 651-633-4987 | FAX 651-633-4986 | MNLA@MNLA.BIZ | WWW.MNLAFOUNDATION.COM

PARTNERS FUND You are encouraged to participate in the Research & Education Partners Fund at one of the participating suppliers recognized below. Your voluntary donation of ¼ of 1% (0.25%) on purchases of plants and other nursery, greenhouse and landscape products at these suppliers is used by the MNLA Foundation to grow a brighter future for the industry.

On an invoice totaling $1,000 at one of these suppliers, your contribution will be only $2.50. Your individual contribution is small, but collectively these small contributions will add up to make a real difference!

WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER

Research for the Real World

Career Development & Promotion

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