The Buckeye Nov/Dec 2016

November / December 2016

2017 PLANNING GUIDE

MGIX Planning Guide!

The Official Publication of the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association

Vol. 27, Issue 6

Think Spring!

Retail Roundtable talks promotions— bests and busts!

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November/December 2016 Vol. 27, Issue 6

The Buckeye is published six times per year by The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. 72 Dorchester Square, Westerville, OH 43081 614.899.1195 | www.onla.org

22

By Design The Garden as Magic

EDITORIAL / ADVERTISING ISSN 1536-7940 Subscriptions: $75/year alana@onla.org OFFICERS Steve Maddox, Jr., President Michell’s Josh Posey, President-Elect Buckeye Resources, Inc. Michael Dues, Immediate Past President Dues Nursery & Landscaping, Ltd. DIRECTORS Hillary Henry The Pattie Group, Inc. Tom Hilgeman White Oak Garden Center, Inc. Ryan Kolb Ryan Kolb Co. LLC Adam McClanahan Carlton Plants, LLC Mindy Moore Cardinal Landscape, Tree Service & Lawn Care Steve O’Neal Columbus State Community College Ellen Gallucci Purcell Riepenhoff Landscape Ltd. STAFF Roni Petersen, Interim Executive Director, Membership & Certification Karen Lykins, Accounting Keith Manbeck, Sales Lydia Phillippi, Education Alana Settle, Marketing & Communications Tracie Zody, MGIX

contents

3 President’s Perspective 4 Branches of Government 6 ONLA Golf Outing 30 Green Industry Advocacy Day 33 Safety First features

9 12 18 23

Member Spotlight Frosts and Freezes Retail Roundtable Special Section: MGIX Planning Guide

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.

FRONT COVER Sweetgum leaves in snow

also in this issue 17 OCNT Registration Form • 35 ONLA New Members 32 In Memoriam • 37 Calendar of Events, Classifieds, Advertising Index

2017 MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

Membership renewal fees are due by December 31, 2016.

Renewal letters have been mailed to company contacts.

Questions?

Contact Roni Petersen at roni@onla. org or 614.899.1195 Not a member?

Turn to page 34 to discover just a few of the benefits of ONLA membership.

Visit www.onla.org to join.

2  The Buckeye

PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE Fore!! Perhaps those were the words you heard out of my mouth back in September during the ONLA Golf Outing.

It has been a long time since I have “hit the links” and if you were on my team (Sorry Bill and Bob) you could tell.

But even if you are not playing up to par, you need stay the course.

Golf, like life, requires patience, discipline, persistence, and a short memory. After a bad shot, you need to forget about it and move on to the next one. Golf requires you to keep your head down and follow through on every shot.

You will be rewarded when you stay disciplined, just like everything else you do.

The ONLA Golf Outing was a great day and allowed us to see some of the best of the ONLA. We had 56 golfers attend and help raise more than $3,000 for the first ever Ohio High School Landscape Olympics (OHLO). The weather was perfect. The course was in great condition and my teammates more than made up for my rough start. I was also very proud of the ONLA staff for putting together such a wonderful event.

2016 ONLA President

Steve Maddox smaddox@michells.com

I am certainly looking forward to a hole-in-one in Wooster at OHLO on November 3 and 4. It will be exciting to see the future of our Ohio Green Industry attending this event. To date, we have 151 students competing from 17 schools in Ohio. Ten events will test the students' abilities (visit ONLA.org for more details).

The support from our sponsors has been amazing and overwhelming. Events like this are what make the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association such an important player in the Green Industry.

In October, I had the pleasure of meeting the Ohio Secretary of State John Husted. We were very fortunate to have him attend a PAC event at Josh Posey’s home in Columbus (pictures to the left). It was very interesting to hear about the upcoming election and the issues he will have to work through. He has a very difficult job ahead and I do not envy the challenges he will probably encounter.

I think many of us would like to take a mulligan on this upcoming election.

I would also like to thank Frits Rizor for the time he has spent with the ONLA staff as Executive Director. Frits resigned his position in September and has returned to education. We certainly wish him and his family the best in his future endeavors.

onla.org

We have so many wonderful things to celebrate in life and at the ONLA. As a little “birdie” once told me, when life gets “rough”, have the “fore” site to “iron” out the problems and “follow thru” with your plan. B

November/December 2016

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BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT "BEE" AWARE AND "BEE ALERT" OF LOCAL BEE HEALTH DISCUSSIONS While the legislature remains on summer, election year "break", we are all afforded an opportunity to turn our attention to local conversations. One area worth following is the subject of pollinators and bee health.

ONLA Legislative Consultant

Belinda Jones Capitol Consulting Group, Inc. bjones@capitol-consulting.net

As you know, this subject has garnered national attention after an unfortunate/tragic pesticide-related bee kill event in Oregon in 2014. Declining bee populations have worrisome consequences for many ecological, agricultural and environmental reasons, thus, policymakers all over the country have rightly been giving attention to this issue.

While the application of pesticides in proximity to bee hives can absolutely cause harm, one would be overly myopic to assume that pesticides are the sole reason for the decline of bee population. There are many other factors including: • • • • • • • •

Mite populations Viral infections within bee and food supply Fungal infections within bee and food supply Chemical build-up in wax comb, pollen, honey, bees Genetic connection (brood defects) Supplemental feed deficiencies Climate changes Bee keeper training and experience

Recently, the Obama Administration issued an executive order mandating that states adopt a Pollinator Protection Plan. ONLA is in conversation with ODA on this subject and we are researching what other states have adopted.

Meanwhile, local stakeholder meetings are being organized by the Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative (OPHI) which is organized under U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

While your ONLA Board and Legislative Committee will be in communication with ODA on this subject, we need YOU to keep your eyes and ears open for local stakeholder meetings/conversations. Bee health can be an emotional issue. Our goal is to ensure that any policy on bee health and pollinators be based upon science.

Please let me know if you hear of any meetings or local discussions on this subject.

For more information about state programs and contact 4 The Buckeye

onla.org

info for the Ohio Apiarist, Barb Bloetscher, please see: http://www.agri.ohio.gov/divs/plant/apiary/apiary.aspx  

AMBASSADORS NEEDED: NEW NAMES AND FACES IN THE 132nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

As I type this, I know that virtually ALL of us are tired and fed up with the presidential election politics. But this election is about much more than Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. In many ways, Ohio state house and senate elections will have a more immediate impact on you and your business.

Due to state constitutionally mandated term limits, although we will not likely see a change in the majorities in the Ohio House and Ohio Senate, once again, we will see nearly 1/3 of the Ohio House of Representatives turn over.

And, of great importance, in this "anti-establishment era", MOST of the new faces who will be elected to the Ohio House have NEVER held office before.

That means, as the 132nd General Assembly considers the ultra important 3,000 page biennial operating budget, 1/3 of the members of the House have never worked on any type of government budget.

No question that sometimes new is good. But in this case, new equals more work for all of us.

Do you know your incoming state rep and state senator?

Do they know you? If not, will you consider meeting them in the district for coffee sometime before January? (Note: I would love to help you set that up and join you) Will you consider inviting them to MGIX? Will you commit to participating in Green Industry Advocacy Day in Columbus on February 22?

Your ONLA Board and Legislative Committee always do an excellent job of getting to know the right people promptly, but we need your help.

Contact me for ways you can lift up our industry through building legislative relationships! B

Turfgrass Sod Grass Seed

Fertilizers

Pre-emergent Herbicides

Post-emergent Herbicides

Fungicides

Growth Regulators

Soil Amendments

Wetting Agents

Aquatic Pond Management

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Insecticides

Athletic Field Products

Ornamentals

Erosion Control

November/December 2016 

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ONLA GOLF OUTING On Friday, September 23, ONLA welcomed 56 golfers at the Bent Tree Golf Club in Sunbury, Ohio. The event raised more than $3,000 for the first Ohio High School Landscape Olympics (OHLO), taking place on November 3 & 4.

6  The Buckeye

onla.org

Thank You to Our Sponsors Presenting Sponsor TAH Benefits Bartlett Tree Experts Bobcat Enterprises Buckeye Resources, Inc. CareWorks Comp Eason Horticultural Resources, Inc. Premier Plant Solutions Wealth Coach Financial Services, Inc. Willoway Nurseries, Inc.

onla.org

November/December 2016 

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8  The Buckeye

onla.org

ONLA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Dedicated Staff Key to Success for Briar Rose Nurseries

By Chad Felton, The News-Herald This article originally appeared in The News-Herald on July 31, 2016 Tom Hurst, owner of Briar Rose Nurseries in Perry Township, has a very simple blueprint for the success of his business.

It’s people.

“As the company has grown, I have become convinced that our staff is our most important asset and the key to our future success,” he said. “Our dedicated employees strive every day to make our nursery the wholesale nursery of choice for customers looking for evergreens and other plant material. With this commitment to customer satisfaction, we look forward to many more years of vibrant growth within the wholesale nursery industry.

“At Briar Rose Nurseries, we are always striving to adapt to the current business climate. In so doing, we believe in people.”

onla.org

The blueprint has paid off. From 2014 to 2015, the business, located at 3525 Blackmore Road, saw its sales increase by 17 percent.

“I believe that hard work and dedication are essential to make any business venture a success,” Hurst said. “We try to give personal attention to every order that is placed.

“Our focus is on consistent, sustained growth. We are always cognizant of the future and how critical long-term planning is to our business plan. We take care of all the details, from selecting the best plants to following up after delivery of the product.”

With a staff of 12, the company sells to other wholesalers, nurseries and landscapers, customers which are served all over the state, as well as Michigan, Kentucky, New York and New Hampshire.

“We are always adding to our customer list,” Hurst said.

Hurst started Briar Rose Nurseries in 2001 and began by selling quality Ohio conifers. Since opening, the business

November/December 2016

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Hurst said Briar Rose can find unique specimen plants and have them delivered right to the job site.

“Our customers can come to our holding yard to find a fresh supply of plants available all year,” he said. “Not only do we sell plant material to wholesalers, plant centers and landscapers, but we also specialize in large tree transplanting for other nurseries and landscaping contractors.

“We can ball and burlap smaller trees and handle relocating up to a 10-inch tree (caliper) by spade truck and larger trees by crane,” he said. “We pride ourselves on this service which has been perfected and is unique to our area.” B

Do You Have News to Share?

Tom and Amy Hurst, owners of Briar Rose Nurseries has grown, expanding its offerings to include evergreens, shade trees and dogwood trees in addition to shrubs, ornamentals, grasses, perennials and ground covers.

Currently, the company has over 100,000 conifers in production, from smaller landscape-ready sizes to large specimen trees. “Growing up, my father owned his own welding business and I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur,” Hurst said. “Operating my own business was a goal of mine.

Opening Briar Rose Nurseries was a natural progression of my love for the outdoors.

“Perry is the center of the nursery industry in Northeast Ohio and a natural fit for Briar Rose Nurseries. We have a great location off Route 20 with access to major roads for Training Manual Order Form transportation of orders to customers.”

ONLA member companies are encouraged to submit industry-related news by emailing press releases to alana@ onla.org. Submissions may appear in the News section of ONLA's website, and may be included in additional print or digital communications. Published at ONLA's discretion.

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Last year, Briar Rose Nurseries gained a spot among the region’s elite businesses when it ranked No. 5 among Emerging Companies on the Lake-Geauga Fast Track 50. Hurst said he was grateful to be recognized, along with other outstanding companies in the area.

The Lake-Geauga Fast Track 50 honors the fastest growing companies in Lake and Geauga counties based on a weighted average of 80 percent sales growth and 20 percent employment growth over the previous five-year period. To more fairly compare larger and smaller companies, the Fast Track 50 is divided into Established and Emerging categories. There are 25 companies on each list.

Three years prior to starting Briar Rose Nurseries, Hurst earned an associate’s degree in business management from Lakeland Community College in Kirtland. He later completed a bachelor’s degree in business management from the former Myers University in Cleveland in 2000.

10 The Buckeye

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November/December 2016

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Dr. Claudio Pasian, Floriculture Extension Specialist, The Ohio State University, pasian.1@osu.edu

FROSTS AND FREEZES Using Ice to Protect Outdoor-Growing Plants

Claudio Pasian Associate Professor, Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, The Ohio State University Pasian.1@osu.edu

In the past few years, I have seen more growers using the outdoors to grow certain container crops that do well in cool environments. Some cultivars of pansies, petunias, calibrachoas, osteospermums, etc., can be grown outdoors during spring or late spring. Some growers of perennials also move some crops outdoors even earlier in the year.

Outdoor growing is very tempting because plants can be grown with limited investment: other than the direct cost of crop production, this type of growing requires a weed mat and a simple watering system. However, the big question is: what happens if a frost occurs when the plants are outside?

This is a risk that growers are willing to take and they try to minimize the risk by using some preventative measures.

DEFINING FROST & FREEZE For many people, these two words mean the same thing: temperatures below 32°F that cause plant damage. Technically, there is an important difference between the two.

Frost occurs when the air is dry, the wind is calm, and there is no cloud cover in the sky. The technical name is radiation frost because the air near the ground is colder than several feet above.

Freeze occurs when a strong cold air mass covers a given geographical area. Winds of at least 5 mph are also part of this type of plant-damaging cold temperature system. The technical name is advection freeze and is commonly known as black freeze.

tected with some type of thermal blanket. For large areas, the blankets become impractical, in some cases requiring some type of support to avoid plant breakage.

Other growers instead use watering sprinklers for frost or even freeze protection. The sprinklers must be turned on before the temperatures fall below a certain value. The sprinklers must be left on all the time until the temperatures rise. The watering system must be turned off only when the air temperatures are high enough to not produce any plant damage. The water droplets are deposited on the plants. The water droplets freeze and while this water freezing process occurs, it releases heat that protects the plants. It is scary for some growers to see the plants they want to protect being covered by a sheet of ice. How is it possible that by covering the plants with ice we protect them from freezing?

Let’s review some basic high school physics. The three possible states of water are solid (ice), liquid or vapor. Each state has a given level of latent energy, highest for vapor, lowest for ice, and intermediate for liquid. When changing from one state to another, water either requires energy or it releases energy. For example, ice requires energy (heat) to melt. When liquid water becomes ice, it releases energy (heat). It is this heat released by freezing water that it is used to protect the plants.

It is not the ice surrounding the plant that provides the protection, it is the constant freezing of water over the surface of the ice.

In the case of frosts, growers can cover plants to be pro-

How much heat can be released with this frost protection system? Water applied with sprinklers at a rate of 0.08

Note the spaghetti-tube drip-watering system and a sprinkler head used to spray water during frost periods.

14  The Buckeye

Hanging basket plants grown outdoors covered by a sheet of ice after a night of being irrigated with a sprinkler frost-protection system. onla.org

After sprinklers ran for several days during a freeze, a substantial amount of ice accumulated on top of perennial plants grown outdoors in containers.

Petunia plants with frost damage caused by a deep freeze, even though they were protected by a running sprinkler system. These plants will recover and be sold.

inches per hour (36 gal. per min. per acre) releases 2.6 million BTU per acre per hour.

WHEN TO START THE WATERING SYSTEM

Increasing the application rate to 0.15 inches per hour (68 gal. per min. per acre) provides 4.9 million BTU /ac/h. As long we are not dealing with a deep freeze, this amount of energy should be sufficient to protect most crops, assuming that the watering system has been well designed.

SOME IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS: • • •

• • •

The area to be protected with the sprinkler system needs to be watered all at once.

It does not work to divide the area into sections that are turned on and off as is done for irrigation.

Given that the system has to run all the time when temperatures are at or below freezing, the system has to have the capacity to run for very long times. This includes reliability (no interruptions) and large volumes of water. Some growers mistakenly rely on ponds that do not have the adequate volume of water. If the area to be protected is one acre in size, and the desired rate of delivery is 0.125 inch/acre/hr., 60 gallons of water per minute will be needed which represents 3600 gal/hr2.

Use sprinkler heads specifically designed for frost protection. If rotating sprinklers are used, they should rotate at least once a minute.

The spacing and location of the sprinklers is also important. Consult the sprinkler manufacturer for the proper selection and design.

The ice formed around the plant should be clear.

Cloudy or milky ice is an indication that the waterapplication rate is insufficient (too low).

onla.org

If the dew-point temperature is known, growers should start the watering system when air temperatures have reached the values found in the table below.

Another way of deciding when to start the sprinklers requires the use of wet bulb temperature. When the wet bulb temperature has reached the temperature that will produce crop damage, the frost protection system should be turned on.

Dew Point Temperature 30.01°F (–1.1°C) 28.94°F (–1.7°C) 26.96°F (–2.8°C) 25.16°F (–3.8°C) 24.80°F (–4.4°C) 22.10°F (–5.5°C) 10.94°F (–6.7°C) 17.06°F (–8.3°C)

Suggested Starting Temperature2 32.00°F (0.0°C) 32.90°F (0.5°C) 33.98°F (1.1°C) 34.88°F (1.6°C) 36.86°F (2.7°C) 37.94°F (3.3°C) 38.84°F (3.8°C) 39.92°F (4.4°C)

WHEN TO STOP THE WATERING SYSTEM The system should be turned off only when the temperatures rise to or above temperatures that cause damage.

Even though the sun may come out and start melting the ice, the temperature can still remain dangerously low. Having an infrared thermometer to directly measure plant tissue temperature can be very useful. If the temperatures do not rise above freezing for days, the sprinklers will have to November/December 2016

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be working all that time. Ice accumulation on top of plants can be substantial (Figure 6).

the ice may create a structure that supports itself without breaking the plants.

FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS

If the sprinkler system is not designed properly, not enough ice will be produced. As a result, not enough energy will be released to protect the plants and the plant will suffer damage.

With this frost-protection system, large volumes of water are applied to the crop. As a result (especially when ice melts), nutrients are leached out of the containers. Fertilizers need to be re-applied to restore proper levels of fertility for each crop.

The high volumes of water applied can also be a problem after melting since the water has to drain to a lower area, otherwise the containers will sit in a flooded area creating a sanitary hazard for the plants.

At the time when this frost-protection system is used, some crops may have dense and tall canopies. In such cases, the weight of the ice can cause branch breakage. If the sprinklers produce a mist that surrounds the plants on all sides,

A WORD OF CAUTION If a grower has never used this frost-protection system, it would be prudent to request advice from experienced growers and/or OSU Extension personnel. Start small, initially protect a small crop, and only when comfortable expand over time the area to be protected. B Photos courtesy of Matt Foertmeyer and George Pealer.

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16 The Buckeye

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For more information on the OCNT program, email roni@onla.org or call 614.899.1195

January 16, (MGIX) Garden Center January 17, (MGIX) Grower

OCNT SPECIALIZATIONS

January 18, (MGIX) Landscape & Core Garden Center The retail garden center 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, garden center employees 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 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.

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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.

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March 16, (ONLA offices) April 20, (ONLA offices) May 18, (ONLA offices) June 15, (ONLA offices) July 20, (ONLA offices) August 17, (ONLA offices) September 21, (ONLA offices) Thursday, October 19, (ONLA offices)

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TRAINING MANUAL ORDER FORM NAME: COMPANY: ADDRESS:

CITY:

STATE:

PHONE #:

E-MAIL:

Check enclosed Check #:

Card Number: Exp. Date: Card Holder: Signature:

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3-digit:

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MEMBER RATES (Call for non-member pricing) * Landscape + Core ______ x $125.00 = $_______ Garden Center ______ x $75.00 = $_______ Grower ______ x $75.00 = $_______ All Manuals ______ x $250.00 = $_______ Replacement CD Rom ______ x $25.00 = $_______ Total = $_______ * Written Manual and Computer Based Training CD Rom for each

Return to: The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association • 72 Dorchester Square • Westerville, OH 43081-3350 Ph: 614.899.1195 • 800.825.5062 • F: 614.899.9489

November/December 2016

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RETAIL ROUNDTABLE It’s time for another round of “Let’s Ask the Retailers!” You know the rules; we ask the questions and our retailing aficionados provide their thought provoking, brain stimulating answers, sure to be changing your retailing ways. - By Ron Wilson, Natorp’s Nursery Outlet, rwilson@natorp.com Q.

Promotions - we’ve all had advertisements or promotions that resulted in blowing sales out of the water. And then occasionally we have those that are a complete bust. Looking back over the past couple years, tell about that one ad or promotion that had outstanding results, and one that was simply a bust.

Tom Hilegman, White Oak Garden Center, Inc. BEST: “We have tried many different things in promotions and advertising—radio, print, email, Facebook promotions. Some are hard to track. We have seen the best results from our postcards and emails. We send out six postcards a year to 8,000–10,000 customers. The best promotion is our early spring hanging basket postcard, sent out midApril with a discount (usually $5) on our premium hanging baskets, good through May 1. This brings customers in before Mother’s Day and before they have a chance to go elsewhere. We move baskets two weeks earlier than when we were not offering this promotion. It has not had a negative impact on Mother’s Day or mid-May basket sales, and really increases April sales. We also like Facebook giveaway contests. We have done several and they have worked well in increasing likes and visits to our website.

BUST: We have tried several promotions that weren’t complete busts but were far from homeruns. We do many “Make & Take” workshops throughout the year. Our holiday and winter classes are almost always full, but we have struggled with filling our summer classes; maybe it’s the heat or customers are in vacation mode. Guess it’s time to move onto something else.

Tim Clark, H.J. Benken Florist & Greenhouse “I'll use the same promotion for the best and the worst.

A number of years ago we had a $0.99 blowout sale on a jumbo six-pack of annuals on MOTHER’S DAY Saturday.

We limited the number of packs that could be purchased to five. It was a success in that it drove tons of customers into the store at 8am. We've all had that moment where your

Bonus Question Employee Uniforms What Color and Why? Tom: White Oak changed to burnt orange shirts a few years back. Customers seem to really like the color but for some reason one of my fellow ONLA Retail Committee members (Darlene) has a problem with orange.

Tim: Our color choice for uniforms is now navy blue.

We chose navy because of the way our logo and its colors stand out against it. For special occasions and for management, we have black shirts.

Noelle: We changed our colors from a dark green to a sunflower yellow several years ago. The yellow is wonderful in the sense that you can locate employees immediately. The green used to fade into the nursery departments, literally, and customers had a difficult time locating assistance. This yellow also coordinates with our branded tags and other marketing materials.

The only drawback is the yellow does show dirt easily, and is harder to clean than the dark green.

Mike: We have used Kelly green for t-shirts, polos, and coordinating sweatshirts (logos on back and front) for over 30 years. About two years ago, we decided to change our retail uniforms to purple, which would differentiate between our landscape (green uniforms) and retail staff. The purple has been received very well by our customers, and it is so easy to say, “we will be happy to assist you, just look for the purple shirt”. This season, traditional green banners and signage have been changed over to purple signage with white lettering. Each and every week customers make positive comments about our “new” look. Looks like purple is here to stay for a long while.

Darlene: Whatever the loudest screaming neon yellow green is (think highway construction), that’s been our most consistent color. In my opinion, company uniforms are a really cheap way to make a quick impact on customers. I can’t argue for a specific color (although purple would certainly be top of the list!). I enjoy creative text on uniforms and that would be my choice—but I’m not the one that makes that decision so I just show up and glow.

Ron: When we created the Nursery Outlet, it also gave us a chance to redo our colors. We decided on corals and blues—the coral (more orange tint) for a festive / tropical plant feel (Plant Lovers Paradise and you can see them from just about anywhere), and the blue which goes well with the coral. Our signage also uses the coral and blue themes.

20 The Buckeye

onla.org

parking lot is maxed out and the line of cars extends down the road trying to get in, right? Well, that's exactly what happened minutes after opening our gate. The downside is that we underestimated the number of packs we would need. We sold through 1,500 packs in less than 30 minutes. Our thought process was to use the six-pack as a loss leader and get customers into the store where they would buy additional items that would equate to our average sale for Mother's Day Saturday. Well, that didn’t happen. We had a lot of $5 sales despite some excellent merchandising and looking our finest. That's not to say nobody purchased anything else, just the vast majority took a parking spot and walked out with five six-packs for $5. It was fun to see the parking lot get full so fast and know that the advertising worked to get them in the store but disappointing we couldn’t get them to purchase more.

Tony Sciambi, Buckeye Resources, Inc. “Here are a couple promotions that I have seen our customers use which have been successful for them: In early spring or during your slow period, pick one of your bestselling mulches or soils and promote it at a really sharp price. This results in bringing customers into your store and definitely generating cash. Be sure to showcase your new products and give out coupons for future times to bring them back to your store. Also, try to price commodity items at multiple pricing (e.g. 5 for $10, 4 for $20). The results are increased sales, and again, increase cash flow.”

Noelle Akin, Petitti Garden Centers “One of our best promotions at Petitti’s is our Early Bird BOGO hanging basket sale the Saturday before Mother’s Day. This promotion is offered from 7 to 9am. Our customers line up outside the stores, receive a barcode coupon upon entering, and have until 10am to redeem the coupon.

The hanging baskets return back to regular pricing afterward. This promotion is advertised very close to the event, maybe a day or two before, through digital billboards, email blasts, and radio spots.

BUST: One growing season we tried to give perennial sales a boost, and decided to try a “Perennial of the Week” at 50% off. We advertised through many outlets, but mostly email blasts, some radio, and some print ads. It definitely brought customers in, but they were only purchasing the sale items.

We had purposely increased production for these items, and it was a lot of unnecessary labor, ad dollars, material and grower costs to double production on certain varieties, then sell them at half-price and not achieve add-on sales.

Mike Ennemoser, Greenleaf Landscapes and Garden Center “One of our best promotions is our Hanging Basket Proonla.org

motion; an advertised promotion two weeks before Mother’s Day in our local newspaper. Our hanging basket sales were flat and even slipping off a bit due to heavy competition. So, we sharpened our hanging basket retails, and now offer a promo 10” hanging basket at a promotional retail price. We then focus most of our merchandising efforts on up-selling 10”, 12”, and 14” combination hanging baskets as well as our 16” fiber pots. This has resulted in hanging basket sales increases in almost every SKU, more frequent turnover, and increases in our average sales ticket. It has been a real win for us. Even amongst the 2016 dreary spring season, we still sold more baskets than in 2015.

BUST: One of our biggest is our “Black Friday” poinsettia promotion—a free 6” poinsettia with any purchase. We gave away very few poinsettias, and had no additional traffic into the store. We are not a Black Friday store; it’s one of our slower days of the holiday season.

Darlene Cooper, Sharon Nursery “Girls Night Out is always a hit. We feature wine tasting and simple appetizers along with decorating and design tips or workshops. Ladies love to socialize and share ideas (and wine). The biggest challenge is getting a true picture of your return on investment as these events are never huge dollar deals. Another challenge is consistency. You’ve can’t offer it one year and then skip it for 3-5. The best thing about these events for us (which are usually after hours) is the chance to make a more personal connection with our customers. Connectivity is a hard thing to put a price tag on, but it matters! Another promotion (and I use this term loosely) is The Peach Truck Tour. If you want to pack your parking lot like it’s Mother’s Day 1980-something, hook up with The Peach Truck. There is almost no discernible benefit to hosting them other than the huge number of people who will wait in line often up to two hours to pay $39 for a box of Georgia peaches. While they wait you can hope to shove plants and your smiling face in their face. It’s sort of a win –win, I think.

BUST: Without a doubt our most pathetic one was a bulb planting seminar with a special give away and discount.

The two people who attended were thrilled. Us, not so much. Advertising and promotions used to go hand in hand, but no mas. We are at a place where we have to decide the best way to reach the largest amount of people. I believe that many in the independent garden center business are looking long and hard at social media and its impact, as we all move into an even more tech heavy lifestyle. I firmly believe that having one full time person committed to posting, tweeting, snapping and instagraming is the best option for advertising at this point— we all need more likes, right?

November/December 2016

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Ron Wilson, Natorp’s Nursery Outlet “On the Saturday before Mother’s Day, we have ‘Edibles Saturday’; it features all the edibles (one of the fastest growing categories in the garden centers today), along with a local herbal expert, organic gardener / local produce grower (also has honey), vegetable expert, container gardening expert, our own experts, and have even had Whole Foods involved. Everything is geared towards food gardening – even the free flower for kids to pot up is a dwarf tomato plant. In Reach Magazine, we include a coupon redeemable that day only – One FREE 3 inch potted vegetable plant with any purchase. It has been a huge day for us in all departments. I would also have to include our Spring and Fall Plant Guides; 48 page colorful plant guides (one for spring and one for fall) mailed to 20-25,000 of our most active Plant Lovers Club members. Amazing how many bring their guides with them to look at the featured plants, as well as redeeming their coupon for a free plant (free with purchase)!

BUST: Really have been lucky the past couple years, but looking at some of the coupons we have offered, $10 off the purchase price of any tree priced at $50 or higher, has been the lowest redeemed coupon (assuming that is due to the fact it's only off the purchase of a tree – and not everyone needs a tree?).

Now, aren’t you glad that you read this article? You just received 7 great promotional ideas that have been proven successful, and a few that were busts (so you don’t waste your time and money), all compliments of the ONLA Retail Committee, no charge, because that’s the kind of committee we are. Hey Retailers, can we talk? - Ron Wilson B

A Wholesale Distribution & Supply House

www.GrassSeedSupply.com

22 The Buckeye

866-530-SEED (7333)

onla.org

MGIX 2017 Planning Guide mgix@onla.org 614.899.1195

JANUARY 16–18, 2017 GREATER COLUMBUS CONVENTION CENTER, COLUMBUS, OH WWW.MGIX17.COM onla.org

November/December 2016

23

Schedule at a Glance SUNDAY, JANUARY 15 7:00 am–1:00 pm 8:00 am–5:00 pm 8:30 am–5:00 pm 9:00 am–5:30 pm 7:00 pm–8:30 pm

Attendee Registration Open PPA Annual P.L.A.N.T. Seminar PICPS Course Landscape Business BootCamp ONLA Awards & Dessert Reception

MONDAY, JANUARY 16 7:00 am–4:00 pm 8:00 am–1:30 pm 9:00 am–11:45 pm 10:00 am–6:00 pm 10:30 am–3:00 pm 11:15 am–4:00 pm 2:00 pm–2:45 pm 4:00 pm–6:00 pm

Attendee Registration Open MGIX Education Sessions OCNT Garden Center Exam MGIX Tradeshow Hours ONLA Garage Sessions Climbers’ Corner Sessions ONLA Business Meeting MGIX Opening Night Party

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17 6:45 am–7:45 am 7:00 am–5:00 pm 8:00 am–1:30 pm 9:00 am–11:45 am 10:00 am–5:00 pm 10:30 am–3:45 pm 11:15 am–4:00 pm 6:30 pm–8:30 pm

Landscape Industry Breakfast Attendee Registration Open MGIX Education Sessions OCNT Grower Exam MGIX Tradeshow Hours ONLA Garage Sessions Climbers’ Corner Sessions Hoedown at the Wells Barn

Pre-Conference Sessions Additional registration fees apply.

Annual P.L.A.N.T. Seminar Sunday, January 15, 8:00 am–5:00 pm This program is presented each winter in collaboration with the Ohio State University Master Gardener Volunteers. For more information and to register, visit perennialplant.org

Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement Specialist Course Sunday, January 15, 8:30 am–5:00 pm The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute trains experienced contractors about the differences of installing PICP vs. regular interlocking concrete pavement systems. For more information and to register, visit icpi.org Sponsored by:

Landscape Business BootCamp Sunday, January 15, 9:00 am–5:30 pm Gain an understanding of the core business elements that will allow you to achieve greater business success. Tailored to business owners, managers, and all those seeking to improve their expertise in the industry. For more information and to register, visit mgix17.com

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18 8:00 am–4:00 pm 9:00 am–11:45 am 9:00 am–1:00 pm 9:30 am–12:30 pm 9:45 am–12:00 pm 11:00 am–3:45 pm

Attendee Registration Open OCNT Core & Landscape Exam MGIX Tradeshow Hours ONLA Garage Sessions Climbers’ Corner Sessions MGIX Education Sessions

DOWNLOAD THE MGIX MOBILE APP • • • •

Search for "MGIX" on iTunes and Google Play Create a custom schedule Explore exhibitors and create a "must see" list View speaker and session information

Events

Connect From an opening night party to annual industry awards, MGIX is packed with events and opportunities to connect with the best in the industry.

ONLA AWARDS CELEBRATION & DESSERT RECEPTION Sunday, January 15, 7–8:30 pm Celebrate the recipients of the 44th annual Landscape Awards, ONLA Professional Awards and ONLA Scholarships.

Enjoy desserts and coffee. Free admission.

Sponsored by

ONLA ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING Monday, January 16, 2–2:45 pm Learn about important updates at the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association, including elections to the Board of Directors. Free admission with MGIX badge.

OPENING NIGHT PARTY Monday, January 16, 4–6 pm Kick off your after-hours experience and join attendees and exhibitors on the trade show floor! Enjoy a free concert by Hat Trick. Free admission with MGIX badge. Cash bar.

Sponsored by

TUESDAY NIGHT HOEDOWN Tuesday, January 17, 6:30–8:30 pm Hop on the complimentary shuttle and head over to the Wells Barn at Franklin Park Conservatory for a behind-thescenes tour, bluegrass music, great food, poker, cash bar, and a few more surprises! Pre-registration required. $20, $15 before December 23.

LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY BREAKFAST FORUM Tuesday, January 17, 6:45–7:45 am Talk industry trends and issues while networking with other landscape professionals. Pre-registration required. $30, $25 before December 23.

Learn Customize your education experience with 90+ sessions curated with your needs in mind, from business and marketing tips to in depth discussions on industry trends.

NEW THIS YEAR Educators from The Ohio State University present 24 sessions focused on horticulture, industry research and pest management.

Visit www.mgix17.com for a full schedule.

MONDAY, JANUARY 16

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17

SESSION

SPEAKER

SESSION

SPEAKER

Sustainability Part 1: Selling Sustainability

John DeVore

Ornamental Horticulture Matters

Scott Beuerlein

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens: Best Annuals for the Landscape

Stephen Foltz

Brighten Up Your Life and Landscape: Making Shade Colorful

Bobbie Schwartz

How to Grow and Develop Supervisors

Monroe Porter

More Than Just a Pretty Picture

Jody Shilan

Sustainability Part 2: Designing With Sustainability in Mind

John DeVore

Landscape Lighting for Design and Elevation

Chuck Watterson

Landscaping for Climate Change

Kim Eierman

How to Develop a Digital Advertising Playbook

Shaun Kanary

High Performance Team Skills for Landscapers

Anne Obarski

Polycultures and Garden Guilds: Framework for Functional Design

Debra Knapke

Improving Profits by Knowing the Numbers

Monroe Porter

Tyler Stevenson, Al Key

Sustainability Part 3: Managing Water and Making a Sustainable Difference

John DeVore

Operation Shade: Growing Trees and Managing Runoff at the Ohio State Fair Ohio Asian Longhorned Beetle Co-op Eradication Program

Scott Baldauf

The Landscape Sustainability Checklist

Stephen Foltz

Getting Clients on Board With Ecological Landscapes

Kim Eierman

Brand Building in the Urban Jungle

Carmen DiVito, Alice Marcus-Krieg

The Ultimate Landscape Design/Build Sales Process

Jody Shilan

Job Market Visibility and Preparedness: LinkedIn, Resumes, Interviews to Offers

Amy Dennis

Planting for Pollinators

Scott Beuerlein

Why Don’t They Read? Designing a Deer Resistant Landscape

Bobbie Schwartz

Green Infrastructure for Stormwater Control: Plant Choices, Industry Opportunities

Debra Knapke

Avoiding Site Analysis Paralysis

Jody Shilan

What Women Want in a Landscape Professional

Anne Obarski

Managing Trees and Sidewalks

Ann Bonner

A Look at the Shady Characters for the Garden

Steven Still

Increase Your Bottom Line With Snow and Ice Management

Mike Anderson

How Pesticides Work and How to Make Them Work Better

Mimi Rose

Insect and Disease Update: 2016 and Beyond

Integrated Pest Management in Lawns and Landscapes

Dave Shetlar

Nancy Taylor, Curtis Young

Beneficial Insects and Why They Matter to You

Mary Gardiner

Be Alert to BYGL

Joe Boggs, Jim Chatfield, Marne Titchenell

Worker Protection Standards

Mimi Rose

Turf and Ornamental Weed Control

Dave Gardener

Why Plant Anatomy and Development Matters

Lee Beers, Joe Boggs

Annual Plant Trial Results and Recommendations

Pam Bennett

Ten Keys to Greenhouse and Nursery Plant Health

Luis Canas, Beth Scheckelhoff

Why Good Plants Go Bad

Joe Boggs, Tim Malinich

A Class by Itself: The Hymenoptera

Curtis Young, Ashley Kulhanek

Planting From the Ground Up

Joe Boggs, Erik Draper

Herbaceous Plant Maintenance

Pam Bennett

Tree Borers That are Not EAB or ALB

Dave Shetlar

Regulated Pests in Ohio and the Midwest

Amy Stone, Curtis Young

OHIO CERTIFIED NURSERY TECHNICIAN Exams are given daily at 9am and pre-registration is required.

Monday, January 16: Garden Center Tuesday, January 17: Grower Wednesday, January 18: Landscape & Core

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS MGIX offers a diverse selection of education sessions to address the needs of professionals across the green industry. CEU credits will be available from the following associations. More details are available at mgix17.com.

STUDY COURSE FOR LANDSCAPE & CORE EXAMS Sessions are offered Monday, January 16 & Tuesday, January 17, 8:00 am–1:30 pm. Topics include: landscape design and maintenance, plant ID, selection and development, and safety and professionalism.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18

CLIMBERS’ CORNER

SESSION

SPEAKER

MONDAY

Beyond Pinterest: Succulent Projects for the DIY Customer

Keri Byrum

SESSION

SPEAKER

Landscape Contracting Trends in Three Ohio Cities

Tom Fryman, Hillary Henry, Tom Wood

Part 1: The Evolution of Climbing

Phillip Kelley

SMART Irrigation Revolution

Scott Knowles

Part 2: The Evolution of Climbing

Phillip Kelley

Part 3: The Evolution of Climbing

Phillip Kelley

Gardening With a Y

Kelly Norris

Arboriculture Safety Standards

Phillip Kelley

Selecting a Pump for New & Existing Irrigation Systems

Steve Young

Doing the Right Thing at the Right Time

Diana Clonch

Achieving High Performance Levels With Millennials

Thomas Hudgin

Tree Preservation at Urban Sites

TUESDAY SESSION

SPEAKER

Aerial Felling and Chainsaw Use

Tony Tresselt

James Urban

Equipment Inspection

Phillip Kelley

Life on the Edge: Tough Plants for Tough Places

Kelly Norris

Dynamic Cabling

Tony Tresselt

Designing With Conifers: Best Choices for Year-Round Interest

Richard Bitner

Knotless Rigging for Efficiency

Phillip Kelley

A Touch of the Tropics: Plants for Your Summer Landscapes

Keri Byrum

Retain Key Employees: Creating a Self-Motivating Work Environment

Thomas Hudgin

Retail Roundtable

Ron Wilson

Liquids in Snow and Ice Control

Diana Clonch

Four Ways to Use Social Media Advertising to Increase Sales

Shaun Kanary

Gardens That Heal

Rose Seeger

Urban Soils Solutions: Working With Difficult Soils

James Urban

Invasive Pests, Pathogens and Plants

Kathy Smith, Amy Stone

A Family Like No Other: The Rosaceae

Jim Chatfield

Which Pests Matter

Curtis Young

How Plants Allocate Their Resources and Why It Matters

Dan Herms

Pesticide Labels and Why They Matter

Joe Boggs

Which Trees Matter

Erik Draper

Diseases of Trees and Shrubs: New Folks and Old Foes

Francesca Pedudo-Hand

Edible Landscaping

Tim Malinich

WEDNESDAY SESSION

SPEAKER

Balancing Act

Tony Tresselt

Double Block Rigging

Tony Tresselt

FEATURED SPEAKERS Kelly Norris Director of Horticulture, Des Moines Botanical Garden Keri Byrum Assistant Director, Harry P. Leu Gardens John DeVore Landscape Contractor, DeVore’s Land & Water Gardens Jody Shilan Landscape Contractor, FromDesign2Build.com

Innovate You can’t be successful if you’re stuck in a rut. Get inspired to be innovative and meet hundreds of exhibitors eager to share their new products and services.

EDUCATIONAL FEATURES ON THE SHOW FLOOR

300+ EXHIBITORS Search them all and plan your tradeshow route at mgix17.com or download the MGIX mobile app.

ONLA Garage Receive hands-on training with the tools and equipment you need to do your job well. Sessions are included with your tradeshow pass. Visit mgix17.com for a schedule.

NEW THIS YEAR Challenge your peers to a round of “Are You Smarter than a Green Industry Pro?” trivia in the Garden Lounge.

Climbers' Corner Learn from expert arboriculture educators during climbing and rigging demonstrations. Education pass is required to attend sessions.

GARDEN PROMENADE

Check out the latest innovations in the New Product Showcase at the front of the hall.

EDUCATIONAL DISPLAYS

CLIMBERS’ CORNER

ONLA GARAGE

GARDEN PROMENADE

GARDEN LOUNGE

REGISTRATION

ENTRANCE

ENTRANCE

NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE

ENTRANCE

ENTRANCE

PLAN YOUR EXPERIENCE

STAY IN COLUMBUS

For a detailed schedule of education sessions, speaker information, and continuing education credits, visit mgix17.com or download the MGIX mobile app.

The Hyatt Regency 350 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215 800.233.1234 Code: Ohio Nursery & Landscape

EXPLORE THE CITY

Drury Inn & Suites 88 East Nationwide Blvd, Columbus, OH 43215 800.325.0720 Code: Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association 2017

With 100+ restaurants and bars and the vibrant Short North Arts District within walking distance of the convention center, there’s no shortage of after-hours activities. Check out experiencecolumbus. com for more info.

REGISTER NOW!

Hilton Downtown Columbus 401 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215 614.384.8600 Code: ONLA17 Hampton Inn & Suites 501 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215 614.559.2000 Code: ONL

Register online at MGIX17.com or call 847.957.4258

Through Dec. 23, 2016

After Dec. 23, 2016

ONLA Member

Non-Member

ONLA Member

Non-Member

3 Day

$189

$259

$259

$329

3 Day (group 5+)

$169

$239

$239

$309

1 Day

$159

$229

$229

$299

Educator (3 day)

$85

$105

$105

$125

Student (3 day)

$35

$55

$55

$75

Trade Show Only

$15

$20

$25

$30

Hoedown

$15

$15

$25

$25

Lunch Buffet

$15

$15

$15

$15

Landscape Industry Breakfast

$25

$25

$30

$30

OCNT Course, Book & Exam

$200

$400

$200

$400

Landscape BootCamp

$195

$225

$195

$225

February 22, 2017 Columbus, OH The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association • Nursery Growers of Lake County Ohio • Ohio Irrigation Association Ohio Landscape Association • Ohio Lawn Care Association • Ohio Pest Management Association • Ohio Professional Applicators for Responsible Regulation • Ohio Turfgrass Foundation Join fellow industry colleagues to share the importance of Ohio’s Green Industry with our state legislators. With new legislators being sworn in to the 132nd General Assembly, and a new leadership slate in the Ohio House, your participation in this grassroots effort is more important than ever before.

WHO YOU ARE – When surveyed, green industry association members regularly list legislative and regulatory advocacy as one of their key member benefits. The best way to strengthen this critical member benefit is to become an active participant in legislative events. Advocacy Day is your opportunity to carry the message of “who we are” and have an impact on legislation that will affect green industry businesses. No one tells your story better than you!

WHO YOU KNOW – As is the case in your business, advancement is heavily based upon relationships. Green Industry Advocacy Day affords you the chance to build relationships with two important groups: green industry business partners and, members of the Ohio legislature and their staff.

WHAT IS GOING ON - The morning session will feature key legislative speakers like ONLA Legislator of the Year, Senator Bob Peterson (R; Sabina), Craig Butler, Director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and others. You will also be briefed on issues to discuss in legislative meetings in the afternoon.

WHAT YOU KNOW – The biennial operating budget bill will be “in play” in the Ohio House. Thus, Advocacy Day is the perfect time to affect change in this important legislation. Additionally, meetings with your elected officials give you the opportunity to offer to be a resource to policy makers on issues like water quality, water quantity, immigration, workers compensation and environmental reforms. Legislators want to make informed decisions.

They want to hear from you. YOU have the knowledge that can help advance decisions that are favorable to our industry.

9:00–9:30 a.m.

Registration & continental breakfast

Vern Riffe State Office Tower

9:30–10:30 a.m.

10:30–11:30 a.m.

Guest Speaker or Panel Discussion Briefing Session – Learn about bills and issues and how to best communicate with your legislator 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Guest Speaker from the Legislature (TBD) 12:00–1:00 p.m.

1:00–5:00 p.m.

4:30–6:30 p.m.

Lunch and networking Pre-scheduled meetings with Legislators Legislative Reception

Ohio Statehouse/Vern Riffe State Office Tower Ohio Statehouse

Image courtesy of Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board

OHIO GREEN INDUSTRY ADVOCACY DAY

ADVOCACY DAY REGISTRATION FORM REGISTRANTS: Complete the following information and return this form before January 25, 2017, to the ONLA office (address below).

Participant Name: Company Name: Address: City, State & Zip: Email: Phone: (

)

Cell: (For changes in meetings on day of event): (

)

Full Home Address: (Address will not be published or shared. We need this to identify your voting district.)

City, State & Zip: Name of State Rep & Senator: (or please indicate any legislators you would like to visit)

I am a member of (please select): □ Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association □ Ohio Landscape Association □ Nursery Growers of Lake County Ohio □ Ohio Lawn Care Association

REGISTER BY JANUARY 25 For additional details, contact Roni Petersen at 614.899.1195 or roni@onla.org

□ □ □ □

Ohio Irrigation Association Ohio Turfgrass Foundation Ohio Professional Applicators for Responsible Regulation Ohio Pest Management Association

PAYMENT INFORMATION: Return this form, along with payment of $89, to the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association, 72 Dorchester Square, Westerville, OH 43081. Ph: (800) 825-5062. Checks made payable to the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association. MasterCard and Visa payment accepted.

Check Visa

MasterCard

Card Number: Exp. Date: 3-Digit Code: Cardholder Name: Signature:

In Memoriam JOHN W. GANDER

John W. Gander, 102, of Burton, Ohio, who lived his life to the fullest, passed away peacefully at Burton Health Care on Monday, October 17, 2016.

John purchased a greenhouse business in Burton in 1950, which became Burton Flower and Garden. Prior to the sale of Burton Flower and Garden, he established BFG Supply Company, a wholesale horticultural distribution company.

John is survived by his daughters, Marilyn (Don) Hornak and Ellen Bonner; his grandchildren, Todd (Brenda) Hornak, Jill (Todd) Cain, John (Kara) Bonner, and Ross (Dawn) Hornak; great grandchildren, Troy, Jenna and Bryce Hornak; Ryder and Beau Cain; Lola and Belle Bonner; Ian Patterson, Riley, and Trent Hornak; his brother Charles (Mary Lou) Gander; and many nieces and nephews.

John is preceded in death by his 1st wife Dorothy (Seidel); his 2nd wife Helen (Sankey, Zang); his parents, John and Jessie Gander; 5 brothers, Harold, George, Dwight, Frank, and Donald Gander; and his two sisters, Hazel Gander and Lois (Dennis )Moore.

Growing High Quality Plants, People, and Relationships Custom Growing Pre-Pricing Services

SERVING GARDEN CENTERS AND LANDSCAPERS

POP Materials Delivery Services

SINCE 1978

Perennials Herbs Edibles Annuals

Hardy Ferns Grasses Peonies Shrubs

StepablesÂŽ Succulents Vegetables Vines

800-948-1234 www.millcreekplants.com sales@millcreekplants.com 15088 Smart Cole Road, Ostrander, OH 43061

THOMAS M. EMMETT

Thomas M. Emmett, 55, of Richfield, OH, passed away on September 7, 2016. Beloved husband of Liz (nee Becerra) for 32 years; loving father of Ashley Linnert (Bill); dearest grandfather of Camden and Declan Linnert; dear son of Daniel and Alice; brother-in-law of Laura Becerra (Rob Park), Lisa Piar (Jim) and Leslie Ricci (Nick); beloved uncle, cousin and friend of many. Tom and Liz are the founders and owners of Emmett Equipment Company.

Restoring the native landscape

SCOTT RUSSELL BUNTING

Scott Russell Bunting, 47, a resident of Turkey Point Island in Edgewater, MD for eight years and previously of Davidsonville, MD died suddenly on Sunday, August 21 at his home due to heart failure.

Born in Berlin, MD on August 21, 1969, Scott graduated from the Worcester Country School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Duke University. He owned and operated Bunting Horticultural Sales.

Scott is survived by his wife of twenty years, Hilary Bunting; his children, Carly (20), Olivia (18), Wyatt (14) and Charlotte Bunting (9) all of Edgewater, MD; his parents, Paula Hastings (Gerald) Bunting and Gerald Timmons (Paula Young) Bunting; his siblings, Tim (Kelly) Bunting, Shawn (Shannon) Bunting and Summer Bunting (Madison) Dyer.

32  The Buckeye

ernstseed.com sales@ernstseed.com 800-873-3321

onla.org

SAFETY FIRST New Worker Protection Standard Compliance Manual Now Available Mary Ann ‘Mimi’ Rose, Ph.D., Director, Pesticide Safety Education Program, Ohio State University Extension, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, Rose.155@osu.edu

In 2015, the federal Worker Protection Standard (WPS) was substantially revised, and the must-read guide for growers on the new rules has just come out. Horticultural growers, such as greenhouses and nurseries, will be most affected by these new rules because of the numbers of workers they employ and the nature of work in an intensive production system. Retailers are also affected if pesticides with WPS labeling are applied to holding areas.

WPS protects workers who are exposed to pesticides or pesticide residues on crops. These protections are not unlimited; they extend for 30 days after a pesticide restrictedentry interval expires. So with minor exceptions, employees not directly involved with handling crops or spraying them aren’t covered by WPS. WPS also does not apply to livestock production or non-agricultural uses, such as lawn and landscape.

WPS protections for workers are very comprehensive. The rules include requirements for safety training, posting of application information, application signage and verbal warnings, restrictions during applications, decontamination supplies, and emergency assistance.

Growers are exempt from most WPS requirements if employees are all family members: spouse, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, first cousin, in-laws, and foster- or step-parent, child, or sibling.

There is no family exemption from providing personal protective equipment or observing restricted entry intervals or other application restrictions that appear on labels.

The new rules require employers to use EPA-approved training materials to train workers and pesticide handlers annually instead of every five years. New employees must be trained before handling pesticides or working in pesticide-treated areas (no grace period), and only licensed pesticide applicators or EPA-approved trainers will be able conduct WPS worker training. Training verification records must be kept for two years.

The new rules specify that in addition to posting pesticide applications at a central location, the application record and SDS sheets must be kept for two years. Workers or their designated representative may request the records.

There is a first-time-ever age (18) requirement for pesticide applicators (handlers). When wearing a respirator is required by the pesticide label, the applicator must have a medical evaluation, fit test, and training prior to use. WPS does not cover voluntary use of respirators, but OSHA does require the medical evaluation in that case.

The Application Exclusion Zone (AEZ) is a new WPS requirement in outdoor production that prevents spray drift from contacting people. The AEZ is the minimum distance the applicator must keep between the spray equipment and others during the application. The distance varies with the type of application, ranging from 0 to 100 feet.

Treated areas in outdoor production also will require posting with signs if the restricted entry interval on the pesticide label exceeds 48 hours. Nursery growers will need to check the REIs on their pesticide labels; fortunately few pesticides have REIs exceeding 48 hours. The ventilation requirements and special application restrictions for greenhouses (referred to as enclosed space production in the new guide) have some new specifications, but are largely unchanged.

Compliance with most new rules is required by January 2, 2017. Compliance with new training content, centrally displayed information, and application exclusion zone restrictions is delayed until January 1, 2018. The Ohio Department of Agriculture has the authority to enforce WPS in Ohio and conducts WPS inspections.

Growers can download a copy of the new WPS compliance manual, training videos in English and Spanish, and other EPA-approved training resources from the Pesticide Educational Resources Collaborative (PERC) at http://pesticideresources.org/index.html. All materials are free-of-charge. B

A Worker Protection Standard Update will be offered as an education session at MGIX. For more information on OSU Extension programs that may be offered on this topic this winter, visit pested.osu.edu/home/quicklinks/wps onla.org

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Exclusive Membership Benefits ONLA members are entitled to the following benefits and services, designed to reduce company expenses while addressing the specific needs of Green Industry businesses. ONLA strives to bring the most relevant and useful benefits and services to its members. To receive important member updates, please make sure your correct email is on file with ONLA. For more information about ONLA member savings, visit www.onla.org or call 614.899.1195.

Credit Collection - Cash Flow Management (CFM)

Online Training - Greenius (formerly LS Training)

CFM’s collection system is geared to your individual operation, serving your specific business needs. With CFM, a trained collection specialist is assigned to bring in your past-due accounts before they fade away as bad debts.

Bill Bosch, bbosch@cfmcollect.com

Greenius is a suite of online tools for landscape contractors for the purposes of onboarding, training with performance excellence as a goal. With over 30 videos for the workers, in English and Spanish, and 8 videos for Crew Leaders/Managers, Greenius is for those company owners who want to work smarter, not harder. All videos, exams, field checklists and tailgates can be viewed on all devices including tablets, phones and Apple products. Field checklists and tailgate talks come in a convenient web-based app that is fisherprice easy. Arden Urbano at 877-482-2323 ext 108 or arden@ gogreenius.com

Credit & Debit Card Processing - Merchant Services Merchant Services will provide the ONLA membership with merchant accounts and credit and debit card processing. Other services include online reporting, check guarantee service and working capitol funding. Scott Norris, scott.norris@merchantsvcs.com

Energy Program - Growers Energy Solutions (GES) Grower Energy Solutions (GES) programs help manage your energy costs by bringing ONLA members together as one buying group.

GES is an energy program that provides the opportunity to manage your energy needs and save on your natural gas & electric costs.

Our programs can offer pricing to members located in all Ohio gas and electric utilities that allow third party supply.

Joe Perlaky, perlaky@bex.net

Fuel/Fleet Program - SuperFleet Save $.05 cents per gallon after on all fuel purchases at Speedway, Marathon and Rich Oil locations with no minimum purchase required. This card can be used for shops and services or can be restricted to fuel use only. Also receive discounts on oil changes and car washes. John Kennedy, jmkennedy@speedway.com

Health/Life/Income Insurance - TAH Benefits ONLA Insurance & Employee Benefits Programs has partnered with various insurance plans to offer a wide variety of benefit options for members including medical, vision, dental, life, and disability. Our insurance representatives will help tailor-make a program specifically to fit your needs, including advanced plan designs, management techniques, and improved benefits administration that can result in substantial cost savings and reduction of employee benefits liability exposure. Jay Hazelbaker, onla@tahins.com

Legislative Advocacy ONLA provides legislative information and plans advocacy events.

Visit onla.org to learn about current elected officials, issues and legislation, candidates and upcoming elections, as well as links to media sources in your area.

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Property/Casualty Insurance - Best Hoovler McTeague Save on your property and casualty insurance with BHM. BHM’s group program is designed for ONLA members to save at least 15 percent with the best coverage rates for your liability, fleet and equipment. Marc McTeague, mmcteague@bhmins.com

Safety Services - American Safety & Health Management Consultants, Inc. American Safety & Health Management Consultants, Inc (ASH) fills the growing need for professional safety and health management services for companies of all sizes. ASH has the capabilities to provide Total Safety Management, from working on a single problem area to evaluating, developing and administering an entire comprehensive safety and health problem. Gary Hanson, ashmci@aol.com

Soil & Plant Tissue Testing/Ag Hort. Consulting Services - CLC LABS Through CLC LABS, ONLA members receive various laboratory services at a 10 percent discount off list prices including testing of soil nutrients, soil texture, soilless media nutrients, plant tissue nutrients and irrigation water suitability testing, plus consulting services on all aspects of testing. Chuck Darrah, clclabs@aol.com

Workers’ Compensation - CareWorksComp The ONLA Workers’ Compensation Group Rating Program has saved its members over $21.4 million in the last 11 years. Through CareWorksComp, members are offered multiple savings levels, ranging from the BWC maximum to a lesser percentage, for companies with claims. Free, no obligation analysis of potential workers’ comp premium savings.

Shawn Combs, shawn.combs@ccitpa.com

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

onla.org

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

The following students are applying for STUDENT membership:

Elias Dunbar, Agriculture & Natural Resources, OSU Extension Justin Sines, Auburn Career Center Jeremy Jones, Kent State Salem Jody Huenke, Springfield South Mark Christopherson, The Ohio State Agricultural Technical Institute Jason Cole, Trumbull Career & Technical Center Ting Hsuan Chang, Wright State University Andrew Stamp, Youngstown State University Cincinnati State Technical & Community College Joshua Bloch Lynn Lorio Clark State Community College John Mitchell Samuel Steinbrunner Columbus State Community College Jeff Schmittauer Dennis Willman Cuyahoga Community College Anthony Angelici Melanie Johnson Jacqueline Manookin Ciara Robinson

onla.org

Kent State University Anna DeToro Ryan Smith Erin Van Nostran Knox County Career Center Austin Anderson Joe Arms Nick Bolin Roger Brown III Billy Coss Zachary DePew Sam Foor Katelyn McMurty Hunter Pinyerd Cassie Rine Zack Robinson Ethan Rogers Bryce Stillion Nate Wilson Jonathan Wise The Ohio State University Tania Burgos Coralie Farinas Kimberly Kincaid Shan Lin Devon Mullen Steven Shavel University of Cincinnati Megan Bender Kristin Miller Corey Sweeney-Morehouse Saakshi Terway Chandler Parker

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TM

Heuchera PRIMO™ ‘Black Pearl’ PPAF CPBRAF

THIS IS THE

New Black

Black is back with this garden treasure. The flagship variety of Proven Winners® new PRIMO™ Series, ‘Black Pearl’ steals the show with its shiny, slightly ruffled foliage and formidable landscape presence.

P: 888.WALTERS (888.925.8377) | F: 800.752.1879 | E: sales@waltersgardens.com

See what’s new at WaltersGardens.com today.

© 2016 Walters Gardens, Inc.

36 The Buckeye

onla.org

Calendar of Events

Advertiser Index

View www.onla.org for more information.

O designates qualifying OCNT recertification events.

Buckeye Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Ohio High School Landscape Olympics (OHLO) November 3 & 4, Wooster, OH Seminar: Keeping Up With the Changes to OSHA November 10, Akron, OH November 15, Hamilton, OH November 29, Columbus, OH Native Plant Symposium November 12, Cincinnati, OH

buckeyeresources.com Ernst Seeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 ernstseed.com Evergreen Seed Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 GrassSeedSupply.com Green Velvet Sod Farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 greenvelvet.com Medina Sod Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 medinasodfarms.com

A Grateful Embrace November 12, Dayton & Rittman, OH

Millcreek Gardens LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 millcreekplants.com Oberfields. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

OCNT Testing November 17, Westerville, OH January 16, 2017 (Garden Center) Columbus, OH January 17, 2017 (Grower) Columbus, OH January 18, 2017 (Landscape & Core) Columbus, OH

oberfields.com Spring Meadow Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 colorchoiceplants.com Unilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC unilock.com

O MGIX, the Midwest Green Industry Xperience, January 16–18, 2017, Columbus, Ohio

O Green Industry Advocacy Day February 22, 2017

Ad Rates & Info Contact Alana Settle alana@onla.org, 614.899.1195

Submit an industry event for ONLA's event calendar.

Email alana@onla.org

Classified Ads Maintenance Team Leader, Grunder Landscaping Co., Miamisburg, Ohio Details can be found at onla.org. Ads listed here were current as of press time. For more information, please contact the ONLA office at 614.899.1195.

Hiring? Post your open positions on onla.org. Listings are posted for 60 days online, and included in The Buckeye and ONLA's email newsletter. ONLA reserves the right to refuse ads. $50 ONLA members, $100 non-members

onla.org

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The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association 72 Dorchester Square Westerville, OH 43081-3350

PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO 1560 COLUMBUS OHIO

Address Service Requested

2017 Planning Guide Inside!

January 16–18, 2017 • Greater Columbus Convention Center Columbus, Ohio • mgix17.com Formerly CENTS, MGIX is presented by the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association