Horticulture Review - June 2010

Landscape Ontario and industry events

For more Landscape Ontario and industry event listings, visit www.horttrades.com.

June 28 - July 5 Plastic pot, tag and tray recycling opportunity Landscape Ontario, 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton Bring your plastic pots, tags and trays to Landscape Ontario home office for recycling, from June 28 to July 5. The opportunity is open to both green industry companies and members of the public. Landscape Ontario and the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association are working together on this event to build momentum toward a National Plastic Recycling Week for the green industry. For information on the recycling program, contact Lorraine Ivanoff at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 2366, or email lorraine@landscapeontario.com.

July 15 Growers Research Auction Landscape Ontario, 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton Join the Growers Group for its annual fundraiser.

This year’s event takes place at the LO home office in Milton in conjunction with Member Appreciation Day. In addition to bidding on outstanding nursery stock and landscape products, guests can take part in informative demonstrations, tour the University of Guelph/LO trial gardens and visit with LO and CNLA-endorsed suppliers to learn about great money-saving opportunities. The auction starts right after lunch, provided by sponsor Agrium Advanced Technologies.

For more information contact Kathy McLean at kmclean@landscapeontario.com, or Kathleen Pugliese at kathleenp@ landscapeontario.com.

July 19, 27 and 28 Building Your Prosperity The introductory Prosperity Partnership seminars will get you started on to the road of success.

This program is intended to help green industry members clarify what they excel at and what components of their business needs attention and improvement. A seminar workbook will be provided. Cost of workshop includes lunch. To register go to www.horttrades.com/seminars/ semdex.php?chap=1&c=11. Take a free online survey, posted at www.horttrades.com/ prosperity, to measure your strengths and weaknesses in the five prosperity pillars.

Locations: July 19 Garden Creations of Ottawa, 5100 Bank St., Ottawa, July 27 Fanshawe College, London Campus, R 1042, July 28 Landscape Ontario, 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton,

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Chapter events

For more chapter event listings, visit www.horttrades.com.

July 10 London Gardens of Distinction Tour Featuring 14 gardens in and around the London area, which have been designed and installed by professional members of Landscape Ontario who will be showcasing client gardens they have created.

July 16 Upper Canada Chapter Golf Tournament Briar Fox Golf Club, & Country Club, Marysville Shotgun start at 10 a.m., followed by a steak dinner. Cost is $100 per golfer. For more information, or to register, contact Helen Hassard at hhassard@landscapeontario.com, or 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354.

July 22 Toronto Chapter’s Dick Sale Memorial Golf Tournament Glen Eagle Golf Course, Bolton There is room for only 216 players in this year’s Toronto Chapter golf tournament, so register early to secure your space. Shotgun start is 8:45 a.m.; $199 per golfer, or special price for foursome of $899, which includes golf, lunch and hole sponsorship. Non-golfers are welcome at the post-game gathering at the Peters’ residence, but registration is required. For more information, or to register, contact Helen Hassard at hhassard@ landscapeontario.com, or 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354.

August 26 Georgian Lakelands Golf Tournament Innisbrook Golf Course, 2957 Lockhart Road, Barrie The annual golf tournament will take place at the Innisbrook Golf Course. Lunch and registration will begin at 11 a.m., with a shotgun start at 1 p.m.

A special early bird price is available at $125.

There are also sponsorships opportunities involving the putting contest at $100 and individual green sponsorships at $300. For further information, contact Heather Williams at handk@ sympatico.ca.

August 27 Ottawa Chapter Golf Tournament Canadian Golf & Country Club, 7800 Golf Club Way, Ashton Join the Ottawa chapter for its annual golf tournament. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, email Martha Walsh, Ottawa Chapter coordinator, at mwalsh@ landscapeontario.com.

September 10 London Chapter Golf Tournament Pine Knot Golf Course, 5421 Hamilton Rd., Dorchester The 5th annual London Chapter Golf Tournament tee-off time is 11 a.m. Cost is $125 per golfer, which includes golf, cart, lunch, dinner and prizes.

Register before July 2 to receive $100 off the foursome price. For more information, contact Wendy Harry at 519-488-0818, or 1-888-211-5606, ext.

2356, or wharry@landscapeontario.com.

September 11 Windsor Golf Tournament Tilbury Golf Course, 20425 Cty. Rd. 46 The Windsor Chapter’s annual golf includes 18 holes of golf, hotdog and pop at the turn, steak dinner and great prizes. Register a foursome before July 31 and receive a $50 discount. For more information on the tournament and how to register, contact Dan Garlatti at dan@garlattilandscape. com, or Jay Rivait at jaytopgrade@ hotmail.com.

August 15 Toronto Chapter Baseball Tournament Richmond Greens Sports Centre and Park Join the Toronto Chapter for an event that is unique to the Toronto region. This slow-pitch tournament will take place at the Richmond Greens Sports Centre and Park, 1300 Elgin Mills Road East, Richmond Hill. The tournament will run from 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with trophies and a barbecue lunch included in the fee of $550 per team. Each team is guaranteed two games. Ideal mixed teams should include five women/10 men.

For more information, contact Helen Hassard, at hhassard@landscapeontario.com, or 647-723-5448.

August 18 Golden Horseshoe Chapter Golf Tournament Willow Valley Golf Course, Mount Hope The $135 fee at this year’s event will get you 18 holes of golf, a cart, lunch, dinner, use of the driving range and putting green and great prizes.

For more information, contact Helen Hassard at hhassard@landscapeontario.com, or 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354.

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010 3

Landscape Ontario staff LO staff members are committed to member service. Please call with your questions or concerns.

Tel: (905) 875-1805 or 1-800-265-5656 Fax: (905) 875-3942 Web: www.horttrades.com

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.

Suffix for all e-mail addresses below: @landscapeontario.com

Executive Board

Windsor Chapter

President

President: Mark Williams Board rep: Garry Moore

Past president

Garden Centre

Tom Intven, tintven@ Robert Adams, robertadams@ First vice-president

Tim Kearney CLP, tkearney@

Chair and board rep: Bob McCannell, bmccannell@

Grounds Management

E-mail suffix for all staff members: @landscapeontario.com Executive director Tony DiGiovanni CHT, ext. 304, tonydigiovanni@ Executive assistant Kathleen Pugliese, ext. 309, kpugliese@ Controller Joe Sabatino, ext. 310, jsabatino@ Manager, education, and labour development, Sally Harvey CLT, CLP, ext. 315, sharvey@ Administrative assistant Jane Leworthy, ext. 301, jleworthy@

Second vice-president

Chair: Mike DeBoer, CHT Board rep: Brian Marsh

Education, labour, and certification project coordinator Rachel Burt, ext. 326, rachelb@

Secretary/treasurer

Growers

Seminar and safety group coordinator Kathy McLean, ext. 306, kathym@

Phil Charal, pcharal@ Jacki Hart CLP

Provincial Board Durham Chapter

President: Greg Scarlett Board rep: Mark Humphries, mhumphries@

Georgian Lakelands Chapter

Chairs: Mark Ostrowski Board rep: Dave Braun

Membership coordinator, Helen Hassard, ext. 354, hhassard@

Interior Plantscapes

Chapter coordinator, Georgian Lakelands Chapter Heather Williams, ext. 370, hwilliams@

Irrigation

Chapter coordinator, London Chapter Wendy Harry, 519-488-0818, wharry@

Chair and board rep: Stephen Schell CHT Chair: Chris Le Conte Board rep: Steve Macartney CIT, smacartney@

Chapter coordinator, Ottawa Chapter Martha Walsh, ext. 368, mwalsh@

President: Michael LaPorte CHT Board rep: Mark Goodman

Landscape Contractors

Golden Horseshoe Chapter

Lawn Care

Manager, information technology Ian Service, 416-848-7555, iservice@

Chair: Steve Tschanz Board rep: Alan White, awhite@

Manager, Pesticide Industry Council Tom Somerville, tsomerville@

Landscape Design

Nursery technical analyst Francesco Pacelli, ext. 377, fpacelli@

President: Tim Cruickshanks, tcruickshanks@ Board rep: Walter Hasselman

London Chapter

President: Tim Cradduck, tcradduck@ Board rep: Peter Vanderley CLP

Ottawa Chapter

President: Sarah Johnston Board rep: Bruce Morton CLP, CIT

Toronto Chapter

President: Fiona Penn Zieba Board rep: Ryan Heath CLP

Upper Canada Chapter

President: Diana Cassidy-Bush CLP Board rep: Paul Doornbos CHT, CLP, pdoornbos@

Waterloo Chapter President: David Wright Board rep: Mike Hayes

Chair: Peter Guinane

Chair: Tony Lombardi CLD Board rep: Beth Edney CLD, bedney@

Lighting

Chair and Board rep: John Higo

Snow and Ice Management

Chair: Ed Hewis Board rep: Gerald Boot CLP, geraldboot@

Members at Large Gregg Salivan Bruce Warren

CNLA Board Rep

Gerald Boot CLP, geraldboot@

For subscription and address changes, please e-mail subscriptions@landscapeontario.com

4 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010

Trade show sales Lorraine Ivanoff, ext. 366, lpi@ Trade show coordinator Linda Nodello, ext. 353, lnodello@ Sales and business development manager Gilles Bouchard, ext. 323, gbouchard@ Conference coordinator, Michelle Everets, ext. 396, meverets@ Director of public relations Denis Flanagan CLD, ext. 303, dflanagan@ Publisher Lee Ann Knudsen CLP, ext. 314, lak@

Web editor Robert Ellidge, ext. 312, rob@

The Voice of Landscape Ontario

Views expressed in Horticulture Review are those of the writer concerned. Horticulture Review and Landscape Ontario assume no responsibility for the validity or correctness of any opinions or references made by the author. Copyright 2010, reproduction or the use of whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited. Published 12x per year. Rates and deadlines are available on request. Subscription price: $40.43 per year (GST included).

Trade show manager Paul Day CDE, ext. 339, paulday@

Editorial director Sarah Willis, ext. 313, sarahw@ Editor Allan Dennis, ext. 320, aldennis@

Horticulture Review June 15, 2010 • Volume 28, No. 6

Executive director Ontario Parks Association Paul Ronan, ext. 349, pronan@

ISSN 0823-8472 Publications Mail Agreement No. PM40013519 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses To: Circulation Department Horticulture Review 7856 Fifth Line South Milton, ON L9T 2X8

Art director Melissa Steep, 647-723-5447, msteep@ Graphic designer Mike Wasilewski, ext. 343, mikew@ Sales manager, publications Steve Moyer, ext. 316, stevemoyer@ Communications assistant Angela Lindsay, ext. 305, alindsay@

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

An historical perspective of the future Tom Intven LO president

J

ust think for a moment about the changes that your grandmother would have witnessed in her lifetime: the combustion engine and the modern automotive world, airplanes and jets, space travel, a man on the moon, nuclear energy, modern health care and all its advancements, electricity, modern appliances and plumbing, television, computers, the Internet, and the list goes on.

Tom Intven At no time in the history of mankind is the world so quickly changing, as it is right now. Our green industry also experienced tremendous change during our grandmother’s lifetime. We have been blessed with some incredibly gifted, hardworking, visionary people who founded and shaped our industry from the formative years to today.

Significant contributions were made by these pioneers in our industry: Growers and Garden Centres: Hugh McCracken, Dave and John Bakker, Howard Stennson, Len Cullen, the Vanderkruks, Leno Mori, Frans L. Peters, Frank Fiddler, Hank Kobes, George Leiss, Manuel Sobrinho, Ted Shuttleworth.

Contractors: Glen Peister, Horst Dickert, John Putzer, Leslie Solty, Frank Braun (Frank Braun and John Putzer started as contractors), Willy Huber, John Northwood, Joe Deluca, Bill Deluca.

Maintenance: Tony DeGroot, Casey van Maris, Jack Kroon, Syd Queripel, Marc Thiebaud, Don Salivan, Bruno Mettel, John Cameron.

Please forgive me if I unintentionally omitted any significant forefathers.

Monumental contributions What these pioneers contributed is monumental.

Establishing our industry as a recognized trade, building the technical skills, developing standards for everything we do, introducing technologies — both low and high — to every aspect of our activities, writing the manuals on how to do everything we do well, and the list goes on.

These visionaries, and many more too numerous to mention, helped develop our indus-

try from nothing to a $13-billion sector that employs over 150,000 people.

Their hard work, advocacy, government relations, promotion, standard setting, education support, public relations and research continues to provide the foundation for our continued collective goal to grow a prosperous, professional, ethical, recognized and valued industry.

The original pioneers realized the huge benefits of working together to advance the horticulture industry and organized themselves into three organizations: Ontario Garden Maintenance and Landscape Association, Ontario Landscape Contractors Association and Ontario Nurseryman’s Association In 1973, these three separate groups came together to form Landscape Ontario. They understood that a unified horticultural community that was focused on common benefit and improvement would strengthen the industry for all. The legacy of goodwill left by our pioneers infected another generation of leaders.

The names are different. Their ethic is the same. People like Paul Olsen, Neil Vanderkruk, Hank Gelderman, Harold Deenen, Marc Thiebaud, Karl Stensson, Monica van Maris, John Wright and many of the amazing members, who currently sit on our boards, committees, chapters and sector groups, continue to propagate an ethic of service, responsibility and leadership that spreads value and benefit.

Today, LO has grown to 10 sectors. When I first came onto the board, I wondered if we were too unwieldy, too disconnected. Any sector might ask what it has in common with another.

How do we all relate to each other? What are our common grounds and the threads that unite us all? A grower, for example, might ask, “What do I have in common with a lighting contractor?”

The best way to answer this question is to look at it from the consumer perspective. To the average homeowner, all of our sectors together form the Green for Life industry. Our activities enhance their outdoor and indoor lives. Their outdoor life is improved by hardscapes: walks, patios, decks, pools, ponds and waterfalls, lighting, and softscapes; well designed and installed landscapes of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, tropicals, healthy well maintained lawns and green spaces.

Our association’s pioneers demonstrated that hard work and a will to work collectively are the way to build a successful industry and association. They demonstrated the power of aligned goals and clear vision.

Looking into the future, I would argue that the world will be more complex than the world of our grandmothers. The good news is that at the same time, our association of ten sectors is becoming more integrated, operating more synergistically and more united than ever towards the same direction. The spirit of volunteerism is alive and well and modelled by so many. The qualities of our forefathers that established the green industry in Ontario, continue to be exemplified by so many of our outstanding members, in and out of governance. With our association operating so well today, I am confident that we will continue to demonstrate the success that our pioneers achieved, well into the future. We definitely will build a relevant, strong green industry because of incredibly talented, dedicated and engaged volunteer governance and staff.

Working together, we can only achieve success.

Go to this site to see the history of leaders: www.horttrades.com/lo-pioneers.

Tom Intven may be reached at 519-631-1008, or tintven@landscapeontario.com.

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010 5

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The original green industry Tony DiGiovanni CHT LO executive director

A

s the original green industry, we sometimes forget that our occupation has always been based on a foundation of stewardship and improvement. I love how one of our members characterized our trade as Stewards of Creation. You improve the quality of life and environment every day through your daily activities. As an assoTony DiGiovanni ciation community, we sometimes forget to tell our story of societal and environmental benefit.

Recently, Environmental Stewardship Committee chair Nathan Helder asked me to summarize some of the stewardship activity that the LO community is involved with. Here is a brief summary: Native Tree Atlas – We are working with the Ministry of Natural Resources in order to promote the planting of native trees. This project was started by Denis Flanagan. As part of this initiative we have: • Developed and distributed a poster promoting the use of native trees • Participated in the Native Tree Atlas that was launched by planting a tree on Earth Day at Queen’s Park with the Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Linda Jeffrey • Sponsored a native tree brochure, to be distributed at garden centres and through the membership, as well as by the MNR • Agreed to plant a Living Tree Atlas on the Landscape Ontario home office site. Haig Seferian prepared an excellent plan for this project. The public will be encouraged to come to the LO site to see 28 native species.

Smart about Salt – A new group has been created with the title, Smart about Salt Council.

Members include the Region of Waterloo, Landscape Ontario and the Building Owners and Managers Association (Ottawa). The purpose of the Council is to promote professionalism, environmental stewardship and insurance liability reduction, based on increased documentation and promotion of best practices. The group will oversee the accreditation and professional development process for participating contractors.

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City of Toronto investigation of green accreditation – Discussions have taken place with the City of Toronto to create a green accreditation program, based upon the principles and agenda outlined by the Environment Committee’s Environmental Scorecard. The City of Toronto has a keen interest in helping develop the program. The Ontario Parks Association is also involved in this project. Committee member Scott Bryk is the lead on this initiative.

Water Conservation Initiative (Halton Region) – The Irrigation Sector Group, through the efforts of its chair Chris Le Conte, organized an education meeting in Halton Region for members dealing with water conservation in that municipality. Landscape Ontario is accepting responsibility to develop water stewardship programs and activities. This initiative could also integrate as part of the green accreditation concept.

The Irrigation Group has also developed a new website at www.ontarioirrigation.ca Green Infrastructure Coalition – This coalition was initiated by Steven Peck, executive director of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities.

Members include Ontario Parks Association, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, LEAF, Evergreen, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities and Landscape Ontario. The purpose of the Council is to promote the benefit of ‘leafy’ green infrastructure at all levels of government and the public. We are hoping that by increasing awareness opportunities, it will lead to a greater understanding of the societal benefits of green space, landscapes, gardens, plants and green infrastructure.

Ontario Water Conservation Alliance – We have joined this Alliance, aimed at promoting the importance of water stewardship. From our perspective, the main message is the benefit of green infrastructure in capturing and filtering water run-off and promoting the importance of planting as a water stewardship measure.

Greening Highways Project – We participated in the Greening Highways demonstration and research project at the intersection of Highways 401 and 427, and 401 and Allan Rd. The purpose of this project is to research and demonstrate the best plants and processes that would lead to success in greening our highways.

The project also tests the potential of Ontariogrown liners. We are supporting the research component of this project through Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.

Conservation Halton Initiative Wetlands Best Practices – Nathan Helder has been able to convert a very difficult issue regarding wetland development on his own property into a positive potential demonstration project. It has the potential to provide a basis to promote best practices on wetlands. This project may also integrate well with the concept of green accreditation, as long as accredited companies receive a benefit, which could include fast tracking of permits, contractor pre-qualification and public relations benefits.

Schoolyard Greening Project, Waterloo Chapter – This is the fourth year that the Waterloo Chapter has participated with Evergreen in greening a school yard. This year’s project at St. Michael’s Elementary School in Cambridge. The planting ceremony was particularly touching.

Gilda’s Club Landscaping, Georgian Lakelands Chapter – The chapter completed its landscaping of a Gilda’s Club site in Barrie this spring. The mission of Gilda’s Club is to create welcoming communities of free support for everyone living with cancer. The Georgian Lakelands chapter demonstrated the environmental benefits, but more importantly, it showed the social benefits of a caring community.

National Plastic Recycling Week – We are promoting National Plastic Recycling Week in conjunction with CNLA. As part of this effort, Landscape Ontario’s home office will receive plastic pots, tags and trays from the industry and public, starting June 28 to July 5.

Environmental Scorecard – The scorecard has been a huge hit. Over 300 companies filled out the scorecard. The process assists companies with stewardship improvements.

The summary can be found at this link: www. horttrades.com/survey-monkey.

The scorecard has initiated inquiries from the U.S. and Canada. One professor from North Carolina requested permission to use it.

The scorecard is a self-assessment tool, however, the committee will use the information to develop content for a future environmental manual, education programs and a possible green accreditation program.

These are only some of the many environmental initiatives your association is involved with. The original green industry can be proud and thankful.

Tony DiGiovanni may be reached at tonydigiovanni@landscapeontario.com.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

New ventures promote our industry

By Denis Flanagan CLD Director of public relations

T

his summer we will continue to promote our members’ public image by exploring new ideas, partnerships and opportunities. The following is an outline of some of the new ventures we will be working on.

If you have any comments, thoughts, and ideas or would like to be involved in any of the projects, please feel free to contact.

Members first Robert Ellidge and I will visit each chapter this summer to produce videos on chapter community projects, and interview both members and homeowners on why it is so important to invest in professional quality design, construction and maintenance. We will also try to cover as many sectors as possible. The Denis Flanagan

videos will appear on our Green for Life web site. Contact Robert at rob@landscapeontario.com if you have a client who would like to share their enjoyment of your award-winning project with the rest of the world.

Learning centres Jim Caruk, host of Real Renos on HGTV, is opening a series of learning centres to promote quality home renovation. Landscape Ontario will partner with the centres to offer advice on how to create garden projects and source quality goods and services.

Caruk has also formed a foundation named Renos for Heroes that raises funds to retro-fit homes for members of the military who have become disabled during their course of duty. We hope to be involved with this cause in the future.

Native trees We are working closely with the Ministry of Natural Resources to promote the correct selection planting and care of native trees. There is

a growing interest and demand for native trees, which opens up an educational opportunity for our members to connect with the public. We hope to develop a collection of native trees on our Milton site and in Mississauga, in conjunction with the Riverwood Conservancy.

Garden tours This July, the London Chapter will once again host the highly successful tour of member-built gardens.

Bulb extravaganza Stay tuned to Horticulture Review for a special event we are organizing in conjunction with the Toronto Botanical Gardens Tradewinds International, the International Flower Bulb Centre and the Netherlands Consulate General will host a seminar with Jacquiline van de Kloet, one of Europe’s leading bulb display designers.

Denis Flanagan may be reached by email at dflanagan@landscapeontario.com.

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010 7

PROFESSIONAL AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Apprenticeship and certification do work!

By Sally Harvey CLT, CLP Education and labour development department

I

n order to build a highly skilled and productive work force, the landscape industry needs to embrace continuing and post-secondary education and training opportunities that include, but that are not limited to, apprenticeship, certification, and college or university diploma programs.

Employers will be more successful if they and their staff are skilled Sally Harvey and possess certificates which prove competency. Recently we have seen an increasing number of questions from members about apprenticeship and which certifications are available. The following is a simple explanation of the apprenticeship and certification opportunities.

Apprenticeship pays According to the Canadian Apprenticeship Forums (CAF-FCA) research, an employer can receive is $1.47 for every dollar invested in apprenticeship training. With the new training tax credits and incentives (granted on becoming a Red Seal trade), it makes solid business sense.

Do not delay, register them with Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities (MTCU).

Go to www.horttrades.com/apprenticeship for more information and to download a pre-registration form. I recommend registering your apprentices as soon as possible, in order to ensure an in-school training spot this winter.

Last winter, many apprentices were placed on a waiting list. The sooner you register, the sooner MTCU can determine how many seats are needed for our trade.

What to expect once you have completed the pre-registration form for Apprenticeship: 1) The local training consultant will schedule a meeting with you and your employee to complete the registration and discuss the details.

2) T he registration fee ($600) will be collected once the new apprentice and the employer agree to their respective roles and responsibilities.

3) The new apprentice will be provided a training standard book by MTCU that is updated regularly to reflect competency in performing various tasks identified in the book.

4) The apprentice will be contacted by the MTCU and offered a seat for the in-class training. The apprenticeship must confirm acceptance immediately to ensure a spot in the class.

5) Apprentices who leave the sponsoremployer in the trade and are employed by a new employer, must notify MTCU of the change and re-register with the new employer.

6) The apprentice will attend two 12-week in-class terms, and complete their work experience training standard over several years to achieve their certificate of apprenticeship.

7) The apprentice is now eligible to challenge the qualification exam. If he is successful in the exam, he is provided with a Certificate of Qualification, becoming a journeyperson and eligible for the ACG grant.

Check out the following sites: www. apprenticesearch.com, and www.edu.gov. on.ca/eng/general/postsec/openingdoors/starting.html#4 If you have already completed the inclass portion and the on-the-job training, then take advantage of the recent incentive offered by the federal government, the Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG). Upon successful completion of the final trade exam, apprentices are eligible to receive another $2,000. For more information on the ACG go to: www. hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/trades_ apprenticeship/acg/criteria/ontario.shtml Help for employers Many employers have contacted me recently as to the tax credit schedules, which have not been included in our industry code 441C. We were only recently eligible for this perk.

The following was sent to me by the MTCU: “Corporations may claim the tax credit on Schedule 114 of the CT-23 or CT-8 tax return. Eligible employers operating unincorporated businesses may claim the credit on Form ON479, Ontario Credits, included in their per-

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Practical Test

Written Test

Landscape designers employees

X

X

CLT- I

Hardscape installation employees

X

X

Certified Landscape Technician - Softscape

CLT-I

Softscape installation employees

X

X

Certified Landscape Technician- Turf Maintenance

CLT-M

Turf maintenance employees

X

X

Certified Landscape Technician- Ornamental

CLT-M

Ornamental plant maintenance and retail garden centre employees

X

X

Certified Landscape Technician

CLT - Interior

Interior tropical plant maintenance and installation employees

Certified Horticulture Technician

CLT

Retail garden centre, or retail landscape employees

Certified Landscape Manager

CLP

Managers, supervisors, owners

Certification

Acronym

Aimed at

Certified Landscape Designer

CLD

Certified Landscape Technician- Hardscape

sonal income tax return. Visit the Apprenticeship Training Tax Credit page, or contact the Ministry of Revenue, tax advisory services branch at (905) 837-3814.”

Certification The Landscape Industry Certification exam provides confirmation of an individual’s competence in the landscape industry across North America. By successfully completing designations, you prove your competence in the industry to yourself, your employer and customers.

All successful Landscape Industry Certified individuals have undergone examinations on knowledge, technical skills and safety practices.

A high level of excellence is required to pass each section of the exams, meaning that even the most experienced person must demonstrate expertise in the topic areas.

• A minimum of 2,000 hours (one year) experience is highly recommended before the Certification process is begun.

• Written exams are designed to measure overall comprehension of a particular trade sector.

X

X

X

X

• The written portion of the exam is generally 2.5 to 4 hours long. Many written exams are offered at industry events.

• The hands-on tests measure an individual’s level of competence through a series of stations.

• The candidate is required to successfully perform specific tasks within a certain period of time in the presence of a qualified industry judge.

• Depending on the industry sector, up to 11 stations must be successfully completed.

• A minimum grade of 70 per cent is required on each of the written and practical exam problems before certification status can be obtained.

• All candidates who achieve a passing grade in some or all of the written and practical exams will receive a passport book indicating achievements to date.

Candidates are encouraged to seek additional information sources, or tutors for areas in which they are less experienced. Register for a certification prep course at Landscape Ontario’s home office, or in Ottawa.

Steps to get started • Fill out the registration form www. horttrades.com/landscape-industrycertified • Purchase a manual.

• Register for your region’s next test and orientation dates to start the certification process.

• Receive your test book, plant list and description of the testing stations.

• Gain on-the-job experience and STUDY. • Remember safety is the key to success.

• Once certified, maintain certification by continuing your horticultural training to fulfill re-certification requirements.

• Enjoy your status as one of North America’s qualified, trusted and recognized horticultural professionals.

The season for practical testing is quickly approaching. Tests are offered in Milton, Kemptville and Windsor. Sign-up now to avoid disappointment and to ensure that you have your study manual in plenty of time.

Sally Harvey may be contacted at sharvey@landscapeontario.com.

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010 9

SYSTEMS FOR SUCCESS

Pricing work for profit

By Mark Bradley

I

n our previous article, Dan, a struggling landscape contractor, and Bill, his long-time friend and mentor, discussed how Dan and his company could recover overhead costs. With the budget completed and overhead recovery factors set, Dan learns how to price his work for profit.

“You’ve just about done it, Dan; you’re over the hump. Your budget is complete, and your overhead markMark Bradley ups are calculated. You have all the information you need to price your jobs, knowing your costs and expected profit,” said Bill.

“It seems so simple now,” replied Dan. “Now that we’re this far, it’s just common sense.

But you said I could use this to properly price my work?”

“Yes, you have everything you need,” answered Bill. “Do you have that estimate you put together last month?”

Dan passed over a few estimates. Bill scanned Dan’s new budget, and his overhead factors, and started re-pricing the first estimate. “You can’t hope to be consistently profitable if you don’t know your costs,” emphasized Bill. “Start with the costs of doing the job, and then add your overhead markup and profit margin that were calculated by your budget. The markups make sure pricing covers all your planned expenses and wages, such as your salary, equipment, and advertising. Every cost we worked through in the budget is factored in these markups. Use these markups to price your work, hit sales goals, and keep your spending on your track. This is how your plan for profit becomes reality.”

Bill and Dan began working through the first bid: Labour costs Dan and Bill calculated labour costs, starting with the average wage of Dan’s crews. They added factors for overtime pay, downtime and labour burden. After that, they added Dan’s newly established overhead labour markup to cover Dan’s overhead costs, and finished by adding his profit margin.

Bill pointed to the final number: “Here’s the billable rate you need to charge for this crew,

per hour. This rate includes everything, including cost of the direct wages, payroll contributions, downtime, overhead and profit. Doesn’t it feel better to look at that rate and know that your costs and desired profit are covered?”

“Yes it does, and it doesn’t look too different from my rates now,” nodded Dan. “I think I can sell that.”

Equipment costs Dan and Bill then calculated the hourly cost of operating his vehicles and equipment. Equipment costs included the purchase or lease, insurance, fuel, licensing, and repairs. For every vehicle and equipment, they calculated the cost, added Dan’s equipment overhead markup factor, and profit, to establish daily and hourly prices for Dan’s trucks and equipment.

Bill showed Dan how to take his vendor costs and add factors for shipping, warranty, tax.

After that, they added Dan’s material overhead markup factor to cover a share of Danscaping’s overhead bill. Finally, they added a profit margin. Again, Dan found he could follow a simple method to take the costs of his materials and subcontractors and calculate exactly what he needed to charge to deliver the right bottom line results.

“Hold on for a second,” said Dan. “I’m starting to see a pattern here. According to my system, I’ve underpriced every one of these paver jobs.”

“Good eye,” said Bill, barely looking up.

“Don’t make that mistake again.”

“I’m not sure it was a mistake,” Dan continued. “I re-priced them because I didn’t think I would win the jobs at the prices my system told me to charge. They’re too high for this market.”

“That’s the beauty of the system,” confirmed Bill. “The system is going to show you the jobs that are right for your company and the ones that are not. Your markups will accurately price bids, so you can see which jobs will help you reach your goals, and which ones will get in your way.”

“You mean it’s better to just walk away from the jobs that are not right?” asked Dan. “Maybe, maybe not.” said Bill. “I said your system will show you jobs that are right for your company. It won’t make the decision for you. Just because you might lose a job on price, doesn’t change the cost of the work. The job costs what it costs! If your gut tells you you’re going to come in high on a bid, then you have three choices: 1. Work more efficiently – Start by reviewing your estimate. Can you use different tools

10 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010

and equipment to maximize productivity?

How can you value engineer the work to get the same production and quality in less time? Improving productivity will lower your costs, and therefore your prices. When you’re confident you’ve determined the most efficient way to produce the work, move to step two.

2. Educate your customer – You know exactly how and why you need to price the work, but your customer won’t necessarily share your understanding. Now it’s up to you to teach your customer why your price is more expensive: your services and products are of higher quality, your equipment is superior, or any other competitive advantages your company provides. You need to explain how these factors will benefit the project and your customer. Confront these facts head on, and don’t expect your customer to read between the lines. If that fails, then move to step three.

3. Let someone else do the job – Sometimes the most profitable decision you’ll make is to walk away from a job. If you aren’t going to make any money doing it, simply leave it for someone who will, or at least who thinks he will. This way you won’t waste your time and you’ll be able to sleep better knowing that job wasn’t right for your company.

Bill continued, “Unless I absolutely need the sales to keep my head above water during a tough stretch, I’d rather do less work than work on jobs that don’t turn a profit. What’s the purpose in running around like crazy? You’ll end up underperforming on jobs that are delivering you a profit, just to stay busy on jobs that don’t.”

Dan’s new budget answered so many of the questions that kept him up at night, plagued his weekends, and continually made him feel in over his head. “One more question, Bill. Why didn’t we have this talk 12 years ago?”

Wish you knew exactly how to price your work? Join LMN and Landscape Ontario for the Seize Control: Your Operating Budget workshop series. Bring your company’s numbers and leave with an operating budget and pricing system built specifically for your company. For more information, email workshop@ landscapemanagementnetwork.com, or call -888-347-9864.

Mark Bradley is president of The Beach Gardener and the Landscape Management Network (LMN). LMN provides education, tools and systems built to improve landscape industry businesses.

MEMBER PROFILE

Smart Watering Systems in forefront of irrigation industry’s innovations

By Allan Dennis

I

n just three short years, Chris Le Conte has taken his company, Smart Watering Systems of Brampton, from a concept to an award-winning and highly respected and profitable enterprise.

He came into the industry in 2005, working for Vanden Bussche Irrigation. Although he graduated from university with a business degree, Le Conte says, “I always had an interest in water and a solid understanding of the technical workings of products.” It wasn’t long before he saw that the issue of conservation was an inevitable future for the irrigation industry.

“My company helps our clients properly manage the use of water,” says Le Conte. “If we are going to use drinking water on our lawns, we had better do it efficiently.” This year Smart Watering Systems received the City of Toronto Green Award. An extensive audit of the irrigation system was ordered at a condominium property in Toronto. The outcome was that a new system was created and installed by Smart Watering Systems. This resulted in potable landscape water use dropping more than 75 per cent, and irrigation run-off was eliminated.

The city’s website cites the project, stating, “By sharing their success and knowledge with others, 10 other properties have since adopted similar initiatives.”

Smart Watering Systems now has a staff of five, with a new office just opening in Vancouver. Le Conte says, “Everyone thinks that Vancouver is farther ahead in its overall conservation and environmental concern, but I have found that the city has a cavalier attitude toward water consumption, because they have so much of it.” He sees the city as a place that will provide real opportunity to educate the industry and consumers on the new technology and systems that reduce water consumption.

Another trend that Le Conte sees is the focus on outdoor water use. “Over the past two years government agencies have focused on interior reduction of water use, with things like low-flush toilets. Now they are examining how the use of water in landscape irrigation can be cut back.

One major area is rainwater harvesting. Le Conte sees huge potential here for the industry. He feels that expensive drinking

water can be conserved by harvesting rain that falls from the sky. “It makes no sense to use the water we drink to irrigate landscapes.” Smart Watering Systems designs and installs rainwater harvesting systems to capture storm water run-off, reduce water costs and reduce potable water usage.

Le Conte has installed systems that capture rainfall from both his home and his neighbour’s. His water retention system in the back yard adds both beauty and function (see cover of magazine). The water retention system is also beneficial for the plants in the garden, providing a warm temperature and nutrients for the plants, without the chemicals in city water.

Education on the new products and the systems are other important for Le Conte.

He is an active member on several water industry boards, including the Ontario Waterworks Association’s (OWWA) Water Efficiency Committee, The Canadian Water Works Association (CWWA), serving on the National Water Efficiency Committee, vicechair of Landscape Ontario’s Environmental Stewardship Sector Group and chair of the Irrigation Sector Group.

It is estimated that in another three to five years, politicians will begin to enact regulations to govern the irrigation industry. Le Conte says that right now government officials are on fact finding missions. He reflects

on a statement from LO’s executive director Tony DiGiovanni during the special meeting in Halton Region regarding water use. “We need to work together to influence decisions made by politicians that will have an impact on our industry,” says Le Conte. He wants to see the industry demonstrate the realistic methods to reduce water use, while maintaining proper standards. “We can’t wait until it becomes a flashpoint, and decisions are made through emotion, instead of reality,” says Le Conte.

With Chris Le Conte leading the charge, those in the irrigation industry can be assured their voice will be heard.

Editor’s note: See June Landscape Trades for a comprehensive article written by Chris Le Conte on the business opportunities on water harvesting technology.

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010 11

Over 500 plants evaluated at this year’s trial gardens

By Rodger Tschanz

This year over 500 different plants will be evaluated at the Guelph and Landscape Ontario trial garden sites. The gardens will be open to members of the industry on Aug. 20, while the public will have an opportunity to see the new plants on Aug. 17, and again on Aug. 21 as part of the Milton Horticultural Society’s annual garden tour.

What to see at this year’s trials: Perennial trial — In 2009, there was a significant increase in the number of perennials in the trial. One year later, these perennials are well established and ready to give us a realistic view of their bloom performance. More new perennials from Ball, Blooms of Bressingham, Takii, Vanhof and Blokker and Jelitto are being planted in 2010, including the biennial Alcea (hollyhock), which will be represented by seven entries.

Annual trial — This group is always a big part of the trial garden. Highlights this year include three selections in the black family of petunias from Ball Horticulture, and the ultra-large Magnum series of New Guinea impatiens from Dummen. Large selections of verbena, calibrachoa and lantana are also note-

worthy. Participating plant breeders include Ball, Syngenta, Suntory, Proven Winners, Floranova and Takii.

Vegetables for Small Urban Spaces trial — In 2009, there was a sharp increase in consumer interest in home food production. The gardens reflected this by trialing food plants that can fit nicely into small urban spaces.

This year, tomatoes will be excluded in order to evaluate some new and unusual edible plant selections. For example, six different okra cultivars will be evaluated; the heat we are experiencing right now will be ideal for this group of plants. Seeds of Change, Ontario Seed Company and Floranova are the seed suppliers for this trial.

Steam weed control — In a never-ending attempt to find alternatives for weed control in our lawn and gardens, an experiment examining steam methods will be run at both the Guelph and Milton trial sites. Visitors to the open house will have an opportunity to visit the treatment plots and see the experiment in progress.

New woody plant container display — The trial garden program does not yet evaluate new woody material, but we are providing Landscape Ontario’s nursery growers with the opportunity to bring and display some of their newer cultivars of woody plants at the industry open house on Aug. 20. Such a display will complement the Trial Garden’s what-is-new theme.

Open house dates Industry: Fri., Aug. 20, LO Trial Garden (Milton) 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and the Guelph Trial Garden 2:30 - 4 p.m. (free admission).

Events include talks and tours of this year’s trials (refreshments at the LO site) and a lunch at the LO site. Trial Garden sponsors will be on hand to talk about their products.

Public: Tues., Aug. 17, noon - 8 p.m. at the Guelph Trial Garden. (free admission), and Sat., Aug. 21, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the LO Trial Garden (free admission). Note: This year the LO trial garden will be a tour stop on the annual Milton Horticultural Society’s Garden Tour, a fundraising event in support of United Way. Tickets for the full garden tour are $25 and can be purchased on the Milton United Way website at www.miltonunitedway.ca.

To find out more about the sponsorship opportunities available with the Trial Garden, contact Rodger Tschanz at rtschanz@ uoguelph.ca, or Kathleen Pugliese at kathleenp@landscapeontario.com.

12 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010

New attractions at July Growers’ Auction There are many changes coming to the 2010 Growers’ Auction, but the most obvious is moving from the traditional September date to July 15. Member appreciation is this year’s theme.

After nearly ten years of being held at various locations throughout the province, the auction is coming back to LO’s home office in Milton.

Other changes include an expanded list of invited industry members, along with an area in which endorsed suppliers will display products. There will also be an opportunity to view the LO trial gardens, a certification display and LO booth highlighting Green for Life,

Prosperity Partners, membership, magazines, trade shows. A number of special seminars are included with speakers Paul Zammit, director of horticulture at the Toronto Botanical Gardens, who will demonstrate new ideas in container arrangements, and Al Green, who will bring his vast experience as a paving contractor who has installed hundreds of thousands of feet of pavers. Agrium Advanced Technologies will demonstrate its products.

Of course, the main event is the live auction, which begins at 1 p.m. Bid on some of the best quality plant material available. Funds raised

from the event go towards industry research and scholarships. The Growers Awards of Excellence Program will also be judged that day. As well, bidders will be eligible to win a prize.

Pack your truck or trailer with used horticultural plastic, unload on site at LO’s plastic recycling depot, and fill back up with your purchased plants.

For more information contact Kathy McLean at kmclean@landscapeontario. com, or Kathleen Pugliese at kpugliese@ landscapeontario.com.

Plastic recycling week at LO home office Green industry companies are asked to bring their used plastic pots, tags and trays to Landscape Ontario’s home office for recycling, from June 28 to July 5.

This event will divert hundreds of pounds of previously non-recycled plastics from landfills.

Landscape Ontario and the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association are working together to build momentum toward a National Plastic Recycling Week for the green industry. British Columbia is also hosting a depot the same week.

For information on the recycling program, contact Lorraine Ivanoff at 1-800-265-5656, ext.

2366, or email lorraine@landscapeontario. com.

This initiative supports Green for Life, Landscape Ontario’s outreach program to inspire the public with the beauty and benefits of gardens.

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010 13

Chapter News Placement of stone completes Global Garden Diabetes Association undertook the creation of this garden, at the birthplace of insulin, as their project for 2008. It took a few years for the transformation of the Global Garden at Sir Frederick G. Banting Square to become an appropriate ceremonial spot, where visitors can now relax and reflect. The new LO sponsor rock, the Flame of Hope and the statue of Sir Frederick Banting are A Green for Life stone acknowledges sponsors that helped to create all permanent fixtures in the garden. They will be on a beautiful garden. display for people from all over the world to see.

By Wendy Harry CHTM This garden is one component of a neighThe Global Garden at Banting House National bourhood revitalization plan. The garden is a Historic Site of Canada in London is now showcase of this revitalization and transformacomplete, with the flowers in bloom and the tion. The stone was created and placed in the Landscape Ontario Green for Life stone finally garden by Custom Rock Creations, donating a lot of time and talent for community projects. in place.

A special celebration of the new Global The stone features the names of the sponsors who helped in the process to create the beau- Garden will take place on July 16, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The event will feature a barbecue and art tiful garden.

The London chapter and the Canadian show in the garden.

14 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010

Waterloo brings Green for Life to school

By Helen Hassard

The Waterloo Chapter of Landscape Ontario completed another successful school yard greening project, demonstrating first-hand how LO is truly Green for Life.

In Waterloo region each year, through a partnership with the Evergreen Foundation, a school in need is selected for greening. Through the volunteer work of LO members, the school playground receives a horticultural makeover. This year’s school was St. Michael’s, a Catholic elementary school in Cambridge. LO members, students, teachers and other community volunteers all lent their resources, expertise and time to make St. Michael’s a better place to learn.

Dennis Wendland, Evergreen Foundation’s school ground greening consultant in the Waterloo region, expressed his appreciation to LO members. “The school and kids thanked you, but I also wanted to add my appreciation, as the Evergreen consultant working with the local schools. Thanks to each and every member who showed up this morning to assist with equipment, know-how and muscle.”

Keeping your chapter connected Chapter donates $70,000 in labour and material to Gilda’s

Students helped to create a landscape at Gilda’s Club.

After many hours of donated time and material, valued at over $70,000, the Georgian Lakelands Chapter brought it’s Gilda’s Club project to a conclusion in late April.

It was the largest project that the Chapter had taken on in its few short years of existence. The landscape project was divided into two phases. Phase one took place in October of 2009, with phase two taking place this year.

“It was a large endeavor,” said Nick Solty, past president of the chapter. “I thank all those who helped bring the project to a close.”

The chapter became involved with Gilda’s Club in 2008, as part of a 72-hour building blitz that saw a house completed from start to finish in that time. Proceeds raised from the sale of the house went to help to fund the main project, a drop-in centre at Gilda’s Club of Barrie. The drop-in centre will be run by a group of volunteers, along with health care professionals.

“We, as a chapter, chose this project because Gilda’s Club Barrie will serve all of Simcoe County, Parry Sound-Muskoka, Grey Bruce and Dufferin Counties,” said Solty.

Gilda’s Club provides networking and support groups and workshops for children, teens and adults, educational seminars and social activities for people fighting a battle with cancer. It is a place where people of all ages gather to learn more about cancer, to share their experiences with others and, and in respecting its namesake Gilda Radner, to find opportunities to laugh.

The Chapter volunteers had 12 students from Banting High School in Alliston come out to plant and lay sod around the front of

Gilda’s Club. “Thanks to those who helped to get the plant material there, Warren Patterson from Botanix and Michael LaPorte CHTC from Clearview Nursery. Also many thanks to Jeff Lee for having his equipment and two of his

employees on site. We were able to unload and lay out all the plant material prior to the students arrival. Thank you Lexi Dearborn, Bob Adams, Jeff Lee and his daughter Abbey, who allowed the students’ to keep to their task of planting and sodding. Ross Allin, Bob Adams, Lexi Dearborn, and Jeff Lee did a fantastic job supervising and instructing the students on how to plant efficiently. Earle Graham and Lakelands Irrigation have been frustrated that they haven’t been able to get the proper water hookup from inside the building to get the irrigation system going. We managed to get an initial watering on the sod and thanks to Sheila Allin, Ross Allin and Jeff Lee, the plant material and sod all received a good soaking on Saturday morning.

A big thank you goes out to Heather Williams for organizing everything for us,” said Solty.

The Chapter received excellent coverage from A Channel TV and the Barrie Examiner.

To see the Examiner article, go to http://bit. ly/91IMNt.

LO shines at London garden show

By Wendy Harry CHTM

Landscape Ontario was well represented at the London Spring Home and Garden Show.

The 34th annual event was held at the Western Fairgrounds from Apr. 23 to 25. The show took in six buildings, housing approximately 500 vendors and displays. Great representation had 26 members participate in the show and the LO booth. The Green for Life logo was visible throughout the event. All the booths showed great professionalism and workmanship in design and creativity. Congratulations to Patrick Callon Landscape Design and Eden Gardenworks for winning awards for their displays.

The LO booth was designed and built by Grant Harrison CHTM, Chapter president, and Nicola Kamp, Chapter secretary. The booth displayed 4x6 foot posters, showcasing all that LO represents: members, professional services, education in horticulture, and community projects. LO’s mission statement and the London garden tour, on July 10, were also promoted.

The following sponsors donated time and material to build the booth:

Baseline Nursery, Bycraft Gardens, Canadale Nurseries, Ed’s Concrete Products, Escapes Outdoor Living Designs, Fisher Landscape Supplies, Nicolas Garden Art, Sifton Properties, and Triple H Landscape Supplies.

Thanks also go to those who helped man the booth all weekend. It takes a lot of volunteers to promote our members and the Green for Life brand. Denis Flanagan was also active at the show as a guest speaker and promoting LO and Green for Life to the public. Through his great public relations work, LO was well represented on the show map and the Free Press show edition in Saturday’s paper on Apr. 17.

The London Chapter will continue its branding and promotion efforts at the International Plowing Match in St. Thomas on September 21 to 25. We are working with the IPM committee to create a great entrance to the plowing match, and several of our LO members are actively involved on the committee for this event.

For any information on the London Chapter, contact wharry@landscapeontario. com.

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010 15

Hillen Nursery Inc Botanical Name

Qty. 1 Gal Qty. 2 Gal Qty. 3 Gal Botanical Name Avail. Price Avail. Price Avail. Price

VINES Ampelopsis glandulosa ‘Elegans’ 392 8.00 Campsis radicans ‘Balboa Sunset’ 245 8.00 Hydrangea anomala petiolaris 421 6.00 Lonicera per. ‘Belgica Select’ 151 8.00 Lonicera X ‘Mandarin’ 90 8.00 Parthenocissus quinquefolia 241 6.00 Polygonum aubertii 515 6.00

EVERGREENS Azalea `Golden Lights’ 315 Azalea `Orchid Lights’ 439 Buxus `Faulkner` 975 Buxus microphylla 335 5.00 375 Buxus X `Green Gem’ 740 5.20 Buxus X `Green Mound’ 220 5.00 1,000 Buxus X `Green Mountain’ 1,000 5.00 Buxus X `Green Velvet’ 1,000 5.20 1,000 Chamaecyparis pisifera `Filifera’ 150 5.00 222 Chamaecyparis pisifera `Filifera Aurea’ 210 5.00 52 Cotoneaster dammeri `Coral Beauty’ 1,000 5.00 141 7.00 Cotoneaster dammeri ‘Major’ 1,000 7.00 Cotoneaster microphyllus 224 5.00 40 Cotoneaster salicifolius `Repens’ 965 7.00 Euonymus fortunei `Canadale Gold` 45 5.00 1,000 7.00 Euonymus fortunei `Coloratus` 382 5.00 Euonymus fortunei `E.T.` 465 7.00 Euonymus fortunei `Emerald Gaiety` 120 5.00 1,000 7.00 Euonymus fortunei `Emerald ‘n Gold` 215 5.00 213 7.00 Euonymus fortunei `Goldtip` 498 7.00 Euonymus fortunei `Sarcoxie` 1,000 7.00 Euonymus fortunei `Sunrise` 140 5.00 280 7.00 Euonymus fortunei `Surespot` 1,000 7.00 Euonymus fortunei `Vegetus` 290 7.00 Ilex X meserveae `Blue Prince’ 109 5.00 201 Ilex X meserveae `Blue Princess’ 79 5.00 402 Juniperus chinensis `Gold Star’ 369 Juniperus chinensis `Mint Julep’ 260 5.00 521 Juniperus chinensis `Pfitz. Compacta’ 350 5.00 524 Juniperus chinensis ‘San Jose’ 290 5.00 168 Juniperus chinensis`Gold Coast’ 513 Juniperus communis `Repanda` 200 5.00 296 Juniperus conferta `Blue Pacific’ 205 5.00 327 Juniperus hor. `Andorra Compacta’ 940 5.00 1,000 Juniperus hor. `Prince of Wales’ 230 5.00 31 Juniperus horizontalis `Bar Harbor’ 390 5.00 785 Juniperus horizontalis `Blue Prince’ 247 Juniperus horizontalis `Icee Blue` 380 6.00 222 Juniperus horizontalis `Wiltonii’ 579 5.00 221 Juniperus horizontalis `Yukon Belle` 300 5.00 568 Juniperus horizontalis ‘Turquoise Spreader’ 595 Juniperus media `Armstrongii` 300 5.00 230 Juniperus procumbens nana 381 Juniperus sabina 290 5.00 595 Juniperus sabina `Skandia` 247 5.00 Juniperus squamata `Blue Carpet` 130 5.00 93 Juniperus virginiana `Grey Owl` 290 5.00 264 Larix laricina 1,000 7.00 Metasequoia glyptostroboides 925 7.00 Microbiota decussata 455 5.00 407 Picea abies ‘Nidiformis 627 Picea glauca `Conica’ 346 Picea pungens ‘Globosa’ 257 Picea pungens kiabob 100 5.00 770 7.00 Pinus mugo var. mugo 1,000 Rhodondendron ‘Northern Starburst’ 191 Taxus X media `Hicksii’ 144 5.00 566 Taxus X media `Wardii’ 490 5.00 314

16 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010

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Qty. 1 Gal Qty. 2 Gal Qty. 3 Gal Avail. Price Avail. Price Avail. Price

Taxus X media ‘Hillii’ 700 5.00 1,000 Thuja occidentalis 80 5.00 1,000 Thuja occidentalis `Brandon’ 490 5.00 866 Thuja occidentalis `Danica` 100 5.00 593 Thuja occidentalis `Little Giant’ 890 5.00 574 Thuja occidentalis `Nigra’ 1,000 5.00 1,000 Thuja occidentalis `Smaragd` 1,000 5.00 1,000 Thuja occidentalis `Wintergreen’ 990 5.00 501 Thuja plicata ‘Spring Grove’ 140 5.00 300 Tsuga canadensis 1,000 5.00 250 7.00 1,000 Tsuga canadensis ‘Jeddeloh’ 405 Tsuga canadensis ‘Pendula’ 285 Abeliophyllum distichum 232 7.00 Acanthopanax sieboldianus 967 7.00 Acer ginnala 840 7.00 45 Acer rubrum 562 7.00 Alnus rugosa 689 7.00 Aronia melanocarpa 174 7.00 Aronia melanocarpa `Autumn Magic’ 527 7.00 Betula papyrifera 929 7.00 Betula populifolia 270 7.00 Buddleia davidii `Dartmoor’ 250 7.00 Buddleia davidii `Ellen’s Blue` 500 7.00 Buddleia davidii `Ile de France’ 490 7.00 Buddleia davidii `Nanho Purple’ 390 7.00 Buddleia davidii `Petite Plum` 440 7.00 Buddleia davidii `Pink Delight’ 345 7.00 Buddleia davidii `Royal Red’ 344 7.00 Buddleia davidii `White Profusion’ 230 7.00 Callicarpa japonica `Issai’ 140 7.00 147 Caryopteris cland. `Dark Knight` 326 7.00 Caryopteris cland. `Grand Blue` 287 7.35 Celtis occidentalis 450 7.00 Cephalanthus occidentalis 1,000 7.00 Cercidiphyllum japonicum 230 7.00 Cercis canadensis 975 7.00 Chaenomeles spec.`Texas Scarlet’ 662 7.00 Clethra alnifolia `Paniculatum` 490 7.00 Clethra alnifolia `Pink Spire` 292 7.00 Clethra alnifolia `Sixteen Candles` 295 7.00 Cornus alba `Elegantissima’ 1,000 7.00 Cornus alba `Gouchaultii’ 444 7.00 Cornus alba `Ivory Halo` 1,000 7.45 Cornus alba `Sibirica` 231 7.00 Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ 231 Cornus amomum 1,000 7.00 Cornus kousa chinensis 329 7.00 Cornus racemosa 1,000 7.00 Cornus stolonifera (sericea) 1,000 7.00 Cornus stolonifera `Bud’s Yellow` 459 7.00 Cornus stolonifera `Kelseyi’ 1,000 7.00 Corylus avellana `Contorta’ 360 15.00 Cotinus coggygria 200 7.00 Cotoneaster horizontalis 545 7.00 Cotoneaster preacox `Boer` 500 7.00 Deutzia crenata `Nikko’ 90 5.00 752 7.00 Deutzia gracilis 860 7.00 Deutzia gracilis ‘Aurea’ 230 7.00 Deutzia X `Strawberry Field` 285 7.00 Diervilla lonicera 1,000 7.00 Euonymus alatus `Compactus` 804 5.00 1,000 8.00 1,000 Fagus sylvatica `Purpurea ` 530 7.00 115 Forsythia ‘Kumson’ 490 7.00 Forsythia ovata `Ottawa` 939 7.00 Forsythia X inter. `Northern Gold` 1,000 7.00 Forsythia X intermedia `Lynwood’ 679 7.00 Hamamelis virginiana 149 7.00 904 Hibiscus syriacus `Diana’ 80 5.00 260 Hydrangea arborescens `Annabelle’ 1,000 7.00

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Botanical Name

Many More Cultivars and sizes available Qty. 1 Gal Qty. 2 Gal Qty. 3 Gal Botanical Name Avail. Price Avail. Price Avail. Price

Hydrangea arborescens `Dardom` 334 7.60 Hydrangea macr. `Bouquet Rose` 305 7.00 Hydrangea macr. `Glowing Embers` 200 7.00 Hydrangea macr.`Princess Beatrix` 327 7.00 Hydrangea pan. ‘Limelight’ 351 7.60 Hydrangea pan. ‘Little Lamb’ 830 7.60 Hydrangea pan. ‘Pinky Winky’ 688 7.60 Hydrangea paniculata `Kyushu’ 500 7.00 Hydrangea paniculata `Tardiva’ 392 7.00 Hydrangea serrata `Bluebird` 560 7.00 Hydrangea serrata ‘Little Geisha’ 245 7.60 Ilex vert. ‘Winterred’ 285 7.00 Ilex verticillata 1,000 7.00 Ilex verticillata `Afterglow` 1,000 7.00 Ilex verticillata `Southern Gentleman` 393 7.00 Kerria japonica `Pleniflora’ 784 7.00 Kolkwitzia amabilis `Pink Cloud` 787 7.00 Ligustrum vicary 390 7.00 Ligustrum vulgaris 470 7.00 Lonicera xylosteum `Clavey’s Dwarf’ 686 7.00 Lonicera xylosteum `Emerald Mound` 595 7.00 Magnolia X loebneri `Merrill’ 345 Philadelphus `Innocence` 679 7.00 Philadelphus `Minnesota Snowflake’ 312 7.00 Philadelphus `Natchez` 280 7.00 Philadelphus coronarius `Aureus’ 243 7.00 Physocarpus opul. ‘Coppertina’ 315 7.85 Physocarpus opul. ‘Seward’ 385 7.85 Physocarpus opulifolus 1,000 7.00 Physocarpus opulifolus `Diabolo’ 1,000 7.60 1,000 Populus tremuloides 475 7.00 Potentilla frut. `Coronation Triumph’ 1,000 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa `Abbottswood’ 1,000 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa `Dakota Sunrise` 760 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa `Gold Drop’ 1,000 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa `Goldfinger’ 621 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa `McKay’s White’ 400 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa `Tangerine` 645 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa `Yellow Gem` 395 7.00 Prunus cistena 1,000 7.00 Quercus alba 365 7.00 Quercus bicolor 275 7.00 Quercus palustris 400 7.00 Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata’ 924 9.00 Rhus aromatica `Low Grow` 1,000 7.00 Rhus typhina 740 7.00 Rhus typhina ‘Tiger’s Eye’ 546 Rosa ‘Henry Kelsey’ 345 7.00 Rosa `Bonica` 577 7.00 Rosa `J P Connell` 195 7.00 Rosa rugosa 1,000 7.00 Rosa rugosa `Alba’ 1,000 7.00 Rosa rugosa `Hansa` 138 7.00 Rosa rugosa `Morden Blush’ 170 7.00 Rosa X `Champlain` 206 7.00 Rosa X `The Fairy’ 221 7.00 Rosa x ‘Morden Amorette’ 240 7.00 Rubus occidentalis 760 7.00 Rubus odoratus 283 7.00 Salix bebbiana 38 7.00 Salix beblonia ‘Crispa’ 100 7.00 Salix discolor 961 7.00 Salix eriocephala 1,000 7.00 Salix exigua 1,000 7.00 Salix gracilis `Purpurea Nana` 431 7.00 Salix integra `Hakura Nishiki’ 150 7.00 Salix integra ‘Flamingo’ 117 7.00 Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa Aurea’ 170 7.00 Salix nigra 360 7.00

11.00

8.60

12.50

Qty. 1 Gal Qty. 2 Gal Qty. 3 Gal Avail. Price Avail. Price Avail. Price

Salix repens 50 7.00 Sambucus canadensis 1,000 7.00 Sambucus canadensis `Aurea’ 531 7.00 Sambucus nigra `Guincho Purple’ 210 7.00 Sambucus nigra ‘Black Lace’ 45 9.50 317 Sambucus nigra ‘Thundercloud’ 185 7.00 Sorbaria aitchisonii 300 7.00 Sorbaria sorbifolia 1,000 7.00 Sorbaria sorbifolia ‘Sem’ 558 7.00 150 Spiraea `Pink Parasol` 120 7.45 Spiraea alba 1,000 7.00 Spiraea arguta 265 7.00 Spiraea betulifolia `Tor’ 150 7.00 Spiraea bumalda `Gold Mound’ 1,000 7.00 Spiraea bumalda `Gumball` 30 7.00 Spiraea jap. ‘Dakota Goldcharm’ 315 7.00 Spiraea japonica `Alpina’ 997 7.00 Spiraea japonica `Anthony Waterer’ 1,000 7.00 Spiraea japonica `Crispa’ 1,000 7.00 Spiraea japonica `Flaming Mound’ 772 7.00 Spiraea japonica `Froebelii’ 1,000 7.00 Spiraea japonica `Golden Princess’ 125 7.00 Spiraea japonica `Goldflame’ Spiraea japonica `Little Princess’ 1,000 7.00 Spiraea japonica `Magic Carpet’ 1,000 7.25 Spiraea japonica `Manon` 1,000 7.00 Spiraea japonica `Neon Flash’ 1,000 7.00 Spiraea japonica `Shirobana’ 163 7.00 Spiraea japonica ‘Genpei’ 200 7.00 150 Spiraea japonica ‘White Gold’ 580 7.00 Spiraea tomentosa 418 7.00 Spiraea vanhouttei 1,000 7.00 Spriaea vanhouttei ‘Golden Fountain’ 30 Stephanandra incisa `Crispa’ 1,000 7.00 Symphoricarpos albus 1,000 7.00 Symphoricarpos chenaultii `Hancock` 377 7.00 Syringa patula `Miss Kim’ 30 Syringa vulgaris `Beauty of Moscow` 77 7.00 199 Syringa vulgaris `Primrose` 327 7.00 Syringa vulgaris `Sensation’ 65 7.00 287 Syringa vulgaris ‘Dappled Dawn’ 45 7.00 Syringa vulgaris ‘Monge’ 15 7.00 210 Syringa X hyac. `Pocahontas’ 107 7.00 Tamarix pentandra 337 7.00 Tilia cordata 400 7.00 Viburnum `Emerald Triumph` 90 7.00 Viburnum dentatum/recognitum 287 7.00 Viburnum dentatum`Chicago Lustre` 130 7.00 Viburnum lantana 196 7.00 Viburnum nudum `Winterthur’ 150 7.00 Viburnum opulus `Nanum’ 90 7.00 Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’ 24 7.00 160 Viburnum rhytidophyllum `Alleghany` 91 7.00 Viburnum trilobum 570 7.00 Viburnum trilobum `Bailey Compact` 253 7.00 Weigela florida `Alexandra’ 250 7.60 Weigela florida `Bristol Ruby’ 546 7.00 Weigela florida `Elvira` 275 7.60 Weigela florida `Java Red’ 90 7.00 Weigela florida `Minuet’ 1,000 7.00 Weigela florida `Nana Variegata’ 690 7.00 Weigela florida `Polka’ 790 7.00 Weigela florida `Purpurea Nana` 980 7.00 Weigela florida `Red Prince’ 345 7.00 Weigela florida `Rumba’ 580 7.00 Weigela florida `Tango’ 515 7.00 Weigela florida `Variegata’ 382 7.00 Weigela florida `Victoria` 200 7.00 Weigela florida ‘Minor Black’ 105 7.00

11.50

8.00

8.00

9.00

8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00

8.00

RR 2, Mount Brydges, ON N0L 1W0 Tel: 519-264-9057 • Fax: 519-264-1337 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010 17

How to improve the locate process in Ottawa

By Terry Murphy CLP

Ottawa Chapter businesses have had a nightmare this spring trying to get locates before starting any excavation. What was a normal target of two to three days from the placing of the telephone call to having locates painted on the ground, has actually turned into four weeks and more.

From what I have gathered, this is a unique problem in Ottawa. It doesn’t seem to be as critical in other areas of Ontario, or at least nobody is talking about it.

This has caused great hardships and even layoffs for LO contactors. And, it may be that way until the end of this mnoth.

“In 30 years of business, I have never had to slow down my production. We are now pulling guys off of construction. This is ridiculous and already has cost significant sums of money and disappointed many of my clients,” said one Ottawa landscape company owner.

Promark, the key locate company in Ottawa, didn’t anticipate the demand and received its gas company locate contract very late. Combine this with an unusually early spring, extra requests from the landscape sector (due to the threat of heavy fines) and the locate turn-around time jumped all the way up to over four weeks.

One method that will keep this time at a minimum is an ALA (Alternative Locate Agreement). This is an agreement with the utility company. Getting a contract with the utility company for an ALA will allow telephone approval to dig (less than 12 inches deep). Generally this is sufficient for an irrigation company (and even some landscape jobs), which means that the bulk of all irrigation locate requests can be handled over the phone with no locates required in the field at the site.

However, the key is to have those requests registered early. Each contractor will have to obtain an ALA from each utility in his area.

mize problems for 2011 and certainly eliminate the nightmare of the 2010 spring. Milton home office and the chapters can coordinate these activities with the locate people and then allow each contractor to deal directly with specific forecasts and site requests.

Locate regulations • The fine is $50,000 for a first offence for cutting a gas line without a utility locate (call before you dig).

• There is a zero tolerance policy for offenders from the Technical Safety Standards Association (TSSA), which prosecutes people for cutting utilities.

In the last two years there has been a 58 per cent increase in requests for locates in Ottawa due to government infrastructure projects and a stronger economy.

Helpful suggestions • Always call Ontario One Call and get locates prior to digging 1-800-400-2255 • Call as many weeks in advance of the expected start date as possible. Remember, locates expire after 30 days, at which time a remark is required.

• Get ticket numbers given by the locate company. The number shows the position in the queue • Call seven to ten days prior to work commencing, to ask for the status of the ticket number if you haven’t received the locate information. A date will be given as to when it is expected to conduct the

Early forecast Next year we can coordinate with the locate company as to the number of potential locates and get each specific locate address requests in early. We will be talking to the locate company in December and early January. We can advise our specific site addresses with estimated start dates. We will also get the locate company out to a chapter meeting to start the planning early.

By giving the locate company an estimate of the number of locates, site addresses and target start times, the landscape industry will mini18 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010

locate.

• Still waiting for locate notification? Call three days prior to work commencing and check the status (don’t wait until the day before). Sometimes the locate has been done, but companies have not been notified.

• Locate still not done? Explain to the dispatcher that your staff will not be able to work that day without the locate and ask for a priority status. Landscape Ontario has been informed that the locate company will do everything it can to help.

• Don’t call in a priority for everything and don’t be rude. Be insistent, but be polite and professional. Companies that are trying to work co-operatively will get the best service and the locate service will do its best to keep your staff working.

• Develop a working relationship with Promark; be friendly and professional at all times. They are aware of the problem and the critical need to have timely locates.

Promark has assured LO it will try its best to help.

• Promark contact number in Ottawa is 613-723-9888. The dispatchers are there to help.

Call or email Martha Walsh, Ottawa Chapter coordinator, at mwalsh@landscapeontario.com. “Landscape Ontario will do its best to keep members working effectively and efficiently,” says Sarah Johnston, Ottawa Chapter president.

High demand for new weed killer delays shipments to Ontario Demand for the newest approved weed killer is much higher than forecasted, causing slight delays in shipments.

Fiesta Lawn Weed Killer received approval by the PMRA and the Ontario government on Apr. 30. “The launch of Fiesta in Canada has been a great success,” says Cam Wilson, Neudorff’s chief technical officer in North America. Neudorff North America manufactures Fiesta.

Shipments arrived in Ontario by midMay. Fiesta is distributed as a liquid concentrate. Presently distributing the product in Ontario are Dufferin Lawn Life, JB&D

and Plant Products.

Early reports confirm that Fiesta should be a valuable tool for the lawn care industry. Pam Charbonneau, OMAFRA Turf Specialist, has evaluated the efficacy of its active ingredient iron chelate for control of broadleaf weeds in turf. “The results are still very promising considering there are very few alternatives that provide this level of weed control,” wrote Charbonneau. Her entire report can be found in the May issue of Horticulture Review.

LO rewards school for sun safety message Lancaster Elementary School in Mississauga was honoured with a tree planting ceremony from Landscape Ontario in celebration of the school’s winning poster design for the Canadian Cancer Society’s sixth annual SunSense Poster Contest.

Over 600 creative entries were received for this year’s competition, involving grade one students across Mississauga. The contest is designed to educate the children about the need to wear sunscreen and to seek shade from the sun when playing outside.

As part of the celebrations leading up to National Sun Awareness Week (June 7-13), an assembly was held at Lancaster School, where Gursiman Singh received a plaque featuring his winning poster design. After the assembly, the winning class went outside where LO’s Denis Flanagan greeted them with tips and information on the benefits of trees, followed by the planting of a Princeton Gold maple on the school grounds.

Landscape Ontario thanks Canadian Cancer Society volunteer Heather Allen, daughter of LO past president Bob Allen, for her continued coordination of this event.

The children from Lancaster Elementary School in Mississauga stand proudly by their new maple tree donated by Landscape Ontario.

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010 19

Students compete in Skills Canada competition Waterloo was the centre of attention for students taking part in Skills Canada competitions.

The community hosted both the provincial and national competitions this year, and Landscape Ontario was a big part of both events.

“Landscape Ontario is proud to have participated,” said LO’s education and labour development manager Sally Harvey CLT, CLP. The Ontario skills competition took place on May 17 and 18, while the national competition was held on May 20 to 23 at RIM Park in Waterloo. Over 30,000 spectators attended the annual event, with 1,800 students competing in over 60 trades.

The national event attracted 55 competitors and 10,000 spectators.

The Landscape Gardening event hosted 15 secondary school and five college teams. “All teams represented their school boards with great

maturity. I can honestly say that these students have a great future in this industry, as they demonstrated a solid level of skill and understanding of the scope at hand. Any employer would be impressed with the performance of these competitors. The students executed the challenging design created by Beth Edney CLD, demonstrating a solid foundation of skill and knowledge of industry standards for both hardscape and softscape components.”

Top three secondary school teams are: Gold: Halton District School Board, Tyler Garrard and Joseph Isaak (Tyler was a co-op student with the CNLA and is now completing his co-op term with Landscape Ontario) Silver: Halton Catholic District School Board,

20 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010

Jake Daoust and Kyle Mifsud Bronze: Waterloo Region District School Board, Benjamin Warner and Ray Knechtel The top three post-secondary teams are: Gold: Fanshawe College, Allan Campbell and Melissa Sparling Silver: Fanshawe College, Ryan Arthur and Nikita Van Beers Bronze: St. Clair College, TJ Kotyk and Richard Pichette “All of the competitors are champions, having won top honours at their respective regional skills competition to qualify to compete in the provincial event. Congratulations to them all,” said Harvey.

The LO manager went to say that the provincial competition would not be possible without the passion and commitment of the two technical chairs, Shane Jones and Al Nason, both exceptional horticulture teachers in Ontario.

Barry Harrison from Skills Ontario was a tremendous guide as well, making sure that the new outdoor venue was ready to accommodate the growing number of teams.

“Of course without the incredible support from our endorsed suppliers, this event would not have happened. The generous donations included vast quantities of plant material, material, hardscape supplies, site set-up equipment, competition tools and equipment and even training on equipment that the students had access to during their competition,” said Harvey. She noted special thanks to Skills Ontario, Battlefield CAT Equipment Rental, Connon Nurseries Neil Vanderkruk Holdings, Dirt Cheap, Greenhorizons Group of Farms, ITML Horticultural Products, Martek Landscape and Construction, Permacon, Steed Evans, Stihl, Valleybrook Gardens, Westbrook Floral, Waterloo Flowers and Landscape Ontario.

Judges at the landscape competition included Rachel Burt, Darcy DeCaluwe, Chris Huebert and Sally Harvey. They were seriously

challenged with the task of judging this close competition.

With the growth in the number of Specialist High Skills Major programs in landscape horticulture (17 this year and 24 programs planned for the 2010/11 school year), it is expected that the number of teams will increase. “With that increase, we will most certainly witness an increase in the technical calibre of the competitors as well. A good news story for our industry,” said Harvey.

On May 17 at the Skills Ontario Workshop, the Landscape Ontario team comprised of Rachel Burt, Karah Harvey and Helen Hassard, along with sponsors, facilitated an interactive learning opportunity for 120 grade 7 and 8 students.

The students learned about perennials and then planted seasonal planters that they took home to nurture and watch grow. The Green for Life message was well received by these youth.

Skills Canada The competition is the only national, Olympicstyle, multi-trade and technology event of its kind for young students and apprentices in the country. The two-day event included 40 different events, showcasing six major trades and technology categories.

This year’s competition drew numerous special guests and dignitaries, including, M.P. Peter Braid and Mike Holmes, host and creator of Holmes Inspection. “An event like the Skills Canada competition gives me great encouragement about the future of skilled trades and technology careers in Canada,” said Holmes. “I am so proud of the calibre of projects showcased at this event, and I look forward to continuing to support unique programs and competitions that promote skilled trades to young people.”

Results of the 16th Canadian competition in the landscape sector saw a team from Winnipeg, Man. win top prize, with a Quebec team taking second and an Alberta team grabbing third place.

Skills Canada was founded in 1989 as a national, not-for-profit organization that works with employers, educators, labour groups and governments to promote skilled trades and technology careers among Canadian youth. Its unique position among private and public sector partners enables it to work toward securing Canada’s future skilled labour needs while helping young people discover rewarding careers.

For more information, visit www.skillscanada. com. Skills Canada competitors at RIM Park all wanted to make Team Canada for WorldSkills in London, England in 2011.

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010 21

LO STAFF PROFILE

Tony DiGiovanni CHT LO executive director

What is your job description at LO? Essentially my job is to implement member direction and to assist the members in growing a prosperous, professional, ethical, recognized, respected and valued industry.

In that role, I have referred to myself as the “official observer and listener.” I am constantly trying to filter all of my interactions with members to arrive at a common understanding of the relevant priorities that will advance the LO family.

I am also responsible for supporting an amazing group of professional and service-oriented staff members who “own” the vision and mission of the association.

Go to this link www.horttrades.com/ role-of-executive-director for a detailed description of the executive director’s role.

What is your background before coming to LO, and when did you begin work at LO? Before coming to work for Landscape Ontario, I was the coordinator of the Landscape Technology Program at Humber College.

Before that, I was a grower/horticulturist working for Centennial Park Conservatory.

One of my first jobs at the Conservatory was to label all the plants. You can still see the plant tags I produced almost 30 years ago.

In addition to my role as grower, I hosted a local TV show called Etobigrow. Kathy McLean, in our home office, somehow got a hold of a VHS tape of one of the episodes.

She refuses to give me a copy. I have fears of it appearing on YouTube. I also wrote weekly articles for the Etobicoke Guardian.

At one time I was a regular contributor of garden articles to Canadian Press.

I graduated from the Landscape Technology program at Humber College in 1978.

Bob Tubby and his wife Mitzi were classmates. Other notable alumni include Rita Weerdenburg, Bob Allen and Harold Deenen.

In the summer of 1989 (almost 21 years ago) I received a fateful call from the then President Neil Vanderkruk, who offered me the job of executive director. At first I said no. I thoroughly enjoyed my job at Humber College and had no idea what an executive director did. As a teacher, I felt it important to participate and contribute to the industry association and was serving as a volunteer on the promotion committee. I did not fully understand what Landscape Ontario was all 22 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010

about. Neil persisted.

My wife Maxine will always buy me a ticket I told Dean Carl Eriksen about the job offer. when she notices he is playing. I also love I will always remember him fondly for his early Rolling Stones. TV show – I love The advice. He urged me to try the job for a Amazing Race, American Idol and 24. year. He would hold my position. If it did If you could go anywhere in the world, not work out, he believed I would only be where would you go? a better teacher for the experience. The A couple of years ago I had the opportunity only condition was that I had to replace to cycle the Loire Valley in France with my myself. I recommended Harry Chang, who daughter. I did not get enough. I would love is still there. He was much better at the to go back. Recently I have this urge to job than I ever was. He has contributed a visit Pompeii. When I was younger, I had good part of his life as a wonderful role this fantasy of traveling all of Europe on a model for hundreds of students, imparting Eurail pass. Perhaps there is still time. his enthusiasm and raising the level of Tell us one thing about you that few of your competency, skill and professionalism in the colleagues know about you. industry.

Most would probably not know that I took When not at work, where can you be bagpipe lessons for a year. What a difficult found? instrument. Another little known fact is that I can be found mostly at home with my wife I was briefly a director on the now defunct Maxine. I enjoy playing guitar, cuatro and Curly Hair Association. This group was mandolin, as well as recording music. I also started by a former Controller of Landscape have three or four books open at the same Ontario, who asked me to lend my advice to time. their proposal for an apprenticeship program.

When you were a child, what did you want When the Queen was last in Toronto (during to be when you grew up? her Jubilee celebration), Denis Flanagan and As a teenager I wanted to be a musician. I I had the opportunity to talk to her about took a year off to try to make it. It didn’t Landscape Ontario. That very same year, we work out, although we had a couple of at LO had the opportunity to decorate the wonderful opportunities. We were offered a stage for the Pope’s visit. recording deal with Art Snider, owner of the studio Sound Canada. He recorded Gordon Lightfoot. We also had the opportunity to record in the Mersey Brothers Studios in Elmira.

What inspires you during your time at LO? I am inspired by amazing members who are constantly contributing their time, resources and wisdom.

The LO family is a very supportive and caring community. President Tom Intven refers to this phenomenon as the Landscape Ontario gene. The gene has infected thousands.

Name your all-time favourite movie, musical group and TV show.

Favourite movie – There are so many.

It’s usually the last good movie that I have watched. Notable favourites include The Shawshank Redemption and the Godfather movies. Musical group – I have been following Bruce Cockburn for many years.

Denis and Tony greet the Queen

Is it legal to wear shorts at construction site?

The following question comes from a lawn maintenance and landscape construction firm: “We as a landscape company have allowed employees to wear shorts in the summer. I just don’t see the big hazard. It’s common with many other companies. It reduces heat stress dramatically. I realize there may be some loss of protection from injury. Although, we don’t wear long sleeved shirts, do we? To your knowledge, is it written in law that pants are mandatory?”

Landscape Ontario asked Roy Ford, provincial specialist, Industrial Health and Safety Program with the Ontario Ministry of Labour: “Neither the Occupational Health and Safety Act, nor the construction/industrial regulations address the issue of wearing shorts on construction sites.

“The construction regulations require that a worker wear and use protective clothing and equipment that are necessary to protect them against the hazards that they may be exposed to. Section 25 of the construction regulations deals with the specific issue of the

risk of injury to the worker’s skin: A worker shall use protection appropriate in the circumstances when there is a risk of injury on a project from contact between the worker’s skin and, (a) a noxious gas, liquid, fume or dust; (b) an object that may puncture, cut or abrade the skin; (c) a hot object, hot liquid or molten metal; or (d) radiant heat. http://bit.ly/937XBB “As well, under the OHS Act, the employer has a duty to ensure the health and safety of employees by identifying the potential hazards that the workers may be exposed to and developing policies and procedures to control the workers’ exposure to those hazards. Therefore, the employer may have specific policies regarding the type of clothing that is required to be worn while working at, or visiting construction/industrial sites, and the worker should consult with the employer to determine if they have such a policy.

“Regardless of the policies that the

employer may have, if a Ministry of Labour health and safety inspector visits a construction/industrial site and determines that workers are exposed to hazards to the skin, the inspector would require that workers at the site are suitably protected from these hazards.

However, as conditions from site to site, or even at different points in time on the same site, may vary, the determination of what type of protective clothing/equipment is required would be made on a case by case basis.”

Canada Blooms volunteers In the April Horticulture Review two names of volunteers at Canada Blooms were left out of the article.

Two growers, Gerwin Bouman of Stam’s Nursery and Gloria Slade of Laurel Forest Farms, gave their time and energy at the event.

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010 23

Horst ‘Dynamite’ Dickert – A Memorial Tony DiGiovanni CHT LO executive director

Editor’s Note: Horst Dickert passed away after a long illness on Fri., May 7, at the Trillium Manor Nursing Home in Orillia. He was 77. The funeral service took place at the Simcoe Funeral Home in Orillia on Sat., May 15.

I first met Horst over 20 years ago, when I began at Landscape Ontario.

Horst was on a committee of pioneers and experts. Their job was to develop a series of landscape guides and standards.

The committee met one evening a month. It quickly became one of my favourite meetings, because I got to hear many stories of the early days of the industry. The meetings were lively, stimulating and long. They spent a lot of time debating the best ways of doing things, based on real knowledge in the field and years of experience.

Horst had integrity, and he was a real gentleman and a wonderful role model.

His contribution to the industry has been immense. He touched thousands of us. Horst influenced the standards of the industry and helped to shape the association community. He developed new techniques. He freely

24 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010

gave thousands of hours and a good deal of his life to help improve an industry he loved. I don’t know anyone with such a diverse base of knowledge.

Even though his real passion was for plants (especially plants in their native habitat), he was equally proficient working out the hydrological mathematics of complex fountains (the Casa Loma fountain is an example).

He tested concrete to ensure that the formula was just right, and was not averse to sending the concrete truck back if it did not pass the ‘Dickert Test.’

He installed beautiful rockeries (he built one for us at the Landscape Ontario home office site) and developed magnificent water features. He was truly a renaissance man in the landscape field. He knew a great deal more than most of us about both hard and soft landscaping. I always believed there should be a Horst Dickert School of Landscaping.

Years ago Horst was one of the first industry members to dream a vision of the association owning a large piece of property that would host a school and an arboretum. He was really pleased when the dream became a reality, and even more so when he became the main teacher. At one point, he was teaching five different courses for Landscape Ontario. At the same time, he shared his knowledge as a consultant for some of North America’s premier landscape architects, such as Janet Rosenberg, Laura Starr, Julie Moir Messervy, Stefan Bolliger and many others.

In the municipal world, he led a one-man campaign to raise awareness for the importance of soil preparation to ensure success of tree planting. He was responsible for changing tree planting specifications in many municipalities.

Recently, I had the pleasure of listening to an interview that was done with Horst in 2006. The recording tells his story about his coming to Canada in 1953, working on a vegetable farm and then as an explosive technician in Niagara Falls. His first landscape job was with Cedarvale Tree Experts.

He then moved to RLink Associates, where he received experience in large fountain installation.

When RLink ceased operations, he went to work for Bill Schrieber and John Northwood in the legendary company, Lakeshore Landscaping. It was involved in many signature and leading-edge projects and Horst was in the centre of it all, ensuring that quality and innovation always came first.

Horst stayed with Lakeshore for 23 years and became the president after it was sold to Aldershot.

Lakeshore Landscaping was responsible for landscaping Expo 67. As the job neared completion, they ran into some trouble. They needed to plant trees before Expo was to open in the spring, however, the harsh winter and compacted, frozen soil would not allow even a backhoe to dig a hole.

Horst came up with the idea of using dynamite to dig the holes.

This method proved to be brilliant. The dynamite opened the earth, creating excellent drainage. Since dynamite is made from nitrogen, it fertilized the tree at the same time. From this experience, they called him Dynamite Dickert. He went on to teach a course on ‘Tree Planting with Dynamite’ at Humber College.

One of the most important things about Horst’s life is his legacy of benefit that now lives on through the memories of those he influenced and touched. It is fitting that the family has started a fund in the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation to be used for an Award or Scholarship in the name of Horst Dickert. It will promote the use of native plants. You are welcome to participate in that effort. Charitable donations for this purpose can be made to the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation. Email kpugliese@landscapeontario.com for information.

Horst left more than his great technical and horticulture knowledge.

Even more importantly, he left an example on how to be a truly caring individual. Rest well, Horst.

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OMAFRA NURSERY AND LANDSCAPE REPORT

Better management of black vine weevil with nematodes

By Jen Llewellyn OMAFRA nursery crops specialist

W

hen I started working with entomopathogenic nematodes to better understand their efficacy on nursery crops, we were working with various species of Steinernema and Heterohabditis megedis (H.m.). We found H.m. to be quite effective for the management of black vine weevil larvae (Otiorrhynchus sulcatus) in container production, but a comparatively low level of suppression in the field. Since then, Heterohabditis bacteriophora (H.b.) was introduced into the North American market. We have found this species to be even more effective at black vine weevil management than H.m.

There are several suppliers of H.m. in Ontario. Most of the H.m. comes from biocontrol rearing facilities in Europe and must be ordered at least one week in advance. Viability and quality of any live biocontrol organism can be an issue, especially with long distance transport. Biocontrol suppliers conduct regular

checks on viability in order to help ensure efficacy of their products. Are you checking viability before nematode applications? All you need is a microscope….or a glass of warm water.

When it comes to entomopathogenic nematodes, checking viability can be quite simple. For those who have compound or dissecting microscopes, you could easily take a small sample of stock solution and view the liquid under the microscope to do some viability counts. Dead larvae are very straight and just lie immobile, suspended in the water. Live larvae tend to have a bend in them and will move and wiggle along in the fluid, though not necessarily continuously. Those who do not have a microscope can take a sub-sample of the stock solution and add it to a clear glass of room temperature water. Now (this is very cool), after about 10 to15 minutes, hold the glass of nematodes and water up to the light, et voila! You will see the DEAD nematodes suspended and floating aimlessly throughout the water column. The LIVE nematodes will actually sink to the bottom of the water column. If you hold a

10-x hand lens up to the glass, you will be able to see the outlines of the nematodes. It should be noted that live nematodes from a clay media base will not be as active as those from an aqueous food base, but that the former may still be quite effective at controlling insect pests. If you are concerned about viability, you should contact your biocontrol supplier immediately.

Many researchers believe that nematodes reared on live insect hosts (in vivo) will retain more of their parasitic qualities and be more effective as a biocontrol agent in your production facility. Not all stages of nematodes are infective to insect hosts. In the case of Heterohabditis nematodes, only the juvenile stages are infective and it is the last juvenile instar that is most active and mobile. Recent research has indicated that nematodes, just like other biological organisms, can actually produce pheromone cues to signal certain behaviors in their population. It has been demonstrated that when populations are high, nematodes will send out a pheromone to stimulate dispersal (and discourage hunting). This is significant when it comes to choosing application rates of entomopathogenic nematodes. You will notice that the “curative” rate is usually four to five times higher than the “treatment” rate. We can’t help but think, if I apply it at the curative rate or higher, it will work even better! Now you know: stick to the rates on the label and be conservative.

Some biocontrol researchers have found that Hypoaspis predatory mites will swarm black vine weevil larvae and some growers may be trying Hypoaspis in synergy with nematodes in hopes of increasing the efficacy of the nematode treatment. Interestingly, some researchers have found Hypoaspis predatory mites to be effective at reducing larval populations of black vine weevil in field production crops. The predatory mites will actually swarm the larval pest and feed on it by inserting their proboscis and sucking out the insect’s fluids, leading to mortality. Hypoaspis are not winterhardy in our climate and need to be introduced during the growing season each year.

Jennifer Llewellyn may be reached at 519-824-4120, ext. 52671, or by email jennifer.llewellyn@ontario.ca. Read her Nursery-Landscape Report: http://apps. omafra.gov.on.ca/scripts/english/crops/ agriphone/index.asp

26 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010

LEGAL ISSUES

Dealing with the problem owner

By Robert Kennaley McLauchlin & Associates

I

f you have been working long enough as a construction contractor, you have had an odd client that, if you had to do it all over again, you would have never taken the job in the first place. Sometimes it is because we underbid the job. Other times, however, it is because the client has become unreasonable, or difficult, making the job almost unbearable. When we encounter such a problem job, it would be all Rob Kennaley too easy to simply walk away, however, that can involve significant risk.

The first that should be understood is that without a legal basis to stop work, a contractor can be held liable for damages for delay or wrongful termination of the contract. In some circumstances, these damages can be extensive. An owner who proves such a claim will be entitled to recover whatever it might cost to retain another contractor to complete the work. In addition, the owner can claim for any impacts it might suffer from the delays associated with finishing the work. This may include additional compensation paid to other contractors or suppliers that are held up in completing contracts and damages that are associated with the late completion of the work.

This may occur, for example, where the owner’s ability to conduct business is delayed.

Accordingly, if a contractor feels trapped on a difficult job, then he should consider carefully whether or not there is a legal, contractual right to stop work. If he is not sure whether he can establish that right, he should consider the extent to which the owner might be able to establish damages. In addition, the contractor should consider whether or not the client may commence legal proceedings regardless (as, unfortunately, some are more litigious than others).

Of course, it will assist the contractor greatly if the contract establishes a right to stop work in the circumstances. First the contract should provide that the contractor is entitled to stop work if the contractor has not been paid in accordance with its terms. In that case, the contractor will generally be required to return to the project should the owner correct the default within a reasonable period of time. It will further assist the contractor if the contract provides that

he may either stop work or consider the contract terminated in the event that the owner defaults in his obligations thereunder. In such a situation, the contract will generally require the contractor to put the owner on notice of the default and of the contractor’s intention to either stop work, or consider the contract as at an end. Generally the contract will specify the amount of notice required.

Contractors should ensure that they fully comply with such notice provisions, ensuring that the form and delivery of the notice are in accordance with the contractual requirements.

Where no notice clause exists under the contract, contractors will generally be well advised to provide such anyway, in order to avoid the argument that an implied obligation to do so should be read into the contract.

Contractors finding themselves embroiled in a contract they wish to terminate, might also wish to use the remedy of ‘repudiation,’ if it is available. This can be particularly helpful where a right to terminate is not spelled out in the contract. A repudiation of the contract by the owner may exist, depending on the circumstances. This may occur where the owner, either expressly or by conduct, indicates that he no longer wishes to be bound by his obligations under the contract.

Repudiation, of course, may occur when the owner refuses to pay amounts owing. It may also occur if the owner refuses access he is obligated to provide, or refuses to supply required materials or, without excuse, hires another to perform a portion of the contractor’s work.

In such cases, the contractor may elect to accept or reject the repudiation. If the repudiation is not accepted, the contract continues and both parties are required to meet their obligations. If the contractor accepts the repudiation, however, the contract may be treated as though it has been terminated, and the innocent party may immediately bring a suit for damages.

In determining whether there has been a repudiation, the parties’ conduct and the circumstances must be considered as a whole. Where there has not been an express and absolute refusal by one party to perform its obligations under the contract, the test is to determine whether the defaulting party’s actions could lead a reasonable person to conclude that he no longer intends to be bound. The determination will be easier, if the owner’s obligations are set out in detail in the contract. Delay, however, does not in and of itself give rise to repudiation. A delay in performing obligations, of course, is something less than a

refusal to perform obligations.

Contractors should also be careful not to waive their rights to insist on the owner’s performance of the contract. This can occur where the owner had previously acted in a similar manner and the contractor did not object. Waiver, it has been said, will generally be found only where the evidence demonstrates that the party waiving had full knowledge of his rights to insist on performance and unequivocally and consciously intended to abandon them.

The repudiation of a contract not in Sign up to receive yourdoes own and of itself end the contract. The cases estabcopy of LO’s weekly lish that the innocent party must accept the other updatehis election to party’s breache-mail and communicate end the contract on the basis of that breach to the other party. It is critical for the innocent party to communicate his acceptance of the repudiation in order for the contract to be ended.

Repudiation can be a complicated legal doctrine and should not be acted on without legal advice. That having been said, it might provide contractors with a reasonable remedy when working with an owner who refuses to perform as he had agreed. Although we have been discussing the owner/contractor relationship, it should be kept in mind that the doctrine of repudiation LO Thisto Week givesbetween you conapplies equally the relationship advance notice tractors and subcontractors.

Are you getting all the news?

of association events and

Robert Kennaley practices construction law chapter activities. in Toronto. He speaks and writes regularly on construction law issues and can be reached for SusanorTherrien commentContact at 416-368-2522, at kennaley@ stherrien@landscapeontario.com, mclauchlin.ca.

This material is for information or calland 1-800-265-5656, ext. legal 305. purposes is not intended to provide advice in relation to any particular fact situation. Readers who have concerns about any particular circumstance are encouraged to seek independent legal advice in that regard.

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Contact Angela Lindsay alindsay@landscapeontario.com, or call 1-800-265-5656, ext. 305.

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010 27

CLASSIFIED ADS SERVICES AND SUPPLIES TREE TRANSPLANTING Transplanting trees up to 9” truck diameter with 10,000 lb. rootball. 44”, 80” & 90” spades to move trees with and can basket up to 90” 100 acres of trees to choose from.

BOTANIX OXFORD INSTA-SHADE RR # 2, Burgessville ON N0J 1C0 Tel: (519) 424-2180 • Fax: (519) 424-2420 Toll Free: 1-800-387-0246 Contact Jan Veldhuizen E-mail: jan@oxfordinstashade.com www.oxfordinstashade.com

EQUIPMENT

FINN Hydroseeders & Bark Blowers New and Used • Flex Guard FRM • Soil Guard BFM • Erosion Control Blanket Seed & Fertilizer Toll free: (888) 298-9911 Fax: (905) 761-7959 www.fibramulch.com BOWIE HYDROMULCHERS (New and Used) FLEXTERRA FGM HYDROBLANKETS BFM F4 NETTLESS ECB MULCH IT P.O. Box 100, Putnam, ON N0L 2B0 Tel: (519) 425-0342 • Fax: (519) 425-4195 www.mulchit.on.ca

EQUIPMENT NEW DEALER! EQUIPALL SALES & SERVICE We sell tag along trailers, dumps/combos, landscape, equipment and more. Trade-ins welcomed. Ministry licensed facility. Yearly inspections for your trailers and trucks. Trailer/hitches parts and accessories. Husqvarna construction product sales and service centre. Toronto’s home of The Boss Snowplow. Parts and service for most makes of plows and salters.

343 Munster Ave., Toronto, ON M8Z 3C6 (416) 239-6773 www.equipall.ca

Advertising

works!

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING INFORMATION All classified ads must be pre-paid by VISA or Mastercard. Rates: $42.00 (GST included) per column inch Min. order $42.00. 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. 1.

Space is limited to a first come, first served basis. To advertise: E-mail your ad to Robert at classifieds@ landscapeontario.com or fax to (905) 875-0183. Online advertising: Website only ads are available for $42.00 (GST included). Website ads are posted for 30 days and are limited to 325 words. View these ads and more online at:

www.horttrades.com/classifieds

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES MAINTENANCE FOREPSERON Alpine Sodding & Landscaping in Bolton is seeking a seasonal Landscape Maintenance Foreperson. Applicants should have a minimum of 5 years experience, a valid ‘G’ class driver’s licence with experience towing a trailer is mandatory, although a valid ‘DZ’ class licence would be preferred.

The successful applicant will be responsible for the daily activities of a landscape maintenance crew (3-5 people).

Please send resume to paul@aslgroup.ca or fax to (905) 951-9311 ONTARIO LANDSCAPING LIMITED Experienced landscape labourers required to perform manual work. To assist in cultivating, digging and planting of trees. Labourer hourly rate $15.00.

Also required driver – class A licence, Z certificate and mobile crane operator 0-8. Driver hourly rate $17.50.

Seasonal employment starting April 1/10 to Nov 30/10. Job Site Keswick, Ont. Fax resume to (905) 898-0360 or call (905) 898-6856

Nutri-Lawn, in Edmonton a division of GreenLawn Canada is currently seeking a General Manager to be responsible for the overall success and management of our Edmonton operation.

Duties include planning, organizing, coordinating, and control of all branch activities and functions to achieve branch goals and objectives while maintaining corporate standards.

Full job posting can be found on our website at www.greenlawncanada.com Interested candidates please submit your resume by e-mail to: Resumesedmonton@nutrilawnedmonton.ca

28 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES SALES REPRESENTATIVE WANTED Burlington company requires a representative for sales to landscape contractors, golf courses and nurseries.

Must have previous experience in the industry and own vehicle. Salary and commission negotiable.

Please send resume to: gerald.marshall@martekcorp.ca

NURSERY STOCK Hofland Gardens Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Groundcovers Tel: (905) 355-3392 E-mail: hoflandgardens@phc.igs.net FIRST NATURE NURSERY LTD. Wholesale supplier of ornamental branches Looking for Willow stems?

We supply Willow from 1ft. to 10ft.

Live stakes, wattlings and fencing.

Native and ornamental species available.

Call (905) 973-3605 or wayne@firstnaturenursery.com GROUND COVERS UNLIMITED Your Ontario source for ornamental and native ground covers. Call, fax, or write for the 2010 Catalogue and planting guide.

GROUND COVERS UNLIMITED 1045 Porter Road, P.O. Box 190 Bethany, ON L0A 1A0 Tel: (705) 277-3005 Fax: (705) 277-9213 PERENNIALS Large assortment of perennials, ground covers and native plants.

Price - Variety list available.

FRANK SCHENK PERENNIALS 663 River Road (Belfountain), Caledon, ON L7K 0E5 Tel: (519) 927-5415 Fax: (519) 927-9084 FIRST NATURE NURSERY LTD. Wholesale supplier of native evergreens White Pine.............80-200 cm........ 500+ White Spruce.........80-150 cm...... 2500+ White Cedar..........80-250 cm...... 4000+ Blue Spruce.........125-175 cm...... 1500+ Hemlock..............125-175 cm........ 150+ Potted, B&B and wirebaskets available.

Call (905) 973-3605 or wayne@firstnaturenursery.com

Get INSPIRED Get CONNECTED

AD INDEX COMPANY

PAGE

PHONE

WEBSITE

A RCHITECTURALLY D ESIGNED

ACO Systems Ltd.................................................9........... 877-226-4255.....................................www.acocan.ca Agrium...................................................................3........... 800-461-6471.....................................www.prohort.ca Caledon Hills Perennials.....................................29.......... 905-473-1145......... www.caledonhillsperennials.com Connon Nurseries/NVK Holdings Inc.................32.......... 905-628-0112.................. www.connonnurseries.com Dutchmaster Nurseries Ltd.................................29.......... 905-683-8211......... www.dutchmasternurseries.com G & L Group (Brock Aggregates).......................14.......... 416-798-7050................. www.brockaggregates.com Gro-Bark (Ont) Ltd...............................................23.......... 888-416-2275...................................www.gro-bark.ca

GARDEN BUILDINGS

Hillen Nursery Inc.............................................16-17.......519-264-9057 Landscape Safety ...............................................7........... 877-482-2323...................www.landscapesafety.com Legends Landscape Supply Inc.........................26.......... 905-336-3369....................... www.landscapestore.ca Limestone Trail Company Ltd.............................29.......... 905-563-8133........................www.limestonetrail.com M Putzer Nursery................................................31.......... 800-337-3363....................putzernursery@primus.ca Mankar Distributing Inc........................................8........... 647-309-7826.................................... www.mankar.ca Newroads National Leasing.................................5........... 416-587-1021................. www.newroadsleasing.com

GAZEBOS AND S HELTERS

Oregon Associations of Nurseries.......................2........... 800-342-6401.........................www.farwestshow.com Sipkens Nurseries Ltd..........................................7........... 866-843-0438................. www.sipkensnurseries.com Stam Nurseries....................................................23.......... 519-424-3350.................... www.stamsnurseries.com Stonemen’s Valley Inc.........................................20.......... 905-841-8400..................www.stonemensvalley.com Uxbridge Nurseries Ltd.......................................11.......... 905-655-3379................www.uxbridgenurseries.com



V. Kraus Nurseries Ltd........................................21.......... 905-689-4022.....................www.krausnurseries.com Winkelmolen Nursery Ltd....................................12.......... 519-647-3912.........................www.winkelmolen.com Zander Sod Co Ltd..............................................21.......... 877-727-2100............................www.zandersod.com

Tel.: (905) 563-8133 • Fax: (905) 563-7526 Visit us at: www.limestonetrail.com

Got our 2010 perennial plant list yet?

For a catalogue or availability: Tel: (905) 473-1145 Fax: (905) 473-1242 info@caledonhillsperennials.com www.caledonhillsperennials.com

Limestone Trail.indd 1

Quality and Selection HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010 29

PROSPERITY PARTNERS

Prosperity is a company-wide benefit

By Jacki Hart CLP Prosperity Partners program manager

I

am writing this article while I watch one of my landscape maintenance crews working outside of my office window. They are focused, smiling, working together and engaged with interest in what they are doing.

They are demonstrating positive work energy. This makes me REALLY proud – and I know that the behind-the-scenes work it took to build this team has resulted Jacki Hart in a more prosperous balance for everyone in my business.

By contrast, yesterday I was at the local municipal office, and watched a group of employees working on cleaning up the grounds.

They were clearly not interested in what they were doing. They seemed unorganized, tossing tools around carelessly, moving on to a new area before completing their original job.

They worked independently of each other, and in effect, made the work harder by not working together as a team. Their body language screamed, ‘I don’t like my job.’

At this frantically busy time of year, every business owner needs staff members engaged, energized, focused and productive. If every morning presents challenges in scheduling (i.e. staff not showing up), work flow and productivity, it wears the boss down dealing with many stressful situations. For example, one of my peers is struggling right now with staff problems: he has very few returning or experienced employees, several new ones who are untrained, and several new ones who quit within the first few weeks. Now he’s pulling his hair out wondering why he works so hard to sell work and then have staff bail on him. So here he is in May, short-staffed, and dealing with problems caused by poor service delivery, because the employees don’t understand the culture of client service in his business. Sound familiar?

In order to manage the balance between business, family and sanity, it’s important to step back in the flurry of staff issues and ask this fundamental question: Would you work for you? Without creating a clear sense of what’s in this job for me (i.e. opportunity, education, skills, pride) and what’s in this work for us

(camaraderie, co-operation, friendship, accomplishment) – the boss will struggle with creating a productive, effective and collaborative team.

I can almost hear what you are thinking, “Oh sure Jacki, thanks for piling more on my plate!” Well, what I know for sure is that if you force yourself to slow down and ask your staff what energizes them, what they want to learn, and what they enjoy doing at work, it is well worth the effort. I am not suggesting that you take a poll, and then allow them to do whatever pleases their fancy. I am suggesting putting yourself in their boots. If you worked for you, what would demonstrate to you that the boss has an interest in you personally, and wants to see you succeed?

Engage your team In order to engage your team, you have to engage yourself in their journey within your company. First, filter out the wrong-fit ones.

These are the ones who no matter what you offer, they will grumble, bring personal baggage with them every day, and undermine the enthusiasm of others. Dump them. Fast.

If you don’t believe me, consider this: You can get far more work accomplished with two really enthusiastic, engaged people than with four who are indifferent, going-through-themotions employees. This little gem of insight came from my staff. And I know this because I asked them. And I continue to ask them every time we (supervisors) collaborate to make a firing decision. The temptation is always to keep the warm body so that you won’t be shortstaffed. Stop thinking that way! Without the wrong-fit troublemakers, your team will hold each other accountable for pace and productivity in a positive way. They want their day of work to run smoothly. They want to have fun and enjoy their job. They want to learn. They want to exceed targets. They don’t want unfocused, lazy, whining team destroyers in their midst. Who would?

Here’s how this approach can work for you: This morning I took a crew of four through a property, gave them details of the work for the day. I made a quick sketch of the property, numbered each work area, and then on a separate page, listed the tasks for each area. They were each given a copy of the instructions. I invited questions, as we went around the property reviewing the tasks for the day. It took me 20 minutes in advance to complete a quick sketch and list, and another 10 to walk them through

30 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010

it. They will work collectively for 40 hours – it took me 30 minutes total to set them up. They won’t disturb me throughout the day with questions, and they are working with engagement, collaboration and effective productivity.

This team has taken ownership of the project at hand, because I have given them the confidence of knowing what is required.

They are trained to do the work, and together they have organized themselves for work flow and efficiency. I spelled out the whole day to them, and between them they chose a balance so that those who like working in gardens are doing that part, and those who prefer pruning and hard landscape tasks are focused there. For example, the first hour they worked to mulch a steep rockery area by using a bucket brigade technique to move mulch up through the gardens as a team. It was the most difficult part of the task list, so they chose to do it together and first, while energy was higher. They could have put one person on that task, and that one person would have spent four grueling hours to get the job done. Instead, they approached it as a team so that no one person would have to do the least desirable job alone.

When you create an opportunity for autonomy with safety, a sense of interest, pride and collaboration, your whole team – including you – will feel more prosperous and in balance with your work/life cycle. It’s not easy, but it’s also not rocket science. It’s simply, clear lines of communication, safety (knowing that they have all the info they need to get the job done properly), inspiration, team spirit and pride.

It starts with the boss learning how to get the cultural foundation of your business clear and humming. Start with the Build Your Prosperity program.

If you haven’t yet taken the Prosperity Partners Build Your Prosperity seminar, the next dates are: Ottawa, July 19, instructor, Tim Kearney CLP London, July 27, instructor, Jacki Hart CLP Milton, July 28, instructor, Jacki Hart CLP Make the time to come in from the frantic pace of your business, and get a handle on your journey to prosperity. Go to www.horttrades. com/prosperity to learn more.

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

NEW MEMBERS Durham Chapter Gordon Landscape Company Eric Gordon 3591 Davis Dr. Cedar Valley, ON L0G 1E0 Tel: 877-343-4452 Membership Type: Active Landscape Concepts

by Traditional & Period Terry Wood 44 Gabrielle Cres.

Whitby, ON LTR 3M5 Tel: 905-576-0001 Membership Type: Active S.J. Nicholas Property Maintenance Scott Nicholas 1620 Regional Rd. 3 Enniskillen, ON L0B 1J0 Tel: 905-263-2044 Membership Type: Active Georgian Lakelands Chapter Bot Aggregates Limited Barry Thompson 6791 Concession Rd. B-C Ramara, ON L0K 1B0 Tel: 877-898-2688 Membership Type: Associate Downey Farms Alan Downey 7235 5th Sideroad, RR 3 Alliston, ON L9R 1V3 Tel: 705-435-5884 Membership Type: Chapter Associate Turf Tech Andrew McDonald 3765 Cambrian Rd., RR 2 Washago, ON L0K 2B0 Tel: 705-689-1400 Membership Type: Active Janet Kurasz Brantford, ON Membership Type: Horticultural Golden Horseshoe Chapter Earthworks Landscaping Bert Hoytema 1724 Snake Rd. Burlington, ON L7P 4Z3 Tel: 905-638-0790 Membership Type: Active Paul Boers Ltd. Suzanne Edmond 3500 South Service Rd. Vineland Station, ON L0R 2E0 Tel: 905-562-4411 Membership Type: Associate London Chapter Oxford Dodge Chrysler Jeep Tom Delaney 625 Oxford St. W. London, ON N6H 1T8 Tel: 519-473-1010 Membership Type: Associate Cindy Buelow London, ON Membership Type: Horticultural Ottawa Chapter Abbey Landscaping Tim Knechtel 3696 Kinburn Side Rd, Kinburn ON K0A 2H0 613-839-3399 Active

Elica Trading Inc Phil Brown 11420 Albert Hudon Montreal, QC H1G 3J6 Tel: 514-324-4200 Membership Type: Associate

Trees

Signature Stone Construction Garrett Graham 3385 Wilhaven Dr. Cumberland, ON K1C 6Y5 Tel: 613-858-6120 Membership Type: Interim Toronto Chapter Arton Landscaping Ltd. Zhaoxian Hou 274 Browndale Cres.

Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3J2 Tel: 416-873-9909 Membership Type: Active Country Wide Landscaping Steven Silva 14389 Ninth Line Georgetown, ON L7G 4S8 Tel: 905-877-4705 Membership Type: Active DS Stoneland Ltd Daniel Marc 101 Laurel Ave. Etobicoke, ON M9B 4T1 Tel.416 519-7974 Membership Type: Active G R Distributors Inc Gordie Rundle 716 South 8th St., PO Box 337 Salmon Arm, BC V1E 4N5 Tel: 866-270-6117 Membership Type: Associate I. Young Stone @ Rocks division of I. Young @ Co. Ltd Issa Young 57 Langtry Place Thornhill, ON L4J 8K8 Tel: 905-764-9659 Membership Type: Associate S.O.S Equipment Repairs Inc Craig Wallace 38 Rosemary Rd. Halton, ON L7J 1E8 Tel: 519-929-9261 Membership Type: Associate Via Trailers Ltd Tyler Viaene 12621 Hwy 50 Bolton, ON L7E 1M4 Tel: 905-857-9920 Membership Type: Associate Ken Scotch Bradford, ON Membership Type: Horticultural Waterloo Chapter Ilex Landscape Management Dan Koepke 279 Delhi St. Guelph, ON N1E 4K9 Tel: 519-546-4497 Membership Type: Active

Harlequin Maple

Growing today for a greener tomorrow M. PUTZER HORNBY NURSERY LTD 7314 Sixth Line, Hornby, Ontario L0P 1E0 SHIPPING: Phone: 905-878-7226 • 905-878-7367 1-800-377-3363 • Fax: 905-878-8737 ADMINISTRATIVE & ACCOUNTING: Phone: 905-878-7226 • Fax: 905-878-9745 E-mail: putzernursery@primus.ca

Quality • Service • Selection HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010 31

32 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - JUNE 15, 2010