Landscape Ontario - January 2014

SP d W EC oe h IA s at f L BE or LO N YO EF IT U IS SU E

January 2014

INVESTMENT IN SHARING Dave Braun believes in the benefits of promoting his association Page 4

www.horttrades.com

For over 25 years, Hillen Nursery Inc. has remained dedicated and passionate about the nursery industry.

2  LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JANUARY 2014

Mark Endicott General Manager

23078 Adelaide Rd. Mount Brydges, ON N0L 1W0

Cell: 647.923.5182 • Fax: 519.264.1337 mark@hillennursery.com

hillennursery.com

Our featured spreads have been seen in the issues of Landscape Ontario magazine.

Now we invite you to visit our website with easy access to our complete up-to-date listings of hundreds of varieties and more.....

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

ers, we believe in the philosophy, “We’re all in it together,” instead of, “You’re on your own, and you have to fend for yourself.”

Clearly, the business environment in which my grandfather operated is much different than the one in which we work today.

We all realize that the world has changed and that we must change with it. Change is now a constant; our industry is increasingly industry. Our missions (and profits) are competitive, regulated, litigious and global uniquely aligned with creating safer, in its reach. Now, more than ever, we need healthier and stronger communities. The to continue to help each other. more work our businesses do, the more Although the threats to our businesses successful our communities are new, the values of hard work, honbecome. Planting trees and esty, and quality remain. Members enhancing the landscape need support along the way and Member ship: improves the quality that’s what Landscape Ontario of our air, reduces provides. Our mission is to What’s in it energy needs, crebe the leader in representfor you? ates safer neighing, promoting and fostering • Sharing Ideas bourhoods and a favourable climate for the • Public Promotion leaves a legacy of advancement of the horti• Strong beauty. culture industry in Ontario, Representation This is not an which simply means that • Education industry for the faintLandscape Ontario is here to hearted, for those who help. prefer the easy way out, or From the well-established those who seek only a paycheque companies where staff now measure in the — fulfillment comes from a job well-done. hundreds, to our newest members with a Our members are the risk-takers and the staff count of less than five, we promise to doers. Struggle and sacrifice to make sure represent you and to foster your growth. that the customer is happy is a way of life; Whether it’s creating opportunities to learn we have never been ones for shortcuts, or from our colleagues, or providing formal settling for less. education programs and training, we We all know there’s no easy way to pledge to be a partner in your success. We grow a business, but we are so fortunate will continue to represent our members at to be able to learn from and share with all levels of government and to positively our fellow members. One very successful engage with the community at large. member shared with me that if he attends Everywhere we look, there is more work a meeting with ten people and shares one to be done. We will continue to improve our good idea, he’ll get nine other great ideas organization to make it even more relevant in return and be much further ahead. The and impactful to you and your business.

LO model is one of generosity, long-term We can’t do it without you, and we look forthinking, and pragmatism; one that has ward to your help. helped hundreds of our members grow their businesses many times over.

Dave Braun may be reached at Whether members are landscapers, dbraun@landscapeontario.com. garden centre owners, growers or design-

Theme for 2014: Growing together

By Dave Braun LO president

I

t’s with a great deal of humility and appreciation that I write to you as your new Landscape Ontario president.

While the role of president is a leadership position, my function is much more about serving and representing our members. I would like to thank the executive members for all of their support, as well as our sharp and energetic board of directors for their help and guidance.

A great deal of Landscape Ontario’s success needs to be credited to its amazing staff, led by the uniquely talented and hardworking Tony DiGiovanni. Additionally, I would like to thank the pioneers who built LO into the strong organization it is today.

We appreciate your tireless work and will continue to build upon your successes.

I had the privilege of experiencing our industry first-hand while growing up. In grade school, I would get asked, “What does your dad do?” I would proudly reply, “My Dad grows trees!” Together, we have all been in the green industry long before it was fashionable and before the oil and gas commercials told us to feel warm and fuzzy about it. We don’t need to purchase carbon offsets to have a positive impact on the planet — we just need to put in an honest day’s work.

Our members make up the real green

What’s in it for you?

Special issue: The value of membership In this issue of Landscape Ontario magazine we focus on the benefits of being a member of LO. To highlight the many reasons to belong to Landscape Ontario, you’ll find an icon featuring the benefits mentioned in each column.

The reasons to become a member are diverse, but are ultimately only as valuable as you choose to make them.

WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 3

SUMERS’ RS’ LOGO s, Website edia, etc.)

Formerly Horticulture Review

January, 2014 • Volume 32, No. 1 www.horttrades.com

4 8 16 18 18 20 22 25 26

FEATURES ASSOCIATION NEWS VOLUNTEER PROFILE EVENTS New Members Industry NEWS COLUMNS Classifieds Ad Index

ON LOGO

Landscape Ontario’s mandate is to be the leader in representing, promoting and fostering a favourable environment for the advancement of the horticultural industry in Ontario.

ISSN 1928-9553 Publications Mail Agreement No. PM40013519

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circulation Department Landscape Ontario 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 Canada Publisher Lee Ann Knudsen CLP lak@landscapeontario.com, 416-848-7557 Editorial director Sarah Willis sarahw@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5424 Editor Allan Dennis adennis@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5345 Graphic designer Mike Wasilewski mikew@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5343 Sales manager Steve Moyer stevemoyer@landscapeontario.com, 416-848-0708 Integrated solutions representative Greg Sumsion gsumsion@landscapeontario.com, 647-722-6977 Communications coordinator Angela Lindsay alindsay@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5305 Accountant Joe Sabatino jsabatino@landscapeontario.com, 647-724-8585 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO STAFF Shawna Barrett, Darryl Bond, Kim Burton, Rachel Cerelli, Tony DiGiovanni CHT, Rob Ellidge, Denis Flanagan CLD, Sally Harvey CLT CLP, Jane Leworthy, Heather MacRae, Kristen McIntyre CHT, Kathy McLean, Linda Nodello, Kathleen Pugliese, Paul Ronan, Ian Service, Tom Somerville, Martha Walsh

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4 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JANUARY 2014

Dave Braun examined many outside opportunities, but returned to his roots where he takes pride in growing trees.

Dave Braun excited about his new role as LO president Dave Braun believes that as the new president of Landscape Ontario, his role is to serve and represent the members.

Elected as the 28th president, Braun says he will listen to the many voices of the strong and diverse membership. “LO is a healthy organization that I want to continue to elevate. Together, we can create even greater value for our members.”

He believes that if Landscape Ontario is meaningful to members, increased membership will result. He says that every member has his or her own idea of what benefit they receive from being a member of LO. He strongly believes that no matter the sector, LO members are all bonded by the industry. “Even though the growers are competitors, they know that there is always someone there to offer counsel and advice,” says Braun.

He calls it partners in success. Because of relationships developed through the association, Braun says that members facing a challenge will feel comfortable calling a colleague, who is perhaps a competitor, to see how they solved the issue.

Encouraged to seek outside opportunities

Braun’s background isn’t the normal story of growing up in a family business. Even though he is third generation at the family business — Braun Nurseries in Mount Hope — he didn’t spend a great deal of his youth working at the business.

“Most of my time growing up was working at outside jobs such as managing our local tennis club and having my own student painting franchise,” says Braun. “I was encouraged to experience all opportunities.”

One of those opportunities was taking on the job as president of the student council at the University of Western Ontario in London. It was a one-year paid position.

When he left the president’s job, Braun was immediately drawn to the vocation that had captured the life-long attention of his father Peter and grandfather Frank.

“I’ve always been so proud that my dad grows trees,” says Dave. “Members of our industry have the honour and privi-

lege to make the world a better place.

Business began after work Dave Braun’s grandfather, Frank, landed The more we do, the stronger our comin Canada from Czechoslovakia with his munities become.” wife Hilda and 12-year old son Peter.

Dave didn’t mind taking the pay cut Working in various jobs including warefrom his student council position because housing and construction, Frank Braun he was so passionate about his worked on weekends and evelarger goals. “I learned about nings to enhance the landour trees from the botscapes of area residents. tom up. After univerIt wasn’t long until sity, I started as a the family opened a field worker learning garden centre and about all the various landscaping busiparts of the nursery. ness on Upper I then became our • Networking James in Hamilton. tree tagger which A few years later the eventually lead me • Education family created a nursto nursery sales.”

• Partners in ery to help supply the This coming Februsuccess garden centre and landary will be the twoscape division. Through year mark of his father’s his father’s leadership, the retirement, when Dave was landscaping division grew considnamed the company’s president. erably, and the garden centre was sold.

Braun first became involved in LandDuring this time, Peter Braun made a scape Ontario as a member of the Growsignificant impact in the nursery industry ers Sector Group. He took on the job of when he developed the innovative Conbeing chair of the group, which brought tinuous Wire Basket. him onto the provincial board of directors.

“Our wire basket division soon took From there, he became LO’s treasurer, off and became a major part of our comand for the past two years has served as pany,” says Dave Braun. “It also allowed the association’s first vice president.

Membership : What’s in it for you?

us to attract and retain first-class people because we were able to offer full-time, year-round employment.” Today, Braun Nursery is the industry leader with its unique design that uses one continuous length of wire woven into a pattern of vertical and horizontal spirals with as many as 96 welded points.

When the basket manufacturing portion of the business took off, the landscaping division wound down. Today Braun is known for its high quality nursery trees, wire baskets and garden products, employing between 80 to 100 people. The nursery has about 1,000 acres of trees, specializing in large caliper, field-grown specimens.

Dave Braun is proud of the high quality of trees grown by the nursery. He attributes this to both the dedicated staff and the nursery’s unique clay soil.

“Our customers know they will receive not only quality trees, but ones with unsurpassed liveability. From landscape architects who need to have that perfect tree, to landscapers who need trees to thrive in tough landscape environments, our customers continue to come to us,” says Dave.

WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 5

Members engaged in their association truly understand the benefits of membership.

Membership: What’s in it for you?

Industry associations came about in order to bring industry members together to build a professional and sustainable industry.

That is the reason Landscape Ontario was formed over 40 years ago. Today there are more than 2,000 professional members, who make Landscape Ontario the province’s premier horticultural trades association.

From time to time the question is asked, “Why be a member of Landscape Ontario?

What benefits are there for me?”

The answer in general terms is that a professional organization is beneficial for professional development and the future of the industry it represents. Resources available and the ideas and advice provided represent an outstanding return on what amounts to a modest, manageable investment of time, money and effort.

Members of Landscape Ontario cite many specific reasons for belonging. From preferred supplier discounts to education opportunities to mentoring, the list of advantages is long. Landscape Ontario

also offers industry trade shows and conferences and consumer events.

For those new to the industry, membership in Landscape Ontario is key to moving on to the road to success. It’s an easy way to meet others in the industry.

Where else will can one find such great networking opportunities than through Landscape Ontario?

Some companies have joined LO to develop standards and best practices.

From Landscape Industry Certified to specific sector guidelines, being a member of Landscape Ontario allows access to industry standards. Others join for the financial discounts and incentives for events, research or publications, which are offered to member companies as part of their affiliation.

Some benefits are difficult to measure.

One example is the providing a collective voice for the industry in regards to issues of government. Another is a public relations program that brings not just a positive source of information to consumers,

but allows each member to place company information on the association website’s Find a Company.

Communication is an important aspect for every association. Landscape Ontario publishes two magazines, a weekly e-newsletter, two websites, e-mail campaigns, and all the social media methods to keep members in the know.

At a recent meeting, when the subject of why be a member was raised, Ottawa Chapter president Ed Hansen of Ed Hansen Lawn and Gardens, stated, “If someone asks why be a member, they would already know the answer to that if they were engaged.” Many of LO’s long-time volunteers agree that getting the most out of association membership is like anything else in life — “you get out of it as much as you put into it.”

At a Waterloo Chapter meeting, LO executive director Tony DiGiovanni asked the over 60 members present what they gained by being members of the association. As listed in his column on page 22, the answers were many and varied.

DiGiovanni says that he has observed over the 24 years he has spent at Landscape Ontario the leaders in the industry join and maintain their membership because they believe that it is important to work with like-minded people to protect, build and advance the industry.

“The association was formed to bring together like-minded individuals in the landscape, nursery and horticultural industry for the purpose of collectively directing and protecting the industry. At its heart Landscape Ontario is a community for mutual benefit and improvement. I believe all specific benefits flow from this common vision and goal,” says DiGiovanni.

Information on how to become a member of Landscape Ontario may be found at www.horttrades.com/membership.

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addition to the diversity of the products in the showcase, we also have a number of green products, as well as many new plant varieties.”

Congress is not just a trade show and conference; several special events are held during the three show days. Opening day Tuesday is topped off with the evening’s Awards of Excellence ceremony, where the talents and creativity of landscape construction, maintenance and design contractors is showcased. The awards portray a competitive spirit, and how industry members strive for continuCongress is Canada’s premier green industry trade show and conference. ous achievement and improvement. The award winners consistently raise the bar for the rest of the industry. This event is not to be missed.

Wednesday morning opens with a full breakfast at Landscape Ontario’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), where

By Kristen McIntyre and how to avoid pitfalls. all members are welcome. Members are Warm-up Monday’s pre-trade show encouraged to attend and hear about Excitement has been building for months, includes the returning Effective Manassociation accomplishments and and now the main event is here, Conagement Short Course, the Landscape issues, and have their say in the gress 2014, on Jan. 7 to 9 at the Toronto Designer Conference and the 49th direction for 2014.

Congress Centre on Dixon Rd..

Annual IPM Symposium. Monday also New to the Wednesday line-up is the The ever-expanding, always-changincludes the Living Walls and Feminine Factor in Horticulture. This ing green industry has Congress as its Green Roofs GPGB Train will take place before the Tailkick-off event of the year. It’s your best the Trainer workshop. gate Party at the hotel. This opportunity to meet and mingle and catch The popular New new event was created Membership : up with peers. The event, now in its 41st Product Showcase specifically for women What’s in it year, has become the most anticipated at Congress is in this industry. A keyfor you? annual meeting place for the Canadian Canada’s largnote presentation from • Trade show horticulture industry. est collection of Beth Edney CLD, will Congress is Canada’s premier green new green indusbe followed by round• Strong partnerships industry trade show and conference, try products and table discussion.

• Recognition which includes a concurrent conference services, featurAt Landscape • Awards and several special events, and offers ing the latest tools, Ontario, we like to say • Social more than 600 exhibits from Canada, plants and products thank you and show our the U.S. and Europe. It showcases the that industry profes• New products appreciation, so Wedneslatest and best products for landscapsionals seek to meet day night ends with the ing, including large and small equipment, the demands of their clienfamous Tailgate Party. It’s a pools, fencing, plant products, irrigation tele for the coming spring seabig thank you event for everyone at and paving products. son. The New Product Showcase offers Congress. All that is required for entry The Congress Green Industry Confera broad range of equipment, live goods is a trade show badge. A full dinner is ence is the most highly anticipated landand services to help green industry procomplemented by superb entertainment scape industry education and networking fessionals run their businesses more and lots of fun new items for all to enjoy. experience of the year. A dynamic effectively, efficiently and profitably. From What are the new items? Join us at 5 speaker line-up, composed of industry new plant species to efficient systems for p.m. and find out! leaders and successful entrepreneurs, trucks and equipment, business owners Thursday morning will host the annual offers an interesting variety of practiand public green space managers will Irrigation Conference, featuring a keynote cal sessions, owner-only workshops and find new and innovative products that will presentation from Brent Mecham from popular lunch-’n’-learns. The Conferhelp them grow and prosper. the Irrigation Association. ence is an unparalleled opportunity to be “Congress really does cover every We know it is a lot to keep track of — inspired, learn about emerging industry facet of the lawn and garden industry. so Congress has gone mobile. Get our trends and build new relationships. SesFrom apprenticeship students study2014 app at App.locongress.com.

Registration for the trade show, consions cover topics from how to get your ing horticulture to seasoned landscape ference and special events may be done business on the front page of Google, and maintenance contractors working at www.locongress.com or onsite at the to ways to reinvent your business and on multi-million dollar projects, our new Toronto Congress Centre, South Building, respond positively to a cyclical recession products showcase features items that 650 Dixon Rd., Toronto. model. Special owners-only workshops will inspire and help improve the way they focus on how to expand your business, get the job done,” says Heather MacRae, how to understand the threats of growth Director of Events and Trade Shows. “In

Congress is your first, best decision of 2014

WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 7

ASSOCIATION NEWS

idea of our Green for Life messaging was based on collectively delivering this message of “life” benefits to the public.

Come Alive Outside is a movement started several years ago by Jim Paluch of JP Horizons of Ohio. Its goal is to mobilize the green industry towards providing our clients and communities with the awareness, intent and opportunity to live a healthier lifestyle outside. This message is totally aligned with LandEditor’s note: Scott Wentworth of the • The number of children prescribed antiscape Ontario’s Green for Life brand.

Wentworth Landscape Group, Picton, has depressants has doubled in the past It communicates why it is so important volunteered to take on the duties of LO five years. for children to connect with nature. It garden designer and construction super• Nearly 60 per cent of Canadians are focuses on the health benefits our visor at this year’s Canada Blooms. The either overweight or obese. industry provides. following explains the background of his Our company, Wentworth Landscape Recent generations of students have design proposal.

Group, Picton, has embraced the Come a greater understanding of nature and the Alive Outside movement at both a corpoenvironment than any generation before There’s been a cultural shift in how our rate and community level since June of them, yet spend less time in it. We value society interacts with the outdoors and 2011. The results have been substantial and protect that which we understand nature, and it has had truly life-altering in defining the meaningful work we by participating in it, not just results. provide our clients, and having having an academic underObesity, heart disease and diabetes a tremendously positive standing of it. Probably strike Canadians at alarming rates. At impact on our commuMembership : the most alarming the same time, adults and children are nity.

What’s in it statistic is that The spending more time indoors with elecIn June of 2011, New England Jourtronics and less time outdoors exercising we approached our for you? in nature. As these unhealthy habits grow, nal of Medicine has municipal council • Public relations reported that, “for we spend more time indoors involved to present the stathe first time in two in passive forms of entertainment. The tistics of the WHY • Lifestyle centuries, the curmedia regularly reports the impact our of Come Alive • Construction rent generation of increasingly sedentary lifestyle is having Outside, and the children in America on our society. positive impact this • Horticulture • Our children on average spend more than may have shorter life movement could have • Personal Growth eight hours a day engaged in electronic expectancies than their on our community. As media through watching television, playing parents.” a result, Prince Edward video games, surfing the Internet, listening What we don’t hear in the County was the first comto music and using social media. media is what anyone is doing about munity in North America to declare • Childhood obesity rates have increased it. Landscape Ontario members, the itself a Come Alive Outside community.

350 per cent since 1976. green profession, are naturally positioned We have since hosted dozens of events, • The percentage of adults who sleep less to take a leading stewardship position in many of which have been focused than six hours a night has risen from three countering these issues and contributon what we refer to as the “lost art of per cent to 30 per cent since 1960 ing to the solution to these problems. The unstructured play.”

With the generous contribution of Willowlee Sod Farms of Ameliasburg, we have sodded streets on Canada Day to create a Come Alive Outside play zone.

Our events have been many and varied, including everything from soccer marathons, assisting in soap box derbies, sports day, last day of school events, Winter Harbour Fest and Hike for Hospice. With the assistance of community groups and sponsoring companies, we built a fitness trail with 15 pieces of high quality outdoor exercise equipment.

The Come Alive Outside principles have settled deep within our corporate culture, defining the meaningful work we provide for our clients. This moves our designs and installations from the WHAT of building decks, sitting terraces and The Wentworth design team are, from left, Cameron Trudeau, Tara Galpin, Ric Gould, Andrew landscapes for our clients, to providing

Landscape Ontario’s garden will Come Alive at Canada Blooms

Wentworth, Scott Wentworth, Jason Partridge and Terra Wiens.

8 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JANUARY 2014

them with outdoor living areas for their family and friends, creating the awareness, intention and opportunity to live a healthier lifestyle outside. What could be more meaningful than working towards countering the negative health statistics of our society for our clients and communities? We’re working hard to give the children of our clients and communities those five years back to their predicted reduced lifespan.

This is the opportunity that our place in society offers the members of Landscape Ontario; to provide our clients and communities with the awareness, intent and opportunity to live a healthier lifestyle. This is the meaningful work for every member of our profession, regardless of their roles and responsibilities.

This is the WHY of the Landscape Ontario Green for Life feature garden at Canada Blooms; to educate the public of our profession, and its stewardship position of contributing towards the solutions to the increasingly sedentary lifestyles.

The design team for the garden has created an ambitious design for the show.

It will be an experiential display, educating the public to the opportunities to live a

growing season. Plant types that typically perform well under warm and sunny conditions struggled, if they survived at all.

It was especially noticeable in some of the petunia trial entries; plants that looked good coming out of the production greenhouses suddenly stopped growing and declined once outside. Not all of the petunias behaved this way, since some cultivars actually thrived and went on to become the best performers of the 2013 season. These results further underline the importance of trialing plants through multiple growing seasons in a variety of different locations.

I have highlighted some of the best performers from the 2013 trial season in Ontario. Most of the plants described are new to the horticultural trade, while others are simply new to the trial program.

Amaranthus: Sometimes during the trialing process, certain plants sneak up and surprise you with exceptional performance. Such was the case with Elephant Head that was trialed in the cutflower section of the trial garden. In its seedling stage, Elephant Head looks similar to its weedy relative (pigweed), but gradually develops a prominent rosy purple inflo-

healthier lifestyle outside for themselves, their families and their communities. This incorporates detailed structures, hardscape elements and a rich palette of plantings. All of these are set within a playful display that reflects the Canada Blooms theme of Wild!, while reflecting a sense of play and the appealing to the child in all of us.

We invite Landscape Ontario members to assist with both the build, and in helping to raise awareness for the importance of outdoor living. The message is completely aligned with the LO Green for Life brand. It offers one more profound reason why communities should invest in green infrastructure. If interested, please contact Sally Harvey at sharvey@landscapeontario.com.

Weather deeply influences 2013 trial gardens

In Ontario, it’s almost impossible to talk about gardening without talking about the weather. This article is no exception.

The trial gardens in Guelph and Milton experienced extreme rainfall and cool growing conditions early in the 2013

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

From top, the Elephant Head drew a great deal of attention; The Cape daisy has excellent heat tolerance; Flash Mob Bluerific was a favourite in the 2013 trial gardens.

10 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JANUARY 2014

impatiens appear, for example, resistant to the disease and are available in a broad range of colours. Most NGI in the marketplace are propagated vegetative; most bedding plants produced from cuttings are sold in large formats rescence on a sturdy stem that reaches such as the more expensive 4.5 in. pots. heights of at least a metre. This unusual In recent years, new seed-propagated appearance attracted the attention of all NGI have started to reach the marketwho visited the trial garden. This plant place. Seed propagation, as a rule, appears to be very effective in mass is less expensive than plantings where visual impact vegetative propagafrom a distance is required. tion but the range Begonia: The Surefire of colours is curMembership : series of hybrid begonias rently less extenWhat’s in it grows very large under sive. In 2013, for you? conditions of full sun and the new Florific partial shade. Surefire has series of seed• Investing in larger flowers than most propagated NGI the future fibrous begonias and its was trialed. This season-end height, of at series is currently • New plant least a half-metre, helps it available in solid varieties truly stand out in the garden. colours of lavender, This series is currently available violet and white. with red- and rose-coloured flowers.

Osteospermum: This The Dragone series of hiemalis begonia genus is usually called the Cape continues to expand its colour range: red, daisy and typically has petals of shades of pink, creamy yellow/orange, off-white. In white and purple with a blue button cen2013, we trialed Sunset and Dusty Rose. tre to the daisy. A new Cape Daisy from Unlike the Surefire series, this plant does Ball, White Lightning, has white petals and best in shade to partially shaded condia yellow centre. Unlike many cultivars of tions; here is another alternative to impathis genus, White Lightning has excellent tiens in the shade. The powdery mildew heat tolerance and will bloom continuously resistance on these begonias is very good, throughout the summer. This plant defiallowing the plants to perform well up until nitely benefits from regular deadheading. frost. This type of begonia was originally Petunia: Brilliant blue flowers with used almost exclusively as a winter housepale blue to white centres are the hallplant; breeding and careful selection have mark of Flash Mob Bluerific. The flower identified cultivars that will grow well outcolour, coupled with a catchy cultivar side. The Dragone series is a good examname, were two characteristics that made ple of this plant improvement work. this plant a favourite of the 2013 trial seaGomphrena: For a second consecuson. More importantly though, this plant tive year, a gomphrena series has come grew well in containers and ground beds to the forefront in performance. The Pineven during the extreme rainfalls early in Ball series from Sakata Seed caught the the season. eye of all visitors to the trials in 2013.

Lavender: Lavender is most often There are three colours in the series: purplanted as a perennial or in herb gardens ple, white and lavender/white bicoloured. for its grey foliage and heat and drought Performance was best in well-drained tolerance. This past year Harmony, a cultiroot zone locations. In our drought bed var of French lavender (Lavandula dentata) at the Landscape Ontario office, the was entered into the bedding plant trial to plants flourished, but succumbed to be evaluated for container applications. root disease in a poorly drained or irriHarmony produced very bushy upright gated bed. The mounding growth habit is plants reaching foliage heights of 45 cm, very attractive and individual plants can and when blooming, heights were 62 cm. spread as much as 60-80 cm and reach The lavender-blue flowers are produced heights of 40-50 cm. continuously throughout the summer.

New Guinea impatiens (NGI): In Deadheading can be done to improve the response to the changing landscape appearance, but isn’t necessary to encourscene where Impatiens walleriana (shade age new bloom. It is unlikely that this cultiimpatiens) are no longer an option for var will overwinter in our Ontario gardens. shade beds, because of impatiens downy Echinacea: It has been strongly mildew, plant breeders are providing the argued that the marketplace does not industry with alternatives. New Guinea need more Echinacea cultivars; a quick

LO leaders engage members at Governance meeting

Leaders from the nine Chapter boards and ten Sector Groups gathered at the Association’s home office on Dec. 5 for the annual Governance conference.

The event saw members examine the progress that has been made and address concerns and ideas on what improvements can be made to the association.

Paul Doornbos CLT, CLP, Thornbusch Landscaping Company in Lansdowne, welcomed the gathering of approximately 40 members, and provided some background on governance. “I have chaired this event for the past five to six years, and though at times it seems progress may be slow, we really have seen positive change.”

Bruce Morton CLP, CIT of Greenscape Watering Systems in Ottawa provided a progress report on items from the 2012 governance meeting. Following the opening presentations, the morning session was spent brainstorming around the three priorities of engagement, local relevance and sustainability.

A great deal of discussion was spent on engaging sector groups at the chapter level. Problems examined were the distance across the province, and how chapters are unaware of what takes place with sector groups.

Jay Rivait of the Windsor Chapter and Ed Hansen, president of the Ottawa Chapter, said their groups had a total disconnect with sector groups. They stated that geography and priorities were two factors.

Lexi Dearborn, president of the Georgian Lakelands Chapter said her group began coffee morning sector talks.

Solutions to create improved understanding of sector groups by chapters included better technology to improve communications at meetings, keeping www.horttrades.com up-to-date, Chapters inviting sector group representatives to meetings, and having a Chapter board representative report on Sector news.

LO executive director Tony DiGiovanni said, “We see local relevancy as the strength of LO, and this is unique in the world.

We are who we are because you all care and took the time to be here. I want to thank everyone for their contribution; this contribution has carried forward and it’s infectious.”

Five suggestions were presented to improve engagement with sector groups. They are to publicize the sector group, communicate better between the sector group and chapter boards, hold online meetings, spread sector meetings to the chapters, and recreate the sector groups at the local level.

Areas discussed to improve engagement with chapters include networking between chapters to exchange information, develop a

Stam Nurseries Inc.

visit to the Royal Horticultural Society’s Plant Finder list found 168 cultivars. That argument may hold some weight if the consumer actually stops buying the new cultivars. Since the Trial Garden program is part of the marketing system, it receives its fair share of new Echinacea cultivars that appear to be appreciated by the visitors to the garden.

Case in point, in the 2013 trial, of the 10 or so new Echinacea entries that arrived here, the almost new series of Sombrero with the intense burnt red colour of Salsa Red and the varying coral shades of Hot Coral attracted all the attention. These two selections are also low growers with heights reaching only 30 to 50 cm in the first growing season. These plants are bushy, as well sending up multiple flowering stems from the crown. The winter hardiness of these selections still has to be tested at our trial sites, but the literature from the supplier is encouraging and indicates USDA hardiness to zone 4a.

— Rodger Tschanz, University of Guelph

Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year

Growing quality shade trees and evergreens P. 519-424-3350 F. 519-456-1659 593836 Highway 59, Burgessville, ON N0J 1C0

info@stamnurseries.com

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WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 11

ASSOCIATION NEWS mentoring group for chapter development, develop a supportive culture in the chapters, orient the chapter boards, share information about how other groups develop events, shared speaker lists to develop an evaluation program for speakers, post information on a common site (update your event reports on LinkedIn within the Governance group), develop more regional programs to be delivered online, personal invitations, make members feel welcome, have good topics, create template to encourage new members, visit other chapter meetings, create database of resources, training program for chapters, online chapter meetings, repository for chapter meetings, strengthen mentorship program for chapters, help chapters deal with what they need at the time they need it, develop performance metrics, develop spectacular chapter meetings with a very effective communication program and membership drive meetings.

Rachel Cerelli, membership coordinator at LO, who helped to organize the meeting, said, “I find this annual meeting to be very inspiring. The enthusiasm from the volunteer board members across the province is contagious.”

More great reasons to attend GreenTrade Expo Leaders from LO's chapter and sector groups gathered at the home office to take part in the annual governance conference on Dec. 5.

The 21st edition of GreenTrade Expo is taking place on Feb. 12, at the Ernst and Young Centre, 4899 Uplands Drive in Ottawa.

This is Ottawa’s own mini-version of Landscape Ontario Congress. Last year the trade show floor of 40,000 sq. ft., with over 100 landscape industry exhibitors, was sold out early.

The day starts off with a pre-show ticketed event, the MTO Contractors’ Breakfast, which includes all the latest updates for landscapers from Marc Stang, MTO transportation officer, Road Safety Enforcement Division. This ticketed event has been sold out for two years in a row.

Admittance to GreenTrade Expo continues to be free to all horticultural and landscape trades professionals, and also includes free business education seminars.

This year’s line-up includes Sheila James from the Workplace Safety and Prevention Services. She will present the new Ontario health and safety awareness training program that all workplaces must have completed by July 1, 2014.

Back by popular demand is Paul Zammit, director of Horticulture at Toronto Botanical Garden. He will present Choice Annual and Perennial Favourites, including tips on care and culture. His

Guest speakers at GreenTrade Expo are from left, Sheila James of Workplace Safety and Prevention Services, Mark Burleton of the National Capital Commission, and Paul Zammit, director of horticulture at Toronto Botanical Garden.

12 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JANUARY 2014

seminar will include taking your designs up a notch • Technical updates using • Branding the right • Networking annuals or • Business perennials. opportunities Zammit will also demonstrate how to keep maintenance costs down by using the right plant for the right location and how to care and culture plant material.

New this year to GreenTrade Expo is Mark Burleton, the Manager of Grounds and Greenhouses with the National Capital Commission in Ottawa, where he manages the Official Residences Division’s horticulture and landscape portfolio for the six official residences. Burleton will walk attendees through the pruning techniques that ensure optimal plant growth and decrease maintenance costs. Knowing how to prune and when, will save time and money, as well as ensuring the proper growth pattern of plants in your care.

GreenTrade Expo 2014, with free

Membership : What’s in it for you?

trade show attendance and free business education seminars, will open at 9 a.m. and run until 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.greentrade.ca or contact marthawalsh@greentrade.ca.

LO team grows ‘staches for cash

Four Landscape Ontario members stepped up during the month of November to raise funds for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.

The Landscape Ontario team members included Ed Hansen, Hansen Lawn and Gardens; Bruce Morton CLP, CIT, Greenscape Watering Systems; Ralph Ramsey, Terra Illuminati; and Chris Urquhart CLP, Green Unlimited. They raised a total of $3,620 in the Stache for Cash program.

The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation raises funds for cancer care exclusively in the Ottawa region. The Cancer Foundation has invested millions of dollars in the expansion of regional cancer services.

The Landscape Ontario team raised the third-largest amount of money in the Stache for Cash program. The secondplace team of Ernst and Young raised $4,330, but it took 15 members on its team to do so.

Landscape Lecture Series to focus on diversity of gardens

This year’s Landscape Lecture Series features a landscape contractor and a landscape architect.

The annual event by Landscape Ontario’s Landscape Contractors Sector Group will take place on Feb. 25, at Paradise Banquet and Convention Centre, 7601 Jane St. in Vaughan. The evening begins with dinner at 6 p.m., followed by the lecture at 7 p.m.

Adrian Bartels and John Szczepaniak OALA will focus on diversity of residential gardens, and the many ways in which outdoor living areas can blend beauty and function with a healthy outdoor lifestyle.

Bartels is an owner of Cedar Springs Landscape Group, and runs the residential division. This award-winning design/ build firm is based in Ancaster, and has been building unique residential gardens for over 20 years. Cedar Springs has recently expanded into both Oakville and Ottawa and Bartels runs the Oakville location. In his 20 years of industry experience, he has designed, sold and managed over $25 million worth of landscape

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

PAO is well-known for moving larger trees over the last 20 years. Each tree is hand dug, and nylon rope is utilized to safely cradle the root ball. “We have successfully relocated weights of up to 140 tons,” says Goettsch. construction.

Next to the property is the historic 11, when pricing goes up to $25 per perSzczepaniak son. The subsidized price is available due McCraney-Robertson House built in is a member of 1880. William McCraney, born in 1831, to the generosity of the event sponsors: Membership : the Ontario was a prominent historical figure in Beaver Valley Stone, Eloquip, Gro-Bark What’s in it Association Oakville as a leading member of the (Ontario), Sheridan Nurseries, Unilock for you? of LandMethodist Church, a Common School and York Equipment. Registration is at • Education www.horttrades.com. scape Archiand Grammer School Trustee, and • Networking tects and Mayor of Oakville from 1872 to 1874.

PAO Horticultural the CanaA report from the city states, “The his• Horticulture takes on dian Society toric magnolia tree on the property has • Landscaping 100-year-old magnolia of Landscape continued to serve as a cultural landA century-old magnolia tree in Oakville is Architects. An scape feature with its prolific blooms wrapped and ready to move, but a final avid traveller, he every spring. The magnolia tree is condestination has yet to be determined. draws inspiration from such sources sidered to be a visual landmark that Landscape Ontario member Paul as the historic homes and gardens of defines the character of the area. As part Offierski of PAO Horticultural, Hornby, Europe and the landscapes of South of the designation of the historic magnosays he estimates the tree was planted America. His love of the Ontario landlia tree, a protection zone around this tree in 1915. “I would rate the quality of this scape and an appreciation of fine art has been developed in order to protect its tree as 8.5 out of ten,” says Offierski. “It are evident in all his designs. He also root system from any adverse effects of has a very good root system, and in very devotes part of his professional time to nearby development or site alterations.” good health.” giving lectures, hosting garden tours, Leslie Goettsch, sales and marketing A crew hand-dug the tree at its locaand promoting the arts through benefit at PAO, says that as of Dec. 12 the protion on Lakeshore and Chisholm. The site events. Szczepaniak has been featured cess was in political red tape. They hope once housed commercial buildings, and in several newspaper and magazine to move the tree, but nothing is definite has been cleared, except for the magnolia, on the future location of the tree. articles. for a high-end residential development.

Admission is $15 per person until Feb. Fifteen years ago Sergo Anniano brought his skill as a fisherman in the Azores to PAO Horticultural, where he now meticulously wraps tree, the magnolia in Oakville measures over 20 feet in diameter and weighs around 120 tons. Nearly three miles of nylon rope was used to weave the rope around the tree.

The cold weather is also not a problem. Goettsch says the freezing weather helps to hold the root ball together, even one as large as the historic magnolia in Oakville.

When that move does occur, Offierski hopes the city will choose a nearby park where city residents can enjoy its beauty for many Paul Offierski and Leslie Goettsch of PAO Horticultural stand in front of the century-old magnolia that has been wrapped by the more years.

PAO crew, Sergo Anniano, Clint Cripps and John McNeil.

14 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JANUARY 2014

Lighting conference at new location

The 5th annual Landscape Lighting Conference is scheduled for Feb. 6 at a new location, Teatro Conference and Event Centre, 121 Chisholm Dr., in Milton.

Located right off Highway 401, it will provide more space for this growing event, as well as an excellent catering team; lunch is included as part of the day.

Landscape Ontario’s Landscape Lighting Sector Group is the host and volunteers have worked hard to ensure the content for the day will be geared to the seasoned contractor, and not just for beginners. Several exhibitors will have their products on display, taking advantage of the opportunity to showcase new products for the coming season.

Outdoor Lighting Design - Setting Yourself Apart From The Pack will be the keynote delivered by Indianapolis’s Tim Ryan. He will highlight the key functions in outdoor lighting design, and how to achieve remarkable results in design through proper lamp choices and proper fixture placement.

Ryan owned and operated a landscape/hardscape company in Boise, Idaho for a number of years, before realizing his passion for the lighting industry. He began incorporating lighting into his landscape designs almost 18 years ago and made the jump to a lighting company in 2004. Today, he operates an outdoor lighting design and installation firm in Indianapolis, Ind. He is also the lighting instructor for a large outdoor lighting franchise company in the U.S., teaching those new to the industry the ins and outs of lighting design and running a successful lighting company. Ryan is also a consultant for a prominent lighting manufacturer in the U.S., and specializes in both large commercial and residential

Proudly growing fine perennials

25

for over

lighting applications.

The popular round-table discussions are back. The conference will also feature Proper Wiring Techniques, LED Applications and Power Systems as the 2014 round-table topics.

Tickets are $90 for LO members and $110 for non-members until Jan. 27. Registration and more details available at www.lightingconference.ca.

Six earn Landscape Industry Certification

CNLA has announced the latest list of members who received their Landscape Industry Certification. The following people will now have the initials CLT follow their names: William Theule, Greentario Landscape, Hamilton; Andre Thiebaud, OGS Landscape Services, Brooklin; Larissa Stipetic, Lawrence Park Garden Centre, Toronto; Linda MacLeod, St. Jacob’s Country Gardens, Stratford; Jason Auger, Clintar Landscape Management, Kitchener; and Brad Paton, Shades of Summer Landscaping, Waterdown.

Keen Utility Boots donated a pair of boots in a draw among those taking the certification in November. David Oakes from Clintar — Hamilton was the winner of the boots.

Growers’ short course set for Burlington

The annual Growers Short Course will take place on Feb. 5, at the Burlington Convention Centre, 1120 Burloak Drive.

This year the program’s theme is Roots and Shoots, with keynote speaker Dr. Ed Gilman, a professor at University of Florida Environmental Horticulture Department, specializing in urban trees and landscape plants.

Gilman works with arborists, consultants, landscape contractors, tree nursery operators, urban foresters, planners, landscape architects and others engaged in tree selection, growing, planting and management issues. His research includes irrigation, fertilization, roots, and other tree transplant and after-care techniques and a recent focus on tree response to pruning.

The event will be sponsored by Plant Products. For more information, contact Kathleen Pugliese at kpugliese@ landscapeontario.com.

M. Putzer Nursery recognized for its support M. Putzer Hornby Nursery has been an important donor to Landscape Ontario Industry Auction for many years. That tradition continued this year, however, the company’s name was left off the auction donors list that appeared in Landscape Ontario magazine.

Landscape Ontario always wants to ensure sponsors, such as M. Putzer Nursery, are recognized.

years

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WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 15

VOLUNTEER PROFILE

the board secretary. In the fall of 2012 she worked with the board to set up the Chapter meetings for the spring of 2013.

Dearborn has also volunteered at Expo and Congress for the past couple of years.

She was the guest speaker at Ottawa’s GreenTrade Expo last February, talking about the ins and outs of landscape design.

She will return again as a speaker at this year’s event. “I continue to attend local garden club meetings and garden shelter, then that was the shows as a guest speaker, proMembership : group I wanted to be moting LO and the Chapter.” with. I was so inspired This year, Lexi Dearborn What’s in it by the Georgian was named Chapter presifor you?

Lakelands members’ dent. She says one of her • Mentorship, dedication to the goals as Chapter president • Volunteer community.” is to connect LO members recognition Chapter memto LO members in order to bers had installed the • Connecting with support and build their busibackyard project as local communities nesses and the green indusa volunteer community try. She is a member of the project. “One of the board Landscape Ontario Trade Show members suggested that I join Committee.

LO as a member and I agreed to look into it.

For over a year Dearborn has worked This was in 2006. It was the best agreement with Chapter members and LO staff to start I have made in years,” says Dearborn. the ball rolling to bring apprenticeship trainSince joining the association, Dearborn ing to the Georgian Lakelands region. became a member of the Georgian LakeAsked about her favourite memory lands Board in 2007, and in 2011 became during her volunteer experience with LO, Dearborn says, “There are so many, and I can only pick one. Planting trees at Cundles this fall. The kids were so excited to be getting trees. However, it was the reaction of the Chapter members that was the best.

Everyone walked away knowing they made a difference for the children. It was the best feeling in the world. You can’t buy it, it has to be given.”

The Chapter president says volunteering gives more back than the volunteer gives. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with like-minded people. We don’t talk about the Leafs, that’s for sure.”

Dearborn sees LO success depends on the whole organizing being inclusive.

“As members, we need to let go and accept each other for where we are in the organization and in business. The Barrie business person says she believes that mentorship is something that needs to be pursued from chapter to chapter, where businesses are matched by size and sales dollars with other member companies in the province.

Dearborn is also a member of the Simcoe County Women in Trades in Barrie and the Barrie Business Network. As part of her promotion of the industry, Dearborn volunteers to write articles for local community magazines.

It’s all part of her dedication towards her industry, association, Chapter and business.

Members’ dedication inspires Lexi Dearborn Georgian Lakelands Chapter president Lexi Dearborn, of Dearborn Design and Associates of Barrie, became involved with Landscape Ontario after she witnessed the dedication of Chapter members involved in the Tranquility Garden project for the Elizabeth Fry Society of Simcoe County.

Dearborn created the drawing for the project. “I really didn’t know much about LO, however, I just knew that if a group of people could come together to install a project for a women’s

16 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JANUARY 2014

Key

Connections Our events provide the tools for your business to grow and prosper

• Increase brand recognition • Discover new customers • Capitalize on new markets • Source new suppliers

Canada’s Premier Green Industry Trade Show and Conference January 7-9, 2014 Toronto Congress Centre Toronto, Ontario locongress.com

Canada’s Garden Festival March 14-23, 2014 Direct Energy Centre Toronto, Ontario canadablooms.com

GreenTrade Expo Eastern Ontario’s Green Trade Show February 12, 2014 Capital Exhibition Centre Ottawa, Ontario 2013 greentrade.ca

For exhibitor or visitor information please call: 1-800-265-5656 x353

Canada’s fall show for the floral and garden industry October 22-23, 2014 Toronto Congress Centre North Building, Toronto, Ontario loexpo.ca

SNOWPOSIUM LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

SNOW AND ICE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE AND EXPO

Conference and Expo September 2014 Milton, Ontario

WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 17

EVENTS

February 6

Toronto Chapter Meeting

Bookmark www.horttrades.com/comingevents for up-to-date event information.

January 21

February 5

Selby Community Hall, Napanee Join the Upper Canada Chapter for the annual round-table meeting, featuring topics to stimulate honest and open discussion on many aspects of our industry. This has proven to be one of the most popular meeting topics in the Chapter. The meeting will also include light refreshments. For more information contact Rachel at 1-800-265-5656.

Burlington Convention Centre, 1120 Burloak Dr., Burlington This year the Growers Sector Group Short Course moves to Burlington Convention Centre. It’s a great opportunity to hear about the latest research and best practices in the industry.

Keep management and staff informed on the latest developments in the growing industry. For more information contact Landscape Ontario at 1-800-265-5656.

Upper Canada Chapter meeting

January 23

Windsor Chapter meeting

Dominion Golf Course, 6125 Howard Ave., LaSalle The main topic at this first meeting of the year is social media and how to make it really work for your business. Lunch is included, and earn CEUs towards maintaining your Landscape Industry Certified designation credit for every hour of educational presentations. To RSVP, contact Jay Rivait at jaytopgrade@hotmail.com.

Growers Short Course

February 5

Waterloo Chapter meeting

Waterloo Knights of Columbus, Waterloo Waterloo Chapter presents Rob Kennaley of McLauchlin and Associates. Come out and enjoy a wonderful lunch spread, and listen and learn from our experienced presenter, who specializes in construction.

Sheridan Nurseries, 4077 Hwy. 7, Unionville Only once a year the Toronto Chapter hosts an event this big: Estimating, WSPS updates and the ever-popular MTO information session. Prepare for a day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., packed with education and networking, including a free lunch. RSVP today, as space is limited, to Rachel Cerelli, at rachelc@landscapeontario.com.

Gain CEUs towards maintaining your Landscape Industry Certified designation credit for every hour of educational presentations.

February 11

Upper Canada Chapter meeting

Selby Community Hall, Napanee This meeting will feature a round-table discussion that will introduce topics to stimulate honest and open discussion on production rates and overhead recovery. Bring your production rates and let’s see how long it should really take to prepare the base for a patio. For more information, contact Rachel at 1-800-265-5656.

NEW MEMBERS Durham

London

Articulate Lawn Sprinklers Cecile Kirouac PO Box 30023 RPO Chemong Peterborough, ON K9H 7R4 Tel: 705-740-3510 Membership Type: Active

Action Trailers Shane Thompson 4728 Egremont Dr., Strathroy, ON N7G 3H3 Tel: 519-245-8802 Membership Type: Associate

Team Eagle Angie Boomhower 10 Trent Dr., Campbellford, ON K0L 1L0 Tel: 705-653-2956 Membership Type: Associate

A Cultivated Art Inc Sundaura Alford, CLD 263 Deschamps Ave., Ottawa, ON K1L 5Y7 Tel: 613-899-8000 Membership Type: Active

Tom La Rue Excavating Ltd Tom La Rue 536 Sandford Rd., Uxbridge, ON L9P 1R1 Tel: 905-852-4335 Membership Type: Associate

Golden Horseshoe Bravo Cement Warren Bravo 325 Hilton Dr., Stoney Creek, ON L8E 2P8 Tel: 905-578-2111 Membership Type: Associate Crossroads Equipment Don Glassford 66 Hwy 52 S, RR 1, Jerseyville, ON L0R 1R0 Tel: 905-648-8001 Membership Type: Associate Crown Landscaping Ltd David Crown PO Box 936, Ridgeway, ON L0S 1N0 Tel: 905-687-3193 Membership Type: Active Greenshore Gardening Inc Ian Hook 708 Centre Rd, RR 2, Hamilton, ON L8N 2Z7 Tel: 905-208-4428 Membership Type: Active

18 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JANUARY 2014

Ottawa

Killaloe Wood Products Megan Summers PO Box 160, Killaloe, ON K0J 2A0 Tel: 613-757-2157 Membership Type: Associate

Toronto Barkman Concrete Ltd August Wiens 909 Gateway Rd., Winnipeg, MB R2K 3L1 Tel: 204-667-3310 Membership Type: Associate BigShotz Landscape Design & Maintenance Collin Shotlander 27 Red Rock Dr., Richmond Hill, ON L4C 0E4 Tel: 905-237-1679 Membership Type: Active East - West Services Co Ltd Larry Richards 201 Hymus Rd., Scarborough, ON M1L 4W5 Tel: 416-691-2626 Membership Type: Active McLennon Landscape & Design John Mclennon 20019 - 520 Kerr St., Oakville, ON L6K 3C7 Tel: 905-330-9062 Membership Type: Active

National Leasing Jay Leslie 1525 Buffalo Pl., Winnipeg, MB R3T 1L9 Tel: 866-586-5501 Membership Type: Associate Pro Landscaping James Mikulin 6008 Winston Churchill Blvd. Alton, ON L0N 1A0 Tel: 519-217-7138 Membership Type: Active Rema Inc Juan Diaz 603 - 541 Blackthorn Ave., Toronto, ON M6M 5A6 Tel: 416-558-9103 Membership Type: Active

Waterloo Marco Outdoor Works Inc Marvin Weber 1045 Benjamin Rd., Waterloo, ON N2J 3Z4 Tel: 519-465-5454 Membership Type: Active Nu Image Lawn Care Inc Carolyn Morrison 3 - 304 Stone Rd, Unit 182, Guelph, ON N1G 3C4 Tel: 519-836-0044 Membership Type: Active On-Site Maintenance and Repairs Inc Ryan Chuchmach 14 Riverview Pl.,Kitchener, ON N2B 3X8 Tel: 519-894-1421 Membership Type: Active Precision Pools Dennis Zaborski 218 Lynnvalley Crt., Kitchener, ON N2N 3B2 Tel: 519-746-6311 Membership Type: Associate

Grow Your Business in 2014!

Attend this ‘DON’T MISS IT’ event…

Sure to be the BEST Expo Yet!

Come to GreenTrade Expo 2014 in Ottawa to learn about the latest products, make valuable contacts, and gain landscape industry & business ideas… the tools you’ll need to make quantum improvements this season. Here’s just a hint of what awaits you…

The trade show – With over 100 exhibitors, you’re sure to find at least one who’ll give you that priceless, ‘ah-ha,’ business-changing ‘nugget.’

Exhibit space has sold out the last couple of years – and, even though we’re adding nearly 10% more space, we expect to sell out again this year, too!

Gorgeous exhibition facility – Just beginning its second year, the Ernst & Young Centre has it all… and it’s right next to Ottawa Airport The educational sessions – With the MTO Contractors Breakfast, along with our FREE business building seminar sessions throughout the day, you’re February 12th sure to find one to suit your needs.

9 am – 3 pm Landscape Ontario – Once again LO is hosting their Training & Resource Ernst & Young Centre Centre – so you can explore the benefits & services available to you with an LO membership.

Ottawa Airport Great industry networking – The last two years, GreenTrade Expo has drawn between 1,200 & 1,400 attendee’s from all over Ontario & Quebec, along with a good representation from beyond.

So, whether you’re looking for a great, business-changing product, idea or strategy, a joint-venture opportunity, someone who understands your challenges, or just to reconnect with someone… you’ll be on able to network to your heart’s content at GreenTrade Expo 2014.

Circle the date New & exciting door prizes – But you’re only eligible for the door prize draws your calendar… when you register on-line through the www.GreenTrade.ca website… so, be sure to register TODAY!

     

 And much, much more…

Need more information? Visit our website…

www.GreenTrade.ca

Or give us a call at…

613.796.5156

Register on-line TODAY for your FREE admission to GreenTrade Expo 2014…

Brought to you by the Ottawa Chapter of

www.GreenTrade.ca

Don’t miss it! Be there February 12thWWW.HORTTRADES.COM 9 am - 3 pm 19

INDUSTRY NEWS Healing the landscape with designed ecologies Ryerson University hosted a special evening presentation on Dec. 3 by Dr. Kongjian Yu, dean of Peking University and principal designer at his 600-person design firm, Turenscape.

The room was packed for the evening lecture, in testament to the inspirational and innovative landscapes designed by the man Time magazine calls, “A force of nature.”

Dr. Yu began by speaking about the explosive growth China has experienced in the past two decades. In order to accommodate escalating population densities in rapidly-growing cities, planners have engineered rivers and vast kilometres of grey infrastructure, creating polluted waterways and smog-filled corridors. He said that China is going after the “American jumbo dream” of supersizing buildings and infrastructure, when the country has meagre renewable resources, and can’t afford to produce large, inefficient structures.

Dr. Yu showed examples where the Chinese have turned messy, rural, productive landscapes into unproductive, urban gardens in their attempt to attain gentrification.

“Beautiful uselessness,” he called it.

“Grey infrastructure is actually destroying the natural system, along with its resilience and capacity of providing free services that humanity needs,” said Dr. Yu. His ground-breaking designs use ecological (green) infrastructure to produce a landscape that is life-supporting and spiritual, as well as providing sustainable ecosystems that clean the air and water, and heal the land.

Dr. Yu showed examples of his projects which bust-up the concrete engineered water channels and use natural storm water management treatments and biodiversity. He begins with an evaluation of the land’s natural storm water retention capacity, and integrates green elements and infrastructure to develop a landscape security pattern for towns and cities.

Throughout China, Dr. Yu is taking down concrete dykes and building biological ones, showing the Chinese government there are solutions to flood control beyond engineering. His approach is to leave flood plains untouched and resilient. His parks are wild, messy, yet beautiful, and productive; often incorporating rice paddies, sorghum and fields of sunflowers along with

Designed ecologies by Dr. Yu are wild and beautiful. Skywalks allow pedestrians to access the landscape.

20 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JANUARY 2014

skywalks and meeting places for residents and birdwatchers.

Getting China’s mayors and bureaucrats to see the benefits of his landscape plans is part and parcel of Dr. Yu’s work. Gradually, he is helping to change the mentality of city planners, showing them how they can help nature to recover and let nature do the work of grey infrastructure. Dr. Yu’s design intent can be summed up as, “minimize intervention and maximize return.”

Anyone who missed the lecture, but is interested in learning more about the landscapes of Dr. Kongjian Yu, can purchase the book of his work Designed Ecologies,

by William Saunders.

— Sarah Willis

Mandatory safety training coming July 1

A new regulation will require health and safety awareness training for every worker and supervisor under the Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). The regulation comes into force July 1, 2014.

The Ontario givernment says it is introducing new training to help protect workers and keep them safe on the job.

The new health and safety awareness training will require workers and supervisors to take part in a one-hour tutorial either individually or in groups using free, online e-learning tools at www.labour.gov. on.ca, or hard copy workbooks. The training is designed to make workers and supervisors aware of their roles, rights and responsibilities in the workplace.

Workplaces that have provided similar

training to employees will not need to participate, as long as the previous training met the minimum requirements of the new regulation.

Once the e-learning training module is complete, an employee will receive a certificate that is valid for the remainder of his or her career. The printed training materials are available in nine languages.

Asian long-horned beetle found in Mississauga

Following the detection of Asian longhorned beetle last September near Pearson Airport, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has established a regulated area in Mississauga and Toronto as part of its plans to eliminate the pest.

The Agency is co-operating with the City of Mississauga, the City of Toronto, and the City of Brampton, as well as, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Natural Resources Canada to determine next steps.

The regulated area includes the region bordered in the north by Finch, in the east

by Martin Grove: in the south by Highway 401 and in the west Dixie; an area of approximately 20 square kilometres.

With the regulation of this area, there are now restrictions on the movement of nursery stock, trees, logs, lumber, wood, wood chips and bark chips from certain deciduous trees identified as hosts of the ALHB and firewood of all species. Unless authorized by a Movement Certificate issued by the CFIA, the movement of these items out of the regulated area is prohibited. These restrictions are to prevent the

spread of the ALHB. Any person who fails to adhere to the movement restrictions may be subject to a fine, prosecution or both.

The beetle, which is native to Asia, attacks and kills healthy deciduous trees, especially maple. The larvae feed within the trunk and branches of trees and eventually fill the trees with holes, causing the trees to die. Adult beetles feed on the leaves, bark and branch tips.

The ALHB has never been detected elsewhere in Canada.

Signs of infestation may include perfectly round exit holes (about 3/8 to 1/2 inch in diameter) made by adult beetles when they emerge from trees; pockmarks on tree trunks and branches where female beetles deposit eggs; frass (wood shavings and coarse saw dust) produced by larval feeding and tunneling; early fall coloration of leaves or dead branches, and running sap produced by the tree at the egg laying sites, or in response to larval tunneling.

Small Businesses Act starts Jan. 1

The Supporting Small Businesses Act should result in 88 per cent of private-sector employers in Ontario being exempt from paying the Employer Health Tax. The exemption will increase from $400,000 to $450,000 of Ontario payroll, saving most employers up to $975 every year.

Of the 60,000 small employers paying less EHT, more than 12,000 will no longer pay the tax, and will save the cost of filing an Employer Health Tax return.

ONE TOUGH BASKET

Share our Hands-on Experience Visit us on the web at WWW.BRAUNGROUP.COM

Product Brochure & Tree Harvesting VIDEO on request.

For specifications or distributor please call

(800) 246-6984 FAX (905) 648-8441

Visit us at Congress Jan 7-9, 2014 - Booth #30

A park in the old Zhongshan Shipyard reuses existing structures in a natural design that allows for seasonal changes in water levels.

WWW.HORTTRADES.COM  21

EXECUTIVE DESK It’s better being a member worked to eliminate sales tax on various nursery products and equipment. This has also saved millions. and the LO staff are continually In addition to saving the industry inspired by the significant time and money, we also raised significant dollars resources members give to their LO for research and innovation activities. In family. I have wondered why some memthe last few years we easily raised over bers, who by all $5 million to invest in our industry. accounts are indeSocial: The life of a business owner pendently wealthy, is lonely. You have the burden of culticontinue to renew vating sales wherever you can. You are their membership responsible for all aspects of the busiwhen their business ness including the employees, loans, is thriving. processes, customers, operations, etc.

Conversely, I Many members join because of the suphave witnessed port they receive from other members. struggling companies Social interaction is a human need. It choose to renew their dues, even though gives depth to life. The networking that it is a major sacrifice. Have you ever happens before, at and after meeting and thought about why you are a member? I events is a major benefit of membership. have witnessed four general and interreLearning: Many members join lated reasons individuals join. because of the hundreds of Financial: I know memopportunities to learn. bers who have saved Learning at Landscape Membership : decade’s worth of dues Ontario happens in by taking advantage a formal and inforWhat’s in it of the discounts. See mal setting. We for you? www.horttrades.com/mst have hundreds of • Financial for more information. courses, seminars, I also know memchapter meetings, • Networking bers who saved events, etc., where • Education thousands of dollars knowledge is shared because other members and where profes• Legacy shared their experiences. sionalism is enhanced.

I once attended a chapter LO provides the inframeeting in Waterloo, where one structure for this to happen. of the members told me he received A lot of it happens by sharing. over one million dollars worth of sales I remember a meeting where a membecause another member from a differber shared an idea that could easily be ent chapter was looking for someone to used by a competitor sitting in the room. share a sizable maintenance contract I asked the member afterwards why he from a multi-national chain. was so open to sharing ideas. He told me There are also significant financial the math was in his favour. He shared benefits derived from some of our govone idea. There were 10 others in the ernment relations work. At one time, room. He went home with nine other the WSIB rate for the landscape indusideas. So did everyone else. try was almost ten per cent of payroll.

Legacy: Many of our members supIt is now less than half what it used to port the association so they can be part be, based on our collective government of something bigger. Their motivation is relations and education work. This has to build a better industry, even though the saved the industry millions of dollars. fruits of their labour will benefit someone We were successful at getting the statthey don’t even know sometime in the ute of limitation on slip and falls down future. They want to pay it forward. They from seven years to two years. We are inspired by building a prosperous, Tony DiGiovanni CHT LO executive director

I

22 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JANUARY 2014

professional, ethical, valued and contribution oriented industry.

I find that many of the members participating on committees, boards and sector groups are motivated by making a positive difference. LO is largely successful because the pioneers of the association were inspired to make a positive difference for others. Our current membership is doing the same.

At a recent Waterloo Chapter meeting, I asked everyone in the room to describe in as few words as possible why they were members of Landscape Ontario.

Here are the responses: • Support • Learning • Lobbying and advocacy • Long term prosperity • Product knowledge • Education and training • Supporting the industry • Recognition • Mentoring • Opportunity to lead • Exposure • Know that they are not an island • Community • Professionalism • Communication • Sharing • Information • Networking • Opportunity to meet important people • Legacy • Contribution • Reciprocate • Fellowship • Social interaction • Saving money • Keep current • Listen and learn • Mutual benefit • Motivation • Inspiration • Pursuit of excellence • Camaraderie • Food • Connections • Relationships • Part of a larger group • Safety in numbers • Sales Thank you for being part of the Landscape Ontario family.

Tony DiGiovanni may be contacted at tony@landscapeontario.com, or at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 304.

MEMBERSHIP

you stay on top of your game and ahead of your competition.

Some events are hosted by your local chapter and are free to attend or have a small fee, while other events are one- to three-day seminars at various locations across Ontario. There are also full-day conferences that focus on a particular sector.

These typically are held in junction with Landscape Ontario hosts a list of media Congress (with the exception of the Conreleases that you too can share with your tractor Lecture series, Lighting Conference) customers to help promote yourself. For Growers Short Course. more info go to www.landscapeontario.

Regardless of in what com/media-releases. areas you need to improve Expansion of opportuniyourself or your staff, Membership: ties: With the networking Landscape Ontario What’s in it opportunities brought to is hosting an event for you? you through Chapter and or seminar some• Information Sector specific events, as where in Ontario • Advocacy well as industry events, this year. For more • Public relations networking is taken to a information, go to • Expansion of www.horttrades.com/ new level. You will have opportunities seminars, or www. access to discuss busi• Professional horttrades.com and ness or horticulture pracdevelopment select the Sector you tices with leaders in the • Cost savings wish to find more about, industry, or the freedom to have or www.locongress.com under open conversation with those who conferences and events. enforce the law.

Cost savings: Member discounts are In both business and in the knowledge always offered for our seminars, conferof horticulture there is always room for ences, trade shows, Certification programs advancement. Just remember, you only get and chapter/sector events (usually free). from an Association what you put into it.

We also have many endorsed suppliers So, come out and give it your all, and you who generously offer member discounts for will surely find it a worthwhile experience. supplies and services. For more informaFor more information, contact membership@landscapeontario.com. tion, go to www.horttrades.com/mst.

Professional development: Whether We look forward to seeing you at one you or your staff are looking to gain a new or many of our Landscape Ontario events skill set, tweak what you already know, or this year. Take part, be active, and grow master a particular aspect of your busiwith us. ness, Landscape Ontario hosts numerous professional development seminars and Rachel Cerelli may be contacted at rachel@landscapeontario.com. conferences. They are designed to ensure

Benefits of membership

By Rachel Cerelli Membership and Chapter Coordinator

A

t a time when money is tight and the word recession is used on a regular basis, we ask ourselves where can we cut expenses and what do we REALLY need?

As this question is asked by many members (in particular this year), I decided to write my column on the reasons why you should join or remain as a member of Landscape Ontario.

Information: As a business owner you always want to be in the know of what is happening in your industry. At Landscape Ontario, we pride ourselves in maintaining very close relationships with the powersthat-be who govern our every move. These may include MTO, WSPS, MOL; the list goes on.

When there is new information, which you must abide by as an employer, we work to get this information out to our members as quickly as possible. Sometimes this is done by e-blast or in our electronic news (weekly in the winter months, bi-weekly during the busy summer months). To subscribe to the electronic news, go to www. horttrades.com/subscribe.php.

Advocacy: At Landscape Ontario, our mission is to promote and foster a favourable climate for the advancement of the horticulture industry in Ontario. We do this by promoting to the public that the members of the Association are professionals of the industry, and hiring a professional member is highly recommended.

We give consumers the tools to hire with confidence. It’s a quick questionnaire that the consumer can run through with their contractors to ensure they are hiring a professional company. For more information, contact membership@ landscapeontario.com.

Public relations: Whether you worked on a community event, or you want to promote another benefit of hiring a professional company (like yours), or you want to outline information about the industry,

Landscape Ontario continually presents a positive image to the public through television, radio and print, as well as social media.

WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 23

PROSPERITY PARTNERS Staying the course

By Jacki Hart CLP Prosperity Partners program manager

T

hroughout each season, I receive emails and occasional phone calls from Prosperity Partners members who just want to check in with me, and discuss how things are going for them.

I thought it would be a great start to this year’s series of columns to celebrate the success of the Prosperity Partners Pillars concept by sharing snippets from one business owner’s chats with me last season.

Mark Fisher, owner of The Escarpment Company, Milton, has based his business plan and management style on the concepts and skills learned from the program.

Mark’s business saw 2013 as the best ever!

When Mark first joined the Prosperity Partners program, his sales were $55,000, and he lost money that year. He didn’t know where his business was going, why or how.

This past year, Mark is really proud of these numbers: sales of $400,000, and he paid himself the industry benchmark for small businesses: 10 per cent of gross sales, plus ten per cent net profit left in the company. This is a great achievement, and Mark has been smart by keeping growth slow and steady, while he worked on profitability and balancing business with lifestyle.

Let me share his thoughts for the formula with you.

“I don’t think we have any one secret to our successes this season. I think it was a collection of things. I categorize my business into the Prosperity Partners pillars and consistently look at areas where we are succeeding and areas where we need improvement. We have been doing this for the past seven years and have seen improvements every year using this approach.”

Mark and I discussed that fundamentally every action in his business falls into one of the Pillar categories: Sales Success, Professional Operations, Financial Health, Leadership and Customer Loyalty.

Here are some of the Mark’s comments about how he has applied the Prosperity

24 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JANUARY 2014

Partners language and concept.

“When I complete this exercise, l write the pillars out as column headers at the top of my page and put down my thoughts. For example under Sales, I keep lists of jobs booked, jobs quoted, jobs to quote and sales calls to attend. I have found over the years that it is very important to have activity in all of these areas. Writing out the lists and reviewing them daily keeps everything top of mind and allows me to note next steps for each item.

“Customers for Life emphasises the importance of customer service and using our current work to plant the seed for future opportunities. By developing customers for life, we are establishing a referral-based business. I make it a priority to track customer feedback, sources referrals – whether from past clients, sub trades, fellow LO members, suppliers, etc.

It’s important to say thank you, and to make sure you don’t let down the referral source by not following through with professional consistency.

“Financials — When I completed Prosperity Partners the biggest gap in my business that I identified was the financial area. By being made aware of the pillar that I needed the most improvement in, I was able to focus more of my energy in this area until I had a system in place that worked for my business, and was regularly monitoring it. I put together a comprehensive budget every season and understand overhead recovery and job costing principles. Most importantly, I review how I am tracking. By applying this knowledge every day, it has helped tremendously with profit and growth.

“Operational Efficiency — The Prosperity Partners program, and the related peer networking, made it really clear to me that our goal is to instill best practices across all the pillars in my business. When I focus on Operations, I look at the flow of each project and note successes and failures so we can implement processes and procedures that increase our productivity moving forward. If this is done consistently, then your business is in a constant state of improvement. Prosperity Partners also emphasizes the different roles that one plays within the company at any given point. As a business grows, the owner’s role changes with it.

This is a hugely important realization, and one that has prepared me for growing my business better than anything else. The Prosperity Partners program and experienced instructors offer many suggestions and advice in this regard. In addition, the peers I’ve met through Prosperity Partners have been a great resource. I have brains to pick, and stories to share. It’s invaluable. The Online Prosperity Partners Best Practices Template Library was also a great resource.

“Leadership — In the course, we are asked to think about essential value-based questions that lead us to form a solid base for what our principles are and what our business stands for. Establishing these root principles has allowed me to lead and navigate my business according to what is most important at any given time. My principles (core values, purpose and vision) have become second nature to my employees, clients and suppliers. These are the non-negotiable expectations, which drive behaviour and decisions at all levels in my business. For my employees in particular, it’s the basis for rules of conduct and work processes.

“I keep this pillar top of mind when making decisions as to which projects to take on and where I want my business to be in five, 10, 15 years.”

I’m really grateful to Mark for sharing his thoughts and experience gained from diligently applying the Prosperity Partners concept to his business over the formative years. He now has a great path ahead — the Path to Prosperity. He has choices as to where he wants to take his business: sales volume, service area, services offered, etc. He has solid groundwork and management skills on which to move forward with confidence and profitability. This is the essence of the Prosperity Partners Program.

Congratulations Mark!

I’m really proud to be carrying on the legacy of our Past President, Bob Tubby, whose vision was for LO to help member businesses become more prosperous, one company at a time. So far, so good!

My very best wishes to all for a prosperous journey towards continuous improvement in 2014.

For more info on the Prosperity Partners Program offerings this year, go to www.horttrades.com/prosperity.

Jacki Hart may be contacted at prosperity@landscapeontario.com.

PUBLIC RELATIONS Associate with a winning team tory for Brazil, but to me the other winner of the night was LO member Zander Sod for making both the company and the green indushether it’s sports or business, try shine in front of thousands of I think we all feel good about fans, dozens of sports being part of a successful professionals team or organization. It should be a and hundreds factor when of interZander Sod transformed the Rogers Centre’s artificial Membership : playing field to a real grass surface to allow a match considernational What’s in it between two major soccer teams Brazil and Chile. ing memmedia. for you? bership As about advertising, sharing and celebratin Landmillions • Members of a ing those victories. It’s good for business scape of fans are successful team and good for our association.

Ontario. glued to their • Public Thank you for your collective efforts Many TVs this summer promotion in making Landscape Ontario top of the LO members rooting for their league. have had sucteam to be a wincess in hiring top-notch employees when ner, take some time to Denis Flanagan may be contacted at they have advertised that they are awardreflect on your own company’s dflanagan@landscapeontario.com. winning companies. Potential workers goals and achievements. Don’t be shy and clients are always impressed with companies that have created gardens at Canada Blooms, and other businesses are often delighted to partner with LO members on the numerous community projects that happen across the province.

Success breeds success!

In 2014 the biggest sporting event of Arctic Equipment Manufacturing Corp. the year will take place in Brazil at the www.arcticsnowplows.com Phone: 866-757-1243 Page 27 World Cup of soccer. Already the comBraun Nursery Ltd. www.braungroup.com Phone: 800-246-6984 Page 21 petition is heating up with 32 countries Canadale Nurseries through to the final stages. Part of the www.canadale.com Phone: 519-631-1008 Page 9 excitement happened last fall when two Connon Nurseries/NVK Holdings Inc. powerhouses of South American football www.connonnurseries.com Phone: 905-628-0112 Page 28 Brazil and Chile played in Toronto. Our Gro-Bark (Ontario) Ltd. industry was front and centre, when Zanwww.gro-bark.com/m Phone: 888-476-2275 Page 11 der Sod from Kettleby won the contract Hillen Nursery Inc. to temporarily remove the artificial turf at www.hillennursery.com Phone: 519-264-9057 Page 2 the Rogers Centre and install real sod for J. Lockwood Chrysler Ltd. www.lockwoodchrysler.com Phone: 289-644-2250 Page 13 the big game.

Legends Landscape Supply Inc. The Zander team won lots of praise www.landscapestore.ca Phone: 905-336-3369 Page 16 from the event organizers for completNewroads National Leasing ing the project on a very tight deadline. www.newroadsleasing.com Phone: 416-587-1021 Page 21 Over 40 employees worked around the Potters Road Nursery Inc. clock to install over 600 rolls of Kenwww.pottersroadnursery.com Phone: 519-688-0437 Page 13 tucky bluegrass. The sod was custom Sipkens Nurseries Ltd. cut and carefully watered to ensure the www.sipkensnurseries.com Phone: 866-843-0438 Page 15 rolls were heavy enough not to move Stam Nurseries during the game. At half-time the green www.stamnurseries.com Phone: 519-424-3350 Page 11 uniformed Zander team were under the The Investment Guild www.hortprotect.com Phone: 800-459-8990 Page 5 spotlights as they repaired any divots on Uxbridge Nurseries Ltd the pitch and got rousing applause from www.uxbridgenurseries.com Phone: 877-655-3379 Page 6 the 40,000 fans.

V. Kraus Nurseries Ltd The game’s final result was a 2-1 vicBy Denis Flanagan CLD Director of public relations and membership services

W

ADVERTISERS

www.krausnurseries.com

Phone: 905-689-4022

Page 12

WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 25

CLASSIFIEDS

employment OPPORTUNITIES

All classified ads must be pre-paid by credit card. Rates: $50.85 (HST included) per column inch Min. order $50.85. 15% discount on ads run for entire calendar year. Box Numbers: Additional $10.

Confidentiality ensured. Deadlines: 20th day of the month prior to issue date. (eg: June issue deadline is May 20th). January deadline is Dec. 10. Space is limited to a first come, first served basis.

To advertise: E-mail your name, phone number and ad to Robert at classifieds@landscapeontario. com or fax to (905) 875-0183. Online advertising: Website only ads are available for $67.80 (HST included) for Associaton members and $90.40 HST included for non-members. Website ads are posted for 31 days. View ads online at www.horttrades.com/classifieds

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

EQUIPMENT

THRIVING GARDEN CENTRE FOR SALE Well established, turnkey opportunity, serving area for 30 years. Located midway between Toronto and Kingston. High repeat clientele.

Visit website below for details and contact information. www.businesssellcanada.com/ 33107002.htm

Great Landscape-Stone yard truck for Sale 2008 Kenworth Tandem, Automatic, Atlas Polar Crane like new, 16’ Eloquip Aluminum box with fold down sides, excellent condition, 200,000km, one owner, one driver. Certified. $74,500.

Helmut 519-888-9536 (Kitchener) helmut@helmutz.com

ESTABLISHED MUSKOKA LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE COMPANY FOR SALE Successful, respected company, locally owned and operated, is looking for a professional and dedicated purchaser. Well-maintained fleet of trucks and equipment. Dependable staff, loyal customer base. Year-round operation.

For serious inquiries only, please reply in confidence by email to: MuskokaOpportunity@gmail.com

Get INSPIRED Get CONNECTED Get INSPIRED Get CONNECTED

employment opportunities Macuto Nurseries Experienced farm workers required to perform manual work. Hand cultivating, digging and tree planting. Hourly rate $10.25.

Also required: Driver - Class A licence, Z Certificate and Mobile Crane Operator 0-8. Driver hourly rate $17.50.

Seasonal employment starting April 1, 2014 to Nov 30, 2014. Job site Keswick, Ontario.

Fax resume 905-898-0360 or call 905-898-6856

The Landmark Group is hiring for the following positions for the 2014 season

Landscape Ontario’s Green for Life brand Landscape is designed Ontario’s to promote Green for Life brand your professional is designed to promote business your professional business

• Landscape construction estimator • Landscape construction project manager Are you passionate about landscape construction? Do you have project management and/ or estimating experience in multi faceted and highly detailed residential landscape construction projects? Are you detail oriented, meticulous and passionate about quality work and providing exceptional customer service? Do you want to be part of a dynamic team and growing company with room for personal growth and career advancement?

We would encourage you to check us out at www.thelandmarkgroup.ca The Landmark Group is a full service landscaping business located in Thornbury, Ont. Our primary business focus is high end residential landscape construction with a complimentary property maintenance division.

We offer excellent wages and benefits and we also promote and assist our staff with continuing education and apprenticeship training.

Please submit your cover letter, resume and references in confidence to Jeff Scheper jeff@thelandmarkgroup.ca We thank all applicants for their interest – only qualified individuals will contacted.

26 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JANUARY 2014

INTERNATIONAL LANDSCAPING INC Outstanding full-time and seasonal opportunities are available for qualified people to join our well established and award-winning landscape design, construction, and maintenance company located in north Oakville. We are currently hiring for: Landscape Design Technician Requirements include: Working knowledge of all aspects of landscape design, including 1-3 years design experience. Proficiency in Dynascape Design & Colour, SketchUp, AUTOCAD and Apple computer programs an asset. College diploma or University Degree in landscape related field required. Demonstrated design ability and creativity. Able to follow direction and work independently. Working knowledge of plant material and hardscape materials.

Ability to work in a team environment. Excellent graphic and written skills.

Landscape Maintenance Foreperson Requirements include: a high degree of horticultural skill and knowledge, demonstrated supervisory and communication skills, ability to physically participate in day to day planting and maintenance, a demonstrated knowledge of trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals, knowledge of turf related practices. Ability to identify insects, diseases and weeds, and to recommend effective treatments. A positive, friendly manner to ensure excellence in customer service and employee morale. A valid driver’s license (D class an asset). Year round employment.

Landscape Maintenance Technician Requirements include: strong horticultural skills, experience in all aspects of property maintenance,valid driver’s license (class D an asset). Year round employment.

Seasonal Planting Technician Requirements include: Physical fitness, excellent work ethic, working on Saturdays, love of the outdoors and seasonal planting, creative & enthusiastic, ability to work independently. Year round employment.

Landscape Construction Technician Requirements include: Working knowledge of all aspects of landscape construction, including precast concrete pavers and walls, natural flagstone paving and walls, retaining wall construction, preparation of planting beds and installation of plant material, operation of skid steers, miniexcavators and loaders. Must have valid driver’s license (D class an asset). Carpentry skills an asset. Year round employment.

Compensation to commensurate with experience.

Start challenging yourself today in an environment that embraces diversity and rewards innovation.

While we appreciate all applications we receive, only those under consideration will be contacted.

Email your resume to: hr@intland.ca or fax to 905-876-0400 www.internationallandscaping.com WORK WITH AN INDUSTRY LEADER!

WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 27

28 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO JANUARY 2014