The Buckeye September 2012 Volume 23, Issue 8

The Official Publication of the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association

September 2012 Vol. 23, Issue 8

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©2012 Walters Gardens, Inc.

CONTENTS

September 2012 Vol. 23, Issue 8

The Buckeye is published 10 times per year by The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. 72 Dorchester Square Westerville, OH 43081 p 614.899.1195 f 614.899.9489 www.onla.org info@onla.org Editorial / Advertising ISSN 1536-7940 Subscriptions: $75/year jennifergray@onla.org, editor

association news

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.

4

A Dime A Day Support ONLPAC

5

President’s Perspective True to ONLA’s Mission, CENTS Delivers

6

ONLA Office Update Strong Partnerships

8

Legislative Update Statehouse News Notes

12

ONLA Membership Designed to Work

Staff Kevin Thompson, Executive Director Jennifer Gray, Associate Executive Director Tracie Zody, Trade Show & Events Roni Petersen, Membership & Certification Heather Eberline, Accounting

departments

Officers Andy Harding, President Herman Losely & Son, Inc.

14

Out & About Most Unwanted Landscape Weeds, Part Two

10

Why Trees Matter Mighty Buckeyes From Little Seeds Grow

18

Look to the Future Preparing Our Future Leaders

31

Educational Update Scouting

40

Safety First Raising the Bar

Jim Searcy, President Elect Hyde Park Landscaping, Inc.

Jay Daley, Immediate Past President Sunleaf Nursery, LLP

Directors Tim Clark, Board Member H.J. Benkens Florist & Greenhouses, Inc.

Steve Maddox, Board Member Rice’s Nursery & Landscaping, Inc.

features

Dr. Hannah Mathers, Board Member The Ohio State University

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

26

Merchandizing Management Develop a Merchandise Plan

30

Sustainability Urban Agriculture

36

Direct Sunlight Affects Temperature Measurements in Greenhouses

37

Obituaries

Maria Sambuco, Board Member Brickman

Emily Showalter, Board Member Willoway Nurseries, Inc.

Retail Roundtable What was Up and What was Down

Mark Reiner, Board Member Oakland Nursery, Inc.

Mike Satkowiak, Board Member Mulch Manufacturing

23

front cover: Pennisetum glaucum Jade Princess Ornamental Millet Courtesy Jennifer Gray

also in this issue

28 Calendar of Events • 42 Classified Ads • 42 Advertising Index

a dime a day A $10,000 Goal: ONLPAC provides immeasurable benefit to your business.

Support ONLPAC today with a minimum donation of $36.50, just ten cents a day. Your contribution of $36.50 is critical. The goal is to raise $10,000. We need your contribution to continue our efforts. Donate today!

The horticulture industry in Ohio is under continual regulatory and legislative pressure. It is imperative that we speak as one industry to our elected officials to educate them on critical issues. ONLA routinely communicates with elected officials on matters that are near and dear to your business: sales tax, vehicle and operations safety compliance regulations, plant health inspection regulations, invasive species and quarantines, water usage and quality, labor, migrant labor, and construction.

Most of the successful legislative and regulatory work accomplished by ONLA goes unnoticed. That’s why it’s considered “successful.” We establish relationships, work with the General Assembly, and monitor legislation so that you don’t have to. We effect change that benefits your business, and usually that’s before onerous legislation gets “on the books.” We deflect the bullets before they get to you.

Help us continue this critical work. Donate to ONLPAC.

Please accept my personal contribution to the ONLPAC.

I understand ONLPAC accepts personal contributions via personal check and personal credit cards. Business checks and business credit cards are not accepted, per Ohio PAC laws.

Donation amount: $36.50, 10¢/day $91.25, 25¢/day $182.50, 50¢/day $365.00, $1/day Other: $__________ All ONLPAC donations are recorded and reported to the Ohio Secretary of State. Please complete the following information for reporting purposes.

Name: __________________________________________ Home Address: ___________________________________ City, State Zip: ___________________________________ Ph: ____________________________________________ Check Visa

Mastercard

Card No.: _______________________________________ Exp. Date: _______________________________________ Cardholder Name: ________________________________ Signature:________________________________________ Return to: ONLPAC, c/o ONLA, 72 Dorchester Square, Westerville, OH 43081. Ph: 800.825.5062. Fax: 614.899.9489. jennifergray@onla.org

President’s Perspective

True to ONLA’s Mission, Delivers

Andy Harding Herman Losely & Son, Inc. ONLA President andy@losely.com

Here we are again. Summer is officially over. I truly hope that, by the time you read this issue of The Buckeye, we’ve had significant rainfall.

After an “okay” spring and June, July sales have fallen on hard times.

I just cannot understand why landscapers are not planting because of a little dry weather! Last year, I was complaining about non-stop rain, but hindsight shows there were several good things about that situation: we could dig almost anything at any time; and we did not have to use man hours, fuel, etc. for irrigation every day, just to mention a few. I guess you need to be careful what you wish for!

During June and July here at Losely Nursery we had 12 people working on field irrigation every day with just two days off after rains. At least we have not had it as bad as row crop farmers all across the country… we need to remember that. Maybe we onla.org

can use all the corn for food instead of ethanol! That’s another subject (I could not resist the chance to mention something I believe is a waste of money).

On a subject of great importance to our industry, I must talk about CENTS. There has been much discussion over the last few years about the future of Trade Shows in all industries, including horticulture. In a down economy, businesses inevitably cut costs. One of the areas looked at seems to be marketing and advertising which includes exhibiting and attending trade shows. As CENTS is so important to the financial health of the ONLA, much time has been spent talking about the dynamics of economy, technology, and the continued need for trade shows.

Some people believe that technology, the internet and other modern means of communication relegate trade shows as less relevant as they once were. Even taking into consideration that I am grey-haired (I do use modern technology), I do not think this is true. With consistent attendance and a stable exhibitor base, CENTS is alive and well. In keeping with the ONLA’s mission (to lead, promote and facilitate the success and growth of green industry businesses), CENTS is the mid-west’s premier opportunity to network, buy/ sell, and learn. Technical education sessions provided by the Ohio State University Nursery Short Course, business-centric sessions and conferences presented by the ONLA, professional meetings of state and national organizations, and industry certification testing opportunities all enhance CENTS and make it a true

convention with exceptional value to the industry.

There is no better place or time than CENTS to network by talking face-to-face with customers and suppliers, to look at new equipment, view plant material, to make purchasing decisions, and to attend world-class educational sessions.

Those of us who attended the OFA show in July saw a packed house with a reported 9,100 attendees.

CENTS 2013 welcomed over 8,000 attendees. The same goes for the IGC show in Chicago. CENTS is among the national attendancegrowing shows in numbers of unique exhibits and attendance figures. Certainly, summer shows have the added benefit of color and warm weather and provide sales opportunities for annuals (a market that is relatively strong). As our economy recovers, the demand for the more expensive landscape plants returns. True to our mission, CENTS continues to connect buyers with sellers, facilitate commerce, deliver education, and promote and grow green industry businesses.

The ONLA has a great team of staff who continue to add relevant programs, build value, and engage exhibiting firms and attendees.

CENTS booth sales are up for 2013, and I am sure attendance will be as well, so mark your calendars!

Quick reminder: For all you golfers out there—the ONLPAC Golf Outing at Bent Tree Golf Course in Galena (September t 28th) should not be missed! For more information, call the ONLA office at 614.899.1195 or visit www.onla.org.

Enjoy! B

September 2012 5

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ONLA Office Update

Strong Partnerships

Kevin Thompson Executive Director kevinthompson@onla.org

“A partnership is a tailored business relationship based on mutual trust, openness, shared risk and shared rewards that results in business performance greater than would be achieved by two firms working together in the absence of partnership”. ~Douglas M. Lambert, Ph.D. Director, The Global Supply Chain Forum; OSU Fisher College of Business I recalled this quote after attending a couple of recent events: The Nursery Growers of Lake County Ohio (NGLCO) held its annual Field Day in Madison on August 14 and the OSU/ONLA Diagnostic Walkabout at Inniswood Metro Gardens in Westerville on August 16.

The ONLA is very secure in what it brings to the table, so we will continue to foster existing relationships, and pursue new partnerships that are based on mutual trust, openness, shared risk and shared rewards.

In conjunction with the Field Day, ONLA partnered with the NGLCO to host a tour of nurseries in Lake County. In doing so, both groups shared resources; including expenses, staff, marketing and expertise.

The result? A sold-out bus full of green industry professionals enjoyed a day of learning and camaraderie. A success by all accounts and certainly enhanced by the ONLA/ NGLCO partnership.

Two days later came the OSU/ ONLA Diagnostic Walkabout. OSU

6 The Buckeye

Extension agents are experts in diagnosing disease and pest problems in the landscape. The ONLA staff is expert in marketing and managing events. To maximize the learning environment, a limit was set on the number of participants. The result?

Once again, a sell-out, and a great experience for all. Watch for more of these popular events in the future.

ONLA’s partnerships with the NGLCO and OSU date back many years. Historical records indicate a partnership with OSU dating back to 1931. Of course, the most noticeable activity in which a “greater business performance” is realized is the CENTS & OSU Nursery Short Course. This partnership, between industry and land grant university, is quite unique and the envy of many outside Ohio. The OSU-Extension, Nursery, Landscape and Turf Team (ENLTT) provide their horticultural and teaching expertise while ONLA provides an understanding of the industry’s needs along with event marketing and management expertise. As a result we have one of the biggest and best shows in the country.

We partner with OSU in many other areas, including classroom and web-based training, research, certification, advocacy, and publications.

ONLA members also benefit from our partnerships with various other organizations.

The Ohio Green Industry Advocacy Day brings together members of the Ohio Lawn Care Association, Ohio Landscape Association, Ohio Turfgrass Foundation, Ohio Golf Course Superintendents Association,

onla.org

and Ohio Pesticide Applicators for Responsible Regulations and others. Collectively, we make a much bigger impact at the Ohio statehouse than individually.

On a national level we collaborate with industry organizations including ANLA, OFA and PLANET. As noted in my last article, ONLA has the largest research endowment through ANLA (HRI) and the largest scholarship endowment through PLANET (AEF).

Generally speaking, an association’s mission is to serve its members, which ONLA strives to do every day. Sometimes, though, organizations sense the need to “protect our turf”, which is perfectly understandable. But to seek collaboration, and pursue alliances that relate to existing strategies, an organization must be secure in what it brings to the table. Serving the industry should be our ultimate goal.

The ONLA is very secure in what it brings to the table, so we will continue to foster existing relationships, and pursue new partnerships that are based on mutual trust, openness, shared risk and shared rewards. This will allow us to best achieve our mission of serving our members while ultimately serving Ohio’s green industry as a whole. B

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onla.org

FAX: (440) 259-3338 1-800-860-8104 Web Site: klynnurseries.com E-Mail: klyn@klynnurseries.com September 2012 7

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Legislative Hotline

Statehouse News Notes Eclectic Election Exits and Entries

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

8 The Buckeye

Northeast Ohio has been making headlines with the surprising and abrupt announcement that Congressman Steve LaTourette (R; Bainbridge) will not seek reelection this fall. Citing significant frustration with the partisan gridlock in Congress, the nine-term Congressman said that the atmosphere in Washington “no longer encourages lawmakers to find common ground.”

The announcement sent shock waves throughout the state as colleagues friends and foes alike lamented the exit of a great leader. Specific to ONLA, Cong. LaTourette has always had an ear to the green industry. He has been our “go-to” legislator on myriad issues such as immigration, environmental issues, etc. and he has always been a champion of the Great Lakes. His leadership on the Appropriations Committee has been invaluable for the region and for all of Ohio. We applaud his great work.

He will be sorely missed. Party leaders in each of the seven counties of the 14th Congressional District recently slated Geauga County Prosecutor David Joyce to replace LaTourette on the ballot.

Additionally, another northeastern Ohio election “shake up” occurred on the democrat side when former State Rep. Dan Troy withdrew his name from the ballot. Prior to his exit, Democrats felt secure in Troy’s ability to capture the seat and increase their majority in the House.

Troy said that he pulled out of the race in response to constituents who wanted him to remain in his current post as a Lake County Commissioner. Additionally, Troy cited a heightened level of partisan bickering in the General Assembly as one of

the reasons for his change of heart.

The Lake County Democratic Party picked Mentor-on-the-Lake Mayor John Rogers to replace Mr. Troy on the ballot. Rogers will face off with Painesville City Councilwoman Lori DiNallo.

Meanwhile, another Democrat also withdrew from his House race. State Representative Clayton Luckie (D; Dayton) recently asked the Montgomery County Board of Elections to remove his name from the ballot as a candidate for the 39th House District. Rep. Luckie did not state a reason for his withdraw; however, recently he has made headlines as part of a possible felony investigation relative to potential campaign finance reporting errors. Montgomery County democrats have picked former Ohio Senator Fred Strahorn to take Lukie’s place on the ballot.

Watch next month’s Legislative Hotline for a more complete election update.

Redistricting Measure on the Ballot A coalition working to systemically change the way political boundaries are drawn was successful in securing enough signatures to put the measure on the ballot. “Voters First Ohio” submitted 406,514 valid signatures from half of the state’s 88 counties. The coalition asserts that if adopted, Ohio would gain a independent, nonpartisan citizen’s commission to draw legislative and congressional districts replacing the current system which is oft criticized of favoring the majority and putting the power in the hands of politicians rather than the people. Meanwhile, a group opposing the possibility of change, “Protect Your Vote Ohio”, has officially formed and is in the onla.org

process of checking signatures, looking for discrepancies and raising money to defeat the ballot initiative. State house insiders expect an expensive and divisive campaign on this issue.

Agriculture and Algal Blooms: The Clean Lakes Initiative Three state agencies have recently announced a joint effort to combat the growing problem of algal blooms in Lake Erie. Headed up by ODNR Director Jim Zehringer, ODA Director Dave Daniels, and OEPA Director Scott Nally, the “Clean Lakes Initiative” will attempt to address algal blooms by cutting agricultural run-off and sewage

bill passed in Ohio this year were measures included in the mid-biennial budget review relative to appropriations of approximately $2.6 million for migrant education and about $12.5 million for refugee services. Comparatively, Michigan approved five measures mostly related to state correction identification cards and E-verify.

Revenues and Rumors

Better than expected tax revenues are spurring rumors that Governor Kasich is positioning the implementation of one of his frequently touted goals: reducing Ohio’s personal income tax. The Ohio Office of Budget and Management (OBM) pegs the year-end balance at approximately $552 million. OBM Director Tim Keen explained that the estimates are A recent study released by the National Conference of State based upon increased tax receipts, a $160 million transfer to the general fund from liLegislatures (NCSL) indicated that in 2012 states have had quor profits (pending as part of the JobsOhio less of an appetite for implementing legislation relative to program), downward revisions to Medicaid immigration reform than they had in recent years. spending and about $130 million in agency spending reductions. Whether the projected surplus is “sustainable” enough to afford a The first half of this year saw state legislatures across the personal income tax cut is unknown at this country enacting 20% fewer immigration-related bills juncture; however, a tax cut is important to the Governor, thus, eyes around capital compared to the first half of 2011. square are watching closely. B overflows. The plan calls for farmers to use a program dubbed “the Four R’s”: the right fertilizer, at the right rate, at the right time with the right placement to help reduce phosphorus run-off. Simultaneously, OEPA is launching a comprehensive monitoring program to get a better understanding of the dissolved phosphorus problem.

While tri-agencies in partnership with Ohio Farm Bureau and others are introducing the Four R’s via education, ultimately, legislation is expected to be introduced.

ODA will be reaching out to stakeholders including the ONLA to discuss possible fertilizer application education programs and other regulatory incentives and mandates.

If you would like to be the “point person” for the ONLA on this issue, please email Belinda Jones at bjones@ capitol-consulting.net.

Immigration A recent study released by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) indicated that in 2012 states have had less of an appetite for implementing legislation relative to immigration reform than they had in recent years. The first half of this year saw state legislatures across the country enacting 20% fewer immigrationrelated bills compared to the first half of 2011. While the INTRODUCTION, of such bills are still popular, enactment has slowed down. The only immigration-related onla.org

September 2012 9

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W H Y T R E E S M AT T E R

Mighty Buckeyes From Little Seeds Grow Aesculi grandi e glandibus parvis crescent. At least that is the translation provided to me recently by an Oregon nurserywoman with Latin and Greek language skills.

This was brought home recently at TreeMendous Day III in Montgomery County. TreeMendous Day, an annual partnership program with Harold Schnell Elementary School (a year-round public school) in West Carrollton, Cox Arboretum in Dayton (a half mile from the school) and OSU Extension. The almost 500 first to fifth graders at the school were joined by teachers, arboretum staff and volunteers, parent volunteers, OSU Extension educators and Master Gardener volunteers, Ohio Certified Volun-

10  The Buckeye

teer Naturalists, and 4-H volunteers for a day of learning about trees and having fun.

It was a grand day of joyful learning. Cox has a new pagoda-like Tree Tower about to open, there were treed tiered towers, living pagodas so to speak, a few pagodalike arborvitaes made so by over-friendly deer, and lovely plants from their edible landscape to groves of baldcypress. The children learned why trees matter, from their environmental benefits and how to measure them (check out treebenefits.com) to the infinitely simple and immediate (shade is nice on a hot day). No nature deficit disorder for these students. As teacher Mindy Blom noted, one

onla.org

captions Photos courtesy Jim Chatfield.

(Facing page) Top: Baldcypress straw at Cox Bottom left: Aesculi grandi e glandibus parvis crescent. Mighty buckeyes (and horsechestnuts) from little nuts do grow!

Bottom right: Students arrive for TreeMendous Day at Cox Arboretum (This page) Top: Trees and the Web of Life at TreeMendous Day Middle: Why Trees Really Matter on a hot day Bottom: Amy Stone of OSUE teaching at TreeMendous Day (Page 13): Tree Tower at Cox Arboretum

first grader, arriving on the bus, piped in with “Look at all the trees! We are really going to breathe today!”

At Harold Schnell the students are organized into Bravo groups, made up of boys and girls from each of the grades. They stay in these groups for their five years, developing a web, a community that gives them a sustainable sense of connection. That is the idea of TreeMendous Day as well, connecting the children and their parents and teachers to the wonders of Cox Arboretum and to individual trees. Each Bravo group adopts a tree that they then revisit each year, learning how to identify it, its features, and…its ecological foot print that grows over time. please see page 13

onla.org

September 2012 11

ONLA Membership: Designed to Work

Exclusive Member Benefits Business Apparel - Land’s End

Trust Lands’ End Business Outfitters for all of your business clothing, uniform clothing, corporate gift and promotional product needs.

10% off full price retail and logo application fees.

Cell Phone Service - Sprint

ONLA members can receive a 12% discount on corporate Sprint wireless accounts, and an 8% discount on personal Sprint wireless accounts.

Credit Collection - Cash Flow Management (CFM)

With CFM, a trained collection specialist is assigned to bring in your past-due accounts before they fade away as bad debts.

Credit/Debit Card Processing - Merchant Services

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

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

Energy Program - Growers Energy Solutions (GES)

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

Federation of Employers & Workers of America

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

Fuel/Fleet Program - SuperFleet®

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

Office Supplies - Friends Business Source

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

Receive 30-55% off list price!

Online Safety Training- LS Training

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

NEW

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

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

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

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

Fleet Sales - Ricart Ford

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

Green Industry Networking

Shipping Solutions - PartnerShip

Ricart Ford, one of Ohio’s largest commercial truck dealers, has teamed up with ONLA to offer members a discount on Commercial Fleet Sales, Service and Parts across Ohio.

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

Health/Life/Income Insurance - TAH Benefits

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

Legislative Advocacy

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

Long Distance/Local Telephone

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

Take control of your shipping costs and add profits to your bottom line. PartnerShip delivers effective discounted shipping services to small- and medium-sized businesses nationwide, save up to 20%.

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

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

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

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

continued from page 11

That is where iTree comes into play. By identifying and measuring the trees, iTree (treebenefits,com) allows the students to understand how their (and our) leafy friends pay us back. From energy savings to stormwater remediation (children love big words much more than adults), from property values to air quality, from carbon sequestration…you get the picture. So, a 26 inch white oak growing in front of one of the children’s houses in the Dayton area will deliver $139 in annual benefits to the community. The students for the five years of their Bravo group will see how the trees grow and how their benefits increase over time, fast forwarded perhaps when they come back 30 years from now with their children as they join their own Bravo group for TreeMendous Day. Children and teachers of children understand about play. Those who play stay…interested. Remember to be happy. My wife Laura, a second grade teacher at Hazel Harvey Elementary in Doylestown Ohio plays the Audra Mae and Forest Rangers version of Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young” for her class many mornings: “May your hands always be busy May your feet always be swift May you have a strong foundation When the winds of changes shift May your heart always be joyful

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And may your song always be sung May you stay forever young Forever young, forever young May you stay forever young.”

There is another phrase from this song, which gets me every time; a key lesson of life. I reminded my brother Bill recently, while I was in Maine helping him in the hospital after he fell off a ladder while pruning a tree (why trees matter!). He had broken his hip and was struggling with worrying about all the people taking the time to help his fiercely independent self.

“May you always do for others And let others do for you” Surprising how hard that is to do sometimes, but it is a big part of the deal. And remember, from The Giving Tree to iTree, especially for the green industry and our clients and customers, trees really are our life. B Cindy Meyer, Amy Stone, Marne Titchenell, and Jim Chatfield The Ohio State University Extension Landscape Nursery & Turf Team

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UNwanted T S MO ( )Landscape OUT & ABOUT

part two

1

Marestail (Conyza sp.)

Marestail can follow a winter annual or a summer annual life cycle; therefore, it can emerge in the fall and in the spring. Fall emerging Marestail will have a more extensive root system than those that emerge in the spring (Johnson and Nice, 2003).

The more established root system of the fall emerging plants make them more difficult to control because they can resprout from meristems in the lower part of the stem and roots.

Therefore, systemic herbicides are required in “high enough quantities” to inhibit this resprouting (Johnson and Nice, 2003). Larger older plants have more active meristems so herbicide translocation and early control are key factors. In fact, glyphosate products (Round up, Touchdown, Roundup Ultra, etc.) provide fairly

2

good control of seedlings 4 inches or less in height. Many control failures with glyphosate products have occurred when Marestail greater than one foot are sprayed. Weather conditions will of course also influence the action of the systemic herbicides.

Weeds growing in very wet or very dry soils generally, have slower rates of metabolism; therefore, weeds growing in these conditions result in compromised herbicide activity (Johnson and Nice, 2003). The addition of 2,4-D to glyphosate will improve control of larger Marestail plants. However, use of glyphosate, 2,4-D and especially glyphosate + 2,4-D combinations must be used with extreme caution around ornamental plants, as glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide and 2,4-D a broadleaf killer. In landscapes no

photos 1 Marestail can follow a winter annual or a summer annual life cycle; therefore, it can emerge in the fall and in the spring.

2

Creeping Charlie is also called ground ivy, gill-over-the ground and creeping Jenny.

3 Prostrate/spotted spurge (Chamaescyce maculata or C. humistrata) is

known as a warm-season weed.

14 The Buckeye

3

contact of these products must occur to the ornamental material, including green bark.

Marestail control has recently become more difficult due to the advent of glyphosate and ALS resistance biotypes. ALS inhibitors are common for use in field agriculture; however, in ornamentals we only have three herbicides that functions by this mode of action, Plateau, Image and Manage. Jeff M. Stachler, Mark M. Loux, Jeff Taylor, Geoff Trainer, and Traci Bultemeier, researchers at Ohio State University in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, through fall of 2003 have confirmed ALS resistance in 20 Ohio counties mainly in the Southwest part of the state and 17 counties in the SW with glyphosate resistance. ALS-Resistant Species have included Powell amaranth, common cocklebur, kochia, common lambsquarters, marestail, smooth pigweed, common ragweed, giant ragweed, shattercane and waterhemp (Stachler et al. 2004). They have also confirmed 2, 4-D resistance and atrazine resistance in 2 Ohio counties.

If the fall is relatively dry fewer seedlings will emerge as winter annuals. If the winter is harsh than onla.org

WEEDS fewer weeds will also emerge as winter annuals. This will also be true of henbit, chickweed and marestail. If the spring is dry fewer Marestail seedlings will emerge as summer annuals (Johnson and Nice, 2003). 2, 4-D products provide good control of marestail and is a cheap product to use. However, again, it must be used with extreme caution around ornamental plantings. It can be used as a burn down in non-crop areas, fallow fields, and with caution to get no drift around ornamentals. Using 2,4-D is a good strategy, if used correctly, because it offers another mode of action on Marestail that will slow the development of more resistant weed populations.

Lontrel is also registered for postemergence control. Valent’s new product SureGuard (flumioxazin) is also effective on Marestail as a preemergence. The SureGuard also offers an alternative mode of action and is best used for this weed as your fall preemergence in landscapse. Other preemergent registered for Marestail include, Simazine, Dimension, Diuron, Gallery, Goal, Oryzalin, and Snapshot.

Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea) Creeping Charlie is also called ground ivy, gill-overthe ground and creeping Jenny. It is classified by life cycle as a creeping perennial. It can also be confused with Henbit, which is a winter annual. Henbit is nonaggressive; however, ground ivy is considered invasive and hard to control. Henbit and ground ivy are difficult to separate because both produce round, toothed leaves, square stems and opposite leaf arrangement (in the mint family). Their flower shape (tubular) and flower color (lavender-blue) are also identical. Both grow well in shady, poorly drained, fertile soils, where creeping Charlie especially will thrive and become a major problem.

However, ground ivy leaves have petioles; Henbit leaves are attached to the stem and mature henbit has a more erect habit than ground ivy. Henbit also has a single taproot; Ground ivy roots out at each node that touches the ground. Henbit has hairy leaves; ground ivy leaves have far less pubescence.

Ground ivy can also be confused with Violets (Viola sp.). Violets include winter annuals and perennials that are low growing. Violets prefer the same sites as ground

by dr. hannah mathers the ohio state university

ivy. Leaves of common violet are oval to kidney-shaped with a heart- shaped base. Flowers may be white, blue, purple or yellow of violets. They reproduce by seed and spread by creeping roots and rhizomes. Hand weeding and hoeing of ground ivy and violets can be tedious due to the rooting at every node and leaving of pieces behind.

The most effective postemergent controls contain a combination of two to three broadleaf herbicides. The most effective combinations contain dicamba, dichlorprop and/or triclopyr (Prostak, 2001). However, applications will need to be repeated at 10-14 day intervals at least two times. Very late fall applications are most effective for perennial weeds with systemic herbicides. The next best time is when the plant is in its early flowering stage.

Again, as mentioned earlier for broadleaf herbicides, avoid contact with ornamental plants, application with dicamba in the drip line of the tree. Always spray on clam days when air movement is away from the sensitive plant material and temperature will be below 85°F to reduce volatilization of the herbicide. Temperature in the 60’s and 70’s are best. Liquid applications are more effective than granulars.

Ground ivy and violets usually encroach into landscape beds from turf. So control in turf is the first line of prevention. Maintaining a thick lawn goes a long way regarding control of these two weeds. To reduce shade in problem areas – prune trees and shrubs in those areas to allow more light penetration to the turf. Roundup can be used in turf areas where renovation and starting over are required.

Prostrate/ spotted spurge (Chamaescyce maculata or C. humistrata) Prostrate/ spotted spurge (Chamaescyce maculata or C. humistrata) is known as a warm-season weed and the openness of the crop’s canopy directly influences its germination (Mickler and Ruter, 2001).

Prostrate spurge in nursery containers has been identified as one of four, of the most difficult weeds to control (Gilliam et al., 1990) and one of six, of the most dominant weed species (Penny and Neal, 2000). Mathers (1999) found that spurge was also one of the most competitive weeds. Growing in Oregon nursery containers, spurge please see page 16

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September 2012 15

continued from page 15

resulted in significant growth and quality reductions in Azalea ‘Rosebud’ and ‘Gold Cone’ Common Juniper.

Prostrate/spotted spurge also dominates containers in mid to late summer (Penny and Neal, 2000). Optimum conditions for spurge germination include temperatures of 25-30 ºC and light (Krueger and Shaner, 1982). Prostrate spurge germination is also influenced by fertilizer placement, methods that limit nutrient availability in the top surface of the container reduce spurge establishment (Fain and Knight, 2003). After incorporating controlled release fertilizers (CRF’s), Ruter and Glaze (1992) reported 96 and 86% control C. humistrata 8 and 12 weeks after treatment (WAT), with combinations of the herbicides, Ronstar (oxadiazon) + Surflan AS T/O (oryzalin). However, Whitwell and Kalmowitz (1989) after topdressing CRF’s found that C. humistrata control with combination herbicides was 59 and 52% control 8 and 12 WAT, respectively. Altland and Fain (2003) speculate that fertilizer placement may explain some of the discrepancy between results in these two studies. In addition to the two studies listed above other researchers have found only combination herbicides provide spurge control after 30-45 DAT (Fare and Robinson, 2001; Judge and Neal, 2000). Of five herbicides that provided effective control at 28 DAT only Gallery (isoxaben) + Surflan was providing spurge control at 70 DAT (Judge and Neal, 2000).

16 The Buckeye

Fare and Robinson (2001) found OH2 (oxyfluorfen + pendimethalin), provided that best spurge control at 90 DAT. Judge and Neal (2000) also found that reducing Gallery from 1 lb ai/A (1X) to 0.5 lb ai /A (1/2 X), resulted in a drop from 100% to 54% in spurge control, respectively.

They also found Gallery had greater activity in a sand-only media compared to a bark+sand (7:1 v/v) media. Fare and Robinson (2001) also found that containers receiving cyclic irrigation at 45 and 90 DAT versus once daily had significantly less control.

Wild Garlic (Allium vineale) This weed is an increasing problem in Ohio nurseries.

It is a bulbous perennial. Fibrous roots are attached to the bottom of a rounded to egg-shaped bulb. The bulbs have a papery outer coating (Uva et al. 1997). Bulblets form at the base of larger bulbs. Reproduction is by aerial bulblets and the underground bulblets and rarely by seed (Uva et al. 1997). Bulblets often remain dormant over the winter and germinate the following spring or 1-5 years later (shown above). Growers in Ohio report that wild garlic “quickly becomes a problem” in a nursery field. “Where one plant was last year, five plants come up the following spring.” Flowers or aerial bulblets are produced in May and June at the top of stems. These later become globe-

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4

5

6

7

8

9

shaped umbels (Uva et al. 1997). Wild garlic is also known as field garlic or wild onion. Wild onion (Allium canadense), however, as the scientific name indicates is a different species. The leaves of wild onion are flat in cross section, not hollow, and the bulb has a fibrous, net-veined outer coating, not papery and thin like wild garlic. Wild garlic usually grows on rich soils but can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions (Uva et al. 1997).

Suggested controls include 2,4-D products when the plants are quite small and 2,4-D + Gallery. Again, 2, 4-D products are broadleaf postemergent weed killers and generally only used in non-crop nursery areas, never as over-the-top applications. Late fall tilling has been effective in row crops as the bulblets are exposed to killing temperatures (C. Elmore, personal communication). Plateau and Image 70 DG are registered pre/post emergent controls.

Winter Annuals Common Chickweed (Stellaria media) - Chickweeds and Stitchworts (Stellaria sp. and Cerastium sp.), and Pearlwort (Sagina procumbens) are all members of the pink family. Most preemergents work on members of the Pink family, including Simazine, Diuron, Casoron, Surflan, and Kerb. Many Pink family members, however, are resistant to Ronstar. Glyphosate and Paraquat give good postemergent controls; however, 2,4-D provides good to poor control depending on the specific species. Chickweed is often found growing out of the drain holes of containers growing on geotextile mats that cover the container yard or the floor of a polyhouse. High nutrient content, standing water and small amounts of media that flow with the excess irrigation out of the containers’ drainholes create an ideal environment for chickweed.

Hairy bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta) is one of the most common weeds found in nursery containers; however, with an effective weed management program, it can be controlled. Isoxaben (Gallery) and imazaquin (Image) are recommended for postemergence control of Cardamine hirsuta, although Gallery was not as phytotoxic as Image on the plants evaluated. Research demonstrated that Gallery provided excellent post emergence control of hairy bittercress with no injury to a broad spectrum of woody ornamentals, and that control was influenced by size/age of the weed. Small non-flowering bittercress were controlled with 1.0 pound active ingredient per acre, while 2.0 pounds were necessary to control large, flowering bittercress. B Dr. Hannah Mathers The Ohio State University State Nursery Specialist mathers.7@osu.edu

photos 4 Wild garlic has fibrous roots attached to the bottom of a rounded to egg-shaped bulb; bulblets form at the base of larger bulbs.

5 Wild garlic produces flowers or aerial bulblets in

May and June at the top of stems.

6 Wild garlic is also known as field garlic.

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7 Common Chickweed is often found growing out of

drain holes of containers growing in geotextile mats that cover the container yard or the floor of a polyhouse.

8

Small non-flowering bittercress were controlled with 1.0 pound active ingredient per acre.

9

2.0 pounds were necessary to control large, flowering bittercress.

September 2012  17

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LOOK TO THE FUTURE

Preparing Our Future Leaders Each year students from across Ohio with an interest in nursery and landscape, assemble at the CENTS show to test their knowledge of the Green Industry. Students compete in three phases of a competition that begins a week prior to the CENTS show. They take an online written exam based on the Ohio Certified Nursery Technician book for landscapers along with equipment operation safety tests. Phase two of the competition brought over 275 students from 38 schools together to compete during the CENTS show where they test their knowledge in the areas of plant, weed, insect, disease and equipment identification. The students also complete a series of basic estimation problems for a landscape design; interpret grass seed labels; pesticide labels; and equipment owner manuals.

18  The Buckeye

As a result of the competition at this stage, the top ten teams are invited to compete in a hands-on component conducted annually at Tolles Career & Technical Center in Plain City, in mid-March. This two-day event is conducted and organized by Green Industry representatives.

All judging is based upon the Landscape Industry Certified standards.

In alternate years, students are tested with a focus on either installation skills or maintenance skills. Day one has each team of four students assessed on their ability and understanding of a take-off landscape estimation and surveying. In even-numbered years students are assessed on their landscape installation skills. Students must conduct a pre-operation and operation of a skid steer loader; installation of a paver walkway; grading and drainage;

onla.org

and interpretation of a landscape plan and plant layout.

Odd-numbered years students are assessed on their landscape maintenance skill. Students must conduct a preoperation and operation of a walk behind mower; a ZTR mower: installation of a sodded area; and a tree planting.

During the competition, over 20 industry judges converge on the competition site and provide a review of each practicum on day one and then evaluate the students using state and national industry standards on their ability to carry out the specific task. Judges represent a variety of Green Industry companies including Environmental Management Inc, Benchmark Landscape Construction, The Brickman Group, Worthington Landscape, Peabody Landscaping Group, 9 Trees Landscaping; Bobcat Enterprises, M.J. Design, and Columbus State Community College.

We are proud to have such strong industry support for the future leaders of our Green Industry in Ohio and are equally proud to have the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association as the sponsor of this educational event. If you would like to serve as a judge at this event please contact Jim Scott at jscott@tolles.k12.oh.us. B Jim Scott ONLA Scholarship & Student Activities Committee

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what was what was

RETAIL ROUNDTABLE

UPdown and

Spring 2012 is history. So, how’d you do? Well, that’s exactly what we’ve asked our retailing aficionados to let us know. Our question this month: “Okay, time to lay it on the line.

Comparing spring 2012 to spring 2011, how were your sales in the following categories? (And feel free to weigh in on why, as well as any ‘hot’ or ‘dud’ items from the spring.)”

White Oak Gardens Tom ‘Don’t Call Me Donny Osmond’ Hilgeman We had a very good spring this year. Some of it was weather; some of it was new marketing. One of the big reasons we had such a good increase was we purchased property to the south of us and knocked down the building. The removal of the building made our store and sales area significantly more visible. We looked bigger and nicer because of the increased visibility. With the addition of this property we were also able to add more parking which has always been an issue for us in the spring. With the

additional parking we were able to add some new marketing pieces to attract new customers in May. In years past, on busy May weekends, our 35 spot parking lot was packed and many times customers could not find a place to park. This made it difficult to attract new customers during the ‘what should be’ the easiest time to attract new customers. All of this with very early warm spring weather helped us have some very nice increases this spring. As a matter of fact, we were up in all categories!

• Trees & Shrubs both departments had nice increases; trees more than shrubs.

• Perennials had a significant increase. 2011 was a very bad year for perennials so part of the big increase was due to the large decrease in 2011 • Annuals were up, and having larger annuals earlier was one key to the increased sales • Mulch has seen nice increases the last few years. We have a Mulch madness free delivery promo in March / early April and the good March weather helped.

• Hardgoods were up as we sell a

•

lot of lawn fertilizer and grass seed. So with the great March weather we had a great lawn fertilizer spring. Scotts 4-step and Fertilome 3-step were hot items; grass seed not so hot due to mild winter and most customers yards looked good.

Herbs & Veggies was another good department, and the newer varieties did well. We tried some of the grafted tomatoes and sold out of them quickly.

Green Vista Water Gardens Stephen ‘Sakai Jumbo Tosai Sanke Koi’ Blessing Well, the only applicable category for us is water gardening, of course!

Overall, for the first six months of 2012 we are running up about 10% overall in our local (non website) sales. It started real strong in MarchApril but heat and dry weather slowed things down by June. We are up a little more in the "green goods", rather than the "hard goods", but it has been a positive season to date by most all accounts for us.

Oakland Nursery Jodi ‘Attila’ Dawson Here are the summaries for our categories from spring 2012, as well as some of my reasons why I think we were up or down.

• Container gardening, foliage / tropical plants, and annuals had a great year. We had an early start. We remember cringing at the customers that were putting annuals in the ground extremely early (hoping that they would have to be replaced). The three departments go hand in hand.

Customers are venturing out by using more interesting textures and colors in their containers and gardens along with annuals. The owner of Oakland Nurseries (we all know who that is) is a big beplease see page 24

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•

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liever in potted containers. Customers have an instant container garden for their porch or patio. I helped a number of do-it-yourself gardeners this year; showing them the array of tropical plants we had available gave them more choices for something new and exciting in their containers.

Seeds were down, to my surprise. The weather must have been a huge factor. With the concern of where our food is coming from I expected an up rise in seeds. Customers must have seen that plants were available and ready to be put in the ground.

Herbs were firm this year while vegetable plants steadily climb. Local food awareness is gradually educating our consumers of the importance of growing fresh food in their own yards (and containers).

Trees and shrubs had a small increase. Mild winter?

I think customers could concentrate on other parts of the garden and did not have to replace these items.

Water gardening was a surprise as well. We all discuss how it is declining, but this spring it had a nice

•

sprout in sales. Oakland had an array of beautiful water plants available to keep our customers motivated.

Hard goods were a steady pace this spring. Mild winter? Extreme heat?

• Delivery and plantings had a boost this spring. I wonder if our customers just wanted to play in the garden and leave the hefty work to someone else!

• Statuary had an increase from last year. I believe it is due to the fact that we all want nice things to look at when we come home from work; things that we enjoy and give us relaxation. With all the hard work that goes into the garden, why not decorate with items that make you happy!

UPdown

Rice’s Nursery and Landscaping, Inc. Steve ‘I’m a Rice-a-Roni’ Maddox Okay, you asked for it, so, here we go: Container Gardening / Container Gardening Supplies was up for us, but so was our inventory levels. I can’t say there was one thing or another that was “hot” but I can say it was very consistent once again.

• Shrubs were consistently up but trees have been steadily declining for us. No increases over the last •

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3-5 years in retail for trees. We carry larger B&B material and it seems that most of our loyal customers have all the trees they need. However, flowering shrubs especially the azaleas and hydrangeas this year have been moving out the door.

• Perennials were up and the Coral Bells continue to be the hot item. We grew a ton of them this year and we were amazed at how quickly they went out the door!

• Annuals were up and this year and it really seemed like people were back to some of the basics (geraniums, petunias, etc.) Boy, that nice weather REALLY helped this category a lot!

• Roses – Oddly enough the off colors of Knockout’s were “hot” this year. I mentioned the yellow and whites in an article in the paper and we couldn’t keep these things in stock. Really weird, but I would say overall this category was a bit flat for us.

• Foliage / Tropical plants were a bit flat. No major ups or downs and nothing really “hot” this year. Hibiscus did so a little better than usual though.

• Veggies were way up and herbs were down just a bit.

I think this was more to the location then a particular trend. We are going to do a better job with these, next year. We tried the ‘Mighty-Mato’ with mixed success. I think it was hard to charge more for a tomato if customers didn’t “get it”. (“A grafted what?!

For how much more?!”)

• Mulch was a Wow! As Bryan “Rice-A-Roni” would say, “Mulch, Mulch, more!” This category was off the charts for us. I think a lot of customers didn’t mulch last year, and with the early nice weather they got ahead of it. It was an amazing season for mulch!

• Hardgoods was flat for us. Broadleaf weed killers were strong early and then tapered off. Fertilizers were about the same. Bugs were not as big of a problem as we thought they would be.

Bottom line: we were absolutely amazed by this spring and yet, so distraught by this summer. All categories have taken a hit in June and July, but we are hoping to rebound in fall and finish off the year right!

• • •

•

ranium Rozanne, Echinacea, and Heuchera.

Annuals were decently up this year with Impatiens, Petunias and Calibrachoa being the leaders.

Roses were down this year, but Knock Outs continue to be hot as ever. Sorry, Pam Bennett.

Foliage and tropical plants were up, much due to a new manager who brought a lot of excitement and a new look to the department. As always, Hibiscus led the way in sales.

Hardgoods were mixed, as fertilizers were down in sales, but crabgrass controls were up (mostly the liquid sprays due to the odd spring weather and timing issues).

Not bad; not bad at all! As a matter of fact, I would say these results are very encouraging for the locally owned independent garden stores. Let’s all sing together, the words from one of the honorable Wm P. Stalter’s favorite rock group ‘Queen’ (and most favorite lead singer Freddie Mercury), “We are the Champions, my friend, and we’ll keep on fighting till the end. We are the Champions, we are the Champions, no time for losers, ‘cause we are the Champions – of the garden center world!!!!”

Hey retailers, can we talk? B Ron Wilson ONLA Retail Committee’s Ghost Writer in the Sky rwilson@natorp.com

Knollwood Garden Center Rob ‘Biergarten’ Scott For the most part, we were up in many of these categories! Here is our summary: • Container gardening was up several % points. Naturally, veggies have continued to increase, but a nice surprise was that succulents were up. We had a nice display and variety of these and with their heat and drought tolerance, they caught people’s eye.

• Trees and shrubs were up a little. We probably would have been up more except when the heat hit in June, it took the wind out of the sale. Small trees, boxwood, and small blooming shrubs lead this category.

• Perennials were up overall. The hot plants were Geonla.org

September 2012 25

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F E AT U R E

Merchandising ManagemenT Develop a merchandise plan

Planned merchandise management should be an intrinsic part of retail. To be successful, a retailer must offer the right mix of products and range to satisfy consumers, while balancing the needs of the business, its market position and financial goals.

There is no role in a garden center or retail outlet that can impact the performance of a business more than that of the purchaser. This is not a function to be taken lightly, nor one to venture into without adequate planning and preparation. The best chance of success is to have a well prepared plan to complement the skills of your purchaser.

Working within a defined framework helps make purchasing decisions easier and more consistent.

Merchandising Philosophy And Practices A retailer’s merchandising philosophy sets the guidelines for every purchasing decision. Many stores have

an informal merchandising philosophy; however by formalizing it, employees can more readily understand what is expected of them. Formalizing a merchandising philosophy begins with analyzing existing practices and employee roles along with the business’s desired image, values and goals.

It helps in the decision making process of a variety of merchandising issues such as: the assortment of products across the store, the depth offered within each category, inventory levels, the quality of merchandise offered, pricing to correlate with the store’s desired image and financial goals, as well as promotional strategies.

Merchandising philosophy and practices are an evolving process and once completed, should not be left to gather dust. The process should be revisited regularly, especially after the key selling periods, to evaluate performance and make refinements as needed.

Developing the Plan

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Look for Proven Winners in the white containers.

Forecasting is the basis of most purchasing decisions and, while not an exact science, offers a best guess scenario. How detailed and useful a forecast will be is determined by the quality and quantity of information available and how it is interpreted. Of course, there is always an element of chance – we’ve still not figured out how to control the weather! Detailed forecasting can help purchasing by reducing on-the-fly decisions and replacing them with informed decisions, which can help reduce waste and lost sales opportunities.

Forecasting by category (i.e. perennials, annuals, etc.) alone is less useful. It does set sales targets, but fails to provide the detailed information needed to achieve these targets. Out of 100 items in a category, 10 of those items may be generating 70 per cent of sales; the remainder could be dragging down the category performance. Detailed information is more useful in making key decisions on inventory selection, financial goals, space utilization, and more. onla.org

Forecasting also assists in the selection and ideal stock levels of staple products, those essential to the success of any range. These are the ones that consumers specifically come in for and are critical to the success of seasonal merchandise. There are not many sales for red poinsettias in January; conversely it is not good to run out in the second week of December.

Many staple items fall into the category of ‘known value,’ those which the consumer tends to compare on price, so margins may be tighter and mistakes more costly.

Innovation The garden industry is one of fashion and innovation, something that perhaps we don’t capitalize enough on. For example, organic products have been around for decades; however it is only recently they have received wider acceptance with our changing social attitudes.

Now, these products offer an opportunity for higher margins in a still small, but expanding segment.

Innovation is a key part of the product life cycle. It can help set one seller apart from another, but it is not without its risks. Misreading consumer trends can lead to getting stuck with large amounts of inventory. New uses or marketing methods for existing products have proven successful for some vendors – green roof and wall planting are but two examples. Creative and innovative

presentation can help differentiate one store from another.

The independent garden retailers may compete with box stores, but they don’t need to look like them.

Selection and Quality The right selection is a fine line, enough to satisfy consumer needs, but not too much to overwhelm the consumer with choices. Being spoiled with selection can make it hard for the consumer to choose, sometimes resulting in a lost sale.

The first planning decision on selection for a garden retailer would be to determine how many individual lines are offered in any given category and the desired level of inventory. Of course, financial goals will always be part of any decision making process. If the range of products is increased, will sales go up proportionally? If the range is reduced, what will be the impact on the consumer?

How might either impact on profits? What may seem an obvious answer cannot be confirmed without some planning and investigation.

Plant selections can sometimes fall victim to strategies like, the more the better, the widest selection in town, or the most unusual plants that don’t necessarily sell well.

Without evaluating the impact of sales on profits it can be hard to determine which, if any, is the right strategy. A please see page 28

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September 2012 27

continued from page 27

wider choice might appeal to a wider audience, or it may make no difference. It may simply mean fewer plants per variety, and may not allow sufficient space for the top sellers, raising the possibility of running out halfway through a busy weekend.

Quality is also a consideration as it forms part of the garden center’s image and market positioning. To benefit from a planned market position, the product quality offered should fit the desired image. Wanting to portray your business as a high-end quality seller but offering lower quality or budget merchandise and plants, may send a conflicting message.

Research has demonstrated that higher quality merchandise can demand a premium price. Garden consumers are often value driven rather than solely price driven.

Demographics have and continue to change; hobbyist gardeners, who enjoyed spending the majority of their leisure time in the garden, are being replaced by lifestyle gardeners, who have more demands on their leisure time, but enjoy their garden as a living space. It is important to determine your customer base and pricing strategies based on financial goals as well as market knowledge. A blanket mark-up or guesswork might not be good enough in this evolving market to maintain a competitive edge.

In addition to a premium price, higher quality product

may sell more quickly, have reduced waste, and significantly contribute to customer satisfaction and a business’s financial objectives. Research potential suppliers, and be sure to evaluate “apples to apples.” Does it meet your standards and specifications? As with any strategy, this requires careful evaluation and risk assessment to ensure it meets the business goals, before implementing any change.

Seasonal Timing Nobody in this industry needs reminding about the seasonality of our business. With the intense and short sales window that seasonal sales offer, it is imperative to get the mix right, as well as the timing and volume requirements. Seasonal timing encompasses many facets of the planning process and a number of factors have to be considered such as: forecasting, defining the peak selling season, accommodating increased holiday demand, the availability of merchandise, and lead times needed by suppliers. It is imperative to know your suppliers and how they work. This is an important part of the value chain concept.

Taking advantage of early order and volume discounts can offer substantial savings to the purchaser, savings that can be passed on to the consumer by promotions or

Industry Calendar View www.onla.org for seminars, events, trade shows and more! O designates qualifying OCNT recertification events O September 12, 2012 “Get your Green Industry Fix” Webinar. Sponsored by: ONLA, www.onla.org

October 24-26, 2012 PLANET Green Industry Conference, Louisville, KY. Sponsored by: PLANET, www, landcarenetwork.org

O September 13, 2012 Diagnostic WalkAbout, Cleveland, OH. Sponsored by: ONLA, www.onla.org

November 8 – 10, 2012 TCI Expo, Baltimore, MD. Sponsored by: Tree Care Industry Association, expo.tcia.org

September 14, 2012 ONLPAC Wine Tasting Reception, Aurora, OH. Sponsored by: ONLA, www.onla.org

January 3-4, 2013 Tennessee Green Industry Expo, Nashville, TN, Sponsored by: Tennessee Nursery & Landscape Association, www.tnla.com

O September 26, 2012 Pesticide Safety Training, Reynoldsburg, OH Sponsored by: ODA, www.pested.osu.edu

O January 13, 2013 P.L.A.N.T Seminar, Columbus, OH. Sponsored by: Perennial Plant Association, www.perennialplant.org

O September 27, 2012 Diagnostic WalkAbout, North Olmsted, OH. Sponsored by: ONLA, www.onla.org September 28, 2012 ONLPAC Golf Outing, Bent Tree Golf Course, Sunbury, OH. Sponsored by: ONLA, www.onla.org O October 10, 2012 “Get your Green Industry Fix” Webinar. Sponsored by: ONLA, www.onla.org

28 The Buckeye

O January 31, 2013 Ohio Pesticide Commercial Applicator Recertification Conference, Dayton, OH Sponsored by: ODA, www.pested.osu.edu O February 13, 2013 Ohio Pesticide Commercial Applicator Recertification Conference, Akron, OH Sponsored by: ODA, www.pested.osu.edu February 21, 2013 Ohio Invasive Plant Council Research Conference, Columbus, OH Sponsored by: OIPC, www.oipc.info O February 27, 2013 Ohio Green Industry Advocacy Day, Columbus, OH. Sponsored by: ONLA, www.onla.org O March 5, 2013 Ohio Pesticide Commercial Applicator Recertification Conference, Columbus, OH Sponsored by: ODA, www. pested.osu.edu

O January 14-16, 2013 CENTS & OSU Nursery Short Course (13-16th), Columbus, OH. Sponsored by: The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association, www.onla.org

O March 21, 2013 Ohio Pesticide Commercial Applicator Recertification Conference, Sandusky, OH Sponsored by: ODA, www.pested.osu.edu

onla.org

help the business meet its financial goals. For items that have limited availability, early ordering can help secure supplies for the coming season. The results of seasonal planning and purchasing can have significant impact on the performance of a garden retailer.

Allocation How much real estate will you give up to a product?

There is a fine line between eye-catching displays, sufficient volume to satisfy customer demand, and meeting financial goals. It is one of the most challenging jobs for a purchaser/merchandiser. The big guys have computer software to figure out how much they will make from their shelf and floor space. Allocation is a complex subject; however, decisions can be helped with an understanding of the market, product margins, available space, customer flow around the store and detailed forecasts.

Category Management Arranging product grouping is particularly relevant to the garden retailer, as this is how many structure their performance measurement. Category management focuses on the results of a specific category within the store, rather than the performance of specific brands or individual product lines. Where a category is placed can influence its performance, and moving categories season-

ally will often give better returns.

Successful category management can set you apart from competitors. It can strengthen your image and market position. The objective should be to drive multiple purchases, increasing the value of each sale. It is important to position merchandise for maximum exposure to consumers at the optimum time. This means being flexible and changing even within a season, according to peak demand.

Conclusion Merchandise management and purchasing is a challenging and rewarding role. It requires continued study, and understanding of the market, and ongoing assessment of the merchandising plan. The scenario will be different for each retailer, requiring detailed evaluation, planning and risk assessment. It is a best guess, as results are never guaranteed, but planning and flexibility offer great opportunity for your business, customers and suppliers.

Stephen Head has worked in the green industry in retail and wholesale capacities and as a training and merchandising consultant. He now operates a wholesale nursery in British Columbia, specializing in herbs. B Reprinted with permission from “Landscape Trades,” May 2012.

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September 2012 29

B

sustainability F E AT U R E

When the sustainability concept began to work its way into our collective consciousness a few years ago many of us may have thought, “Here we go, another ‘flavor of the year.’” It seems, however, that sustainability is here to stay in its many faces and forms from LEED certified buildings to sustainable landscape practices to storm water management to local food production. Many of you may already be incorporating sustainable practices including storm water management techniques – water gardens, permeable pavers, bioswales and the like – in your new installations but what does local food production have to do with our section of the original green industry? Turns out quite a bit, especially in education; but I digress.

So what is urban agriculture, why is it catching on so widely, and is it itself sustainable in the end? When

“using methods, systems and materials that won’t deplete resources or harm natural cycles” (Rosenbaum, 1993)

one thinks of the food supply web in this country it is astounding to realize how far, and to what fuel and man hour cost, much of the food available in our grocery stores travels to reach us. So it isn’t at all surprising that grocery chains and restaurants would be looking for local suppliers. Combine that with an ever-growing amount of vacant land within city limits and cities encouraging the conversion of that land to profitable use it isn’t at all surprising that enterprising folk are turning that land to food production. This ranges from a few modest acres in community gardens to the new 10-acre Green City Growers project in Cleveland that will incorporate a please see page 42

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Educational Update

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

Content for this issue provided by: Timothy J. Malinich Extension Educator The Ohio State University Extension Nursery, Landscape & Turf Team malinich.1@ag.ohio-state.edu

Too much work and too little time plague every operation in every aspect of the industry. However, a little extra effort in some area may save time and money for the overall operation. Scouting for insect and disease pests is one of those tasks. Scouting in the nursery can identify problems early, making control easier and reducing costs. Scouting in the landscape provides the same control advantage and provides an additional service to the client.

Who Scouts Whether a scouting program already exists for your organization or if a new one will be created, be certain to make a firm commitment to the program by writing it down. In the description, include items such as the chain of command, personnel, goals, training and frequency.

Who is responsible for pest scouting is one of the first questions to address. Small operations can use every staff member as a scout. People on the potting line that handle every plant could be trained to keep an eye open for common pests in that particular crop. Similarly, shipping crews scanning blocks for saleable material may spot potential problems before a dedicated scout. Crew leaders on landscape maintenance crews can fill in the same scouting function, keeping a trained eye out for potential problems for each contract.

If it is unreasonable to train the entire staff on scouting, then a small number of dedicated scouts can, and should, be not only dedicated to the task, but also be offered adequate training to effectively carry out the function of a plant pest scout. There are training opportunities locally and state-wide in plant identification (absolutely critical for a scouting program), diagnostics skill development, and insect and disease identification. The more critical the position, the more training should be offered—a good goal would be twice a year for dedicated scouts and once a year for general staff. All job duties should be listed for scouts as they may not be in the field every day. It is good to know what other jobs they can be pulled to do and which jobs have lower or higher priorities than the field scouting. please see page 32

photos 1 The goal in scouting is to look at a portion of ALL representative areas. Visually scan the field and plan a random pattern to walk through the field.

2

EDUCATIONAL UPDATE

Regular training, like this diagnostic program, provides timely updates for IPM scouts. Pests and diseases covered during training become part of a scouts knowledge base, making them a valued asset.

3

The single best, and least expensive, piece of scouting equipment is the 10X or 12X magnifier.

Choose one with a glass lens and make sure every truck, crew, or scout has one on hand.

1

continued from page 31

Chain of Command The original commitment and plan should also delineate the chain of command in the scouting process.

Once scouting has started, the scouts will have information and samples for identification and possible action. Without a written policy that is actually followed by the staff that critical pest information will, at some time, be lost. Everyone in the system should know the path that the information needs to take. In a small operation the chain could be as simple as: scout (on the shipping crew) > owner (who is pesticide applicator) > scout (for follow up) Or, adding one more person in the chain: scout > manager > applicator > scout In most cases, the line begins and ends with the scout who is the eyes for the operation. Follow up after treatment is essential to assess efficacy of the application and possibly identify areas missed by the application equipment. The reports, application records and efficacy will aid in auditing the effectiveness of not only the scouting program but the pesticide application program and spray equipment as well.

Finally, identify who in the chain of command is responsible for maintaining scouting and treatment records. Failure to have a responsible party will eventually lead to a “he said/she said” situation if and when the system breaks down. It takes a high degree of professionalism to take responsibility when something doesn’t work, so listing responsibilities from the start avoids confusion.

3 2 32

The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association’s The Buckeye, September 2012

Scouting

A simple IPM scouting system need not break the budget. However, when polling landscape and nursery professionals at classes it is surprising at how many do not even carry some of the most basic equipment.

The absolute minimum diagnostic equipment to carry into the field is a 10x magnifier loupe. Reading glasses are not sufficient and until bionic ocular implants are commonplace then the naked eye will not suffice either. A 10X loupe runs about $7 each. Get one with glass lenses, not plastic; glass will hold up longer to field conditions. Attach it to a lanyard—free at most trade shows—to keep it handy and make it easier to find when dropped in tall grass. Get one for each scout, or every truck or crew. This small investment will be enough for working on 75% of the plant pests one will find in the nursery or landscape.

Along the same line of cheap equipment nobody has is a pencil and notebook. Lacking forms for scouting (which are usually too large and awkward for field work) a small notepad, 3” by 4”, and pen are the most important item next to the loupe. Again, free at most any trade show. One can also spend a little cash to get waterproof paper and pencils. Add accurate maps, colored marking tape and/or flags and one begins to have a respectable field scouting kit.

The last item to add to the basic field kit could be a digital camera. A basic “point and shoot” model with rudimentary zoom capabilities is all that is needed.

Digital pest photos can help one recall locations and details—a picture is worth a thousand words. Also, digital images can be sent to colleagues or specialists for help with more difficult problems.

Higher budget items that are nice but not necessary include: • digital magnifier • pH meter • electrical conductivity meter • light meter (primarily for greenhouse) • soil probe • dissecting microscope Of the items listed above, the dissecting scope is the most expensive and the least needed. The others are affordable and provide a level of in-house diagnostic capabilities that would serve most nursery and landscape needs.

For samples that have to be sent out, one should keep a supply of shipping containers on hand as well as the addresses of labs and the required forms for sample submission. The address book should also have the names and eMail addresses of area specialists and other contacts that can assist with pest problems.

Similarly, keep a list of bookmarks for online resources and share those links with colleagues.

Scouting is a very physical activity. One needs to walk the blocks not only looking at the overall appearance but also randomly looking into the crowns of the trees, the bases and interiors of shrubs and in some cases in the duff under the stock or in the rootball of the pot. The trick is to randomly sample all areas under inspection.

Begin by looking over the field or landscape and determine a random pattern to follow—a Z or W pattern is usually considered random. Visually scan the field and use the overall appearance to find possible trouble spots. Also, stop occasionally to thoroughly inspect individual plants. If a pest or disease is found, flag the plant and spend more time circling around the area to mark the extent of the problem. When finished with the problem area resume the original random pattern. At the completion of the pass through the field the scout should have seen part of ALL representative areas.

The ‘In-Your-Head’ Catalog Perhaps the most challenging part of scouting is feeling confident with the identification of so many plant and pest problems. In fact, participants in trainplease see page 34

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The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association’s The Buckeye, September 2012

33

EDUCATIONAL UPDATE

Equipment

EDUCATIONAL UPDATE

continued from page 33

ing classes state that they are unsure of their ability to effectively scout for pest problems. To overcome this performance pressure it helps to keep a few points in mind.

First, no one knows everything. Most professionals have areas of expertise that were built up over years of field and research experience. Second, every pest that one finds or has to research is one more pest that can be added to their own list of “known” pests. Third, it helps if one consciously develops a mental catalog and process that can be used while scouting.

The last point, the mental catalog may be the best tool available to a scout. When walking the field the scout should have a list in mind of insect and disease problems for the type of plant currently being inspected. That list then changes from block to block or from plant to plant. For instance, walking a field of Taxus would have a list that contained grape mealybug, Fletchers scale and black vine weevil. Moving to a field of magnolia would bring to mind a new list that contains powdery mildew, leaf miner, and scale. Also, don’t forget to add weeds to the scouting list as they pose a significant problem to production if they get out of hand. Being mindful of how the in-your-head catalog works makes it easy to use and enhance.

Every season of inspections will add new insects and diseases to the catalog. Gaps in one’s personnel knowledge base can be filled in by other resources.

Establish and maintain a network with other scouts, colleagues and Extension professionals. Use them to assist with unknown pest problems.

Quarantine pests, on the other hand, should have zero tolerance in any setting. Scouts should be very familiar with quarantine pests and inspect more frequently and closely on host plants. Emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, Japanese beetle (for out-ofstate shipping), hemlock wooly adelgid and gypsy moth are just a few quarantine pests that are tracked by state and Federal agencies.

Finish the Job Don’t let the data gathered from a scouting program go to waste. Use the information to create a written record of problems from season to season and year to year. Careful evaluation of the scouting and pesticide application records can help judge the effectiveness of the overall program and make changes for improvement. Keep the evaluation simple, however. Overanalyzing or keeping track of too much detail can lead to paralysis by analysis—look at only what will help in the day to day operations.

As cost of production inputs and labor increase, any increase in efficiency or decrease in cost becomes a benefit. A good scouting program, put down on paper, with ongoing training and support can go a long way to improving production, sales and the bottom line.

B

Action Levels The data brought in from scouting reports should make it easier to respond to pest problems. However, the type of control required will vary from business to business. One can’t sterilize the area, killing off all offending insect, disease and weed problems. Therefore, if helps to establish guidelines for control.

Most ornamental crops for sale have a near-zero tolerance for pests while those already in the landscape can harbor low-level infestations without being noticed. Also, homeowners may dictate what level of control they are seeking within their own landscape—everything from no tolerance for pests near the picture perfect patio to an organic-leaning client that will tolerate most any problem to avoid application of pesticides. So, know what the action threshold is for each situation and let the scouting reports guide control efforts.

34

The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association’s The Buckeye, September 2012

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September 2012 35

B

F E AT U R E

Direct Sunlight Affects Temperature Measurement in Greenhouses Solar radiation has a significant effect on temperature measurement. The exposed tip of a temperature probe can absorb electromagnetic radiation and heat up, giving an inaccurate reading of the air temperature. An indoor/ outdoor thermometer recorded a 32˚F difference between an indoor location where solar radiation from a sunny day shown through a window and another location in the same room but in the shade.

To measure temperature accurately in a sunny location such as in a greenhouse, the temperature sensor should have sufficient air movement and be protected from direct sunlight. Through some simple experimentation, it is concluded that good air movement is the most effective means of combating probe warming. Shielding is less effective than moving air but when the two methods are combined, the resulting temperature difference between sun and shade is minimized.

This experiment was performed indoors at room temperature using an indoor/outdoor thermometer. The outdoor probe of the thermometer was placed in the direct

1

figures 1 Difference between probe in

radiation and probe in shade demonstrated by an indoor/outdoor thermometer.

2 Temperature probe suspended

inside a Styrofoam cup (A), an aluminum foil enclosure (B), and a Styrofoam cup wrapped with aluminum foil (C). An example of a sensor with good air flow (D).

36 The Buckeye

2 a-d

sunlight of a closed window. The thermometer unit that contained the indoor probe was placed near the window, a few inches beyond where direct sunlight shown (Figure 1). Temperatures from both probes were recorded for each of several different methods of preventing radiation caused sensing probe warming. From these measurements, the temperature differences were determined.

Heat reduction methods that were tested include shielding the sensing probe with a white Styrofoam cup and or aluminum foil, as well as dissipating heat through air movement by use of a fan.

When the probe was covered by the Styrofoam cup the temperature difference was 13.6˚F. Aluminum foil shielding generated a temperature difference of 10.0˚F. Combining the shield materials (Styrofoam cup wrapped in aluminum foil) led to a temperature difference of 11.7˚F. Air movement (ventilation) alone lowered this difference to 6.6˚F. Ventilation plus aluminum foil led to a difference of 3.0 ˚F and ventilation plus the Styrofoam cup led to a difference of 3.9˚F. The best results, an averaged difference of 2.5˚F, were achieved by using all three methods. The shielding and ventilation equipment used is shown in Figure 2.

While using single method approaches to keeping the temperature probe from heating up, such as aluminum foil alone or ventilation alone can have an effect, heat reduction remains insufficient. When taking temperature data, it would be ideal to have the effect of radiation on the temperature probe have a value of zero. This experiment indicates that Styrofoam and aluminum shielding combined with ventilation is the closest to ideal out of all methods investigated. However, a difference of 2.5˚F can and still should be improved upon. The conclusion of this experiment is that when taking temperature measurements in a sunny location, a highly reflective and aspirated radiation shield is needed to protect the temperature sensor.

Shielding and aspirating a temperature probe is generally recommended for accurate temperature measurement in greenhouse environments. B Luke Power and Peter Ling The Ohio State University, OARDC ling.23@osu.edu

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IN MEMORIAM

Douglas Peabody Douglas Peabody, age 53, of Columbus, passed away August 12, 2012. Graduate from Culver Military Academy in 1977 and attended The Ohio State University, studying Landscape Architecture. He started Peabody Landscape Construction with his brother in 1980 and was President of Central Ohio Top Soil and Mulch from 19952005. He was also involved in entrepreneurial business opportunities in glass manufacturing from 2005-2012.

Preceded in death by mother Patricia J. Peabody and father Thurman J. Peabody. Survived by brothers, David G. (Barbara) Peabody and Lt. General John W. Peabody; nephews, Christopher, Benjamin and Matthew; nieces, Olivia and Samantha; along with numerous loving relatives and a host of friends. Doug was always concerned about others less fortunate and in need; he was always willing to lend a helping hand. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities of Central Ohio, 197 East Gay St., Columbus, OH 43215.

sister, Rita Henningan, and his brother, Raymond “Peach” Bennett in March of this year. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Eric Espinosa, the caregivers at Forest Glen Health Campus, Community Mercy Hospice, and the ER and ICU staff at the Springfield Regional Medical Center. Memorial contributions may be made to Community Mercy Hospice, 444 W. Harding Rd., Springfield, OH 45504 or Central Christian Church, 1504 Villa Rd., Springfield, OH 45503.

Gunnar Listerman Gunnar A. Listerman, a beacon of light, passed away on August 13, 2012 surrounded in the love of his family and friends. Gunnar was born on November 22, 1991 to Bridget Sheridan and David Listerman of Beavercreek, OH. In 1994 he was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. While his illness steadily diminished his mobility, he met each additional obstacle with courage, dignity and grace. He graduated in 2010 with honors from Beavercreek High School and for the past two years he attended Wright State University where he majored in

please see page 38

Richard Bennett Richard E. Bennett, age 84, of Springfield, passed away on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 in his home. Bennett (father-in-law of Pam Bennett, OSU Extension Horticulture Educator) was born on October 19, 1927 in Ironton, Ohio the son of Merrill and Georgia (Weaver) Bennett. He enlisted in the United States Navy and finished a thirty-three year military career in the Ohio Air National Guard, retiring as Colonel and Commander of the 251st Combat Communications Group. Dick retired as a civilian from WPAFB-AFMRL as a Chemist. He is a graduate of Wittenberg University in 1951, an active member of Central Christian Church, HS Kissell Lodge 674 F&AM, Scottish Rite Valley of Dayton, and OES Home City Chapter 258. He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-three years, Joan (Scott) Bennett, four sons and three daughters-in-law: Scott Bennett of Marion, Phil and Lisa Bennett, Rick and Pam Bennett, and Kyle and Tonya Bennett all of Springfield; eleven grandchildren: Joshua (Chelsea), Lucas (Heidi), Jacob (Shannon), Rachel, Samantha, Tobi (Morgan), Allison, Stephanie, Ricky, Thomas, and Baylee; three great grandchildren: Aurelia, Haiden, and Breilla; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one

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September 2012 37

B

continued from page 37

Biomedical Engineering. Being a kind and compassionate soul, it was no surprise he entered a field of study that would not only challenge his brilliant mind but also ultimately enrich and better the lives of others. Gunnar enjoyed spending time with his longtime friends Max Bertsos, Chris Weir, and Colin Hu, for marathon video gaming or Dungeon and Dragon sessions. Gunnar is survived by his parents; brother, Steffen Listerman; paternal grandmother, Betty Listerman; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. His family asks that you consider donations to the Gunnar A. Listerman Scholarship Fund at Beavercreek High School and/or Gunnar’s Fund at Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (www.parentprojectmd.org/gunnarlisterman). Gunnar was a true visionary and upon his death was able to give the gift of sight to someone else. Albert Schweitzer said, “In everyone’s life, at some time our inner light goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. Each of us owes the deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this inner light.” Thank you Gunnar, for sharing your light and for the many gifts you have given to those who had the honor and privilege of knowing and loving you.

You were a true, kind and gentle man. B

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Join Us In America’s Heartland for the Region’s Premier Green Industry Event!

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Join Us for the Education Conference: • Keep current with industry trends, issues & technology.

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40 The Buckeye

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SAFETY FIRST Raising the Bar

When I visit a company to review their Safety Program, I always ask if they have a Safety Accountability Program in place. Most of the time the answer is no.

The answer to this question often determines how much emphasis a company places on its Safety Program. Safety should be a key part of every company’s Management Program. It should rank near the top of the most important things each company does to be successful.

Ask yourself this question, is there anything more important than your employee’s safety while they are working for you? I think that most of us would agree that there isn’t anything more important. Yet many companies do not place sufficient emphasis on safety.

Granted no one wants an employee to be injured and most employees do not deliberately put themselves at risk for serious injury.

The problem is accidents are unexpected, no one plans to have one. They are, however, to a large extent preventable. In fact, 90% of all accidents can be prevented. I have reviewed thousands of accident investigations and I have discovered an interesting thing, it is not the big things that cause most accidents, it is the little everyday things that cause more accidents. The causes of these unfortunately do not stand out and are not presented as dangerous or unsafe. Most accidents happen from repeated

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activities that go unnoticed or unexpected. Employees get used to doing these and do not believe they are dangerous.

Once engrained in their behavior, changing this behavior can be very difficult.

Supervisors either do not recognize situations where unsafe behavior occurs or are reluctant to take corrective action.

I see this frequently when I visit client companies. I will see employees working unsafely, yet many times if I am with a supervisor they do not see it. I have also seen where supervisors are reluctant to enforce safety rules. I understand that supervisors are busy and have a lot of responsibility. I also recognize the fact that most supervisors are reluctant to cause unnecessary problems and additional work.

Unsafe behavior acts or unsafe work conditions put employees at risk of injury and the company at risk to financial losses. This is unnecessary and counter productive. Many companies recognize this fact and have taken the necessary steps to eliminate these situations. They have raised the bar on their safety expectations. Supervisors and employees recognize that safety is important to the company and the company puts a high value on it. It starts out with: • A clear commitment from upper management that is communicated to all levels.

• Safety performance is not optional but demanded.

• Supervisors are held accountable.

• Effective training programs are in place for both supervisors and employees.

• Safety rules are enforced the same way other rules are enforced.

• Yearly safety goals are established.

• Employee suggestions are requested.

• Recognition and reward for good performance is provided.

Companies that have good Safety Programs establish high expectations for both supervisors and employees. There are no acceptable excuses for anything else. Employees understand the importance of working safely and thinking about their actions. Supervisors are held accountable for the safety of their employees. The safety performance of the company is measured and the result communicated to all employees.

In other words they have Raised the Bar on Safety Expectations.

Safety is not a project or a program but an ongoing process aimed at continuous improvement. After all aren’t your employees worth it?

If you have any safety related questions or need any help with your Safety Program, please call me at 800-356-1274.

B Gary W. Hanson, President American Safety and Health Management Consultants

September 2012 41

continued from page 30

3.25-acre hydroponics greenhouse. This urban agriculture trend is not unique to Ohio but is indeed a national phenomenon. Just Google “urban agriculture (you name the city)” to see what I mean.

Can urban farming pay a living? Many of the dozens of urban farms here in Cleveland are doing just that by getting commitments from hospitals, grocery chains, restaurants and yes, breweries to purchase their produce. It takes commitment and hard work and knowledge; and there is where education comes in. The Ohio State University Extension offices have been offering classes to help urban farmers get started for some time and is now involved, among other projects in the Urban Agriculture Innovation Zone, a 26.5-acre pilot site growing local food on previously vacant land. Located near E. 93rd and Kinsman Avenue, in Cleveland the site is the largest urban agriculture district in the nation. With the rapid growth of urban farming in Ohio and the increasing demand for education in this area at least two community colleges, Owens Community College and Cincinnati State Technical and Community College have instituted certificates in urban agriculture and Cuyahoga Community College has one under consideration.

Now admittedly I’ve only scratched the surface of this steamroller of a movement and frankly and in-depth discussion would be overwhelming. Let me close by saying that if you want to see something really cool, go to http://www.refugeeresponse.org/ourwork/reap. There you will not only find some information about one of Cleveland’s thriving urban farms, the Ohio City Farm, but you will also find photos of an Amish horse-drawn plow tilling up soil for that farm in the middle of the city. B David Emmitt ONLA Scholarship & Student Activities Committee david.emmitt@tri-c.edu

ONLA Classified Advertising: onla.org

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

Help Wanted • Design & Sales JTS Landscaping, Seville, OH • Landscape Operations Manager Rocky Fork Company, New Albany, OH • Nursery Owner Retiring & Relocating Sency Nursery, Madison, OH • Container Production Manager Acorn Farms, Inc., Zanesville, OH

Advertisers’ Index Acorn Farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 acornfarms.com Boulders Direct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 bedrock109@sbcglobal.net Buckeye Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 buckeyeresources.com CENTS 2013. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 21, OBC centsshow.org Decker’s Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 deckersnursery.com EasyPro Pond Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 easypropondproducts.com Ernst Seeds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 ernstseed.com Evergreen Nursery Company, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . 38 evergreennurseryco.com Fairview Evergreen Nurseries, Inc.. . . . . . . . . 38 fairviewevergreen.com Gilson Gardens, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 gilsongardens.biz Grayhawk Greenhouse Supply. . . . . . . . . . . . 37 grayhawkgreenhousesupply.com Hobby Nursery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 hobbynursery.com JCB of Ohio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 jcbohio.com Kentucky Landscape Industries. . . . . . . . . . . . 40 klna.org Klyn Nurseries, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 klynnurseries.com Medina Sod Farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 medinasodfarms.com Miami Nursery Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 miaminurserycompany.com Millcreek Gardens, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 mgohio.com Netafim USA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 netafimusa.com Oberfield’s LLC .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 oberfields.com ONLA BackPocket Gardener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC onla.org ONLPAC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 bit.ly/ONLPAC Pickens Tree Farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 pickenstreefarm.com Scarff’s Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 scarffs.com Spring Meadow Nursery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 colorchoiceplants.com Unilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 unilock.com Walters Gardens, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC waltersgardens.com Willamette Nurseries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 willamettenurseries.com

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

42 The Buckeye

The BackPocket Gardener A learning tool for the novice

148 pages 200 photos 10 chapters Bulk Pricing Available resell to customers provide to important clients training material for employees

A reference guide for the experienced

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