The Growing Concern July 2022

Growing Concern

The

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A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E O H I O L A N D S C A P E A S S O C I AT I O N

22nd Annual Scholarship Golf Classic August 4, 2022 / Mallard Creek Golf Club / PAGE 7

OLA Education: Irrigation Repair & Troubleshooting Clinic August 16, 2022 / Cuyahoga Community College - East Campus / PAGE 17

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PR ES I DEN T’S COLUM N

BRIAN MAURER, LIC Brian-Kyles

SNOW & ICE MANAGEMENT CLINIC I generally don’t complain about things that are out of my control, but enough is enough – the price per gallon of gas is officially outrageous!

Whether you are an employee or a business owner, paying $5.09 per gallon (06/20/2022) is eating into whatever gross, and/or net, profit that is leftover. Assuming most of us evaluate our pricing strategy one-third to one-half year prior to performing the service, this difference is about $1.22 higher than where it was at the end of the third quarter of 2021. If you are in the turf maintenance business, this difference may be reducing your profitability anywhere between 3% – 5% on lawn mowing services alone!

On the other side, this increase is also affecting employees on their daily commute to and from work. Keeping the conversation at a high level, these increases in fuel can equate from as low as 1.5% to as high as 5% of an individual’s weekly wage. If you have not already looked at the impacts of high fuel to both you and your employee’s bottom line, you may want to do so before it’s too late.

Last month I touched upon the reality that even though it feels like summer has just begun, planning for the upcoming

snow and ice season is necessary. Why do you think we host our annual snow and ice management clinic in August? This year’s snow and ice management clinic covers all aspects on how to manage a snow and ice operation with less people and higher fuel prices, and still maintain the bottom line.

This year, we’re offering our small group/hands-on style education where we intend to instruct: how to calibrate a liquid sprayer, how to decrease the amount of snow bonded to pavement after plowing, how to mechanize your sidewalk operations, and how to know exactly how much, where, and at what rate to apply salt. Let me elaborate on why you and/or someone from your organization should attend.

The use of liquids in combating snow and ice is relatively new, and in my opinion, should be in the toolbox of every commercial snow and ice contractor reading this article.

Liquids, when used in conjunction with rock salt, have the ability to save contractors a considerable amount of time and money. The problem has always been understanding the application rates, what the different type of nozzles were intended to do, and effectiveness in changing weather conditions. Adding this knowledge will certainly open up a door to help reduce your overall costs. continued on page 6 The Growing Concern | July 2022 | 3

TAB LE OF CON TEN TS J U L Y 2 0 2 2 WWW. OH I OLA N D SCA P E R S. OR G OH I O’ S P R OF E SSI ON A L G REEN I N D U ST R Y A SSOCI AT I O N OHIO LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION 9240 Broadview Road Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147 Phone: 440.717.0002 Toll Free: 1.800.335.6521 Web: www.ohiolandscapers.org and www.myohiolandscape.com DESIGNER / EDITOR Rick Doll, Jr. REGULAR WRITERS Michael J. Donnellan, M3 Wealth Management Dr. Jim Funai, PhD., Cuyahoga Community College Shelley Funai, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens Brian Maurer, LIC, BrianKyles Sandy Munley, Ohio Landscape Association Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, Bobbie’s Green Thumb Cover: Landscape Ohio! awards entry, in the category of Residential Installation with Swimming Pools, submitted by H & M Landscaping.

FEATURES

3 8 12

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Snow & Ice Management Clinic

PERENNIAL FOCUS

Cimicifuga (Actaea): Black Snakeroot/Bugbane

FISCAL FITNESS

Saving For Retirement

21

25TH ANNUAL LANDSCAPE OHIO! AWARDS

28

FOR SAFETY SAKE

32 36 42 43

This Year’s Winners & Gala Photos Power Lawn Mower Safety

PLANT OF THE MONTH

ADVERTISING INFORMATION Submission deadline: 10th of the month, prior to the month of magazine publication.

For advertising rates and ad specs, please call 440.717.0002, or email Rick Doll Jr. at rick@ohiolandscapers.org.

DISCLAIMER The Ohio Landscape Association, its board of directors, staff and the editor of The Growing Concern neither endorse any product(s) or attests to the validity of any statements made about products mentioned in this, past or subsequent issues of this publication. Similarly, the opinions expressed in The Growing Concern are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Ohio Landscape Association.

OFFICERS President Brian Maurer, LIC

OLA STAFF Executive Director Sandy Munley

President – Elect Stephanie Gray, LIC

Communications & Events Manager Rick Doll, Jr.

Great Western Plant Explorers: Johann van der Deutz / Deutzia

Treasurer Cameron Maneri

FEATURE ARTICLE

Immediate Past President James Funai, PhD

DIRECTIONS

DIRECTORS Brandon Barker Ryan Drake Tina Graver, LIC Rob Morel Bob Ramser, LIC Kate Stone, OCNT

Purchasing Mistakes Landscape Companies Make Summer is Upon Us

ADVERTISING INDEX

4 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

C AL ENDAR OF EVEN TS U P C O M I N G O L A M E E T I N G S , E D U C AT I O N S E M I N A R S & E V E N T S

JULY

AUGUST cont...

SEPTEMBER cont...

JULY 12, 2022 PLANT I.D. CLINIC (Central Ohio)

AUGUST 9, 2022 WOMEN IN LANDSCAPE MEET-UP

This clinic is a hands-on training opportunity for you and your crews covering the basics of Plant I.D. for plants typically used in Ohio. Sponsored

by Premier Plant Solutions.

Our Women in Landscape Group was created for the purposes of connecting, empowering, and advocating for women in the industry, while amplifying the voices of our current & future leaders.

Register to attend at ohiolandscapers. org/meetings.

SEPTEMBER 14 , 2021 NE OHIO FACILITY TOUR (J. Barker Landscaping Company)

JULY 14, 2022 PLANT I.D. CLINIC (N.E. Ohio) This clinic is a hands-on training opportunity for you and your crews covering the basics of Plant I.D. for plants typically used in Ohio. Sponsored

by Davis Tree Farm & Nursery.

JULY 19, 2022 YOUNG PROFESSIONALS MEET-UP The OLA’s Young Professionals in Landscape Group was created to provide a platform to connect, share experiences, and exchange ideas with peers in our industry. If you are under 40 years old, you are invited to join.

Register to attend at ohiolandscapers. org/meetings.

AUGUST AUGUST 4, 2022 OLA SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC Join us at Mallard Creek Golf Club for the OLA Scholarship Golf Classic! Our golf outing was created to help generate funding for our scholarship program, targeting qualified students interested in a vocation within the green profession.

Call the OLA at 440.717.0002 for available sponsorship opportunities.

See page 7 for more details.

AUGUST 16, 2022 IRRIGATION CLINIC A hands-on training opportunity for field technicians to learn the basics of irrigation repair and troubleshooting.

Participants will learn to identify the components of an irrigation system, operate and adjust irrigation controllers, and troubleshoot irrigation issues that commonly occur on job sites. Sponsored

by Wolf Creek Company.

See page 17 for more details.

AUGUST 25, 2022 SNOW & ICE MANAGEMENT CLINIC This year’s Snow & Ice Management Clinic will focus on Best Plowing Practices, Mechanical Removal, Calibration of Anti-Icing Agents and Salt Tracking Technology. Vendors may call the OLA at 440.717.0002 for available booth/sponsorship opportunities in our mini-trade show exhibit.

See page 18 & 19 for more details.

SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 13, 2022 YOUNG PROFESSIONALS MEET-UP Our Young Professionals Group was created to provide a platform to connect, share experiences, and exchange ideas with peers in our industry. If you are under 40 years old, you are invited to join.

Register to attend at ohiolandscapers. org/meetings.

J. Barker Landscaping Co. provides unparalleled attention to detail in their design process and their dedicated staff bring superior service and “know how” to all projects. Join us as we tour J. Barker’s facility, located in Bedford, Ohio, to find out what has made them so successful for over 45 years.

See page 16 for more details.

THANK YOU In our June 2022 issue, we ran an article in the safety section covering skid steers, written by Keith Bullock, Safety & Health Consultant for BWC in OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program. While we attributed the story to OSHA, we want to acknowledge Keith’s efforts, as well.

In addition to Keith’s consultant role, he is an adjunct professor at Columbus State Community College. In 2019, he was awarded the medal of excellence by OSHA Region V for his activities, including the creation of the Ohio Craft Brewery Alliance and his ongoing assistance with employers cited under OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP). Keith’s activities for OSHA’s outreach campaigns also include: National Federation of Small Businesses, Ohio Concrete Masonry Association (OCMA), Ohio Forestry Association, Inc. (OFA) and most recently, the Ohio landscaping industry.

Thank you, Keith, for all your efforts!

The Growing Concern | July 2022 | 5

PR ES I DEN T’S COLUM N

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continued from page 3 Mechanical removal is not new, but live edge technology is.

Many contractors are familiar with the difference between rubber and steel cutting edges, but few may have experienced what live edge technology is capable of. It is hard to explain, hence why we have an outdoor session designed to show you.

As we continue to discuss the rising fuel costs, this is another option for helping relieve the pains and stresses on our profit margins. Live edge can limit costs by reducing the number of return visits, as well as continued services when plowing.

Mechanization of sidewalks is necessary. With such a labor shortage, finding anyone during the wee hours of the morning to shovel is near-impossible. Over the past few years, manufacturers have designed equipment to make the process of cleaning walkways without requiring an army of laborers possible. This seems contrary to the saving of fuel, right? So, what can we do to reduce our fuel costs with the running of machines vs. labor? We have learned from many guest speakers in the past during the OLA snow and ice events that creating a plan for each property (large or small) can, in the long term, save us on labor efficiencies as well as fuel consumption. Creating a map with a starting and finishing point, assigning areas to each machine, and plotting

6 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

the course can direct our crews on how to perform services while limiting the consumption of fuel and man-hours.

One other option to add to your list of tools should be the addition of salt tracking technology. This is the new shiny toy every snow contractor should at least look into. From add-on controllers to state-of-the art inclusive spreaders which have the ability to know how much and where your team applied salt is becoming a must. How about having a spreader that can sense the pavement conditions and adjust as needed without the input of the operator. Yeah, I guess you’ll have to join us to find out about this one!

I understand that a lot of these concepts may be new to some, and perhaps relatively elementary to others. That being said, I will leave you all with this: While it’s fresh in our minds, and while it’s a shock to all of our businesses, NOW is the time to do something about the current status and struggles associated with fuel costs – not after we’re all conditioned to accepting it. Sure, we can present fuel surcharges now to help ease the pain, however, we would be doing ourselves an injustice by not planning for other ways to make some of this up in the future with snow and ice.

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Each Golf Registration Includes: • • • •

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22nd Annual OLA Scholarship Golf Classic 2022 OLA SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC / REGISTRATION CLOSES 07/21/2022

(Make checks payable and send to: Ohio Landscape Association, 9240 Broadview Rd, Broadview Hts., OH 44147)

Firm _______________________________________________________ Contact ____________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ City ________________________________________________________________________ State ___________ Zip _______________ Phone (______)____________________ Fax (______)____________________ Email ___________________________________________

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PEREN N I AL FOCUS

BOBBIE SCHWARTZ, FAPLD Bobbie’s Green Thumb

Cimicifuga racemosa.

CIMICIFUGA (ACTAEA) BLACK SNAKEROOT, BUGBANE Imagine a woodland garden, in the middle of the summer, with bright white spires reaching to the sky and illuminating the shadows. Cimicifuga racemosa is the perennial at which you are looking. The common names, Snakeroot and Bugbane, are very poor descriptions of this beautiful plant. Although not used extensively, another common name for it is Fairy Candles, a very apt description. The buds resemble white buttons which then open, usually in the middle of July in Northeast Ohio, to tiny petalled blossoms with distinctive stamens which usually last for about four weeks. The seedpods look like green buttons and at that point, the stalks may fall over under the weight of the pods.

Some people cut them off and use them in dried arrangements.

I prefer to stake them because even after the petals have fallen, these 5 to 8 feet tall, architectural spires can lend presence and stature to the garden.

C. racemosa, a native of the eastern United States, is the best known of the eight species of Cimicifuga and the earliest to bloom. C. racemosa must have moist shade to be at its best.

While it can technically be grown in sun with ample moisture,

8 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

it would be a shame to see the leaf edges brown and curl up if the moisture were insufficient. There are so many other perennials that glory in the sun that I think we should save this beauty for low or filtered light sites.

Similar in height and appearance, but distinguished by its colored foliage, is Cimicifuga simplex, formerly ramosa, (Branched Bugbane). At the present time, there are several worthy cultivars. ‘Atropurpurea’ has purple foliage in the shade, or is purple flushed with green in full sun and grows 6 to 7 feet tall. ‘Brunette’ and ‘Black Negligee’ have deep bronzy-purple foliage with creamy white spires and are only three to four feet tall. ‘Hillside Black Beauty’ has dark purple foliage, grows five to six feet tall and is fragrant. There are two pink-flowered cultivars, ‘Chocoholic’ and ‘Pink Spike’; they will grow 4 to 5 feet tall. All of the purple foliaged cultivars develop the best color in at least half a day of sun. They bloom in August and September rather than July. ‘White Pearl’ is the best known white-flowered/green-leafed cultivar continued on page 10 and has two foot long spires.

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Cimicifuga simple “Hillside Black Beauty”

Cimicifuga simple “Pink Spike”

Yellow/purple: Hakonechloa ‘Strike It Rich’, Cimicifuga ‘Black Negligee’; colored foliage contrast and texture; summer blooming perennial and grass; Terra Nova;

continued from page 8 Fortunately, this Cimicifuga is tolerant of light frosts and more tolerant of heavier soils. Most other Cimicifuga prefer humus-like soil that would be found in a woodland.

Cimicifuga will have the most impact if planted in groups of at least three, not easy to do in small gardens, because each one needs at least three feet of space for its large foliage.

The compound foliage is divided into three large, toothed segments and doesn’t present itself until one-third to halfway up the stems. Therefore, it is easy to plant a shorter, moist shade lover under it.

Cimicifuga is slow to mature so do not be discouraged when it fails to meet your expectations for the first few years. In the third year, it will be wonderful and in the fifth, it will be spectacular.

It will increase very slowly because the seeds take two years to germinate. To propagate, let the seeds ripen on the plants and harvest them in late fall before they spill from the capsules. They require a short period of moist warmth followed by a longer period of moist cold for germination. The best time to divide them is early spring or late summer when they are coming out of or going into dormancy.

10 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

Perennials that combine well with Cimicifuga are Hosta, Carex (Sedge) species which have strappy leaves, Hakonechloa, Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ (Variegated Solomon’s Seal) and Tricyrtis (Toad Lily). All of these will hide the bare stems of Cimicifuga.

I try, as a designer, not to make my gardens look the same but to individualize them. However, when I’m designing a shade garden, I just can’t help myself. At least one of the Cimicifuga species is in each one.

Footnote: The taxonomists have declared that Cimicifuga is to be classified as Actaea. However, I find that the leaves of Cimicifuga are distinctly different than those of Actaea and I refuse to use that genus name for this group of plants. Just call me an old fuddy-duddy.

Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, owner of Bobbie’s Green Thumb in Shaker Hts., Ohio, is a landscape designer, consultant, freelance writer, and lecturer whose specialties are perennial gardens and four season landscapes. In addition to being an Ohio Landscape Association (OLA) member, she is an active member of the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association (ONLA) and Perennial Plant Association (PPA). Bobbie is a Past President of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD).

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The Growing Concern | September 2021 | 11 33 The Growing Concern | July 2022 12/16/2015 3:27:07 PM

F I SCAL FI TN ESS

MICHAEL J. DONNELLAN M3 Wealth Management

SAVING FOR RETIREMENT One of the biggest questions our clients ask is “How much do I/we need to retire?” The question sounds simple enough, but is complex in so many ways. Each client is different. Spending habits, lifestyle changes, working part time in retirement, health concerns, planning to travel or buy a vacation home, leaving assets to heirs or charities, etc. The list goes on and on.

Much of our retirement spending discussion actually takes place before the client retires. Some will say you need to replace 75% of your pre-retirement income. But that is too generic for all clients, who have different goals and risk levels.

What we have found is that it works much better to create an actual retirement budget once the client is within shouting distance of calling it a career.

Some clients may retire at an earlier age. One may have a pension. Another may decide to delay Social Security until age 70. One may decide to travel more and spend lavishly. There are so many variables to retirement planning and their associated distribution plan that it is so important to discuss with financial professionals to determine the best course of action.

We also have to determine how to draw down the savings in retirement. One client may want the account to continue to

12 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

grow and draw a smaller amount. Another may want to spend down the account over time. We had a client recently say they wanted to travel now, as they didn’t want to be strolling on the beach with a walker in hand.

Another point is that people are living longer, which means greater needs in the retirement years. We plan on 20-30 years of retirement for many clients. That means clients should not flip a switch at retirement and become automatically conservative, but maybe dial the dimmer switch down a bit as they age.

The most important part is the actual saving and investing.

A qualified Financial Advisor should be invaluable to helping you access your risk and develop a plan to follow through your saving and investing years and the retirement years.

So let’s talk about that saving part…

continued on page 14

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continued from page 12 Maybe you think you need $1 million of investments to retire.

Depending on when you stop working and what you want your lifestyle to look like in your golden years, you may need more or less than that. But if you’re aiming for $1 million, here’s the breakdown of exactly how much to save per month to reach that goal by age 67…

Age 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

Amount Per Month $319 per month $440 per month $613 per month $864 per month $1,240 per month $1,831 per month $2,831 per month

Assumes 6% average annual investment return, monthly compounding and a retirement age of 67. Numbers are rounded in some cases.

Retirement needs vary by income and cost of living –– $1 million isn’t an adequate goal for every saver.

As the chart shows, the amount you have to save depends a lot on how early you start. If you begin setting aside money at age 20, you have to save $319 per month to reach $1 million. If you start at age 30, though, that number nearly doubles: You need to save $613 per month.

If you haven’t already started investing, the simplest way to start is to contribute to your employer’s retirement plan, a taxadvantaged retirement savings account, or other retirement savings accounts, such as a Roth IRA or traditional IRA.

14 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

Supplement those with savings in outside accounts and remember to diversify.

From the stocks, bonds and funds in your bank or brokerage accounts to real estate, collectibles, your business and even commodities and precious metals, use your money to make money. Compounding interest on investments is a very powerful tool. A million dollar account with a 6% rate of return is making $60,000. In twelve years that one million turns into two million with no additional investments!

Diversify, assess your risk and rebalance on a regular basis.

Talk to your financial advisor to help with your specific needs, goals and risk tolerance.

Scenarios illustrated are hypothetical in nature, results may vary. Investing is subject to risk which may involve loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

The M3 Wealth Management Office does not provide legal or tax advice. Consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific situation. The information herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice. Trust services are provided by third parties. Neither our firm nor our financial professionals can serve as trustee Michael J. Donnellan specializes in stock selection and retirement planning. Feel free to contact him with any questions or comments at the M3 Wealth Management Office at 17601 W. 130th Street – Suite 1 in North Royalton, Ohio.

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OLA MEETINGS SERIES

EVENT INFORMATION DATE & LOCATION SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 29 E TAYLOR STREET BEDFORD, OH 44146 AGENDA REGISTRATION 5:00PM to 5:30PM FACILITY TOUR 5:30PM to 7:45PM NETWORKING/FOOD SERVED 7:45PM to 8:45PM COST TO ATTEND MEMBERS: NO CHARGE NON MEMBERS: $30 REGISTER TO ATTEND BY SEPTEMBER 7, 2022

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NEO LANDSCAPE FACILITY TOUR J. Barker Landscaping Company Established in 1974, J. Barker Landscaping Company has provided 48 years of service to residential and commercial customers throughout Northeast Ohio. Their founder and president, Jeffery L. Barker, has grown the business from a “one man shop” to one of the most premier and reputable landscape companies in the Cleveland area. The company proudly provides creative landscape design, horticultural expertise, detailed maintenance, and reliable snow and ice removal services.

Inspired Landscapes.

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With an original focus in residential design build and maintenance, Jeffery later welcomed high profile commercial property management to his services and the company continues to effectively manage these projects. In 2007, The Barker Group LLC was created. This area of the business offers demolition and dumpster services.

to join the team as a full time account manager. The Barkers believe their team of dedicated and experienced personnel provide unparalleled service to each one of its clients.

The Barker’s have a long standing family tradition of providing quality products and services, and in 2016, Jeffery welcomed his son, Brandon Barker,

Join us, September 14, 2022 as Jeffery and his team give us a peek into what has made them so successful for over 48 years. Space is limited, register soon.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS YEAR’S MEETING SCHEDULE ARE NOW AVAILABLE. CALL 440.717.0002 FOR INFO. 2.25 CEU’S

REGISTER ONLINE AT OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/MEETINGS

EDUCATION SERIES PL ANT OF THOLA E M ON TH

Sponsored by

EVENT INFORMATION

COURSE INFO AUGUST 16, 2022 TRI-C’S EASTERN CAMPUS 4250 RICHMOND ROAD ROOM# EHCT 20 HIGHLAND HILLS, OH. 44122

AGENDA 8:00AM - 8:30AM REGISTRATION / BREAKFAST 8:30AM - 12:00PM CLINIC COST OLA MEMBERS BEFORE 08/02/22 - $79 AFTER 08/02/22 - $109 NON MEMBERS BEFORE 08/02/22 - $129 AFTER 08/02/22 - $159

Irrigation Repair & Troubleshooting for Technicians

Ever had a crew member inadvertantly damage a sprinkler head? Ever had one get a machine stuck in an area that’s being drastically overwatered? Or perhaps your clients are just in need of some basic irrigation controller programming? This practical course on Irrigation Repair and Troubleshooting will help teach your technicians the basics, while ensuring your customers stay happy!

The OLA is happy to offer this hands-on training event as an opportunity for field technicians to learn the basics of irrigation repair and troubleshooting. Participants will learn to identify the components of irrigation systems, operate and adjust irrigation controllers, and troubleshoot irrigation issues that commonly occur on residential and commercial job sites.

NOTE: Registration for this clinic will be capped at 30 attendees in order to keep groups small.

CLINIC INSTRUCTOR

JIM FUNAI, PHD., CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE Jim Funai, PhD. is the Assistant Professor of Plant Science and Landscape Technology at Cuyahoga Community College. In addition to being a Licensed Arborist, Jim has a PhD of Philosophy in the field of Urban Forestry through the Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry. He also holds a Master of Science in the field of Agricultural and Extension Education Services from Colorado State University and an honorary degree in Urban Forestry from the China Agriculture University. He was named Outstanding Educator of the Year for 2022 by NALP. Cancellations made 8 to 14 days prior to the course start date will be subject to a 30% cancellation fee. NO refunds or credits will be issued for cancellations 7 days or less prior to the course, no shows, or cancellations on the day of the course. If, for any reason, the course is cancelled, enrollees will be notified, and fees refunded in full. Register early as class size is limited and will sell out quickly.

2022 IRRIGATION CLINIC / REGISTRATION CLOSES 08/09/22

(Make checks payable and send to: Ohio Landscape Association, 9240 Broadview Rd, Broadview Hts., OH 44147)

Company Contact Address City State Phone (______)

Zip

Fax (______) Email

NAME OF ATTENDEE

FEE

$

$

$

$

 Check No. (Enclosed)

Charge to my:

 MasterCard  Visa  AMEX  Discover

Acct. No.

Exp. Date

Name on Card

Signature

Security Code

Billing Address + Zipcode for Card SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 3.5 FOR THIS EVENT ARE STILL AVAILABLE. CALL 440.717.0002 FOR MORE INFORMATION. CEU’S

REGISTER ONLINE AT OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/EDUCATION

SN OW & ICE M A NAG E M E N T

SP O N S O R S HI P EVENT SPONSORS

SPONSORSHIP/EXHIBIT OPPORTUNITIES

BAKER VEHICLE SYSTEMS

It’s Back! The OLA is happy to announce the return of our Annual Snow & Ice Management Clinic!

Our Snow & Ice Management Clinic is a can’t miss event for anyone in, or thinking about being in the snow and ice business. Designed for both business owners and employees, the clinic will include group discussions and great information from snow and ice industry experts.

BIGFOOT LANDSCAPE MATERIALS

SPONSORSHIP/EXHIBIT INFORMATION

ABC EQUIPMENT

BOTSON INSURANCE GROUP BURNS JCB CENWELD CHARDON WELDING LEPPO RENTS / BOBCAT MARSHALL EQUIPMENT MEYER PRODUCTS O’REILLY EQUIPMENT OHIO CAT SOUTHEASTERN EQUIPMENT VERMEER ZORESCO EQUIPMENT CO.

Sponsorship/Exhibit opportunities are available to ALL Green Industry suppliers, including non snow and ice related businesses. All Sponsorship/Exhibit opportunities include:

• • • • • •

Your choice of exhibit size. (Subject to availability. See below for more details.)

Your company name displayed on signage at the event.

Your company logo, linked to your company’s website, on all email communications promoting the event.

Your company logo, linked to your company’s website, on the Snow & Ice Clinic landing page of our industry website.

Your company will be recognized at the event and will have the opportunity to pass out marketing materials to attendees.

A complimentary copy of the event attendee list, including attendee’s company name, contact person, mailing address & phone number.

BOOTH/EXHIBIT SIZES

Booths will be sold on a first-come, first serve basis, once last year’s sponsors have had the opportunity to renew. Exhibitors may set up their booths beginning August 25 at 7:00am. and have until 8:15am to complete set-up. All exhibit spaces will be located outdoors on pavement and should be interactive for attendees. Booths will need to be vacated by 2:00pm.

OPTION #1 10 x 10 BOOTH OLA Member - $400 Non Member - $600

OPTION #2 20 x 30 BOOTH OLA Member - $500 Non Member - $700

OPTION #3 30x40 or 20x60 BOOTH OLA Member - $600 Non Member - $800

Includes: • 10 x 10 Exhibit Space • 2 Exhibitor passes • Breakfast and Lunch

Includes: • 20 x 30 Exhibit Space • 3 Exhibitor passes • Breakfast and Lunch

Includes: • 30 x 40 or 20 x 60 Exhibit Space • 3 Exhibitor passes • Breakfast and Lunch

PLEASE NOTE: 10 x 10 booths are for TABLETOP DISPLAYS ONLY. Absolutely no equipment will be permited in a 10 x 10 booth. 20 x 60 booths will be created by combining (2) 20 x 30 booths. The same can be done for extra 30 x 40 booths.

BOOTH SIZE REQUESTED

 10x10 Outdoor Exhibit Space

 20x30 Outdoor Exhibit Space

 30x40 Outdoor Exhibit Space  20x60 Outdoor Exhibit Space

CONTACT INFORMATION

Sponsor Company

Contact

Address City State Phone (______)

Zip

Fax (______) Email

PAYMENT INFORMATION

 Check No. (Enclosed)

Charge to my:

 MasterCard  Visa  AMEX  Discover

Acct. No.

Exp. Date

Name on Card

Signature

Billing Address + Zipcode for Card SNOW & ICE MANAGEMENT CLINIC Make checks payable and send to: Ohio Landscape Association, 9240 Broadview Rd, Broadview Hts., OH 44147 Register online, by mail, or by phone: Phone 440-717-0002 or 1-800-335-6521 • www.ohiolandscapers.org

Security Code

SN OW & IC E M A NAG E M E NT

R EG IS T R ATI O N SNOW BUSINESS SUCCESS

EVENT INFORMATION AUGUST 25, 2022 Whether you’re an owner, operations manager, laborer, or anyone in between, the OLA’s Annual 8:30AM - 3:45PM

Snow and Ice Mangement Clinic is a can’t miss event for any company focused on improving how they handle the “white side” of their business. This year’s focus will be on “How to do More with Less LOCATION ST. MICHAEL’S WOODSIDE Labor” & “Best Plowing Practices.”

5025 EAST MILL ROAD BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, OH In addition, we will be holding small group instruction covering: Salt Tracking Technology, Anti-Icing/ 44147 Liquid Calibration, Mechanical Removal and Sidewalk Removal.

AGENDA 8:30AM - 9:00AM REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST

GUEST SPEAKERS Phill Sexton, WIT Advisers Phil Sexton has 30+ years of experience developing and growing businesses in the Landscape, Winter and Facilities Management Industries. As a former technician, manager, executive & company owner, he’s developed a growing concern about the environmental impacts of his trade, and has developed best practices that enable companies to take a sustainable approach to winter management.

9:00AM - 12:00PM PRESENTATION & TRADE SHOW 12:00PM - 12:45PM LUNCH

Jordan Smith, Voigt Smith Innovation (VSI)

12:50PM- 1:55PM PRESENTATION

Jordan Smith has 15+ years of industry experience as Owner/President of Smith Lawn & Landscape and Owner of Voight Smith Innovations (VSI). VSI evolved out of the necessity to quit competing on price. Instead, they began to create equipment that would not only make their operations run smoother, but allowed them to help other contractors do the same.

2:00PM- 4:00PM SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION

Also: Industry leaders from companies like Metal Pless, Artic Sectional, Hilltip & Ventrac will lead breakout groups focused on helping you find solutions to your labor, equipment, and fuel needs.

MINI TRADE SHOW

Visit industry vendors to see what’s new with displayed snow & ice equipment and products.

Cancellations made 8 to 14 days prior to the course start date will be subject to a 30% cancellation fee. NO refunds or credits will be issued for cancellations 7 days or less prior to the course, no shows, or cancellations on the day of the course. If, for any reason, the course is cancelled, enrollees will be notified, and fees refunded in full.

COST MEMBERS BEFORE 08/11/22 - $89 AFTER 08/11/22 - $119 NON MEMBERS BEFORE 08/11/22 - $139 AFTER 08/11/22 - $169

2022 SNOW & ICE CLINIC / REGISTRATION CLOSES 08/18/22

(Make checks payable and send to: Ohio Landscape Association, 9240 Broadview Rd, Broadview Hts., OH 44147)

Company Contact Address City State Phone (______)

Zip

Fax (______) Email

NAME OF ATTENDEE (S)

FEE

$

$

$

$

TOTAL DUE

 Check No. (Enclosed)

Charge to my:

 MasterCard  Visa  AMEX  Discover

Acct. No.

Exp. Date

Name on Card

Signature

Billing Address + Zipcode for Card 4 CEU’S

Security Code

REGISTER ONLINE AT OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/SNOW--ICE-CLINIC

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WE HELP SOLVE YOUR CONCERNS! • FINDING & RETAINING EMPLOYEES. • KEEPING EMPLOYEES SAFE WHILE WORKING. • HELPING PROTECT & INCREASE YOUR PROFITS. • HELPING YOU SLEEP BETTER AT NIGHT.

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THE AWARD FOR LIFETIME CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY

Gregory Malone

Each year, since 1992, the OLA Board of Directors selects a deserving individual to receive the Lifetime Dedication and Contributions to the Landscape Industry Award. This year, the OLA recognizes Greg Malone as the 31st recipient of this prestigious award.

Greg Malone was the fourth of five sons born to Harry and Jane Malone. Born in Pittsburgh, his family made a permanent move to the Greater Cleveland area when he was 10.

Garden Center. Here they ran a successful business for nearly 20 years, during which they gave a lot back to the community.

Greg continued to develop a love for customer service.

Greg’s dad was an amateur horticulturist who was especially interested in growing roses. As a child, Greg would help him in the garden. In addition to helping tend the roses, Greg started to mow the lawn at age 9, with an original O.M. Scott and Sons reel type push mower.

Unfortunately, zoning issues led to the end of that era, at which time Greg went to work for Kurtz Bros. (8 years) exposing him to corporate business and giving him a better understanding of business management. This led Greg to want to further his education.

Greg attended North Olmsted High School, and as a junior got a job at Dugan’s Garden Center in Olmsted Township.

Here, he discovered a passion for retail horticulture. He also discovered the love of his life, Ginny, in June of 1975, when she walked into the store. They were married on August 13, 1977.

He went on to get his Bachelor of Business Technical Management from Devry University, a Masters in Education from American College of Education, and an MBA from University of the People. Greg says he didn’t know how much he didn’t know about business management until he went back to school. He would encourage business owners and key personnel to continue their education.

Greg attended The Ohio State ATI when he and Ginny were newlyweds. They now have three boys, Matt, Chris and Steve. After graduating ATI, Greg and his business partner purchased Dugan’s

An opportunity opened up at Cuyahoga Community College in 2013 when they needed a Program Manager to help

overhaul the Plant Science and Landscape Technology program. Greg saw this as an exciting opportunity and took the postion.

In 2016, he was promoted to Associate Dean of Health Careers and Sciences, where he still oversees the PSLT program.

Greg served in many roles on the OLA Board of Directors for 5 years, from 2006 through 2010, and was OLA President in 2009. He’s served as the landscape expert on the Planning and Design Commission for the City of North Olmsted, is on the Speaker’s Bureau for Tri-C delivering regular presentations on horticulture, is a judge for fruits and vegetables at the Geauga and Lorain county fairs, as well as a judge for the North Olmsted Garden Club. Additionally, Greg helps businesses and organizations with strategic planning on occasion, such as the OLA. Greg’s philosophy on life is, “Don’t neglect the people that support you most – your spouse or significant other, your children, and your friends. Life is too short to miss the important things.”

SEE THE PROJECTS AT OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/AWARDS-PROGRAM

THE 25th ANNUAL LANDSCAPE OHIO! AWARDS

AWARD WINNING PROJECTS RESIDENTIAL MAINTENANCE

SPONSOR: ALVORD’S YARD AND GARDEN AWARD OF HONOR The Bremec Group A Private Residence in Pepper Pike AWARD OF MERIT The Bremec Group A Private Residence in Orange Village AWARD OF MERIT M.J. Design Associates Inc. A Private Residence in Plain City

COMMERCIAL MAINTENANCE

SPONSOR: SNOW & ICE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (SIMA) AWARD OF MERIT Vizmeg Landscape Inc. Western Reserve Academy in Hudson

RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION, CATEGORY I SPONSOR: KURTZ BROS., INC.

AWARD OF MERIT Blooming Designs A Private Residence in Kent

RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION, CATEGORY II SPONSOR: WOLF CREEK COMPANY

AWARD OF HONOR The Bremec Group A Private Residence in Pepper Pike

RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION, CATEGORY III SPONSOR: PREMIER PLANT SOLUTIONS

AWARD OF HONOR M.J. Design Associates A Private Residence in New Albany

RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION, CATEGORY IV SPONSOR: LAKE COUNTY NURSERY

AWARD OF HONOR The Bremec Group A Private Residence in Moreland Hills AWARD OF MERIT Rice’s Landscapes Redefined A Private Residence in Akron AWARD OF MERIT Landscapes by Terra A Private Residence in Dublin

Our awards program was created to increase awareness of quality landscaping and how it improves the environment. This annual competition recognizes designers, installers, and property owners. It is open to all Regular Member companies of the Ohio Landscape Association. Project sites must be located in the State of Ohio, or in a bordering state, and a major portion of the project must be the work of the entrant. Projects are eligible for up to five (5) years after completion. Projects that have previously been entered may be reentered, as long as the project has not received an Honor or Judge’s Special Award in the past.

SEE THE PROJECTS AT OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/AWARDS-PROGRAM

THE 25th ANNUAL LANDSCAPE OHIO! AWARDS

AWARD WINNING PROJECTS RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION, CATEGORY V SPONSOR: DAVIS TREE FARM & NURSERY AWARD OF HONOR Vizmeg Landscape Inc. A Private Residence in Wadsworth

AWARD OF MERIT Vizmeg Landscape Inc. A Private Residence in Akron

AWARD OF MERIT Angelotta Landscape Associates, LLC A Private Residence in Shaker Heights

RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION, CATEGORY VI SPONSOR: VALLEY CITY SUPPLY

AWARD OF HONOR H & M Landscaping A Private Residence in Pepper Pike AWARD OF MERIT Suncrest Gardens A Private Residence in Hudson AWARD OF MERIT Vizmeg Landscape Inc. A Private Residence in Richfield

COMMERCIAL INSTALLATION, CATEGORY II SPONSOR: KLYN NUSERIES, INC.

AWARD OF HONOR #1 Landscaping The UH Bolwell Courtyard in Cleveland AWARD OF MERIT Environmental Management, Inc. Mirror Lake (OSU) in Columbus AWARD OF MERIT Vizmeg Landscape Summa Health West Tower in Akron

WATER FEATURES

SPONSOR: BEDFORD GLENS GARDEN CENTER AWARD OF HONOR The Bremec Group A Private Residence in Moreland Hills

AWARD OF MERIT Lifestyle Landscaping, Inc. A Private Residence in Avon

SPECIALTY GARDENS

SPONSOR: GREAT BIG HOME & GARDEN SHOW AWARD OF HONOR The Bremec Group A Private Residence in Moreland Hills

AWARD OF MERIT The Bremec Group A Private Residence in Orange Village

AWARD OF MERIT #1 Landscaping The UH Bolwell Courtyard in Cleveland

SEE THE PROJECTS AT OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/AWARDS-PROGRAM

THE 25th ANNUAL LANDSCAPE OHIO! AWARDS

AWARD WINNING PROJECTS GARDEN STRUCTURES/PAVEMENTS, CATEGORY I SPONSOR: OBERFIELDS

AWARD OF MERIT The Bremec Group A Private Residence in Pepper Pike

AWARD OF MERIT Vizmeg Landscape Inc. A Private Residence in Wadsworth

GARDEN STRUCTURES/PAVEMENTS, CATEGORY II SPONSOR: UNILOCK OHIO, INC.

AWARD OF HONOR Vizmeg Landscape Inc. A Private Residence in Chagrin Falls AWARD OF MERIT Suncrest Gardens A Private Residence in Bay Village AWARD OF MERIT Yard Smart Landscaping, Inc. Sherwin Williams in Cleveland AWARD OF MERIT Rice’s Landscapes Redefined A Private Residence in Jackson Township

GARDEN STRUCTURES/PAVEMENTS, CATEGORY III SPONSOR: BELGARD HARDSCAPES

AWARD OF MERIT H & M Landscaping A Private Residence in South Russell AWARD OF MERIT Ground Works Land Design A Private Residence in Lakewood AWARD OF MERIT #1 Landscaping The UH Bolwell Courtyard in Cleveland

THANK YOU TO THIS YEAR’S EVENT SPONSORS

ALL ROADS SEE THE PROJECTS AT OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/AWARDS-PROGRAM

THE 25th ANNUAL LANDSCAPE OHIO! AWARDS

AWARD WINNING PROJECTS BEST USE OF COLOR

SPONSOR: BIGFOOT LANDSCAPE SUPPLY AWARD OF HONOR The Bremec Group A Private Residence in Moreland Hills AWARD OF MERIT The University of Akron Coleman Common at the University of Akron in Akron AWARD OF MERIT Blooming Designs Shisler’s Cheese House in Copley

THE 25th ANNUAL LANDSCAPE OHIO! AWARDS

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT Each year, the OLA makes available scholarship monies for selected students who are interested in pursuing horticulture in college. Our Annual Scholarship Golf Classic was created to help generate funding for this program, targeting qualified students interested in a vocation within the Green Industry.

Those eligible recipients/applicants include high school seniors who are enrolled in a horticulture program, as well as college students currently studying horticulture. Applicants must also be either an OLA Student Member, an employee of an OLA Member, or a child of an employee of an OLA Member firm.

Students may apply for this opportunity by visiting our webiste, located at www.ohiolandscapers.org/scholarships and fill out our online scholarship application. Applications for the 2022/2023 year will posted soon.

We are very pleased to announce this year’s recipient, Peyton Musgrave.

PEYTON MUSGRAVE $5,000 SCHOLARSHIP

Having grown up in Columbus, the Olentangy River ran through Peyton’s backyard. And, as the years went by, she watched the area decline and the path that she walked as a kid erode to nothing.Watching this neglect is the reason Peyton is so passionate about the Green Industry.

As a former pastry chef, the pandemic took a toll on Peyton’s career, so she switched gears and moved to Cleveland, where she enrolled in Cuyahoga Community College’s Plant Science & Landscape Technology Program.

Two years later, she’s now described as “Hands down, one of the best to complete the program.” As such, Peyton now turns her sight towards Kent State University, where she looks to obtain her Bachelor’s in Environmental Conservation.

Among her many accolades, Peyton was named NALP’s Top Overall Student at the 2022 National Collegiate Landscape Competition. Her goal is to combine her education in irrigation and environmental conservation to educate people on the importance of landscaping with a purpose. Congratulations, Peyton!

THANK YOU TO THIS YEAR’S CATEGORY SPONSORS I

GOLF REGISTRATION OPENS SPRING/SUMMER 2021 SEE THE PROJECTS AT OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/AWARDS-PROGRAM

THE 25th ANNUAL LANDSCAPE OHIO! AWARDS

GALA PHOTOS

GALA ARRIVAL PHOTOS

SEE ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW.OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/2021-GALA-PHOTOS

THE 25th ANNUAL LANDSCAPE OHIO! AWARDS

GALA PHOTOS

GALA DINNER PHOTOS Photos by TCP Photography, LLC

SEE ALL THE PHOTOS AT WWW.OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/2021-GALA-PHOTOS

F OR SAFETY SAK E

POWER LAWN MOWER SAFETY Mowing the grass is a task so common most don’t give it a second thought. Unfortunately, it presents significant hazards that can lead to serious injury, even death. In 2022, we have already seen two Ohioans suffer serious injuries or die on the job while mowing grass. Each incident is a chilling reminder of the hazards that come with an activity so many of us find routine.

Recently, a zero-turn riding lawn mower flipped, killing a 59-year-old county groundskeeper. In April, a 47-year-old school custodian was hospitalized after he lost control of a zero-turn riding lawn mower and fell over an embankment into a canal.

Have you trained your employees on the safe operation of lawn mowers? Employers are responsible for providing workers with proper training, safe equipment and the necessary personal protective equipment before they can operate any lawn mower. The following tips and resources can help you make lawn mower operations safer for your workers.

28 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

GENERAL RIDING MOWER TIPS • • • • •

Train and retrain employees to maintain competency to operate a riding mower safely.

Always start riding mowers from the operator position.

Never mount or dismount a mower when it is running.

Make sure every riding mower includes an operable auto shut-off when the rider is not in the seat.

Never carry passengers. Riding mowers are one-person machines.

continued on page 30

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We provide comprehensive services for any residential, commercial, or utility tree care need.

The tree professionals at VanCuren Tree Services have helped home and business owners throughout Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio maintain the beauty, vitality, and safety of their trees.

We are proud to offer a full range of tree care services, from tree and stump removal to storm damage clean up to utility work and beyond.

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The Growing Concern | May 2022 | 29

FOR SAFETY SAKE

continued from page 28

SLOPE MOWING TIPS • • • •

• •

• • •

•

Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tipover accidents, which can result in injury or death.

Operation on slopes requires extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it.

Never start or stop a riding mower when it is going uphill or downhill. Avoid all sudden starts, stops or turns.

Examine all safety devices to ensure the Roll-Over Protection Structure (ROPS), guards, seat belts and shields are in place and properly used.

To avoid injury or death from roll-over, use the seat belt and keep the ROPS fully raised and in the locked position.

Check carefully for overheard clearance before driving under any objects and avoid contact with overhead objects.

If necessary, lower the ROPS to provide safe clearance and then raise the ROPS as soon as clearance permits.

If the tires lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed slowly straight down the slope.

Be sure to travel side to side on hillsides. Turf conditions can affect the stability of the machine.

Slow down and use caution when making turns and changing directions on slopes. Keep all movement on slopes slow and gradual.

Do not mow on slopes greater than 15 degrees.

30 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

• •

Use caution while operating near drop-offs.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) suggests the following equipment options for different terrains: 1. 0° to 15° slope – riding mowers or tractor mowers are approved for these areas 2. 16° to 22° slope – tractor mowers are approved for use on these areas 3. 23° or more – these areas are mowed with string trimmers, push mowers or specialized equipment; specialized equipment can be riding mowers intended for use on slopes 4. Within 5 feet of a drop-off – a buffer zone is maintained; only string trimmers and push mowers can be used inside this zone

GENERAL TIPS • •

•

Read and understand the equipment manual.

Survey terrain prior to mowing. Ensure mowing area is clear and free of people, debris or other potential flying object hazards.

Identify obstacles you cannot remove in the mowing path (e.g., trees, large rocks, signs and other hazards.)

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•

• •

Always wear personal protective equipment, including eye and hearing protection, and closed-toe shoes.

Keep mower in good working order with sharp blades.

Only use mowers with protection over hot & sharp parts.

Only refuel the motor when it is turned off and cooled.

Never insert hands or feet into mower or the discharge chute to remove grass or debris. Even if the motor is turned off, the blade could still be spinning.

Make sure to stay away from the exhaust. A lawn mower can reach temperatures of up to 240 degrees Fahrenheit.

Anyone near this exhaust could suffer a severe burn.

Never cut grass when it is wet or damp.

For push mowers: Only use mowers with an automatic shut-off device that stops all motion once you release or disengage the handle.

This article was provided by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, the exclusive provider of workers’ compensation insurance in Ohio, serving 249,000 public and private employers.

BWC provides on-site consultation services to private and public employers at no additional cost. You can request their services at www.bwc.ohio.gov or by phone at 1-800-644-6292.

The Growing Concern | July 2022 | 31

PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH

JIM FUNAI, PhD

Cuyahoga Community College Deutzia is a genus of about 60 species of flowering shrubs in the family Hydrangeaceae, native to Asia and Central America.

SHELLEY FUNAI, LIC

Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

GREAT WESTERN PLANT EXPLORERS JOHANN VAN DER DEUTZ / DEUTZIA We’ve all heard some version of, “It’s not what you know… its WHO you know,” as some part of life advice encouraging us to get out there and network more. This month’s plant species namesake is a great example of this very instance playing out for a guy born in 1743.

Johann van der Deutz was a Dutch merchant, lawyer, and local politician (Alderman) in the second half of the 18th century who died at the rather young of 41 (1743 – 1784). It’s impressive to read about someone like van der Deutz, similar in age to the two of us, seemingly having achieved two lifetimes worth of accomplishments. This month’s plant patron was a good friend of our January subject, Carl Peter von Thunberg. In truth, Thunberg would have never been able to make his famous plant explorations in Japan without the financial backing of Deutz.

Deutz was also a student of Carl Linnaeus, a plant geek in his own right, but did not go on the long voyages to find the plants himself. Instead, he built a financial empire in Amsterdam as

a member of the Dutch East Indies Trading Company. With this money, he helped fund Thunberg’s voyage to South Africa and into Japan. Remember during this time (mid-17th to late 18th century) Japan was sealed off to foreigners except for a handful of representatives from the Dutch East Indies Company. Thunberg was clever enough to be one of the very few westerners to enter Japan during this time and helped send back many plant introductions.

Deutz, along with patrons David ten Hove and Jan van de Poll (also rich Dutch dudes) paid for this trip. In return, Thunberg named the genera Deutzia (Deutzia), Hovenia (Raisin Tree), and Pollia (Marble Berry) after them. continued on page 34

32 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH

Deutzia gracilis ‘Chardonnay Pearls’

Deutzia x hybrida ‘Magician’

Deutzia x ‘Yuki Cherry Blossom’

continued from page 32 In reality, it was Engelbert Kaempfer, a German explorer, who first wrote about the plant that would be named Deutzia, which he found in Japan in the 1680s. Thunberg knew to seek out this plant after reading Kaempfer’s 1712 publication describing the plant and its beautiful flowers.

Deutzia gracilis (Slender Deutzia) is a 3 foot x 3 foot mass of arching branches which provides a great space filler behind annual plantings on larger planting jobs. Keep it out of deep shade and the plants will stay full and perform well. Flowers are bright white and show around late May into early June.

So, what did these plant explorers see in this plant that Dr. Dirr describes as, “rarely overwhelm one at any time of the year”?

Deutzia gracilis ‘Nikko’ is a cultivar staying around the 12 inches tall, spreading along the ground to 3 feet. It makes a wonderful ground cover planting, especially on slopes and difficult commercial sites. We’ve also seen ‘Nikko’ used with great effect on top of a retaining wall where it will cascade over the top and drape down the face of the wall to help soften the hard edges.

Well, Dr. Dirr is a researcher, genius plant nerd, and master of plant ID and propagation. He isn’t a landscape horticulturist who spends their time maintaining gardens for clients across a large region like we all do here in Ohio.

Deutzia is a genus that has around 60 species of flowering shrubs in the Hydrangea family (Hydrangeacea) found in Eastern and Central Asia, Central America, and parts of Europe. None are known to be native to North America. Of the 60 some species, we’ve only seen two available at nurseries with most selections being hybridized crosses. All Deutzia are useful for their spring flowers which cover the plants and great for their thick, branchy, full growth habit that makes a great mass of green foliage through the season to provide backdrop for other summer performances.

34 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

Deutzia gracilis ‘Chardonnay Pearls’ is a white pot introduction in the 3 foot range and is noted for its lemon-lime leaves which, if pruned heavy each year, can look nice. If not maintained, it looks more like it’s starving for some iron in its diet.

Deutzia scabra (Fuzzy Deutzia) reaches higher, into the 6 foot to 10 foot range, but keeps the thick, arching branches found in most species. There are some really beautiful cultivars in this group, especially pink flowering forms (‘Codsall Pink’), but we have only found them at specialty nurseries and not widely available in the trade.

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www.davistreefarm.com sales@davistreefarm.com Deutzia x rosea ‘Nikko Blush’ is a 1987 cross from the U.S. National Arboretum taking D. gracilis ‘Nikko’ and D. x rosea ‘Carminea’ to attempt to build a pink-flowering, compact, low grower, like the original ‘Nikko’. The result is a 3 foot tall (much taller than ‘Nikko’) pink-flowering, dense shrub that seems to show its best color in full sun.

Deutzia x hybrida ‘Magician’ is a beautiful 7 foot x 7 foot, light-pink flower with deep-pink highlights at the tips of the petals outlined in a very soft pink/white with prominent anthers. This plant was likely first crossed at Monrovia, between D. longifolia and D. discolor. This hybrid is a stellar performer for pink flowers on a large background shrub.

We’ve found this same plant listed as ‘Magician’, ‘Monzia’, ‘Peek-a-boo’, and ‘Pink-a-boo’.

Deutzia x ‘Yuki Cherry Blossom’ is another white pot introduction that is a plant worthy of the premium branding.

It is the closest to a pink ‘Nikko’ but will likely grow above 12 inches, but stay below 24. The pink is deeper than many of the pink Deutzias, yet fades to a lighter shade, creating a beautiful contrast for the bloom time. This cultivar also has some of the best fall color of the group with more burgundy than the crispy brown some others get.

For cultural care, Deutzia is your friend. There are minimal insect or disease concerns, and deer usually leave these plants alone. We treat these as old wood cutback shrubs, meaning we WAIT until the plants bloom, then we give them a haircut, if necessary. Depending on site, this may be every year, but likely every other to every three. For clients with the budget, the ideal treatment is to take time to hand prune underperforming/dead branches and just nip back the others each season. If budget isn’t there, take the shears to them in mid to late June and move on with the day!

Jim Funai, PhD, is full-time faculty at Cuyahoga Community College, a NALP accredited associate of applied science in hoticulture degree program. He has a PhD in Landscape Engineering and Forestry and is a Licensed Arborist. Shelley Funai is Grounds Manager at Stan Hywett Hall and Gardens in Akron, Ohio, which offers a historic estate designed by Warren H. Manning and a beautiful manor house museum. She is Landscape Industry Certified in Ornamental Plant Care.

The Growing Concern | July 2022 | 35

FEATURE ARTI CLE

Purchasing Mistakes LANDSCAPE COMPANIES MAKE

Materials account for a small fraction of your direct costs as a landscape business owner. But in an industry with historically narrow margins, every penny matters.

Purchasing can be one of the more tedious aspects of running a landscaping company. Once a bid is won, you have to transfer the information from your initial estimate into a shopping list, then take that list to your approved vendors to order the necessary items. If the estimate is incomplete (or adjustments happen mid-project), you’re stuck scrambling to find what you need – and often overpaying for it.

Software can help with this process by automatically transferring data from your estimate to a purchasing assistant and allowing you to track job costs in real time. Without an integrated business management solution, this has to happen

manually, which creates opportunities for errors. Whether you are using a system, or not, you can always improve your purchasing process by avoiding some common mistakes.

RELYING ON LIMITED LOCAL SOURCES Where do you source your materials? If you rely heavily on the same handful of vendors, it could be time to branch out.

While it’s great to build long-term partnerships with reliable, trustworthy providers, limiting yourself to a small set of sources can be detrimental in the long run. (We’re all familiar with the old adage: “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”) continued on page 38

36 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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continued from page 36 In addition to protecting against potential problems, working with a wide variety of suppliers gives you access to a broader range of inventory—and possibly more competitive pricing. For design/build projects, new vendors mean new possibilities in terms of hardscape materials, leading to the kind of innovative designs that can keep your company relevant amidst changes in demand.

Over time, this can present a threat to successful landscaping businesses. Having to clean up credit card errors or invoicing mistakes is expensive and can damage the reputation you’ve built through years of experience in the landscaping industry.

Using a wholesale marketplace like LandscapeHub greatly simplifies this process for landscape professionals by allowing you to upload a materials list, request quotes from a network of approved suppliers, and pick up or ship your materials.

Tightening your process so only a few individuals have the authority to make purchases can increase accountability, helping you hit your numbers at the end of each month.

Limiting the number of people responsible for sourcing materials is also a good way to stay organized and keep direct and indirect costs accurately separated.

Through an integration with Aspire’s business management software, you can easily shop for what you need in LandscapeHub and automatically connect your order it to the rest of your job costing data in Aspire—giving you better insight into your bottom line.

UNRESTRICTED PURCHASING PROCESSES Depending on how your company is structured, you may have lots of people making purchases on their own as needs arise— with or without consulting budget dollars from the estimate.

All landscaping projects should be managed and monitored according to your business plan.

WAITING TOO LONG TO CONTACT VENDORS The more prepared you are, the more efficient your purchasing process will be.

If you can, always try to reach out to potential vendors and suppliers early in the year. Starting the conversation long before you actually need materials gives you the flexibility to negotiate pricing with them. continued on page 40

38 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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F EATURE ARTI CLE continued from page 38

It can also lead to contract growing with certain vendors to ensure you have the right quantity and quality of plant materials when you need them, especially during periods of higher demand.

FAILURE TO NEGOTIATE By collecting quotes from multiple vendors far enough in advance, you may have some wiggle room to negotiate lower costs with your vendor of choice.

Don’t be afraid to question suppliers about what they can do for you. A better deal might not always be available, but it doesn’t hurt to ask—and even the smallest cost-saving efforts can have an impact.

You could also consider asking vendors if they offer incentives for referrals. If so, and if you can recommend them in good faith, it could be worthwhile to share their info with others in the industry.

When you order materials early, consider asking vendors if they’re open to extended terms to make things easier on cash flow. You may be able to get a discount on a pre-order, for example, but postpone payment until the order ships.

INACCURATE PURCHASING DATA When you use a series of disjointed solutions and manual processes to run your business (we call this a “frankensystem”), there are myriad opportunities for human error.

We’ve all experienced the frustration caused by missing a decimal point, accidentally skipping a row in Excel, or losing track of important information jotted down on a sticky note.

Managing purchasing within a frankensystem can be a timeconsuming and frustrating process, but if you’re not ready to transition to an integrated business management solution yet, improving your data hygiene (e.g., making sure files are complete and up-to-date) can help in the interim.

If your lawn care business is losing money on frequent, unplanned purchases, it could be a sign of poor data hygiene.

When you can’t rely on “shopping list” information to be accurate, it’s hard to plan well. Data accuracy is critical to

40 OfficialPublication PublicationofofThe TheOhio OhioLandscape LandscapeAssociation Association 40| |Official

staying within your budget and being able to anticipate upcoming costs appropriately.

NOT RAISING PRICES While it’s not technically a purchasing mistake, failing to raise your own prices when material costs go up can cause more problems than you realize. (Did you know most landscape companies underestimate their costs by at least 1%—or $48,000 for a $3 million company?)

Natural disasters and other events (like the winter storm in the southern United States in early 2021) can have a dramatic effect on inventory, creating supply and demand issues that cause prices to surge. If you don’t compensate for this increased cost by adjusting your own pricing, you can end up losing money.

By keeping an eye on pricing trends during the purchasing process, you can track changes and use that information to adjust the prices in your bidding kits accordingly.

It’s much easier to maintain a reliable purchasing process with software that offers full, end-to-end business management functionality. In Aspire, all estimated materials transfer to the purchasing assistant immediately once a job is won.

From there, you can view materials lists for one—or all— of your landscaping services and prepare a shopping list.

Through our integration with LandscapeHub, you can then upload purchase receipts to multiple vendors to find the best price.

Even if you’re not ready to take the plunge yet, avoiding these common mistakes can help reduce purchasing headaches and unanticipated expenses.

This article was written by Kim Oswalt for the Aspire Software blog and was featured in the Business Management section. As associate content manager, Kim creates educational blog posts, white papers, infographics, and more to support members of the Aspire community. To see more content like this, visit www. youraspire.com/blog.

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D I RECTI ON S

PROFESSIONALISM As I reflect over the last 30 years that I have been with the Ohio Landscape Association, I can truly say that I love this association and its members. You are some of the nicest, hardest working people I have ever met. And, I have seen companies grow and become more professional each year.

I am proud to say that OLA has grown and offers more opportunities for you to train your staff, and to meet and network with others in the industry than it ever has. We plan to continue to offer more events and educational classes. Our goal is to help you succeed!

As you know, we have just completed our 25th Annual Landscape Ohio! Awards Program that culminates with a beautiful gala event. This is one of OLA’s signature events. It is a wonderful opportunity for you to celebrate the great work you do every day and the professionalism you have incorporated into the culture of your company! It is a great opportunity to meet others who strive for the same quality and professionalism.

Now is the time to be taking photos and preparing for entering the 26th Annual Awards Program. The entry blanks will soon be available on our website and we will send out postcards to let you know they have been posted. But, now is the time to be sure that you are photographing your work.

Remember to take before and after photos if possible. Set the stage for your photographs by opening up umbrellas, putting cushions on the chairs, uncovering the grill, removing hoses, garbage cans, and debris.

If you haven’t participated in the awards program – please do!

This year we had 74 entries in 18 different categories. There were just shy of 220 people in attendance at the Gala and we had a lot of fun! Congratulations to all that won awards, as well as to everyone that entered!

Another way to increase professionalism is to get certified. While the hands on Landscape Industry Technicians Test is no longer available, NALP has created an online version to replace it.

42 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

SANDY MUNLEY

Executive Director / OLA

The new format utilizes multiple choice, drag and drop, and video to formulate the questions on the exam. Candidates will be challenged to do things like watch a video and answer questions about the video, or drag and drop answers into a proper order, in addition to your typical multiple choice type questions.

There are still five specialty areas to choose from: Hardscape Installation, Softscape Installation, Ornamental Maintenance, Turf Maintenance, and Irrigation.

To register for the exam, go to www.landscapeprofessionals.org/ certified. Click on the Program Enrollment button and you are on your way to register. You can order study material on NALP’s website – or if you are not a member of NALP, we can order your study guides for you at NALP member price.

Recertification will be necessary to maintain your credential, just as it has always been. If you completed the hands-on test and are currently a Landscape Industry Certified Technician your credential is still valid and maintained the same way. NALP requires 24 hours of continuing education each 2 years and a recertification fee. You can log into your account and add your CEUs from a portal on the NALP website. OLA’s educational events can be used for your CEUs. Certification sets you and your company apart as a true professional. Let’s keep raising the bar!

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