The Landscape Contractor Magazine JAN.21 DIGITAL EDITION

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January 2021

CONTENTS Excellence In Landscape Awards Project

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FOCUS: ILCA Awards & Honors Person of the Year Rick Reuland

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Distinguished Supplier Award Reds Garden Center

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16

2020 Scholarship Winners 14 An investment in the future of the industry ILCA 2020 Pruning Workshop Neither masks nor social distance stop pruning

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New Conversations About Public Landscaping Scott Stewart addresses Impact attendees

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Plant Truck Chicago 42 Bringing green to the neighborhoods

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iLandscape365 48 Educations and much, much more

EN ESPAÑOL

Llevando lo verde a los vecindarios Plant Truck Chciago

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Member Profile 54 W&E Radtke Hidden Landscape Gems Shedd Aquarium Migratory Bird Sancuary

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62

On the cover... Night Light, Inc. won a Gold Award in 2020 for this project titled Moonlight Magic.

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

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CONTENTS

DEPARTMENTS

ILCA Calendar From Where I Stand President’s Message Classified Ads Advertisers Index

Photo Credits

ILCA Awards Committee Rick Reuland Scott Stewart Tony Abruscato ILCA Education Committee W&E Radtke

A Note about COVID-19 Readers of this magazine should not think we are trying to avoid dicussion of the COVID-19 pandemic.

That information has been extraordinarily presented with the COVID-19 daily email from Scott Grams and the dedicated COVID-19 ILCA Facebook page.

The Landscape Contractor magazine will continue to focus on its normal landscape design/construction/maintenance/ and general business content. We hope this approach provides a brief respite from the stresses of the day.

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Shedd Aqaurium 1, 8-9 10, 16, 18 26-40 42-46 48-49 54

Calendar

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FEBRUARY

The official publication of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA), The Landscape Contractor is dedicated to educating, advising and informing members of this industry and furthering the goals of the Association. The Landscape Contractor carries news and features relating to landscape contracting, maintenance, design and allied interests. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited material and reserves the right to edit any article or advertisement submitted for publication.

Publication reserves right to refuse advertising not in keeping with goals of Association. WWW.ilca.net

COMING 2021

Volume 62, Number 1. The Landscape Contractor (ISSN # 0194-7257, USPS # 476-490) is published monthly for $75.00 per year by the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, 2625 Butterfield Road, Ste. 104S, Oak Brook, IL 60523. Periodicals postage paid at Oak Brook, IL and additional mailing offices. Printed in USA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Landscape Contractor, 2625 Butterfield Road, Ste 104S, Oak Brook, IL 60523. DISPLAY ADVERTISING SALES: Association Publishing Partners, Inc., Ph. (630) 637-8632 Fax (630) 637-8629 email: rmgi@comcast.net CLASSIFIED ADS, CIRCULATION AND SUBSCRIPTION: ILCA (630) 472-2851 Fax (630) 472-3150 PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL OFFICE: Rick Reuland, rmgi@comcast.net, Naperville, IL 60540 Ph. (630) 637-8632 PRODUCT DISCLAIMER: The Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, its Board of Directors, the Magazine Committee, ILCA Staff, The Landscape Contractor and its staff, neither endorse any products nor attest to the validity of any statements made about products

ILCA Staff

Magazine Staff

Executive Director Scott Grams (630) 472-2851 sgrams@ilca.net

Rick Reuland Publisher/Advertising Sales (630) 637-8632 rmgi@comcast.net

Education Manager AnneMarie Drufke adrufke@ilca.net

Debbie Rauen Advertising Sales (817-501-2403) debbie.landscapecontractor@ yahoo.com

Events Manager Terre Houte thoute@ilca.net Office Manager Alycia Nagy anagy@ilca.net Membership & Marketing Manager Marissa Stubler mstubler@ilca.net

See story on page 48 for more details.

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From Where I Stand — “This above all; to thine own self be true.”

— Polonius, Hamlet

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to speak to a

importance of results and the benefits of having solid processes in place to achieve those results. Companies who know and who are honest with themselves can definitively answer which way they lean — for better or for worse.

Let’s first look at the binary choices. A results-oriented company puts results above all else. In landscaping, this is usually the successful completion of a job that meets or exceeds the client’s expectations.

Hopefully, the project will be completed in time and under budget. The end result is what matters most even if the steps to achieve that end result can be messy, confusing, and disorganized. The client will walk away from the project realizing why they picked the firm in the first place. Yes, there were some frustrations along the way, but the proof is in the pudding.

Results-oriented companies tend to be run by creative visionaries. They readily embrace the artistic elements of the landscape industry. These companies can be challenging for clients to work with yet well-regarded and easily promoted via word of mouth. These companies are often notoriously difficult to sell once the original ownership cycles off. Trying to monetize vision and prestige is one of the most difficult tasks for results-oriented companies. It can be challenging to onboard new hires who can see their job function as nebulous and expansive. Yet, when the right person is discovered and learns to deal with the style, they are loyal and last for years.

Process-oriented companies are very different. A processoriented company is convinced that if the process to finish a job is flawless the end result will be flawless. There is no daylight between a properly run and well-managed company and the end results whether installation, snow, or maintenance. Every challenge is a puzzle that can be solved. A process can be implemented, tweaked, and improved. The daily bread of those businesses is simply fine-tuning the process so that tasks can be performed readily, effortlessly, and mindlessly. It is easy to slide new people into roles because their jobs are defined and hard walls are drawn around their functions. It is just as easy to lose people as they bump into those hard walls and grow frustrated by the lack of mobility.

When I asked this question to the member, he paused. He fought the urge to say “both” and also fought the urge to launch into some rehearsed mission statement. He honestly, and thoughtfully said, “I don’t know. I am not sure we have ever really thought about that before.” Here is the good news, not a lot of people have and even fewer have the courage to say it out loud.

They feel choosing one camp over the other is a betrayal of the good qualities that each camp has. Yet, it is fundamental for a company to answer this question to arrive at some level of selfawareness.

The other confusing element is that a results-oriented company can (and should) hire process-oriented professionals and vice versa. Having an entire management structure of one type of professional or another is a recipe for failure. A results-oriented busi-

member expanding their business into a new state. He was excited for the possibility and had been tasked with the difficult job of understanding staffing and management constraints over the next few years. His organization felt it would be better prepared for the inevitable growing pains if they better understood those entering the job market and their expectations when it comes to workplace culture. He was looking for hard and soft data and I have a little of each. I was able to spend about 45 minutes on the phone with him.

I am not sure I had many concrete answers, but few concrete answers exist when it comes to hiring key personnel in the green industry.

I’ve written countless times about workplace culture. This is not another column about workplace culture. In my conversation, it was clear that workplace culture is being misinterpreted anyway.

People feel like workplace culture is a thing to be discovered. That if a company spends the time and resources searching for it, it will find a glowing treasure box buried in the sand. Inside, it will contain everything a company needs to hire and retain quality employees for the next two decades. It’s just not that simple.

I have such an interesting perspective at ILCA because I get to see multiple rungs of the same organization as an outsider.

Very few people in the landscape industry have that perspective.

Companies often spend thousands of dollars on consultants. These consultants either tiptoe or steamroll into business and try to make sense of what they see while not offending management or causing a mutiny.

Suppliers have a similar perspective where they get to see companies shrink and grow. They know their buyers and understand the company history behind each invoice. Suppliers are so integral to our industry because lasting supply companies not only know their products, they know their customers wants and needs. If a landscape company wants to move from mid-tier to high-end, material selection will change and a savvy supplier knows what to sell and how much is riding on the success of those first few installs.

The more I talked to this member, the more I could tell his organization was growing in numbers and profit. I could tell their management team had history and this company still preferred the old school, but was asking the right questions to become more new school. They were genuinely interested in changing the company dynamics in order to continue to grow, attract top talent, and expand responsibly.

About 15 minutes into the conversation I asked a question I love to ask of not only companies, but individuals within those companies — are you a results-oriented company or process-oriented company? Most companies who don’t know themselves will reflexively answer, “Both.” This is the wrong answer. No one is ever truly both. This mind set concludes that one answer is wrong or that not having equal balance is incorrect and diminishes the The Landscape Contractor January 2021

Trust the Process, or Don’t.

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From Where I Stand —

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ness filled with results-oriented management in all its key positions will be a fun place to work until it goes out of business in 18 months. A process-oriented workplace filled with automatons will be a clearly defined place to work that spins its wheels as it has no idea where it’s going or even how to know if it gets there.

Too much of a good thing is dangerous.

We live in a world of job descriptions. Almost every business has them. We use them to write classified ads. We use classified ads to hire people. We use interviews to vet those people and make final decisions. It’s a pretty standard process. The problem with job descriptions is that they detail what the successful applicant should do not who the successful applicant should be. On paper, hiring for a position should be easy. You look at who had the position before and ask yourself, did that person do a good or bad job? If the answer is bad, don’t hire someone with the same qualities. If the answer is good, identify what qualities made them good and hire those. In reality, it is never that simple.

The reason it is never that simple is because people lie, they overstate credentials, they bury fatal flaws, they don’t really know themselves, or they think they can be two completely different people at the same time. Notice I did not limit that to “job seekers.”

It takes two to tango. Just understanding if a job candidate is concerned with results or process can be telling based on your previous experience with successful or unsuccessful candidates in a position.

My personality, the nature of having a primarily volunteer workforce, and the unpredictable nature of event management have made me a results-oriented manager. However, I surround myself with extremely talented process-oriented professionals who keep us on track and me from my worst impulses. My team implements the best process they can given they cannot hire, fire, promote, or discipline their own workforce. I hope my team understands how much I respect the checks and infrastructure they put into their jobs even if my mind has flitted onto the next idea or initiative. I try to provide them maximum leeway and space to find order in their jobs when the very nature of event and initiative management is a sea of unknowns.

In 2021, in order to tackle the biggest issues, perhaps it’s best to start with the simplest questions. If ownership can be introspective enough to define what they value most, they will be far more successful attracting and retaining talent. If not, employees will sniff out the lack of authenticity and hypocrisy. If a resultsoriented owner chews out a high-performing employee for showing up to a meeting 15 minutes late then he, himself shows up 20 minutes late the next day, it will leave a stain. Similar to the owner who blames his workforce for not thinking for themselves in the field or problem-solving on the job while constraining those same employees with policies and over-engineering simple tasks. We aren’t how we manage, we manage how we are.

There is no right answer. There is only the answer that works right for you. Workplace culture can flourish in process manuals and regimentation or in strategy meetings and creative brainstorming. A successful and positive workplace culture can be results-oriented or process-oriented. The only thing it can’t be is faked. To thine own self be true.

Scott Grams, Executive Director December 21, 2020 The Landscape Contractor January 2021

President’s Message — In our unpredictable climate of weather most of us are racing to

President

get as much done from March to November as possible. It’s all about sales, execution and managing the inevitable emergency. During that time, it can be difficult to think of the bigger picture, I have fallen prey to it myself.

When December hits it is very easy to say, oh my lord we made it, and take a four-month hiatus. Even thinking about it sounds like heaven.

However, those months are exactly the time to plan, even if you don’t feel like it. Plans come in all shapes and sizes, formal 3-year strategic plans, implementation plans for new initiatives and even your own personal goals. No plan is better than the other, just have one.

If you’ve never done it, start by looking at what worked and didn’t work over the past year. Don’t rely on your opinion.

Sometimes we as owners and managers don’t want to accept the reality of the situation. Be brutally honest when you are putting this together and prepare yourself for potentially tough criticism. It’s what makes us better.

Once you have a plan, put your people in charge of it. Divvy up responsibilities, that way it isn’t your plan but your team’s plan. That way you all can participate in moving your company forward.

Don’t hide where you want to go with you company, share it with your employees.

They deserve to know where you are heading. I assure you it will benefit you in your long term goals and help to raise them up as well.

Donna Vignocchi Zych ILT Vignocchi, Inc. (847) 487-5200 dvignocchi@iltvignocchi.com

Vice-President

Scott McAdam, Jr. McAdam Landscaping, Inc. (708) 771-2299 Scottjr@mcadamlandscape.com

Secretary-Treasurer

Jeff Kramer Kramer Tree Specialists, Inc, (630) 293-5444 jwkramer@kramertree.com

Immediate Past President

Jose Garcia Natural Creations Landscaping, Inc. (815) 724-0991 info@naturalcreationslandscaping.com

Directors

Eric Adams Russo Power Equipment (847) 233-7811 eadams@russopower.com Jim Cirrincione Hinsdale Nurseries, Inc. (630) 323-1411 jcirrincione@hinsdalenurseries .com

Sincerely, Donna Vignocchi Zych President, Illinois Landscape Contractors Association

Jennifer Fick Wilson Nurseries and Landscape Supply (847) 683-3700 jennf@wilsonnurseries.com

En nuestro clima impredecible, la mayoría de nosotros corremos

Tom Klitzkie Nature’s Perspective Landscaping (847) 475-7917 tklitzkie@naturesperspective.com Dean MacMorris Night Light, Inc. (630) 627-1111 dean@nightlightinc.net Kevin Manning K & D Enterprise Landscape Management, Inc. (815) 725-0758 kmanning@kdlandscapeinc.com Ashley Marrin Bret-Mar Landscape Management Group, Inc. (708) 301-8160 ashley@bretmarlandscape.com Mark Utendorf Emerald Lawn Care, Inc. (847) 392-7097 marku@emeraldlawncare.com

para hacer todo lo posible de marzo a noviembre. Se trata de ventas, ejecución y gestión de la inevitable emergencia. Durante ese tiempo, puede ser difícil pensar en el panorama general, yo mismo he sido víctima de él.

Cuando llega diciembre, es muy fácil decir, oh mi señor, lo logramos y tomar una pausa de cuatro meses. Incluso pensar en eso suena como el paraíso.

Sin embargo, esos meses son exactamente el momento para planificar, incluso si no le apetece. Los planes vienen en todas las formas y tamaños, planes estratégicos formales de 3 años, planes de implementación para nuevas iniciativas e incluso sus propios objetivos personales. Ningún plan es mejor que otro, solo ten uno.

Si nunca lo ha hecho, comience por ver qué funcionó y qué no funcionó durante el año pasado. No confíe en su opinión. A veces, nosotros, como propietarios y gerentes, no queremos aceptar la realidad de la situación. Sea brutalmente honesto al armar esto y prepárese para críticas potencialmente duras. Es lo que nos hace mejores.

Una vez que tenga un plan, ponga a su gente a cargo de él. Divida las responsabilidades, de esa manera no es su plan sino el plan de su equipo. De esa manera, todos ustedes pueden participar en el avance de su empresa.

No oculte a dónde quiere ir con su empresa, compártalo con sus empleados. Merecen saber hacia dónde se dirige. Te aseguro que te beneficiará en tus objetivos a largo plazo y también te ayudará a mejorarlos.

Sincerely, Donna Vignocchi Zych President, Illinois Landscape Contractors Association The Landscape Contractor January 2021

7

After a comprehensive

Chalet • Wilmette Wilmette Residence

property renovation was completed for this Wilmette residence, a customized landscape management plan was put into action. The landscape consists of 25 mature trees such as ash, American elm, and crabapples. Large planting beds filled with Annabelle hydrangea, Wolf’s Eye Dogwood, and Pixie Meadowbrite coneflower border the property. A granite cobble driveway welcomes guests to the front of the home and a large bluestone patio provides ample space for entertaining. Weekly visits by an experienced management crew ensure the lasting beauty of the landscape.

Careful attention is paid to bed edging, weeding, and trimming is all done by hand. The bluestone patios are swept clean

each week. Every other year, mason sand is swept into the joints to extend the life of the patio.

Window boxes on the front of the home, as well as pedestal containers are planted seasonally to bring continuous color to the landscape. The mature trees on the property are trimmed annually and an extensive regime of fertilization and preventative care applications ensure the trees will be healthy for the future.

The organic turf care program keeps the lawn healthy throughout the year. Slow release organic fertilizers and leaf compost are applied to the planting beds annually. Careful attention to detail paired with sustainable care practices ensure the client’s property will be beautiful for the life of the landscape.

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

9

ILCA Awards & Honors —

ILCA’s 2020 Person of the Year Rick Reuland

by Nina Koziol

When ILCA president

DonnaVignocchi called Rick Reuland to tell him he was chosen for ILCA’s “Person of the Year” award, there was a moment of silence on his end. But, when he realized she was serious, he was shocked. “I thought it was a mistake. I was dumbfounded. It’s an incredible honor to be on the same list as the recipients before me—they are the heart of the ILCA. To be included with those luminaries is beyond comprehension.”

Reuland’s career with magazine publishing and his relationship with the green industry spans decades. “I was fortunate when American Nurseryman hired me.” He worked there from 1977 to 1986 moving from the ad department to running the magazine. The company had two publications when Reuland arrived, which he helped grow to six.

In fact, in the mid-80s ILCA asked if American Nurseryman could publish The Landscape Contractor magazine for them. Rick was tasked with determining the economic feasibility of taking on The Landscape Contractor. The overhead constraints of the larger Horticultural Publishing Company prevented this alliance. But Rick never forgot the potential that The Landscape Contractor held.

After leaving American Nurseryman, Rick’s entrepreneurial desire caused him to seek out ILCA. This began with a trip to Wilson Nurseries in Hampshire where ILCA was holding its 1994 Summer Field Day (SFD) event. But this was not his first SFD experience.

While working for American Nurseryman he attended the 1977 SFD at Kankakee Nursery and a subsequent SFD at Bork Nurseries.

“I sought out ILCA Executive Director Patricia Cassady.

She suggested that she would entertain a proposal. So I sent a proposal to publish the magazine, but it took seven weeks to get an answer because the board moved slowly at that time.”

He persisted, calling twice a week. The rest is history. “I think I’m the fourth or fifth person to shepherd the magazine.

After 26 years, I definitely have the longest tenure. I’m damn proud of what we have accomplished together.”

Joe Scopelliti has served on the magazine committee since 1988. “I’m actually the one who hired Rick. It’s a welldeserved award. He was exactly what we were looking for — 10

someone to really take the magazine to the next level, that’s the bottom line. He fit the bill. He’s had great original writing over the years and really updated the magazine.

The magazine’s production has evolved since the 1990’s when film was used, which required painstaking work with the printer.

“We got away from film in 2000,” Rick said, “And, around 2004 we went directly from computer to plate.” He worked hard to make sure the electronic files were calibrated with the printing press. “Printed pages rarely look as good as they do on the screen.” But in 2005, he found a printer who could calibrate the computer image to reproduce the colors and luminosity on paper. “That proved to be the key to quality.”

“My driving commitment is simple: the magazine should be a reflection of the diverse ILCA membership. It should celebrate members’ success, ache for the occasional failure, provide inspiration and generally support aspiration.

ILCA past president Greg Oltman has known Rick since 1994. “I love working with him because he does what he says,” Oltman said, “In the process he’s become a good friend.

He’s very creative, very innovative and a pleasure to work with. He does a marvelous job with the magazine. I doubt there’s an association magazine in the green industry that’s better than The Landscape Contractor — It’s just superb.”

The dark years of the recession—from 2008 to 2011— posed a challenge not only to the magazine, but to the profession. “They were scary times,” Rick said. “We were deep into the dark recession and I compare the magazine content during those years to FDR’s fireside chats reassuring readers to hang in there and that we’d get through this together.”

About this time, Rick came up with the idea of featuring members on panels as subject experts. “It could be a grower panel, a design panel, a business panel—those topics drew in members. I like the creativity of trying to keep things fresh.”

He continues to look down the road. “What’s really great today, will be less great in three years. So, the magazine content evolves and changes with member input.”

Rick is probably the only person who has attended all of the ILCA events in the past 26 years. Each and every one.

Historically, the Person of the Year award has been primarily for those in ILCA’s upper echelon. “This year, we wanted to really focus on those who have given back to the associa-

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

At the same time, he works with contributors to brainstorm tion,” said ILCA board member Scott McAdam, Jr. “Rick important topics or member profiles. is that person. He’s at every ILCA function to capture the “Not only has he produced a stellar publication,” McAdam moments and seemingly knows everyone. Not only does he said, “he’s also trying to find ways to continually improve it, make a point of speaking to and connecting with his ILCA whether it be in managing the production costs, the content, the network, he genuinely cares and is deeply engaged in every layout—the magazine is the monthly pulse of the association. He conversation.” is the glue that connects us all.”

That’s no surprise because Rick is a great believer in Rick credits his family for their love and support. “None of developing relationships. “I love the people. You’ve got to my accomplishments would be possible without the support of love being out at the events, talking and taking pictures. I Liz, my bride of 42 years,” he said. His son Rob is an accomknow how to make an opportunity work. I recognize things plished landscape architect with Site Design Group in Chicago. and put them together. I’ve got that weird knack to recognize “When Rob was in high school, a the important parts. To me, that’s teacher, John Bushman recommended one of the great joys of the magazine Rob for an internship with Hitchcock and what I do.”

Design and and from that time, he “I think the world of him,” said never looked back. “I’m equally proud Barb Rosborough, past president of of our daughter, Libby, who is a 7th ILCA. “I always saw him as a pure grade science teacher in a school that is professional—such a joy to work predominately Latino. She has the soul with and he’s so humble. He’s such a of an educator and patience to match.” bright spot at every function—docu“Finally, I need to acknowledge menting and facilitating and moving the immeasurable contributions of our people around to capture the best features writers. There are not enough images. The ILCA magazine goes superlatives to describe their efforts. to senators and public officials and And last, but certainly not least, huge it’s a big list. I think we’ve been so thanks goes to Debbie Rauen, our fortunate to have his talents and deditenacious advertising salesperson for cation.”

ILCA president Donna Reuland and Magazine Chair Joe Scopelliti accepted the nearly 10 years. Her boundless support is only exceeded by her tireless ability.

Committee of the Year Award in 2015.

Vignocchi has known Rick for ILCA Executive Director Scott about 11 years. “What I love about Grams was thrilled when the Board him is that he has unwavering selected Rick for the award. “He was a unique choice given loyalty and professionalism, but balances it with warmth he is not a ‘member’ of ILCA, but his contributions cannot and caring and it’s an interesting mix. . His photos capture be overstated. The obvious one is serving as Editor-in-Chief a moment. You need a special demeanor and he has that—a of The Landscape Contractor magazine. Rick plans, manages special magic. He does it with such a graceful fashion—not the editorial content, assigns writers, sells advertising, designs, in your face. He’s just such a great ambassador for us.” lays-out, and readies the magazine for production. The result of “Rick and I hit it off the first moment we met,” said Bob his efforts is a publication that the entire industry can be proud Hursthouse, ILCA past president. “He’s a deep thinker, proof and learn from.” gressive thinker and takes the time to understand our indusThere are other reasons Grams appreciates Rick. “He’s been a try and what will make it better. Rick sees things that a lot trusted advisor, friend, and consigliere since my first days on the of us don’t. He knows how to position our industry and the job. He has enjoyed such a unique perch within ILCA, overseeing individuals in it always in the best light.” some of our greatest triumphs and challenges. He has worked Former board member and Past President Leo Kelly has with dozens of presidents, multiple executive directors, a multiknown Rick since 1994. “Professionalism is his cornerstone and tude of staff, and hundreds if not thousands of individual memI respect him dearly. Rick was always at every event to cover bers. Through that, he has done more than simply gather intelliit for the industry and to honor the people who were having the gence. He is one of the few who gets to experience both sides of event. What a stalwart in the education of the industry—and the tapestry. I know his humility and the desire to be on the other he’s a nice guy.” side of this story. For once, I am not going to let him hide behind Rick is always thinking ahead, musing over content for the lens. This honor, ILCA’s highest, is all his. This only begins six months down the road. When it comes to content, each to tell the story of our storyteller. If you get a chance, spend five magazine is a like a special dinner. “The main ‘course’ is minutes with him at the next ILCA function. Soon after he will what landscape contractors do. We have a special focus for disappear into the large, surging room of ILCA members—his some months where the topics are all related.” Other times ear always listening for the next big story.” there are last-minute changes when regulatory issues arise.

The Landscape Contractor 11 January 2021

ILCA Awards & Honors —

ILCA Selects—

Red’s Garden Center Distinguished Supplier Award

by Nina A. Koziol

Red’s Garden Center has been a fixture in

Northbrook since 1968 when Wallace “Red” Poehls started a small family business selling nursery plants and firewood.

Fast forward 52 years, and his daughters Cindy Ullrich and Terri Jones run the business, which today offers a broad range of trees, shrubs, flowers, landscape design services and a very popular garden center. ILCA recognized Red’s Garden Center with the 2020-2021 Distinguished Supplier Award.

Nursery manager Jeff Sibley began working at Red’s in 1984. “When I started I was a senior in high school and worked there through college. I studied electrical engineering, but that’s not where my heart was. I love beautiful plants and love working with people, and I didn’t want to be in an office, stuck inside. So, Red said ‘why don’t you work here’ and I loved it.”

What’s the secret to Red’s success?

“We listen to our employees and our customers and always try to improve.” He began hiring staff about 15 years ago. “If somebody is offered a better opportunity, you try and work it out and that’s the practice I try to stick with.

That translates to how they deal with the customers, and the customers are the most important aspect of the business.”

His view is to understand what’s going on in the industry and engage the staff. “I ask how we can be better. It’s not the mentality from 30 years ago when someone would say ‘I’m doing it my way.’ We try to adapt to whatever situation — whether it’s labor, economy, bumps in the road — and I’ve always said Red’s has done a good job at that.”

How has the business changed?

“Expansion of space and people. We were just a small garden center supplying to retail and wholesale. We’ve expanded on what we do — products, people and space. And what we’ve done is put a good core group of people together.

When you find good people, make sure you keep them.”

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced over the years?

“Rising costs, labor and plant availability. Every year it seems to be a challenge to get certain plants. I’d like to get everything we need in a timely fashion, but whether it’s 12

annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees — there is always something difficult to find.” With a big-box store just a mile away from Red’s, Sibley says, “It’s taken away sales of our topsoil bags, but we sell a better product. It’s heart-warming when clients say staff at the big-box told them to come to Red’s because we know everything.”

What’s one of the best things about the business?

“It’s a small family run business that’s awesome. I was offered several jobs at larger companies, but I love being part of Red’s. Both owners are still very involved and I’m all for the family business.”

What do you enjoy most about the green industry?

“Plants — they’re a joy. If you appreciate plants, what they do and how they can impact people, it’s a beautiful thing.

When I was young, I got excited about plants because they’re beautiful. People love beautiful landscapes and beautiful flowers. In the beginning, I never realized how important plants were — how they can offer peace in people’s lives.”

What might keep you up at night?

“In years past, labor issues have been very difficult.

Everyone is struggling to get labor and I believe that’s held business back. I do a lot of business with nurseries out west, but some say they can’t find help, so they’re parcelling off their properties. But in 2020, with some businesses furloughing people, we’ve been able to gain a few people.”

How do you deal with downtime in the winter?

“I wouldn’t call it downtime, but we’re not running around like crazy. We close Sunday and Tuesday, but we are prepping for spring and we’re planting in February.”

What do you predict for 2021?

“I think it’s going to be good — at least the spring will be strong. The virus isn’t going away and people will be at home.

Material may be a challenge, but I think we’re in a good place with trees and shrubs. We adapt quickly.”

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

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The Landscape Contractor January 2021

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The Landscape Contractor 15 January 2021

Fall Event Highlights — Pruning Workshop

Pruning Workshop November 12, 2020

The annual ILCA Pruning Workshop was held November 12, 2020 at the Schaumburg Boomers Stadium, Schaumburg.

Due to the on-going pandemic the lecture portion of the class was a pre-recorded session for the attendees to view as their schedule allows. The hands on portion was held in person at the Schaumburg Boomers Stadium. Groups worked in small numbers that required masks and observance of social distancing.

The class is designed to teach how to prune according to professional standards or to meet a minimal pruning proficiency. The half-day class was taught in Spanish in the morning and English in the afternoon.

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Fall Event Highlights — Pruning Workshop

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The Landscape Contractor January 2021

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Fall Event Highlights — Women’s Networking Group

A Webinar for the Ages

“The only person you are destined to become

Nina A. Koziol

Three years ago, Judy Guido, of Guido&

Associates, was attacked in her house in Moorpark, California. She was indoors while a new landscape crew was laying sod. After the crew leader left to pick up plants, Guido heard the sound of breaking glass and thought the crew hit a gas line. But it was a crazed 27-year-old landscaper using a pickaxe to break a window.

She was on the phone with the crew leader when she was suddenly confronted by the axe-wielding man. He told her, “I tried to kill my co-worker because he was the devil,” she said. It was at that moment that she realized whatever she said or did would determine her survival.

Guido told her story in October at ILCA’s “Living & Loving the Career & Life You Deserve,” a 90-minute interactive webinar for the Women’s Networking Group. “The whole world is in the middle of a lifequake,” Guido said.

“Lifequakes are things that crush you emotionally or physically. Everybody has them. It’s what you do to deal with them that makes you better or stronger.”

That horrific attack was her lifequake. “I had to have a strategy and stay focused and calm otherwise I wouldn’t be here. I knew he was coming after me.” She was able to get outside and scream for help as he bludgeoned her little dog, but he caught up to her. “He slit my throat and put three holes in my head.” A neighbor’s son called 911 but didn’t recog-

20

nize her because she was covered in blood. She woke up in the ICU. Her recovery was arduous, but she said, “I’m physically and mentally stronger than ever. I had focus, stayed calm and thought about the purpose of my life. I use that day and those events to make my life stronger and better. It’s having the tools to deal with these lifequakes.”

Her introduction was a shock to participants, but she went on to give them helpful tools to create a better life at home and at work.

“We had a great turnout for the webinar,” said Marissa Stubler, ILCA membership and marketing manager. “When the Women’s Networking Group committee had to transition from their usual in-person fall event to a virtual event, they wanted to put together a program that would be inspirational and recharge people’s batteries during this unprecedented time. To do that, we needed someone who could energize a crowd without being in the same room as them.” Guido certainly did that for the nearly 150 women and men registered for the program.

Reset Your Thinking

“Think about the fires you have to put out every day in your personal life and your job,” Guido said. “Most people get stressed out and anxious. What can we do to deal with what life gives us?” She spoke about eliminating ‘head trash’—negativity, worry and inconsequential thoughts that are distracting and emotionally draining.

“Everybody has it. It’s nothing more than mental junk

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

is the person you decide to be.”

— Ralph Waldo Emerson food that makes you feel awful. It doesn’t allow all the great ideas or the creativity to enter and process. It’s like junk mail—you have to empty it out every day. Do whatever it takes—work out, go for a walk, do a hobby, play with your kids, talk to a friend or meditate.”

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Guido focused on ways to create a career-life path to get women to their desired destination. “What gets you up every day and motivates you to go to work? It’s our ‘why’ or our ‘goal.’ What is your purpose?”

She shared her own intentions as examples. “My purpose for clients is to help grow people, get them smarter and grow their companies. My second purpose is to get women’s voices heard loud and clear, help them develop, and do better for their companies, their industry, their families.”

One way to do that is to pay attention to yourself—your actions, your thoughts, your goals, your emotions—and write them down. “Who are you when you’re at your best? What are you doing and how are you feeling? Write it down.” Some people write in a journal, a notebook, or on a smartphone or their computer. The point is to do it every day or two.

Create a Vision

Guido encouraged attendees to create a career vision map.

“It’s a concrete, strategic, productivity-and-visualization tool to help you set goals, timelines and keep you on your path.

There’s no right or wrong way to do it. It could be a (continued on page 22)

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Fall Event Highlights — (continued from page 21) eo to reflect goals and layout your path.

Share it with others and ask for direction and feedback.”

Guido creates a one-page personal plan every year.

She explained that the plan is a path, a roadmap to one’s destination. “You can’t delegate where you want to go.

You want to build this great community inside and outside work that will take the journey with you.”

Think Small, Act Big

Your actions matter. “What are those small things that can have a big impact?

Everyone wants their life to matter. That was one of the things going through my head when I was staring across at a psychopathic killer with an axe. At that point I was thinking there were still more things I wanted to do with my family, and with my clients, my business and my friends. I want my life to matter and that’s really important. That’s key to choosing your life and career. It’s about being intentional. It shouldn’t be halfhazard. Ask yourself—does what you say, what you do, or who you hang out with give you energy?”

Analyze Your Relationships Who are the new people you want to connect with in the coming year and

22

who are the people you want to purge from your life? “The latter are cancers in your life that you don’t need, who have negative energy. Disengage with those individuals. On the flip side, who are the new people you want to bring into your life both inside the company and outside.” She recommends making a list of 12 people that you’d like to get to know better. It’s all about networking. “Reach out to one a month,” she said.

Be mindful and meaningful.

“Mindfulness is all about self awareness. Nobody knows you better than you. Your life has hopefully touched and inspired and made a positive impact on your community and your work.

And, if not, what can you do to make an impact?”

Be Patient

Your destiny is a daily journey and requires patience. “Think about what matters to you in your personal and professional life. Think about what matters to your leader, your company and your family and align decisions and actions around those things.” That’s how you have impact—whether it’s productivity, retention, attracting someone new or working on family issues.

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

Perception

“It’s not ‘what do you want to be’— it’s who do you want to be. In our industry we call people laborers. That’s two steps away from indentured servant.” No child ever said, “I want to be a laborer when I grow up.” Guido would love the green industry to stop using the word ‘laborer’ to describe crew members.

“Our industry is science-based, and involves design, art, math and construction skills.”

She encourages women to be unique.

“Really focus on being you. What you think others think of you clouds the reality of your competencies and qualifications.” In a male-dominated industry, Guido encouraged women to ‘find, strengthen and leverage your voice.’

Take Action

Action prevents overthinking, generates results and brings out your voice.

In meetings, don’t let yourself be interrupted, Guido said. “If you want to be heard, you’ve got to speak up.” Volume matters, too. “Speaking softly is often interpreted as tentative and weak. Allow your comments to be completed and validated with data and evidence.” Actions speak louder than words, but words matter, too, so use them wisely. And, when things don’t go your way, don’t take it personally. (continued on page 24)

Fall Event Highlights — (continued from page 22)

Taking Risks

There are no guarantees in life. All of our choices and decisions come with risk. “The most dangerous place to be is in your comfort zone. That means you’re not growing and you might be going backwards. Risk is uncharted, unfamiliar waters, but that’s where opportunities live.”

To flourish in a male-dominated industry, use your voice and build credibility, Guido said. “Skills matter and continuous learning is a must. Facts matter. Collect relevant, current and impactful data from credible sources and ask smart questions.” That includes challenging the status quo. Support your recommendations with current evidence and facts.

Kathy Lubeck, operations manager at Coventry Gardeners in Westmont has attended several Women’s Networking

Group events. “I loved the lifequakes analogy that Judy talked about and her suggestions for what to do when meeting new people. Focus on asking questions about themselves to create comfort,” Lubeck said. “I know I should know this, but I forget and it is nice to hear the reinforcement. I plan on going back to her presentation—it was a lot of information to take in!”

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The Landscape Contractor January 2021

“We were excited to get Judy Guido on board because she has a very inspiring story and helps people grow,” Stubler said. “After listening to her presentation, I felt more motivated and ready to create my one page personal plan that she talked about.”

Guido’s Takeaways • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Focus Communicate Through Clarity, Find Calm Be Compassionate Be Analytical Have Conviction Be Resilient Embrace Change Take Risks Don’t Wait to be Asked Be Humble Have Empathy Motivate and Inspire Life is not a straight line Write & share your story Create & share your vision map Think BIG, start small Build the community you want on your journey Learning never stops Power is generated when we share our strengths [energy] with others

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Be patient – you get to your destiny a step and a day at a time Don’t ask permission Don’t wait for opportunities—create them Embrace change Take risks Be humble Nobody’s perfect - NOBODY Build a smart network Have and be an advocate Play to strengths Embrace YOUniqueness Skills & facts matter Want to be heard? Speak up!

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The Landscape Contractor 25 January 2021

Special Feature —

New Conversations Ab

by Heather Prince

Scott Stewart, Executive Director of the

Millennium Park Foundation gave an informative and engaging presentation at the Impact Conference this fall discussing the economic impact of public spaces, specifically parks. He argued for the idea that public spaces should be discussed and regarded as pieces of public art with similar economic and social impacts on the cities and towns that host them. He has been able to quantify the lasting economic impact of Millennium Park on the city of Chicago with hard numbers that make one

26

pause and reconsider how thoughtful landscaping can benefit an area through an economic lens. For example, Millennium Park since 2004 has driven a 48 percent increase in Chicago tourism and contributed directly to about $2.8 billion in direct spending in the Loop as well as about $10 billion in commercial and residential development. Those numbers are rather breathtaking. How do we change the conversations we have with municipalities, horticulture professionals, and taxpayers to harness all of the economic benefits of landscapes?

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

bout Public Landscapes “Landscapes have a financial impact, but they also have an emotional impact. That emotional side can be difficult to quantify, but we can begin to get at quantifying that emotional and artistic response by looking at how public landscapes or how landscapes in general work as attractions. They attract businesses, they attract foot traffic, but it matters how they are presented and how we talk about them. Try treating them as a work of public art or supporting a work of public art or enhancing a work of public art,” commented Stewart. The

landscape architecture and gardens of Millennium Park have won many awards and accolades and have become beloved by visitors and residents.

Lurie Garden has become a showplace for the New Perennial Movement as well as naturalistic and ecological garden design. “Where do landscapes fit into the arts and culture economy? Maybe we have a couple of theaters, maybe we have a dance company in our town; maybe we have a sculpture garden and a museum. Those things all

(continued on page 28)

The Landscape Contractor 27 January 2021

Special Feature — (continued from page 27)

attract people and there are mechanisms out there to quantify when those people come to those locations, where they go next. Do they go next door to a restaurant and buy a meal for their family? We can measure the economic impact of arts and culture that way. If we put landscapes into that arts and culture arena and we develop and maintain them at a high standard as you would a piece of art, then the landscape itself begins to become an attraction,” observed Stewart. By becoming an attraction, landscapes enhance the economic opportunities of the towns and cities where they are located. “The easiest way to begin to think about this is to consider it a botanic garden without fences.

Why do people go to a botanic garden? To see all the different plants and flowers, the special exhibitions. Why do they go back week after week and season after season? Because those things change. If we begin to think about our landscapes, particularly public space landscapes, in the same way as little individual botanical gardens or little individual display gardens, then we develop those landscapes in a way they themselves become attractions.

For example, people drive down Michigan Avenue to see all the tulips. There is a perfect example of how a public landscape has been transformed into an economic driver. People come in the spring to visit Michigan

(continued on page 31)

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The Landscape Contractor January 2021

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

29

Special Feature —

30

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

(continued from page 28)

Avenue to see the tulips. They come in the summer to see the amazing tropical displays in the medians and along the sidewalks.

They come in the winter to see all of the greenery and winter displays. When they are there, they go shopping, they go to a restaurant, to a bar. All of that is quantifiable,” said Stewart.

How do we create and maintain these public landscapes and spaces? Unfortunately, sometimes that’s where the puzzle starts to fall apart as time moves on and expectations or budgets change.

These new ecologically diverse, naturalistic-style plantings are not maintenance-free. In some ways, they require a higher skill level than mowing lawns and trimming shrubs. “I’m trying to make the case that city and village governments should think of ecological restoration of a retention basin being stormwater amelioration yet also a piece of art. It becomes something that contributes artistically or culturally to the community and they talk about it in those terms and they present it through site interpretation in those terms. Throw a work of public art in there! Cities are always being bombarded with opportunities for public art. Help build the landscape around that piece of public art and turn it into an artistic and cultural space that is also ecological, beautiful, and a destination,” suggested Stewart.

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(continued on page 34)

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

31

Special Feature — (continued from page 31)

“Landscape maintenance firms will see that the city, the government, or their client is thinking about and talking about making their space a destination, making it artistic, and that means they’re going to have to step up their game. Cities then will write different specifications and standards that are maybe slightly higher because it is an artistic or cultural space. Those maintenance firms are going to have to meet those standards and that elevates the entire industry. Cities can then hang their hat on this artistic cultural space and can begin quantifying the economic factors. Are the businesses seeing an increase

34

in visitors or sales? Does an art gallery move in because that’s the vibe of the space? Maintenance companies are going to have higher expectations placed on them through contractual obligations with the city or municipality. They’re going to have more community and neighborhood pressure to maintain that space at a higher level. It begins to elevate all of us and there’s an economic power behind this. That is a long game vision. If we start thinking in terms like this, there’s a case to be made that elevates our industry in the public and the municipality’s eyes.”

When we start to think about and have conversations regard-

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

ing horticulture as art in public spaces, it elevates our craft. With the huge number of studies and reports detailing the benefits of nature to humans, more and more residents are using and asking for green public spaces. “There’s many conversations in the last five years about the importance of plants, the importance of gardens in our communities. Park districts have transformed the way they take care of their landscapes.

People want their park districts to not use any pesticides and to have native plants in their plantings.

What those people are actually talking about is they want their landscapes to be an (continued on page 36)

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Special Feature — (continued from page 34)

attraction for them. They want to be able to visit that park and say ‘I like spending time out in this park because the lawn is cared for organically, the plantings have native plants in them that at various times of year look beautiful and that means I’m going to spend more time in my parks.’

And they are going to spend more time going to the coffeeshop that is convenient to the park,” observed Stewart. Millennium Park has been a good example of a changing mindset in maintenance from keeping spaces neat and tidy to welcoming ecological plantings and different ways of

36

thinking about how the spaces are maintained instead of managed. “We have been engaging in Millennium Park, transforming a lot of our landscapes into much more naturalistic designs, that are artistic in and of themselves.

They are works of art that are also ecologically contributory.

That has necessitated a change in maintenance. We use Christy Webber Landscaping. It’s been interesting working one on one on the ground with the maintenance crews and not only showing, but demonstrating, and talking about how this is a different maintenance technique and scheme. We

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

also have been empowering them to say ‘This is my landscape. I am contributing to this landscape and this is more than just a landscape.

The skills that I have and the ones I’m learning, these are artistic skills. These are technical skills, and I should be proud of learning these new skills and implementing these new skills in this wonderful world-renown public park.’

Just as the designer may walk by that landscape and say ‘I designed that landscape, isn’t it beautiful?’.

The people who maintain that landscape should walk by and say ‘I make that landscape happen.

(continued on page 38)

Special Feature — (continued from page 36)

That landscape looks that way because of what I have done and I have learned. Isn’t that cool?

Isn’t this a beautiful place?’” This approach is having real effects on the maintenance teams. The workers are taking ownership of these spaces and requesting the Millennium Park assignments.

There’s a tradeoff to treating maintenance as a craft. “We’re talking about what they do as a contribution to the arts and culture of Millennium Park and less about ‘you have 15 minutes to get this done.’. Now are there sacrifices that come with that? Yes. It takes more time. It takes more

(continued on page 40)

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hands-on time from me and my staff. The long game is that it will pay for itself in the life of that landscape that’s going to be there 10, 15, 20 plus years,” commented Stewart. “It’s hard because the maintenance industry in landscaping is built on efficiency. It’s built on how many minutes does it take to complete this task and fewer minutes means that one extra client they can see, that one extra yard that can be mowed. What

40

I’m trying to make the case for, there is still a financial incentive in changing the way in which we think about designing, planting, maintaining, interpreting, managing our landscapes, particularly in public spaces. We’re not putting anyone out of a job or shutting anyone’s business down.”

One of the most difficult challenges is navigating gentrification of city neighborhoods in the wake of developing green spaces.

“Cities themselves through ordi-

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

nances and regulations need to do a much better job helping to manage gentrification effects. I don’t shy away from those types of conversations. They aren’t easy conversations to have and they should be at the beginning for any type of public project. Asking how we work with the community to help manage gentrification while respecting and helping to protect the uniqueness, the character, and the value of that neighborhood is so important,” stressed

Stewart. Engaging the neighborhood or the community increases the value the residents put on their public spaces. “I think that cities should require those conversations during development of public projects. Designers and landscape maintenance staff should engage in conversations about the neighborhood, the community that this public space is in.

That drives that arts and culture economy. It drives the ecological economy, and it only makes better landscapes. It makes better communities. We do quite a bit of that already, but we don’t always do it well. We still have instances of gentrification still happening. It is never going to be easily confronted or easily managed, but there

are tools out there. I feel like one of those tools is to approach the questions of gentrification as arts and culture questions. What will this park or public space create from an arts and culture economy that reflects the immediate nature of this community? You’re integrating the public space design into the community rather than applying it on top.”

As we have these conversations about the importance of public landscapes, the meaning that can be created in neighborhoods and communities, and the elevation of our horticultural craft, everyone benefits. “If we start thinking about landscapes as works of public art, as ecological, and contributing to economic and

opportunity development in our cities, villages, and towns, then we begin to have as a society a much deeper respect and understanding of what goes into those activities and space. And respect the people that maintain and design them. We start thinking in terms of skilled tradespeople and professionals and less in terms of disposable unskilled labor. We’ve done everything we can to promote quick and easy. We’re not making widgets, we’re making art, we’re making spaces, we’re creating things that contribute to the economic development of our cities. And that’s much more nuanced and much more skilled than we give ourselves credit for,” stated Stewart.

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

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Something Worth Knowing —

Plant Truck Chicago: Bringing Green to the

by Heather Prince

You may have spotted a leafy coverted utility van stuffed with plants on a neighborhood corner this summer or browsed their vibrant social media posts.

Plant Truck Chicago, a program of The Get Growing Foundation is out and about bringing plants, vegetables, and herbs to a Chicago area community near you. At a little more than a year old, Plant Truck Chicago kicked into high gear in 2020 when the pandemic overset our normal avenues of houseplants and edibles.

Debuting at the Independent Garden Center show in summer of 2019, Plant Truck Chicago then turned up here and there until winter of 2020. When the pandemic forced the Chicago Flower & Garden Show® to close, Tony Abruscato, President & Show Director, switched gears and focused his energy on his The Get Growing Foundation efforts. “Plant Truck Chicago is a program of The Get Growing Foundation which is a 501(c3) nonprofit that originally was created 42

in collaboration with the Chicago Flower & Garden Show®.

The Get Growing Foundation was intended to be a yearround outreach partner of the show. We’d take our principles of cultivating the next generation, and inspiring, educating, and motivating gardeners and newbies, and do it on a yearround basis with the foundation,” reported Abruscato. As we’ve all had to pivot and find new flexibility, Abruscato remembered, “When we had to close, we were sitting with nothing – no show, no income. But we had a truck! We did a couple of events, but then COVID and the quarantine hit.

I reached out to a nonprofit organization that was delivering food to COVID-positive homeless. I had this big truck just sitting there I could use. I started delivering hot meals to COVID-positive homeless shelters using the Plant Truck.” Once the lock-down started to loosen up, Abruscato realized they had an opportunity to further the Get Growing mission and help brighten an unprecedented situation with the gift of plants. “As we went out into the community more, I learned that many communities in Chicago have no access to plant material. There are no garden centers in a lot of places. A friend of mine who

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

Neighborhoods does a magnificent community garden, told me she does it all through mail order. She doesn’t drive or have a car, and there’s no garden centers near her so she has no other way to get plants.

I had previously met with Anna Ball and others about the Flower Show and they shared the boon on houseplants.

Houseplant sales were up 100, 200, 300 percent. Plus, I was trying to figure out how to raise money for the foundation.

So, I put it all together. Instead of a food truck, I’m going to create a plant truck!”

The Plant Truck itself is a generous donation by metal sculptor and artist Jason Verbeek. He learned of The Get Growing Foundation mission from Abruscato at an event, “I told him how I wanted to reach into underserved communities, do job training and create career path opportunities and how I wanted to work with special needs kids to grow plant material that we redistribute.” With attractive barn wood walls, Verbeek’s custom metal shelving, and decorated with leaves and sponsor logos, it’s eye-catching and inviting. “It’s 22 feet long, 7 feet wide, 11 ½ feet tall. It’s a 1974 GMC Kurbmaster with a stick shift and mildly power-assisted brakes and steering,” chuckled Abruscato. “The cool thing about the plant truck is that it has been beautifully retrofitted and has a barrel-vaulted greenhouse glass roof. It has built in storage, barn wood sides, rustic metal shelving, and we have a watering system and a heater. We can treat it as

a greenhouse when not using it for programming.”

In short order, the Plant Truck was up and running.

“We started filling it with houseplants and tropical plants and delivering those.

We were able to get ahold of a variety of veggie and herb plants and started distributing them to underserved communities, which reflects our mission. During COVID, we distributed over 3,100 veggie plants out into underserved communities and sold about 1,500 houseplants. We’ve driven 2000+ miles in it.”

There are challenges to keeping the Plant Truck program up and running. “One of the challenges is managing plant material. LaManda Joy of City Grange is on our board of directors for Get Growing. She has helped us tremendously by doing consignments of wholesale plants for us. Plus, she helps us hold plant material between events. We’ve been working with Ted’s Greenhouses and Kennicott Brothers.

We can’t park the truck at our offices, but one of our construction partners lets us park it at their yard and they’ve been doing the mechanical maintenance. We’ve also experienced temperatures too hot or too cold. In between visits to the Ravinia farmers market this year, the temperature dropped so low we had to load the plants into the office conference room,” reported Abruscato.

Yet, Plant Truck Chicago is making a difference. By bringing the horticulture experience to the neighborhoods, more people are buying and interacting with plants. (continued on page 44)

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

43

Special Feature — (continued from page 43) “One of the things we’re finding by going into the different communities, out of the 8,000 plus people we’ve had a direct handshake with over the last year, about 20 percent of those people have said they’ve never owned a plant in their entire life,” observed Abruscato.

“They approached us because they saw the truck and thought it was cool and interesting. So we asked why they haven’t owned a plant, what’s holding you back? And they told us they don’t know how to water, or they’ve had plants and kill everything. We talk about watering and plant care, as well as set realistic expectations for the lifetime of a $3 succulent.” Being approachable has been key. “People can be intimidated by a garden center. If they buy a plant from the Plant Truck, then maybe they’ll walk into a garden center and try another.

That’s where the truck becomes important to the industry. As the industry supports the truck, the truck supports the

44

industry in return. We’re able to break down those barriers and hopefully drive people back to the industry. It’s a longterm approach. We’re helping them by getting them into houseplants, then getting them out onto the balcony, and then getting them into the yard,” commented Abruscato.

As the Plant Truck concept has taken off, The Get Growing Foundation has also been able to expand into online classes and other creative avenues. “We did Zoom terrarium classes in summer and fall. We did our holiday wreath virtual Zoom class. We are doing popups with Sterling Bay drive in movie theater.

We’re open to any ideas,” mentioned Abruscato.

The Get Growing Foundation is serious about their mission to serve Chicago area communities. The truck is just one means towards that goal. “Outside Plant Truck Chicago, we’re doing community impact projects. We’ve had Brightview and McCormick Landscaping help us do an outdoor classroom at Armstrong

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

Elementary School. They have 1,300 elementary students that speak 42 different languages and 92 percent of the families are impoverished. We built raised planter beds where they can raise their own vegetables and a pergola.

McCormick helped us put a gravel path through it to make it accessible for the special needs students.” The green industry in turn is helped by the foundation as they grow their programming. “We’re using the truck as a tool to bring the plants to those underserved communities and part of our long-term goal is to use it as career path development and job training opportunity. Initially with at-risk young adults and intern student so that they can learn horticulture and caring for the plants, merchandising and marketing, inventory control, planning, and strategy.

We’ll be able to use these programs to launch them into the green industry job market.” Labor is still the most significant need in the landscape and horticulture industry, especially trained labor. (continued on page 46)

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iLandscape Preview — Entertainment and More (continued from page 44) The Get Growing Foundation is hoping to help fill some of that niche and Abruscato wants to expand in 2021.

“I want more trucks. I want a little fleet. We are in the midst of a campaign to raise funds for another truck. Then we can expand our reach and then we can expand our career path and job training arm.”

How can the horticulture industry help? Of course, the most accessible is funding The Get Growing Foundation with a monetary donation. However, Abruscato would also like to have knowledgeable help

46

with Plant Truck Chicago and their subsequent programs. “It would be terrific to have landscape professionals that really know plants and gardening and growing to volunteer some of their time to be on the truck,” reported Abruscato. “I’m not a Master Gardener. I’m not a horticulturist. I’ve learned more and more about plants over the last 11 years of the Flower & Garden show than I ever could

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

have imagined. I’d love to have industry professionals around and even helping us maintain and care for the plants.”

He’s also looking for materials. “Do they have a decommissioned van they’d like to donate? Provide plant donations, be it a greenhouse, a grower, or a landscape company, that we can then take and donate. That’s how we ended up donating veggie plants this year because we had some garden center folks with leftover plants that needed to go or get composted. I’ll take them! I connect with community representatives and we get them in the right hands.”

As Plant Truck Chicago and The Get Growing Foundation adapt and flex to meet their constituent needs and build new programs, Abruscato is hopeful. We may never see the Chicago Flower & Garden Show® return in its past format and with that comes opportunity. “Who knows if anyone’s going to want to go inside with 40,000 people any more

after this?” observed Abruscato. “The Get Growing Foundation is working on creating the Get Growing Expo. It will be three to five community-based events with key elements from the Chicago Flower & Garden Show. We are going to create garden vignettes that will be transportable from location to location that will be educationally and inspirationally themed. We will tap industry professionals to create classes or workshops and then we will do a big popup with the Plant Truck. If we do these new events in May, June, or September, you could buy a plant and go home and plant it. The goal would be to have garden center-type sales opportunities for the expo. You’d have inspiration with the garden vignettes, education from professionals, and motivation to buy things and take them home.”

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The Landscape Contractor January 2021

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Plant Truck Chicago:

Llevando lo verde a los vecind

Por Heather Prince

Podrá haber visto este verano un furgón versátil convertido

lleno de plantas en la esquina de un vecindario o navegado por sus dinámicas publicaciones en medios sociales. Plant Truck Chicago, un programa de la Get Growing Foundation va de un lado a otro llevando plantas y vegetales a una comunidad del área de Chicago cerca de usted. Con poco más de un año de existencia, Plant Truck Chicago arrancó en marcha rápida en 2020 cuando la pandemia trastornó nuestros medios normales de movilización de plantas de interior y comestibles.

Después de debutar en la feria del Independent Garden Center el verano de 2019, Plant Truck Chicago apareció aquí y allá hasta el invierno de 2020.

Cuando la pandemia obligó a la Chicago Flower & Garden Show® a cerrar, Tony Abruscato, Presidente y Director de la Feria, cambió su enfoque para concentrarse en sus esfuerzos para la Get Growing Foundation. “Plant Truck Chicago es un programa de la Get Growing Foundation, una organización sin fines de lucro 501(c3) creada originalmente en colaboración con la Chicago Flower & Garden Show®.

La Get Growing Foundation fue establecida con la intención de ser un socio de alcance comunitario de la feria durante todo el año. Tomaríamos nuestros principios de cultivar la próxima generación e inspirar, educar y motivar a jardineros y principiantes y lo haríamos durante todo el año con la fundación”, reportó Abruscato. Todos tuvimos que girar y buscar nuevas flexibilidades, recordó Abruscato, “Cuando tuvimos que cerrar, 50

nos quedamos sin nada – sin feria y sin ingresos. ¡Pero teníamos un camión! Organizamos un par de eventos, pero entonces nos impactaron el COVID y la cuarentena. Contacté con una organización sin fines de lucro que estaba llevando alimentos a desamparados con diagnóstico positivo de COVID. Yo tenía este camión grande inactivo que podía utilizar. Comencé a llevar comidas calientes a refugios de desamparados con diagnóstico positivo de COVID utilizando el camión de plantas”.

Una vez que los cierres forzosos comenzaron a disminuir, Abruscato se dio cuenta de que tenían una oportunidad de hacer avanzar la misión de Get Growing y ayudar a hacer menos estresante una situación sin precedentes regalando plantas. “Visitando las comunidades con más frecuencia, descubrí que muchas comunidades en Chicago no tienen acceso a material vegetal. En muchos lugares no hay centros de jardinería. Una amiga que hace un magnífico jardín comunitario, me dijo que lo hace todo a través de órdenes por correo. Ella no conduce vehículos ni tiene automóvil y no hay centros de jardinería cerca de donde opera, por lo que no tiene ninguna otra forma de obtener plantas. Anteriormente me había reunido con Anna Ball y otros acerca de la Feria de las Flores y ellos compartieron la bendición de las plantas de interior. Las ventas de plantas de interior aumentaron un 100, 200, 300 por ciento. Además,

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

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yo estaba tratando de idear cómo recaudar dinero para la fundación. De manera que junté todas las piezas. ¡En lugar de un camión de alimentos, iba a crear un camión de plantas!”

Llámenos a Mariani Plants: El camión de plantas mismo es una 866-627-4264 / marianiplants.com donación generosa del escultor en metales y artista Jason Verbeek. Abruscato le habló TODOS JUNTOS MEJOR. durante un evento sobre la misión de la Get Growing Foundation, “Le dije que deseaba llegar a comunidades desatendidas, realizar capacitación laboral y crear oportunidades de ayuda a mantener el material vegetal entre eventos. Hemos estado orientación profesional, así como trabajar con niños con necesidades trabajando con Ted’s Greenhouses y Kennicott Brothers. No podemos especiales para cultivar el material vegetal que redistribuimos”. estacionar el camión en nuestras oficinas, pero uno de nuestros socios Con atractivas paredes de madera de granero, estantería metálica constructores nos permite estacionarlo en su patio y ellos han estado personalizada de Verbeek y decorado con hojas y logotipos de los haciendo el mantenimiento mecánico. También hemos experimentado patrocinadores, el camión es llamativo y atrayente. “Mide 22 pies temperaturas muy calientes o muy frías. Entre visitas al mercado de de largo, 7 pies de ancho y 11 ½ pies de alto. Es un Kurbmaster agricultores de Ravinia este año, la temperatura bajó tanto que tuvimos de GMC de 1974 con palanca de cambios y dirección y frenos que depositar las plantas en la sala de conferencias de la oficina”, ligeramente servoasistidos”, dijo sonriendo Abruscato. “Lo más reportó Abruscato. interesantes del camión de plantas es que ha sido bellamente Con todo, Plant Truck Chicago está marcando la diferencia. Al reacondicionado y tiene techo de cristal de invernadero abovedado. llevar la experiencia hortícola a los vecindarios, más personas están Tiene espacio de almacenamiento incorporado, costados de madera comprando e interactuando con plantas. de granero, estantería metálica rústica y tenemos un sistema de “Algo que estamos descubriendo en nuestros viajes a las diferentes riego y un calentador. Podemos utilizarlo como invernadero cuando comunidades, es que de las más de 8,000 personas con las que hemos no lo usamos para el programa”. En poco tiempo, el camión de tenido contacto directo en el último año, aproximadamente un 20 por plantas estaba en pleno funcionamiento. “Comenzamos a llenarlo de ciento de esas personas dijeron que nunca en su vida han sido dueñas plantas de interior y tropicales y a repartirlas. Logramos conseguir de una planta”, observó Abruscato. “Se nos acercaron porque vieron una variedad de plantas hortícolas y herbáceas y comenzamos a el camión y les pareció atractivo e interesante. Les preguntamos distribuirlas en comunidades desatendidas, lo que refleja nuestra por qué nunca han tenido una planta, ¿qué se los ha impedido? Y misión. Durante el COVID, distribuimos más de 3,100 plantas nos dijeron que no saben cómo regar las plantas o que tuvieron hortícolas en comunidades desatendidas y vendimos alrededor de plantas y mataron todo. Hablamos sobre el riego y el cuidado de las 1,500 plantas de interior. Hemos recorrido más de 2000 millas en el plantas y establecimos expectativas realistas del ciclo de vida de una camión”. suculenta de $3”. Ser accesible ha sido clave “La gente se puede sentir Mantener en funcionamiento el programa del camión de plantas intimidada por un centro de jardinería. Si compran una planta de un presenta desafíos. “Uno de los desafíos es manejar el material vegetal. camión de plantas, podrían ir después a un centro de jardinería y probar LaManda Joy de City Grange es miembro de nuestra junta directiva otra. Por eso el camión es importante para la industria. Así como por Get Growing. Nos ha ayudado considerablemente realizando la industria apoya el camión, el camión apoya la industria. Hemos para nosotros consignaciones de plantas al por mayor. Además, nos The Landscape Contractor 51 January 2021

logrado derribar esas barrerras y esperamos que esto estimule a las personas a regresar a la industria. Es un enfoque a largo plazo.

Las ayudamos interesándolas en plantas de interior, luego en plantas de balcón y después en plantas de patio”, comentó Abruscato.

A medida que se afianza el concepto del camión de plantas, la Get Growing Foundation ha logrado también incursionar en el campo de las clases en línea y otras opciones creativas.

“En el verano y en el otoño impartimos clases de terrario en Zoom. Impartimos en Zoom nuestra clase virtual de guirnaldas para las festividades. Estamos haciendo despliegues emergentes con el autocine de Sterling Bay. Estamos abiertos a todas las ideas”, aseguró Abruscato.

La Get Growing Foundation toma muy en serio su misión de servir a las comunidades del área de Chicago. El camión es solo un medio hacia esa meta. “Fuera de Plant Truck Chicago, estamos realizando proyectos

de impacto comunitario. Brightview y McCormick Landscaping nos ayudan a realizar una experiencia de aprendizaje al aire libre en la Escuela Elemental de Armstrong.

La escuela tiene 1,300 estudiantes que hablan 42 idiomas y el 92 por ciento de las familias son pobres. Construimos jardineras elevadas donde pueden cultivar sus propios vegetales y una pérgola. McCormick nos ayudó a colocar un camino de grava con el propósito de permitir la accesibilidad para estudiantes con necesidades especiales”. La industria verde a su vez recibe ayuda de la fundación a medida que aumentan sus programaciones.

“Utilizamos el camión como un instrumento para llevar las plantas a esas comunidades desatendidas y parte de nuestra meta a largo plazo es utilizarlo como oportunidad 52

de desarrollo de orientación profesional y capacitación laboral. Inicialmente con adultos jóvenes en riesgo y estudiantes internos para que puedan aprender horticultura y cuidado de las plantas, comercialización y mercadotecnia, control de inventario, planificación y estrategia. Podremos utilizar estos programas

para lanzarlos al mercado laboral de la industria verde”. La mano de obra sigue siendo la necesidad más significativa en la industria hortícola y paisajista, especialmente la mano de obra capacitada.

La Get Growing Foundation espera ayudar a llenar parte de ese vacío y Abruscato desea expandirse en 2021.

“Quiero más camiones. Quiero una pequeña flota. Estamos en medio de una campaña para recaudar fondos para otro camión.

Luego podremos ampliar nuestro alcance y después ampliar nuestro brazo de orientación profesional y capacitación laboral”. ¿Cómo puede ayudar la industria hortícola? Por supuesto que la manera más accesible es financiar la Get Growing Foundation con una donación monetaria. No obstante, Abruscato quisiera también tener ayuda de expertos con Plant Truck Chicago y sus programas subsiguientes. “Sería fantástico que profesionales paisajistas que realmente saben de plantas y jardinería y cultivo ofrezcan voluntariamente parte de su tiempo para estar en el camión”, afirmó Abruscato. “No soy un Maestro Jardinero. No soy horticultor. He aprendido más sobre plantas en los últimos 11 años de la Flower & Garden Show de lo que hubiera podido imaginar. Me encantaría tener profesionales de la industria disponibles e incluso ayudándonos a dar mantenimiento a las plantas y atenderlas”. También está buscando materiales. “¿Tienen un furgón retirada de servicio que quisieran donar? Hacer The Landscape Contractor January 2021

donaciones de plantas, sea un invernadero, un cultivador o una compañía paisajista, que luego podamos tomar y donar. Así fue como terminamos donando plantas hortícolas este año porque tuvimos algunas personas del centro de jardinería con plantas sobrantes de las que debían deshacerse o convertir en abono. ¡Yo las acepto! Me conecto con representantes comunitarios y las ponemos en las manos adecuadas”.

Mientras Plant Truck Chicago y la Get Growing Foundation se adaptan y flexibilizan para satisfacer las necesidades de sus constituyentes y desarrollan nuevos programas, Abruscato se muestra optimista. Podría ser que no volvamos a ver la Chicago Flower & Garden Show® en su formato pasado y con eso vienen las oportunidades. “Quién sabe si alguien querrá estar en un entorno cerrado con 40,000 personas después de esto” observó Abruscato. “La Get Growing Foundation está trabajando para crear la Get Growing Expo.

Serán de tres a cinco eventos comunitarios

con elementos clave de la Chicago Flower & Garden Show. Crearemos viñetas de jardines que serán transportables de lugar a lugar con temas educativos y motivadores.

Conseguiremos profesionales de la industria para que creen clases o talleres y luego haremos un gran despliegue emergente con el camión de plantas. Si realizamos estos nuevos eventos en mayo, junio o septiembre, usted podrá comprar una planta y plantarla en casa. El objetivo sería tener oportunidades de ventas tipo centro de jardinería para la exposición. Usted tendrá inspiración con las viñetas de jardines, educación de profesionales y motivación para comprar plantas y llevarlas a casa”.

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53

New Member Profile Snapshot

W&E Radtke

W168 N12276 Century Lane Germantown, WI 53022 (262) 253-1412 www.weradtke.com

by Meta Levin

Thirty-two years ago Liesl Thomas’ father, Harry

Radtke, asked her to work in the family business for “a little while.” She is still there and, with her brother, George, now owns that business, W&E Radtke, Inc., specializing in perennials, native plants, herbs, grasses and ferns, as well as small fruits and other edibles.

It is, and always has been, a family business. Its roots in the southeastern Wisconsin area date back to the mid-1800s, when the Pagenkopf family, immigrated to the United States from Germany and bought farmland at what now is 17th and Concordia in downtown Milwaukee. Later William Radtke arrived, also from Germany, and began working on the farm.

Harry Radtke’s grandfather, he married into the Pagenkopf family and started his own farm, raising vegetable transplants, herbs and pansies.

In 1929, two of his sons, William and Elmer, started W& E Radtke, adding field dug perennials to the mix, eventually moving to what now is Glendale, WI and raising vegetables, bedding plants and perennials. By 1950 Harry Radtke, William’s son, joined the business, eventually taking over sole ownership and moving to its current location in Germantown, WI, focusing on perennials and herbs.

George Radtke, who, with his sister, is the fourth generation in the business, has a degree in horticulture from the University of Minnesota. The siblings grew up around plants and helped on the farm while growing up.

W&E Radtke now house 16 acres in production, as well as seven free standing smaller green houses, two larger ones, one of which iss devoted solely to propagation, says Thomas.

There are about 50-year-round employees, which rises to 70 in the season. That translates out to selling one to one-and-quarter million finished containers. The company also grows from seed, cuttings, field stock, root cuttings and divisions used to produce everything from three inch plugs to two-gallon containers.

The company has many valued long-term employees.

Thomas points to her sister, Rhonda Weber, who does order 54

entry and other office duties. “She is known as the color queen,” says Thomas. Weber’s degree in interior design comes in handy when working with customers, who call on her for help in making selections.

Thomas’ brother, George Radtke, concentrates on production. “We all have our niche, so as siblings we get along while at work,” says Thomas. “He has a lot of plant knowledge.” Their mother, Marilyn Radtke, still comes in and helps with office work and Thomas is the company president and office manager.

The business is known for having employees who go to great lengths to be helpful. “We are always here to help,” says Thomas. “We bend over backwards to get the product to our customers.”

W&E Radtke joined ILCA in 2020, because they have many customers in Illinois and saw it as a chance to make more connections. They have, in fact, been shipping plants to Illinois since the 1960s. For the first time in 2020 they had a booth at iLandscape and look forward to doing it again, says Thomas.

They are not new to these types of organizations. Thomas recently finished up a term as president of the Wisconsin Nursery and Landscape Association.

When Thomas was younger, she thought she was on track to become a veterinarian. For several reasons, she did not, although she used to ride horses competitively. Music might have been an option, too. Since she was 14, she has played accordion for a German dance group.

Thomas is particularly fond of the native plants the company propagates and grows. During a company picnic in August, employees and families alike were delighted to see about 40 Monarch butterflies fluttering around the Liatris Ligulistylis (Meadow Blazing Star) plants. “I took pictures,” says Thomas.

It just further emphasizes the reason for the growing popularity of the native plants, especially those that attract pollinators, such s birds, bees and butterflies. “We do a lot more business in these native plants,” she says.

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

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HELP WANTED

Landscape Architect/Designer + Sales

Equipment Manager/Technician

Senior Account Manager

Bruss Landscaping of Wheaton is looking to add another talented landscape professional to our team as we continue to grow. We are an award winning firm that has been providing high quality design/build services to DuPage and eastern Kane counties since 1952. If you are skilled in residential design and sales, have a proven sales record, are self-motivated and focused on exceptional customer service and quality we would like to meet you.

Management and coordination of shop operations Responsible for selection and ordering of equipment and vehicle parts and shop supplies Maintain all reports and books on all equipment and vehicles Oversee, maintain and repair equipment, tools, etc., in shop and in the field if necessary Assist with ground maintenance of shop and office, i.e., snow removal, fence repair, etc Class A CDL preferred, must have a valid drivers license We offer a competitive pay based on experience, ability, work ethic and congeniality.

We offer benefits that include, Medical, Dental, 401K, paid holidays, vacation and sick days.

Wingren Landscape, Inc. is an award winning fullservice landscape company for both residential and commercial properties. Our outdoor services are virtually limitless and include full-scale landscape design, construction, maintenance, lighting, and irrigation. We are ‘All Things Outdoors’. Founded on a commitment to excellence since 1957 we are seeking experienced candidates for the following position.

Senior Account Manager – Maintenance – Full Time • Communicate frequently with high end clients to ensure high quality and service expectations are met.

• Proactively present and sell site enhancement ideas to customers.

• Proactively assist in resolving issues with customer service when needed.

• Follow up on leads and solicit new business opportunities • Communicate billing details to client and follow up on AR for clients.

• Complete knowledge of landscape services (maintenance, hardscape, drainage, seasonal annual rotations, irrigation services).

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, both internal and external communication.

• Proficiency in or knowledge of using a variety of computer software applications, to include Asset, Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook • 3-5 years’ experience

Requirements: - A 4-year degree in Landscape Design and/or Architecture - A minimum of 3 years professional work experience with proven sales history - Strong plant and construction knowledge - Driver’s license and good driving record - Professional appearance and demeanor - Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite - Proficiency in Dynascape Ideal candidates will be detail orientated, logical thinking, conscientious, professional and most importantly, maintain a high level of honesty and integrity. Bruss is a relaxed work environment, although seasonally hectic, with competitive salary and commission plus a strong benefit package including vehicle, insurance, 401k, generous vacation allowance and reduced winter hours.

Contact Eric Bruss, ebruss@brusslandscaping.com, (630) 665-1600.

Construction Superintendent Knowledge of landscape and construction equipment operation and installation techniques Supervision of the crews, prepare onsite crew tasks and schedules Knowledge in Layout, Grading, Drainage, and Grassing Preparation of daily field reports, timesheets, onsite equipment reporting, etc Overseeing job site safety Must have a valid drivers license, company truck will be provided, also may need to travel depending on job location.

We offer a competitive pay based on experience, ability, work ethic and congeniality.

We offer benefits that include, Medical, Dental, 401K, paid holidays, vacation and sick days.

Golf Creations 815.923.1868 or jlohmann@lohmann.com

Golf Creations 815.923.1868 or jlohmann@lohmann.com

Account Representative Clarence Davids & Company Clarence Davids & Company, an award-winning landscape architecture design-build firm, has an opening for an account representative at the corporate office in Matteson, Illinois. This full-time employee will become an integral part of the sales team and be responsible for responding to clients’ needs in a professional manner.

Clarence Davids & Company was established in 1951 and specializes in landscape management, seasonal rotations, and design/build landscape construction. The company has three offices: Matteson, Illinois (Corporate), Plainfield, Illinois, and Ingleside, Illinois. More information can be found online at www.clarencedavids.com.

Qualifications: • Bachelor Degree of Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, or related field • Experience in landscape sales and estimating • Good knowledge of annuals, perennials, and woody plants • Ability to work independently Interested applicants should send a resume to: Alan Watkins alan.watkins@clarencedavids.com Clarence Davids & Company 22901 S. Ridgeland Avenue Matteson, IL 60443 (708) 720-4100

Please email resume to bdolwick@wingrenlandscape.com Wholesales Inside Sales McKay Nursery is hiring an experienced whole sales representative with background in Nursery, Landscape or Garden Center industries. Job summary: maintaining and growing wholesale sales with current customers and generating new accounts. McKay Nursery is an employee owned company that offers a competitive compensation package. Full job description: https://www.mckaynursery.com.

Please send resume to lschomber@mckaynursery. com

PLEASE NOTE: “HELP WANTED” AD SALES ARE LIMITED TO ILCA MEMBER COMPANIES Submit your ads online at ilca.net or call Alycia Nagy (630) 472-2851

56

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

City Escape -Project Manager

Landscape Designer

City Escape, a premier garden center and landscape services provider and acknowledged as a leader in the horticulture market in the Greater Chicagoland Area seeks to employ an experienced Project Manager to their staff to work with their clients.

King’s Landscape Design is looking to add another talented Landscape Architect to our team as we continue to grow. We are an award winning firm that has been providing high quality design/build services since 1959, located in the south western suburbs. If you are skilled in residential design and are self-motivated, and focused on exceptional customer service and quality, we would like to meet you.

Horticulturist/Customer Service Associate Fiore Nursery and Landscape Supply, a wholesale nursery distributor, supplying plants and landscape materials to the industry for over 100 years.

We seek a Horticulturist, who is highly organized, motivated, energetic, hard-working, and an excellent communicator to provide exceptional customer service. Position available in Chicago and Prairie View.

RESPONSIBILITIES ● Uses plant expertise, to assist customers in selecting plant material and landscape materials ● Process quotes and customer orders with sense of urgency ● Maintain relationships with existing customers and build new relationships QUALIFICATIONS ● 5+ years of horticultural experience preferred ● Product knowledge or ability to acquire knowledge of nursery stock such as trees, shrubs, ornamentals and flowers ● Above average computer skills ● Sense of humor We offer competitive wages & benefits. Positive culture with focus on self-improvement.

Please send resume to fiorehr@cjfiore.com

JOB DESCRIPTION The Project Manager is responsible for landscape maintenance contracts which include both upkeep of plant health and irrigation systems. The position involves regular meetings with clients or their representatives, creating work schedules, coordinating with subcontractors, contract compliance and direct supervision of work crews to make sure the work is executed efficiently and within budget.

Requirements: - A 4-year degree in Landscape Design and/or Landscape Architecture - A minimum of 3 years professional work experience preferred - Strong plant and construction knowledge - Driver’s license and good driving record - Professional appearance and demeanor - Proficiency in Dynascape

Job Requirements: 2+ years’ experience in the landscape industry Horticulture degree preferred Physically capable of outdoor labor – lifting, carrying, planting, etc. as needed Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Strong leadership and people skills.

Excellent horticultural knowledge and ability to teach others.

Self-motivation and a commitment to high quality.

Current pesticide applicator’s license (or ability to obtain within 1 month).

CLT and ISA Arborist certificate is desirable.

Ideal candidates will be detail orientated, logical thinking, conscientious, professional and most importantly, maintain a high level of honesty and integrity. King’s is a relaxed work environment, although seasonally hectic, with competitive salary and benefits package including vehicle during work, insurance, 401k, generous vacation allowance and reduced winter hours.

Interested parties please contact: Mark King mking@kingslandscaping.com 630-417-5191 www.kingslandscaping.com

Competitive Salary and Benefits.

Please send resume to jobs@cityescape.biz for consideration.

WE’RE HIRING OPEN POSITIONS: Residential Maintenance Account Manager Commercial Maintenance Account Manager

Call Maria for more information at (847) 876-8042 Or visit jamesmartinassociates.com/careers

jamesmartinassociates.com | (847) 634-1660

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

57

Classified Ads HELP WANTED Landscape Construction Project Manager Green Grass Landscape Architecture & Construction, an ever growing and expanding design/build firm serving the Western suburbs since 1997, seeks to fill one position. Green Grass, Inc. focuses on providing a full spectrum of landscape services while specializing in high-end residential design and construction.

LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGER Applicant is to be well-versed in all landscape construction methods and possess the ability to interpret and implement site engineering, hardscape and landscape plans. Applicant must also have a working knowledge of plants, basic understanding of landscape design, excellent on-site client communication skills and experience with project management including but not limited to material procurement, sub-contractor sequencing, code compliance/inspections and time tracking. Role includes working with the design/sales team from project kickoff to project completion, with the goal of exceeding client expectations. Ability to multitask, maintain a high level of organization while working in a fast-paced environment and problem solving are keys to this position. Proficiency in Spanish is a plus. Preferred applicant is to have a BLA or related horticulture degree but experience in the landscape industry is paramount. All experience levels are to be considered.

Please email resume, portfolio and salary requirements to contact@greengrasslandscape.com. All inquiries are kept confidential.

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

CLASSIFIED ADS

CLOSING DATES & RATES February 2019 issue ads: January 3, 2021 March 2019 issue ads: February 15, 2021

PLEASE NOTE: “HELP WANTED” AD SALES ARE LIMITED TO ILCA MEMBER COMPANIES Magazine Cost is $5 per line Minimum charge $50 Website Cost is $12 per line Minimum charge $120 (About 6 words/line) Submit your ads online at ilca.net or Call Alycia Nagy (630) 472-2851

PLEASE NOTE: “HELP WANTED” AD SALES ARE LIMITED TO ILCA MEMBER COMPANIES Submit your ads online at ilca.net or call Alycia Nagy (630) 472-2851

Landscape Architect/Designer Green Grass Landscape Architecture & Construction, an ever growing and expanding design/build firm serving the Western suburbs since 1997, seeks to fill one position. Green Grass, Inc. focuses on providing a full spectrum of landscape services while specializing in high-end residential design, construction and maintenance.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT/DESIGNER Applicant is to have extensive knowledge of site analysis, plant and hardscape design, construction methods, grading, estimating, sales, client/project management and preparation of permit documents with construction details. Ability to work and perform in a fast-paced, detail oriented environment.

Proficiency in CAD and SketchUp is required.

Previous experience with Dynascape Design/ Manage is a plus, but willing to train.

Applicant is to have a BLA or related degree with 3 years minimum experience.

Please email resume, portfolio and salary requirements to contact@greengrasslandscape.com. All inquiries are kept confidential.

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

Successful suppliers know— industry leaders read this magazine.

is the Midwest’s premier monthly magazine for the landscape, nursery and green industry.

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debbie.landscapecontractor@yahoo.com The Landscape Contractor January 2021

59

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The Landscape Contractor January 2021

Advertisers

Attention Advertisers:

1st Choice Equipment ............................................46 Bartlett Tree Experts .............................................31 Breezy Hill Nursery ..............................................24 Contree Equipment Co...........................................15 Doty Nurseries LLC ................................................4 Goodmark Nurseries ..............................................19 Green Glen Nursery ...............................................63 Hinsdale Nurseries, Inc. .........................................38 Homer Industries ...................................................23 James Martin Associates ........................................57

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Longshadow Planters .............................................13 Mariani Plants ..........................................................6 Mariani Plants ........................................................51 McGinty Bros. .......................................................25 Midwest Groundcovers ............................................2 Midwest Trading ....................................................45 Rocks Etc. ..............................................................21 Spring Meadow Nursery .................................17, 25 The Landscape Contractor magazine ................46,59 The Mulch Center ..................................................39 Turtle Creek Nursery .............................................22 Unilock, Inc. ...........................................................64 Vermeer Midwest ...................................................37 Wilson Nurseries ....................................................47 Xylem Ltd. .............................................................21

Attention Landscape Contractors: Remember to Support ILCA Supporters!

These include:

• Members & Advertisers who supply goods and services • Members who sponsor ILCA programs and events

Where will you find them?

• ILCA Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide • The Landscape Contractor magazine advertising • The Landscape Contractor magazine reports of events with sponsor acknowledgments • www.ilca.net member lists – Finding a Landscape Contractor & Suppliers to the Trade

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

61

Hidden Gems Worth Visiting

Shedd Aquarium

Shedd Aquarium 1200 S Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL sheddaquarium.org

Migratory Bird Sanctuary

by Heather Prince

A jewel on the Chicago lakeshore, the world-

renowned Shedd Aquarium has become over the years surrounded by beautiful gardens brimming with natives and attracting a wide array of wildlife. Evolving over the years from swathes of turf, one such planting, the Migratory Bird Garden, wraps the building on the east side in a loose, naturalistic design and softens the clean lines of the architecture as it meets Lake Michigan.

“The idea to replace the lawn at Shedd Aquarium with a garden came as the aquarium staff noticed several species of migrating birds passing through the area each summer and fall.

The diverse, layered planting scheme we enjoy today leans heavily on native plants but should not be confused with a restoration planting.

It most definitely is a garden - all 23,000 square feet of it. Expertly designed with an eye towards form, color, movement, and seasonal interest, it is meant to appeal to humans and birds alike,” commented Charlotte Blome, Manager of Horticulture Programs.

The mix of trees, shrubs, and perennials offer high quality insect habitat, providing food for hungry birds stocking up before a long migration. “We’ve used scores of native plant species of varying shapes and sizes in their natural forms surrounded by their own litter. It’s deliberately messy- because messy is something a bird understands,” observed Blome.

Among the buzzing insect visitors, the Shedd is delighted to report that the threatened American bumblebee (Bombus pensylvanicus) now calls the gardens home. When you stop to soak in the layered 62

tapestry-effect of the plantings, make sure to bring your binoculars, too.

More than 90 species of plants are found in the Migratory Bird Garden. A few key species and favorites include Monarda bradburiana, Silene regia, Solidago caesia, Sporobolus heterolepis, and Vernonia lettermanii ‘Iron Butterfly’. The mix of natives and cultivars provides fourseason interest for people and shelter for wildlife. The biggest maintenance challenge is weeding. “There are plenty of hiding places for troublesome plants including turf grass species, Canadian thistle, and aggressive native aster species (to highlight just a few!) to get a toehold. These plants threaten to outcompete the critical plants, so identifying and removing undesirable plants and/or their seed heads before they spread is the key,” reported Blome.

This rich example of naturalistic landscaping also offers a welcome respite for people as its informal waves of plantings echo the lake waters at its feet.

Informal paths allow visitors to get knee deep in the fragrant and colorful plants. “Often when working in this garden people stop to tell us how beautiful it is, and visitors are treated to the seasonal spectacle of migrating birds stopping to rest or forage. As an institution mandated with a mission of sparking curiosity, compassion, and conservation for the aquatic animal world, Shedd is proud to extend that mission beyond our walls, inspiring folks and empowering them to understand how their own gardening habits can benefit wildlife,” mentioned Blome.

The Landscape Contractor January 2021

Innovation

FROM THE MARKET LEADER SOFT TOUCH

Texture is smooth underfoot

Refined surface and long-lasting color

Artline

For almost 50 years, Unilock has been the North American leader in paver technology. Facemix manufacturing was a concept we introduced more than 25 years ago, and we’ve been selling products coated with EasyClean since 2007.

Now we’re introducing Soft Touch, a finishing technology that results in a solid surface texture that is smooth and incredibly comfortable underfoot. Look for these technologies in our popular Artline™ and Bristol Valley® product lines.

Contact 1-800-UNILOCK or visit UNILOCK.COM to connect with your local Territory Manager.

Bristol Valley