The Buckeye, August 2015 Volume 26, Issue 7

The Official Publication of the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association

August 2015 Vol. 26, Issue 7

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 in-depth discussions of the art and science of scouting, diagnostics and control of landscape pests. This is for commercial horticulturalists only.

The walks are offered six times during the season and cover the problems prevalent during that time of the season – no two will be the same. All walks are from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

August 6, 2015 Toledo Zoo & Aquarium Toledo, Ohio

September 3, 2015 BGSU Firelands Huron, OH

.5 (Core), 1 (6A), .5 (8)

1 CEU

.5 (Core), .5 (3A)

HSW

HSW

1 CEU

2 HR.

2 CEU’s

August 20, 2015 Cleveland Metropark Zoo Cleveland, OH

1 (Core), .5 (6A), .5 (8)

1 CEU HSW

2 HR. 1 CEU

2 CEU’s

September 24, 2015 Sunset Memorial Gardens North Olmsted, OH

1 (6A), .5 (8) HSW

2 HR.

1 CEU

2 HR.

.5 (Core),

1 CEU

.5 (6A), .5 (8)

1 CEU

1 CEU

2 CEU’s

2 CEU’s

Register Today! Space is Limited!

Each walkabout is $45/person (ONLA member) or $65/person (non-member)

Register at www.onla.org For questions contact lisa@onla.org or 800-825-5062

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

CONTENTS

EDITORIAL / ADVERTISING ISSN 1536-7940 Subscriptions: $75/year amanda@onla.org, editor

August 2015

Vol. 26, Issue 7

STAFF Roni Petersen, Membership & Certification Amanda Domsitz, Communications Director Amy Eldridge, CENTS Manager Karen Lykins, Accountant Lisa Larson, Education Director

industry news

features

4

Why Companies Don’t Sell Training this Summer?

6

Protecting Your Personal Time

17 26

Branches of Government

State of the State: An Update on

28

ONLA Announces New

News Around the State House

Approach to Green Industry

Tradeshow in 2016

President’s Perspective

departments

OFFICERS

9

Safety First

Mike Dues, President Dues Nursery & Landscaping, Ltd.

Stay Safe in the Heat this Summer

David Richards, Immediate Past President South Ridge Farm

What’s the Difference Between Warm & Cool

Season Grasses?

Steve Maddox, President Elect Michell’s

10 11

Educational Update: Part 2

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Spring & Summer - Warm Season Grass Care

Hillary Henry, Board Member The Pattie Group

Spring & Summer - Cool Season Grass Care

Annette Howard, Board Member Gilson Gardens, Inc.

Creating Exciting Plant Combinations

Adam McClanahan, Board Member Carlton Plants

BYGLs, Bugs & Boggs

Josh Posey, Board Member Buckeye Resources, Inc.

Ellen Gallucci Purcell, Board Member Riepenhoff Landscape, Ltd.

The Importance of Certification & OCNT

35

Preferred Job Postings

Mark Reiner, Board Member Oakland Nursery, Inc.

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

19 30 34

ONLA Landscape Awards Program: Call for Entries

Educational Update: Part 1

DIRECTORS

14

31

Need CEU’s and Hands-On

Educational Update: Part 3

By Design Why Trees Matter In Memoriam Elizabeth “Betty” Zondag

August 2015 Vol. 26, Issue 7

The Official Publication of the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association

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.

Certification Corner

PEST Newsletter

Japanese Beetle Revisited & Dealing With

Cicada Killers!

also in this issue

37 Industry Calendar • 38 About The Buckeye • 38 Classified Ads • 38 Ad Index

front cover: Summer Blooms The Ohio State University, Agricultural Technical Institute

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President’s Perspective

Protecting Your Personal Time Today as I write this article, the rain is falling again.

Like most of us in the great state of Ohio, the end of June and the start of July has been a bit challenging with the abundance of precipitation. Mercer County alone has received 16.75 inches of rain in the last month. The added challenge of too much moisture along with heavy workloads makes keeping our personal time almost sacred. For our own mental health and the health of our family units, our sacred personal time needs to be protected. Now we all know how hard it is to protect our personal time. There are many self-help books and theories on the best way to achieve this. Let’s reflect on few the most popular suggestions and see if they resonate with any of you so your sacred time is protected.

Learn How to Say “No” Getting ahead at work/business doesn’t mean accepting any and every project that you’re offered. Everyone has their limit, and if you take on too much work, you may be sacrificing your happiness (and your families). Only agree to new projects if you have the time and energy to devote to these tasks. If you turn down work, you probably wouldn’t have been able to devote the necessary time to be on your “A” game anyway. This is by far the hardest word for me to say. My “C” game is better than most

4 The Buckeye

Mike Dues Dues Nursery & Landscaping, Ltd. ONLA President mikedues@duesnursery.com

“A” games. Wow we all know how wrong that thought process is and how it could get us into a bad situation very quickly. As Warren Buffett and Bill Gates have told us, you need to say NO the most.

Set Aside One Hour Each Day for Yourself Life is challenging, especially if you’re juggling work life and family life. To find a healthy, happy balance, set aside one hour each day for yourself.

I have heard people say, wake up an hour early in the morning, or skip lunch and enjoy alone time. You can do anything during this period — exercise, read a book, take a bath, listen to music, or meditate.

If I try to meditate the only thing running through my head is work that needs done. I also noticed that no one mentions a glass of bourbon with a good cigar, works for me though.

Use Your Vacation Time A recent study found that only 25% of American workers used all their paid vacation time last year. Even if you enjoy your work, there are clear benefits of a vacation. It’s the perfect time to refresh your mind and body, which makes you a more productive and valuable onla.org

worker. If you can’t escape the office for a week, plan for two- or three-day getaways. I truly believe one can go to any city, if they go with an open mind they will have a good time.

Use Technology to Your Advantage Technology should help make our lives easier, not control it. Ban technology at certain times so that you can focus on your family or friends. Turn off your phone.

Our parents and grandparents did just fine without them all together. Life hasn’t changed that much.

Fight the Guilt Feeling Superwoman and Superman–are fictional characters.

Real people can’t devote 100% to everything they do.

Stop feeling guilty if you miss a soccer game or school function. Our children would be much more upset if we missed an internet or cell phone payment. I smiled as I typed that, just imagining them freaking out saying “I’m not connected.” or “My phone is not working, I need a new one.”

I have found one thing to be of the greatest help when it comes to protecting my personal time, and that is the habit of leaving work (and work-related problems) at work. I found that by bringing home either work projects or other types of problems or concerns from work, that I was not really allowing myself to have personal time.

I was, in fact, simply continuing my work, but simply at a different location which isn’t fair to our families or ourselves. I am able to walk to work, years ago I realized the importance of “TRYING” to leave work at work.

My simple solution was to plant a “Trouble Tree” at the end of our sidewalk. As I walked home I would hang my work issue on a branch (symbolically) so I wouldn’t burden my family with them. And as I walk to work the next morning I would pick up my issues and return to work. The “Trouble Tree” was a physical reminder for me. And the one thing that always works for me is prayer!

Online Availability klynnurseries.com Visit our website Sales Staff Availability* Hot List* Klyn Catalog 2015* Quote Form Photo Gallery E-mail addresses About Us Directions *Contact us for user name and password

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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

onla.org

August 2015 5

B

Branches of Government

STATE OF THE STATE: An Update on News Around the State House At deadline for this article, Ohio Governor John Kasich is straightening his tie about to approach the podium to officially announce his run for President of the United States. Gov. Kasich will be the 16th republican candidate to announce. Although he is the last to announce, we should not count him out. Ohio has had the most number of Presidents elected to the White House!

Meanwhile the Ohio General Assembly has recessed after passing a $7.2 million biennial operating budget.

Below please find a quick budget recap and some clips about some of the other issues we are following on YOUR behalf!

Budget Recap With significant changes between the Governor’s version, the House version and the Senate version, ultimately, the budget as enacted includes incentives to make Ohio an even better place to start and grow a business. Starting in 2016, the budget eliminates taxes for businesses earning under $250,000 in business income. For businesses earning above that amount, the state will implement a flat tax of 3%. Further, the state’s income tax rate will be cut by 6.3%.

Administratively, there was also a major shift in the transfer of the Ohio Division of Soil and Water Conservation from ODNR to ODA. This is part of the overall effort of the Kasich administration to house water quality matters under “one roof” - ODA. You will recall that in the 130th General Assembly, SB 150 was passed to require farmers to obtain certification to apply fertilizers on 50 acres or above. Earlier this year (during

6 The Buckeye

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

the 131st GA) SB 1 was passed to prohibit the application of manure and fertilizers on frozen or saturated soil in the Western Basin (note: this applies to all applications not just agriculture).

The moving of the Division of Soil and Water Conservation to ODA is consistent with the Kasich Administration’s efforts to make land and water conservation a top priority. According to ODA’s website, since 2011 Ohio has invested more than $1 billion in the Lake Erie Watershed to improve drinking water, waste water facilities, monitor water quality, recycling of dredge material and the planting of cover crops to prevent erosion, etc.

Water Quantity Those of you who attended the Ohio Green Industry Advocacy Day event in February will no doubt remember the gentleman from Governor Kasich’s office who presented us with a Gubernatorial Proclamation naming July “Smart Water Month.” While the ONLA Board and legislative committee, under the guidance of ONLA Grassroots Person of the Year John Newlin, had envisioned a splash of water conservation messaging in the month of July, this summer’s record breaking rainfall foiled our plan. With Ohio registering the greatest number of inches of rainfall since 1878 (I think it was 1878), shutting down swimming pools and other activities, this was not the year to promote conservation; however, we will continue with this dialogue in the months and years to come.

onla.org

Marijuana Legalization

HB 77

As you know from your local news sources, Ohio is on the brink of having a ballot initiative that would legalize marijuana. A group called “Responsible Ohio” is trying to (and will likely obtain) enough signatures to put this issue on the ballot. The ballot language, similar to the casino ballot initiative a few years ago, not only would legalize marijuana but would generally create a monopoly as to where it could be grown and who could sell it. In short, irrespective of how you feel about legalization, this initiative is bad for Ohio.

As you know from previous articles the registration and/or regulation of home improvement contractors gained some attention with the introduction of HB 77.

Introduced by Rep. Pattmon (D; Cleveland), HB 77 had several hearings in the House Commerce and Labor Committee but was tabled for further discussion.

At their most recent Board meeting, based upon concerns about drug free work place and other issues, the ONLA Board voted to draft and approve a Resolution in opposition to the legalization of marijuana. Watch the website for more information on this issue.

While the sub bill will likely be dramatically different, for a link to the “as introduced” version of HB 77, visit: www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislationsummary?id=GA131-HB-77. please see page 8

onla.org

Recently, we reached out to Speaker Rosenberger’s office to see if this is an issue on their radar and, in fact, staff has had a few meetings on this subject and a draft sub bill is in the works.

August 2015 7

continued from page 7

ODA Pesticide Rules Did you know that state agencies in Ohio are supposed to review their administrative rules every five years to see whether anything needs to be changed? This historic effort has not always been timely but under the Kasich Administration and the Common Sense Initiative, the five year rule review has been more timely and “common sensical” than ever before! Among other rule considerations, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is in the process of reviewing myriad rules. Some rules are being changed or modified, many are being rubber-stamped.

In this process, several rules in the pesticide section are under consideration. For example, the lawn care posting rule. While no substantive changes are being made to the posting rule a big clarification was deemed necessary.

Some (not many, but some) complaints have been made to ODA that the certain companies have been loose with the posting rules and instead of strictly adhering to the rule of law, have been using the posting more for

advertisement than public information. The recent draft of rules (that have been vetted over the last couple of years) clarify signage requirements.

Additionally, as has been reported previously, the ODA is also looking at insurance requirements for pesticide applicators. If you are not familiar with this issue, we highly encourage you to reach out to your insurance agent and confirm your understanding of your coverage. If you want more information, please call me at 614-224-3855 or call ODA. If you are the type of person who gets super excited about reading rule revisions (first, call me and sign up for legislative committee!), for all of the rules under consideration by ODA, please visit: http://www. registerofohio.state.oh.us/jsps/publicdisplayrules/ listRulesByAgency.jsp?NEXT=50. B

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2/10/15 3:53 PM

SAFETY FIRST Stay Safe in the Heat this Summer

OSHA Teams Up With NOAA and the NWS To Prevent Heat Related Deaths And Injuries For the fifth year, OSHA has partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service to prevent heat-related deaths and illnesses.

About one-third of heat-related worker deaths occur in the construction industry, but outdoor workers in every field – including agriculture, landscaping, transportation, and oil and gas operations - are susceptible to the dangers of heat.

As a result of a four year partnership between the National Weather Service and OSHA, important worker safety information is included in all NWS extreme heat alerts.

OSHA also worked with the National Weather Service to develop a Smartphone Heat Safety App (www.osha. gov/SLTC/heatillness/heat_index/heat_app.html) that allows users to calculate risk levels at a worksite and learn the protective measures needed to prevent heat illness.

Heat Stress: Who Is At Risk?

• • • • • • •

New employees starting a job requiring physical activity.

Older employees who may not be physically fit or are overweight.

Employees with heart problems or other physical disabilities.

Employees required to work outside in the sun over an extended period of time.

Employees working around hot equipment or metal.

Employees who have been drinking alcohol.

Employees who have had a previous heat stress disorder. B

Provided by American Safety And Health Management Consultants, Inc. americansafetyandhealthmanagementconsultants.com

Visit OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention page (www. osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/index.html) for more information and to download or order the heat app in English or Spanish.

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Educational Update: Part 1

What’s the Difference Between Warm & Cool Season Grasses?

Landscape professionals, turfgrass producers, nursery specialist and green industry professionals often use terms that, within their respective industry are pretty straight forward and clearly understandable. But sometimes those same terms may be unclear to those who don’t work in the industry. Consider the terms “warm season” or “cool season” grasses. These terms could be misleading to the average person. So what exactly are “warm season” and “cool season” grasses and how do they differ?

Let’s begin by understanding that turfgrasses perform more effectively within temperatures that most closely match their growth patterns. Few regions are consistently within the optimum temperature range.

Many areas provide those temperatures for varying periods of the year, but because of these variables in temperature and overall climate, turfgrasses are divided into two temperature categories: cool season and warm season.

Cool-season turfgrasses are those species with optimum growth at temperatures between 60 and 75°F (15.5 to 24°C). Examples of cool season grass species include creeping bentgrass, fine fescue, tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, annual ryegrass and perennial ryegrass.

Warm-season turfgrass are those species with optimum growth at temperatures between 80 and 95°F (27 to 35°C). A few warm season grass species include Bahiagrass, bermudagrass, carpetgrass, St. Augustine and zoysiagrass.

To make it easier to determine the appropriate species selection in your area, geographic regions are designated as zones according to temperature range. Warm-season and cool-season are two of these zones as shown on the U.S. map. A third zone is identified as the transition zone.

mixture of different types of grasses is recommended.

For example, some people compensate for this dilemma by growing warm season grasses during the time of the year when temperatures favor them. They then overseed the warm-season grasses with species of cool-season grasses that will grow when temperatures favor them, helping to keep your lawn in shape and green through the summer.

While it’s true that cool-season grasses do better in the cooler times of the year and thrive in temperatures from 65° to 75°, and warm-season grasses are best adapted to temperatures between 80° and 95°; this isn’t meant to suggest seasonal times of the year, such as summer and winter, but rather the seasonal climatic differences in regional locations. For example, in the case of the U.S., think of it as the climatic differences between northern (cool season) and southern (warm season) locations on a year-round basis, such as the seasonal conditions of Buffalo, New York compared to the conditions in Savannah, Georgia.

In the event you live in the transition zone and want more information on what species of grass best meets your region’s climatic conditions The Lawn Institute recommends you talk to a turfgrass producer in your area or contact your state’s university extension service.

For more information about lawns and lawn care visit The Lawn Institute at www.TheLawnInstitute.org. B Contact: Jim Novak TLI Public Relations Manager 847-649-5555 jnovak@TurfGrassSod.org

Within the transition zone, no single type of grass will do well in all weather conditions; so often a specific

10 The Buckeye

onla.org

Educational Update: Part 2

Spring & Summer Warm Season Grass Care

Mid-spring and early summer are a great time to take care of your lawn to make sure you can enjoy all that it has to offer. There are a few steps you can take to help ensure your lawn is healthy and ready for family activities come summer.

Soil Having a soil test to determine pH and nutrient levels is important as you enter the growing season. The results of such a test will be extremely helpful in understanding how you can best manage your lawn and keep it healthy over the coming months. It is recommended that you obtain a soil test every 3 or 4 years and use the recommendations in the most recent report to determine the N-P-K rates for your lawn.

The letters N-P-K represent - (N) nitrogen, (P) phosphorus and (K) potassium, all of which are essential to a healthy lawn. The importance of these macronutrients is: N gives plants the ability to grow rapidly and produce large amounts of succulent, green leaves; P plays an important role in seedling development, cell building and root growth; and K helps the overall cell structure of a plant by making it more resistant to disease and physically capable of handling heavy foot traffic.

Planting Mid-spring through mid-summer is the optimum time to plant warm-season grasses. Warm-season grasses need soil temperatures in the 65° to 75°F range for seed germination, but the optimal establishment period continues into mid-July as long as irrigation is available to support initial growth and establishment. Soil temperatures are suitable for planting as late as August, but the turf is less likely to mature satisfactorily to ensure winter survival following such a late planting date.

Fertilize

Mid-spring through summer is the optimal period to fertilize bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, St. Augustinegrass, and centipedegrass. A typical lawn fertilizer bag’s label has three numbers, such as 5-10-5, indicating its contents. Those numbers represent weight ratios of three major macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) which we identified earlier. For example, a 50-lb. bag of fertilizer labeled 5-10-5, has 5% N (2.5 lbs.), 10% (5 lbs.) P, and 5% (2.5 lbs.) K. The bag’s remaining contents 80% (40 lbs.) provides a carrier for the fertilizer, making it easier to apply to your lawn. Properly applied, these macronutrients encourage a healthy lawn which significantly contributes to a healthier environment than a lawn that receives no nutrients. But remember that more fertilizer doesn’t lead to a greener lawn: follow the directions on the bag for optimal results.

Mowing Mow at recommended heights; the accepted recommendation is no more than one-third of a grass plant should be removed in one mowing.

Core Aeration If soil appears compacted consider aerating the lawn to maximize the infiltration of water, nutrients and oxygen to the plant’s roots. Aeration on warm-season grasses should be done when the turf is actively growing and not during the spring transition period. It can be done anytime from mid-spring through mid-summer as long as the soil is sufficiently moist (not saturated) to allow for the tines of the aerator to penetrate the soil. For warm-season grasses such as zoysiagrass, centipedegrass, carpetgrass, St. Augustinegrass and bermudagrass the best time to aerate is late spring or in the summer, when the grasses are actively growing. please see page 12

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You can rent aeration equipment or hire a professional.

Either way, mark all sprinkler heads before aeration begins to avoid costly repairs to the in-ground irrigation system.

Dethatching Thatch, a layer predominantly comprised of undecomposed stems, signals an imbalance between the biomass that the turf is producing and how fast it can be decomposed. Leaf clippings are not a significant component of thatch, so it is still wise to return clippings to the lawn rather than bagging them. Roots residing in thatch layers that are more than one-half inch in depth will quickly suffer from moisture stress during the summer months. Plus, the thatch layer is a haven for many insect pests and fungal spores that can incite disease.

Watering The amount of water your lawn requires and receives will help determine its overall health, beauty, drought resistance and ability to stand up to use. Water is a valuable resource and should be used as efficiently

as possible. Whether you use an in-ground irrigation system or above-ground hose-end sprinklers for watering your lawn, it is important to apply the water uniformly.

Without uniform coverage, some areas of the lawn may receive too much water while other areas receive too little water. This will not only result in uneven growth across the lawn, but can also make the turfgrass more susceptible to weeds, insects or disease.

These helpful suggestions are a great way to prepare your lawn for the summer months and enjoy all that your lawn has to offer.

For more information about lawns and lawn care visit The Lawn Institute at www.TheLawnInstitute.org. B Contact: Jim Novak TLI Public Relations Manager 847-649-5555 jnovak@TurfGrassSod.org

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12 ONLA_SummerShandy_July.indd The Buckeye

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onla.org

Educational Update: Part 3

Spring & Summer Cool Season Grass Care Mid-spring and early summer are a great time to take care of your lawn to make sure you can enjoy all that it has to offer. If your lawn is Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue or fine fescue here are a few suggestions to help ensure your lawn is healthy and ready for family activities throughout the summer and fall.

Fertilizer Purdue University Extension suggests that if you do apply nitrogen (N) fertilizer during the spring use slow-release fertilizers to minimize excess growth and then apply little to none during summer except where you frequently water and/or regularly remove clippings during mowing.

Cool-season grasses such as bluegrasses, fescues, and ryegrasses will benefit most when you apply the majority of N fertilizer from late summer through autumn. This promotes summer recovery, enhances shoot density, maximizes green color, and prepares the turf for winter, all without a growth surge.

Remember that more fertilizer doesn’t lead to a greener lawn: follow the directions on the bag for optimal results.

Post-Emergent Herbicide If weeds appear to be a problem because you missed the window of opportunity to apply a pre-emergent herbicide, you can apply a post-emergent product.

Post-emergent herbicides work by destroying already established weeds. When applying any post-emergent herbicide be sure to follow label instructions.

Watering Depending on conditions, you may or may not have to water your lawn throughout the summer. If you do water, it is best to water your lawn in the early hours of the day, anywhere from 4 am to 12 noon. The cooler night and morning temperatures reduce evaporative loss and reduce onla.org

the amount of water needed. If you can tolerate slight discoloration, both tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass can survive by turning dormant during extreme drought.

Mowing Mow at recommended heights; the accepted convention is only one-third of a grass plant should be removed in one mowing.

Do not aerate or dethatch cool season grass in the spring. There may be a temptation, because of thatch (a layer of undecayed plant parts accumulating at the turfgrass base that forms a barrier to water and air movement in the same manner as compacted soil), to aerate or dethatch your cool season grass in the spring. It is strongly recommended that coolseason grass lawns such as Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue be aerated and/or dethatched in the fall.

Unlike warm season grasses, cool season grasses need to avoid any extra stress as they get ready for the summer heat. Cool season lawns are at their strongest going into the cooler weather, and are less stressed by aeration and dethatching in the fall.

These helpful suggestions are a great way to prepare your lawn for the summer months and enjoy all that your lawn has to offer.

For more information about lawns and lawn care visit The Lawn Institute at www.TheLawnInstitute.org. B Contact: Jim Novak TLI Public Relations Manager 847-649-5555 jnovak@TurfGrassSod.org

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By Design

Creating Exciting Plant Combinations I never cease to be amazed by the number of boring, green-only landscapes. Rows of Taxus or Thuja or Buxus lined up like soldiers. No composition, no layering, no thought to the diversity of forms, textures, or even shades of green.

I frequently use parts of my garden to demonstrate my thinking process in creating exciting plant combinations although photos I have taken in the past also serve as a teaching tool for me. In 1995 at Hidcote, one of England’s premier gardens, I saw what was basically a shady, spring blooming garden (although the Hosta blooms in July and August) for dry to average soil.

However, the essence of the garden was the foliage, all of it green but with different forms and textures.

In creating a composition, start with a plant that catches the eye. I believe that the soft and divided leaf of Geranium maculatum (Wood Geranium) was that starter. The next step is finding contrasting foliage like that of Bergenia crassifolia (Pig Squeak) which is entire

14 The Buckeye

and leathery, and then finishing with the large and entire but distinctly veined foliage of Hosta ‘Hyacinthina’. I would also consider adding another form and texture with Liriope muscari ‘Big Blue’ (Big Blue Lily-Turf), the foliage of which is mounding and strappy. As a bonus, we would also be adding bloom in August and September.

If we wanted to add some light to this composition, the use of variegated foliage would be quite helpful. We could substitute Hosta ‘Francee’ for Hosta ‘Hyacinthina’ and Liriope muscari ‘Variegata’ for ‘Big Blue’.

In my own gardens, I have a partial shade bed under old magnolias. Although the bed is irrigated, the plants I choose must do well in dry shade because the extensive tree roots suck up most of the moisture.

I started with Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ for its silvery overlay and veining of the green, heart-shaped base.

Then, on the right, I added Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’ (Japanese Painted Fern) to reinforce the silver, a color onla.org

that illuminates shade like no other. All of this silver needed some contrast so to the left of the Brunnera, I added another fern, Athyrium filix-femina ‘Rotstiel’ (Rotstiel Lady Fern). It is slightly larger than Japanese Painted Fern but is all green and has reddish stems. Plant number four was Helleborus ‘Blue Lady’ that I placed right of and slightly back of the painted fern. Thus the two green plants were arranged in asymmetrical balance although their textures are distinctly different, that of the hellebore being leathery, glossy, and widely divided.

This combination would have been sufficient in a small space but since I had more, I added Hosta ‘Majesty’ with its cream edge and large leaves, Anthriscus sylvestris ‘Ravenswing’ for its purple and fern-like texture, and Carex siderosticha ‘Variegata’ for its white-edged, wide and grassy-like foliage. The emphasis in this combination is on foliage textures, forms, and colors but these plants also provide a succession of flowers.

Adjacent to the magnolia bed is a bed outside my kitchen that faces east and thus receives only morning sun. During the afternoon, it receives mostly bright light but closer to the walk from the driveway, it is quite shady.

When we moved in thirty years ago, the bed was edged, near the walk, with Pieris japonica. The rest of the bed was filled with groundcover. Boring! My first task was having a sturdy trellis built and attached to the wall so that I could grow a climbing rose and Clematis there as background for the other plants I would be installing.

I love color so my design for that bed included bulbs, hydrangeas, perennials, sedges, and vines that would provide color from April until November. Narcissus supplies my April color. Then, in mid to late May, the pink climbing rose and two perennials come into bloom. Aruncus dioicus (Goatsbeard) looks like a white Astilbe on steroids, growing six feet high and wide while Geranium dalmaticum fronts the bed with lobed foliage only three inches high and lavender pink flowers that stay in bloom for at least a month.

June is mostly a study in blue and purple. Hydrangea serrata ‘Blue Billow’, a lacecap that flaunts medium blue flowers when I remember to amend the soil with aluminum sulfate, anchors the bed on the left while Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Lady in Red’ anchors the please see page 16

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continued from page 15

middle, just left of the Aruncus. In front of it is Baptisia ‘Twilite Prairie Blues’ whose charms are apparent only when very close. This is a perennial I will probably replace at some point. Meanwhile, Clematis viticella ‘Negritjanka‘ with its dark purple flowers is clambering up the rose and Clematis ‘Viola‘ uses its tendrils to climb through the Pieris japonica.

In July and August, Phlox ‘Peppermint Twist’ adds a fillip of bright pink and white and the foliage of Filipendula vulgaris ‘Aurea’ adds a touch of yellow. At the same time, the purple daylily starts to bloom.

The emphasis in this combination is on a succession of flowers but the foliage textures, forms, and colors provide interest and continuity even when the flowers are between bloom periods.

As long as you keep the design elements in mind with a strong central focus surrounded by complementary textures and colors, you too can create exciting plant combinations. B Bobbie Schwartz Bobbie’s Green Thumb bobbie@bgthumb.com

September brings a new set of flowers: white Anemone hybrida and Agastache rugosa ‘Alabaster‘, a butterfly magnet. Clematis ‘Viola’ has strong rebloom in September, thus bringing back some purple.

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WHY

Did you know that only 20% of businesses listed for sale actually sell? In other words, this means that four out of every five businesses don’t sell; as a business owner, if you can understand why certain companies don’t sell then you can position yourself to avoid the common mistakes that so many owners make, and become one of the 20% that succeed when selling their business.

Data on small business transactions can be difficult to obtain, so while there are thousands of articles that provide a step-by-step guide on “how to sell your business”, very few provide any relevant detail about the actions and characteristics that produce success; however, one excellent source exists. Each quarter, the Pepperdine Private Capital Markets Project, run by professors at the Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business, releases a report assessing the market conditions for small business transactions. In one of their 2013 reports, they listed five common reasons that companies don’t sell and are subsequently taken off the market (“%” indicates percentage of survey respondents who gave this answer): 1.) Seller’s Unrealistic Expectations (33%) 2.) Lack of Buyer Preparation (15%) 3.) Poor Seller Preparation (11%) 4.) Unreasonable Non-Financial Demands (9%) 5.) Personality Conflicts (9%) The study also surveyed M&A professionals about the biggest mistakes made by sellers that ultimately hurt their chance of successfully completing a deal. The top three answers were: 1.) Unrealistic Expectations (50%) 2.) Declining Business Sales (16%) 3.) Poor Financial Records (15%) As the two lists suggest, the seller has control over the majority of items that can cause a deal to fail. Let’s examine a few in depth.

Unrealistic Expectations, Unreasonable Demands, and Poor Preparation Transactions require agreement on a broad number of items, from price to deal and legal terms to a general sense of trust that each side develops in the other. An owner who has unrealistic expectations of the acceptable price and terms or who makes unreasonable demands during the negotiation will find it very difficult to reach agreement with a buyer. onla.org

Feature

COMPANIES DON’T SELL It should be obvious why unrealistic pricing expectations can kill deals, yet this prevails as the most common offense. We have written several articles in the past about the dangers of improperly pricing a business for sale, but unfortunately most owners enter the process without an accurate understanding of their company’s fair market value. But it doesn’t end with price, as disagreements over deal terms can be equally as detrimental to your success. To succeed, you need to understand the usual and customary terms that apply to companies within the landscaping industry.

Why do so many owners make these mistakes? It’s really just a lack of preparation. Most don’t want to pay for a professional valuation, and many would rather try to sell the company on their own than hire a business broker. The “fortunate” among this group end up selling, but it takes two to three years rather than the customary six to nine months, and most of them accept a price that is below fair market value.

In order to succeed (i.e. actually close a transaction at fair market value in a reasonable period of time), owners must be cognizant of these critical items. How? The easiest and most affordable way is to hire a business broker with expertise in the landscaping industry.

Declining Business Sales Growing businesses will always be more attractive than businesses in decline. Bar none. This is not to say that a declining business cannot be sold, but the likelihood of closing correlates directly with the sales trends. Buyers may price the decline into their valuation; however, if the decline continues or accelerates during the period between acceptance of an offer and closing, many will walk away.

Fair market value for a declining business is obviously less than it is for one that is stable. Many times, based on the lower price, buyers will show initial interest but will end up backing out of the transaction prior to closing as the overall weakness of the business becomes more apparent during due diligence and scares them off. Finally, it’s harder to obtain financing for declining businesses, so even if you clear all other hurdles you are still at the mercy of a lender who is likely to be risk averse.

please see page 18

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Poor Financial Records Financial performance drives valuations, and poor financial records can derail a deal in numerous ways. A buyer may only look at general financial data prior to making an offer, but during due diligence they may dig deeper. If the scarcity or complete absence of financial records complicates or prolongs their due diligence, they may use it as an excuse to pull out of the deal.

Companies with clean financial records are easier to sell because the owners do not run many personal expenses through the business, and therefore there are not any disputes over cash flow and net income. The harder a buyer has to work to understand and verify “add backs,” the more skeptical they become. This skepticism can lead them to rethink the purchase price and, in the most extreme cases, can cause them to call off the deal.

Poor financial records create the perception of a risky transaction. Risk has an inverse relationship with both valuation and closing success rates. Buyers pay less for riskier acquisitions, if they decide to purchase at all. The expenses associated with cleaning up your financials pale in comparison to the financial gains you receive when you sell.

Conclusion Successful transactions result in a win/win. A seller receives a good price for the business and is allowed to transition out, while a buyer makes a confident investment and is excited about the future. In order to accomplish this, owners need to be cognizant of their company’s actual fair market value and the general standards for acquisitions in their industry. Few, if any, can do this alone; in fact, those who fare the best tend to surround themselves with experts who do most of the work for them.

18 The Buckeye

We do not, at any point, suggest that a seller should accept a price that is less than fair market value, or deal terms that are abnormal for their industry or unreasonably impede their goals for the future. In fact, we pride ourselves in generating above average returns for the majority of our clients. All we are saying is that owners need to align their expectations with reality. It sounds simple, but if it were as easy as it sounds then the material for this article would not exist.

Caber Hill Advisors Peter Holton Managing Director 312-618-0715 peter@caberhill.com caberhill.com/landscaping

About the Author Peter J. Holton joined Caber Hill Advisors in 2014 as a Managing Director. He manages the firm’s practice in the landscaping and lawn maintenance management sectors.

Prior to joining Caber Hill, Mr. Holton worked with Craig Castelli at Bridge Ventures in Chicago. He began his career working in the construction industry, spending nearly a decade at a large construction and facilities management company where he held both regional and national positions in a variety of roles including business development, operations, and sales. He has extensive experience in business development, operations, and sales management, and is an expert at negotiating complex contracts and developing successful business strategies.

He received a Master’s Degree in Management and Leadership from Webster University and Bachelor of Arts in Communication from University of Dayton. He is also a licensed Illinois Business Broker. B

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

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BYGLs, BUGS, & BOGGS BY: JIM CHATFIELD Caption: Galls occur on many plant parts. Here an acorn plum gall (Joe Boggs)

This month, let’s take a look at three resources from Ohio State for the green industry and our customers: 1. OSU Extension’s Buckeye Yard and Garden Line (BYGL); 2. “Good Garden Bugs”, a new book from OSU’s Dr. Mary Gardiner of the OSU Entomology Department 3. A three part series on Plant Galls, by OSU Extension’s Joe Boggs and Jim Chatfield, with incredible images (and writing) from the inimitable Bogg-Man.

BYGL OSU’s Buckeye Yard and Garden Line is a weekly electronic landscape horticulture and pest management newsletter (April-October). BYGL is designed to help the green industry and our OSU Extension offices with horticulture questions and practices.

An example of a BYGL report from late May by Joe Boggs:

SAWFLY SLUGGED ROSE LEAVES Dave Shetlar and Joe Boggs reported that the activity of the so-called “roseslug sawfly complex” is becoming apparent in southwest Ohio. Three sawfly species are

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20 The Buckeye

generally grouped in the complex: European Roseslug Sawfly (Endelomyia aethiops); Curled Roseslug Sawfly (Allantus cinctus); and Bristly Roseslug Sawfly (Cladius difformis). All are non-natives and were introduced at different times from Europe into North America.

Despite their common names, they look nothing like the glistening, elongated pear-shaped slug sawflies which do resemble tiny slugs. Instead, these three sawflies resemble tiny caterpillars.

The European roseslug sawfly has a single generation per season. The larvae are light-green and appear in the spring to feed on the upper leaf surface as skeletonizers.

This was the most commonly found roseslug sawfly for a number of years in Ohio. Consequently, there remains some confusion between this species and the other two roseslug sawflies regarding feeding behavior and numbers of generations per season.

The curled roseslug sawfly has at least two generations per year in Ohio. The larvae are also light green, but they have white spots on their thorax and abdomen. Of course, their most distinguishing feature is their unique behavior of curling their bodies into a tight coil when disturbed or at rest, thus their common name. They are most often found on the lower leaf surface where some have described them as looking like naked snails attached to the underside of the leaves. Early instar larvae spend a short time feeding as skeletonizers; however, they quickly change their behavior to consuming entire leaves from the edges inward leaving behind only the main veins. This sawfly also has another unique feature. Late instars bore into the pith of pruned canes where they pupate.

Bristly roseslug sawfly has multiple generations per year in Ohio. In fact, we reported in 2013 that Amy Stone was finding the larvae feeding on rose leaves in northwest Ohio in late-September (BYGL 2013-26, 09/26/13). The larvae are pale green and covered with short, hair-like bristles that can be seen with a hand-lens. Early instar larvae appear in the spring to feed as leaf skeletonizers on the lower leaf surfaces. The corresponding epidermis on the upper leaf surface remains intact and turns white producing a characteristic “windowpane” symptom.

Eventually, the “windowpanes” drops out to produce holes. Later instars feed between the main veins to directly produce holes in leaves. The holes produced by early and late instar feeding damage produce “seethrough” leaves. This sawfly has gradually become the most commonly found of the three species that make up the roseslug sawfly complex in Ohio.

Control and prevention of damage depends on a proper identification of the roseslug culprit. Only the bristly roseslug continues to produce damage throughout the season, so this species causes the most injury to roses. Damage by this sawfly can be prevented by onla.org

Image 2: (left) Bristly rose sawfly larva; Image 3: (middle) Bristly rose sawfly damage; Image 4: (right) Tuliptree leaf emerging

making topical applications of a contact insecticide to the underside of rose leaves or a soil drench application of the systemic insecticides imidacloprid (e.g. Merit) or dinotefuran (e.g. Safari). The best timing for the contact insecticides is once the larvae first appear. The besting timing for the soil drench application is at the time leaf buds start to break. However, given the rapid uptake and distribution of dinotefuran, this insecticide can also be applied later in the season.

BYGL has a lot of timely information about insects, diseases, physiological and cultural problems of woody and herbaceous plants (Bug Bytes and Disease Digest), but there is plenty of other material as well, from Industry insights on important new issues, Turf Tips, Upcoming Events, and featured Weed, Annual, Perennial, Vegetable, and Woody Plants of the Week. There is even… poetry.

As in this May Woody Plant of the Week item:

TULIPTREE (Liriodendron tulipifera) Shakespeare used the term ”trippingly” to refer to a lilting or nimble effect as in “trippingly on the tongue” rather than bombastic speechifying referenced in his Hamlet directives. The Latin name of tuliptree should thusly be spoken trippingly. Try saying it out loud; very elvish and fairy-like trills, as befits the “trippingly” term the Bard first used in “Midsummer Night’s Dream”.

And what a tree this is: large, lobed tulip-shaped leaves. The flowers are wondrous: cup-shaped with yellow-green petals with orange flares at the base. The tree grows upward and rapidly, straight on, seeking the regal peak atop the canopies of even oaks and maples.

Tuliptrees are the largest flowering plants (Angiosperms) in North America, sometimes exceeding 150 feet in the Great Smoky Mountains, with a 191 foot giant measured there. It is the state tree of Kentucky.

Tuliptrees are in the Magnoliaceae, the magnolia onla.org

family, with one species native to eastern North America and one species (Liriodendron chinense) native to China and Vietnam. There are fossils of other Liriodendron species from the late Cretaceous Period, some 70 million years ago or so. Today tuliptrees are used as landscape and parkland plants where there is room to grow, especially upward, and there are a number of cultivars with features such as variegated and gold-colored leaves.

Tulipwood is fine-grained and used in cabinet making and furniture finishing, and as one of the common names of canoewood infers, it was once used to construct dugout canoes. Other common names include tulip poplar or yellow poplar, but tuliptree is not related to poplars. Plant tuliptrees in sun or partial shade and in slightly acid, well-drained soils. Enjoy the tiny tulip-shaped leaves as they emerge and grow into large leaves (7 inches or more long and wide), the flowers on older trees, and their rapid growth. I planted a tuliptree seedling in my yard a little over 20 years ago and it is now over 60 feet tall. This past April for Arbor Day, the OSU Tree Campus Wooster group planted a tuliptree at the Agricultural Technical Institute which will now grow almost as fast as the student’s minds.

And so, for our 2015 OSU Tree Campus USA Arbor Day celebration in Columbus, an Ode to the Tuliptree: Leeree-oh-den-dron too-lip-if-er-ahh, trippingly on the tongue Liltingly, nimbly a dance across Nature’s green stage, a dream to be An Asian cousin, others 70, 80 million years old Today we plant anew, a giant someday to accrue Leaves of tulips, blooming in the sun Flowers of tepals, petals yellow-green, daubed with orange Relatives magnolias blooming now in all their glory please see page 22

August 2015 21

continued from page 21

Tulipwood trunks growing up, above the maples above the oaks Canopy giants nurtured in forest soil of fauna and flora Microbial glue binding and flowing freely Leer-ee-oh den-dron too-lip-if-er-ahhhhh!

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Good Garden Bugs

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10 Image 5: Mary Gardiner checking out the bugs; Image 6: “Good Garden Bugs” (Laura Berman, Greenfusephotos.com); Image 7: Oak bud gall; Image 8: Ash flower gall; Image 9: Elm sack galls; Image 10: Erineum patch caused by eriophyid mites on beech.

Charles Darwin as a young man eschewed his mathematics and theological studies, opting instead to look under rocks for beetles and to lead group expeditions to better understand nature, much like Joe Boggs and his BYGLivers, J. B. S. Haldane quipped that “God must have an inordinate fondness for beetles” with regard to their diversity, Douglas Brinkley, wrote in Wilderness Warrior about a young Teddy Roosevelt that “To the bafflement of his parents he gathered more than 100 different species of lichens and fungi under rocks and in dense undergrowths. He brought out from caves unusual samplings of moss to scrutinize back home under a magnifying glass…” Insects must also have been in those samplings. They do indeed draw the active and curious mind, and must atr least partially explain the similar curiosity of Dr. Mary Gardiner, an associate professor in OSU’s Entomology Department.

Her new book is “Good Garden Bugs,” a 176 page book of all the insects that are doing a major piece of our pest management for us in landscapes and gardens, as intimated by the book’s subtitle: “Everything You Need To Know About Beneficial Predatory Insects.” Ground beetles. Big-eyed bugs, a host of different ladybug beetles, parasitic flies and wasps, doodle bugs, ambush bugs, green lacewings, fellow travelers such as a wide range of spiders, and on and on. Check out this book with its hundreds of photos(from the contributors toIow State University’s BugGuide.net) and illustrations (by Michael Cooley).

These pictures help you identify the range of different beneficial insects and spiders in landscape settings, essential to any pest and plant health management program development. We are learning more and more about how important diverse plantings are as they prodice habitat for a range of good bugs that help us do keep plants healthy. Low diversity and pieris lace bug = big problem. High plant diversity with a range of ecological services such as pollen and nectar sources for predators and the problem often resolves itself, without pesticides.

Use the old practices of multiple cover sprays and cocktails to try to counter any possible problem and the damage to the good bugs results in bigger problems longterm.

According to Mary: “There are many great books in the marketplace focusing on insects in home gardens.

22 The Buckeye

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However, I saw a need for an in-depth book focused solely on natural enemies that provided identification information below the order or family level. I can attest from the many photos I receive that when someone finds a beetle they don’t only want to confirm that it’s a lady beetle, they also want to know what species they have found and what type of prey it attacks. Gardeners are also interested in learning more about what natural enemies spend their time doing within the landscape. So, the reader will not only be able to identify their insect but will also learn about interesting courtship rituals, hunting strategies, and defensive behaviors employed by these species.” Mary is focusing her current research in the urban vacant lots of Cleveland and their biological diversity, studying how we might redesign urban land to encourage native vegetation, provide ecosysytem services, and influence local food production.

Check it out: I looked for it on Amazon; $17.00.Well worth it as a reference and a good read.

Plant Galls Galls are abnormal growths on plants that are caused by a living gall-maker. These gall-makers may be fungi, bacteria, mites, and most commonly - insects. The diversity and life histories of gall-makers and the galls they induce are quite fantastic. Case in point: the DNA of crown gall bacteria (Agrobacterium tumefaciens), even when separated from the bacterium itself, causes plant cells to produce too many cells and cells that are abnormally large, resulting in tumor-like galls that interfere with normal vascular function of the plant. Case in point: there are over 800 different insects that induce galls on oak species alone, each relationship highly specialized. Case in point: the incredibly broad host range of the cedar apple rust fungus (Gymnosporangium juniper-virginianae) that cycles back and forth between eastern red cedar, juniper, a plant in the Gymnosperms (seed plants with naked seeds) and plants in the rose family which are Angiosperms (true flowering plants with seeds enclosed within fruits).Yet, the host range of this fungus is also rather narrow, just certain species of junipers and certain genera in the rose family.

Research has revealed that some gall-making insects and mites produce chemical replicas of plant hormones, or “plant hormone analogs” meaning the molecules are nothing like plant hormones but the plant’s response is the same as with plant hormones. The gall-forming process is usually initiated by the female when she injects gallinducing chemicals into the plant along with her eggs.

The eggs themselves may ooze gall-inducing chemicals and once the eggs hatch, the interaction continues with the immature gall-makers continuing to exude chemicals to direct plant growth to suit their needs. The resulting

Image 11: (top) Erineum patch caused by eriophyid mites on birch; Image 12: (bottom) Hawthorn pod galls.

Mineral and Peat Grown Sod for Sun and/or Shade, Blue Grass Blend, Improved Tall Fescue, Fine Leaf Fescue & Blue Grass Mix Contract Grown to Specifications.

Shredded Topsoil, Peat, and Custom Blending (Delivered or On-Site) Bark Mulch, Ties Custom Hauling

"Ohio Grown PROUDLY for over 50 years!”

please see page 23 onla.org

August 2015 23

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Image 13: Hickory petiole gall with phylloxeran gall-makers hatched inside; Image 14: Larger oak apple gall. Most insect leaf galls cause little damage to plant health; Image 15: Horned oak gall on leaves; Image 16: Larger oak apple gall, showing gall wasp larva; Image 17: Horned oak gall on oak stem; Image 18: Maple spindle galls caused by an eriophyid mite.

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Image 19: (left) Translucent oak gall; Image 20: (right) Willow pinecone gall.

continued from page 23

galls provide both a protective home and nourishment for the next generation of gall-maker. The continual direction of gall growth by the gall-maker using chemicals to turn plant genes on and off speaks to why some find insect and mite plant galls so fascinating.

We could fill many a Buckeye article with the tales of plant galls, but instead, let us give you a handy reference and then turn you loose into the wonderful photogallic world of Joe Boggs, who provides the accompanying gall images for this article. For the rest of the story:

Kinsey’s gall wasps. As George Washington Corner, a scientific mentor of both Kinsey and the other 1950 human sex researcher William Masters of Masters & Johnson, said of Kinsey: “…the most intense person I ever knew outside of an institution of psychiatry.” B Jim Chatfield Ohio State University Extension chatfield.1@osu.edu

Check out a three part series on Plant Galls by Joe Boggs and Jim Chatfield, from gall myths and misconceptions to gall management in the May, June, and July issues of the American Nurseryman magazine. Joe’s gall image even made the May cover of Rolling Stone, er, I mean, American Nurseryman. (americannurseryman. com).

One more note: It is about Albert Kinsey, the erstwhile mid-20th century human sexual behavior researcher at the University of Indiana. While at Harvard and in his early IU career, Kinsey studied gall wasps. So, passionately, that in the collection of 18 million insects at the New York Museum of Natural History, over 5 million are

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August 2015 25

B

Feature

Need CEU’s and Hands-On Training this Summer?

Check out ONLA’s offerings for your technicians, crew members, managers and operators that deliver CEU’s, and practical training from experts so they return to work with elevated skills, best practices and industry CEU’s. Increase your firm’s productivity and your profitability. Register Today!

Segmental Permeable Pavements: Resolving Runoff & Ramping up Profits How can a design/build company profit from the escalation of fees and regulation from local, state and national institutions for runoff, storm water management?

Offer homeowners options to address their impervious surface limits as a part of their project. We’ve hired an ICPI certified instructor to educate your team so they’re comfortable talking about permeable pavers, incorporating them into a design in an effective and profitable way. Don’t practice in a discovery meeting.

Come learn from an expert.

August 18: Rittman, Time: 9am - 1pm, Fee: $50/$65 August 20: Cincinnati, Time: 9am - 1pm, Fee: $50/$65

Water Features, Ponds and Lakes: Build on your Success Effectively incorporating water features into your product mix requires you to balance client needs with margins, costs, equipment, installation and maintenance best practices. ONLA is partnering with the experts at Pond Supplies of Ohio to offer a day-long course that will covers sizing, cloudy water, filtration, site location, plant and fish care, water additives, new techniques/products and installation practices. Come learn to spec, install and maintain a water feature that fits the space, vision and budget.

September 1: Akron, Time: 9am - 5pm, Fee: $109/139

26 The Buckeye

Chainsaws & Chippers: Safe and Effective Operation and Maintenance Tree care and design/build companies spend big dollars on their equipment, employees and customers and frequently it’s the least skilled crewmen who handle the most dangerous tools. ONLA is committed to safety and this July we’re offering two full-day programs with a TCIA certified instructor to educate foreman, field technicians and owner/operators on the proper use, operation and maintenance of chainsaws and chippers.

The program combines classroom and hands-on learning to ensure attendees gain first-person experience with set-up, site preparation, equipment, PPE, regulations and teamwork.

September 15: Plain City, Time: 9am - 4pm, Fee: $99/$125 September 16: Newbury, Time: 9am - 4pm, Fee: $99/$125

Scouting and Troubleshooting in the Cedar Point Landscape Take a scouting walk at Cedar Point and observe some a variety of insect, disease and physiological problems in a diverse residential planting and learn the approach one horticulturist uses to manage them. We’ll be able to observe and discuss: environmental influences, history, determining efficacy of prior control efforts and current plans, class and mode of action of controls employed.

Examples will include: cultural, physical, biological and chemical control options to manage ornamental landscape plants. Participants are invited to bring questions for open discussion period.

September 17: Cedar Point, Time: 8am to 10am, Fee: $50/$65 onla.org

Maintenance Pruning Intensive: Handson Practice to Keep Things Small This session is a demonstration and hands-on practice for participants in seasonal pruning to shape, control size without stimulating unwanted or excessive new growth.

Tools, methods, options and tips will be discussed to provide a first-person understanding of maintenance pruning hedges, shrubs and trees to shape them and keep them small. Participants are to bring: gloves, hand clippers, small pruning saw and loppers, and are invited to bring sample branches that illustrate pruning.

September 17: Cedar Point, Time: 10:30am to 4:30pm, Fee: $50/$65

name/brand in the community. Homeowners believe they control of the sales cycle and can bully you into price they want. And with proper estimating, you can make profit, grow your business and satisfy clients. There’s no need to practice on a jobsite. Come learn from an expert.

October 6: Maumee, Time: 9am to 1pm, Fee: $50/$65 October 7: Rittman, Time: 9am to 1pm, Fee: $50/$65 October 8: New Albany, Time: 9am to 1pm, Fee: $50/$65 Thanks for your interest in ONLA professional development programs. Contact Education Director Lisa Larson with any questions 614-899-1195. B

Hardscapes: How to Build a Profitable, In-Demand Business Installation is not the only skill to master when you own a hardscape or design/build business. You have to make sure you keep the phone ringing, close business, and make money doing it. We’ve hired an ICPI certified trainer to teach you a model for: marketing hardscape projects, increasing your firm’s visibility and creating a

onla.org

August 2015 27

ONLA Announces New Approach to Green Industry Tradeshow in 2016 The Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association (ONLA) today announced CENTS 2016, a re-branded and re-invented tradeshow experience for green industry professionals. CENTS 2016 will be held from January 11-13 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.

In operation for over 100 years, CENTS is regarded as the Midwest’s Premiere Green Industry Convention.

The tradeshow portion of the convention will feature over 400 suppliers offering products and services ranging from nursery stock, hardscaping products, landscaping equipment and more. To create additional value for attendees CENTS re-vamped its educational programming in 2014. Green Industry professionals will be able to create a customized learning experience, choosing from more than 120 courses taught by expert educators and earn continuing education units (CEUs) from industry-leading organizations. Credits will be available from: ASLA, APLD, IA, ISA, TCIA, ODA, OCNT and Landscape Industry Certified. In addition to traditional classroom learning, CENTS 2016 will feature several education venues on the show floor, including the “ONLA Garage”, providing hands-on live technician training.

“As CENTS continued to grow, we noticed a key opportunity to pull the two sides of the show together,” said Amy Eldridge, CENTS Manager. “So we’ve made programming changes for 2016, and are excited to

28 The Buckeye

create an experience that crosses the aisle between the tradeshow and the educational aspect of the show, as well as take the spirit of CENTS beyond a one-time event.”

According to research firm IBISWorld, the landscaping services industry is a $73 billion market with a 3.4 percent annual growth rate since 2009. Despite challenges over the last half-decade, the research firm forecasts a prosperous next five years due to rapid construction sector recovery and steady disposable income growth. “This is a growth period in our industry, and combining trade and education as a single experience at CENTS will only continue to strengthen the green industry in the Midwest,” said Amy Eldridge, CENTS Manager.

For more information about CENTS, visit www.

cents16.com.

About CENTS 2016 CENTS is the Midwest’s Premiere Industry Convention brought to you by the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association. CENTS draws nursery and greenhouse growers, retail garden centers, landscape architects, designers and contractors, turf and pest management professionals and arborists who seek a high-energy forum where industry professionals can meet, sell, buy and learn. For more information, visit www.cents16.com or call (800) 825-5062. B

onla.org

GROWING TOGETHER CENTS Marketplace and University continue to grow together to create a world-class professional development experience.

We invite you to attend the Midwest’s Premiere Green Industry Convention and create a personalized learning experience from nationally-renowned educators.

NEW SHOW DATES!

11

JANUARY

2016

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Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio

CALL 614.899.1195 OR LEARN MORE AT CENTS16.COM/ATTEND Postcard_Attendee_Final.indd 1

6/21/15 3:27 PM

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

onla.org

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In Memoriam Elizabeth “Betty” Zondag Elizabeth “Betty” Zondag, wife of Tueny and daughter of J W & Wilheimina Jung passed away on July 11, 2015 at home surrounded by members of her family. She was born on May 19, 1920. She was baptized and confirmed at Friedens Evangelical Lutheran church. She married Tueny Zondag on November 14, 1942.

Betty was a lifelong member of Friedens Lutheran Church being active in Ladies Aid, teaching Sunday school, playing the church organ for services and singing in the church choir. She was a devoted mother of seven children one of which died shortly after birth. She was also very active with baking and cooking for others that needed help. Many have tasted her famous sweet rolls or caramel rolls when there was a birth, birthday, death or sickness in the family. For many years she distributed glads to friends, shut-ins and churches in the area harvested from Jung’s production fields.

She enjoyed her family and was devoted to them throughout the years spending much time with school, 4-H, and many other projects. She was also a devoted

wife of Tueny and was a true example of the Christian wife. She and Tueny enjoyed traveling to nurseries and conventions. Every trip they enjoyed gardens all over the U.S. Another love of hers was quilting and many beautiful quilts were generated.

She was preceded in death by her husband Tueny in 1994, her parents, a brother Wilfred, and a grandson Peter Dowie Zondag. She is survived by six children, Dr. Tuenis Zondag and Barbara of Pepin, WI; Richard and Barbara of Randolph, Robert and Bronwyn of Beaver Dam, Beth and Kermit Traska of Oregon, WI; Randy and Susan Zondag of Perry, OH; and Jeffrey and Beverly Zondag of Cottage Grove, WI; 22 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, a brother John Jung of Beaver Dam, nieces, nephews and friends.

The family would like to thank their mom’s caretakers Julienne Miller and Grace Heidt who came almost daily and many other kind individuals too numerous to mention by name. B

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

30 The Buckeye

New Carlisle, OH 45344 www.scarffs.com

onla.org

LandscapeAwards celebrate excellence

2015Applications CALLdueFOR ENTRIES September 25, 2015 Thank you to our Program Sponsors!

R E S O U R C E S

GRAND

Winning Project

Fullmer’s Landscaping, Inc. Dayton, OH

Ohio’s Most Prestigious Landscape Awards Competition

I N C .

CATEGORIES

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 43rd Annual Landscape Awards Program?

Earn the chance to be recognized for your design savvy and green industry know-how. Enchance your company image by highlighting your award-winning projects and marketing your ONLA accolades to prospective customers.

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 landscaping to attain this end.

Categories 1-5 (Residential and Commercial Installations) may include any or all of the following features: plantings, hardscapes, structures, water features and lighting.

Category 1: Residential Installation Under $15,000

Residential design/build projects valued at $15,000 and under may be entered into this category. 8-20 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. 8-20 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. 8-20 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. 8-20 project photos, with written descriptions required. (No plan required)

Category 5: Commercial Installation Over $75,000

Commercial design/build projects valued over $75,000 may be entered into this category. 8-20 project photos, with written descriptions required. (No plan required)

Category 6: Residential Landscape Management

Must include one project maintained by entrant. In this category, the plantings 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. 8-20 project photos, with written descriptions required.

Category 7: Commercial Landscape Management 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.) 8-20 project photos, with written descriptions required.

Category 9: Student Landscape Design

The philosophy of this competition is to encourage students to design imaginatively and creatively while being mindful of the practical considerations of site opportunities and constraints, program requirements, 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 any College or University shall appear 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.

Category 10: Theme Gardens or Retail Displays of Horticultural Products or Services

May include permanent or temporary installations or product/merhandise displays at garden centers or in landscapes; landscape or garden center company headquarters; garden show, mall, trade show, or state/county fair displays; knot gardens; butterfly gardens; rock gardens; dwarf conifer gardens; etc. (No plan required). Please state the intended theme in your written description.

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

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 25, 2015.

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 award-winning entry at the discretion of the judges.

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 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. Each project is judged individually and not against other projects, it is judged against the industry standard.

Digital Photography

Company name must not appear on any images. All photos must be submitted as JPEG (.jpeg) files via email thumb drive. JPEG files should be saved in the HIGHEST RESOLUTION or LOWEST COMPRESSION (meaning the same thing). A separate thumb 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 and HIGH QUALITY. Each image should be named and that name should be noted in the image description. Label your company name on thumb drive.

Entry Fee

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

Student entries are Free

Recognition

Winning recipients will be honored and recognized in conjunction with CENTS in Columbus, OH on Wednesday, January 13, 2016. A complimentary commemorative plaque is provided; additional plaques are available for purchase. Press releases on winning entrants are supplied to companies.

Winning projects are featured in a designated “Landscape Awards Program” display area at CENTS. Photos of every winning project and contact information for every winning company will be included on all of ONLA’s social media channels (including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Houzz, Google+, YouTube, and LinkedIn) and the ONLA consumer website BuckeyeGardening.com.

Tell A Story With Words and Pictures

Sell us your project! Write your project description (with references to your pictures) as a narrative. 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.

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.

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.

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. B

Entires due Friday, September 25, 2015

REGISTER AT ONLA.ORG ©The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association, www.onla.org, 800.825.5062, info@onla.org

PROGRAM RULES & TIPS

Eligibility Requirements

B

Certification Corner

The Importance of Certification & OCNT Preferred Job Postings The ONLA certified the first Ohio Certified Nursery Technician (OCNT) in 1982. Since then we have certified about 3,500 OCNT’s and we currently have 1,750 certifications working in the green industry.

Many certified ONCT’s have come and gone but those who are certified stand out above the rest. Someone who holds a certification demonstrates to yourself and your peers that you are committed to the profession and have a mastery of the principles of the job. Keeping your certification is important to staying current with the changing trends in the industry.

Why OCNT The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association continues to grow the Ohio Certified Nursery Technician (OCNT) program every year. Our Goal is to promote the certification program as an option to hire elite professionals in the green industry. As a business, we suggest hiring an OCNT on your staff, because of their knowledge base and required CEU’s to maintain their certification. OCNT’s are required to earn 5 credits every 3 years to stay up with the ever changing topics in the industry.

Can a Certificated Employee Help my Company Get a Landscape Job Over Another Company?

Yes, many city and commercial bids are adding, certified landscape professional on job sight as a requirement for the bidding process. Don’t let your company not get the job because of this. As an employer, when you are posting an available job on a website, ask for a certified worker, OCNT or Landscape Industry Certified candidate.

What Types of OCNT Certification are Available?

Garden Center The retail nursery is the information center on which homeowners have come to rely for dependable horticultural expertise. In order to provide sound scientific horticultural advice to customers, the garden center employee must be knowledgeable in a wide variety of subjects including proper plant usage, plant health, soils, turfgrass management, landscape design, proper planting and maintenance of nursery stock and more.

Grower The grower is the base of the green industry. In order to have healthy plants to sell, the nursery employee must

34 The Buckeye

be knowledgeable in a wide variety of subjects including plant identification, development and health; growing and harvesting techniques; plant nutrients; pest and disease elimination; plant maintenance and more.

Landscape The public, architects and contractors have come to rely on landscape contractors and installers for dependable landscape construction techniques and horticultural expertise. In order to provide sound scientific horticultural advice and proper installation, the landscape installer must be knowledgeable in a wide variety of areas including plant identification, plant usage, plant health, soils, turfgrass management, use of pesticides, construction techniques, design, sales and more.

Core Core is important to all aspects of the Green Industry.

Plant ID, Professionalism, Safety & First Aid are examples of the Core chapters of which all nursery and landscape professionals should have knowledge.

What Counts as an OCNT Recertification Credit?

• • • •

• • •

Any ONLA-sponsored education seminar.

CENTS education (one credit per day of classes attended).

Any horticultural extension educational program (i.e. Landscape Design Program , Turf & Landscape Day, Pruning Schools, etc.).

Any educational program, sponsored by one of Ohio’s local, state, or regional green industry associations, and featuring horticultural extension personnel. Attending a group’s business meeting or social function does not count, unless they have an hour or more of an educational program.

Any educational program or seminar sponsored by a national horticultural organization (i.e.: ISA, IA, NALP).

Ohio Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator School.

Any professional horticultural seminar or training session conducted by personnel of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The OCNT test is now offered monthly at the ONLA Office, in August the test travels to Cincinnati and Cleveland and in January in conjunction with CENTS. Visit onla.org for more details. B onla.org

PEST Newsletter

Excerpt from the pest Newsletter About the P.E.S.T. Newsletter Over 22 years ago, Dr. David Shetlar joined The Ohio State University as an Extension Entomologist. He opted to continue printing Dr. Dick Miller’s BugDoc in partnership with the ONLA. Its new name is the PEST (Pest Evaluation & Suppression Techniques) Newsletter, and it’s printed biweekly from mid-March to midOctober.

Japanese Beetle Revisited!!

Since the last P.E.S.T., I’ve been getting a steady stream of questions about Japanese beetles which suggests that many folks have either not experienced this pest or folks’ knowledge needs to be refreshed!

This pest was a major plant skeletonizer during the 1960s to about 2000 in Ohio. We still don’t know what caused a major crash in the populations of this pest, but most entomologists suspect that there was a disease that was limiting the larval development. Even during the “crash,” there were some localized populations in Dayton and the Akron-Cleveland areas that remained problematic. Last year, we had regular rains in July, which is the major egg-laying period for Japanese beetles.

This year, damaging populations were noted all across Ohio which suggests that their populations are on the rise again. With the rain this summer, it is possible that we will see another increase in adult beetles next summer, but only time will tell!

Japanese beetle adults feed on hundreds of plants, but grape, rose flowers and lindens are some of the most favored plants. They will even feed on white pine needles and I received an image of a fir tree that had been attacked this summer! The top surface of upper needles had been eaten which caused them to turn noticeably brown. Adult beetle feeding is “progressive.” That is, skeletonized plants release chemicals that attract more beetles. Most figure that the beetles are releasing a pheromone, but the females only release a sex pheromone as they emerge from the soil for the first time. After that time, it is plant odors that attract the beetles.

This is why I often recommend doing a “beetle patrol” when the adults first appear. This entails knocking any onla.org

beetles seen into a pan of detergent water. This stops the damage. If the neighbors don’t do this, their plants receive enough damage that the rest of the beetles will go to their yards!

I heard from one newspaper reporter that the local garden center had sold out of JB traps and what was my recommendation! I had to laugh, but gained control sufficiently to explain that entomologists do NOT recommend using the traps. Dan Potter and his students in Kentucky have a whole series of publications that prove that the traps can be the cause of more damage than if no traps were used! Basically, the traps are only moderately effective. For every beetle that gets into the bag, another beetle was attracted to the area and landed on a nearby plant! These traps can attract beetles from a quarter mile radius!! Of course, it is difficult to convince that proud homeowner that the stinky, writhing bag of beetles hasn’t done “some good.”

I used to joke that I got the traps for free from some of the distributors (they have apparently learned) and I’d give them to the guy that nobody liked at the end of the block! He got all the beetles and my landscape was pretty clean! I felt a bit guilty as he thought I was his friend!

The second product on the market sold to control the Japanese beetle grubs is milky disease (often referred to as milky spore disease, though the spores are not milky!).

This bacterial disease causes the blood of infected grubs to turn a milky white, hence the name. Milky disease is also a great seller at garden centers, on the Internet, and it is often proposed for use in municipal parks and school grounds!

First, ALL JB populations in Ohio already have the disease! Second, milky disease is a weak pathogen which will kill 15-25% of a JB grub population MAX! Adding more to the soil doesn’t change this percentage. More importantly, the strain sold commercially is only active against JB grubs so all the masked chafers out there are safe from this strain! I know of several golf courses that spent in the range of $10,000 to apply milky disease to their fairways with no grub reductions ever being evident!

So, what can be done to protect trees and flowers in please see page 36

August 2015 35

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continued from page 35

the landscape if the beetles are attacking in mass? Sprays!

We used to use dusts, but it’s getting increasingly difficult to find insecticide dusts! EPA doesn’t like the idea of folks being exposed to insecticide dusts. The traditional materials have been pyrethroid insecticides or Sevin (usually in a dust form). Both still work well, but be careful around flowering plants as pyrethroids and Sevin are just as toxic as the neonics to pollinating bees!

We used to recommend using neonics, but these should only be used on trees or shrubs that are no longer flowering (yes, you shouldn’t treat that Rose of Sharon with a neonic!). I no longer recommend using neonics on perennial flowers as the residues are likely to end up in the pollen and/or nectar! So, if you have that linden or Norway maple that is being skeletonized, a basal drench with imidacloprid (or dinotefuran if you want faster uptake) would be appropriate.

So, what can you use on the other plants? Anything with azadirachtin (the botanical insecticide from the Neem tree). Notice that I didn’t say to use neem oil extract! Neem oil extract is the oil phase extracted from neem seed and it is no different than using a horticultural oil! You need the antifeeding and toxic effects of azadirachtin. The most common product for homeowners would be Neem-Away which is available on the Internet.

For commercial applicators, use Azatrol. Homeowners can legally purchase Azatrol, but they may have to buy the larger containers. I notice that there is also a new product, BeetleGone which contains one of the Bt toxins, but I haven’t seen that many studies published on its efficacy…yet.

Dealing With Cicada Killers!

Our perennial wasp annoyances, the cicada killers, have returned. These large, impressive wasps are easily

36 The Buckeye

noticed and their apparently aggressive behavior makes them unwelcomed guests, especially in golf course bunkers, in sand volleyball courts and back yards.

The adults have bodies that are 1.5-2 inches long, are black with the abdomen marked with ivory bands. The wings and head are a rusty-red color. Their name tells most of the story, the females search for annual cicadas which they paralyze with a sting, take back to their burrow, and bury alive with a wasp egg attached! The grub-shaped larvae dine on the live cicada in the dark!

Sounds like a horror movie that needs to be made! LOL! Cicada killers cross our paths when we get close to their nests. These wasps often nest in groups of a couple of females to several dozen. The male wasps don’t have a stinger, but they are notorious for trying to chase anything that moves into “their” territory. The females don’t chase anyone, but they can do an intimidating “orientation flight” if you happen to be near their burrow opening as they leave to search for another cicada. I’ve never met anyone who has actually been stung by a cicada killer, so you really have to work at it to get stung. But, that’s easy for an entomologist to say! Folks who are generally fearful of wasps don’t care, they just don’t want to be around ANY wasp, big or small.

My recommendation of using a tennis or badminton racket to whack the wasps is getting quite a bit of traction on the Internet! I know of several golf course superintendents who hire kids to whack the wasps to receive a quarter a wasp! After a week or two, there are no more wasps to be wacked! For those who want a pesticide treatment, there are those aerosol wasp killers, but Delta Dust applied to the burrow opening is also legal!

Sign up for the PEST Newsletter at ONLA.org or call the ONLA office at 614-899-1195. B

onla.org

Industry Calendar

View www.onla.org for seminars, events, trade shows and more! O designates qualifying OCNT recertification events August 6, 2015- OCNT Testing, Cincinnati, Ohio. See ONLA.org for an application.

O August 6, 2015- Diagnostic Walkabout, Toledo, Ohio. Join ONLA, OSU & AGI at the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium 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. This program will offer the following CEU’s: Landscape Industry Certified = 2 hours, OCNT = 1 credit, ISA = 1 credit and ODA Credits = .5 (core), 1 (category 6A) and .5 (category 8).

August 11, 2015- NGLCO 48th Annual Field Day, Celebrate the NGLCO's 48th annual Summer Field Day at the beautiful Chalet Debonne Winery, Madison, Ohio.

Visit the NGLCO website for more details.

O September 1, 2015- ONLA Regional Education, Pond & Water Feature Clinic, Uniontown, Ohio

O October 6, 2015- ONLA Regional Education, Hardscapes: How to Build an, In-Demand Business, Maumee, Ohio

O September 3, 2015- Diagnostic Walkabout, Huron, Ohio. Join ONLA, OSU & AGI at the BGSU Firelands 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. This program will offer the following CEU’s: Landscape Industry Certified = 2 hours, OCNT = 1 credit, ISA = 1 credit and ODA Credits = .5 (core), 1 (category 6A) and .5 (category 8).

O October 7, 2015- ONLA Regional Education, Hardscapes: How to Build an, In-Demand Business, Rittman, Ohio

O September 15, 2015- ONLA Regional Education, Chainsaws & Chippers: Plain City, Ohio

August 11, 2015- OCNT Testing, Madison, Ohio. See ONLA.org for an application.

O September 16, 2015- ONLA Regional Education, Chainsaws & Chippers: Newbury, Ohio

August 13, 2015- OCNT Testing, Worthington, Ohio. See ONLA.org for an application.

O September 17, 2015- ONLA Regional Education, Scouting and Troubleshooting in the Cedar Point Landscape

O August 18, 2015- ONLA Regional Education, Segmental Permeable Pavers Rittman, Ohio

September 17, 2015- OCNT Testing, Westerville, Ohio. ONLA is now having Ohio Certified Nursery Technician (OCNT) testing once a month at the ONLA office.

See ONLA.org for an application.

O August 19, 2015- Evergreen Seed Supply Open House O August 20, 2015- Diagnostic Walkabout, Cleveland, Ohio. Join ONLA, OSU & AGI at the Cleveland Metropark Zoo 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 in-depth discussions of the art and science of scouting, diagnostics and control of landscape pests. This is for commercial horticulturalists only. This program will offer the following CEU’s: Landscape Industry Certified = 2 hours, OCNT = 1 credit, ISA = 1 credit and ODA Credits = .5 (core), 1 (category 6A) and .5 (category 8).

O August 20, 2015- ONLA Regional Education, Segmental Permeable Pavers Cincinnati, Ohio August 20, 2015- Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Plant Trails Day

onla.org

O September 24, 2015- Diagnostic Walkabout, Cleveland, Ohio. Join ONLA, OSU & AGI at the Sunset Memorial Gardens 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 in-depth discussions of the art and science of scouting, diagnostics and control of landscape pests. This is for commercial horticulturalists only. This program will offer the following CEU’s: Landscape Industry Certified = 2 hours, OCNT = 1 credit, ISA = 1 credit and ODA Credits = .5 (core), 1 (category 6A) and .5 (category 8).

October 15, 2015- OCNT Testing, Westerville, Ohio. ONLA is now having Ohio Certified Nursery Technician (OCNT) testing once a month at the ONLA office.

See ONLA.org for an application.

O October 8, 2015- ONLA Regional Education, Hardscapes: How to Build an, In-Demand Business, New Albany, Ohio October 15, 2015- November 19, 2015OCNT Testing, Westerville, Ohio. ONLA is now having Ohio Certified Nursery Technician (OCNT) testing once a month at the ONLA office. See ONLA.org for an application.

November 19, 2015- OCNT Testing, Westerville, Ohio. ONLA is now having Ohio Certified Nursery Technician (OCNT) testing once a month at the ONLA office.

See ONLA.org for an application.

O January 11-13, 2016- CENTS Marketplace & University, Columbus, Ohio.

CENTS (Central Environmental Nursery Trade Show) is Ohio’s Green Industry Convention brought to you by The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association. Over the years, CENTS has added an education program alongside the trade show. CENTS Marketplace & University is built strong from the ground up by you: the people who make it the largest convention of its kind in the Midwest. CENTS brings thousands of green industry professionals together each year to learn, to experience, and to grow. From the newest plant species to the most exciting business trends to the freshest ideas to ignite your customers’ interest—it’s all here, because we grew it that way, together. Deep roots, broad reach, lasting fruit, year after year.

Visit centsmarketplace.com for additional information. B

O September 24, 2015- ONLA Regional Education, IPPS Eastern Region Conference, Cincinnati, Ohio

August 2015 37

Advertisers’ Index Big Trees Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 bigtreegroup.com Buckeye Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 The Official Publication of the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association

buckeyeresources.com The Buren Insurance Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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 Amanda to learn how your business can benefit from becoming an advertiser in The Buckeye.

800.825.5062 amanda@onla.org

coveryourgrass.com CENTS 2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 cents16.com Ernst Seeds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 ernstseed.com Everris. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 everris.us.com Fairview Evergreen Nurseries. . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 fairviewevergreen.com Green Velvet Sod Farms Ltd.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 greenvelvet.com Klyn Nurseries, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 klynnurseries.com Medina Sod Farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 medinasodfarms.com Millcreek Gardens, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 mgohio.com ONLA Diagnostic Walkabouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC onla.org ONLA Landscape Awards Program. . . . . . . . . 31 onla.org

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:

Pine Hollow Farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 pinehollowfarmltd.com Scarff’s Nursery, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 scarffs.com Smith’s Gardens, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 smithsgardensinc.com

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Unilock Territory Manager- Sales, Unilock, Rittman, Ohio

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Nursery Sales, Abby Farms, Accokeek, Maryland

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Product Manager, A.M. Leonard, Piqua, Ohio

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Landscape Irrigation Technician, Landfare Ltd., Columbus, Ohio

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Nursery Sales, Scarff’s Nursery, New Carlisle, Ohio

Spring Meadow Nursery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 colorchoiceplants.com Unilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC unilock.com

Ad Rates & Info Contact Amanda Domsitz 614.899.1195 amanda@onla.org

38 The Buckeye

Landscape Plants for Ohio A Professional’s Guide Please complete the below information Company Name: Contact Name: Shipping Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: Email:

Landscape Plants for Ohio 1-100......................................... $6.00 Each 101-499..................................... $4.75 Each 500 or More .............................. $3.75 Each My Order is as Follows: Return with payment to: (checks payable to) Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association 72 Dorchester Square Westerville, OH 43081 Ph: (800) 825-5062 or (614) 899-1195 Fax: (614) 899-9489 info@onla.org

# of copies _______ x Price per copy __________ = $ ____________ County Sales Tax 7.5% = $ ____________ Total = $ ____________ Payment Information Type of payment:

Check (enclosed)

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