UAC Magazine - May/June 215

URBAN AG COUNCIL MAGAZINE GEORGIA

Keeping Georgia’s green industry informed

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UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

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MAY/JUNE 2015

Advocate. Educate. Promote.1

$500 REBATE

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

on select models

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Find your closest exmark dealer:

www.exmark.com

UAC Magazine Official publication of the Georgia Urban Agriculture Council

Board of Directors Dixie Speck, President

Solterra Landscape Todd Jarrett

Arbor Hill Nurseries Ken Morrow

Sod Atlanta Chris Nelson

Chattahoochee Nature Center Bob Scott

Irrigation Consultant Services Ray Wiedman

Outdoor Expressions Ron White TurfPride Tony Gibson, Past President

Gibson Landscape Services

URBAN AG COUNCIL MAGAZINE GEORGIA

MAY/JUNE 2015

UAC NEWS

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President/Executive Director message What did you miss? UAC Professional Landscape Awards banquet 2014 Green Star Award Unwanted patio turns into new stairway 2014 Judges’ Choice Awards Six best-of-the-best projects Zeon Zoysia is “Best of Gwinnett” Magazine recognizes turfgrass SEED sponsorship opportunities New pricing & benefits for 2015 Caldwell Tree Care Winner of TCIA Safety Award Solterra partners for school project New courtyard for high school New UAC website Update your member profile today 2015 UAC media guide Looking for a way to reach UAC members?

Ex Officio

BUSINESS

Ellen Bauske

UGA Extension Public Service Assistant Bodie Pennisi

UGA Extension Horticulturist Clint Waltz

UGA Extension Turf Agronomist

34 H-2B It’s everyone’s business 36 Internet marketing in 2015 Making the most of touch points 38 How to start making money Real-world advice from other landscapers 42 What’s lurking in your HR files? The devilish details that can hurt you 44 Experience is king (or queen) Landscapes that create margin for all 47 Conduct a mid-year audit Strategize for the second half of the year 48 Employee or independent contractor Georgia gets serious

Staff Mary Kay Woodworth

Executive Director Kathy Gatten Johnson

Marketing Director & Editor

A member of:

Georgia Urban Ag Council PO Box 817 Commerce GA 30529 P: 800.687.6949 F: 706.336.6898 E: info@urbanagcouncil.com www.urbanagcouncil.com All contents copyright 2015

51 PLANET rebrands itself New name reflects breadth of membership 52 CEFGA “World of Landscape” makes strong debut 53 Scholarship deadline is May 29 Open to southern hort students

URBAN AG

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Soil amendments Choosing and using them wisely California water crisis Restrictions shouldn’t include limiting lawns Pro project Artistic Landscapes handles slope, creates living space Chainsaw safety UGA offers OSHA-approved training 2015 UGA Gold Medal Plants

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IN EVERY ISSUE Save the date Have you met...Erika Shields, Unique Environmental Landscapes Pest 411 Mole crickets in turf Me & my mentor Scott Barnard, Chatham Landscape Services Safety works Practicing safety with pesticides What the tech? Applications to cure what ails you Health & benefits Managing your healthcare spend UAC welcomes new members

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

Atlanta Botanical Garden Georgia Agribusiness Council Georgia Arborist Association Georgia Association of Water Professionals Georgia Green Industry Association Georgia Urban Forest Council Georgia Water Alliance PLANET Southeastern Horticultural Society

INDUSTRY

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UAC NEWS

Dear UAC Members and Supporters, Being on the UAC Board of Directors for the past three years (the last year and a half as President) has opened doors and presented opportunities that I wouldn’t have experienced otherwise. But the experience also has shown me that our industry has not only a PP problem (Public Perception), but also a PR problem (Public Relations).

Dixie Speck President

To attack our PP problem, UAC and NALP (formerly called PLANET) recently cosponsored the first ever “World of Landscaping” within the CEFGA Career EXPO at the Georgia International Conference Center. CEFGA is an organization formed in 1993 to promote education and careers in construction-related industries. The annual Career EXPO each March is combined with official Skilled Trades competitions. The attendees include middle and

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

The drastic measures taken in recent weeks by California Governor Jerry Brown remind me how much further along Georgia is when it comes to water stewardship and conservation.

California is currently in the fourth year of drought, and the scarcity of snow last winter has exacerbated the problem. What is remarkable is that in California, with some of the largest populated areas being historically drought prone, a proactive approach to water policy has been missing.

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Mary Kay Woodworth Executive Director

Brown’s April 1 Executive Order addressed actions to save water, increase enforcement to prevent wasteful water use, streamline the state’s drought response and invest in new technologies to make California more drought resilient.

Voluntary conservation has been encouraged in recent years, but for the first time in history, water restrictions are now being instituted, as are mandatory reductions – 25-35% by municipalities and users.

California is geographically and politically very different from Georgia, and water rights are dissimilar. What is the same is that, predictably, the landscape and agriculture industries - highly

high school students from schools throughout Georgia and their teachers. Read more about this event on page 52.

Another thing we all can do to attack both our PP and PR problems is support charitable causes with our time, or money, or both. Some of our members do this regularly but there is always room for improvement. If many more of us supported charitable causes either as an individual company or as a group of companies and we let the media know about it, we could improve the public’s perception of our companies and our industry. Read one example of this on page 16 to see how my company, Solterra, worked with North Springs Charter High School to landscape a new school entry courtyard and student gathering place.

visible water uses – are the #1 recipients in the blame game. As we have dealt with in Georgia, the economic benefits of these water-using industries is not high on the list when it comes to doling out the “shared pain” of water restrictions and reductions.

Fortunately in 2010, Georgia’s Water Stewardship Act was signed into law. This comprehensive legislation was carefully crafted to provide guidelines for water providers and water users, with a high priority on protecting commerce AND creating a culture of conservation. With continued education, improved technology, more water collection capability and a statewide effort at conservation among all users, Georgia’s approach will provide greater resilience for her citizens when the next drought occurs.

Please continue your efforts to educate your clients on water stewardship and conservation, and implement best management practices in design, installation and maintenance. This will help ensure that our industry, and our state, continue to be regarded as good stewards of this limited natural resource – water!

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Jones

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UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

Trees, shrubs, perennials, and

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UAC NEWS

WHAT DID YOU MISS? 2014 Professional Landscape Awards Banquet

February 24, 2015

2014 Green Star Award Design/Build/ Installation:

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

Residential, $50,000 - $150,000

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Unique Environmental Landscapes Flaugher Residence

We are always looking for ways to be more environmentally conscious these days. In this project, our designer came up with a win-winwin solution for a patio that was being removed.

Instead of hauling the heavy concrete materials uphill and out of the yard, the crew cut them up and left them for a new use. The designer laid out a set of stairs down a slope that previously didn’t have any type of walkway. The homeowner received an unplanned set of steps at no cost to them, better access to an area that was hard to reach, and it was an added element in the landscape that became a place to transplant some of their older plant material that may have otherwise been discarded. And best of all, this was one less dump made in the local landfill a win for the environment.

Existing patio

NG Turf, Inc.

(770) 832-8608

Sod Atlanta, Inc.

(770) 382-7284

Sumter Sod, LLC

(229) 931-0500

The Sod Source

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Tifton Turf Farms, Inc.

(229) 386-8061

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

To order certified Zeon Zoysiagrass for your property, please contact one of these licensed Zeon growers here in Georgia.

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UAC NEWS

2014 Judges’ Choice Awards Design/Build/ Installation: Residential, under $50,000

Bennett Design & Landscape Bell Residence

We were contacted by a producing company of HGTV and DIY to design and install a back yard renovation that would air as a two-day install project.

We were given input from the producers based on an interview with the homeowner. The producers gave us a $25,000 budget and approved the plan for construction. We pre-fabricated most of the construction so that when we had the two-day shoot we would be able to complete the installation within the allotted timeframe.

Dining table and seating adjacent to outdoor kitchen, fountain and plantings.

Design/Build/ Installation:

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

Seasonal color Commercial

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Custom wooden screens and floating bench with hanging lanterns, cushions and pillows.

Custom-built cabinet, screen The tea house focal point with the backdrop, new grill and refrigerator, black pine backdrop at the end of outdoor dining, and water feature. the lawn.

Chatham Landscape Services Post Riverside Town Square

Throughout the Town Square area, there is nearly 3000 square feet of annual beds and over 100 assorted containers that are replanted every fall and spring.

There are specific designs for all of these planters, but I let them freelance a bit and have the crew leaders lay them out on their own. They appreciate this and have fun with it, knowing they have some influence on the final outcome. This big bold combination in the Town Square beds is successfully dramatic and visible from the 6th floor offices as well as from ground level.

Town Square Fountain Beds, Oxford Red Tulips.

Pots with evergreen accents, Lucky Lantana, Whopper Begonia ,Sunpatiens, potato vine, Dichondra Silver Falls.

Blue Cedar, Cypress, Acalphya, Whopper Begonia, Setcresea, potato vine Wave Petunias.

Potadora Elephant Ear, Whopper Begonia, Purple Wave Petunias, Variegated Ivy.

UAC NEWS

2014 Judges’ Choice Awards Landscape Management:

The Fockele Garden Company Robertson’s Lake House

Included are over 150 species of plants and our crew performs plant maintenance as indicated by the growth characteristics of each. The Corps of Engineers prescribes landscaping activities on the lakeshore. Where our gardens cross into the protected area, the Corps monitors the use of chemicals and mulches, plant removal, pruning and maintenance of the tree-cover and surface permeability. To safeguard the water quality, chemical pesticides, pre-emergent herbicides, weed killers, fertilizers, and growth retardants may not be used.

Residential

Shrubs, perennials, and reduced lawn allowed us to reduce our water, chemical, and labor use.

We renovated the irrigation system, At the head of the driveway, we rearranging zones based on plants frame the seasonal color with water requirements. perennials.

We skillfully prune evergreens to create the most impact along the entry drive.

Design/Build/ Installation:

Planters, Inc.

Highlands Mountain Retreat

Residential, $50,000 - $150,000

Our design charge was to integrate a new home onto the edge of a dynamite-blasted, rocky cliff. Six to eight feet of rock were initially blasted from the mountain to create a pad for the house but this process limited critical planting depth in many key areas. The landscape design sought to strike a balance between supporting the architectural style, integrating to the natural environment, and complementing the views – all in a low maintenance package.

Limestone basin and bronze scupper.

Flagstone walk planted with thyme Archway after installation. Note all charms the transition from guest of the layers of planting. parking to front door.

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

House after landscape installation; the plant material nestles the architecture into the site.

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UAC NEWS

2014 Judges’ Choice Awards Design/Build/ Installation:

Commercial, $75,000 - $200,000

Planters, Inc.

Historic Renovation Rome, GA

This project consisted of a renovation of an historic garment factory in downtown Rome, Georgia and its conversion to a mixed-use office building with a luxury apartment above. Our ultimate goal was to breathe new life into an old space. A former parking lot was minimized and existing green space was expanded to create a central courtyard garden, intended to be an amenity for all occupants. Throughout the design process, an effort was made to keep our design solutions consistent with the period of the building’s heyday, create pedestrian-friendly circulation, and provide harmony to the existing downtown streetscape.

Custom designed gate, columns, and arch.

Design/Build/ Installation:

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

Residential, under $50,000

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Fountain at center of courtyard fountain, Sir Edwin Lutyens bench, and parterre plantings.

Terrace that looks out into the courtyard.

Sidewalk with ‘Everclear’ Elms, which will not overcrowd the building or street.

Unique Environmental Landscapes Ferguson Residence

This homeowner wanted to have more usable space as well as a nice garden area that was visible from the deck/screened porch and the pool. There were extensive drainage problems coming from several directions, including from the bordering property, which brought mulch and leaves to the area. The homeowner can now use all areas of the space with the addition of new walkways, dry creek beds, and a new patio area.

Backyard area with completed stone sidewalk and landscape.

Area bar behind pool cabana after drainage was installed.

Area after pruning and limbing of Evergreens were installed to screen existing plant material along with adjacent property and dry creek the installation of new landscaping. bed was installed.

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UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

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UAC NEWS

Zeon Zoysia is “Best of Gwinnett” Turfgrass recognized by Gwinnett Magazine

by Bill Carraway

Nestled only a half hour outside of downtown Atlanta, Gwinnett

Photo courtesy of The Turfgrass Group

A select group of Georgia sod farmers produce more of this award-winning turfgrass variety than anywhere else in the world.

County has been one of the fastest growing counties in the United States since the 1970s. Since 2000, Gwinnett has claimed more than a quarter of the region’s total growth and is responsible for nearly 18 percent of metro Atlanta’s population.

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

According to U.S. census data, the Gwinnett population has increased by over 40 percent in just the past decade. The county’s commitment to expansion of both economic and civic infrastructures has contributed to its rapid growth. Gwinnett is also considered by many to be the most culturally and ethnically diverse county in the Southeastern United States.

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With the diversity of such a dynamic and fluid community, opportunities for achievement and magnificent success stories abound. But how do you identify individual innovators and companies that have risen to the top in a particular field and excel at what they do?

Once again, Gwinnett Magazine has done just that, and they’ve come up with the Best of Gwinnett for 2014. This award-winning publication has once again identified the best of the very best in this community. In January 2015 Gwinnett Magazine published their coveted “best of ” special issue.

This year it was surprising to see just how great the response was and how many different businesses, business people and organizations

submitted votes. Gwinnett Magazine tallied over 75,000 votes to develop the list of those craftsmen, products and services that have been determined to be not only the leaders in Gwinnett, but in some cases in the entire state of Georgia.

One such “Best of Gwinnett” is Zeon Zoysia and The Turfgrass Group, Inc. (TTG), the company responsible for Zeon production licensing and marketing. TTG is quick to point out that a select group of Georgia sod farmers produce more of this award-winning turfgrass variety than anywhere else in the world. The Zeon marketing headline which lauds, “Extraordinary Has a Name” has now been validated. No longer is this simply a sentiment within agronomic and golf industry circles, but now one shared by a very diverse end-user demographic. The word is out and across Gwinnett County it’s official: Zeon is The Best of Gwinnett.

Zeon’s appeal and accolades seem to have reached far beyond the boarders of our metropolitan county and those of the Peach state. 2014 was truly a banner year for this homegrown living carpet, the world over.

The National Golf Course Owners Association named The Clubs at Cordillera Ranch its 2014 Golf Course of the Year. The course developers selected Zeon Zoysiagrass for its playing surfaces to create not only a beautiful and highly playable golf course, but also to keep in mind the high incidence of drought in the region.

With Zeon gracing the fairways and roughs of this Texas hill country course, Zeon’s low-input requirements have exceeded all expectations. The Clubs at Cordillera Ranch is simply a visually stunning golf course and the NGCOA agreed by determining that it demonstrated excellence in golf course quality above all other courses from across the country.

PGA Tour professional golfer Tiger Woods took little time in selecting Zeon Zoysia as

UAC NEWS the playing surface for his much anticipated Bluejack National Golf Course, currently under construction near Houston, Texas. With Bluejack National being Tiger’s first course design in the United States, there was no question that all those involved had determined to set the bar very high. The entire Bluejack experience had to exceed that of anything else in the region.

Everything down to the tiniest detail had to be top-shelf. Thus, the fairway design and the rug had to be the best; it had to be Zeon.

But where else could the world stage get any larger than the world-wide Olympic games?

Yes, Zeon is even going to be representing Gwinnett County and the United States in the 2016 Olympics. As golf returns to the games in Rio de Janeiro, after a 100-year absence, the links will be carpeted with Zeon Zoysia. For most of 2014, the Gil Hanse designed Olympic golf course has been covering everything but the golf course greens with Zeon, the preferred playing surface for the most talked about golf course in the entire world. It should come as no surprise

that already, golf courses around the world are lining up to make the conversion to Zeon.

So a resounding and much deserved congratulations to those production farms and the many individuals who have worked so tirelessly to develop and market such a brilliant agricultural technology in Gwinnett County and around the world. Being recognized as the best at what you do, while presenting a signature product that exudes “extraordinary,” is nothing short of amazing. Equally as impressive is the fact that over the past seven years Zeon has continued to capture increased market share consistently, while at the same time garnering the highest price point of any sod variety sold in Gwinnett and across the state.

Zeon may be considered “Georgia’s Turfgrass of Choice,” but now in Gwinnett County Zeon is recognized as The Best of Gwinnett.

About the author

Bill Carraway is Vice President of Marketing with The Turfgrass Group, Inc.

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UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

Hunter has developed time-tested products and reliable irrigation systems that professionals know and trust. We’re committed to helping you grow your business by providing the innovative, water-saving products that your customers demand. And, our local sales experts are always there for you in the field with the service and support you deserve.

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UAC NEWS

SEED sponsorship opportunities

New levels, pricing, & benefits for 2015!

support | energize | enable | develop

seed

SEED sponsorships offer our members an additional opportunity to promote their businesses and support UAC at a level beyond the membership dues.

This is an annually renewable program, beginning on the contribution date.

support | energize | enable | develop

URBAN AG COUNCIL

Available to current UAC business-level members only.

GEORGIA

Sponsorship levels and benefits

Contribution

DIAMOND $3000 Company name and logo will appear on UAC printed materials, the UAC website (with link to your website), and graphics at UAC-sponsored events; choice of three full-page color interior ads in UAC Magazine OR web banner ad for six months on UAC website (your choice of issues/months). Total maximum value of additional benefits: $1500.

TITANIUM $2000 Company name and logo will appear on UAC printed materials, the UAC website (with link to your website), and graphics at UAC-sponsored events; choice of two full-page color interior ad in UAC Magazine OR web banner ad for four months on UAC website (your choice of issues/months). Total maximum value of additional benefits: $1000.

PLATINUM $1000 Company name listed on UAC printed materials, the UAC website (with link to your website), and graphics at UAC-sponsored events; choice of one full-page color interior ad in UAC Magazine OR web banner ad for two months on UAC website (your choice of issue/months). Total maximum value of additional benefits: $500

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

GOLD $500 Company name listed on UAC printed materials, the UAC website (with link to your website), and graphics at UAC-sponsored events; one month web banner ad on UAC website (your choice of month). Total maximum value of additional benefits: $250.

SILVER Company name listed on all UAC printed materials, the UAC website (with link to your website), and graphics at UAC-sponsored events.

$250

BRONZE Company name listed on UAC printed materials and the UAC website (with link to your website).

$100

Thank you to all of our SEED Sponsors!

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UAC NEWS

Caldwell Tree Care

Winner of TCIA Safety Award Congratulations to Caldwell Tree Care, a

local Roswell company since 1993 and long-time MALTA/UAC member. The accredited tree care company was awarded the 2014 Safety Award from the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA).

The TCIA Safety Awards recognize exemplary action in two areas: • The Outstanding Individual/Crew Performance award recognizes an individual or crew for heroic reaction to an emergency situation.

• The Outstanding Company Contribution award recognizes a member’s proactive program to address safety issues.

It was decided that the only safe way to remove the trees was with the help of a 275-ton crane.

This type of crane required four tractortrailer support riggers for the purpose of counterweights.

After one day of planning and two days of preparation, the crane was brought to the job site. Two hours later, the crane was set up and the process of removing the trees began. Within six hours, Caldwell Tree Care had successfully removed the weight of the three trees without causing further damage to the home, surrounding property or any personal injuries.

Over a four-day period, workers were on-site for a total of 215 man hours.

Safety is always at the forefront of every Caldwell Tree Care job. According to owner Kevin Caldwell, “Our crews keep us in business and are the ones whose talent and dedication allow us to provide the high level of service our customers are accustomed to receiving. Keeping our crews safe is our highest priority.”

The very satisfied homeowner stated, “Caldwell is a cut above the rest of those in the industry, they are likely without equal in the market they service. The extra level of care, expertise and professionalism they showed us in a very complex challenging, dangerous situation with massive trees leaning on our home is simply to be commended. They are deserving of high praise with what they were able to accomplish!”

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

Caldwell Tree Care received the Outstanding Company Contribution award for an emergency tree removal performed in September 2014. Three large trees had fallen onto the back of a house. Caldwell Tree Care’s Dave Woodrow immediately knew this would be no ordinary job. Dave called Kevin Caldwell (owner of Caldwell Tree Care), who agreed that this would be a complex and dangerous job, for a number of reasons: • Three trees were involved: a 32-inch beech tree, a 32-inch tulip poplar, and a 13-inch tulip poplar.

• These three trees were leaning against the roof of the house, the back deck and the side of the house.

• The trees were unstable and the tree bases were located in a steep ravine, with a creek running approximately 50 feet below the house.

• Kevin and Dave knew the tree crews would have to work on a wet and hazardous terrain due to several days of rain prior to the trees falling.

Extensive planning and advance work was necessary to safely secure the site before the crane work could begin. This is where Operations Manager, Terry Ferdarko, came into play. With his 25+ years of tree care experience, he was able to carefully assess the situation and decide on the best approach.

Terry spent a day planning, scheduling, managing resources and orchestrating branch removals to minimize the potential danger to the tree care crews, the crane operator and the neighbors. Crews “Keeping our crews safe is then spent two days manually our highest priority.” rigging, setting up lowering ~ Kevin Caldwell devices, putting bucket trucks Owner, Caldwell Tree Care into place, and carefully planning the removal of the three trees.

Neighbors were notified of street closures and of provisions made for medical emergencies.

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UAC NEWS

Solterra partners for school project

North Springs High School gets new courtyard Mary Reid, past-president of FONS, contacted Solterra owner Dixie Speck to ask if she would consult on the project, which was partially funded by Fulton County SPLOST funds. Reid, along with Principle Eddie Ruiz, current FONS President Sandra Jewell, and a few others, worked to get approvals and raise additional funds to add trees and other plants to the space.

Speck contributed several hours of consulting for design, plant and materials selection, and watering instructions. The landscaping was installed by a Solterra crew.

Since the site is directly in front of the school building, the school leaders were very much hoping for some landscaping. The project has worked out beautifully.

During February and March this year

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

Solterra Landscape partnered with Friends of North Springs (FONS) to help bring to life a new student gathering courtyard entry and landscaping for North Springs Charter High School (NSCHS). The location of the project was formerly asphalt parking.

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The landscaping was installed by a Solterra crew who was also able to work out a “free” demo from Vermeer for a mini ski steer to help with the installation.

Since the funds were not available to install an irrigation system, Speck suggested that the AP Environmental Science class be tasked with keeping the new landscaping watered for the remainder of the school year. She met with the class on March 24 to explain the new landscaping, how bio retention ponds work, and how to water the different plant materials and sod properly. Written instructions and ongoing watering schedule also was provided. So far, the new landscaping is thriving and hopefully the APES class has taken “ownership” in caring for it.

To view additional photos of the project visit: tinyurl.com/nschs-solterra.

Speck met with the class to explain the new landscaping, how bio retention ponds work, and how to water the different plant materials and sod properly.

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

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UAC NEWS

New UAC website, improved member benefit

Update your member profile so new customers can find you

urbanagcouncil.com Grand Award winners from UAC Professional Landscape Awards are featured on the home page with rotating images.

New! Web banner ads are now available.

Learn more at urbanagcouncil.com/ marketing.

Click here for the membership menu options.

Select “Log in as a member” to edit your profile.

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

Click here to update your company info.

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Your email address and the password from the old UAC website will still work. If you can’t remember your password, click “Forgot your password?” to reset. If you don’t know what email is attached to your membership, contact the UAC office.

Be sure to add your company logo here. It needs to be 150 x 150 pixels, 72 dpi.

You could use your company tagline here, or choose a few words to explain what you do.

This field is important because it is what the public will first see when they view your profile. Use this space to provide a more detailed description of your business and services.

Use the drop-down menus for Services and Service Areas to select all that apply to your company.

These are fields the public will use to find you.

UAC NEWS Fill in all your licenses and be sure to select your certifications from that drop-down menu. Use the “Other Affiliations and Certifications” field to type in other items like Kudzu awards, Angie’s List awards, Chamber of Commerce membership, etc.

Click on “See more about us” to reveal this box where you can enter your social media links.

Pictures have a real impact on consumer choices so take advantage of this opportunity to show off your company. You can upload as many as six different photos and change them as often as you like. A series of before, during, and after photos really tells a story for the consumer and shows off your expertise. A photo of yourself or your crew “introduces” your company to potential new customers.

An online profile is a benefit of all business-level UAC memberships.

If you have any questions or need help, please contact us: 1.800.687.6949 admin@georgiauac.com Designed by

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UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

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SAVE THE DATE

Visit www.urbanagcouncil.com for updates and to register.

MAY

MEET > GREET >>

<<

5

Got weeds? We have solutions.

Sam Ingram, UGA CAES Effingham County DATE: Tuesday, May 5 TIME: 6:00 dinner + presentation PLACE: Carey Hilliard’s Restaurant | Garden City, GA

MAY

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lunch + learn I N D U S T R Y I

JUL

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lunch + learn I N D U S T R Y I

AUG

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E

S

Preventing Workers Comp Fraud Allan Webb, Snellings Walters

DATE: Wednesday, May 20 TIME: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm PLACE: W.S. Pharr/Snellings Walters | 1117 Perimeter Center West

COST:

West Lobby | W101 | Atlanta, GA 30338 UAC members: $20/Non-members: $25 - includes lunch

Topic and speaker to be advised DATE: Wednesday, July 15 TIME: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm PLACE: W.S. Pharr/Snellings Walters | 1117 Perimeter Center West

COST:

West Lobby | W101 | Atlanta, GA 30338 UAC members: $20/Non-members: $25 - includes lunch

MEET > GREET >>

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UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

DATE: Tuesday, August 4 TIME: 6:00 dinner + presentation PLACE: Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm

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AUG

UAC dinner meeting: Dinner with Champions

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DATE: Tuesday, August 25 TIME: 5:30 pm networking | 6:30 dinner + presentation PLACE: Heritage Sandy Springs | 6110 Blue Stone Road NE | Atlanta, GA 30328

SEP

UAC workshop: Chainsaw and Ladder Safety

1

DATE: Tuesday, September 1 TIME: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm (lunch included) PLACE: Savannah, GA See article on page 58 for details.

HAVE YOU MET

Erika Shields

Unique Environmental Landscapes My first job in the green industry was... at ServiceMaster. My father owned a franchise so my first job was filing on the weekends and I worked my way up to office manager.

The biggest challenge in my career has been...to implement new procedures and applications in our ever-changing industry.

My biggest career success so far has been...staying in the same position for 13 years and making every year more exciting than the one before.

If I had it to do over again, I would... do it the same way. I think everything you do helps you to be who you are so there is nothing that I would differently.

The thing I like most about my career is... assisting my boss in implementing and realizing visions for the company and being a part of the company’s growth.

My least favorite part of my job is... collecting money from stubborn clients.

One thing that really annoys me is... wasting time or resources.

The one thing most responsible for my success is... my drive for perfection and efficiently.

If I could change careers, just for a month, I would... be a forensic accountant.

When I’m not working, I like to..play

with my dogs, work in the yard, cook, and go on trips.

Erika Shields

Address: 7021 Mableton Parkway SE

Mableton GA 30126 Phone: Fax: Email: Web:

404.691.9310 770.745.3337 erika@unique-environmental.com unique-environmental.com

One thing most people don’t know about me is...I used to work as a cable utility locator.

and stepmother and, of course, my boss for the last 13 years, Todd Guilmette at Unique Environmental.

Left: Erika celebrates the company’s wins at the 2014 UAC Professional Landscape Awards with Todd Guilmette.

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

The people who have most influenced my career are...my father

21

PEST 411

Mole crickets in turf

ID and treatment of these serious turf pests

by Will Hudson, Extension Entomologist

Mole crickets are serious pests of Georgia turf.

University of Georgia Archive, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

Left to right: Neocurtyla hexadactyla (Northern Mole Cricket), Scapteriscus abbreviatus (Shortwinged Mole Cricket), S. vicinus (Tawny Mole Cricket), Scapteriscus borellii (Southern Mole Cricket).

Estimates of mole cricket losses in commercial, recreational and residential sod now exceed $20 million annually. Weather and soil conditions in Georgia’s Coastal Plain region are ideal for mole crickets, and damage continues to increase.

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

Georgia has three species of mole crickets. The northern mole cricket, Neocurtila hexadactyla, is native and of little economic importance. Two pest species — the tawny mole cricket (Scapteriscus vicinus) and the southern mole cricket (Scapteriscus borellii) — were introduced into the United States at the port of Brunswick, Georgia, in the ballasts of merchant ships from South America in the early 1900s. From the first introductions and others made at ports in the southern United States, mole crickets now infest sod throughout the southeastern Coastal Plain from Texas to North Carolina.

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Damage

Mole crickets damage turf by feeding on the plant roots, stems and leaves, and by tunneling through the soil. Mole cricket feeding is not considered as damaging as their tunneling.

Mole crickets in turf

The size and extent of tunneling increases as the mole cricket ages. Early instar nymphs may live in an area of only a few square feet and cause very little noticeable damage. In summer or early fall, however, larger nymphs may tunnel over an

area of several yards and cause extensive injury.

The size of tunnels can be used to indicate the age of an existing mole cricket population. As the mole cricket increases in size, so does the tunnel.

Many golf course superintendents examine sand traps for mole cricket tunnels to determine when the spring hatch begins. (For more methods of identifying mole cricket injury visit: http:// tinyurl.com/ckzrwcu.)

Control

Mole cricket control is a continuous problem for homeowners, turfgrass managers and sod producers in the Coastal Plain area of Georgia.

An effective program requires keeping close tabs on the mole cricket population and matching control efforts to local conditions, the life cycle of the pests, and demands on the turf. Distinctly different strategies are appropriate for spring (March-May), summer (June-September) and fall.

Spring treatments

In the spring, almost all mole crickets are in the adult stage. They are very active during warm periods and cause considerable tunneling and feeding damage. This is also the time of maximum flight activity and dispersal, a time when areas free of mole crickets can become infested. The crickets are sensitive to local weather conditions, especially early in the spring, and may retreat underground for extended periods if the weather turns cold or wet.

This combination of large crickets, unpredictable weather, pest activity and frequent large dispersal flights makes control of mole crickets in spring difficult. Weather and cricket activity are more predictable in late April and May, but by then, a significant number of mole cricket eggs may already have been laid, and these eggs are not affected by insecticide treatments. Logically, there should be a window of time after most of the flight is over and before egg laying when

PEST 411 treatments would be effective at reducing adult populations as well as controlling the next generation. In practice, however, this has not worked.

Sod producers with mole cricket problems in the spring should treat only those areas where damage is severe and where sod will be cut early in the season before the grass has a chance to recover. Other turf managers should treat only the areas where damage is so severe that grass is being lost. This is a spot treatment approach, and baits may be the best option. Where damage is less severe, note the location of adult activity and target those areas for treatment after eggs hatch.

Summer treatments

The nymph population increases throughout June and, by July, almost all eggs that are going to hatch will have done so. At the same time, the adults begin to die off and very few will be flying.

(Those that do fly are mostly southern mole crickets and are unlikely to do much damage

except in critical areas like golf greens and tees.)

While time of peak egg hatch will vary from year to year, precise timing of control efforts is not necessary. Newly hatched nymphs are so small they do almost no damage and are very difficult to detect. Delaying application until late June ensures that all of the current generation will have hatched. These small nymphs spend more time at or near the surface than do larger nymphs and are relatively easy to kill.

Late June is the ideal time to treat for mole crickets. (If you have nematode problems, delay treatment until this time to treat both problems with one pesticide application.) Almost any of the routinely recommended materials will provide good control of young crickets. As summer goes on and the crickets grow, activity and damage increase and the crickets become harder to kill. By late August or early September, control may be difficult to achieve.

To see the entire publication on mole cricket control visit: http://tinyurl.com/ckzrwcu

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UAC MAGAZINE â&#x20AC;˘ MAY/JUNE 2015

Visit us today!

23

ME & MY MENTOR

Selling color to clients

How to manage customer expectations

by Scott Barnard, Chatham Landscape Services

Q: How do you manage your customer’s expectations for seasonal color installations, when the plants take a while to fill in and don’t live long?

The key is communication.

Before you begin a seasonal color project, you need to ask your client some questions.

Post Riverside Town Square Chatham Landscape Services

2014 UAC Professional Landscape Awards Grand & Judges’ Choice Awards

About the project • What are your objectives for this project?

• Do you want raised annual beds, seasonal color containers, or both?

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

About the budget Don’t be afraid to ask your client for a seasonal color budget.

• Can you afford steak and lobster or is your budget more in line with mac and cheese?

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About their preferences Asking the client for their plant and color preferences up front will accomplish a few things: it will remove the guesswork and eliminate frustration before the design and installation occurs, and it will ease the customer’s mind if they know that they will be getting exactly what they want.

• Are you looking for bold, dramatic curb appeal or do you prefer a lush oasis-type setting?

Making plant choices • Don’t be afraid to let customers know that a plant they prefer may not perform in a particular setting and help guide them with the proper plant choices.

• Choose annuals that will endure and thrive the entire growing season.

• Select plants that share common sunlight and watering needs.

Setting expectations • Explain to the customer that they will need to be patient; the typical 4” annual usually requires 6 - 8 weeks after initial installation to develop and mature.

• Make sure they understand that the growing season for annuals is 5 - 6 months.

• Make it clear to your customer that maintaining the flowers every 2 - 3 weeks is crucial to ensure that their flowers thrive and are beautiful all season long.

Scott Barnard has been a seasonal color designer for 20 years, working

as the Floriculture Director/Designer at Chatham Landscape Services since Fall 2012. He designs and implements seasonal color designs for over 150 residential customers and 80 multi-family accounts, including the Post Properties portfolio in Atlanta. His college background is marketing/ advertising but a love of the outdoors drew him into landscape design. By working with the production side of this field, he has learned the science behind growing and maintaining annuals to help ensure the performance of the flower beds and containers throughout the growing seasons.

E: SBarnard@chathamlandscapes.com

UAC MAGAZINE â&#x20AC;¢ MAY/JUNE 2015

25

SAFETY WORKS

Practicing safety with pesticides

Tips to keep you and your employees safe

by Lee Lyner, Risk Management Partners, for W.S. Pharr & Co.

How many of us really know and understand how to

A pesticide is any product that makes a claim that it controls pests, has a signal word (danger, poison, warning, and/or caution), and has an Environmental Protection Agency registration number.

safely store, handle, and dispose of the pesticide that we use during our work day?

Hopefully we know the precautions that come along with using pesticides but if not, this article is designed to help out.

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

According to a definition by Penn State University, “a pesticide is any product that makes a claim that it controls pests, has a signal word (danger, poison, warning, and/or caution), and has an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration number.” That registration number indicates that a product has been registered and its label was approved for sale by the EPA.

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The most important information to have available is the pesticide’s Safety Data Sheeet (SDS). The SDS communicates the hazards of the chemical to the user(s) and emergency personnel. The SDS also communicates procedures for handling or working with the pesticide in a safe manner, and includes the pesticide’s physical data, safe storage, disposal, personal protective equipment (PPE), and spill-handling procedures.

OSHA requires the employer to have the SDS available to all employees who work with the chemical.

Also remember that the new modification to OSHA’s Hazardous Communication Standard called Globally Harmonized System of

Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) required training employees on the new label elements and SDS format by December 1, 2013.

Safe storage

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) governs the sale, distribution and use of pesticides in the United States. In fact, the FIFRA governs pesticides until they are disposed, after which the pesticides are governed by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). RCRA ensures the responsible management of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Follow these tips for safely storing pesticides: •

• •

• • • • •

Don’t stockpile. Only buy what you need.

Plan ahead for your needs before you buy pesticides for the current season and near future.

Place the date on the container to help you keep track of which pesticides to use (make sure to use the older inventory first).

Conduct an annual inventory of your pesticides to help eliminate the accumulation of old and outdated pesticides.

Most pesticides become less effective if outdated or even after they are opened.

Use the storage information on the container’s label and the storage information on the SDS. Keep all pesticides in a cabinet (not stored near or with food) and ensure that the area is cool, dry, well-ventilated, and well lit.

Always store dry pesticides above liquid pesticides to prevent liquid pesticides from spilling and/or leaking onto dry pesticides.

Do not store flammable liquids near any possible ignition sources.

Keep pesticides in their original containers if possible. If not possible, place pesticides in a secondary container that is intended for that pesticide and ensure that the container is properly labeled.

SAFETY WORKS • •

Store pesticides away from areas where they might leak or spill into drains or other water sources.

Make sure that all pesticide containers are securely closed.

Safe handling

When handling pesticides the PPE you choose is very important to your safety. Make sure to check the pesticide’s SDS; the general safety precautions for handling pesticides are as follows: • • • •

Visit Safety School on UAC’s new website!

Find the safety training materials you need, developed just for you, free to UAC business-level members.

• Trainer documents (including post-training test) and slide presentations available in English and Spanish.

• Log in and download what you need. See how on pages 18-19.

Not any gloves will do. Always choose an impermeable glove; rubber gloves are usually a great choice.

Protect your eyes by wearing safety glasses.

Hand washing is very important. When you finish handling the pesticide, wash your hands as soon as possible.

Keep your PPE on while mixing, during application, and while cleaning up to minimize your exposure.

P

WS HARR &CO.

URBAN AG COUNCIL GEORGIA

A member of Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

Workers Compensation Plan

W.S. Pharr & Co. is one of the largest independent insurance brokers in the Southeast. We have specialized in the green industry since 1987 and serve over 600 green industry clients.

We offer a unique blend of insurance companies and broker experience assuring you get the most for your insurance dollar.

Will Pharr

404.354.2036 • wpharr@snellingswalters.com

Michael Parker

404.216.1108 • mparker@snellingswalters.com

770.396.9600

Monthly self-reporting payment plan Ability to earn up to a 15% dividend Competitive rates Aggressive claim management Underwritten by Builders Insurance

Insurance Plan • • • •

General liability, auto, equipment, umbrella 10% discount for Georgia UAC members Flexible payment plans Competitive rates

Employee Benefits • • • •

Employer-provided benefits Voluntary benefits Competitive rates Dedicated service team

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Insurance • Risk Management • Employee Benefits

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UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

Contact:

• • • • •

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SAFETY WORKS • •

•

If at all possible, wear long pants and longsleeved shirts while working with pesticides.

After you’ve finished applying the pesticides, change your clothing. Wash the clothing worn during the application, always keeping those clothes separate from other clothes.

Wash the clothing you wore while handling pesticides using hot water and a heavy-duty detergent.

Safe disposal By purchasing only what you need and monitoring your pesticide inventory closely, you can minimize or eliminate the need to dispose of these chemicals.

Because of their danger to aquatic plants and wildlife, pesticides cannot be washed down the drain. The SDS will guide you how to correctly dispose of pesticides. Many states and counties have disposal requirements for these chemicals.

If you are unsure what is required in your area, contact your local county health office for their disposal policies and programs and strictly follow those policies.

Cleaning containers

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

Did you know that you must wash out used pesticide containers in a specific way? When empty, you have to triple-rinse empty glass, plastic, and metal containers. Here are the steps to follow: 1. Fill empty containers ¼ full of water 2. Cover tightly 3. Shake 4. Add the rinse water to the spray tank 5. Repeat the above steps three times If your pesticides were in a paper container, thoroughly shake or pat the paper container to remove as much pesticides as possible.

Dispose of as directed in label and/or the SDS.

Points to remember

Pesticides can be very dangerous but if you follow these safety guidelines and properly dispose of the containers, you can avoid issues.

Even so, accidents with pesticides do happen.

If you are involved in an accident or you are around someone who has been exposed to a pesticide always follow the firstaid guidelines on the label and the SDS immediately.

Below are a some general first-aid guidelines: • Pesticide on skin. Drench exposed area with water.

• Pesticide in eye(s). Wash out eye(s) with an adequate amount of clean water (do not add anything to the water) for at least 15 minutes with eyelid(s) held open.

• If the pesticide is inhaled. Get the victim out of the area and into fresh air. If this is not possible, contact EMS and open the doors and windows.

• If the pesticide is swallowed. Induce vomiting only if instructed to do so. Some pesticides can do more harm if the person is made to vomit.

Another important resource is the Poison Control Center. If for some reason you don’t have access to the SDS, even if you only know a little about the pesticide or only know some of the ingredients, the PCC can help. Their number is 1-800-222-1222.

A member of

W.S. Pharr & Co. is one of the largest independent insurance brokers in the Southeast. We have specialized in the green industry since 1987 and serve over 600 green industry clients.

We offer a unique blend of insurance companies and broker experience assuring you get the most for your insurance dollar.

• Workers Compensation Plan • Insurance Plan • Employee Benefits P: 770.396.9600

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SNELLINGS WALTERS INSURANCE AGENCY

UAC MAGAZINE â&#x20AC;¢ MAY/JUNE 2015

29

WHAT THE TECH?

An app a day

Applications to cure what ails you Swiftkey

Free

Just Your Type: A Better Keyboard Have you ever sent a text to a client or colleague only to later discover that ‘let’s meet for coffee’ turned into something cringe-worthy? While well-intentioned, autocorrect is like that relative who is constantly putting their foot in their mouth at family dinners. Avoid further embarrassment and try Swiftkey.

This free app replaces your phone’s keyboard and learns the way you write—maybe you like acronyms or perhaps you’re more the complete sentence type with spot-on grammar. Either way, Swiftkey picks up on writing habits and dynamically adjusts, getting smarter the more it’s used. It even predicts what you’re about to type and offers up the next word to reduce keystrokes.

While it’s slightly creepy how this app seamlessly finishes sentences better than a significant other, the result saves time and saves face.

• • •

Supports multiple languages Offers speedy swipe-typing Autocorrect based on your habits

Invoice2go

Free*

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

Go Green to Get Green

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Getting paid promptly is right up there with breathing for small business owners. Without cash in hand, projects stall, relationships falter and stress levels rise quickly. When it comes to invoices, there’s only so much you can control, and that’s why ensuring efficiency where possible is so important. Try simplifying your process with Invoice2go.

Using your mobile device’s email and contact list, Invoice2go is an easy and affordable (nominallypriced plans based on needs) way to handle accounts receivables. Create estimates and turn them into invoices complete with PayPal buttons for faster payment. Stay true to your brand with customizable templates, and never worry

about taxes and totals—they’re automatically configured based on location. Sync everything to the cloud for safe keeping, track who owes what by using the dashboard and reports, and rake in the green a little easier.

• • •

Customize templates Invoice products and services Track products, services and suppliers

*App is free with paid subscription for service

Tipbit

Free

Resurrect Your Email When email came on the scene, it was a flourishing star—considered a game-changer, an asset and an overall necessity for business and life. Unfortunately, like so many other hotshots, eventually rumors spread that it was losing its zest and would be replaced with some other younger version of technology. But alas, email is alive and well, and Tipbit is making it shine even brighter.

Like the helm of a productivity ship, Tipbit keeps business on course, rounds up email, appointments, and gets the scoop on contacts through LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Schedule and review meetings all while you curtail the drowning sensation caused by the onslaught of incoming messages. Manage multiple accounts using filters, and gain context around every email with relevant documents, messages, meetings and contact information.

Efficiency will escalate as you cruise through inboxes and make email cleanup a snap.

• • •

Supports Gmail, Microsoft Exchange, Yahoo, IMAP, iCloud, Hotmail, Mac.com, and Live. com Finds, saves, and shares messages with Salesforce, Dropbox, Evernote, OneNote, Omnifocus, Slack and more Schedules, reviews, accepts, shares available meeting times, and manages calendars

WHAT THE TECH?

My Data Manager Free

Robin

Free

Keep Your Data in Check

Eyes-Free Assistant on the Road

Keeping tabs on your mobile data plan is the sort of thing you can easily lose sight of, and before you know it, you’re out more money than you care to think about. (Streaming too long while roaming too far adds up.) My Data Manager might be the first micromanager you’ve ever loved.

Texting and driving is an established no-no, but sometimes we forget about other equally dangerous habits like searching the Internet or updating Facebook. So, in the name of road safety and extraneous social posts, it might be time for a true eyes-free solution. Meet Robin.

Track your data usage on mobile, Wi-Fi and roaming for all members of your plan, and pinpoint any data-eating culprits. Set alarms to make sure your bill doesn’t do an unexpected upsurge and gather historical information to track data consumption habits. No matter what you’re doing or where you’re doing it, you’ll have a second set of eyes looking out to keep you in the safety zone.

Robin plots directions, finds better parking than a valet, points out the lowest gas prices, warns of potential traffic snares and can even tell you a joke. Like any good personal assistant, she also gets to know you better over time, making her all the more helpful. And, should you feel the urge to read your Twitter feed or post a review of the delicious lunch you just had, just say the word(s) and Robin jumps to action—all while you keep your eyes on the road, not your device.

• • •

• • •

Maximize data usage Track data consumption Set alarms based on your plan

Information provided by Manta, one of the largest online resources dedicated to small business.

Learn more at manta.com.

Voice-controlled assistant Adapts to you over time Text, email and post hands-free

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

31

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Managing your healthcare spend

UAC health program eliminates the fire drill

by Michael Parker, CFP©

Sound familiar?

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

These services allow us to move from reactive to proactive and shifts control from the insurance company to the UAC medical plan participants.

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It is 90 days or less from your company’s health insurance renewal and you have just been delivered an unexpected increase.

Even worse, there is little to no data to support or contradict the increase. Now you scramble to budget the increase, shop other carriers, tweak your plan designs, communicate changes to employees and hope it will all be done in time for enrollment.

This scenario plays out year after year and is a major cause of anxiety to owners, CFOs, and human resource staff alike. Most feel handcuffed because of the lack of options and transparency, not the characteristics you dreamed of when starting your own business. Asking for the data from the insurance company seems to only be met with pushback, citing HIPAA or private health information as the reason for lack of transparency. So how do you combat the insurance companies which seem to have all the data and control?

The Georgia Urban Ag Council is sensitive to the “fire drill” that most employers experience each year at their renewal. In an effort to build a more predictive and sustainable model, they engaged the actuarial services through Snellings Walters. On an annual basis for UAC’s Medical plan participants, we will evaluate the impact from the Affordable Care Act, conduct a medical plan design analysis and be positioned to proactively underwrite your medical renewal. These services allow us to move from reactive to proactive and shifts

control from the insurance company to the UAC medical plan participants.

In addition to the annual actuarial studies, UAC will participate in the largest group benefit benchmarking survey in the country.

Conducted in the spring, this survey allows employers to compare and contrast their plan designs and healthcare spend with companies that are local, regional, or national. We can compare these results to your industry or by your demographics. It is the largest benchmarking survey conducted in the country, spanning over 2.5 million employees. Topics addressed in the survey include but are not limited to: • General Data • Benefits • Medical • High Deductible Health Plans • Dental • Affordable Care Act • Life & Disability • Time Off • Wellness & Disease Management • Cost Control Strategies • Miscellaneous The Georgia UAC medical plan participants are engaging a model that provides better transparency with accountable analytics. This credible data enables us to proactively manage our healthcare spend over a multiyear approach.

This management does not need to be confusing and you can trust that Georgia UAC is doing all that they can to simplify and enhance the experience for their plan participants.

About the author Michael Parker is a benefits consultant with Snellings Walters Insurance Agency.

P: 404.216.1108 E: mparker@snellingswalters.com

Michael Parker Group Benefits Consultant 404.216.1108 mparker@snellingswalters.com Insurance programs administered by

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

33

BUSINESS

H-2B

It’s everyone’s business

by Mary Kay Woodworth, Georgia Urban Ag Council

A temporary shutdown of H-2B processing was lifted on March 18, 2015, after the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP - formerly PLANET), AmericanHort and other industry NALP/Philippe Nobile Photography groups engaged It will take ALL business owners in in an onslaught of service industries to contact their social media and representatives to demand changes Congressional outreach. The federal to the H-2B program - regardless of Departments whether they use it. Ultimately, the of Labor (DOL) lack of available, productive labor will and Homeland negatively affect not only landscape Security (DHS) contractors and their clients, but used a recent court suppliers, growers, equipment order as a pretense manufacturers. to postpone processing of applications, at a critical time for many landscape businesses.

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

Public applies pressure

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Scores of Representatives and Senators wrote to DOL and DHS demanding that procession resume, including a bipartisan House letter led by Reps. Andy Harris (R-MD) and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and two Senate letters lead by Barbara Mikulski (D-MD). Georgia Senators and Representatives signed onto these letters.

Additionally, the Secretary of Labor also faced tough questioning during recent congressional hearings.

While H-2B users were the most vocal, as they were the immediately impacted group, thousands of letters to Congress, tweets, blog and Facebook posts were sent by landscape-related business

owners and employees out of concern for the greater industry’s welfare. Said Ohio horticulture business owner Peter Scarff, “I really don’t know an awful lot about the H-2B particulars and we don’t use either H-2 program, but we need to support our industry, and customers, to get through these busy work seasons.”

Interim rule

According to AmericanHort, “In response to the political and grassroots pressure, DOL and DHS have told Congress that they plan to finalize an interim final rule by April 30. While bracing for more surprises, we are working to keep the interim rule narrow and to prevent the departments from imposing new unworkable or burdensome requirements on H-2B employers.”

AmericanHort and NALP are working to ensure that none of the 2012 H-2B program rule (already blocked by the court) finds its way into this interim rule. The blocked rule would have introduced into the H-2B program many deeply problematic provisions that limit use of the H-2A agricultural program, including the “50 percent rule” and “corresponding employment” rules. The blocked rule also involved unions in the hiring process.

At press time for this issue, the status was this: both DOL and DHS have resumed H-2B processing, but DHS has not resumed premium processing which provides an employer with a decision in 15 calendar days for a fee.

To add insult to injury, the 66,000 visa limit was reached in early April. This leaves many landscape businesses in a difficult position to find employees, complete contracted jobs and expand.

It has become almost impossible to find applicants - let alone hire them.

BUSINESS I received a call recently from a landscape design business owner in Pennsylvania, inquiring if UAC could help him find Georgia workers who would relocate to Pennsylvania to work.

The frustration in his voice, which echoes frustrations many UAC members share, is understandable. Unfortunately, there is no immediate solution.

Speak up

Meet the newest member of your team.

Dingo

It will take ALL business owners in service industries to contact their representatives to demand changes to the H-2B program regardless of whether they use it. Ultimately, the lack of available, productive labor will negatively affect not only landscape contractors and their clients, but suppliers, growers, equipment manufacturers.

Please contact your congressional representatives today and demand that they introduce and pass legislation that will allow a legal, supplemental option to provide workers for jobs that our domestic workforce will not fill.

NALP makes it easy to contact your legislators.

From Tom Delaney, NALP:

Information for this article was provided by AmericanHort and the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP).

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We have more experience than anyone in the Dingo business. Period.

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UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

“Thank you to all of our members who have repeatedly reached out to lawmakers to share the hardships associated with using the H-2B program. Your actions are essential in our fight to revive a workable H-2B program. Please continue to Tweet using the #saveH2B, contact your legislators letting them know how this impacts your business, and follow developments on NALP’s website: www.landcarenetwork.org/PLANET/ Government-Affairs/Landscape-WorkforceAdvocacy.”

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35

BUSINESS

Internet marketing in 2015

Making the most of potential touch points

by Kevin Bossons, WebTech Marketing Services

Ten years ago it was not uncommon for companies to ignore the web.

Each of these steps is a potential touch point for your business; an opportunity for you to provide the value, demonstrate your expertise, and gently influence the consumer’s behavior.

Many people still used the phone book, local newspapers and local radio stations to direct them to the companies they needed.

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

Five years ago phone books were largely going unused while the average person turned to the Internet to answer their questions and find solutions to their problems. The average company had a website, a few social media accounts and for the most part understood that they needed a website and needed to be visible across search engines.

36

Today the Internet is ingrained in nearly all aspects of our lives. Television, news, socialization, shopping and travel are just a few of the many services that come via Internet connection. In 2015 we’re more connected to the Internet than ever before. The average consumer uses multiple devices to access the Internet, expects websites to load instantly and does indepth research on both their issues and potential service providers to make the most informed decision possible.

What this means to your business Consumers today have a lot of information available to them. If they have an immediate problem, for example a drainage issue in their backyard, they can quickly research the issue thanks to search engines like Google and Bing,

ask questions and get answers from websites like Reddit and Quora and finally find local company reviews via sites like Houzz, Kudzu, Yelp and Angie’s List. If the consumer decides to do work in the future, they will again turn to Google and Bing to research their options, and will likely browse idea-books in Houzz to get a better sense of what they want as a finished product.

Thanks to modern day search engines, information is easy to find, and thanks to social sites your average consumer can interact with and get answers from others. Years ago when people had an issue they found a service provider. Today with the same issue, they first turn to the Internet to better educate themselves.

Enter content marketing

Content marketing is one of those buzzwords that gets tossed around often, and can sometimes have a varied meaning.

In a nutshell, content marketing is the act of creating and placing useful content with the goal of providing value to your target audience.

By providing value, your business gains trust and begins building relationships. As an example, let’s say your company creates a blog post about common residential drainage problems and publishes it on your website. The post identifies common issues, offers a few options landscaping companies would recommend and explains each option in an understandable and meaningful way. If someone is researching drainage issues, they can find your blog post, gain a much better understanding of their issue and options, and because it’s your content they have a company they can contact immediately.

BUSINESS

Tying it all together

Before ever contacting a company about an issue, the typical consumer goes through the steps of researching their issue, identifying solutions, identifying companies to provide those solutions, and eventually selecting a company to hire. Each of these steps is a potential touch point for your business; an opportunity for you to provide the value, demonstrate your expertise, and gently influence the consumer’s behavior. Here are ways to benefit from a couple of these touch points.

research. The consumer has a problem, Initial and searches for info about that problem such as

“identifying irrigation issues” and “yard flooded.”

Business action item: Identify the common issues your customers have, write about them and publish them on your website.

By simply creating blog posts that answer your target audience’s questions, the chances of these consumers finding your website goes up dramatically. Search engines today find geographically relevant content. In other words, if your company is located in Norcross and a person is doing a search from Norcross about a subject you have blogged about, the chances of that person finding your blog post increase substantially simply because the searcher’s location is close to yours. By having that content you have provided value and already begun to gain the consumer’s trust.

it down. Once the consumer has Narrowing done their research they will want to narrow

In the landscaping industry Google Local, Houzz, Kudzu, Angie’s List, Facebook and Yelp are common places consumers look when narrowing down their options.

They will be searching for companies with consistent information and consistently good reviews. Make sure your business name, address, phone number, and business hours are the same across all of your profiles, and that you include extended details like photos everywhere possible. Ask existing clients for honest reviews by sending followup postcards, or via phone call or email after their projects have been completed.

Finally, if you have social profiles such as Facebook that allow you to post updates, it’s a great idea to post weekly and ideally daily. Share your own posts and share other great posts from around the Internet (we recommend 20% your content 80% external content). By continually sharing useful internal and external information you’ll be conveying to your audience that you are a subject-matter expert and you have a passion for what you do, which of course leads right back to trust and building relationships.

Internet marketing in 2015 is less about broadcasting your sales message, and more about adding value via useful information, positive user experience, consistent company footprint and timely social activity.

About the author Kevin Bossons is WebTech’s go-to guy for all things marketing and designing and building websites. He works with clients to set up marketing strategies and then assists the team to help turn those ideas into reality.

E: kbossons@webtechemail.com W: wtmarketing.com

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down their options for companies to do the work. At this point they will be evaluating for quality, professionalism, reputation and sometimes price. They will look on your website and search for you on other sites around the Internet before proceeding.

Business action item: Ensure your website is current and has useful information (talk about your audience’s problems and how you can solve those problems via your services).

Make sure your site loads quickly, and make it easy to find your contact information. And make sure your site is mobile friendly with a design that scales for different screen sizes to ensure that all your visitors get a consistent experience.

Once you are confident your site will deliver a good experience to your visitors, look at other places your business is represented on the Internet. Set up a business profile on each of the major social and directory websites in your market and niche.

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BUSINESS

How to start making more money Real-world advice from other landscapers

by Gregg Wartgow, Green Industry Pros

It’s pretty safe to say that anyone in

business would like to make more money.

The question is: How? The short answer is: Charge more and/or spend less. Easier said than done.

Many contractors are indeed able to Photo by Michal Koralewski charge more for their Many contractors are indeed able services these days, but still not enough to charge more for their services to compensate for the these days, but still not enough to 2009 pricing collapse compensate for the 2009 pricing and continually rising collapse and continually rising cost of cost of doing business. doing business.

For most contractors, more needs to be done to begin making more money.

We asked members of the Pro Panel what they’ve found to be the best ways to do just that.

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1.

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Manage labor “to the minute.”

“You must ensure that you’re properly managing your largest expense, which is labor,” reminds Jon Ewing, a former contractor who is now a business consultant. “Avoid unnecessary overtime and staff, and organize your crews correctly and make sure they are well-guided.”

One other financial consideration with respect to your field labor, Ewing points out, is safety. It’s important to create a safety culture in your organization, which will help keep claims to a minimum.

For Linda Rae Nelson of Greenscapes of Southwest Florida in Naples, FL, she strives to create a productivity-minded culture. “The key to making more money isn’t in your

financials, it’s in your production,” Nelson says. “Your financials simply tell you what’s going on with your production. Financials are like your report card, showing you the end result of what you’ve done.”

That said, if your report card gives you a poor grade—perhaps because your crews are going over hours—you can start to investigate why. It’s not really about the hours, though, Nelson points out. It’s about the minutes.“Every minute counts and every minute that’s lost is lost forever,” Nelson says. “We look at travel time, traffic flow in our yard, tasks for the day and whether they need a two- or three-man crew, etc. Then we break things down into even smaller pieces. We look at how we set up at night, which includes having materials delivered beforehand. A crew going to a supply house will typically spend 20 minutes in idle time. The list of things like this goes on and on. Your goal should be to eliminate as many stops as possible.”

Unbillable idle time is definitely a profit killer.

But beyond that, Nelson says, it’s also important to search for process improvements that can also save time. “Sometimes the way you lay out your day can save 10 minutes on a trip,” Nelson points out. “Think about that. If you could save 10 minutes a day, that’s 50 minutes per employee every week. That can add up really fast.”

Sometimes contractors want to look for that “big idea” to make them more profitable. “But it’s the slightest things that help us go from losing to making money,” Nelson says. “Those things are likely happening right there in our businesses, we just have to look for them.”

2.

Study, measure each job.

Going hand in hand with managing labor is understanding job scope and, more specifically, client expectations. “Not only are

BUSINESS you selling minutes,” Nelson says, “you’re basing those minutes on the customer’s expectations.

I know my people, my culture, and what we’re capable of producing.” Once you get that in alignment with what the customer expects, you can start estimating and managing better, which sets you on the path toward making more money.

There are other costs beyond labor, of course. Kevin Payne of TenderCare Lawn & Landscape in Derby, KS, runs profit-and-loss statements on every job his crews do. “This keeps us on track and helps us catch problems earlier if we are having an issue with a particular crew or bid a project wrong,” Payne says. “We actually did this for years, but got a bit lax during the economic downturn. But it’s become very obvious now that this is a very important function to our success as a company.”

Aside from identifying problems with crew productivity or estimating/bidding processes, job-by-job P&L’s have another benefit. “It gets our employees to really understand the cost of doing business,” Payne points out. “The P&L gets everyone watching expenses, from the smallest to the largest.”

3.

Differentiate yourself. Earlier,

Nelson was talking about how important it is to understand both client expectations and your employees’ production capability. That lets you estimate properly, which is an essential cog in the wheel of financial management.

Chances are, though, that you’re still dealing with clients who say, “So and so will do the job for less.” This is why the #3 way to make more

“Tout your attributes as a business, whether it is reliable and on-time service, quality workmanship, etc.,” Ewing advises. “You should also market the expertise and qualifications of your workforce, including any special certifications, licensing, training, etc.”

It’s also important, Ewing adds, to really know your customers and what they want, and how they really feel about your company, services and personnel. Once you do, you can better communicate meaningful points of differentiation in your proposals, presentations and other advertising.

For some landscape companies, social media is helping communicate those points of differentiation. “We have adopted the use of Twitter and Facebook, along with e-mail blasts, to help educate our customers about what we offer and how we can help them,” Payne relates.

“We are beginning to see that customers are once again willing to pay a bit more for quality work.

We do not want to be the cheapest bid someone gets. We want to be the most informative, trusted, highest-quality bid the customer gets.”

4.

Look for upsell opportunities.

On the topic of differentiation, having the ability to cross-sell a variety of services is becoming more common for landscape companies—and more valued by many types of clientele. “Being a full-service lawn and landscape provider gives us the opportunity to upsell customers in many different ways,” Payne points out.

Identifying upsell opportunities should be the responsibility of not only company owners and account managers, but even crew leaders. “Train your staff to identify those items on projects that can be improved,

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“I sometimes hear our employees say, ‘What can I do to lower this overhead?’ Most employees understand that we (company owners) pay for labor and materials, but letting them see what contributes to overhead really gets them thinking. We discuss how lowering certain costs by a few percentage points can really improve the bottom line. All of a sudden you see people worrying about the electric bill and office supplies.”

money is to develop a strategy to differentiate yourself.

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BUSINESS but are not initially included on the contracts,” Ewing recommends. You then should establish a clear process for crew leaders to communicate those opportunities up the chain of command, via work order notations, weekly meetings, etc. Incentives for staff to encourage more enhancement sales can also help.

“Pay attention to timing so you don’t miss opportunities,” Ewing adds. “For example, some retail properties may benefit from holiday themes at various times of the year.”

“Always look for opportunities and remind customers of the various services you can offer.

And don’t be afraid to be aggressive with your enhancement pricing. “ “Remember, you’re being proactive, procuring material and providing a valuable service.”

5.

Seek out higher-margin opportunities. Enhancement work

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can prove to be a boon to your bottom line, which is obviously why it should be a focus of you and your staff. The same can be said for higher-margin work in general.

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For example, “Can you provide special lawn care services that command higher pricing?”

Ewing asks. Also think about special services you could provide that require a level of expertise or unique equipment, and also have less competition you’ll be facing. It’s likely that these services will allow for higher margins.

“Evaluate your customer list and look for opportunities,” Ewing adds.

Speaking of evaluating your customer list, doing so can also help you identify highermargin customers—along with those you don’t make any money on at all.

You obviously want to nurture your A and B accounts; those where you’re recovering your direct costs and overhead, and also generating profit. You likely want to even keep some C

accounts; where you’re recovering direct costs and overhead. But you should then identify your D and F clients where you aren’t even adequately recovering overhead—and seriously think about whether or not you want to keep them. Generating job-by-job and client-by-client P&L’s, like Payne does, can help you make these types of decisions.

6.

Buy smarter. Making smarter

purchasing decisions is a natural way to make more money. “We meet with our vendors on a quarterly basis,” Nelson shares. “We review cost points, incentive programs, rebates, etc.

Sometimes just ordering at the right times can have a tremendous payback.”

You can also consider implementing actual purchasing policies. “Decide who is authorized to make purchases, and develop a purchase ordering system,” Ewing says. “Buy wisely, such as buying items in bulk that are used repeatedly. Seek multiple prices from vendors to ensure fair pricing. Take advantage of all earlypay discounts, when possible. And plan ahead and have orders waiting for you at your vendors to avoid wasteful use of labor; i.e. crews sitting around waiting for their parts or materials to get pulled together.”

7.

Seek help, steal ideas. The above

six ways to “make more money” should help get your wheels turning. Within each of those six areas are countless specific tactical actions you can take. That’s why Payne says one final piece of advice is to simply seek out ideas from others who have real life experiences in business and the landscaping industry.

“While we have some very talented staff members to bounce ideas off of, I also rely on a network of people such as consultants, accountants, financial planners, bankers and insurance managers, to name a few,” Payne relates. “The problem (for many contractors) is that the passion they have for landscaping is just not enough. You must have knowledge of running a business and what overhead really is in order to understand if you’re really making money.

BUSINESS By surrounding yourself with a good network of people, you can really level the playing field.

“Admitting you don’t have the answers or ability to do everything can sometimes be difficult,” Payne continues. “Listening to and learning from others who have become successful is one of my favorite things to do. My employees probably get tired of hearing me say: ‘Man’s greatest attribute is his willingness to change and adapt.’ I’m never too old to listen to a better way.”

Article from Green Industry Pros. Reprinted with permission. For more, visit greenindustrypros.com.

About the author Gregg Wartgow is editor in chief of greenindustrypros. com, Green Industry PRO magazine and Yard & Garden magazine.

www.gclp.info 770/233-6107 beckygri@uga.edu

Test your knowledge > Gain professional credibility > Join the industry elite

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BUSINESS

What’s lurking in your HR files?

The devilish details that can hurt you

by Staci Parker, PHR

Early in my HR days, I experienced

regular internal audits of our personnel and candidate files. Even today (12 years later), one single post-it note haunts me: the one that read “Too old.”

When our HR assistant stuck it to Kathy G. Johnson the group of expired My “lesson learned” as an HR pro was applications, it was to always look at information from the well intended. It let lens of an outsider – leave no room the HR managers and recruiters know for a potential misinterpretation of that the applications information. were too old to be considered. Our policy required candidates to reapply if their last application was more than six months old.

documentation and information in one file.

These files are often called into question in Department of Labor, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and legal issues. They say the devil is in the details, and it is true that the smallest thing can mean the difference in winning a case or paying out an employmentrelated settlement.

Getting rid of the devils

It is important to establish appropriate set-up, maintenance and review of your files on a regular basis. Below I’ve listed information that will help you identify and remove those little devils that lurk in your employee files:

files in a secured and controlled Store area.

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Although this note was not a reference to the age of the applicants but to the date the application was filed, you can imagine how that went over with the auditors.

Luckily, it was an internal audit.

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Personnel files are full of information that can be compromised – full names, social security numbers, medical records and dates of birth. Access to files should be controlled and maintained by the individual responsible for human resources related activities in your organization. The file cabinets should also be fireproof to protect from damage.

employment related and Create shadow files immediately after hire.

We removed the note and reposted a message specific to the dates on the application. Had this been an external audit the issue may not have been as easily resolved! My “lesson learned” as an HR pro was to always look at information from the lens of an outsider – leave no room for a potential misinterpretation of information.

When I partner with organizations as an HR consultant, I always start in the same place: a review of the personnel files and files related to their applicant pools. No matter what size the business, everyone has files related to their staff. Too often I find all employment-related

•

•

•

A standard employment-related file should include things like resumes, applications, performance reviews, counseling records, compensation changes and job descriptions.

These documents should be available for supervisor and employee review if necessary.

Documents related to background checks, medical exams including drug screen results, doctor’s releases, FMLA, and credit history belong in a shadow file outside of the standard personnel file. Shadow files should only be accessible to those who have a legitimate need to know this information (individual who has responsibility for

BUSINESS an annual review process. Establish • Establish a regular review period in which

•

HR, senior management). While a direct manager may have a need to review an employment file, there is not typically a legitimate need to access information contained in a shadow file. Because these types of documents may contain medical and genetic information, you could potentially find yourself in trouble with HIPPA and GINA laws if it appears that employment decisions were made based on that private information. Do yourself an easy favor and make it clear that managers do not have access to and are not influenced by that information.

Consider housing documentation related to employee investigations in a separate file. Records of employee complaints can be housed in the file but depending on the nature of the investigation there may be information related to other parties in the notes. Evaluate the information contained in each document and determine the best and most confidential method of storage.

old files on a regular basis. Purge • Georgia law requires personnel records to be

a policy related to employee Establish access to personnel files.

•

•

Employees may request a copy of their employment file. I consider it a best practice to put a policy in place (and adhere to it) concerning how and when employees can review their file. Also consider whether you will allow employees to make photo copies.

Original files should never leave the office.

When records are legally requested or subpoenaed, make exact replicas in the event the files are inadvertently destroyed or lost.

Always maintain the original file.

Be honest with your employees about documentation that will be housed in the file. Employees and management should sign counseling or disciplinary records and performance evaluations or reviews.

I strongly suggest training all managers and supervisors on proper disciplinary and performance documentation procedures.

maintained for a period of four years after the termination date of the individual. A best practice is to keep them for seven years and dispose of them after that point.

During your review process, establish a separate file for employees who no longer work for your organization. Flag with dates to purge and properly dispose of HR files. It is important to maintain a list of files and purge dates in the event it is called into question later.

HR files are a necessity for any organization, large or small. Proper set up, maintenance and review are critical to maintaining compliantfriendly HR files. Auditing your files today will help you to identify and eliminate those little devils lurking in your HR files.

About the author

E: sparker@thriveag.com P: 404.213.5837

Staci Parker is a certified Professional in Human Resources and owner of tHRive Advisory Group. tHRive is a human resources consulting group specializing in HR functions including management, organizational development, training and staff development.

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

•

the individual responsible for the files and another party review the files annually. The other party can be a senior manager or CEO, or if your organization and files are more complex you may consider an outside consultant or vendor. This will provide an additional eye and perspective and hopefully save you from the “Too old” post-it that haunts me.

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BUSINESS

Experience is king (or queen)

Well-designed landscapes create margin for all

by Holly Brooks, Principal, King Landscaping LLC

I suppose it’s true for all industries

Photo courtesy of King Landscaping

that experience really is the best teacher. That’s what I frequently tell my students in the landscape design continuing education course at Emory University.

The reality is this: you will not know the answers until you have experience.

Experience is king (or queen).

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They’re eager to know how to discuss a budget with a client at the onset of a design/ build project or how to anticipate the right lighting plan for a planting plan. Or they want an answer to one of a dozen other “how-to” questions. The reality is this: you will not know the answers until you have experience. Experience is king (or queen).

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After earning a degree in Environmental Horticulture, I spent the next 10 years working as a designer and project manager for one of Atlanta’s largest and most successful landscape design/build companies. Their rigorous training process included everything from working in the field with hardscape, planting and irrigation crews to designing, estimating and managing the construction of very large-scale projects.

During my first two years with that company, I literally did everything (hands-on) needed to create a project. It was an amazing learning experience and prepared me well to be a successful project manager for them for the following several years.

Then I was asked to help develop a residential maintenance business for that design/build group. I was comfortable with the equipment and general ins and outs of maintenance because I grew up mowing tees and greens at my neighborhood country club. But I had never

experienced the “animal” that is maintenance in Atlanta!

What do I remember most about that job?

It wasn’t learning how to manage 400 clients simultaneously, how to buy trucks and equipment at the proper time or even how to hire the right crews and managers.

The most amazing (and slightly terrifying) experience was seeing my designs and those of my colleagues through the eyes of a maintenance team. What a nightmare!

As designers we unknowingly set up impossible maintenance situations. We create idealized and forced beauty that flies in the face of Mother Nature. And we expect a maintenance crew (or the clients who choose to do their own maintenance) to sustain the impossible.

If the maintenance fails, our design objectives can’t be met and the result looks unappealing to our unhappy clients. This, of course, reflects poorly on you (the designer) and the maintenance company. It’s a cyclical mess!

Tips from lessons learned

I’m now back in the design/build world full time.

Here is a list of design do’s and don’ts that stem from my experience in the maintenance world.

Consider these tips as you design your next project.

1.

Put the right plant in the right place. Sounds easy enough, right? As

designers we fail over and over again to meet this simple objective. For example, a well-designed landscape has evergreen shrubs at the foundation of a house or building. These shrubs should be the height of the window sills. If the sill is three feet off the ground, plant a shrub that grows twoto-three feet high at maturity.

BUSINESS If you plant a six-foot-tall shrub there, the maintenance crew will need to prune it frequently to prevent it from covering the windows, creating an unsightly view from the inside and disrupting the architecture from the outside.

Also consider the sun/shade and watering needs of the plant. There are very few plants that truly want a wet root zone but we have a lot of water and runoff in Atlanta. Our area is, however, blessed with a very wide plant pallet.

There really is a perfect plant for every spot. So branch out!

2.

You can’t undo bad pruning.

A designer can’t undo the meatloaf and beer-can shapes that have been made out of boxwoods and hollies because they won’t recover. Instruct your client to remove them and start over.

Once these shrubs have been removed and new ones installed (reference rule #1), it’s the designer’s job to convey pruning expectations

to the clients and their maintenance company so they don’t create new meatloaf and beer can shapes.

Shrubs shouldn’t have corners. If rule #1 is followed, pruning needs should be very minimal and the natural shape of the plant will be preserved. Plants should be chosen for their natural size and shape, not what they can be forced to become.

Discuss your design intent with the client.

One misguided soul with a pair of sheers can ruin it in a heartbeat. Constant pruning results in a loss for everyone; the use of fuel and resources is costly and environmentally a poor choice- and that’s exactly what it is, a choice.

We can choose to use less by picking the right plant. And everyone will benefit in the process.

Less time spent pruning equals a higher margin for the maintenance company. Using less fuel keeps costs low, helping to retain clients.

A nicely designed job that is well maintained looks great. And - best of all - you will get design

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BUSINESS beautiful azaleas. Not a couple of azaleas, but 20 to 30 of them in one mass. That’s impact!

I’m not talking about foundation plantings. As you get into the beds around the perimeter of the yard or landscaped area, shrubs look best in odd numbers or in masses that are impressive. Layer Hydrangea, Azalea or Fatsia. Not two or three of each lined up side by side. The only plants that should be singles are the dominant elements of the bed space like a Japanese Maple.

Photo courtesy of King Landscaping

What I do know - after all this time and through each experience - is that when all of the parts of the industry move in concert we can create some powerful and amazing landscapes. referrals from it. Always remember that designs that rely on aggressive maintenance will fail.

3.

Mother Nature can’t be halted.

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While most properties in Atlanta have existing trees that need to be incorporated into a design, their growth and shade patterns will shift as landscapes mature. The number one conversation that every designer should have with their client is that no landscape is stagnant.

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The newly created design is the best design for now. But as trees mature, bedlines will need to be moved accordingly, shrubs will shade out, perennials will spread, and groundcovers will breech their intended boundaries.

This conversation creates recurring revenue for the design/build company and helps the client understand that it isn’t the “maintenance guy’s” fault that roses won’t bloom in shade. It’s Mother Nature’s rule.

4.

Use large masses. Everyone has

seen pictures of Augusta National Golf Club or Callaway Gardens. What makes those photos so breathtaking are the huge sweeps of

Once again, this type of design leads to more successful maintenance because large masses also equal an overall simple design. Most people who perform maintenance aren’t horticulturists.

They don’t intuitively know what type of plant needs deadheading or how to spot a disease when several types of plants are massed together.

But if you have 25 Azalea in a mass, it’s relatively easy to see that they have a lace-bug issue while it’s treatable.

While my journey over the last 20 years in the landscape industry has taught me a lot, I’m still learning to be a better designer every day. What I do know - after all this time and through each experience - is that when all of the parts of the industry move in concert we can create some powerful and amazing landscapes. When the design is well thought out and the maintenance enhances the design intent rather than retards nature, we all win. Designers get more referrals, and installation and maintenance company margins go up. We all get more reoccurring business. The industry as a whole is boosted and margin in life is gained.

About the author Holly Brooks is co-owner of King Landscaping LLC and an instructor for Emory University continuing education. She lives in Smyrna with her husband, kids and dog.

E: holly@erickinglandscaping.com W: erickinglandscaping.com

BUSINESS

Conduct a mid-year audit

Strategize for the second half of the year

by Lisa Danes

Halfway through the year is a great time to assess finances and business strategies as you plan for the second half of the year.

“A complete audit prepares the company for accurate performance forecasting and achieving those results based on what is learned from the audit,” explains consultant Ed Kovalchik of Net Profit Inc.

Numbers to watch

There are many metrics to be tracked throughout the year and during a mid-year audit. Be sure these numbers check out with your accountant’s records as well.

“Businesses should track revenue, gross margins and the cost of goods sold— commonly called COGS, which are expenses directly related to the production of a product or service,” says Mike Horak, president of the Outdoor Products Group within GE Capital’s Commercial Distribution Finance business.

Kovalchick says the most important value to watch is gross profit margins. Calculate, manage and forecast every margin. “Accurate accounting of each margin is vital to attaining profit targets,” says Kovalchick. “Department gross profit levels determine the all-important budgets, not vice versa.”

The Green Industry cycle

“When incoming revenues change sharply over predictive periods, that statistic creates significant issues which have to be planned for well in advance,” says Kovalchick. “Both saving and minimizing inventory levels has to begin in the very first part of known high-volume periods.”

~ Ed Kovalchick, Net Profit Inc.

Work with your accountant to develop a plan for cash that ensures the business endures low-income periods. If you find yourself past that savings point with sales and profit lower than expected, Kovalchick suggests letting up on margins a bit and reaching out to customers to push goods and services.

“Utilize the customer contact list to make person-to-person calls to present the ‘great deals’ available for a limited time,” advises Kovalchick.

“General media advertising gains nominal results in the non-market periods, but going directly to known customers still yields results. There is always a need when the price is right.”

Article from Green Industry Pros. Reprinted with permission. For more, visit greenindustrypros.com.

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

For equipment dealers and contractors, operating in an industry that sees the bulk of its revenue in the beginning of the year means the need for careful auditing, planning and saving.

“Accurate accounting of each margin is vital to attaining profit targets,” says Kovalchick.

“Department gross profit levels determine the allimportant budgets, not vice versa.”

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BUSINESS

Employee or independent contractor?

Georgia gets serious about “catching” law-breakers

by Lynn C. Stewart, Esq.

A recent eyecatching headline from a March 3, 2015 article on macon.com boldly proclaims: “State seeks cheating employers.”

The body of the article begins by noting that: It is a fact that Georgia employers “an untold number of are being audited by the Georgia Georgians are working when and where Department of Labor (GDOL), with their bosses say, but the agency continuing to take a close instead of getting the look at potential misclassification of benefits of employees, 1099 workers. they are classified as contractors. Some say that hurts the employee, the government and law-abiding companies. Now, the state Legislature is starting to listen.”

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The journalist then states that Georgia legislators realize that the state has an issue where employers are misclassifying employees and independent contractors. Labor leaders quoted in the article claim the problem is widespread, and argue that law-abiding companies pay for things like taxes and equipment that lawbreaking companies pass on to their workers.

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It is a fact that Georgia employers are being audited by the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL), with the agency continuing to take a close look at potential misclassification of 1099 workers.

It is businesses’ burden to prove independent contractor status, so you must be prepared to produce evidence that establishes the classification.

Properly classifying individuals as independent contractors or employees is not always easy, and can involve a myriad of tests and rules.

Make a mistake and your business could be liable for back taxes and benefits, minimum and overtime wages, and government fines.

Defending against a wrongful misclassification claim can be expensive, even if you win. Even as the Great Recession is ending the IRS and state tax and revenue agencies continue to believe that worker misclassification is a recurring problem because independent contractors either fail to report all their income or overstate expenses.

Changes brewing

As noted in the newspaper article, recent legislation filed in the Georgia House of Representatives for the 2015 session, HB 500, proposes changes to Georgia’s employment security statute to codify existing Georgia case law and federal criteria for determining employee vs. independent contractor status and define exactly who is an employee.

The bill requires the GDOL to host a website to receive reports of improperly classified worker and to investigate each credible report of a violation. The bill, described as “leveling the playing field” for employers who correctly follow the rules, enjoys bipartisan support (and the support of both the established business community and labor organizations) and thus something similar may appear in future years even though it did not make it out of the 2015 legislative session.

BUSINESS Currently in Georgia, if challenged, an employer has to demonstrate that the 1099 worker

•

the worker is not prohibited from working for other companies or holding other employment contemporaneously;

•

is free to accept or reject work assignments without consequence;

2) is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, profession, or business.

•

is not prescribed minimum hours to work or, in the case of sales, does not have a minimum number of orders to be obtained;

Alternatively, the employer can establish independent contractor status by showing that the IRS found that the worker wasn’t an employee through an SS-8 determination.

•

has the discretion to set his or her own work schedule;

•

receives only minimal instructions and no direct oversight or supervision regarding the services to be performed, such as the location where the services are to be performed and any requested deadlines;

•

when applicable, has no territorial or geographic restrictions; and

•

is not required to perform, behave, or act or, alternatively, is compelled to perform, behave, or act in a manner related to the

1) has been and will continue to be free from control or direction over the performance of his work and

Since obtaining an IRS determination is not routine, most Georgia employers have to meet the two-factor test. Proposed HB 500, based on language from an existing Georgia Supreme Court case, would modify O.C.G.A. § 34-8-35 to explicitly state that a challenged employer must produce credible evidence that:

Everything you need to maintain the best turf possible.

Bud Brown 678-274-8079 bbrown@residex.com

Ike Faulkenberry 770-710-2843 ifaulkenberry@residex.com

Georgia’s exclusive distributor of Turf Fuel Premium Plant Nutrition.

Gary Gibson 678-371-0130 ggibson@residex.com

Manage your account online at www.residex.com.

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

Same Team, New Home We would like to introduce the TURFGRASS team, a division of Residex serving Georgia’s T&O markets. Bud, Ike and Gary will continue to provide the same outstanding level of service and product offerings as always. We look forward to the road ahead, and welcome the opportunity to grow.

49

BUSINESS performance of services for wages which is determined by the [DOL] Commissioner to demonstrate employment, in accordance with this Code section and such rules and regulations as the Commissioner may prescribe.

Even without these proposed changes to Georgia’s statute, Georgia business have to properly classify workers, and provide proof of the correct classification if challenged.

Passing the test

There are different tests for who is an independent contractor or employee depending on which area of the law and agency is involved.

All basically focus on evidence of control and independence in three broad categories:

1. Behavioral Control 2. Financial Control 3. Relationship of the Parties

budget justification noted that workplaces are becoming “fissured” because some independent contractor relationships and other business models “function to obscure, or eliminate entirely, the link between the worker and the business.” Landscaping and nurseries are likely to be one of the targeted industries, along with construction, janitorial services and other labor-intensive industries.

Bottom line Someone is your employee if you can control what will be done, and when, where and how it will be done, particularly if you provide the tools, equipment and job site transportation.

Before your company is subjected to unwanted governmental attention you may wish to consult with counsel experienced in this area who has familiarity with worker misclassification issues and experience drafting Independent Contractor Agreements and other contracts.

Help is on the way

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

If you have a 1099 who routinely performs similar landscaping type services as your employees, and who is under your supervision and control, then he or she really is an employee.

50

Treating new hires as independent contractors to avoid paying workers compensation insurance, payroll taxes, unemployment insurance and other employee-related costs is a risky strategy.

Any number of governmental agencies may come knocking at your door!

The federal government continues to focus on worker misclassification. President Obama’s proposed 2016 budget targets independent contractor misclassification as part of the “fissured workplace” and the federal Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) submitted its budget justification to Congress which focused on its continued goal of detecting and penalizing instances of misclassification. The

In the July/August issue of UAC Magazine we will focus on the nuts and bolts of creating an Independent Contractor Agreement which helps your company mitigate its risk in this area.

About the author

Lynn C. Stewart is a partner with Schreeder, Wheeler & Flint, LLP in Atlanta, practicing employment law and counseling, and construction and general business litigation.

P: 404-954-9865 F: 404-681-1046 lstewart@swfllp.com

INDUSTRY

PLANET rebrands itself

New name reflects breadth of membership The national association serving landscape professionals launches renewed strategic vision and new name to better serve members and advance the industry.

In late February 2015, the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) announced a reinvigorated vision and recommitted focus on national representation of the professional landscape industry. As of April 2015, the organization’s name changed to the National Association of Landscape Professionals. The association is the only national trade association built by the collaboration of landscape professionals who specialize in landscape, lawn and tree care, irrigation, landscape design and installation, and interior plantscaping. Its diverse membership also includes manufacturers and suppliers as well as consultants, faculty and students members.

“The Professional Landcare Network was formed 10 years ago with the merger of the Associated Landscape Contractors of America and the Professional Lawn Care Association of America,” said PLANET CEO Sabeena Hickman, CAE, CMP. “We are the national association that represents companies across all sectors of the landscape industry, but our name didn’t reflect the unity and breadth of our membership and our industry.”

“Our new name will more accurately reflect our industry and our members, bringing higher visibility to the professionalism and care that our members bring to creating and maintaining the nation’s landscapes,” said PLANET President, Jim McCutcheon, Landscape Industry Certified.

The rebranding process produced more than just a new name and logo. It also included six months of member research to refine the strategic direction of the association, making sure the organization’s vision, mission and goals represented member needs and delivered solutions to support landscape companies and advance the industry.

“Our association has always provided a wide variety of programs and services to landscape industry companies and their employees, but now, we are hyper-focused on delivering results in the top three areas that our members identified: unparalleled education, advocating for the industry, and promoting professionalism in the industry through safety education, career development and certification,” said Hickman.

For more information about PLANET’s rebranding and to watch a video about NALP, visit the web page: www.landscapeprofessionals.org In celebration of the launch of the National Association of Landscape Professionals brand, NALP will offer first-time members, 20 percent off of new contractor membership in the association. Visit http://bit.ly/ landscapeprofessionals for more information.

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

The National Association of Landscape Professionals will continue to provide business and safety education to its members, certification through the Landscape Industry Certified designation, as well as lobbying on behalf of the industry with lawmakers and promoting the industry to the public. But, it also will now focus on a reinvigorated commitment to advocacy, spotlighting the professionalism of its members, providing the public with the best, most trusted source of landscape and lawn care information, and promoting the value of using professional landscape industry services.

is now

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INDUSTRY

CEFGA

“World of Landscape” makes strong debut

by Mary Kay Woodworth, Georgia Urban Ag Council

On March 26 & 27, the Georgia Urban Ag

Council and the PLANET Academic Excellence Foundation (AEF) co-sponsored the first-ever “World of Landscape” at CEFGA Career Expo.

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

CEFGA (Career Education Foundation of Georgia) was founded in 1993 and partners with construction companies, trade associations, the Technical College System of Georgia, and the Georgia Department of Education to support training programs and encourage students to

52

pursue careers in construction and related fields.

UAC joined the construction, electrical, plumbing, masonry, and other skilled trades in creating “worlds” to stimulate students to consider future employment in these industries, focusing on these common elements: Career pathways, safety, green/sustainability, STEM (science, engineering, technology and math) and safety, presented to these middle and high school students in a hands-on, interactive and fun way.

INDUSTRY UAC’s “World of Landscape” included power equipment (propane mower, skid steer, excavator, trencher), CAD landscape demo and installation competition, irrigation and compost displays, agrimeter display and demonstration, aeroponic Tower Garden, hydroponic planting, vertical garden wall display and the most popular event: a paver installation competition.

The annual Career Expo’s 2015 attendance broke previous records. Over the two-day Expo and Skills USA competition, there were 7,307 total attendees: 5,179 students, 920 influencers (teachers, counselors, parents, school administrators) and 1,208 industry volunteers, exhibitors and guests.

UAC members were instrumental in the design, plan and implementation of the 40’ x 40’ “World of Landscape” exhibition area. The sponsorship funding was a joint venture of UAC and PLANET AEF. The leadership team of Dixie Speck (Solterra Landscape), Ryan Traeger and Fred Maxwell (HighGrove Partners), Kathy Johnson (UAC), Catherine Buckley (Gwinnett Tech), Todd Hurt and Tim Smalley (UGA) and John Hatfield (Chattahoochee Tech) ensured that this first participation delivered the message that the landscape industry is a diverse, high-paying career path with limitless opportunity.

We look forward to the 2016 CEFGA Career Expo and your continued participation as we develop the next generation of workers for the landscape, turf and horticulture industries!

Generous donations (financial, equipment, supplies, volunteers) were contributed by the following: Arbor-Nomics /Graham Spray Equipment, Atlanta Urban Farms, Chatham Landscapes, Chattahoochee Technical College, Classic Landscapes, Downey Trees, Ed Castro Landscape, Ewing Irrigation, Georgia Department of Agriculture, Gwinnett Technical College, HighGrove Partners, John Deere Landscapes, LawnSouth, NG Turf, Outdoor Expressions, Russell Landscape Group, Solterra Landscape, University of Georgia, Unlimited Landscaping, Vermeer Southeast, and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Scholarship deadline is May 29

Meadows Scholarship open to southern hort students The Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund is now accepting

scholarship applications for 2015 awards. Eligible horticultural students are encouraged to apply.

Danny Summers, executive vice president of the fund, said, “Last year, the fund awarded a total of $18,000 to 12 students. This year, we expect to again award approximately 12 $1,500 scholarships. Since its inception, the fund has awarded over $455,000 in scholarships and today

For eligibility requirements and the application visit www.sbmsef.org.

Created in 1989 by the Southern Nursery Association (SNA), the Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund is a 501 (c) 3 charitable foundation providing academic scholarships to horticulture students in the 16 southeastern states. For more information, contact the Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund: 678.813.1880 or info@sbsmsef.org.

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

The application deadline is May 29, 2015. The Scholarship Selection Committee will make final selections by July 1, 2015 and recipients will be notified soon thereafter. Awards will be made on July 22, in Atlanta, during the SNA 2015 conference.

the fund’s balance is over $850,000.

We would like to express our appreciation to all our industry for supporting the fund’s growth and development, and willingness to help us spread the word about this beneficial scholarship.”

53

URBAN AG

Soil amendments

Choosing and using them wisely

by Paul J. Pugliese, Agriculture & Natural Resources Extension Agent, Cherokee County Cooperative Extension

A soil amendment,

Organic matter improves soil aeration, water infiltration, and both water- and nutrient-holding capacity.

sometimes called a soil conditioner, is any material added to a soil to improve its physical properties, such as water retention, permeability, water infiltration, drainage, aeration and structure. The goal is to provide a better environment for roots to grow.

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

To do its work, an amendment must be thoroughly mixed into the existing soil. If it is merely buried (or backfilled into a planting hole), then its effectiveness is reduced and it will interfere with water and air movement and root growth.

Thorough mixing is especially important in North Georgia’s heavy clay soils. Most soil amendments can be incorporated throughout the year before planting trees, shrubs, annuals, or vegetable gardens. Never try to add soil amendments after plants are established. This could bury established roots too deeply and smother your plants.

54

Amending a soil is not the same thing as mulching, although many mulches also are used as amendments. Mulches are left on the soil surface to reduce evaporation and runoff, inhibit weed growth, and create an attractive appearance. Mulches also moderate soil temperature, helping to warm soils in the spring and cool them in the summer. Mulches may be incorporated into the soil as amendments after they have decomposed or composted to the point that they no longer serve their purpose. This is usually done in vegetable gardens after the season is over.

There are two broad categories of soil amendments: organic and inorganic. Organic amendments come from something that is or was alive. Inorganic amendments, on the other hand, are either mined or manmade.

Organic amendments include sphagnum peat moss, wood chips, grass clippings, straw, compost, manure, biosolids, sawdust and wood ash. Inorganic amendments include vermiculite, perlite, tire chunks, pea gravel and sand.

Not all of the above are recommended by UGA Extension horticulturists. These are merely examples.

Wood ash, an organic amendment, is high in both pH and salt. Be sure to check your soil pH by doing a soil test before and after using wood ash as a soil amendment. Also, don’t add sand to clay soil -- this creates a soil structure similar to concrete if used incorrectly.

Organic amendments increase soil organic matter content and offer many benefits. Organic matter improves soil aeration, water infiltration, and both water- and nutrient-holding capacity.

Many organic amendments even contain plant nutrients and act as organic fertilizers. Organic matter also is an important energy source for beneficial bacteria, fungi and earthworms that live in the soil.

For heavy clay soils, it is generally recommended that you add soil amendments at a rate of 25% by volume to realize its full potential benefits.

This is the equivalent of adding a 3” layer of soil amendment and then tilling to incorporate it with native soils 12” deep. One cubic yard (nine 3-cubic feet bags) of soil amendment will cover an area of about 100 square feet. At this application rate it may not be economically practical to apply organic matter to all planted areas. Preference should be given to annual flower beds, then herbaceous perennials, then

URBAN AG high value trees and shrubs. This is generally more practical for small raised bed gardens.

Fresh manure can harm plants due to elevated ammonia levels. To avoid this problem, use only aged manure (at least six months old). Pathogens are another potential problem with fresh manure, especially on vegetable gardens. Most home composting systems do not sustain high enough temperatures to kill potential pathogens. Homecomposted products containing manure are best used in flower gardens, shrub borders and other nonfood gardens.

Another major concern of using manures is where they were collected. Manures that were taken from pastures treated with certain weedkiller herbicides might contain residues of these chemicals that could carry over into your garden.

These chemical residues are often strong enough to still kill weeds as well as your garden plants in some situations! Be sure to find out about the source of the manure before using it.

If you are unsure, test a small area with the manure using a sensitive plant such as tomatoes.

Within a couple of weeks, if the manure has any chemical residues present, the plants will likely show symptoms as their leaves become distorted, twisted, and stunted. It’s always better to loose one plant than an entire garden… and I’ve seen it happen!

UAC welcomes new members A & N Sod Supply Inc.

Kelly’s Lawn Crafters

Baytree Landscape Contractors

Progressive Turf Equipment

P.O. Box 6186 Marietta GA 30065 (404) 333-8172 Adam Brodofsky adam@877getgrass.com

5000 Christie Way Chamblee GA 30341 (770) 457-3407 Phil Walters ptwalt@aol.com

Husqvarna Forest and Garden

1519 Flat River Dr. Charlotte NC 28262 (704) 574-7428 Austin Brock austin.brock@husqvarnagroup.com

401 Church St Vidalia GA 30474 (912) 293-0717 Dan Kelly dankelly@kellyslawncrafters.com

Box 940, 137 W. William St. Seaforth ON N0K 1W0 (519) 527-1080 Brian Lowe info@progressiveequip.com

Tom Cotton Landscape, Inc. 3412 Pierce Dr. Atlanta GA 30341 (770) 751-6100 Tom Cotton

Hendrick Soils

4545 Thompson Mill Rd. Buford GA 30518 (770) 945-5551 Andrea McGuire andrea@hendricksoils.com

2015 UAC media guide Here’s your road map: > Opportunities including advertising, exhibit space, and sponsorships > Specifications and deadlines > Discount options to stretch your marketing budget

Download your copy today:

urbanagcouncil.com

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

Looking for a way to reach out to UAC members?

55

URBAN AG

California water crisis

Restrictions shouldn’t include eliminating lawns

By Jim Novak, Public Relations Manager, The Lawn Institute

The water crisis in California could

Photo courtesy of Ewing

Can water conservation and lawns co-exist? They must, if California and other regions of the country impacted by the drought want to prevent potential heat islands, serious erosion concerns, storm water runoff problems and other consequences in the foreseeable future.

hardly be more severe than it already is.

Due to the extreme seriousness of the circumstances Gov. Jerry Brown issued an executive order on April 6 mandating a 25 percent reduction in water compared with 2013 levels.

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

In his executive order, Brown called on the state’s 411 urban water agencies to replace 50 million square feet of lawns and cash incentives are being used in some areas to get homeowners to voluntarily give up their lawns. Some California communities, such as American Canyon, are taking measures as extreme as banning front lawns from new homes altogether. Are such turfgrass replacement and elimination programs really the answer? Might this trade-off have consequences down the road?

56

Let’s address the many environmental benefits that lawns and turfgrass have to offer that are often overlooked or of which the public is unaware. Among these benefits are those that could help to mitigate the negative impacts of droughts, including turfgrass reducing storm water runoff (thus protecting the potable water supply) and capturing and filtering precipitation so it can be reintroduced into the water supply.

Turfgrass offers additional benefits that can help to prevent or lessen the severity of future droughts, such as cooling the air, producing oxygen, reducing pollution, capturing and suppressing dust, controlling soil erosion,

retaining and sequestering carbon, assisting in the decomposition of pollutants, restoring soil quality, dissipating heat, lowering allergy related problems, reducing home cooling costs, serving as a fire barrier, etc.

The problem isn’t that we have lawns, the problem is how we care for our lawns. In general people over-water their lawns thinking if their lawn isn’t green it may be dying when in fact grass goes into a dormant state during a drought and needs a minimal amount of water to survive. Grass is able to sustain itself even though it goes dormant, as long as the crowns and the root system are preserved and have adequate moisture to sustain themselves. A healthy established lawn can do surprisingly well during the hot summer season and during lengthy dry periods. In fact, grass shuts down when the temperature reaches 95 to 98 °F. (35 to 37 °C), allowing the plant to go into a coolingdown process. During the hotter months of the year, an established lawn can do fine with as little as one-half inch of water per week and, depending on the species, even less.

Can water conservation and lawns co-exist?

They must, if California and other regions of the country impacted by the drought want to prevent potential heat islands, serious erosion concerns, storm water runoff problems and other consequences in the foreseeable future.

Encouraging the removal of lawns from the landscape in an effort to accomplish a quick fix will have consequences down the road. Everyone should consider the long term consequences of such measures before things really begin to heat up.

For more information about caring for lawns and the environment, visit The Lawn Institute: www.thelawninstitute.org

URBAN AG

Pro project Artistic Landscapes artisticlandscapes.com

By adding the pool with a raised bond beam for the sheer descent waterfalls, the floor for the fireplace in the pavilion was seven feet higher than the existing grade. Using steel-reinforced footings and compacting the new dirt floor, we were able to do the project.

The final project included an allencompassing kitchen with an outdoor fireplace and a television and sound system.

Before

These owners wanted a pool and outdoor living space and provided us with sample photos from Houzz.com. The project was made more difficult because the back yard sloped downhill five feet from the house.

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UAC MAGAZINE â&#x20AC;˘ MAY/JUNE 2015

Every month, we showcase great local projects, ideas and resources in our magazine and on our website at

57

URBAN AG

Chainsaw safety

UGA offers OSHA-approved training

by Ellen Bauske and Rolando Orellana, University of Georgia

Tree care and landscape work is highly hazardous;

Trainings will be a combination of classroom and hands-on. Participants will be provided a set of Safety Notes to accompany the training, drawn from existing OSHA-approved resources and illustrated with line drawings.

Tentative training schedule This schedule is not yet finalized.

UAC MAGAZINE â&#x20AC;˘ MAY/JUNE 2015

Please check the registration website for updates.

58

To register: http://t.uga.edu/1qh

The University of Georgia will conduct Targeted Topic Training for the tree care and landscaping industries throughout Georgia.

in 2010, 133 workers died in these industries.

Chainsaw Safety and Right-of-Way is designed for those with experience; all other courses are appropriate for beginners.

A chainsaw is probably the most dangerous tool you can buy and use without a license or any prior training.

Operating one is inherently hazardous, yet workers often must do it from ladders, in trees and in the right-of way.

Chainsaw Safety, Cutting and Technical Tree Felling and Chainsaw and Ladder Safety will be offered in Spanish as well as English.

Trainings will be a combination of classroom and hands-on. Participants will be provided a set of Safety Notes to accompany the training, drawn from existing OSHA-approved resources and illustrated with line drawings.

Made available through OSHA via a Susan Harwood Training Grant, these classes offer excellent cost-effective training for crew leaders and workers. The training is free; $12.50 fee for lunch. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss this opportunity!

LOCATION

CLASS

DATE

Clayton County

May 27

Rockdale County

Chainsaw Safety, Cutting and Technical Tree Felling in Spanish Chainsaw Safety and Aerial Lift Operations

Richmond County

To be determined

Chatham County (UAC workshop in Savannah)

Chainsaw and Ladder Safety

August (between 8/10 - 8/21) September 1

Chatham County

Chainsaw Safety and Right-of-Way

September 2

Brunswick

Chainsaw Safety, Cutting and Technical Tree Felling

September 3

Bullock County

To be determined

To be determined

Lowndes County

Chainsaw Safety, Cutting and Technical Tree Felling

September 10

Douglasville

Chainsaw Safety and Aerial Lift Operations

To be determined (Fall)

Troup and Spalding Counties Fulton County

Chainsaw Safety, Cutting and Technical Tree Felling Chainsaw and Ladder Safety in Spanish

To be determined (Sept. 23, 24 or 25) September 30

Gwinnett County DeKalb County

Chainsaw and Ladder Safety in Spanish Chainsaw Safety and Aerial Lift Operations

To be determined October 7

June 17

URBAN AG Chainsaw Safety and Right-of-Way Worker rights under OSHA and employer responsibilities • General health guidelines • Hearing conservation • Lifting • Dangerous plants and animals • Heat stress and stroke Understanding Minimum Approach Distance • Qualified line clearance arborist • Non-qualified line clearance arborist • Voltage of line • Reading the chart OSHA 1910-269, 331, 266 • Interpreting the standards • What standard are you working under • Regulations specific to tree workers Job Site Safety Assessment and Hazard Communication • Morning tailgate • Assigning job duties or tasks

• Qualified or non-qualified • Identifying job site hazards • Mitigation of hazards • Communication with utility owner/operator • Documentation Safe work Practices • P.P.E. • Visibility • EHAP training • Aerial rescue training • Safe work distances • Communication • Minimum approach • Tree inspections • Safe chainsaw use • Directional felling of trees • Climbing equipment inspection and use • Safety requirements when working aloft • Aerial lift use and set up • Rigging best practices

Chainsaw Safety, Cutting and Technical Tree Felling Worker rights under OSHA and employer responsibilities • General health guidelines • Hearing conservation • Lifting • Dangerous plants and animals • Heat stress and stroke Chainsaw Safety and Ergonomics • Integrated risk assessment, work planning and communication • Safety apparel, helmets, eye-wear, foot-wear and ear protection • Ergonomics, muscle skeletal disorders (MSDs) and exercises • Fire prevention and emergency preparedness

Limbing and Bucking • Bucking wedges, cant hooks, tongs and clamps • Compression, tension and avoiding bar pinch • Spring poles, tab cuts and accordion cuts

Technical Felling • Systematic 5 step work planning and variable reduction strategies • Tree and site assessment, height, hazards, obstacles and whether • Bio-mass lean evaluation, escape route and the 5-15-90 rule • Wood fiber analysis and developing the hinge Ropes, Knots and Mechanical Advantage • Throwline, the “Big-Shot” and pull lines • Safe use and loading of pull lines, bending moment and leverage • Knots, hitches and prussic • Prussic minding pulleys (P.M.P.s), slings and connecting links • Reeving mechanical advantage and calculating input and output force • Felling wedges and understanding lift Chainsaw Maintenance • Daily, weekly, monthly maintenance practices • Cutter tooth sharpening, depth gauge filing, files and guides • Cutter bar edging, dressing and cleaning

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

Chainsaw Design, Selection, Feature Benefits and Starting • History and development of the modern chainsaw and chain • Safety features of the modern chainsaw • Three point contact starting, ground start and leg-lock • Reactive forces and kick-back • Maintenance

Technical Cutting • Face notches, back cuts and hinge wood • Felling sites and operator positioning • Maximizing hinge performance and control • Bore cutting, reactive forces and kickback

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URBAN AG Chainsaw Safety and Aerial Lift Operations Worker rights under OSHA and employer responsibilities • General health guidelines • Hearing conservation • Lifting • Dangerous plants and animals • Heat stress and stroke Inspection and Setup • Manufacturers recommendations for inspection • Daily weekly and monthly maintenance • Testing requirements for use • Drift testing P.P.E. • General PPE • Fall arrest or fall protection • Checking for proper fit • Deceleration requirements for attachment • Proper attachment points • Inspecting attachment points Set up • Traffic and pedestrian controls • Establishing a safe work zone • Establishing a drop zone • Job site hazard assessment • Leveling • Chipping

Set Up and Working Aloft • Safe work zone • Accessing the tree • Pruning cuts and angles • Establishing safe rigging points Chainsaw Safety and Ergonomics • Integrated risk assessment, work planning and communication • Safety apparel, helmets, eye-wear, foot-wear and ear protection • Ergonomics, muscle skeletal disorders (MSDs) and exercises • Fire prevention and emergency preparedness Chainsaw Design, Selection, Feature Benefits and Starting • History and development of the modern chainsaw and chain • Safety features of the modern chainsaw • Three point contact starting, ground start and leg-lock Chainsaw Maintenance • Daily, weekly, monthly maintenance practices • Cutter tooth sharpening, depth gauge filing, files and guides • Cutter bar edging, dressing and cleaning

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

Chainsaw and Ladder Safety

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Worker rights under OSHA and employer responsibilities • General health guidelines • Hearing conservation • Lifting • Dangerous plants and animals • Heat stress and stroke OSHA and ANSI • What is ANSI standard for safe ladder use • What is the OSHA regulation • What regulation do we fall under • What are the requirements for fall protection on ladders P.P.E. • What is required • What is best practice Ladder Safety • Choosing the right ladder for the job • Safe set up • Appropriate ladder height • Difficult terrain • Ladder inspection Jobsite Hazard Assessment • Identifying hazards • Electrical hazards • Is the ladder the best tool?

• Use of a spotter

• Emergency response planning Work Positioning and Fall Protection • Securing the ladder • Securing yourself • Choosing the right tool • Fall protection or fall restraint?

• Ergonomic work positioning Chainsaw Safety and Ergonomics • Integrated risk assessment, work planning and communication • Safety apparel, helmets, eye-wear, foot-wear and ear protection • Ergonomics, muscle skeletal disorders (MSDs) and exercises • Fire prevention and emergency preparedness Chainsaw Design, Selection, Feature Benefits and Starting • History and development of the modern chainsaw and chain • Safety features of the modern chainsaw • Three point contact starting, ground start and leg-lock Chainsaw Maintenance • Daily, weekly, monthly maintenance practices • Cutter tooth sharpening, depth gauge filing, files and guides • Cutter bar edging, dressing and cleaning

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URBAN AG

2015 UGA Gold Medal Plants The Gold Medal Plant Program promotes the use of superior ornamental plants in Georgia. It represents the combined effort of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia; the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension; University faculty members; and nurserymen, flower growers, garden retailers and landscape professionals across the state.

Winners are chosen from five categories: Natives, Annuals, Perennials, Trees, Shrubs and Vines and Groundcovers.

Spurge EUPHORBIA

Category: Perennial Conditions: Tolerates Drought

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

This deer-resis­tant plant is great for rock gardens, bor­ders, or con­tain­ers. It will suf­fer if over­wa­tered, but laughs at a drought. These plants are atten­tion-get­ters when the unique flow­ers appear, turn­ing into what Atlanta Garden designer Dot­tie Myers calls “Dr. Seuss plants.”

‘Shorty’ will form a 12-24” com­pact, sculp­tu­ ral, rounded mass of sil­ver-grey. Yel­low blooms appear in early spring and the foli­age is flushed with bur­gundy in fall. ‘Ascot Rain­bow’ is 20” tall with var­ie­gated leaves of green and yel­low, burgundy on the newest foli­age each fall and yel­low blooms in early spring.

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Empress of China® Dogwood CORNUS ANGUSTATA ‘ELSBRY’

Dwarf Oakleaf Hydrangea

Category: Tree Conditions: Part Sun to Shade

Category: Native Conditions: Part Sun to Part Shade

This small ever­green tree is a pro­lific bloomer in May. It will brighten any shade garden. Later, red fruits stand out against glossy green leaves and feed song­birds. Best located where it gets morn­ing sun and after­noon shade.

Same four sea­sons of inter­est as the larger oak­ leaf hydrangeas (large leaves, sum­mer blooms, red fall foli­age, and inter­est­ing win­ter bark), but in more com­pact forms that fit eas­ily into home land­s­capes.

HYDRANGEA QUERCIFOLIA

URBAN AG All photos courtesy of the University of Georgia.

Cora Vinca CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS

Drift Roses ROSA DRIFT

Suit­able for bed­d­ing, con­tain­ers, ground­cover, hang­ing bas­kets. Larger flow­ers and more uni­ form grow­ing habit than com­mon peri­win­kle.

Deer resis­tant and heat and humid­ity tol­er­ant.

Cora® Vinca was selected to grow around the Bei­jing Olympic Sta­dium in its hot and humid cli­mate.

Drift® roses are a cross of ground­cover roses and minia­ture roses, offer­ing the best of both: dis­ease resis­tance, repeat bloom­ing, com­pact size. Works well in the land­s­cape, as con­tainer plants, or on a slope. Many feel that Peach Drift Rose has proven to be the showi­est, most com­pact, and tough­est for Georgia.

Category: Annual Conditions: Full Sun to Part Shade

Category: Shrub Conditions: Full Sun to Part Shade

Your Source for Top Quality EMPIRE ZOYSIA turf & construction

Installed at 2012 Southern Living Design Home Celebrating our 15th Year as Georgia’s Largest Empire Producer

UAC MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2015

Excellent Drought Tolerance Soft Texture with Medium Width Blade Rich Green Color

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UAC MAGAZINE â&#x20AC;¢ MAY/JUNE 2015