The Buckeye, August 2013 Volume 24, Issue 7

August 2013

The Official Publication of the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association

Vol. 24, Issue 7

Advancing the

Green industry

BUILD productive A POSITIVE

WORKPLACE

WHAT OUTDOOR LIVING SHOULD BE®

www.oberfields.com www.discoverrosetta.com 614-252-0955 • 740-369-7644 • 419-225-6761 • 937-885-3711 • 800-845-7644

CONTENTS The Buckeye is published 10 times per year by The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. 72 Dorchester Square Westerville, OH 43081 p 614.899.1195 f 614.899.9489 www.onla.org info@onla.org EDITORIAL / ADVERTISING ISSN 1536-7940 Subscriptions: $75/year jennifergray@onla.org, editor THE FINE PRINT The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, directors or staff and do not constitute an endorsement of the products or featured services. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as members of the ONLA does not constitute an endorsement of the products or featured services.

Vol. 24, Issue 7

industry news 8

President’s Perspective Understanding Business through Axioms

11

ONLA Office Update Advancing the Green Industry

19

Legislative Hotline Legislature Breaks for Summer Recess; Bills in the Works

Seedlings

5

LandscapeAwards celebrate excellence

2013 CALL FOR ENTRIES celebrating 41 years

Ohio’s Most Prestigious Landscape Awards Competition:

Do you have a brilliantly designed landscape, a fantastic seasonal garden or a shining example of an exclusive backyard retreat or oasis? Why not show the quality of your work by entering the 41st Annual Landscape Awards Program?

Earn the chance to be recognized for your design savvy and green industry know-how. Build you portfolio by highlighting your awardwinning projects and marketing your ONLA accolades to prospective customers.

Awarded companies and projects will be honored during a ceremony attended by green industry professionals – enhancing your company status and rewarding hard-working employees.

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It’s time to enter the ONLA Landscape Awards Program!

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Purpose & Objective:

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STAFF Kevin Thompson, Executive Director Jennifer Gray, Associate Executive Director Amanda Domsitz, Communiciations Assistant Amy Eldridge, CENTS Manager Roni Petersen, Membership & Certification Heather Eberline, Accounting

August 2013

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Reward skilled professionals who have executed quality workmanship.

Encourage landscape contractors, landscape designers, and landscape architects to continue their efforts to raise the industry’s image through consistent use of quality materials and outstanding workmanship.

Make the public aware of how quality landscaping can improve our environment and property values.

Recognize citizens who have taken action through quality to attain att ttai a n this this end. end n . landscaping to

REVISED CATEGORIES

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INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW EASY-SUBMISSION PROCESS ANY PROJECT, ANY $ VALUE

• • • •

Thank you to our 40th Annual Program Sponsors!

Buckeye Resources, Inc. South Charleston, Ohio Cash Flow Management Inc. Portland, Oregon Klyn Nurseries Perry, Ohio Millcreek Gardens LLC Ostrander, Ohio Pond Supplies of Ohio Uniontown, Ohio Wholesale Stone Supplies Columbus, Ohio Willoway Nurseries, Inc. von o , Oh O io o Avon, Ohio

NO PLANS REQUIRED

LESS TIME TO ENTER

OFFICERS Jim Searcy, President Hyde Park Landscaping, Inc.

departments 16

Look to the Future Cultivate the Future Success of your Business at a Local College

14

Safety First Prevent Exhausting and the Injuries that Follow

31

Educational Update Extreme Weather Prevention & Recovery

28

Why Trees Matter August Almanac

features

David Richards, President-Elect South Ridge Farm

5 Seedlings:

Andy Harding, Immediate Past President Herman Losely & Son, Inc.

Build a Positive, Productive Workplace

6 7

ONLA Connect: Join Our Growing Networks

13

Industry News: Two Industry Leaders Announce Merger

18 21

In Memoriam: Martin Henry Green, 55

25

Industry News: New Fertilizer Technologies

35 38

The Fundamentals of Fungicide Trialing

DIRECTORS Jason Bornhorst, Board Member JB Design Group, LLC

August 28 Almanac

David Listerman, Board Member Listerman & Associates, Inc. Bill Mainland, Board Member Klyn Nurseries, Inc.

Dr. Hannah Mathers, Board Member The Ohio State University

Mike Satkowiak, Board Member Markman Peat

In the spirit of land stewardship, please consider recycling this publication.

Steve Maddox, Board Member Snapshot Garden Design

Mark Reiner, Board Member Oakland Nursery, Inc.

Business 38 Practices also in this issue

Top 5 Workers’ Compensation Injuries

by Frequency

Landscape Awards Program Call for Entries

20 Business Building Practices front cover: abstract abundance

by Jennifer Gray

4 Member Services • 36 New Members • 37 Diagnostic Walkabouts • 36 Industry Calendar • 42 About The Buckeye • 42 Classified Ads • 42 Ad Index

ONLA Membership: The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association leads, promotes, and facilitates the success and growth of green industry businesses.

Exclusive Member Benefits Business Apparel - Land’s End

Trust Lands’ End Business Outfitters for all of your business clothing, uniform clothing, corporate gift and promotional product needs. 10% off full price retail and logo application fees.

Credit Collection - Cash Flow Management (CFM) With CFM, a trained collection specialist is assigned to bring in your past-due accounts before they fade away as bad debts.

Credit/Debit Card Processing - Merchant Services

Online Safety Training- LS Training

Energy Program - Growers Energy Solutions (GES)

Payroll/Human Resource Services - Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP)

ONLA members can take advantage of credit and debit card merchant service processing program through Merchant Services.

Merchant Services brings electronic processing programs specifically designed to fit the needs of your business.

Grower Energy Solutions (GES) helps manage an energy program designed to help save on your natural gas and electric bill by utilizing the strength of group buying. Average savings between 8 and 15%.

Federation of Employers & Workers of America

FEWA is an internationally recognized non-profit association which provides members with educational and informational services related to cultural and non-immigrant and immigrant labor management issues.

Fuel/Fleet Program - SuperFleet®

LS Training offers 23 high-quality online videos; complete with online exams and field checklists to make your employees more efficient. Save 5% off the total invoiced price.

(ADP) offers a range of payroll, payroll tax, and human resources services to assist ONLA members with staffing, managing, paying, and retaining employees.

Property/Casualty Insurance - Best Hoovler McTeague

Save on your property and casualty insurance with BHM. BHM’s group program is designed for ONLA members to save at least 15% with the best coverage rates for your liability, fleet and equipment.

Safety Services - American Safety & Health Management Consultants, Inc./American Premier First Aid

Save up to $.05 per gallon on all fuel purchases at SuperFleet® (Speedway, Marathon and Rich Oil) locations with no minimum purchase required.

American Safety & Health Management Consultants, Inc. (ASH) fills the growing need for professional safety and health management services for companies of all sizes. Meet requirements and reduce costs using first aid products from American Premier First Aid, Inc.

Green Industry Networking

Shipping Solutions - PartnerShip

Attend educational and social events hosted by the ONLA and engage with fellow green industry professionals.

Health/Life/Income Insurance - TAH Benefits

The ONLA Group Benefit Programs has partnered with various health plans to offer a variety of plans with many optional benefits such as vision, dental, life, and disability.

Legislative Advocacy

Full-time lobbyist, Capitol Consulting Group, is employed by the ONLA to ensure green industry legislative involvement.

Long Distance/Local Telephone

First Communications provides full telecommunications services: long distance, data services, conference calling and toll free service.

Office Supplies - Friends Business Source

Friends Business Source is a leader in providing office supplies and equipment with ONLA member discounts on over 35,000 products.

Receive 30-55% off list price!

4 The Buckeye

Take control of your shipping costs and add profits to your bottom line.

PartnerShip delivers effective discounted shipping services to small- and medium-sized businesses nationwide, save up to 20%.

Soil & Plant Tissue Testing/Ag Hort. Consulting Services CLC LABS

Through CLC LABS, ONLA members receive various laboratory services at a 10% discount off list prices including testing of soil nutrients, soilless media, soil texture, fertilizer solution, plant tissue, irrigation water suitability and dry fertilizer analysis.

Workers’ Compensation - CareWorks Consultants, Inc.

The ONLA Workers’ Compensation Group Rating Program has saved its members over $21.4 million in the last 12 years.

For more information on ONLA member savings visit onla.org or call 614.899.1195 onla.org

seedlings august 2013 All-America Selections Announces the First Winners for 2014 All-America Selections (AAS) is pleased to announce the first of the AAS Winners for the 2014 gardening season. One is a Bedding Plant Winner, ‘Sparkle White’ gaura, and the other is a vegetable, ‘Mascotte’ bean.

Both of these winners were trialed next to two other similar varieties that are currently on the market. The AAS Judges grew each entry and the comparisons then did a side-by-side analysis of growth habit, taste, disease resistance and more to determine if these were truly better than those already available to home gardeners. Only those flower entries with superior garden performance or the vegetables with

superior taste and garden performance are given the AAS stamp of approval.

With this announcement, these varieties become available for immediate sale. Brokers and growers can purchase these varieties immediately. Consumers will find this seed for sale in the coming months as supply becomes available with catalog companies, in seed packets, from mail order companies and various websites. AAS Winners will also be available as young plants in lawn & garden retail stores next spring, in time for the 2014 gardening season. B

National Garden Bureau Announces ‘Year of the’ Crops for 2014

Fill Your Team With Positive Attitudes The success of any team depends on the positive attitudes of its members and its leader.

Demonstrate—and reinforce—these important personal guidelines: 1. Ego control. Remember, you’re committed to the goals of the team, not your own ambitions. Can you and the rest of your team put the group’s priorities first?

2. Admitting mistakes. Be willing to honestly concede errors so the team can move on.

3. Constructive disagreement. Hiding your expertise just to avoid conflict won’t help the team achieve its goals. Everyone has to be willing to stand up for his or her ideas and to listen respectfully to other points of view. B onla.org

The National Garden Bureau, the non-profit organization promoting gardening on behalf of the horticulture industry, announced the three crops that will be featured in the 2014 “Year of the” program.

• For annual flowers, 2014 will be the Year of the Petunia.

• For vegetables/edibles, it will be the Year of the Cucumber.

• For perennials, it will be the Year of the Echinacea.

As always, the NGB selects crops that are easy to grow, genetically diverse with a lot of new varieties to choose from. Breeders, growers, brokers and garden centers are urged to consider these flowers and plants when planning for the 2014 season as the publicity generated from this program is substantial. To view the publicity generated from the

2013 and 2012 programs, visit the National Garden Bureau website (www.ngb.org) and click on “Press Room”.

By November of this year, National Garden Bureau will have photos of numerous varieties of all three crops provided by members and posted on the website.

NGB also provides PDF’s of fact sheets, flyers, handouts, signage etc. After November 1, all of the above can be downloaded at no charge from the NGB website.

These tools will help the home garden industry promote the crops to consumers and encourage gardening with the specific crop classes.

Garden writer publicity will begin in September 2013, and consumer publicity will begin in January 2013. B

July 2013 5

ONLA CONNECT Join Our Growing Networks

FACEBOOK

facebook.com/onlaconnect

Like us for daily posts to update you on the Green Industry and ONLA events!

PINTEREST

TWITTER

Follow @onlaconnect to stay on top of ONLA and Green Industry trends.

pinterest.com/onlaconnect

HOUZZ

BUCKEYE GARDENING

issuu.com/onla

Enjoy the latest electronic version of The Buckeye magazine as well as an archive of past issues.

Ohio gardeners can access useful and practical gardening information compiled from reliable sources.

NURSERY STOCK SELECT

centsmarketplace.com

CENTS is the marketplace to increase your buying and selling power, attend educational seminars, and discover up-andcoming industry developments.

Your source for premium nursery stock throughout Ohio.

LINKEDIN Network with other professionals in the Green Industry. linkedin.com/company/onlaconnect

buckeyegardening.com

CENTS MARKETPLACE

nurserystockselect.com

6  The Buckeye

houzz.com/pro/onlaconnect

Browse landscaping ideas from ONLA as well as our members.

Find inspiration in our boards on landscaping, backyard gardening and DIY ideas.

ISSUU

twitter.com/onlaconnect

YOUTUBE

youtube.com/onlaconnect

Visit our channel for videos of CENTS, members and Ohio landscapes.

www.ONLA.org onla.org

Feature

Top 5 Workers’ Compensation Injuries by Frequency The Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association (ONLA) annually reviews the workers’ compensation injuries and claim costs of our members who use CareWorks, the managed care organization of choice for ONLA members.

Through this standard of oversight and education we can bring more awareness to the type of claims impacting the profitability for professional landscape contractors and nurseries.

Members of ONLA face a number of hazards such as: • Cuts and lacerations • Hand Injuries • Lifting Injuries • Motor Vehicle Accidents • Pesticides • Slips, Trips and Falls

• Hand injuries

o Wear gloves

o Inspect tools and equipment before use • Eye injury

o Wear protective goggles.

• Strains and Sprains

o Keep job site clean and organized

o Use good body mechanics.

If you have any questions regarding this article, please call Ron Lucki at CareWorks. He can be reached via email at ron.lucki@careworks.com or at 614-760-3510.

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Top 5 Injuries by Frequency

(1/1/2008-12/31/2012) INJURY DESCRIPTION 72 open wound of finger 51 lumbar sprain and strain 42 eye injury 31 ankle sprain and strain 29 open wound of leg and ankle CareWorks recently provided ONLA with their annual stewardship report which provides an aggregate overview of injury and cost data. One section of the report shows the top five injuries by frequency over the last 5 years.

By recognizing the type and frequency of these injuries, we can better identify the hazards and find solutions to preventing most landscape and nursery injuries.

Here are some quick daily reminders to share with your employees in order to ensure their safety and eliminate the claims impacting productivity for ONLA members.

• Cuts, lacerations, and amputations

o Keep clear of rotating cutting blades

o Inspect tools and equipment before use

o Ensure equipment safeguards are in place and functional • Back Injuries

o Get help lifting

o Lighter loads

o Lift safely

o Stretch more onla.org

CENTSMarketplace.com

July 2013 7

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President’s Perspective

Understanding Business through Axioms

Jim Searcy Hyde Park Landscaping, Inc. ONLA President jim@hydeparklandscaping.com

Father’s Day weekend and fishing is a match that many families make happen yearly. My son (J.B.) asked me this year to join him for a trip down the Ohio River to Indiana waters. The coves along the river are quite friendly to an anchor and provide good fishing “holes”.

While not an experienced fisherman by any means, it was great fun to pull in the first good sized catch of the day.

J.B. estimated the 21” catfish I hooked at 3 lbs. An hour or so later a friend of my son ambled his boat by our area and they exchanged greetings. J.B. told his friend I had caught a 5 lb. catfish and I, of course, remained silent at that point.

When I mentioned to him later that the 3 lb. fish grew to 5 lb., he smiled and said it would be a 7 lb. catch by the time we got home to tell our spouses’ of the day! It seems that is the way of fishing “stories.”

While we chuckle at these types of stories and exaggerations, it is important to note that they do not have a legitimate role in business. I am reminded of an elderly gentleman who worked for me many years ago in my garden center. His penchant for exaggerating sizes of plants was harmful. A potential customer drove 20 plus miles to see the 6-7’ Norway Spruce he was told we had for sale. The largest Spruce I had in the store was 5 foot. Needless to say, exaggeration was harmful and not humorous

8 The Buckeye

in this case. These thoughts bring me to some of my favorite business ethics statements. I would like to explore a few of these this month. These business statements come from a gentleman I worked with several years ago. They have stuck with me because I believe in their values. First is “KISS” which represents Keep it Short and Simple.

This is not a new phrase, but a change to the way it is normally stated. All of you have heard “keep it simple st___.” The change made here takes out the word “stupid.” I find that a valuable change.

If you think about it, words like stupid should be used as little as possible.

They make very minor contributions to the conversation and can be detrimental.

So, keep it short and simple. You will find good business results come from living this phrase, and this approach.

“Systems, not people, are often the problem.” We all face issues in business. It may be dealing with customers, providing quality products, matching marketing capabilities with production capabilities, or simply living by a schedule. When problems arise, and sometimes they arise in the same area repeatedly, we need to address those problems. Many times managers look at the “people” in the troubled positions and determine a change is needed. That approach can work but many times is a short term solution as the problems

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continue over time. It is time to look at the system. The people may not be the problem, as much as the procedures and protocols required of the employees attempting managing those tasks. Make sure your system is efficient and practical, as well as effective.

“Your greatest strength can be your greatest weakness.” I have found this statement to be apparent in many aspects of life and in the business world. A good example is a high volume landscape firm. The firm may have tremendous production capabilities, and a client who requires a lot of work accomplished in a short period of time is pleased that your firm can accomplish the work.

However, remember that this “strength” can make it very difficult to control quality. In that case, your strength can be a weakness that will harm your firm’s reputation.

The challenge is to recognize the potential weakness and avoid it becoming an issue.

Another important statement is an understanding that “everybody can be replaced.” People become entrenched into certain jobs and think the company or organization can not function without their services. This mistake in thinking has caused many people surprise when they discover it is not true. I have seen employees convinced the business would dissolve or be harmed if they left the position. This “overvaluation” of your importance to the

company is a mistake. Most businesses were there long before you arrived, and will be there long after you leave.

This is also true if you are the owner of a business. The customer can replace you, especially if you do not make the effort to create good relationships with your customers.

Finally, let’s think of the approach “if a little bit is good, a lot should be better.” In the 1950’s and 60’s many property owner’s needing turf would mix in 5% clover to their lawn mix of ryes and bluegrass. The thinking was a little clover is a good thing. As you know, clover is a legume and therefore returns nitrogen to the soil.

Well, my cousin received this bit of information from my father as he prepared to seed his new lawn. His personality was such that he thought if a little clover seed was a good thing, a lot of clover seed would be a real good thing. He therefore decided to up the 5% recommendation to 25%. I will let you fill in the blanks.

Be careful and enjoy the balance of the summer season. B

The stage is set.

7463 West Ridge Road P.O. Box E Fairview PA 16415 0805 800.458.2234 Fax 800.343.6819 e-mail: info@fairviewevergreen.com www.fairviewevergreen.com

onla.org

CENTSMarketplace.com

July 2013 9

ONLA_Full page 12-12-10 10:32 AM Page 1

AS MANY STYLES AS THERE ARE POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS.

NO OTHER COMPANY CONNECTS LIKE UNILOCK ... with EXCEPTIONAL VARIETY Connect with your clients like never before with the industry’s broadest range of looks, colors and textures.

From traditional to modern, there’s something for everyone. ... with SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE Proprietary technologies include EnduraColor Plus an embedded surface layer of exceptionally strong and resilient minerals, guaranteeing a long-lasting beauty with colors that never fade. ... with UNSURPASSED FIELD SUPPORT Unilock’s field sales force is well equipped with leading-edge selling aids including proprietary 3D Uvision design software, large format Uvision color swatches and readily available samples. Our commitment to customer service excellence is second to none.

Call 1-800-UNILOCK to talk to your local representative.

10 The Buckeye

onla.org

Advancing the Green Industry In 2012, the ONLA became the first State Association Ambassador to the Academic Excellence Foundation (AEF), PLANET’s scholarship funding endowment, by donating $300,000. In fact, our donation established the ONLA as the largest of all financial contributors to the AEF. In doing so, we secured scholarship funding for Ohio horticulture students for many years to come.

I was recently honored when nominated to serve on the AEF Board of Directors, thus serving alongside a very distinguished group of individuals who care passionately about green industry education. AEF directors come from some of the largest, most successful landscape contractors and suppliers from around the country.

The AEF mission is “To Promote and Advance the Green Industry by Funding Educational Excellence”. It was formed to provide academic assistance to promising students hoping to pursue an education and future in the green industry. Since its inception in 1998, the AEF has given more than $730,000 in scholarships and awards to 720 students.

I had the pleasure of attending my first meeting in June, hosted at the John Deere Turf corporate offices in Raleigh, North Carolina. This was not a typical board meeting, but more of a planning session utilizing a trained facilitator. As the discussion progressed several questions arose: 1. What exactly is the “green industry?”

2. Who/What professionals make up the green industry?

3. What is the public’s perception of the green industry and why should someone want to be a part of it?

There are no real definitive answers to these questions.

Another important question concerned why so many schools are struggling to recruit students into their horti-

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ONLA Office Update

Kevin Thompson ONLA Executive Director kevinthompson@onla.org

GRAND. NEW. PASSION. Imagine that all of the best and brightest in the green industry come together in one place at one time.

Please see page 12 onla.org

July 2013 11

continued from page 11

culture programs? Besides scholarships, what else can be done to help generate enrollment?

Unfortunately, a common perception among parents is that landscaping is just a summer job – digging holes and mowing lawns – rather than a career. Granted, that’s what it is for some, but there are many who have enjoyed successful, lucrative careers in the green industry. There is also the perception that education and training are not a prerequisite. When the public thinks of landscaping, high-tech doesn’t immediately come to mind. In truth, nursery and landscape careers require individuals with a strong academic foundation of literacy, chemistry, biology, mathematical and analytical skills, not to mention creativity, problem solving, coordination, and passion.

Those who excel often end up in management and ownership positions.

How can we encourage more young people to enter the field? The colleges and universities are begging for help, as many are faced with discontinued programs from unsustainable enrollment figures. We discussed distance learning, apprenticeships and mentoring programs. We discussed how the AEF can help schools market their programs to students, and just as importantly their parents.

Marketing materials, including videos, brochures and social media were planned, all in an effort to assist the

12 The Buckeye

schools in their recruitment efforts.

This is not a new problem, though, and these are not new solutions. In fact, The LandLovers program was initiated several years ago for these very reasons. The ONLA helped fund this initiative, and as a member of the association, recruitment tools are available for your use.

The LandLovers website is full of great information, but lacks awareness and is sadly underutilized. It includes information about careers, job descriptions, salary ranges and educational opportunities, and it’s geared toward students, parents and guidance counselors. If you’re not familiar with it, you should visit www.thelandlovers.org.

When asked what is the biggest issue facing their business, green industry employers nearly always cite labor.

Changing public perceptions and promoting professionalism in the industry will not be easy. We need to be proud of the career opportunities that exist, in addition to the environmental, economic and societal benefits of the green industry.

Collectively, the board decided it needs more time addressing these challenges, and they won’t be met overnight. Therefore, a 2-day strategic planning retreat was planned for this September at the STIHL headquarters in Virginia Beach. I look forward to sharing the outcomes.

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Industry News

Two Industry Leaders Announce Merger – Nursery Supplies Inc. and Summit Plastic Company

Summit Plastic Company and Nursery Supplies Inc., affiliated companies since 2006, announce an exciting merger designed to offer a more comprehensive, innovative assortment of their complimentary products and services.

Nursery Supplies Inc. (Nursery), long a leader in the nursery sector of the horticulture industry, offers a full product line from three distinct processes – blow and injection molded, and thermoformed containers ranging from trade gallon through 250+ gallons. With an extensive list of innovative solutions in square and round systems, Summit Plastic Company (Summit) offers customer-focused thermoformed packaging for growing, transporting and merchandising products in the color and perennial sectors.

“This is the beginning of an exciting merger that is well planned and will be carefully executed. Our goal is increased service and ease of doing business for our customers. On a day-to-day basis our customers and vendors will enjoy the same strong personal relationships we have always had,” stated Norman Belliveau, President/CEO, Summit.

The combination makes the best use of the synergies between Nursery and Summit, and will service the North American market from the strategically located five Nursery and two Summit facilities, cross selling with our industry recognized sales forces.

“We are pleased to unite the strengths and best practices of Nursery and Summit to meet the demands of the marketplace delivering the best value for our direct and distributor customers. We will improve our joint efforts by leveraging our manufacturing and customer service operations, combining product lines and creating more depth in supporting national, regional and local branding programs,” stated John Collins, Chief Executive Officer of the newly merged companies.

Nursery, founded in 1960, has a history of responding to customer needs. Nursery introduced Pot-in-Pot®, Dec-Grow®- the Grow & Show pot; developed technology permitting the manufacture of Grip-Lip® containers; introduced printing on large-format pots; and, created raw material “recipes” allowing greater use of recycled materials – part of the company’s on-going green initiative.

Summit, with an extensive list of innovative solutions onla.org

for the color and perennial side of the horticulture industry, was the first to introduce color Duo™ containers across their entire product line. A joint venture between Desch BV and Summit introduced the JanorPot® brand of thin-walled, round, thermoformed containers, the industry’s largest offering of round pots. Summit also offers the ēco360® line of bio options – rice, corn and wheat.

We invite you to visit our web sites to follow our programs, products and plans at www.nurserysupplies.com and www.summitplastic.com or contact your Nursery Supplies or Summit Sales Representative. B

GRAND. NEW. PERFORMANCE. The spotlight is on excellence – to show that business doesn’t have to be boring, and that great ideas can come from unexpected places.

July 2013 13

SAFETY

Prevent Exhaustion and the Injuries that Follow Workers often work long hours during the summer.

You’ve probably had the experience of working or exercising to the point that your body could no longer continue, and you had to rest.

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Always get a good nights rest. It is important that you come to work rested and ready to work. Many accidents happen in the first couple of hours of work. Fatigue robs the body of vitality and puts you at serious risk of injury.

Fatigue may even affect the brain, but you may not

14 The Buckeye

•

•

recognize it as you do physical exhaustion. When fatigue is due to physical work, typical results are muscle tightness and cramping.

Work requires conversion of chemical energy to mechanical energy in the muscles. Blood flow and respiration must increase to supply muscles with required energy and oxygen, and to carry off carbon dioxide and chemical waste.

When you work at a rate exceeding heart and lung capacity, aching in the muscles, cramping, tremor and loss of control may result. To recover, you must stop and rest.

onla.org

FIRST •

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•

Muscle fatigue is like a safety device that prevents the tissue working beyond its capacity, individual motivation plays a significant role in determining this limit.

If you reach the limit and continue to work, you are more likely to make mistakes. Due to loss of muscular output and control, lessening of attention, and slowdown of reactions, you could cause an accident.

Be alert at all times. Pay attention to what is going on. Watch out for other employees. Communicate with others. Do not be on automatic pilot, stay focused on the job at hand.

Exhausted legs may tremble and fail to operate the brakes. You may drop a load that you could

NEW! from

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normally lift and carry easily.

To avoid fatigue, take regular rest breaks. Frequent short pauses are more effective than longer breaks at wider intervals. Take extra breaks in the late morning and late afternoon.

If you have any questions or need assistance with your safety program please call American Safety & Health Management Consultants, Inc., at 1-800-356-1274. B Gary Hanson, President American Safety & Health Management Consultants

GRAND. NEW. PRIORITIES.

CALL YOUR BUSINESS PARTNERS Dick Posey, Josh Posey, Judd Posey, Jake Posey, Tony Sciambi or Jason Grimmett

smart phone phone Scan with smart

At the end of the day, “green means go.”

It’s your moment to shine.

SO “FLOOR IT!”

800-443-8203

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For complete listing & product descriptions, visit

www.BuckeyeResources.com

onla.org

July 2013 15

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Look to the Future

Look to the future

Cultivate the Future Success of Your Business at a Local College In addition to the pleasures of being in the classroom, I advise my horticulture business students on job placement and also get to work with local employers in the industry.

Relevant job availability and recruitment is key to the success of most horticulture and agriculture college programs these days. “If there aren’t jobs, the degree must be obsolete and should be cut”. This is the primary message coming down from state government agencies that handle education budgets these days.

Like many public high schools in the state, public community colleges and universities are being hit hard by significant budget cuts. Unfortunately in Ohio and across the nation, horticulture based programs have hit difficult times. This is troubling because business owners know that ready access to a trained and educated workforce is one of the most important ingredients to guarantee the success of any business. Knowledge and training is worth every penny when it comes to your bottom line. A sustained lack of qualified employees will not only cost you clients. It can cause you to lose credibility, or worse- your business.

Luckily, most green industry businesses in the state

16 The Buckeye

of Ohio are within 60 miles of incredible pools of talent.

Trained men and women who have chosen to learn the same skills that make your business tick are enrolled in over a dozen horticulture, landscaping and turf related programs of study across the state. Many of these programs also mandate business courses such as financial accounting, business law, marketing and management, which provide viable candidates for moving quickly into management positions within your company. Many also offer co-op and internship programs, so students can work in the field while earning their degree. The benefit for business owners is they can ‘try out’ a student before hiring them full-time. Co-op positions generally require between 25-50% higher starting pay than what you might offer to a layman from outside the industry, but the benefits of finding an employee who has already gained considerable knowledge about your business and wants a career in landscape management is worth the extra investment. I have seen many students co-op for a company and then go on to work full-time for them after completion of their degree.

Everyone is happy.

In order to ensure that these programs stay viable for

onla.org

your future hiring needs, consider becoming involved with the college closest to you. Contact the program chair or co-op coordinator for the appropriate department, easily found via the college’s website staff directory, and ask what you can do to help. There are countless ways you can become involved that require very little time investment.

For example, every program will have an advisory committee that meets a few hours per year to evaluate the strengths and weakness of the curriculum. Business leaders in the community who join these committees are highly valued for their expertise and knowledge concerning current trends in our industry. College teams who compete in annual competitions such as PLANET Student Career Days in March and the OTF Turf Bowl in December need coaches to help prepare their students. College faculty are over-stretched with more responsibilities than ever before. They are extremely grateful for the mentoring you may provide to a student in your area of expertise.

Another way to help support these programs as a leader in the industry is to send new job postings, both full-time and seasonal, to the co-op coordinator or career center at the school(s) near your business. This will also ensure you get the best trained candidate for your needs. Finally, consider making a financial donation to the college program that has a history of providing quality workers to your company. This money can be set aside for a specific function, a named scholarship, PLANET competition support, equipment and supplies, etc. Financial investments are perfect if you want to support the program but do not have the physical time to spare.

Ohio has some of the best horticulture-related degree college programs in the state. At the annual PLANET competition, Ohio always ranks high on number of schools competing (compared to other states) and many of the schools place well. Out of 63 colleges competing in the national 2013 ‘games’, six were from Ohio and four of these six placed in the top 25 schools in the nation. We have a rich tradition of excellent horticultural training in Ohio, but this is at risk as budget cuts continue to rise.

Demonstrate the importance of these programs to your business and politicians in the state will support their success. Contact one of the colleges below today and become a steward for their horticulture programs. Your involvement will help to sustain the future of horticulture education, and allow you to reap the benefits for your business.

B Heather Wiggins ONLA Scholarship & Student Activities Committee Cincinnati State Technical & Community College heather.wiggins@cincinnatistate.edu

onla.org

Ohio Colleges that Offer Degrees Related to Horticulture, Turf, Agriculture or Landscape Management • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Cincinnati State Technical & Community College Clark State Community College Columbus State Community College Cuyahoga Community College Eastern Gateway Community College Hocking College Kent State Lorain County Community College Miami University Owens Community College Southern State Community College The Ohio State University The Ohio State University- ATI University of Cincinnati Wilmington College Zane State College

Reserve your booth today.

800-825-5062 or

CENTSMarketplace.com Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association

July 2013 17

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In Memoriam

Martin Henry Green, 55 Martin Henry Green, 55, of Madison, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 25, 2013, at Akron City Hospital, because of injuries he sustained from a fall at work.

He was born July 29, 1957, in Painesville, to Linda (Sprague) and Joseph Green. He married Deborah A. Pivonka on Aug. 29, 1981. He had worked in the Maintenance and Irrigation Department at Lake County Nursery since 1982.

Martin was a 1975 graduate of Madison High School and was a longtime member of Immaculate Conception Church (ICC) where he was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. He was an active member of the ICC softball league where he had served as coach, umpire and commissioner for over 20 years. Marty also volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America, helping his son, Jacob, to become an Eagle Scout.

He was a lifelong resident of the Green Farm and enjoyed growing corn, pumpkins and other fall decorations.

Marty was well-known locally for his cheerful attitude and holiday spirit while selling Christmas trees for the last 27 years. He enjoyed fishing, assembling puzzles and watching Cleveland sports, especially the Indians.

Marty cherished time spent with family and friends and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Marty was a

devoted husband for the past 31 years and he was a loving and proud father of his four children. Everyone who had the pleasure of knowing Marty felt his kind spirit and warm heart.

Marty was a giver both in life and in death as he was awarded The Gift of Life Donor Medal for his donation of organs, eyes and tissue to those in need. His gift will help over 40 individuals in many lifesaving ways.

He is survived by his wife, Deborah Green of Madison; children, Tiffany Green of Wooster, Jesse Green of Madison, Natalie (Dan) Sisler of Painesville and Jacob Green of Madison; parents, Linda and Joseph Green of Madison; in-laws, Katherine and James Pivonka of Madison; brother, Joseph Green of Madison; sisters, Judith Weber of Perry, Sharon (Rick) Daugherty of Madison and Patricia (Rob) Wyant of Perry; brothers-in law, James (Jill) Pivonka of Camphill, Pa., Thomas (Margaret) Pivonka of Madison, Timothy (Virginia) Pivonka of Carrollton, Texas; sisters-in-law, Laura (John) Caswell of Ashtabula, Catherine (David) Rowan of Madison, Sheri (Steve) Kerestman of Concord; 16 nieces; seven nephews; 13 greatnieces and nephews; and many cousins and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Lawrence Weber.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Marty’s name may be made to Lifebanc, 4775 Richmond Road, Cleveland, OH 44028 or to the ICC Softball Field Improvement Fund, 6008 N. Ridge Road, Madison, OH 44057. B

LandscapeAwards celebrate excellence

2013 CALL FOR ENTRIES INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW EASY-SUBMISSION PROCESS

REVISED CATEGORIES

LESS TIME TO ENTER

ANY PROJECT, ANY $ VALUE NO PLANS REQUIRED

18 The Buckeye

Ohio’s Most Prestigious Landscape Awards Competition:

There’s no time like the present to start thinking about which projects you will enter. Get out there pronto and start photographing all this fabulous spring color! Fresh mulch and green grass help to make any landscape look even better, so don’t delay! Take advantage of your freshly prepared spring landscapes and take photos for any projects you might enter.

Award winners will be recognized at CENTS 2014, in The Buckeye magazine, on the consumer website buckeyegardening.com, and on Pinterest, Houzz, Facebook, Twitter, and more.

The 41st Annual ONLA Landscape Awards Program applications due 9/20/13

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION TODAY WWW.ONLA.ORG

onla.org

Legislature Breaks For Summer Recess; Bills in the Works

Belinda Jones ONLA Legislative Consultant bjones@capitol-consulting.net

After passing the over 5000 page biennial operating budget, the 130th General Assembly recessed for their summer “break”.

Truth be told, their “break” is generally just a break from the drive to the statehouse.

Most legislators truly do not get much of a break because they work hard in the districts, doing a different kind of work like attending county fairs and meeting with constituents and various stakeholder groups in their districts. In addition, occasionally, legislative committees meet “on the road” in the summer. Have you met your legislator for coffee, breakfast or a tour of your nursery? If not, now would be an opportune time to do so!

HB 5 Update

Dan Jones ONLA Legislative Consultant djones@capitol-consulting.net

For those ONLA heroes who attended Green Industry Advocacy Day in February, You will recall that one of our main issue briefs was on HB 5, a bill sponsored by Rep. Grossman that would set up a framework for uniform municipal tax reform.

Lead by the Ohio Society of CPA’s, a large coalition of supporters, including the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association, has been working diligently with the sponsors.

The bill has had several hearings but, to date, has yet to pass the Ohio House.

The chief opponent of the bill is the Ohio Municipal League (OML).

The coalition has been meeting with OML as well as various members of the House.

Please express your support of HB 5 by contacting your legislator!

Nutrient Management; SB 150 Just prior to the summer legislative recess, State Senators Hite (R; Findlay) and Peterson (R; Celina) introduced SB 150 relative to nutrient management. The introduction of this bill was not a surprise as it onla.org

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Legislative Hotline

is the culmination of two years of work by the Kasich Administration and a vast array of stakeholders who have been studying the subject of phosphorus runoff in surface water. Phosphorus is largely attributed with triggering algae blooms in Grand Lake St Mary’s, Lake Erie and other important recreational lakes in Ohio. As such, policy makers, ag groups and others in Ohio are working hard to come up with meaningful ways to ensure reduction of phosphorus in our waterways.

In general, the bill gives new authority to ODA to track fertilizer sales and to establish a fertilizer applicator certification program. It is anticipated that ODA will add a fertilizer education component to the pesticide licensing and certification program. Much of the governance on this subject is left to rulemaking but it is anticipated that ODA will work with OSUE and others to develop a curriculum that focuses on the “four R’s” of applying fertilizer: Right Product, Right Rate, Right Amount, Right Time.

The ONLA Board and Legislative Committee are still in the process of reviewing the bill and, at deadline; we have not formed an official position.

Clarification on Governance of Invasive Plants As you know, the ONLA has been following the activities in other states that are battling a national movement toward promotion of “native plants” and prohibition of (or discouraging the planting of) “invasive plants”. Certainly, as the original “green industry”, there are no bigger proponents of the promotion and stewardship of turf and ornamental plants and their impact on the environment than the nursery and landscape industry. But the analogy “one man’s weed is another man’s flower” Please see page 20

July 2013 19

continued from page 19

Online Availability klynnurseries.com Visit our website Sales Staff Availability* Hot List* Klyn Catalog 2013* Quote Form Photo Gallery E-mail addresses About Us Directions *Contact us for user name and password

holds true in this debate. Who should determine what plants are truly invasive? What protocols should be used in determining whether a plant is invasive? And if a plant is deemed to be so invasive that it is a threat to natural areas, what should be done?

Several ONLA past and present board members serve on an ad hoc group called the Ohio Invasive Plant Council (OIPC). OIPC has been diligently working on developing protocols for invasive plants. However, there is no clear statutory governance of invasive plants.

The ONLA has been working with the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) on seeking a statutory clarification that ODA has the authority to regulate invasive plants. As the longstanding arbiter of the noxious weed list and as the agency with statutory authority over nursery stock, etc… one would assume that ODA already has the authority to govern invasive plants; however, because the term “invasive plants” is not listed in the Ohio Revised Code, we are seeking a clarification.

Under the leadership of State Senator Gayle Manning (R; North Ridgeville), and with the input of ODA, a new bill will be introduced soon clarifying ODA’s authority.

The one-page bill should not be controversial as it merely clarifies authority for ODA. Senator Manning is currently seeking co-sponsors. If you would like your state senator to co-sponsor this bill, please contact Belinda Jones to help facilitate that connection. B

KLYN NURSERIES, Inc. 3322 SOUTH RIDGE RD. • P.O. BOX 343 PERRY, OHIO 44081

TELEPHONE: (440) 259-3811 FAX: (440) 259-3338 1-800-860-8104 Web Site: klynnurseries.com E-Mail: klyn@klynnurseries.com

20 The Buckeye

onla.org

LandscapeAwards celebrate excellence

2013 CALL FOR ENTRIES celebrating 41 years

Ohio’s Most Prestigious Landscape Awards Competition:

Do you have a brilliantly designed landscape, a fantastic seasonal garden or a shining example of an exclusive backyard retreat or oasis? Why not show the quality of your work by entering the 41st Annual Landscape Awards Program?

Earn the chance to be recognized for your design savvy and green industry know-how. Build you portfolio by highlighting your awardwinning projects and marketing your ONLA accolades to prospective customers.

Awarded companies and projects will be honored during a ceremony attended by green industry professionals – enhancing your company status and rewarding hard-working employees.

•

It’s time to enter the ONLA Landscape Awards Program!

•

Purpose & Objective:

•

• •

• •

Reward skilled professionals who have executed quality workmanship.

Encourage landscape contractors, landscape designers, and landscape architects to continue their efforts to raise the industry’s image through consistent use of quality materials and outstanding workmanship.

Make the public aware of how quality landscaping can improve our environment and property values.

Recognize citizens who have taken action through quality to attain att ttai a n this this end. end n . landscaping to

REVISED CATEGORIES

INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW EASY-SUBMISSION PROCESS ANY PROJECT, ANY $ VALUE

• • • •

Thank you to our 40th Annual Program Sponsors!

Buckeye Resources, Inc. South Charleston, Ohio Cash Flow Management Inc. Portland, Oregon Klyn Nurseries Perry, Ohio Millcreek Gardens LLC Ostrander, Ohio Pond Supplies of Ohio Uniontown, Ohio Wholesale Stone Supplies Columbus, Ohio Willoway Nurseries, Inc. von o , Oh O io o Avon, Ohio

NO PLANS REQUIRED

LESS TIME TO ENTER

CATEGORIES

Category 1: Residential Installation Under $15,000

Residential design/build projects valued at $15,000 and under may be entered into this category. 5-20 project photos, with written descriptions required. (No plan required)

Category 2: Residential Installation $15,001 to $50,000

Residential design/build projects valued $15,001-$50,000 may be entered into this category. 5-20 project photos, with written descriptions required. (No plan required)

Category 3: Residential Installation $50,001 & Over Residential design/build projects valued at $50,001 & over may be entered into this category. 5-20 project photos, with written descriptions required. (No plan required)

Category 4: Commercial Installation Under $75,000

Commercial design/build projects valued at $75,000 and under may be entered into this category. 5-20 project photos, with written descriptions required. (No plan required)

Category 5: Commercial Installation Over $75,000

TIPS

Commercial design/build projects valued over $75,000 may be entered into this category. 5-20 project photos, with written descriptions required. (No plan required)

Timeline Tips Winter

Winter is long gone (was it even here in the first place?), but hopefully you took a few wintery pictures of your outstanding projects to include in the 40th Annual Landscape Awards Program. Hold on tight to those pics, as they will come in handy when you present your projects in the fall.

Spring

Spring was here early, so there’s no time like the present to start thinking about which projects you will enter. If you plan to enter the Seasonal Color category, get out there pronto and start photographing all this fabulous spring color! Fresh mulch and green grass help to make any landscape look even better so don’t delay! Take advantage of your freshly prepared spring landscapes and take photos for any projects you might enter.

Category 6: Residential Landscape Maintenance

Must include one project maintained by entrant. In this category, the planning under consideration must have been cared for by the entering firm for a period of 12 months or more. If this does not include lawn care, be sure to indicate on your written description.

No plans are necessary in this category, however, images showing the seasonal progression maintenance details are highly recommended.

Category 7: Commercial Landscape Maintenance

Please reference description for Category 6.

Category 8: Use of Seasonal Color, Container Gardens, or Perennial Gardens Seasonal color entries must include images depicting a progression of seasonal color (winter, spring, summer, fall) on a single client’s project. Seasonal color or container garden entries could include window boxes, patio planters, street planters, etc.

Seasonal color or container garden entries may include the use of annuals, perennials, bulbs, etc. Perennial garden entries must feature the predominant use of perennials and/or grasses. (No plan or plant lists required)

Category 9: Student Landscape Design

and creatively while being mindful of the practical considerations of site opportunities and constraints, client’s needs, local government rules and environmental issues.

While students are not restricted by a design and construction budget, they must be able to identify material choices for their garden designs including all hard & soft landscaping elements.

Entries in this category require the submission of a landscape plan of a garden or residence (maximum size 24”x36”).

Additional supporting drawings such as elevations, details and perspective sketches may also be included but are not required.

All plants and hardscape elements must be clearly labeled on the plans. Plans must be to scale and include a graphic scale and north arrow. No student names or the name of the any College or University shall appear anywhere on the plans. High resolution digital images of plans may be submitted in place of printed plans.

The official entrant must be a Student member of ONLA. Student entries may be individual or team efforts. For team entries, all team members must be Student ONLA members. A list of all team members must be submitted with the entry form, along with copies of each team member’s valid student identification card. *Note: Categories 1-5 (Residential and Commercial Installations) may include any or all of the following features: plantings, hardscapes, structures, water features and lighting.

The philosophy of this competition is to encourage students to design imaginatively

Summer

Summer is right around the corner and many of your previous year’s landscape projects are in their prime. Is there a great Residential Installation that might also work in the Outdoor Lighting category?

How about a great Water Features project that was also a Commercial Installation?

There’s no penalty for “double-dipping”, it’s actually encouraged! Many projects fit multiple categories, but it’s up to you to take advantage and reap the rewards!

Fall

Fall will be here before you know it and it will be time to enter all your exceptional projects into the ONLA 40th Annual Landscape Awards program. Make sure to read all the instructions in this brochure and follow them exactly. You don’t want to be disqualified for missing a step or forgetting to submit a document! Gather all your photos and write your story in a step-by-step fashion. Paint us a picture of what you planned, how you did it and what was the outcome. We love to hear the story of your project(s) and we love to give awards, so make it good!

©The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association, www.onla.org, 800.825.5062

Photography Tips

• First impressions count both for judges and for future clients. Images submitted should be the ones that you would be proud to display for your most discriminating clients.

• Avoid submitting blurry photos.

• Be sure your lens is clean before shooting.

• Turn off the date/time feature.

• Try to shoot on a partly cloudy day to avoid too-dark, and too-light photos.

• The judging screen is horizontal. Avoid vertical shots as they are minimized to fit the screen and may lose detail.

• Before-, during-, and after-pictures taken from the same vantage point are important.

• Overhead shots taken from a normal vantage point (i.e., from a deck, upstairs window, etc.) are helpful.

• Close-up shots of specific plant materials are not necessary except for entries of Seasonal Color or Container Gardens.

Close-up shots of construction details are helpful.

• Distracting objects (hoses, leaves, trash cans) should be removed before photographs are taken.

• If seasonal effects are important to the entry, images should be taken of the same area from a similar location at several times during the year to properly convey the idea.

• Images that portray compatibility of materials and show textural qualities are helpful.

Both ONLA members and non-members may submit entries. Submitted projects can be entered up to five years after installation.

Any project is eligible in which the entrant has executed or designed the major portion of that project (excluding the maintenance categories). Any project can be re-entered in the same category unless that project received a previous ONLA Grand Award.

Previous Grand recipients may be re-entered in a different category. Ohio-based ONLA members may enter projects completed within or outside of Ohio. ONLA members based outside of Ohio and all non-member companies may only enter projects completed in Ohio. Entries must be received

by Friday, September 20, 2013 at 4:00pm.

Copyrights and Client Permission

The entrant assumes the responsibility for copyrights, photographic fees and client permission for further use of images by the ONLA for public relations purposes. The ONLA is not responsible for the pictures selected or any edited copy used from the press package sent to the media. Entries become the property of the ONLA and may be used for publication or for any other purpose the association deems appropriate.

Judging & Awards

Two types of awards may be granted in any category, when warranted. All awards are given based on a 100-point system.

Points are given by a panel of judges for each entry in a category. Points are then collected, tallied and averaged to reach the entry’s final score. Awards may not be given in a category if no entry is awarded an appropriate score.

Merit Awards are given to entries scoring a minimum of 70 points. Multiple Merit Awards may be given in any category. One Grand Award will be given in each category to the project that has the highest score above 85 points. A single Judges’ Choice: Project of the Year Award is given to one awardwinning entry at the discretion of the judges.

Digital Photography

Company name must not appear on any images. Use a camera with a resolution of 3.1 Megapixels or higher (frame size 2048x1536 pixels). All photos must be submitted as JPEG (.jpeg) files on a CD-R (not CD-RW Media) disk or thumb drive.

JPEG files should be saved in the HIGHEST

RESOLUTION or LOWEST COMPRESSION (meaning the same thing). A separate CD/ tumb drive must be submitted for EACH individual project. Photos cannot be edited in any way, EXCEPT to blur/mask a logo or company identifier OR to correct color brightness/contrast/balance. Entrants can submit up to 20 photos, in the order that the judges will view them. At least three of the photos must be HIGH RESOLUTION, HIGH QUALITY, and HORIZONTALLY ORIENTED. Each image should be named and that name should be noted in the image description.

Label your company name on CDs/thumb drives. A color or black and white thumbnail sheet of all photos from the entry (up to 9 per page) must be printed and submitted with each entry.

Entry Fee

Each entry must be accompanied by a $75.00 fee (non-members, $110.00) for each category.

Recognition

Winning recipients will be honored and recognized in conjunction with CENTS 2014 in Columbus, OH. A complimentary commemorative plaque is provided; additional plaques are available for purchase.

Press releases on winning entrants are supplied to companies. The project designer na dforeman will receie a certificate of achievement. Winning projects are featured in a designated “Landscape Awards Program” display area at CENTS.

Tell A Story With Words and Pictures

Sell us your project! Write your project description (with references to your slides) as a narrative. It will be read out loud as the images are viewed by the judges. Keep in mind how it will sound when read, and write a compelling story. Since the only way the judges have to evaluate your project is through photos, you want the highest quality possible. (See “Photography Tips” for ideas.)

Plant Materials

Plant materials should be well adapted and properly used. A plant requiring full sun used in shade is an obvious flaw.

Project Maturity

The rules allow a project to be five years old at submission. In general, the more mature job will make a better show.

Client Driven Designs

Quirks or conditions imposed on the designer by the owner should be explained. This may well turn a design into a winner if an ingenious solution to a problem was employed. Client objectives are an important component in landscape design/build and judges want to know how you have incorporated these objectives.

Submitting Designs in Multiple Categories or to Other Awards Competitions

If you enter the same project in more than one category, tailor your photos and written description to the specific category. Do not use the same written description for two different categories. The judges notice!

The same entry can and should be submitted in state and national competitions. There is no reason that your work in preparing the entry should not do double and even triple duty.

Jury and Judging:

A jury of distinguished professionals in the fields of landscape architecture, education and horticulture will evaluate entries and recommend recipients to the awards committee. The judges will determine the quality of materials (both plant and construction), design, completeness of installation, workmanship, and horticultural correctness in the landscape installation using only the images, plans and descriptions submitted with each entry.

Judging is always a subjective endeavor.

Project images are projected in sequence, as directed by the entrant, for every entry. The judges’ decisions are based on the image presentation and written descriptions of each entry. Read the Judges’ Criteria Forms (available from the ONLA office) for details on a specific category. All entrants receive copies of judges’ critiques.

LandscapeAwards celebrate excellence

Applications due Friday, September 20, 2013

PROGRAM RULES & TIPS

Eligibility Requirements

LandscapeAwards celebrate excellence

Entry Form Deadline: 4:00 p.m., Friday, September 20, 2013. Use a separate entry form for each entry.

Entry forms may be photocopied.

This form must be completely filled out and accompanied by a written description of all photos for the submitted project to be judged.

celebrating 41 years

En t ra n t In for mation Contact Name:___________________________________________________________________________ Name of Person To Accept Award (if chosen a winner):____________________________________________ Company Name:_________________________________________________________________________ Address:_____________________________________City:_________________State:_____ Zip:_________ Phone: (

) ___________________________ Fax: (

) ___________________________________

Email: _________________________________________________________________________________

P ro je c t I nf o r ma t i on (l ea ve n o blank s ) Category Number:__________________ Category Name:______________________________________________________________________ Project Name:___________________________________________ Project Designer:________________________________________________ Landscape Architect:_____________________________________ Landscape Contractor:___________________________________________ Landscape Architect Firm:____________________________________________________Total Amount for Contracted Work:$_____________ (if different from entrant)

Project Foreman:_____________________________________________________________Year of Installation:__________________________ The entrant assumes the responsibility for copyrights, photographic fees and client permission for further use of images by the ONLA for public relations purposes. The ONLA is not responsible for the pictures selected or any edited copy used from the press package sent to the media. Entries become the property of the ONLA and may be used for publication or for any other purpose the association deems appropriate. I verify that all information contained on this entry form is accurate. I further verify that no alterations of any kind have been made to the images I’ve submitted for this entry.

Signature:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

P a ym e n t I nf orma t i on Number of Entries:_____ x $75.00 (ONLA Members) Number of Entries:_____ x $110.00 (Non-Members) Number of Student Entries: _____ x $10.00 (ONLA Student Members) Total Enclosed: $_____________

Check Enclosed. (Check #___________________) VISA MasterCard Name on Card:__________________________________________

Check lis t Completed entry form Entry fee 5-20 photo images in JPEG format Confirmed that photo files are saved to the disk/thumb drive Labeled CD/thumb drive, one per entry Thumbnail photo page (9 images per page) Written project description (each image identified) No company names or logos appear in photos Envelope contains only one entry Outside of envelope marked with company name & category number

Card Number:___________________________________________ Expiration Date:_________________________________________ Signature:______________________________________________

24 The Buckeye

Submit entries to: The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association / Attn: Landscape Awards 72 Dorchester Square / Westerville, OH 43081-7300 Fax: 614.899.9489 / Phone: 614.899.1195

onla.org

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Industry News

New Fertilizer Technologies Everris, Inc., a specialty fertilizer division of ICL, was formed two years ago with the acquisition of the Professional Business unit from The Scotts Company. ICL is a global producer of fertilizer raw materials and specialty products and generated about $7 billion in sales in 2012.

Everris is focused on bringing growers the most technologically advanced fertilizers and plant protection products to provide you with expert counsel and advice about which products and programs most closely align with the crops you grow and the cultural practices you employ.

The North American headquarters and research lab for Everris is located in Dublin, Ohio. Everris makes and supplies controlled release and water soluble fertilizer technologies and pesticides in more than 55 countries to greenhouse and nursery growers as well as Specialty Agriculture crops and owns the brands of Peters® and Osmocote® fertilizers. Although these established brands have been successful in the market place for many years, it is necessary to continuously improve technologies to meet current crops, growing systems and market conditions.

Everris is developing a pipeline of fertilizer product innovation and according to Chris Buchheit, Regional Marketing Manager for Ornamental Horticulture Fertilizers, the goal of Everris is to simplify the fertilization process for ornamental growers and provide them with products that are cost effective and help them add value to their crops. Key objectives in developing new products and product support are to help growers maximize your return on investment, while improving the overall efficiency and environmental impact of your operation. Everris™ routinely evolves its technologies and products to make the delivery of plant nutrition even more efficient, less wasteful and more closely in tune with plant growth.

The pace of fertilizer development at Everris has accelerated dramatically in the past few years due to a strong investment in R&D effort at Everris coupled with access to ICL’s expertise in developing unique fertilizer raw materials and production processes. “We have much greater access to new fertilizer technologies at Everris and we are working very hard to develop and introduce products that onla.org

are easier to use and solve common and important grower problems,” said Dr. Roland Leatherwood, Senior Scientist at the Everris North American headquarters.

How has this initiative helped growers? Everris has already launched several new innovative products in the past couple of years in both the water soluble and controlled release categories primarily positioned to greenhouse and nursery growers: Peters® Excel pHLow™ and a brand new coating: E-Max Release technology.

Peters Excel pHlow water soluble fertilizer (WSF) Please see page 26

Green Industry Fix get your

ONLA Webinar Series

A quick, affordable, convenient way to learn Six 50-minute webinars $50* includes all six!

Join live or view recordings

For additional information, contact ONLA at 800.825.5062 or register at onla.org

Short Course delivered to your computer July 2013 25

continued from page 25

Production Problem High alkaline (or high bicarbonates) in irrigation water if not treated can build up over time leading to rising root zone pH levels especially in plugs and longer term crops.

As media pH’s rise too high, micronutrient levels (especially iron) can become limiting and the younger foliage many crops will respond to this nutrient deficiency by losing green color and becoming unsalable if not treated.

How have growers traditionally counteracted this problem?

Several solutions were available: Grower could decide to treat root of problem (reduce high alkalinity in water) by injecting mineral acids like sulfuric or phosphoric acid. While this is a highly effective solution; it requires extra cost, special equipment, exposes workers to potential hazardous material during mixing and storage and requires constant monitoring to ensure the correct amount of acid is being added at all times. Because of these issues, many growers do not choose to acidify their irrigation water; rather they manage the consequences of high root zone pH. Growers could decide to treat the symptoms – typically employing a program of proactive or prescriptive applications of micronutrient supplements such as chelated iron sprays/drenches. This can be a workable option as all

crop types do not react the same way to high media pH, but does incur extra fertilizer cost and crop monitoring to ensure that applications are timely and efficacious. Some growers use crop specific formulations that contain higher level of micronutrients, but this can create an issue if a variety of crops (with different nutrient requirements) are being grown simultaneously in the same space. In this case a high iron formulation can solve an iron deficiency problem in one crop, while causing iron toxicity in another iron sensitive crop. If a grower decides to delay treatment until chlorotic symptoms are manifest, it may be too late to fully reverse the visual symptom and the economic value of the crop may suffer.

Innovation Peters Excel pHlow products contain a component invented by ICL lab that help fight growing media pH rise while simultaneously feeding plants. These fertilizers are convenient to use and are handled just like any other water soluble fertilizer. When mixed in a concentrate tank, Peters Excel pHlow will create some active acidity that will continuously take out a portion of the irrigation water alkalinity thus resisting root zone pH rise. While there are limits to the active acidity, these products can reduce or eliminate the need to acidify water for many growers and also reduce the need for supplemental micronutrient applications due to high growing media pH. Peters Excel pHLow formulations are made in Lancaster, Ohio

N U R S E R Y

Quality and Service G A R D E N C E N T E R is the Nature L A N D S C A P E of our Business

Call Us for all your nursery needs including Quotes, Availability or a Catalog

1-877-722-7337 411 N. State Route 235 Fax 937-845-9731

26  The Buckeye

New Carlisle, OH 45344 www.scarffs.com

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and provide your plants with nutrition they need to thrive while easily and conveniently managing the alkalinity of your irrigation water—a critical factor in growing success.

E-Max Release Technology (CRF) In today’s competitive marketplace, nursery and greenhouse growers are looking for flexible nutrition solutions designed to match the specific needs of their crops. With this in mind, Everris has recently opened up a new factory in Summerville, SC (located near our Osmocote plant in North Charleston, SC) to produce a brand new coating technology. Everris R&D have developed a number of new products after extensive trials at research centers, universities and commercial nurseries.

Everris is just now introducing its new E-Max Release Technology™, a proprietary coating chemistry for use on a wide variety of nutrient components that are incorporated into controlled release fertilizer products. E-Max will help Osmocote® and the company’s other existing brands deliver even better performance and value.

E-Max Release Technology will help Everris meet grower needs better than ever before by enabling us to coat a much wider variety of nutrient sources. This coating will aid in the development of products that both

complement and enhance our Osmocote portfolio and other fertilizer lines and will increase Everris’ flexibility to create customized nutrition programs designed for horticulture growers.

E-Max Release Technology is a durable, cutting-edge, reacted polymer coating for use on a variety of essential macro and micro nutrients. Nutrients coated with E-Max Technology are produced to the same high performance standards that Osmocote is renowned for insuring a reliable, consistent and safe release. It will allow for continued expansion of the Everris portfolio, the ability to further enhance nutritional values and an efficient use of a grower’s fertilizer investment.

The initial launch of products containing E-Max Release technology include: fertilizers for container production, shorter term top-dress products and products for in-ground tree & shrub nurseries.

Peters Excel pHlow and E-Max Release technology are example of fertilizer innovation from Everris designed to make the task of growing ornamentals easier and more profitable. We will continue to research and develop fertilizer technologies in OH in the coming years with those goals in mind. B Don Furterer and Fred Hulme Everris NA Inc.

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July 2013 27

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W h y Tr e e s M a t t e r

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Almanac

Gymnosperms, those seed plants with “naked seeds,” as opposed to Angionsperms with seeds enclosed by ripened ovaries known as fruits, include familiar and important nursery and landscape plants. Gymnosperms include pines, spruces, hemlocks, firs, yews, junipers, arborviataes, dawnredwoods, and --- ginkgoes.

Ginkgo biloba us a a fine example of a tree which not only has tremendous value as an Ohio green industry standby, but also is great natural story. The genus Ginkgo is of ancient lineage, originating as now extinct species 250 million years ago or more in the Permian period, long before other Gymnosperms which themselves predated all flowering plants (Angiosperms). Its early relatives were extinct seed ferns and the surviving ginkgo species, Ginkgo biloba, is not closely related to any currently living plants, though alone with cycads ginkgoes produce motile sperm cells and thus have some evolutionary linkage to these cycads.

Ginkgoes are dioecious (“two houses”) in that there are separate male and female plants. Female ginkgoes (horticulturists sell male clones) have fruitlike reproductive structures (named “golden apricots” or “silver apricots”

28 The Buckeye

variegated ginkgo leaves

by some), the fleshy part which is quite malodorous, in fact vomit-grade malodorous. The seeds inside are prized in Oriental cuisines, though eaten sparingly since they do have toxins which can be dangerous to all, and some individuals are especially sensitive to ginkgo seeds. In addition, if you decide to view ginkgoes as part of your edible landscape and collect those “silver apricots” for the “nuts” inside, beware. The fleshy part surrounding the inner seed, in addition to the butyric acid that gives the smell, also contain a urushiol-like chemical which, as in poison ivy, will cause your immune system to summon an itchy rash. Wear gloves.

Ginkgoes are also highly valued for medicinal properties, and ginkgo plantations that harvest leaves are used to produce ginkgo products including those touted, with some evidence that they have some effects as memory aids. At least I think I remember reading this somewhere.

Oh yes, the New England Journal of Medicine.

Horticulturally, ginkgoes are quite popular as trees of veneration worldwide, from Buddhist temples to the Morton Arboretum in Chicago, from the Old Lion ginkgo at Kew Botanic Gardens to the street tree ginkgoes outonla.org

side The Jake where the Indians play in Cleveland (yes, it is now Progressive Field officially, but to me it will always be The Jake). Ginkgoes are good urban survivors if they are male and not therefore subject to ground-level pruning somewhere down the road when the smells arise from falling vomit-scented fruit. Alert #2: Again, for streetscapes and most horticultural uses plant male cultivars – unless you want to collect ginkgo ”fruits” – and If you do collect, wear gloves; these fruits also produce a urushiol-like chemical a la poison ivy!

Ginkgoes are large trees, growing to 60 or over 100 feet and over 150 feet in remnant native Chinese groves.

There are a number of cultivars these days, from upright ginkgoes, to dwarves such as “Troll’ to ‘Variegata’ with lovely cream-white variegation. Natural streamside survivors, ginkgoes do best with moist, but well-drained acid soils. Ginkgoes have relatively few diseases or pests, and of course, at the end of the season, there is the wonderful sometimes quite spectacular synchronous falling of the lemon-yellow leaves on an October or November day.

And ginkgoes have quite a literary connection, from a poem of our uneasy mortality by the former U.S. poet laureate Howard Nemerov, to Goethe’s channeling of the bilobal nature of the leaves: the poem “Ginkgo biloba” to his beloved.

This leaf from a tree in the East, Has been given to my garden.

It reveals a certain secret, Which pleases me and thoughtful people.

Does it represent One living creature Which has divided itself?

Or are these Two, which have decided, That they should be as One? To reply to such a Question, I found the right answer: Do you notice in my songs and verses That I am One and Two? Check all of this out and more in a new book by Peter Crane, simply titled: “Ginkgo.”

One last note: Speaking of edible landscaping: remember that many common ornamental landscape plants have a major valueadded aspect to them of being good to eat, and vice-versa many common food plants are uncommonly ornamental.

Blueberries have great fall color. Sassafras leaves, ground to a fine powder are the file that gives the mucilaginous texture to file gumbo. Asparagus is heavenly – and has beautiful tiny lily-like yellow flowers and, of course, airy and frilly foliage of great finery. With that in mind, you need to get on your calendar this edible landscaping program at the Secrest Arboretum of OARDC will be on October 8.

onla.org

Top: Asparagus flowers for the edible landscape Bottom: Asparagus foliage for the edible landscape Why do you need to know this now? Because - those who plan - can. If you plan ahead, you can get a reduced rate for the workshop by providing a recipe, and a further reduction by producing an edible sample from this recipe, for the plant loving and food loving attendees – and for the follow-up Secrest Arboretum cookbook, “ArborEatum,” which will then be sold as a fund raiser at Plant Discovery Day next May. The sooner you get your test kitchens and gardens in gear, the more prepared you will be for the Fall workshop. Details to come. B Jim Chatfield Ohio State University Extension Nursery Landscape and Turf Team

July 2013 29

The Stinky Ginkgo aspect of female ginkgo trees

Ginkgo leaves

Meatballs a la Paul Snyder’s corneliancherry dogwood jelly glaze and Dolgo crabapple butter barbecue sauce.

Beginnings of fall color on ginkgo leaves

Mike Lee’s nearly World Famous Dolgo Crabapple Butter as prepared by Laura Chatfield

30 The Buckeye

Ginkgo

by Peter Crane

Sassafras leaf, which when dry and powdered can be used for file gumbo (a seasoning for authentic Creole or Cajun cuisine).

onla.org

Educational Update Extreme Weather Prevention & Recovery

This article is provided to you as a benefit of membership in the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association.

Content for this issue provided by: Tim Malinich OSU Extension Educator The Ohio State University Extension, Erie County 2900 Columbus Ave. Sandusky, OH 44870-5554 (419) 627-7631 malinich.1@osu.edu

Every landscape and nursery business is at the mercy of the weather. Extreme weather events—drought, snow, storm, flood—have been a yearly occurrence for the last three seasons.

Weather events cannot be prevented though forecasters are getting quite good at predicting and pinpointing them. The landscape and nursery industry for the most part is left reacting to the damage— both short term and long term—in the wake of a bad season. Recovering from a bad growing season, severe weather event, or maintenance situation that has gotten our of hand requires a couple of key activities: recognize the damage that has occurred, take action to prevent further damage and provide some relief for the injury that has already happened.

Soil Two out of the last three years have provided damaging rain events to much of our area. Long periods of rain forced people to work in beds and on turf when the soil was saturated, or to mow turf even while leaving muddy tire tracks. This leads to a condition known as puddling—the air is worked out of the soil as equipment and foot traffic push down on the mix of water and fine soil particles. Puddled soil becomes hard and is not friable. Water

movement is limited as there are few pore spaces. Since root tips are not drill bits, this radically changes the environment for root growth. If soil is compacted in this manner then action is needed to both prevent further compaction and to remediate the compacted condition of the soil.

Wet grass can be cut. However in years with significant flooding, avoid areas that remain swampy until the excess moisture has drained away. Compacting these areas with regular mower traffic will damage the soil structure; the stand of turf will thin and develop more long term problems. To relieve compaction turf can be core aerated—something that should be done on a regular basis anyway.

Use equipment that removes a core of soil. Aerate normally but make multiple passes over problem wet areas. Of course, wait until the soil is no longer saturated before attempting aeration.

Limit traffic in fields and landscapes during wet periods. Confine traffic to a few limited paths.

Select pathways to allow for minimal compaction but still provide access for regular maintenance.

The soil will still be compacted but it will be confined to limit damage to root zones. Should major work need to be done in the landscape use boards or plywood Please see page 32

EDUCATIONAL UPDATE

Figure 1: Selective removal of diseased material, such as this peony leaf blotch, will help hold down subsequent infections. This is practical for a few isolated plants in a landscape. continued from page 31

as a work platform to spread the weight of workers and equipment. Similarly, if there is exterior work to be done on the house (waterproofing, repairs to windows, roof or siding) then advise clients to require that similar precautions be taken by contractors.

Compacted paths and work zones can be cultivated or aerated when conditions return to normal. Without any remediation, the compacted areas will remain wet longer and continue to drain poorly, making the problem worse as time goes on. Time, insects, roots, worms and weather will eventually restore the compacted soil but over a long period of time. However, these forces are not able to restore the grade or fix ruts from heavy equipment or foot traffic.

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Disease Long periods of rain and multiple stretches of wet leaves create a good environment for the establishment and spread of disease in the landscape. Combine that with the inability to make effective applications of fungicides and one gets the perfect storm for diseases.

Initial infections that have gained a foot hold in the plants can’t be cured. But, re-establishing a spray program can prevent secondary infections from mak32

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The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association’s The Buckeye, July 2013

ing the problem worse. If late season dry weather reappears then one can hold disease development in check for the remainder of the season.

During long periods of wet weather botrytis can wipe out blooms on almost any flower; geraniums, New Guinea impatiens, and petunia can be particularly affected. Deadheading is then important to keep the disease from progressing and spreading. Also, as with any production—nursery or greenhouse—it is vitally important to remove the infected material from the area. Deadheading, then throwing the removed material to the back of the garden or in the row, will only provide a place for the disease to finish its life cycle and spread its spores back into the landscape or nursery bed.

Root rot diseases are a problem with long wet periods. Landscapes with heavy soils are usually affected the most, but even lighter soils can experience problems if the rainfall is heavy enough and occurring over a long period of time. Several root diseases— phytophthora, rhizoctonia to name a couple—will take advantage of wet soils. It is very common to see plants wilt in flooded soils; roots need air to breathe and function normally. Without the air, roots can no longer provide water to the plant so the plant will wilt and can even show signs of nutrient deficiencies since roots are no longer effectively picking up nutrients.

Healthy plants will recover from minor flooding but those with severely damaged roots or plants succumbing to root rots can wilt and collapse completely in a matter of days.

Finally, the diseases that got out of hand during the season will return for a repeat performance next season. A good fall cleanup—always recommended, rarely performed—serves to remove disease organisms (spores) from the landscape, hoop house or field.

Weeds This summer pre-emergent herbicides failed a bit early due to the high temperatures and heavy rain fall—both conditions quickly erode the efficacy of many pre-emergents. Last year, the drought adversely affected the herbicides as well. So, loss of weed con-

Pay particular attention to the weed’s growth cycle—whether they are winter or summer annuals, or perennial weeds. The annual weeds can be controlled with pre-emergent herbicides but applications must be timed for the proper germination period. Winter annuals will begin to germinate in early fall, while summer annuals will lie dormant until late spring or early summer. Pre-emergent herbicides must be in

Figure 2: Whether wind, snow or ice, the loss of branches in this Zelkova will affect the long term utility and health of the tree.

Initial training could have prevented most of this damage.

place before germination. An early spring application, for instance will not likely be around to prevent summer annual emergence. A second application would be needed.

Burndown herbicides or cultivation are effective at controlling both annual weeds and perennial seedlings.

Established perennials, however, will resprout after cultivation so a systemic herbicide is usually needed for effective control. A word of caution, herbicides

Please see page 34

The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association’s The Buckeye, July 2013

33

EDUCATIONAL UPDATE

Removal of diseased plant material will also help the technician to catch up with the disease pressure.

Selective removal of infected plant material will help with limited problems or with selected plants in a landscape. For instance, if peony leaf blotch has gotten established in the landscape then regular removal of infected leaves will go a long way to prevent the spread.

trol can, in part, be blamed on the weather. However, recovering from a flush of weed growth is reasonably easy if the weeds are properly identified and the technician selects products or procedures that match the weeds present.

EDUCATIONAL UPDATE

storm or under snow load. Remove the branches ahead of time—a proper pruning cut is always better than a branch pulling off large sections of bark.

If branches are lost, go back and prune (saw) back to the next branch or trunk so that no stubs are left hanging on the tree. In a landscape or park setting stubs or sharp broken branches can be a hazard to people.

Wound treatments or paints are still not recommended for pruning cuts. Large cuts common in pruning back storm damaged trees are not likely to ever heal over completely and should be monitored for insects or slime flux for the rest of the tree’s life.

After a damaging storm, it is also advisable to inspect the tree canopy for fallen branches hung up in the tree. These “widow makers” create a hazard to person or property and should be dealt with in a timely manner.

Long Term

Figure 3: Barnyard grass is one of many summer annual grasses that have taken off in landscape beds and nursery fields.

Cultivation, a burn down or non-selective herbicide will control this years crop, but a properly timed pre-emergent will go a long way to preventing the same problem next summer.

continued from page 33

will damage the desired plant as well as the weed. Read the label to be familiar with the product. There are herbicides that will, for instance, selectively kill grass without damaging surrounding plants. But, broadleaf herbicides will damage other broadleaf plants. Read the label for product application specifics and only apply over the top if the label specifically notes that as an accepted procedure.

Damage A more acute problem is damage resulting from storms that happen throughout the year. It is impossible to predict which landscape will get hit by a severe storm, be it ice, snow, hail, lightening or wind. Since much of the damage from these events is branch loss then some of it can be prevented by proper training and pruning. Inspect landscape trees for weak crotch angles that are likely to fail in a wind-

34

The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association’s The Buckeye, July 2013

Damage from flooding or serious drought can effect the growth and development of plants for several years. It is not uncommon for trees and shrubs to show signs of thinning, branch loss, and root decline a year or two after the event. Make a habit of inspecting the yearly development of plants, especially those showing signs of decline.

For instance, if a pine normally puts on eight to ten inches of growth each year and it is now only growing an inch or two, then that points to a serious plant health issue.

With record flooding in 2011, record drought in 2012 and continuous rainfall and high heat in 2013 landscape and nursery personal should expect to see related plant health issues into 2015 or longer. Even if there is no such thing as a normal year it is easy to recognize extremes and damage from storms and construction. Pre-planning can prevent some damage but for the most part the plan should be to take action to recover from a damaging event or poor growing season as soon as feasible. B

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Feature

The Fundamentals of Fungicide Trialing Fungicides are an essential part of production ornamentals; however, with everything a grower does with the crop it’s just one component in growing. An untreated fungal disease can literally wipe out an entire crop in a matter of days. While most growers have thankfully never experienced this catastrophe, many have had to battle fungal outbreaks at some time.

Growers generally turn to researchers and university partners for information about proven fungicide solutions.

But while scientific trials provide evidence about how well a fungicide or other treatment performs in the field, every greenhouse or nursery has its own unique growing conditions.

To find out whether the latest fungicides will work well in their individual environments, growers should consider a do-it-yourself fungicide trial. The process isn’t as complicated as many believe – especially when growers take advantage of available outside resources.

New products have been scientifically proven to offer broad spectrum disease control and plant health benefits, including better tolerance in extreme temperatures and improved ability to withstand drought conditions. By conducting their own trials, growers can see the results for themselves.

Starting a Trial Depending on your situation, your procedure may vary slightly. But here are the basic steps: Determine What to Trial

Before beginning the trial, establish the issue you want to resolve. Need to control a specific disease? Looking for a broader control method? Want to produce better plants?

Know your goal before you start to test a new product or application approach.

Talk to a Trusted Partner

Manufacturer, industry consultants and distributor sales representatives can provide expertise in setting up a trial. They understand product capabilities and are versed on the newest chemistries on the market. These local experts can offer potential solutions that you can put to the test.

Work With a Consultant

Partnering with a consultant to trial fungicides within your own operation is a sensible step to consider. Growers often lack the time and effort needed to take a product sample and conduct the trial themselves. A consultant can provide the amount of expertise that’s right for you. Peronla.org

haps you want a partner who can simply help monitor the trial, or conduct it from beginning to end and then share the completed results. Consultants can also do hands-on work, like treating the plants, and compiling or evaluating the data.

Define a Plan

Decide where the trial will take place on site, how long it will last, and how often the fungicide will be applied to the test plants. Be as thorough as possible in outlining these details so you get the most reliable – and potentially repeatable – results.

For example, if the crop consistently experiences disease during a specific growing phase, such as in the finish house, that’s probably the best place and time to begin the trial. When partnering with your manufacturing rep, consultant, or distributor, he or she can help decide essential details for the trial.

Begin the Trial

Ideally, you should begin the trial when you’re free from looming deadlines or the pressure of getting a crop out (and revenue in). Typically, the group of plants to be tested with should be placed on a bench that’s set apart from the “control” plants, but close enough that both groups grow under the same conditions. The only variable within your trial should be the fungicide regimen; watering, soil, fertilizers and other factors should remain the same. Also, communicate with staff, especially spray technicians, that you’re conducting a trial so they clearly understand that the test plants should not be treated like the rest.

Collect Data

Throughout the trial, regularly collect data or have a consultant help you. Critical data-collection times, depending on the goals of the trial, need to be made; otherwise, you will not know the value the new product brings to your production Analyze Results and Determine Next Steps

Once the trial is complete, review the data to see if the initial issue has been resolved using the new product and/ or application regiment. If the results are favorable, you’ll probably want to incorporate the new product or approach into your disease-control rotation.

For more information about BASF Professional Turf & Ornamentals visit www.betterplants.basf.us. B Kyle Miller, Senior Market Development Specialist BASF Professional Turf & Ornamentals

July 2013 35

Industry Calendar

View www.onla.org for seminars, events, trade shows and more! O designates qualifying OCNT recertification events

O August 12, 2013 NGLCO & ONLA Grower Bus Tour, Lake County, Ohio. Join the Nursery Growers of Lake County Ohio and the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association for the 2013 Ohio Grower Bus Tour.

August 13, 2013 NGLCO Summer Field Day, The Holden Arboretum, Kirtland, OH Sponsored by: NGLCO, www.nglco.com August 13, 2013 OCNT Test, Holden Arboretum, Kirtland, Ohio. The Ohio Nursery Certified Technician (OCNT) Garden Center, Grower & Landscape tests.

August 14, 2013 Get Your Green Industry Fix Webinar, ONLA is pleased to once again offer a series of 50-minute webinars, in cooperation with OSU extension.

O August 15, 2013 Diagnostic Walkabouts for the Green Industry, Toledo Botanical Gardens, Toledo, Ohio. Tim Malinich, Horticulture Educator with Ohio State University Extension, and other horticulturalists will lead indepth discussions of the art and science of scouting, diagnostics and control of landscape pests.

August 21, 2013 Middle Tennessee Nursery Association, 23rd Annual MTNA Horticultural Trade Show.

Embassy Suites, Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

September 11, 2013 Get Your Green Industry Fix Webinar, ONLA is pleased to once again offer a series of 50-minute webinars, in cooperation with OSU extension.

O September 12, 2013 Diagnostic Walkabouts for the Green Industry, Inniswood Metro Gardens, Westerville, Ohio. Tim Malinich, Horticulture Educator with Ohio State University Extension, and other horticulturalists will lead indepth discussions of the art and science of scouting, diagnostics and control of landscape pests.

O September 26, 2013 Diagnostic Walkabouts for the Green Industry, Sunset Memorial Park, North Olmstead, Ohio.

Tim Malinich, Horticulture Educator with Ohio State University Extension, and other horticulturalists will lead indepth discussions of the art and science of scouting, diagnostics and control of landscape pests.

October 9, 2013 Get Your Green Industry Fix Webinar, ONLA is pleased to once again offer a series of 50-minute webinars, in cooperation with OSU extension.

October 24, 2013 PLANET Green Industry Conference, Louisville, Kentucky, https://www. landcarenetwork.org/events/ GreenIndustryConf/index.cfm O November 9, 2013 20th Annual “Grateful Embrace” event.

The Ohio Lawn Care Association along with the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association join lawn care volunteers from across our great state give up a Saturday in November to provide the manpower necessary to apply fertilizer and plant greenery so generously provided by our suppliers. Dayton and Rittman, Ohio.

O January 12, 2014 OSU Nursery Short Course, Columbus, Ohio, http://basicgreen.osu.edu January 13, 2014 CENTS, Columbus Ohio, Attend the Central Environmental Nursery Trade Show (CENTS), with over 225,000 square feet of exhibition space, and soak up the innovation and ideas in an expanded market, http://www.onla.org/ January 17, 2014 Tennessee Green Industry Expo. Join the Tennessee Nursery & Landscape Association at the Green Industry Expo.

Nashville, Tennessee

New Members The following firms and individuals have been approved for ONLA membership, pending the completion of the application process, which includes requesting comments from the current ONLA membership regarding the qualifications and/or dues classifications of applicants within three weeks following receipt of this issue of The Buckeye.

The following companies are applying for Active membership: Snapshot Garden Design 3515 Harrison Avenue NW Canton, OH 44709 Steve Maddox, Category 5 Sprinkler Solutions 11255 Springboro Pike Miamisburg, OH 45342 Stephen Hood, Category 5 The following people are applying for Affiliate membership: Greg Malone, Cuyahoga Community College Dr. Terry L. Niblack, OSU Department of Plant Pathology

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36 The Buckeye

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DiagnosticforWalkabouts the green industry Join ONLA, OSU & AGI for a critical look at landscape and turf during early morning landscape walks throughout Ohio. Tim Malinich, Horticulture Educator with Ohio State University Extension, and other horticulturalists will lead indepth discussions of the art and science of scouting, diagnostics and control of landscape pests. This is for commercial horticulturalists only, 2 hours of ODA recertification credit, 2 hours of ISA credit, 1 OCNT renewal credit, 1 HSW credit and 2 Landscape Industry Certified credits are available for each session.

The walks are offered seven times during the season and cover the problems prevalent during that part of the season – no two will be the same.

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: $35.00 Per Session. To assure a better learning experience, the walks are limited to 30 persons per session, so register early!

Register Today!

Space is Limited!

Each walkabout is $35/person (ONLA member) or $50/person (non-member)

Return this form, along with payment, to the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association, 72 Dorchester Square, Westerville, OH 43081. Ph: (614) 899-1195. Fax: (614) 899-9489. Checks made payable to the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association. MasterCard and Visa payment accepted.

Aug. 15

Sept. 12

Sept. 26

Name(s): __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________

Company Name: _____________________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________________________

August 15, 2013 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Toledo Botanical Gardens 5403 Elmer Dr Toledo, OH 43615 (Core [1/2 hour], 6A, 8) September 12, 2013 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Inniswood Metro Gardens 940 South Hempstead Road Westerville, OH 43081 (Core [1 hour], 6A, 8)

City, State & Zip: ______________________________________________________________ Email: _______________________________________________________________________ Phone: (_____) ________________________ Fax: (_____)____________________________ PAYMENT INFORMATION:

Check

Visa

MasterCard

Card Number: ___________________________________________ Exp. Date: ___________

September 26, 2013 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Sunset Memorial Park 6265 Columbia Road North Olmsted, OH 44070 (Core [1 hour], 6A, 8)

Cardholder Name/Signature: ____________________________________________________ onla.org

July 2013  37

B

Feature

20 Business Building Practices You have nurtured your idea, created a business plan, and secured financing. Now for the make-it or break-it question: How do you continue to grow your business year-after-year?

Building a better “mousetrap” doesn’t guarantee that the world will beat a path to your door. And, contrary to the inspiring message in the movie, “Field of Dreams,” there are no assurances that, “If you build it, they will come.”

Increasing demand for your products/services and growing your business is realized by the creation and implementation of well-defined strategies.

Two major factors of marketing are the recruitment of new customers (acquisition) and the retention and expansion of relationships

38 The Buckeye

with existing customers (customer relationship management). Once you have converted the prospective buyer, customer relationship management (CRM) takes over. The process for CRM shifts from that of being the marketer, to that of being a builder of relationships. Building customer relationships involves nurturing the links between you and your customer, enhancing the benefits that sold your customer in the first place, and continuously improving the product/service in order to protect your business from competitive advancements.

The marketplace is ever changing; therefore, a marketing strategy that works today does not necessarily mean that the same strategy will work in the future. These changing environ-

onla.org

ments necessitate the need to continually analyze and measure the results of each and every one of your promotional efforts. A system that tracks and monitors incoming sales inquiries, by the lead source, is imperative.

The basis of your business development strategy is the recognition of the concept that marketing is a process and not an event.

Building a business is, in fact, building a brand. Building your brand is a process that consistently broadcasts your message through a number of different channels to a targeted audience. The trap in event marketing is that it creates the effect of start and stop marketing and produces gaps in the frequency of your promotional efforts.

The need for a written marketing plan is critical. The American Marketing Association (AMA) states, “Marketing is the process of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion, and distribution of ideas, goods, and services to create exchanges that satisfy individual and organizational objectives.” Your marketing plan is your road map that guides you through the marketing process.

There are a variety of ways to generate greater demand for your business. Whether you are starting a new business or jumpstarting an existing one, you need to identify at what stage of the business life-cycle your company is currently in. This information will impact your choice of strategies.

Establish a marketing communication budget

Here are twenty effective business-building practices:

Ask for referrals

Review your unique selling proposition The Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is your biggest marketing weapon and the key to differentiating your business. What is a USP? In essence, it is a simple statement that sums up the unique features, benefits and value that you provide, that no one else can.

You arrive at your USP after you identify the features, benefits, and advantages of your company’s products/services. After you apply the same process to each of your competitors’ products/services, then compare and isolate the elements that distinguish you from your competition.

Determining and allocating a specific amount of money to fund your marketing strategy cannot be overstated. Whether you use the affordability method, percentage-ofsales method, competitive-parity method, or objective-and-task method to determine the amount of your marketing budget, you must pre-establish an amount of money that you will spend on marketing activities to achieve your sales/revenue projections.

Incorporate integrated marketing communications A management concept that is designed to make all aspects of marketing communication such as advertising, sales promotion, public relations, and direct marketing must work together as a unified force. In practice, the goal of IMC is to create and sustain a single look and message in all elements of your marketing campaign.

Utilize indirect marketing Needless to say, putting more “boots-onthe-ground” in your sales and marketing activities can pay huge dividends. Some of the more popular indirect marketing methods are networking, strategic alliances, independent sales representatives, affiliate marketers, and dealers/distributors.

You know the importance of referrals. But, if you do not continually ask for referrals, you will not generate them. It makes good business sense to always ask for referrals.

Just ask your customer if they may know of other companies that could utilize your products/ services. You may be pleasantly surprised by their reply.

Explore different markets If your products/services are presently being sold to one or two different markets, then it is time to explore the opportunities that may be available to you in other markets. A little brainstorming with your staff about this often produces a good “hit list.” As they say, “think outside the box.”

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Consider additional channels of distribution There are a number channels of distribution that may work for you. For example, selling direct, such as via mail order, Internet and telephone sales. Companies also use sales agents who sell on their behalf and/or distributors (also called wholesalers) who sell their products to retailers. And finally, there may be possibilities of selling direct to retailers and end users.

Expand your geographic reach Additional channels of distribution are often needed for you to expand geographically. You may want to consider the possibility of franchising or licensing others to promote and sell your products?

Increase product/service offerings This is a very common method to increase sales/ revenues. Important considerations when evaluating a new product/service offering are: Can the new product/ service be sold to your existing customer base? Does the new product/service complement your existing products/ services?

Differentiate your business Differentiating your business means that you define your company in relationship to the competition and that you communicate to your customers the value added benefits of doing business with you, versus doing business with your competition. Differentiating your business also means that you continuously make improvements to sustain a leadership position.

Identify your customers’ competitors A great source for new prospective customers is your customers’ competition. In most cases, these competing companies have the same or similar needs as that of your existing customers.

Survey your customers In order to effectively differentiate your business, you need to look at your business from your customers/prospects’ perspectives. A customer survey is a great avenue for your customers to express their opinions, to air their complaints, and to voice their satisfaction with your business. The information collected from a customer survey provides the foundation for your marketing strategy.

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Profile your competitors A competitive analysis lists your leading competitors.

It summarizes their products and services, promotional strategies, distribution methods, strengths and weaknesses, locations, offerings, prices, and branding. A competitive analysis also outlines strategies for gaining an edge and defines a course of action to take in order to keep competitors out of your market. The analysis helps you expose the competitor’s weaknesses and areas of vulnerability. With this information, you are better equipped to craft competitive and marketing strategies that you may choose to fine tune your brand and messaging.

Acquire new customers This is a given…your business cannot sustain itself without the addition of new customers. New customer acquisition is a process that combines market data with direct marketing tools to identify and reach high-potential prospects and convert those prospects into customers.

Mining your existing customers It is far less expensive to generate additional business from your existing customer base than it is to generate new business from new customers. A regular review of your customers’ buying history and frequency of purchases can reveal some interesting facts about your customers’ buying habits.

Create customer loyalty programs As the marketplace continues to be more competitive, more and more businesses are offering loyalty programs.

These programs help to transform first-time customers into repeat customers by rewarding them with incentives, coupons, certificates or discounts.

Up-sell Capitalize on the untapped value of your existing customers by promoting related or more expensive products/ services. As an example, your customer who regularly buys golf balls is a strong candidate to purchase golf clubs, apparel and other golf accessories. Make a routine practice of recommending additional items that can be added to your customer’s order.

Merge or acquire a competitor The benefit of combining your company with another company creates an immediate sales growth opportunity simply from the acquisition of their existing customer base. And everything else being equal, the new “combination business” should have the potential to become even more profitable than the two businesses operating independently. This potential for increased profitability comes as a direct result of both sales increases and operational onla.org

efficiencies (opportunities to reduce total costs) that accrue from combining the two businesses.

Use SWOT analysis SWOT is an acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. It is an assessment technique that paints an accurate picture of how your business stacks up based on those four factors. SWOT can identify your venture’s pros and cons, so that you can align internal strengths and weaknesses with external opportunities and threats. This exercise is essential to sound strategic planning. With SWOT, you can identify and prioritize the issues that will accelerate success.

Revisit lost customers According to the research in the book, Customer Winback: How to Recapture Lost Customers and Keep Them Loyal, written by Jill Griffin and Michael Lowenstein, a firm has a 60% to 70% chance of successfully repeatselling to an active customer. A 20% to 40% chance of successfully repeat-selling to a lost customer and only a 5% to 20% chance of successfully closing the sale on a brand new customer. These statistics suggest that a key opportunity exists for businesses to increase or maintain a customer base by mining and evaluating their database of defected customers. Bernd Stauss and Christian Friege make this argument even more convincing in a case study entitled, “Regaining Service Customers.” Their findings show that the net return on investment from a new customer obtained from an external list is 23% compared with a 214% return on investment from the reinstatement of a customer who has defected.

Bonus Item. Dead prospect files Dig out your old prospect files and make a “hit list” comprised of all of the old prospects that you think may still have life. Contact each one of them. Express your wish to discuss their present-day wants and needs, as well as, the opportunity to explore the possibility of you servicing their needs.

Which of the above business-building practices have you, can you, or will you implement in your business development strategy? B Terry H. Hill Founder and Managing partner of Legacy Associates www.legacyai.com

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Advertisers’ Index The Official Publication of the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association

The Buckeye is the nursery and landscape industry’s authoritative voice in Ohio.

Second to none in editorial and graphic quality, The Buckeye publishes a wide range of editorial features on the green industry’s key issues. The Buckeye is another example of how the ONLA leads, promotes, and facilitates the success and growth of green industry businesses.

The Buckeye is published 10 times each year with a circulation of over 5,000

each issue and an estimated readership of over 10,000.

Advertisers benefit from an industry-specific audience, with distribution to professional nursery, landscape and independent garden center businesses and individuals, certified green industry professionals, educators/ researchers, and subscribers.

Access Ohio’s $4.9 billion industry. Contact Jennifer to learn how your business can benefit from becoming an advertiser in The Buckeye.

800.825.5062 jennifergray@onla.org

Acorn Farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC acornfarms.com Boulders Direct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 330.324.5336 Buckeye Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 buckeyeresources.com CENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 centsmarketplace.com Decker’s Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 deckersnursery.com Ernst Seeds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 ernstseed.com Fairview Evergreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 fairviewevergreen.com Grayhawk Greenhouse Supply. . . . . . . . . . . . 20 grayhawkgreenhousesupply.com Klyn Nurseries, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 klynnurseries.com Medina Sod Farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 medinasodfarms.com Millcreek Gardens, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 mgohio.com Oberfield’s LLC .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC oberfields.com ONLA Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ONLA Classified Advertising: onla.org

The online classified service can be found on onla.org along with the complete postings. New ads will be added as soon as they are submitted to the ONLA. For more information, please contact the ONLA office at (614) 899-1195. The ONLA reserves the right to refuse ads. As we go to press, here are the ads posted on onla.org’s online Classified Section:

Help Wanted • Assistant Production Manager Wilson Landscape Associates, Columbus, Ohio • Business Development (Sales) Representative Garick, LLC, Cleveland, Ohio • Distribution Center Manager A. M. Leonard, Inc., Piqua, Ohio • Inside Sales Consultant A. M. Leonard, Inc., Piqua, Ohio

42 The Buckeye

• Landscape Management Instructor/Coordinator Hocking College, Nelsonville, Ohio • Nursery Annual Grower W. A. Natorp Corp., Mason, Ohio • Nursery Container Grower Manager W. A. Natorp Corp., Mason, Ohio • Product Manger A. M. Leonard, Inc., Piqua, Ohio • Product Support Representatives A. M. Leonard, Inc., Piqua, Ohio

Webinar Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Diagnostic Walkabouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 ONLA Landscape Awards Program. . . . . . . . . 21 onla.org ONLA Member Benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 onla.org ONLA Publications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OBC onla.org Pickens Tree Farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 pickenstreefarm.com Scarff’s Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 scarffs.com Spring Meadow Nursery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 colorchoiceplants.com Unilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 unilock.com

Ad Rates & Info Contact Jennifer Gray 614.899.1195 jennifergray@onla.org

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Get Customers dreaming about their outdoor living spaces! full color catalogs and indexed “how-to-garden” encyclopedia: • RESELL IN YOUR STORE • SUPPLEMENT YOUR CATALOG • LEAVE BEHIND WITH A PROPOSAL • STAFF TRAINING features: space on the cover to promote your brand, available in small quantities, beautiful images to inspire customers and assist staff

Visit onla.org or call 614.899.1195 to order

Choose the ONLA publication that sells the beauty of outdoor living!