The Buckeye May/June 2024

DIAGNOSTIC WALKABOUTS

These interactive, hands-on, in-the-moment events are unique alternatives to traditional classroom sessions or passive webinars. Attendees are invited to ask questions and take pictures along the way to customize their educational experience.

June 3 Cincinnati, OH Mt. Airy Arboretum

July 8 Cincinnati, OH Smale Riverfront Park

July 11 Oberlin, OH Kendal at Oberlin

July 18 Westerville, OH Inniswood Metro Gardens

August 5 Cincinnati, OH Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

August 8 Akron, OH Summit Metro Park

September 9 Burlington, KY Boone County Arboretum

September 26 North Olmstead, OH Sunset Memorial Park

THE BUCKEYE is the official publication of the Ohio Green Industry Association and is published six times a year.

EDITORIAL / ADVERTISING

ISSN 1536-7940

Subscriptions: $75/year sara@ogia.org

OFFICERS

David Hupman President White Fir Landscape Consulting

Genevieve Reiner-Mills

Immediate Past President

Oakland Nursery, Inc.

Abby Thomas President-Elect Acorn Farms

DIRECTORS

Joe Lewis Yard Solutions

Peter Lowe

The Dawes Arboretum

Ron Schultz Willoway Nurseries, Inc.

Matt Turner Turner Landscaping LLC

Joe Vasel

Davis Tree Farm & Nursery

Lori Zatroch

Cuyahoga Community College

Gina Zirkle Syngenta

STAFF

Tracy Schiefferle Executive Director

Roni Petersen Membership & Certification

Sara Cantees Communications

Natalie Mitchell Finance

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 OGIA does not constitute an endorsement of the products or featured services.

DAVID HUPMAN 2024 OGIA President White Fir Landscape Consulting hupmanclt@aol.com

Summer’s Arrival

A Celebration of Plant Diversity, Cultivation Techniques, and Safety Awareness

BY THE TIME YOU ARE READING THIS, summer is almost here. Whether you are a garden center, a nursery, or are in landscape operations, everyone is hard at work. We have Mother’s Day and Memorial Day approaching, and this is a time for deadlines and big sales volume for all. I enjoy this time of year as everything comes alive and a new plant is blooming every week.

The theme of this month’s Buckeye is plant diversity and cultivation techniques. I recently was in Atlanta and made a trip to the Atlanta Botanical Garden and witnessed plant diversity firsthand. From the Rose Garden to the Camellia Walk to the Conifer Garden and the Edible Garden, plant diversity was on display everywhere. The creativity and the use of different plants together made for an awesome and inspiring display.

However, you don’t have to travel all the way to Atlanta to see diversity on display. The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical prides itself on this. At last year’s Walkabout at the zoo, the whole theme of the tour was about plant diversity and the stability of the ecosystem that has been created because of this. These are just two examples of plant diversity at work. Some of you probably have success stories of your own using this concept.

When I think about cultivation techniques, I think of all the farm fields surrounding my home. One farm is all no-till, another farm is doing minimal cultivation, and another is using a subsoiler to break up the hardpan. However, the techniques discussed in this issue are of a different nature. A recent webinar on boxwood blight shifted my perspective on cultivation techniques. The ongoing research aimed at identifying plants resistant to boxwood blight is truly remarkable. This extends beyond boxwood, with considerable efforts directed towards other plant species as well.

Turning our attention to June, it marks National Safety Month, a crucial time to prioritize the wellbeing of our colleagues. Nothing is more important than to have our co-workers go home the same way they came to work that day. The National Safety Council has free resources to use for the month of June. Now is the time to solidify your company’s safety culture and make safety awareness an everyday thought for all. Safety engagement, roadway safety, risk reduction, and prevention of slips, trips, and falls are the focal points for each week. Recognizing that safety is paramount, many companies are taking proactive measures, evident in the vibrant attire of work teams and the increased utilization of safety cones. Customers now scrutinize safety ratings before finalizing contracts, underscoring the importance of ensuring the safety of your teams. If your company lacks a safety program, there’s no better time to initiate one.

Lastly, I want to take this opportunity to share with you the status of our progress on the revamped certification program. I am amazed and proud to be in an industry that can pull teams of subject matter experts together to collaborate on raising the bar for the benefit of taking certification to the next level. Despite being competitors, individuals set aside their differences in pursuit of solidarity and progress. Across all three certification categories, significant strides are being made, with our aim being to finalize our initial collaborations by year’s end.

Be safe out there.

Let’s Dance Sky View® hybrid hydrangea has proven to be a standout for consistent, yearly blooming, from Michigan to Florida. Flowers emerge a beautiful soft blue with a honeydew-green eye before maturing to a full sky blue. A nice compact growing habit makes it great for use in containers, garden beds and landscape applications.

SCAN TO LEARN MORE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

TRACY SCHIEFFERLE OGIA Executive Director tracy@ogia.org

HAVING RECENTLY COMPLETED 2024

membership renewals, we always make efforts to reach out to those who have not renewed. Having worked with many associations and industries, I often hear “we didn’t get anything out of our membership” as a response to why someone chooses not to renew. It always makes me think of the adage “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” As an association, we are here to promote the profession and assist members. Assist is a key word. While OGIA can offer educational programs, certification, workforce development, advocacy, awards, and so on, it really doesn’t matter if you don’t engage in some of it. It’s so easy be self-focused these days. We can get products delivered to us within hours, we can meet with people and take educational courses when we want, and we don’t even have to get out of our pajamas. It’s easy not to pay dues or engage in trade associations these days. However, what does this do for YOUR industry? Does the self-focused approach help to advance YOUR profession?

In any profession or industry, being actively engaged and genuinely caring about what you do can significantly impact your success and satisfaction. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out in your career, fostering an interest and investment in your field can lead to numerous benefits, both personally and for your organization.

So why is engagement crucial in any industry?

CONTINUOUS LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

An engaged professional sees learning as a lifelong journey. When you care about your industry, you’re more inclined to stay updated on the latest trends, research, and best practices. This continuous learning not only keeps your skills sharp but also positions you as a knowledgeable resource within your organization and the broader industry. Engaged individuals are proactive in seeking out learning opportunities, whether through formal education, conferences, workshops,

Engaging

and Caring About Your Industry: Why You Need to Put In Some Effort To Get Something Back

or networking events.

OGIA offers educational programs throughout the year for ALL aspects of the industry in person and online. We also offer certification programs to enhance your knowledge.

BUILDING MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS

Caring about your industry often translates into building strong professional relationships. Engaged professionals connect with colleagues, industry peers, mentors, and clients more effectively because they are genuinely interested in the work and its impact. These relationships can lead to collaborations, partnerships, and mentorship opportunities that further enhance personal and professional growth.

OGIA offers programs, an online collaboration area, member and services directories, advertising, and sponsorship to connect with others in the industry.

DRIVING POSITIVE CHANGE

Individuals who are engaged and care deeply about their industry are often passionate about making a difference. Whether it’s advocating for sustainability practices, improving the workforce, or addressing industry-wide challenges, caring professionals are more likely to take proactive steps to drive positive change. They become advocates for progress and contribute to shaping the future of their industry.

OGIA continually engages in advocacy efforts within Ohio to promote the industry and to ensure that businesses can flourish here.

ENHANCING JOB SATISFACTION

Engagement and care go hand in hand with job satisfaction. When you genuinely care about the work you do and the industry you’re in, you’re more likely to find fulfillment in your job. This satisfaction can lead to higher productivity, lower turnover rates, and overall improved well-being.

OGIA offers several programs to assist you with employees including a free HR hotline, and awards program to showcase their achievements.

Being a Role Model

Engaged professionals often inspire others around them. By demonstrating passion and commitment to your industry, you can positively influence colleagues and future

generations of professionals. Being a role model for engagement encourages a culture of excellence and dedication within your workplace and industry.

OGIA offers the Ohio Landscape Olympics (OHLO) that brings over 200 high school students to gain hands-on experience and interact with industry professionals in addition to scholarships.

DRIVING INNOVATION

When you care about your industry, you’re more likely to be curious and open to new ideas and technologies. This curiosity fuels innovation. Engaged professionals often seek out ways to improve processes, products, or services because they are genuinely interested in seeing their industry evolve and thrive. By staying engaged and caring about the industry’s future, you contribute to driving innovation forward.

OGIA is one of the nations’ top contributors to the Horticulture Research Institute through AmericanHort among other organizations.

CONTRIBUTING TO INDUSTRY GROWTH

Professionals who are engaged and care about their industry contribute to its growth and prosperity. Whether through sharing knowledge, participating in industry associations, or actively contributing to discussions, caring individuals play a crucial role in advancing the collective success of their field.

In conclusion, being engaged and caring about your industry is not just beneficial for personal growth; it’s essential for the health and evolution of the industry itself. By fostering a genuine interest, staying informed, and actively participating, you not only enhance your own career but also contribute to the greater good of your profession.

So, stay curious, stay engaged, and keep caring—the impact you make can be profound.

And ask yourself what have I done to engage, or to encourage my employees or my peers to engage, within the industry and OGIA.

SUPPORTING BIODIVERSITY WITH RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPING

BY ALANA SETTLE

THE LANDSCAPES surrounding our homes and businesses are playing an increasingly important role in preserving wildlife. As natural habitats dwindle, insects, birds, and mammals greatly depend on suburban areas for food, shelter, and nesting sites.

More than ever, the green industry has the power to restore and protect biodiversity through various nature-based solutions, but can consumers support bringing “nature” back to the suburbs?

According to the Homegrown National Park, an organization founded by entomologist and native plant advocate Doug Tallamy, there are four ecological functions every landscape must perform if it’s to enhance biodiversity. It must:

• Support a variety of pollinators throughout the growing season

• Provide energy for the local food web

• Manage the watershed

• Remove carbon from the atmosphere

On a walk through any typical suburban neighborhood, there may only be a handful of standout landscapes—landscapes where plantings extend far beyond the house foundation and beds contain more plants than mulch. Color, texture, and form provide three, even four, seasons of interest.

While these landscapes look impressive and most certainly enhance the homeowners’ quality of life, they also tremendously benefit the local ecosystem. The diversity of plants in a landscape directly influences the diversity of insects and birds found in that area. Plant diversity creates resilient landscapes with better recovery from insect infestation and disease, requiring less pesticide use. It can also improve air quality and soil health. Densely planted, threedimensional garden beds provide animals important places to nest and hide.

LANDSCAPE SOLUTIONS TO BIODIVERSITY LOSS

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Fund recently released research on landscape architecture’s pivotal role in combatting biodiversity loss, a crisis which they say is on par with climate change.

In their research, ASLA identified these design strategies as most effective at increasing biodiversity:

• Incorporate native species and consider their wide range of benefits to the ecosystem, such as stormwater retention, phytoremediation, and soilnutrient restoration.

• Support pollinators with a wide range of flowering plants, considering the season in which the plant blooms, the types of flowers plants produce, pollination mechanisms, and other characteristics to support a wide range of beneficial insects.

• Enable a sustainable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. Select plant species that attract beneficial insects and naturally control destructive pests.

• Consider allelopathic & companion plants as a form of natural weed suppression and control of invasive species.

• Include “protected areas” in design projects to allow nature to thrive without interference from humans or pets. Research studies show a spontaneous return of endangered native plants and animals in undisturbed areas.

ADDRESSING CHALLENGES

How can green industry professionals incorporate these solutions in a typical suburban neighborhood with clients busy with children and careers? Research shows homeowners who prioritize low-cost, lowmaintenance, and tidy landscapes will have less diversity and a higher percentage of cultivated exotic species.

The desire for native plants is increasing, but some homeowners may be hesitant to add plants that will sustain wildlife in their yards. In my local Facebook gardening group, someone recently asked for recommendations on flowering plants that don’t attract bees. Homeowners don’t want to clean bird droppings from their patio furniture and decks. Butterflies are certainly well-received, but caterpillars, and pretty much any other insect, are frequently seen as pests.

A desire for a tidy and low-maintenance landscape often means limiting options to plants that won’t drop fruit, faded flowers, or seeds. Front yard plantings are often limited by HOA requirements.

Backyard trends lean toward creating spaces for relaxation, which can mean minimalistic landscaping that looks less cluttered and visually stimulating. Gardens are relegated as “background” for other activities like grilling, swimming, or relaxing on a patio, and frame large swaths of lawn for children to play in.

Fortunately, green industry professionals can persuade reluctant homeowners. Why not use your blog, email newsletters, and social media to educate customers on best practices to support biodiversity, such as:

• Removing invasive species

• Limiting fall cleanup and delaying some spring cleanup (such as cutting back perennials) to provide shelter and food for overwintering wildlife

• Adding water features, bird baths, fountains, or small ponds

• Adding birdhouses and nesting boxes

• Learning to identify beneficial insects

• Promote adding diversity through container gardens of “Keystone Plants,” a term coined by Homegrown National Park that identifies the most productive native species that support the most wildlife.

Education and public awareness programs will help bridge the gap between consumer priorities and the solutions-based strategies recommended to tackle biodiversity loss. Promote your public projects, such as pollinator gardens and rain garden installations, and your use of native plants. Encourage your clients and online audiences to visit botanical gardens and public parks where these strategies are beautifully put into action, where they can learn about the natural world and be inspired to create diverse gardens at home.

OGIA 2024

MEMBER DIRECTORY

Visit OGIA.org to search the full directory by location, services, and more.

COMPANY MEMBERS

Barbeau Lawn and Landscape LLC Westerville, Ohio

Bzak Landscaping, Inc. Milford, Ohio

1st Impressions Landscape & Garden Center Sunbury, Ohio

9 Trees Landscape Construction Hilliard, Ohio

AA & J Lawn Care, Inc. Grove City, Ohio

A & J Landscape Center Sylvania, Ohio

A. Brown & Sons Nursery, Inc. Phillipsburg, Ohio

A’s Lawn Service Medina, Ohio

Abbruzzese Brothers, Inc. Hilliard, Ohio

Acme Tree & Landscape, Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio

Acorn Farms Galena, Ohio

Albyn’s Landscape & Nursery Center, Inc. Newark, Ohio

All Season Landscape & Maintenance, Inc. Loveland, Ohio

Allison Landscaping, Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio

Andy’s Garden, Inc. Piqua, Ohio

Ansley & Associates Columbus, Ohio

Arbor Doctor, LLC Cincinnati, Ohio

Arbor Farms Nursery Fort Wayne, Indiana

Arcola Creek Nursery Madison, Ohio

Aristotle Design Group, Inc. Newbury, Ohio

Arselli’s Landscape & Design Chillicothe, Ohio

Art Form Nurseries Chagrin Falls, Ohio

BB & H Landscaping Strasburg, Ohio

Bailey Nurseries, Inc. St. Paul, Minnesota

Bailey’s Tree & Landscape, Inc. Sandusky,Ohio

Barnes Nursery, Inc. Huron, Ohio

Beardslee Nursery, LLC Perry, Ohio

Beavercreek Landscape & Nursery Dayton, Ohio

Beining Nursery & Landscaping, LLC Cloverdale, Ohio

Benanzer Nursery, Inc. St. Henry, Ohio

Benchmark Landscape Construction, Inc. Plain City, Ohio

Berger Horticultural Products Columbus, Ohio

Berns’ Greenhouse & Garden Center, Inc. Middletown, Ohio

Best Landscaping Reno, Ohio

Blooming Designs Norton, Ohio

Blue Ring Residential Services Columbus, Ohio

Bluestone Perennials, Inc. Madison, Ohio

Bob Meyer Landscape Service Cincinnati, Ohio

Bobbie’s Green Thumb Shaker Heights, Ohio

Bowlings Nursery Simpsonville, Kentucky

Bremec Garden Centers & Bremec Group Chesterland, Ohio

Brennan Lawn & Landscape LLC Avon, Ohio

Briar Rose Nurseries Perry, Ohio

Brockhage Landscape Company Cincinnati, Ohio

Brotzman’s Nursery, Inc. Madison, Ohio

Bry Pan, LLC Newark, Ohio

Buck & Sons Landscape Service, Inc. Hilliard, Ohio

Buckeye Ecocare Miamisburg, Ohio

Burger Farm & Garden Center, Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio

CC. & C. Garden Design, Inc. Hinckley, Ohio

C. M. Brown Nurseries, Inc. Perry, Ohio

Cable Bros Outdoor Services Trotwood, Ohio

Cahoon Nursery & Garden Center Westlake, Ohio

Canton Road Garden Center, Inc. Akron, Ohio

Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board Columbus, Ohio

Cardinal Landscape, Tree Service & Lawn Care Oregonia, Ohio

Carmar Gardens, Inc. Nevada, Ohio

Carroll Landscape & Nursery Monclova, Ohio

Cassinelli’s Glendale Nurseries, Inc. Fairfield Twp, Ohio

Casto-Anderson Landscaping, Inc. Sidney, Ohio

Centerville Landscaping, Inc. Centerville, Ohio

Chagrin Valley Nurseries, Inc. Gates Mills, Ohio

Cianciolo Designscape, Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio

Classico Landscapes, Inc. Louisville, Ohio

Clean Cut Landscape & Lawn Bellbrook, Ohio

Columbus Hardscapes, LLC Baltimore, Ohio

Columbus State Landscape Alumni Association Ashley, Ohio

Columbus Turf Nursery, Ltd. Ashville, Ohio columbus-turf.com

Combs Landscaping Westlake, Ohio

Cornwell Lawn & Landscaping, LLC Columbus, Ohio cornwelllawn.com

Corsaro Landscaping and Design Inc. Mayfield Heights, Ohio

Corso’s Flower & Garden Center Sandusky, Ohio

Crawford Nursery, Inc. Bucyrus, Ohio

Creative Waterscapes Hebron, Ohio

Creech’s Lawn & Garden Center, Inc. Lebanon, Ohio

Custom Landscape Service Waynesburg, Ohio

Custom Touch Irrigation, Inc. Hilliard, Ohio

CustomTree Inc. Fairlawn, Ohio

DD & D Landscaping Supply, LLC Portage, Ohio

D & D Maintenance Medina, Ohio

Dailey’s Lawn & Landscaping Dayton, Ohio

Darwin Designs Plain City, Ohio

Daves Landscaping Service LLC McConnelsville, Ohio

Davey Tree Expert Co Wooster, Ohio

Davies’ Landscape & Lawn Care Cincinnati, Ohio

Davis Tree Farm & Nursery, Inc. Valley City, Ohio

Dayton Nurseries, Inc. Barberton, Ohio

Decker’s Nursery, Inc. Groveport, Ohio

DeHoff Flowers, Greenhouses & Landscaping Alliance, Ohio

Deitering Landscaping, Inc. Leipsic, Ohio

Delventhal Landscaping & Nursery, Inc Waterville, Ohio

Denny McKeown, Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio

Detillion Landscaping Co., Inc. Chillicothe, Ohio

Diamond Cut Lawn & Landscaping Services, LLC Columbiana, Ohio

Dig-It Excavating & Landscaping Hubbard, Ohio

Dill’s Greenhouse Groveport, Ohio

DLL Landscaping & Tree Service Columbus, Ohio

Down to Earth Landscaping Garfield Heights, Ohio

Dresden Landscaping, Ltd. Dresden, Ohio

Druffel Design & Landscape Maineville, Ohio

Dumont Seed Co. Canton, Ohio

Durbin Landscaping, Inc. Cleves, Ohio

EEarth Works, Inc. Dayton, Ohio

Eason Horticultural Resources, Inc. Fort Wright, Kentucky

Ebright Landscapes, Inc. Pickerington, Ohio

Eddybrook Tree Farm Johnstown, Ohio

Enoch Farms Circleville, Ohio

Envirocare Lawn & Landscape, LLC Perysburg, Ohio

Environmental Enhancement, Inc. Westfield Center, Ohio

Environmental Management Services, Inc. Dublin, Ohio

Envirotech Consultants, Inc. Somerset, Ohio

Envision Lawn and Landscape Sylvania, Ohio

Ernst Conservation Seeds, Inc. Meadville, Pennsylvania

Essential Landscaping & Irrigation Miamisburg, Ohio

Estate Landscaping Service, LLC Columbus, Ohio

Evans Landscaping, Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio

FF&W Properties Columbus, Ohio

Farrell’s Lawn & Garden Center Bryan, Ohio

Father & Son Property Maintenance, LLC Louisville, Ohio

Fitzwater Tree & Lawn Care Greenville, Ohio

Five Rivers MetroParks Dayton, Ohio

Five Seasons Landscape Management, Inc. Reynoldsburg, Ohio

Floralandscape, Inc. Toledo, Ohio

Flores Landscaping & Nursery, Inc. Painesville, Ohio

Florimar, Inc. Georgetown, Ohio

Follow the River Designs, LLC McConnelsville, Ohio

Franklin Park Conservatory Columbus, Ohio

Fullmer’s Landscaping, Inc. Dayton, Ohio Fullmers.com

GGalehouse Tree Farms Doylestown, Ohio

Garden Of Eden Landscaping Services, LLC Richwood, Ohio edensproduce.com

Gardens Alive Tipp City, Ohio

Gardenscapes by Joanna LLC Oberlin, Ohio

Gateway Gardens & Nursery Streetsboro, Ohio

Gehret Nursery, Inc. Minster, Ohio

Geiger Greenscapes Cincinnati, Ohio

Glass-n-Greens East Palestine, Ohio

Gold-N-Touch Landscaping, Inc. Dayton, Ohio

GoodSeed Farm Landscapes Peebles, Ohio

Gorman Landscape Contractors, LLC Spring Valley, Ohio

Grasshuggers Columbus, Ohio

Green Acres Excavating, Inc. Fairfield, Ohio

Green Legacy Orient, Ohio

Green Shades Garden Center Roseville, Ohio

Green Velvet Sod Farms Ltd. Bellbrook, Ohio

Greenbush Professional Services, LLC Camden, Ohio

Greenhouse Landscaping, Inc. Beavercreek, Ohio

Greenlawn Farm LLC

Piketon, Ohio

Greenleaf Landscapes, Inc. Marietta, Ohio

Greenleaf Nursery Co. Park Hill, Oklahoma

GreenScapes Landscape Co. Columbus, Ohio

Greenspire Grounds Management, Inc. Hilliard, Ohio

Groovy Plants Ranch Marengo, Ohio

Grunder Landscaping Co. Miamisburg, Ohio

HHalter Lawn & Landscaping, Inc. New Lebanon, Ohio

Hapner Lawn and Landscape LLC Eaton, Ohio

Hartman Landscaping Zanesville, Ohio

Hedge Landscape, LLC Columbus, Ohio

Hemlock Landscapes, Inc. Chagrin Falls, Ohio

Hickle Enterprises LLC dba Richard’s Tree Service North Ridgeville, Ohio

Hidden Creek Landscaping, Inc. Hilliard, Ohio

Hillcrest Lawn & Landscape LLC South Vienna, Ohio

Hobby Nursery Loudonville, Ohio

Holscher & Hackman Garden Center Cincinnati, Ohio

Hoover Nursery & Landscaping, Inc. Maximo, Ohio

Hornberger Landscape & Nursery, Inc. Pleasant Plain, Ohio

Hubert’s Landscaping Company Inc. Avon Lake, Ohio

Hunter Green Services, Inc. Aurora, Ohio

Husney’s Landscape & Irrigation Columbia Station, Ohio

Huss Nursery and Landscaping LLC Genoa, Ohio

Hyde Park Landscaping, Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio

I

Ironsite, Inc. Galena, Ohio

J. Barker Landscaping Company Bedford, Ohio

J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co. Boring, Oregon

J. R. Thomas Landscaping, Inc. Loveland, Ohio

Jason Weigandt Landscape Co. Sidney, Ohio

Jeffrey Allen Corporation Cincinnati, Ohio

Joe’s Landscaping of Beavercreek, Inc. Fairborn, Ohio

John B. Jacobs & Son Nurseries, Inc. Blanchester, Ohio

John K. Leohner Co. Inc. Carroll, Ohio

Johnny O’s Inc. Canton, Ohio

JTS Landscaping Co. Seville, Ohio

JTS Tree & Landscape LLC Westerville, Ohio

KK. & E. Design Management Montville, Ohio

Kah Landscaping Botkins, Ohio

Kate Wilson Design Worthington, Ohio

Kendrick and O’Dell Landscaping Inc. Cold Spring, Kentucky

Kevin Flory Landscape & Lawn Care, Inc. Greenville, Ohio

Kevin McCoy Landscape, Ltd. Coshocton, Ohio

KGK Gardening and Design Corp Hudson, Ohio

Kibler Lumber Do-It Center Mt. Orab, Ohio

Kile Landscaping Sabina, Ohio

Kindig-Coudriet Nursery & Landscaping Inc. Seville, Ohio

Kleinhenz Landscape Powell, Ohio

Knollwood Florists, Inc. Beavercreek, Ohio

Konen Landscaping Inc. Dayton, Ohio

LLaCava’s Landscape LLC Grand River, Ohio

Lakeview Nurseries, Inc. Fairfield, Ohio

Lamanna’s Lawn & Landscaping Kettering, Ohio

LandCare Galena, Ohio

Landfare Ltd. Columbus, Ohio

Landform Svc, Inc. Fairfield, Ohio

Landscape By Design New Lebanon, Ohio

Landscapes and OuterSpaces, LLC Hillsboro, Ohio

Landscapes by Terra, Inc. Marysville, Ohio

Lanhan Contractors, Inc. South Euclid, Ohio

Larry’s Landscaping North Canton, Ohio

Lawn Lad, Inc. Gates Mills, Ohio

Lawn Scapes, Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio

Leuty Nursery Novelty, Ohio

Lifestyle Landscaping, Inc. North Ridgeville, Ohio

Lilly Lawn and Landscape LLC Ravenna, Ohio

Listerman & Associates, Inc. Beavercreek, Ohio

Locke’s GoGreen Landscaping and Garden Center Oberlin, Ohio

Lowenoak Landscape Development Findlay, Ohio

Lowes Greenhouse & Gift Shop, Inc. Chagrin Falls, Ohio

LTD Landscapes, Inc. Milford, Ohio

Lubrecht’s Landscaping Cincinnati, Ohio

Luck Landscaping Toledo, Ohio

Luther Landscaping Ross, Ohio

LWB Design, LLC Willoughby, Ohio

Lyons’ Pro Lawn Care Bellefontaine, Ohio

M Miller Services LLC Cleves, Ohio

M. J. Design Associates, Inc. Plain City, Ohio

Madison Lawn Care, Ltd. London, Ohio

Madison Tree Care & Landscaping, Inc. Milford, Ohio

Mark Webber’s Landscaping Company Liberty Twp, Ohio Masterscape LLC Shaker Hts, Ohio

Mateva Gardens Cincinnati, Ohio

Mathers Environmental Science Services, LLC Gahanna, Ohio

Maumee Valley Growers Association Holland, Ohio

Maxville Quarries Inc. Logan, Ohio

McCullough’s Landscape & Nursery, LLC New Albany, Ohio

McHenry Landscaping Novelty, Ohio

Meadow Beauty Nursery Madison, Ohio

Meadowood Enterprises, LLC Madison, Ohio

Medina Turf Farms Inc. Seville, Ohio

Metroscape Columbus, Ohio

Meyer’s Garden Center & Landscaping, Inc. Fairfield, Ohio

MGZ Lawn & Grounds Care Piqua, Ohio

Michell’s King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

Midwest Landscape Network, Inc. Harrison, Ohio

Millcreek Gardens LLC Ostrander, Ohio

Miller Landscapes of Westerville, LLC Westerville, Ohio Miller’s Country Gardens Delaware, Ohio

MirrorScapes, LLC Lancaster, Ohio

MJK Unlimited Inc. Chagrin Falls, Ohio

Mohican Gardens Loudonville, Ohio

More Than Curb Appeal Clayton, Ohio

Mowery Landscape & Design, LLC Westlake, Ohio

Mox Nursery Delphos, Ohio

Moyer’s Nursery & Landscaping Massillon, Ohio

MTC Horticultural Services Oberlin, Ohio N

National Nursery Products, Inc. Crestwood, Kentucky

Nature’s Own, LLC Springfield, Ohio

Nelsons Seasonal Decor Zanesville, Ohio

New Leaf Landscape Construction, Inc. Marysville, Ohio

Nick’s Lawn Service Ltd. McCutchenvile, Ohio

No Limits Landscaping, Inc. Maineville, Ohio

North Branch Nursery, Inc. Pemberville, Ohio

North Coast Perennials, Inc. Madison, Ohio

North Creek Nurseries, Inc. Landenberg, Pennsylvania

North Dayton Garden Center Dayton, Ohio

Nursery Growers of Lake County Ohio, Inc. Perry, Ohio

O-Heil Site Solutions Dayton, Ohio

Oak Leaf Landscaping Danville, Ohio

Oakland Nursery, Inc. Columbus, Ohio

Oberlander’s Tree & Landscape, Ltd. Bucyrus, Ohio

Ohio Green Works LLC Waynesville, Ohio

Ohio Landscaping Corporation Caledonia, Ohio

Ohio Nursery Exchange LLC New Carlisle, Ohio

Outdoorscapes Landscaping Plain City, Ohio

Pace-Sankar Landscaping New Philadelphia, Ohio

Pacific Impressions, Inc. Mansfield, Ohio

Palmer Energy Company Toledo, Ohio

Pam’s Perennial Plant Farm Norton, Ohio

Paragon Landscapes, LLC Ashland, Ohio

Paramount Lawn Service, Inc. Loveland, Ohio

Park’s Lawn Care LLC Caledonia, Ohio

Perfection Landscape & Greenhouse, LLC New Washington, Ohio

Perfection Lawns, Inc. Clayton, Ohio

Perrino Landscape, Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio

Petitti Garden Centers Oakwood Village, Ohio

Phelps Ohio Nursery Madison, Ohio

Pinnacle Landscaping Columbus, Ohio

Pleiman Landscaping LLC Maria Stein, Ohio

Poleo Associates Ann Arbor, Michigan

Pond Supplies of Ohio, Inc./Hoffman Tree & Land Svc Inc. Uniontown, Ohio

Ponzani Landscape Co. St. Clairsville, Ohio

Post Excavating and Landscaping LLC Fort Recovery, Ohio

Premier Landscapes, LLC Hamilton, Ohio

Pro-Cut Grafton, Ohio

ProScape Lawn & Landscape Services, LLC

PT2 Mowing and More LLZ Urbana, Ohio

Purkey Landscaping Co. Waynesville, Ohio

Quality Lawn, Landscape & Fence, Inc. Casstown, Ohio

Quality Yard & Home Maintenance Pataskala, Ohio

R & J Farms, Inc. West Salem, Ohio

Raley’s Pine Ridge Tree Farms Hinckley, Ohio

Reichle Brothers Westerville, Ohio

Reynolds Landscape Co. Belpre, Ohio

Rhoads Garden Center & Landscaping Circleville, Ohio

Rice’s Landscapes Redefined Canton, Ohio

Rich O’Donnell Landscape, Inc. Warren, Ohio

Richards’ Landscaping, Inc. New Washington, Ohio

Riepenhoff Landscape, Ltd Hilliard, Ohio

Rindler Landscape, LLC Kettering, Ohio

Rine Landscape Group, Inc. Columbus, Ohio

Ritenour Custom Lawn Care, Inc. Butler, Pennsylvania

Rocky Fork Company New Albany, Ohio

Rocky Gardens Landscape Group LLC Beloit, Ohio

Roger Lake Trucking Inc. Sunman, Indiana

Rohr’s Nursery, Inc. Canton, Ohio

Royal Landscape Gardening, Inc. Garfield Heights, Ohio

Runkel Landscape Associates, Inc. Lima, Ohio

Ryan-Brothers’ Landscaping Columbus, Ohio

SS & S Landscaping & Tree Service LLC Findlay, Ohio

S. & S. Farms, Ltd. Cardington, Ohio

Sabo’s Woodside Nursery, Inc. Madison, Ohio

Sal’s Landscaping & Construction Co. Brecksville, Ohio

Sandy’s Landscaping, Inc. North Canton, Ohio

Schill Grounds Management North Ridgeville, Ohio

Schneider Landscaping Toledo, Ohio

Scioto Gardens Westerville, Ohio

Scott Biggs Consulting Columbus, Ohio

Scott’s Garden Center, Inc. Powell, Ohio

Seely’s Landscape Nursery Hilliard, Ohio

Seiler’s Landscaping LLC Cincinnati, Ohio

Sestili Nursery, Inc. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Sharon Nursery Maineville, Ohio

Shearer Landscaping Inc. Lewis Center, Ohio

Shelby Landscaping & Garden Center Sidney, Ohio

Smith’s Camargo Landscape Amelia, Ohio

Smith’s Gardens, Inc. Delaware, Ohio

Spieles Nurseries Lima, Ohio

Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum Cincinnati, Ohio

Spring Lake Nursery Perry, Ohio

Spring Meadow Nursery Inc. Grand Haven, Michigan

Star Roses and Plants / Conard-Pyle West Grove, Pennsylvania

Stefani Landscaping, Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio

Steinman Lawn & Landscape Westlake, Ohio

Stepleton’s Outdoor Development Lima, Ohio

Strader’s Garden Centers, Inc. Columbus, Ohio

Strausburg Nursery Xenia, Ohio

Stropkey Nurseries, Inc. Painesville, Ohio

Stutzman Lawn & Landscaping New Philadelphia, Ohio

Sugargrove Tree Farm, Inc. Ashland, Ohio

SummitView Landscape and Design, LLC Spencerville, Ohio

OGIA 2024 MEMBER DIRECTORY

Sunbeam Gardens, Inc. Avon, Ohio

Sure Shot Landscaping LLC Fairfield, Ohio

Surface Nursery, Inc. Gresham, OR

Surroundings, Inc. Loveland, Ohio

Sutherland’s Landscaping & Excavating, Inc. Pataskala, Ohio

TT. R. Gear Landscaping, LLC Fairfield, Ohio

T.D. Landscape, Inc. Fredericktown, Ohio

Tall Oaks Lawn & Landscaping, LLC Hamilton, Ohio

Taphorn Landscape Services Milford, Ohio

Taylor Terrace Lawnscapes Norwich, Ohio

The Cottage Gardens, Inc. Perry, Ohio

The Dawes Arboretum Heath, Ohio

The DiSanto Companies, Inc. Cleveland, Ohio

The Employers’ Association Maumee, Ohio

The Formal Garden LLC Columbus, Ohio

The Garden Path Landscaping, LLC Hamilton, Ohio

The Greatest Scape, Inc. Mt. Vernon, Ohio

The Greenhouse Shoppe Wooster, Ohio

The Keller Group Limited Columbus, Ohio

The Lady Bug Garden Center Massillon, Ohio

The Nicolaus Company, LLC Batavia, Ohio

The Pattie Group, Inc. Novelty, Ohio

The Plant People, Inc. Orient, Ohio

The Seed Center Ostrander, Ohio

The Siebenthaler Co. Beavercreek, Ohio

The Site Group, Inc. New Carlisle, Ohio

TheDon Landscaping Cincinnati,Ohio

Thomson’s Landscaping Marietta, Ohio

Those Guys Lawn and Landscape Port Clinton, Ohio

Timber Run Gardens, LLC Zanesville, Ohio

Timberwood Landscape Co. Inc. Dublin, Ohio

Tinkerturf Lawn & Landscape, Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio

TMK Nursery, Inc. Atwater, Ohio

Tom Goodman & Associates LLC North Lewisburg, Ohio

Tom Green Nursery Sales, LLC Louisville, Ohio

Tom’s Lawn Service Sidney, Ohio

Top Notch Landscaping & Supply Wheeling, West Virginia

Tree Tyme Nursery, Inc. Austinburg, Ohio

Tri-State Nurseries Ironton, Ohio

Trinity Gardens, Ltd. Parma, Ohio

Turner Landscaping, LLC Saint Paris, Ohio

UUltra-Turf, Inc. Hamilton, Ohio

Union III Outdoor Living Marysville, Ohio

VVarga’s Greenhouse & Assoc., Inc. Bay Village, Ohio

Vicki and Company, LLC Louisville, Ohio

Village Green Floral and Garden Center Wapakoneta, Ohio

Village Landscaping, Inc. Kirtland, Ohio

Vizmeg Landscape, Inc. Stow, Ohio

WW. A. Natorp Corp. Mason, Ohio

Wade & Gatton Nursery & Landscape LLC Bellville, Ohio

Wade Gardens Landscaping & Gift Shop Mansfield, Ohio

Warstler Bros. Landscaping, Inc. Canton, Ohio

Welker Tree Farm, Inc. Columbus, Ohio

Wengerlawn Nursery Co. Brookville, Ohio

West Fairfield, Inc. Amanda, Ohio

West Point Landscape & Design Co. Marysville, Ohio

White Fir Landscaping Consulting

White Oak Garden Center, Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio

Wilde Nursery, Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio

Willo’dell Nursery, Inc. Ashland, Ohio

Willoway Nurseries, Inc. Avon, Ohio

Wilson Garden Center, Inc. Hamilton, Ohio

Wilson Landscape Associates Columbus, Ohio

Wilson’s Garden Center Newark, Ohio

Wimberg Landscaping Milford, Ohio

Winchester Landscape Gardens, Inc. Groveport, Ohio

WinnScapes, Inc. Columbus, Ohio

Witte Landscape Specialists, Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio

Worthington Landscape Co. Inc. Plain City, Ohio Wright’s Tree Service, LLC Columbus, Ohio

YYard Barbers, Inc. Columbus, Ohio

Yard Smart, Inc. Grafton, Ohio

Yard Solutions Groveport, Ohio

Yellowstone Landscape Reynoldsburg, Ohio

Your Way Landscaping LLC Marietta, Ohio

ZZupcsan’s Nursery Madison, Ohio

ALLIED COMPANY MEMBERS

AA. M. Leonard, Inc.

Piqua, Ohio

Advanced Turf Solutions Fishers, Indiana

American Safety & Health Management Consultants, Inc. North Canton, Ohio

B

Bobcat Enterprises, Inc. Hilliard, Ohio

Boulders Direct Canton, Ohio

C

Central Ohio Bag & Burlap Columbus, Ohio

E

Evergreen Seed Supply, LLC Lambertville, Michigan

F

Fleetcor Atlanta, Georgia

H

Harrell’s LLC Lakeland, Florida

Hortica, a brand of the Sentry Insurance Group Edwardsville, Illinois

K

Kurtz Bros., Inc. Westerville, Ohio

Kurtz Bros. Inc. Independence, Ohio

M

Mulch Makers of Ohio, Inc. Norton, Ohio O

Oberfields LLC Delaware, Ohio

Ohio CAT Broadview Hghts, Ohio

OPEI

Alexandria, Virginia P

P. V. P. Industries, Inc. North Bloomfield, Ohio

Pacific Mulch, Inc. Henderson, North Carolina

Phillips Land Improvement Center Beavercreek, Ohio

R

Reading Rock Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio

Rush Truck Centers Columbus, Ohio

S

Sedgwick Dublin, Ohio

Sintsirmas & Mueller Co. LPA Twinsburg, Ohio

SiteOne Landscape Supply Plain City, Ohio

Spectrum Analytic, Inc. Washington CH, Ohio

Syngenta Powell, Ohio

TT. H. Blue, Inc. Eagle Springs, North Carolina

TAH Benefits Westerville, Ohio

U

Unilock Ohio, Inc. Rittman, North Carolina

United Label & Sales Co. Cleveland, Ohio

UpShoot LLC Fairport Harbor, Ohio

WWellmaster Tillsonburg, Ontario

Wolf Creek Company Columbus, Ohio

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INDUSTRY EXPERT GUIDE

Anne Obarski, a seasoned expert in customer service, emphasizes the critical importance of making positive impressions with every customer in today’s world, drawing from over 30 years of experience across various roles including as a past sportswear buyer and now as founder of Merchandise Concepts. Through her extensive research, including mystery shopping over 2000 stores nationwide, Anne has developed a laser focus on real-time customer service experiences, leading to the authorship of five books and recognition as a Top Retail Expert in 2024.

Restoring the Native Landscape

HEY THERE OGIA MEMBERS!

For a limited time only, we’re excited to announce our referral program! Refer a new member to join the OGIA, and when they sign up, you’ll receive a $50 Amazon gift card as our token of appreciation. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to share the benefits of OGIA membership while earning rewards for your referrals. Start referring today and enjoy the perks!

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE

TONY SEEGERS

1803 Consulting, LLC tony@1803consulting.com

Tony is the governmental affairs liaison for OhioPLANT, of which OGIA is a member. OhioPLANT is a coalition of pesticide, landscape, agriculture, nursery and turf professionals. For more information, visit OhioPLANT.com

Note: this is not a commentary or opinion on either political party, President Huffman or Speaker Stephens.

WITH THE PRIMARIES OVER, the General Assembly is getting back into the swing of things before they break for the summer campaign season and the election in November. Besides the typical sparring between incumbents and candidates that will play out in our mailboxes and tv screens, there is another fight looming, and that is for the Speaker’s gavel when the new General Assembly starts in January.

However, before we get to the coming competition to be the next Speaker, lets recap the heated contest that started at the beginning of this General Assembly in January of last year. Below is an excerpt from my article on the subject at the time:

The candidates in the House for Speaker whittled down to three, Rep. Phil Plummer (R-Dayton), Rep. Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill), and Rep. Derek Merrin (R-Monclova Twp.). The members of the Republican caucus met in December to informally vote for who would control the Speaker’s gavel and after a lengthy meeting, Rep. Merrin was elected. The formal vote would take place on January 3 after the members of the 135th General Assembly were sworn in. However, between those two dates, Rep. Stephens and his supporters made a push to be elected

A New Fight To Be The Next Speaker Of The Ohio House Of Representatives

Speaker when the official vote was held.

On January 3, after the House members were sworn in, Rep. Stephens and Rep. Merrin were nominated to be Speaker. Rep. Stephens was elected with 54 votes, 22 Republicans from his caucus and the 32 Democrat Representatives. The remaining 43 Republicans voted with Rep. Merrin. This has split the Republican caucus into two factions, one siding with Speaker Stephens and the other supporting Rep. Merrin.

Since that vote, there has been acrimony and even a lawsuit by the Merrin camp asking the court to prohibit Speaker Stephens from using the caucus campaign money, alleging an agreement on sharing the campaign funds had been broken by the Speaker’s allies. Now, a new front on this fight has opened. Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman is currently eyeing the speakership of the Ohio House of Representatives, signaling a potential power struggle within the caucus. President Huffman, whose Senate term ends this year, has been openly critical of the current Speaker Jason Stephens, suggesting to reporters that the Speaker has not done an adequate job leading the chamber.

President Huffman has stated that Stephens’ election as Speaker in 2023, with support from Democrats, makes it “difficult to say ‘I’m also the leader of the Republican caucus.’” He has also criticized Speaker Stephens for not holding enough legislative sessions.

A longtime legislator from Lima, President Huffman has served in the Ohio Senate since 2020 and previously spent eight years in the House, including as Speaker Pro Tempore.

Speaker Stephens has dismissed President Huffman’s criticisms, stating the Senate President should “pay attention to running

the Senate, instead of trying to run the House.” The brewing battle sets the stage after the November 2024 general election for a contentious speakership vote when the new members are sworn in in January and vote for their next chamber leader.

While the outcome remains uncertain, the potential clash between Senate President Huffman and Speaker Stephens highlights the divisions within the Ohio Republican controlled House and could have significant implications for the state’s legislative agenda when the new session convenes in January.

Editor’s note: At the time of writing this article just as I was about to hit send to OGIA, I received a news alert that Speaker Stephens had removed six committee chairs from their chair positions and the committees they presided over, including Rep. Rodney Creech as chair and as a member of the House Agriculture Committee. All six committee chairs had supported Rep. Merrin in January of last year to be the Speaker.

UPDATE ON PESTICIDE PREEMPTION

As you may recall, OGIA, through its membership in OhioPLANT (Coalition of Pesticide, Landscape, Agriculture, Nursery, and Turf professionals), scored a legislative victory at the end of 2022 with the inclusion of OhioPLANT’s pesticide preemption language in HB 507, that was passed at the end of the General Assembly. The language preempts local governments from banning or regulating pesticides on private property. These are pesticides that must be registered with the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

Unfortunately, the City of Columbus filed suit in Franklin County Common Pleas Court in March claiming in an eightcount complaint that our language is an unconstitutional violation of Columbus home rule authority. The Attorney General’s office has filed an answer in the case denying the claims by the city.

July 18 & 19, 2024 | Columbus, OH

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NATIVE PLANTS TO TRY IN 2024

BY ALANA SETTLE

ACCORDING TO University of Delaware entomologist Doug Tallamy, author of “Bringing Nature Home” and “Nature’s Best Hope,” native plants far outweigh non-native species in supporting wildlife, particularly insect populations.

It’s common knowledge that bees and butterflies are important pollinators, but native insect populations are the backbone of biodiverse ecosystems. Nearly all our backyard songbirds feed insects, not seeds or berries, to their hatchlings. Tallamy says a pair of chickadees will feed one nest of hatchlings 300 caterpillars per day for the first 16 days of their lives. Non-native plant species simply cannot sustain insect populations to this level, as insects are highly specialized eaters. Tallamy’s research shows that native oak trees can support more than 500 species of caterpillars, while non-native trees can host just one or two species or even none.

An easy answer to supporting wildlife and creating diverse ecosystems is to plant native species. Luckily, according to the organizers of Ohio Native Plant Month, there are nearly 2,000 native plants in Ohio to choose from. The nonprofit organization recently released its 2024 Plants of Distinction, highlighting a few of the greatest natives available to gardeners that may be underutilized in home landscapes.

TULIP POPLAR (LIRIODENDRON TULIPIFERA)

Oaks and maples may be at the top of your mind when thinking about natives, but the tulip poplar (also called a tulip tree) is also worthy of attention when considering

diversity. This large flowering tree is not related to poplars but is part of the magnolia family. According to the National Wildlife Federation’s native plant database, the tulip tree serves as a caterpillar host plant for 18 species of butterflies and moths, including beautiful swallowtails. The tuliplike flowers also serve as a food source for bees, hummingbirds, and occasionally Baltimore orioles.

This fast-growing tree can reach 20’ tall in 10 years. However, it needs ample space, as it can grow to 60-75’ tall (or more) and 50’ wide. Tulip trees have brittle wood that can be damaged in wind and ice storms. While these trees may not be suitable for smaller backyards, they are beautiful in the right setting with their distinctive large leaves and yellow and orange flowers.

WINTERBERRY HOLLY (ILEX VERTICILLATA)

Common winterberry is a deciduous holly known for its showy red fruit that covers its branches in fall and winter. Winterberries are dioecious (separate male and female plants). It’s recommended to plant one male with a grouping of female plants to ensure pollination and fruit production. This slow-growing shrub grows best in wet, acidic soil but can tolerate various conditions. The berries are popular with birds in winter.

Native plant researchers are studying whether cultivars of native species (sometimes called nativars) provide the same nutritional value for birds and insects. They suggest selecting cultivars with berries close to the same size and color as the straight species if your goal is to support local wildlife.

WOOD POPPY (STYLOPHORUM DIPHYLLUM)

Also called celandine poppy, this spring wildflower thrives in shady and wet areas and is deer- and rabbit-tolerant. It is a suitable perennial for a naturalized area, dark corner of the landscape, or a rain garden where it can self-seed freely. Bright yellow, four-petaled flowers bloom in clusters on stems 12-18” tall from March to May. It can be confused with the invasive greater celandine (Chelidonium majus).

HONEYSUCKLE VINE (LONICERA SEMPERVIRENS)

Also called trumpet or coral honeysuckle, this vining native species is not overly aggressive, like the invasive bush honeysuckles Amur, Morrow, and Tatarian, and is an alternative to the non-native Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera Japonica). It does not have fragrant flowers like its controversial counterparts. However, its vibrant orange blooms are loved by hummingbirds. In full sun, it can grow 15’ long along a trellis or arbor. It serves as a host plant for the native snowberry clearwing moth.

The plants we choose in our landscapes influence the success of wildlife. If you’re considering how to get started, check out Doug Tallamy’s work, connect with local growers and advocates of native plants, and support Ohio Native Plant Month initiatives.

PHOTO VIA OAKLAND NURSERIES

PHOTO VIA OAKLAND NURSERIES

PHOTO VIA OHIO DNR

PHOTO VIA SCIOTO GARDENS

Emotional Stability

BY ANDY SPRENGER Training Specialist

The Employers Association is an OGIA service provider offering FREE HR assistance and more. Check it out and learn more about this benefit of your OGIA membership at ogia.org/serviceproviders.

WHAT DOES SUSTAINABILITY MEAN? An overall definition could be the “quality of being able to continue over a period of time.” According to a post by ENEL on June 15th, 2023, an author labeled four pillars of sustainability: Environmental, Social, Economic (or Governance), and Ethical. I am going to propose that there is a fifth pillar, Emotional Sustainability (E.S.).

What does Emotional Sustainability mean? Using the basic definition labeled above, emotional sustainability could be the ability to manage one’s emotional state of mind over a continued period of time. A factor of emotional sustainability is stress management. At The Employers’ Association (EA) we teach a course called, “Emotional Intelligence.” One of the first steps to gaining emotional intelligence is to understand yourself. This includes understanding what causes stress for you in different circumstances. The ability to be aware of your own emotional gas tank is vital to avoid the destructive levels of stress and burnout.

The following are some methods to help reduce your stress:

• Identify the stressors in your life and rank them. Personally, and professionally, there are many stressors that can occur. These stressors are different for everyone. It is not a matter of if they are going to be triggered, but a matter of when they are going to be triggered. By identifying them you can game plan on how you are going to respond to that stressor in the future.

• Be aware of your “self-talk.” When stress happens, what do you say to yourself? If your “self-talk” or belief is more negative, then your perspective on the matter will be more negative. If your “self-talk” or belief is more positive, then your perspective on the matter will be more positive.

• Acknowledge the circumstance and label the emotion. The goal is not to rid yourself of stress completely. That is not realistic. What is more realistic is that when stress occurs acknowledge “it,” and understand how you initially feel about “it.” By doing so, you will be more in control of your emotional state of mind.

• Be aware of your Refraction (or Reflection) Period. The Refraction Period is how long you personally hold on to the stress, or how long you reflect on the stress. The faster you can move past “it,” the healthier your emotional state of mind will be.

• Take a Break. The duration of the break varies depending on the circumstance. It takes consistent action and time to be able to create positive gains. When a task causes too much stress, forcing your will on the matter may cause more stress and drain your energy for other projects that are on your list. Taking a break and coming back to the task may help you achieve the goal without draining your energy.

Emotional Sustainability will affect your ability to perform and make decisions. Again, it’s not about eliminating all stress in your life. That would most likely be impossible. It is about identifying your stressors and realizing that you can control how it affects you. It will take time and purposeful attention, but your ability to sustain a positive, emotional state of mind; emotional sustainability, will be worth the effort.

OGIA EVENT CALENDAR

Check back for more updates and events coming soon! Visit ogia.org/events for more information.

June 3

June 20

June 21

June 26

July 8

July 11

July 18

July 18 & 19

August 5

August 8

September 9

September 26

October 10

Mt. Airy Arboretum Diagnostic Walkabout Cincinnati, Ohio

Garden Center Webinar Part 1

Online

Garden Center Webinar Part 2

Online

Garden Center Bus Tour Columbus, Ohio

Smale Riverfront Park Diagnostic Walkabout Cincinnati, Ohio

Kendal at Oberlin Diagnostic Walkabout Oberlin, Ohio

Inniswood Metro Gardens Diagnostic Walkabout Westerville, Ohio

OSHA 10 Training & Red Cross Certification Columbus, Ohio

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Diagnostic Walkabout Cincinnati, Ohio

Summit Metro Park Diagnostic Walkabout Akron, Ohio

Boone County Arboretum Diagnostic Walkabout Burlington, Kentucky

Sunset Memorial Park Diagnostic Walkabout North Olmstead, Ohio

Ohio High School Landscape Olympics Wooster, Ohio

Ohio Green Industry Association

P.O. Box 518 Dublin, Ohio 43017-9998

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LANDSCAPE PLANTS FOR OHIO