LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
July/August 2020
Landscape architect Ron Koudys has always believed in a bright, green future Page 4
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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
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July/August, 2020 • Volume 38 - No. 7 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 profession in Ontario.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Stick to your plan and don’t let your guard down
SPECIAL: Member Benefits
PAGES 21-28
Features 4 Ron Koudys Landscape Architects 6 Trial Garden Program 8 Snowposium
Departments 9 19 20 29 30 34 38
Association News Scholarship Profile New Members Educator Profile Professional News Columns Advertisers/Classifieds
Editor Robert Ellidge rellidge@landscapeontario.com, 647-722-5645 Multimedia designer/IT coordinator Mike Wasilewski mikew@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5343 Sales manager Greg Sumsion gsumsion@landscapeontario.com, 647-722-6977 Communications coordinator Angela Lindsay alindsay@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5305 Accountant Joe Sabatino jsabatino@landscapeontario.com, 647-724-8585 Publisher Lee Ann Knudsen CLM lak@landscapeontario.com, 416-848-7557 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO STAFF Scott Barber, Darryl Bond, Amy Buchanan, Tony DiGiovanni CHT, Cassandra Garrard, Meghan Greaves, Sally Harvey CLT CLM CAE, Keri MacIvor, Heather MacRae, Kathy McLean, Joe Salemi, Ian Service, Myscha Stafford, Tom Somerville, David Turnbull, Lissa Schoot Uiterkamp, Martha Walsh
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using your PPE and keeping your distance. We can’t predict what life will be like in six or even nine months from now, but we’re all on this course together until we’ve got a vaccine. Life at Landscape Ontario is returning somewhat to pre-Covid normalcy. Planning for Congress 2021 is well underway, and the team is working on several scenarios. The labour issue has reared its ugly head again. It turns out that out-of-work restaurant workers don’t shift seamlessly to the landscape profession. The insurance issue is just as bad as ever. I still have not received my renewal for this year, but I expect the news will be just as bad as last year. LO has redirected its lobbying efforts from “getting back-to-work” to the insurance crisis. We will leverage our return to work success with the provincial government to tackle this ongoing problem. Through our relentless phone calls and emails, we made some friends in government that we can now count on to support us. The LO Provincial Board met on June 17 for the first time since March. We are getting things back on-track and will continue to push in the direction set-out by our Strategic Plan. The pandemic shutdown may have kicked us sideways, but we will continue to work on realizing our goals. Despite our setbacks, the sun is shining and there is much work to do. Now is the time to stick to your plan and push forward. Don’t let your guard down!
t’s been more than 200 days since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak, and over 100 days since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a pandemic. One thing is certain: our lives have changed forever. Our families have been affected in a thousand different ways. Neighbours are still not working or working from home (with kids!) and worrying about elderly family members. Our businesses will never be the same and there’s no map for the mountain we’re all climbing. Most people do not like change. Right now, the only thing that is constant is change. During the first 100 days that carried us from April through June, (I have heard them referred to as the “100 days from Hell”), we went from zero to 100 too fast, and with too little information. In our business, we went from cancelling equipment orders to scrambling to find more equipment so that we could keep up with our backlog. The phones were dead, but now the number of quality leads far outnumbers the tire-kickers. We laidoff employees due to the shutdown and now we can’t find enough people to fill the empty seats. Speaking of seats, we’ve had to rent extra trucks to keep-up with the work. I don’t know about you, but I can’t afford a second wave of this pandemic, and I suspect neither can our province or our country. Now is not the time to let you guard down. Keep washing your hands,
Dave Wright LO President davew@wrightlandscape.ca
Views expressed are those of the writer concerned. Landscape Ontario assumes no responsibility for the validity or correctness of any opinions or references made by the author. Copyright 2020, reproduction or the use of whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited. Published 11x per year. Rates and deadlines are available on request. Subscription price: $43.51 per year (HST included). For subscription and address changes, please e-mail subscriptions@landscapeontario.com
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Member profile:
Ron Koudys Landscape Architects, London, Ont.
LUCKY TO LOVE
LANDSCAPES By Jordan Whitehouse
W
hen you’ve been in business for almost 40 years, you’ve likely had to surmount a few major challenges. That is, unless you’re Ron Koudys, the man behind London, Ontario’s Ron Koudys Landscape Architects. “People talk about life having challenges, but I’ve never had that same sense of something to overcome,” Koudys says. “I love what I do. I get up in the morning, every morning, and I think wow, what a lucky guy I am.” Anyone who knows Koudys, though, knows that his success has little to do with luck. What started as a business out of a small office in his London home in 1981, has grown into one of the most renowned landscape architectural firms in the area. It’s now located in a downtown London building with 10 employees — including three arborists and six landscape architects — one of whom is Ron’s son, Luke. In the early days of the business, Koudys says the average construction value per project was between $5,000 and $10,000. Now it’s $100,000 and up, with some in the multi-million-dollar range. About 90 per cent of those projects are now in corporate/commercial, and they run the gamut from municipal parks to seniors’ centres,
Loblaws stores to shopping centres, university campuses to hospitals. So if luck hasn’t been the secret to all of that success, what has?
An early start
It certainly helped that Koudys seems to have landscaping and horticulture in his blood. In the early 1950s, his grandfather emigrated to the Niagara region from Boskoop, Holland — the epicentre of horticulture in the country — and started a landscaping business. Ron’s dad and uncle were also involved in the business, and by the time he was nine, Ron too, was pushing a lawnmower and spending all of his weekends, evenings, and summers working with his grandfather. When Koudys was 13, his family moved to a farm between Fort Erie and Niagara Falls where he started a small nursery with his dad. By the end of high school, Koudys was also working at Hasselman Nurseries in Fort Erie, doing propagation and field work. A year later, he enrolled in the University of Guelph’s landscape architecture program. Koudys had written the administrators of that program when he was in grade eight, a year after the program launched, because
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Focus for the future Ron Koudys met Landscape Ontario at a site he designed, East Lions Park in London, currently under construction. Planned amenities range from a rain garden and sculpture to a ping pong table, serving a neighbourhood eager to enjoy green space again.
he had fallen in love with landscaping and wanted to know what classes he should take in high school to get into the program. “They wrote me a nice letter back — a letter I still have — that basically said it doesn’t matter what you take, just do well, and we’ll see you in five years,” says Koudys. “Five years later, I showed up with my letter and said I wanted to be a landscape architect.” Around the same time he launched his business, Koudys was also teaching landscape design at Fanshawe College, where he would become instrumental in establishing Fanshawe as one of the top schools in the landscape field in the country.
Cultivating a great team
“As the program grew, I could see some really good students who wanted to stay in London, but there weren’t a lot of employment opportunities,” says Koudys. “Really, between Windsor and Kitchener,
there was nobody, so I started bringing those students into my own firm and training them and cultivating them and getting new clients.” The rest, as they say, is history. Today, Koudys and his team are no longer working just in London or southwestern Ontario. They’re everywhere from Ottawa to Windsor, and sometimes they complete projects in Michigan, where Koudys is also licensed to practice. Right now, they’re also working on three resorts in Barbados. One of the jobs Koudys remembers most fondly actually happened in the early days of the company, when they were asked to help out with a project for Ontario Place in Toronto. Called “Ontario North Now,” it was meant to showcase northern Ontario. The completed project, which Koudys designed, is still standing on the western side of the park as a series of concrete silos linked together with walkways and catwalks.
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As for the future of Ron Koudys Landscape Architects, Covid-19 has introduced a lot of big questions, as it has for many in the profession. While nobody is sure what the future will look like, Koudys remains optimistic. “I think it may be a year or two before we get back to what we might call our new normal, but the basic economic foundations in Ontario are still pretty strong, and I think a lot of our clients will recover and then we’ll continue on,” he says. For now, Koudys says his firm is focusing on continuing to develop strong relationships with municipal parks departments in small and medium-sized communities, because he thinks projects like skateboard parks, spray pads, recreation parks, active recreation areas, and trails are going to be growth areas. He thinks the same for seniors’ care centres, so that will continue to be a focus for the firm, too. But however the post-Covid future looks for Ron Koudys Landscape Architects, you can be sure Ron will continue to wake up every morning thinking how lucky he is. “I just absolutely love to do this,” he says. “Landscape architecture is such a diverse thing, you never get bored with it, there are always new things to learn. And I have great clients and a great team. What’s there not to like?”
LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
Trial Garden program
Lillian Jojart checks in on the new container trial.
S E E S M A J O R E X PA N S I O N I N 2 0 2 0 By Rodger Tschanz Trial Garden Manager
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breeders and suppliers for this perennial trial include: Proven Winners, Darwin Perennials, Kieft Seeds, Benary, Jelitto Seed, Pacific Plug and Liner, Takii Europe and ThinkPlants. The species selection in the trial is quite diverse, but the larger genera groups include: hibiscus, salvia, coreopsis, achillea, echinacea, delphinium, sedum, baptisia and phlox. The mode of propagation for this trial is diverse as well, with entries arriving as seed, unrooted cuttings, liners or bare root. The floral presentation in the first year of planting could differ because of propagation method, but all varieties will be established, and on the same seasonal cycle in the second year.
he 2020 edition of the University of Guelph’s trial garden season will take place despite Covid-19. The trials at the Landscape Ontario site in Milton, Ont., have expanded dramatically this year, with the introduction of a container trial, a pollinator evaluation garden, and a large, herbaceous perennial trial. All this has been added to the ongoing annual landscape trial and ideas garden.
Large three-year perennial trial
In the past, the trial beds have always included a small selection of perennials, but what makes this year so different is the scale of that trial. At least 10 plants of each entry have been planted with consistent spacing and cultural care to be given within a species. Similar species from different breeders have been planted alongside each other to make comparisons easy. Over 140 perennials have been entered for the 2020 planting year, with the intent that the plants will be evaluated for three consecutive growing seasons. Participating
Pollinator research
The pollinator evaluation garden at the site is a continuation of some work done in previous seasons at the main Trial Garden site in Guelph, Ont. Sarah Jandricic, an entomologist from Ontario Ministry
Rodger Tschanz, trial garden manager (standing), gets planting help from Sam Wilson, Jessica Tan and Francis Jabile.
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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), based in Vineland, has worked with the Guelph Trial Garden program to evaluate the number and variety of pollinator visits to some of the more commonly grown horticultural pollinator plants — both exotics and nativars. The new trial site in Milton for this evaluation includes floral plantings that are randomized and replicated, to help draw some strong conclusions from the behaviour of wild populations of pollinators.
Container trial
The large container trial at the LO site is also new this year. With building construction at the site completed, it has been possible to install a container trial adjacent to the new building. This trial replaces one that used to be housed at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. Since container-grown ornamentals have widespread use in urban areas, it is important to include container evaluations in the trial program. Since ornamentals grow differently in containers than in the landscape, it’s also important to trial the plants under these different growing regimes. Combined container and landscape trials are taking place at both the Guelph and Milton sites throughout the 2020 growing season.
Landscape trials
The usual landscape trials will continue at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute (GTI) and at LO, with a smaller trial continuing at the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) in Burlington, Ont. The Guelph site will continue to host the All-America Selections ornamental seed judging trial. This will be the last year for the Guelph Trial Garden at its original location at GTI, as it will be moving to its new location in the fall of 2020 and the Trial Garden will follow. It is anticipated the new trial garden beds will be constructed in the fall of 2020, to allow them to stabilize and be ready for planting the following spring.
Open house
The final stages of planting took place in mid-June as this article was written. Due to the uncertainty around larger public gatherings due to the Covid-19 pandemic, details about this year’s open house (whether virtual or at the sites) in Milton and Guelph are not available at this time and will be communicated to industry in late July or early August. The LO site is always open during business hours; green professionals and homeowners alike are invited to enjoy the well-labelled gardens any time.
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Attendees will also be able to set up and schedule meetings with exhibitors and connect via chat or video call. You will also have the ability to create your own interactive schedule and set reminders when for your favourite sessions or demos. The latest products and services are always a huge reason why people attend trade shows, and Snowposium’s Exhibitor Product Showcase will include videos of products and equipment. You will also be able to get quotes and support documents on products. Don’t miss the Virtual Networking Happy Hour from 4-5:00 p.m., featuring a prize draw at the end! Your virtual Snowposium experience will include support from the LO event team, as well as assistance from platform professionals for the entire time you use the platform. Snowposuim 2020 is a huge change for attendees, exhibitors, presenters and organizers. Taking the time to step out of your comfort zone to learn how to connect to the most up-to-date information, products and services will benefit your business, staff and your clients. LO’s Snow and Ice Management Group would like to thank you in advance for your support and patience, and looks forward to connecting with you at its virtual Snowposium.
nowposium, Landscape Ontario’s annual gathering of snow and ice professionals, is going to look a lot different this year. In addition to adjusting for the Covid-19 pandemic, the event, typically held in September, will be held on July 28 this year. Covid-19 has made it impossible for the Landscape Ontario Snow and Ice Management Group to host a live, face-to-face conference and trade show, but that has not stopped them. Instead, the committee has chosen to adapt and is proud to bring you the same knowledge and resources in a digital format. The 2020 edition of Snowposium will be a virtual event. The cost to attend is $40 for an LO or SIMA member, and $65 for a non-member. The fee includes access to a one-day trade show featuring the latest snow and ice equipment, technology and services from a variety of exhibitors. In addition, the online education sessions will cover relevant topics, including industry trends, slip-and-fall insurance, salt and liquids, and more. Attendees will also get the chance to hear what Landscape Ontario and the committee have been up to in regards to the push for legislative change around slip and fall claims. And if that isn’t enough, there will also be a chance to hear from those in the industry, via a Town Hall format, plus video demos that will give you a chance to ask questions. While most people are not familiar with these kinds of events, rest assured, you will get to experience almost everything you would at a face-to-face conference and trade show, and with a few extra additions.
Who should attend
Snow and ice removal contractors, municipal snow and ice managers, commercial and multi-unit residential property managers, snow removal business owners and managers, technical staff.
What’s new?
Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities available
The virtual environment for this year’s Snowposium offers some unique features. Attendees and exhibitors will be able to start networking online a few days prior to the event. Based on your attendee profile, the platform will match you with others attending the conference and suggest people you should meet.
For more information about the event, sponsorship opportunities and online exhibit space please contact Keri MacIvor, Event and Trade Show Coordinator, 647723-5445 or keri@landscapeontario.com. Full event details and registration are online at Snowposium.ca.
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ASSOCIATION NEWS Landscape Ontario members to celebrate front line workers
Enter the 2020 Garden Centre Awards program
The Garden Makeover Appreciation Contest will see volunteers build 10 gardens across the province.
Landscape Ontario recently announced an initiative designed to celebrate the dedication of healthcare professionals and frontline workers in the fight against coronavirus. The Garden Makeover Appreciation Contest is seeking nominees across the province for a chance to win one of nine $5,000 garden makeovers, one for each chapter. There will also be a grand prize makeover worth $25,000, putting the total value of prizes at $70,000
Nominate your frontline hero today We want association members and the general public to share stories of friends, neighbours or family members who work on the front line and have helped to improve the lives of those in their community throughout the Covid19 pandemic. To nominate a frontline hero, simply complete the nomination form found at LandscapeOntario.com/ hero. All nominations must include a
brief paragraph describing your nominee’s contribution, their name and the community they live in. Nominations are being accepted online until Aug. 31, 2020. Nominations will be reviewed by a committee, with winners announced sometime in September.
Volunteers and donations needed This is our chance to say thanks to those who selflessly answered the call to keep all of us safe. If you would like to donate plants, products, supplies, labour or your expertise to a garden makeover in your chapter, we would love for you to join the team! Installation is expected to take place this fall. To express your interest in participating, simply complete the online form at LandscapeOntario. com/hero to be a part of this amazing effort.
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Entries for Landscape Ontario’s Garden Centre Awards of Excellence program are open to retail members July 1 to Sept. 1. The annual awards competition recognizes the unique and innovative marketing efforts of retailers using photographs and descriptions of their efforts. Whether it’s a creative merchandising display of plants or seasonal goods, a permanent display garden, print advertising, a website, or a special event designed to attract customers to their store, the program offers many categories for retailers in all shapes and sizes. Garden centres are invited to showcase their best plant material, including: deciduous shrubs and/or trees, annuals and/or perennials, evergreens and/or broadleaf, specialty plants material your business is noted for, and new varieties of annual and/ or perennials. Companies with their own permanent display gardens are invited to showcase features under 500 sq. ft. or over 500 sq. ft. in size. The awards program also recognizes outstanding retail displays of giftware, hardgoods and seasonal goods. Other Merchandising Techniques is divided into creative P.O.P. area, outstanding promotional event, outstanding print advertising, and outstanding website development. The program is only open exclusively to members of Landscape Ontario and a fee of $75 per entry applies. Non-member entries will not be considered. Details about the Garden Centre Awards of Excellence ceremony will be announced at a later date. Organizers continue to plan for a live ceremony, but are also exploring a number of virtual options. To learn more about the program, please contact Myscha Stafford at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 2333, or e-mail awards@LandscapeOntario.com.
LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
In memoriam — John Paul Lamarche Horticultural business audiences. He made an impact consultant and author, on people, companies and employees, revisiting his trueJohn Paul Lamarche (JPL) life experiences as an awardhas died. winning contractor in Ontario Lamarche was well and Quebec. JPL believed in known in the North teaching with humour. American horticultural JPL never believed that industry since 1984; growth was the only answer to JPL Consulting was an business problems. He taught Ontario-based estimating and mathematically proved and consulting firm. He that taking two steps back was recognizable by his and gaining control was the trademark handlebar common-sense approach to moustache, (till 2000), his John Paul Lamarche realistic growth. He believed crushing handshake and that making a penny more per booming voice. JPL was sales and/or production dollar was the a regular speaker at Landscape Ontario proven method to profitability. Congress, CNTA, and Ontario provincial Since his first seminar, he presented chapters, as well as Canada Blooms. thousands of seminars and workshops, JPL gave his first speech at Landscape in all horticultural sectors across North Ontario Congress in 1985. From there, he America. JPL was involved in the gave seminars, workshops and offered horticultural industry for over 40 years. private consulting to all sectors of the First, as an entrepreneur, then as industry horticultural trades across North America. consultant, as well as professional speaker JPL successfully taught and entertained his
and author. As a business consultant, he helped thousands of companies with their estimating and productivity. He was also a marketing, training, and business consultant to the garden centre sector. He won numerous awards for his avant garde marketing. JPL also proudly served on the Garden Council of Canada. Constantly in demand, JPL spoke at trade shows, conventions, and associations, teaching his philosophy across North America. He authored eight books to the industry, and five software programs. His books are available on Amazon. His software is used across North America, Australia, the UK and South Africa. In 2008, he retired from speaking and seminar/workshops, but continued to do private consulting in Ontario, until his passing. A private memorial service was held June 12. If you wish to view the service in memory of Jean Paul please visit roadhouseandrose.com.
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Entries now open for 48th edition of Awards of Excellence In 1992, Avalon Landscaping won the Dunington-Grubb Award for the highest scoring project in Landscape Ontario’s annual Awards of Excellence program. Avalon owner, Ed Chanady, recalls winning the prestigious award: “At the time, we were still just a small company, and some pretty big companies typically would win that award. But we won, along with six other awards that year. Our project was featured on the cover of the magazine and it really brought us to the forefront.” Chanady says it provided a springboard for his company that led to working on a few television shows with HGTV and to work on projects with some really big name architects. LO’s Awards of Excellence program is now accepting online entries of projects in the construction, maintenance and design categories. LO members have until Oct. 1 to submit their best and most unique work in the annual competition. Started in 1973, the awards program celebrates the most outstanding craftsmanship, design and innovation the green profession has to offer. Members who have won awards have leveraged the recognition in marketing campaigns, sales to clients, and to acknowledge the hard work and talent of their teams. Winning an Award of Excellence showcases the high level of professionalism and quality of your company. Interior landscaping, irrigation, and landscape lighting are also part of the program.
This year, organizers are proud to introduce the first annual Employer of Choice Awards. These awards provide a chance for your company to be recognized as one of the top employers within the Landscape Ontario community.
LO members are also invited to nominate an individual for one of the Special Awards. These awards recognize outstanding leaders and volunteers of the association who share their time and passion for the betterment of landscaping and horticulture in Ontario. All awards submissions are completed online via LOawards.com, and the program is only open to current members of Landscape Ontario. The website includes detailed information about the categories and guidelines, eligibility requirements and submission details. To enter, you will need a username and password to login. If you do not have one, or cannot remember your password, the system will prompt you to either create a new account, or you can reset your password. From there, you will find a step-bystep guide for awards submissions, starting
with company information and category selection. You can always save-as-yougo, then go back and continue to complete your entry at any time. Before starting an entry, it is best to have the following information:
• Contact information of the person entering on behalf of the company. • Images of the project in hi-res .jpg format; minimum of six and maximum of 15. • A point form project summary describing what you were trying to achieve with your project, including any quirks or conditions imposed by the property owner. Do not include your company name. • Authorization Signatures form with the client/property owner’s signature. • Credit card information for payment. Please note that your entry will not be officially submitted until payment is received. Details about the Awards of Excellence ceremony will be announced at a later date. Organizers are planning to hold the usual live event in conjunction with Congress in January, but are also exploring a number of virtual options. If you have any questions about the awards program or the entry process, or if you need help navigating the online entry system, please contact Myscha Stafford at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 2333, or e-mail awards@landscapeontario.com.
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GUARDIA! Free safety decals to help fight coronavirus “Don’t let your guard down” is the theme of a campaign led by Landscape Ontario’s Covid-19 Task Force, highlighting the importance of safety protocols. Landscape Ontario printed 20,000 decals promoting that message; one is polybagged with this issue, and more may be ordered online or by contacting the LO office. The decals measure eight by 2-1/2 inches, and the Task Force encourages members to place as many as possible on equipment and trucks. Posters promoting safety and featuring basic action points have also been developed, and are posted for free download at HortTrades.com/covid-19-safety-posters-and-decals. Versions in English, Spanish and French are available, as well as artwork to paste into email signatures. Maintaining safety protocols is vital to our sector’s ability to continue operating, as well as our public relations profile. LO president Dave Wright expressed the urgency by saying, “We all need to become safety companies that happen to do landscaping.” Members can order additional decals via an online order form at HortTrades.com/promotional-material or by contacting Meghan Greaves at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 2301 or mgreaves@ landscapeontario.com. Please specify the number of decals and language required.
Inspire a teen about landscaping and horticulture this summer Landscape Ontario and Skills Canada have teamed up to provide students entering grade 7, 8 or 9 with a series of free virtual summer camps. The five individual workshops in horticulture and landscaping will run July 6 to Aug. 21, and part of a larger series that cover a number of other skilled trades. Qualifying students can register for any of the workshops, which will also provide opportunities to explore career paths while learning the required skill sets. Skills will be developed in landscape design, maintenance, propagation, plant identification, horticulture therapy, and more. For more details and a registration link, visit gfl.me/h8c7.
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Tulips in Guelph thanks to Paul Brydges A Guelph, Ont., media outlet recently featured a story on Landscape Ontario member and past president, Paul Brydges, who donated 750 Liberation 75 tulips to the Guelph Cenotaph. Brydges, a landscape architect and owner of Brydges Landscape Architecture, planted the tulips last fall, in memory of his grandfather and great uncle who each served in the Second World War. Emerging for all to enjoy this spring, the orange Liberation 75 tulips mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands by Canadian troops at the end of the war. Brydges planted another 75 tulips at his house and donated 75 to Guelph Collegiate (GCVI) as part of a national campaign to plant 1.1 million of the tulips to honour the number of Canadians who served in the Second World War. A Vimy oak, also donated by Brydges, grows behind the cenotaph in memory of Brydges’ great uncle Norman who died in France shortly after the battle of Vimy Ridge.
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Peer group hopes to meet in Muskoka this fall Members and organizers of Landscape Ontario’s popular Peer to Peer Network are still hoping to gather for its annual two-day summit in Muskoka, Sept. 24-25. With most of the province currently in phase two of reopening, Jacki Hart, LO Prosperity Partners Program Manager, says this year’s summit may require a reduction in the total number of participants to allow for proper social distancing, or the event could get pushed back to October or November. The business owners and upper managers that make up the majority of the peer group engage in business-related conversations online via private Facebook and LinkedIn groups, and also gather in person at six different locations across the province each year. This year’s Summit will focus on operational efficiency, exit strategies and succession planning. Guest speakers include: Frank Bourque, Landscape and Hardscape Business Consultant; Mark Bradley, CEO of LMN; and Arden Urbano of Greenius. Full details and registration is online at HortTrades.com/p2p.
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Membership dues renewal invoice in your inbox this August Each year, all Landscape Ontario member companies must pay their dues renewal invoice in order to maintain membership status. Dues invoices for the 2020-2021 fiscal year will be sent out electronically in mid-August. In order to expedite the process, members are asked to ensure their contact information is up-to-date. Members have three easy ways to pay their dues: online, by phone, or by mail. Pay online with a credit card using LO’s secure payment portal at HortTrades.com/dues. Or with credit card in hand, you can call LO’s membership services department at 1-800-265-5656 or 905-875-1805 to pay your invoice. Lastly, the bottom portion of your dues invoice can be mailed to the LO home office with either a cheque, payable to Landscape Ontario, or with the credit card portion completed. Please do not plan to drop off the form or make a payment in person at the LO office as it is temporarily closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Members are reminded to renew their dues upon receipt or risk losing access to the many financial and networking benefits available to them as a current member (see special section on pages 21-28 for details on the many benefits of membership). New membership categories were implemented earlier this year, and while most members should see no difference in their renewal fee, those who average 1.5 or less full-time staff can switch to the new Sole Proprietor category. Full time is defined as working 2,000 hours per year or equivalent. Qualifying members must contact LO at the number below to implement any category and fee change. Members will receive renewal reminders in follow-up campaigns by email and phone before any unpaid memberships are cancelled. Dues invoices are sent out in August as the association’s fiscal year ends Aug. 31. If you have any questions about membership benefits, or to update your contact information, please contact the LO Membership Services Department at 1-800-265-5656 or 905-875-1805.
Braun Group
September 2018 Nick Tenhage
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Grower awards postponed until 2021 Members of the Landscape Ontario Growers’ Sector Group have decided to postpone this year’s Growers Awards of Excellence program. The decision was made during a virtual meeting held June 23. With restrictions on large public gatherings in place due to the coronavirus pandemic, the group cited public safety as one of the top reasons that led to the decision. Entries of plant material are typically judged live at the Growers’ Group’s annual Industry Auction, which was cancelled earlier this year. The group looks forward to planning both events to be held in 2021.
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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
Prosperity among peers — Kennedy Johnston
Premium grower to the landscape trade
Kennedy Johnston, owner of Peter Knippel Nursery in Gloucester, Ont., has been attending LO Peer to Peer sessions for many years. He credits fellow Ottawaarea member, Tim Kearney for inspiring him to involved with the group.
Q. In what ways has being a member of the Peer to Peer Network helped you as a business owner? “It’s nice to talk A. It’s definitely helped reinforce some of the to other business things we are currently doing or that I think are owners because the right steps to do. It’s nice to talk to other you end up having business owners because the same issues.” you end up having the same issues. When you are giving suggestions about what you’ve done, a lot of times you’ll get positive feedback and that reinforces that you’ve probably done the right thing — and the bigger benefit is that you get tons of ideas from what other people have done. Q. Describe your biggest ‘Aha Moment’ from one of the workshop discussions A. At the recent workshop in Ottawa, we were looking at a pyramid of how your business is built, and I realized I need to impart more information to my employees. I think I tell them a lot, but in reality, in going through that exercise I realized I probably don’t tell them as much as I think I do. If they don’t know, they can’t help — and they want to help. Q. How do you feel when you work face-to-face with peers on pressing business issues? A. I’m always surprised by the number of great ideas that could all work just as well, or even better than my own ideas when we are discussing a particular scenario. It definitely helps you improve upon the things you’ve already started.
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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
Landscape Ontario continues work on insurance crisis By Tony DiGiovanni LO Executive Director Insurance has quickly become a huge issue for many business owners in the landscape and horticulture profession. Everyone is facing large increases. Some members report insurance premium increases anywhere from 25 to 400 per cent. Some cannot obtain insurance at any cost. There are several reasons for these increases. Many insurance companies simply will not cover snow and ice operations — even if the business is profitable. This has happened in the past. Insurance markets fluctuate internationally, and we are currently in a very hard market where insurance companies are fleeing risky business. It also does not help when contingency lawyers proactively encourage the public to sue and insurance companies settle because it costs more to fight than to settle. Landscape Ontario’s Snow and Ice Management Sector Group is fighting this issue. Below are some strategies being implemented: Support of Bill 118: MPP Norm Miller’s Bill to reduce the statute of limitations
from two years to 10 days will be going to committee. In fact, just before the Covid crisis hit, the Bill was scheduled. Unfortunately, Covid postponed all normal legislative activity. We are hoping to pick-up the process as soon as the government gets back to normal. Support of the Freshwater Roundtable Alliance: LO is a part of this alliance that is working to convince government that the best way to protect oversalting of our water resources is to develop appropriate standards for snow and ice operations that focus on reducing the use of salt, and then to provide liability protection to accredited contractors who employ best practices. This is essentially the model that is being used in New Hampshire. Feasibility study to determine if we should start our own insurance company: Through the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) we have asked Marsh (our endorsed insurance broker) to investigate the feasibility of developing our own insurance company. The term used is “Captive Insurance.” If our members have their own insurance company, they may not be subjected to the ups and downs of the global market and
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can also control the standards and decide which claims to fight. Investigation of a Self Insured Retention program: A number of our larger members are looking at developing a Self Insured Retention (SIR) program. This is similar to Captive Insurance, but without the formality of setting up an insurance company. These are the main strategies we are employing to deal with this very serious issue. For the latest update, and to help support our efforts, please plan to attend our virtual Snowposium on July 28. To register, visit Snowposium.ca.
Roller-coaster spring for garden centres Ontario garden centres shared a tense spring with other green sectors during the provincially mandated Covid-19 shutdown. The wait was agonizing for retailers, as they watched their prime sales window narrow. But once doors reopened, customers literally cleared retail benches, generating record sales. “It was nuts,” said Michael Van Dongen of Van Dongen’s Landscaping and Nurseries in Milton. “This was a season like none other. Unprecedented.” He reported hosting more customers than ever, and significantly, “Lots of new people entered the garden world.” Sales could have been even better, he reported, if more inventory had been available. “We had to wait two weeks for our suppliers to send even a plastic bag of garden soil — that had never happened before.” Rob Vanderkruk of Connon Nurseries in Waterdown echoed the observations. He reported coming off an extremely strong spring, saying, “Retail sales are significantly ahead of last year.” Vanderkruk also saw lots of new traffic in his store, an encouraging sign of new blood in the gardening community. Vanderkruk participates in LO’s Garden Communicators group, an effort started by the grower sector to work with garden writers toward driving demand for plants and garden products this tough spring. Vanderkruk credits the garden communicators for an important part in inspiring homeowners to garden during the lockdown, and to generate such unprecedented retail sales.
LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
SCHOLARSHIP PROFILE
Stephaine Jocius plans a career in public horticulture
“In doing the hikes I realized I really liked working outside, especially with plants.” — Stephanie Jocius
A 2020 graduate of the prestigious Niagara Parks Commission School of Horticulture in Niagara Falls, Ont., Stephanie Jocius is interested in Japanese-style gardens, rhododendrons, and working in public horticulture. Jocius had planned to pursue several employment opportunities at facilities in the United States, but with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, those facilities either closed or could not afford to hire, and the border was shut down. She is currently working on an eight-week internship with a landscape company in Burnaby, B.C., where she is happy to stay for the time being. Jocius has a natural passion to teach others about the trees and plant material around them. In her final years at West Elgin Secondary School in West Lorne, Ont., she worked at Rondeau Provincial Park where she developed guided hikes for visitors that focused on the trees and plant species of the park. “In doing the hikes I realized I really liked working outside, especially with plants,” she says. Growing up, Jocius was surrounded by horticulture. Her family owns a greenhouse nursery/garden centre. “Every year, March Break, we would be in there planting any kind of annual or vegetable plant, and then through the summer. My entire life, I’ve been involved in some aspect, helping out to keep things going with the family business,” she says. Jocius applied to a lot of environmentalstyle programs for her post-secondary education, but then her father asked if she had ever considered horticulture. She checked out the NPC website and had recalled visiting the grounds as a kid. “The program had a lot of aspects that were super-appealing at the time, like being able to live in the botanical gardens,” Jocius says. “It’s the best when something is not going that well and you go outside and take a walk in the botanical garden to clear your mind and get inspiration.” Jocius began her studies at NPC in March of 2017. Throughout her three years, she was involved in the student association — as vice-president and then president in her final year.
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“The third year of the program can be incredibly challenging, because you have a 40-hour week at school, plus homework and assignments,” Jocius explains. “You have to find your own housing and live off-site.” That comes with added costs, something she says she didn’t originally consider at that point in time. “I was struggling a bit financially,” she recalls, and says many students take on maintenance work for clients to help bridge that financial gap. Jocius got some help with her finances in the form of a $1,000 post-secondary scholarship from the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation. She says the assistance “lifted a little bit of weight off my shoulders. At least I didn’t have to worry about trying to make that money myself.” In addition to several international study tours, another highlight of her education was a third-year internship at Filoli Centre in Woodside, California, a 16-acre site that includes a historic building. “In California, I was surprised to see a lot of what we would consider tropical plants just growing wild,” she says. Another big difference was the threat of wildfires and the minimal use of irrigation. In her first year, Jocius signed up to be on the rhododendron elective to oversee the extensive collections on the Niagara Parks property. Her interest in rhodos grew, and along with some other students, she attended a meeting of the Niagara chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. “It was a great meeting,” she recalls, and says former Niagara Parks superintendent Tom Laviolette actually paid for the students to become members. The students continued going to meetings and helping out with events. Upon arriving in B.C., Jocius was immediately amazed by the size and number of rhododendrons growing easily in the region. There’s also a very established Japanese-style garden at the University of British Columbia. Right now, she is focused on gaining the work experience she feels is required for her to succeed later on in public horticulture — something she continues to keep an eye on for the future.
LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
NEW MEMBERS DURHAM Durham-York Electrical & Communications Inc Steven Husar 145 Wispi Shore Rd Lindsay, ON K9V 0K4 Tel: 705-799-2773 Membership Type: Member Montgomery MacEwen Contracting Tim MacEwen 300 Webb Rd Goodwood, ON L0C 1A0 Tel: 416-984-0606 Membership Type: Chapter Associate Oshawa Home Landscaping Inc Shane Jessome 1558 Baseline Rd Courtice, ON L1E 2S5 Tel: 905-260-1052 Membership Type: Professional Member Sierra Contracting/2616795 Ontario Inc Derek Sanftenberg 67 Chadwick Dr Ajax, ON L1S 5V4 Tel: 705-690-4939 Membership Type: Chapter Associate Jeanette Michelin Little Britain, ON Membership Type: Individual
GEORGIAN LAKELANDS Carruthers Excavating Jamie Carruthers 2381 LaSalle Blvd Sudbury, ON P3A 2A9 Tel: 705-675-5996 Membership Type: Associate
Eastrock Landscape Construction Jacob Forster 60 Adams Rd Brantford, ON N3T 5M1 Tel: 519-755-8662 Membership Type: Sole Proprietor Member
NV Roberts Enterprises Ltd Nigel Roberts 2825 Concession Rd 6 Creemore, ON L0M 1G0 Tel: 705-441-5858 Membership Type: Chapter Associate
MJL Carpentry & Design Michael Lanza 586 Oneida Dr Burlington, ON L7T 3V3 Tel: 905-518-2265 Membership Type: Chapter Associate
PCC Contracting Peter Bouillon 3-1470 Falconbridge Rd Sudbury, ON P3A 1Y1 Tel: 705-566-4246 Membership Type: Chapter Associate
LONDON
Babcock GroundsCare Ltd Aaron Babcock 8793 5 Sideroad Palgrave, ON L0N 1P0 Tel: 647-567-4044 Membership Type: Member
A&L Canada Laboratories Inc Lisa Hannam 2136 Jetstream Rd London, ON N5V 3P5 Tel: 519-457-2575 Membership Type: Associate
MSD Contracting Marco Di Giambattista 49 Briardale Pl Aurora, ON L4G 6M4 Tel: 416-605-2228 Membership Type: Professional Member
Greener Still Inc Tom Delaney PO Box 28083 RPO Oakridge London, ON N6H 5E1 Tel: 519-472-0067 Membership Type: Member
Mowtown Inc Scott DaCosta 1321 Heritage Way Oakville, ON L6M 3E7 Tel: 905-208-3408 Membership Type: Professional Member
OTTAWA
Pritty Landscapes Inc Tyler Pritty 675 Cochrane Dr 6th Floor, East Tower Markham, ON L3R 0B8 Tel: 416-722-0210 Membership Type: Professional Member
Pickett Contracting Ltd Keven Vowels 92 Concession Rd 4 & 5 E Huntsville, ON P1H 2J3 Tel: 705-788-4656 Membership Type: Professional Member
GOLDEN HORSESHOE 5007077 Ontario Ltd O/A Badger Daylighting Mark Polsky 111 Ann St Dundas, ON L9H 5N8 Tel: 289-260-8848 Membership Type: Associate
H.J. Reis International Ltd Paul Boudreau 479 O’Brien Rd Renfrew, ON K7V 3Z3 Tel: 613-432-4133 Membership Type: Associate
Blue Sky Property Services Tim Labanich 2-2459 Industrial St Burlington, ON L7P 1A6 Tel: 905-802-2022 Membership Type: Member
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ADCRO Group Ltd Adam Crocetti 9-7015 Tranmere Dr Mississauga, ON L5S 1T7 Tel: 905-694-9595 Membership Type: Introductory
Turf’s Up! Canada Alexander Housego 83 Glenkindie Ave Maple, ON LGA 1Z5 Tel: 647-627-8873 Membership Type: Member Upstream Construction Inc Andrew Noxon 8467 Finnerty Sdrd Caledon, ON L7E 0H6 Tel: 416-271-4488 Membership Type: Chapter Associate
WATERLOO Advance Construction Equipment Limited Rick Thompson 607 Colby Dr Waterloo, ON N2V 1A1 Tel: 519-742-5878 Membership Type: Chapter Associate John Gleeson Second Wind Farms Ltd John Gleeson 8240 Wellington Rd 8 Moorefield, ON N06 2K0 Tel: 519-638-3330 Membership Type: Member
LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
TOGETHER
WE ARE WE ARE LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
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2021 Member Benefits
Members working together for the LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
Relevance and support in a time of crisis In 2020, Landscape Ontario members sprang into action to create a Covid-19 Task Force. Its goal: to filter relevant information to business owners and provide support and resources to employers, employees and their families in an unprecedented time of crisis. The outstanding work, dedication and expertise of the volunteer task force members elevated the Landscape Ontario community to a new level of sharing, caring and relevance. Now, more than ever, it is important to remain a part of the vibrant LO community. A unified voice helped government to allow landscape and horticulture businesses to be among the first to reopen after the shutdown. Together, we proved how essential the landscape and horticulture profession is to all members of society — and how we improve the lives of clients, communities and the country in many positive ways. As you move forward through this pandemic, you are not, and will not, be alone. Thank you to the many members who have provided support, resources, and encouragement to others — you make us all very proud! Together we are one. Together we are Landscape Ontario!
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benefit of ALL!
LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
2021 Member Benefits
Cost saving benefits Landscape Ontario’s exclusive Member Savings Programs save you money on daily business expenses. Enjoy special member pricing for insurance, trucks, equipment, fuel and more. The average members saves over $14,000 per year!
LANDSCAPE HORTICULTURE
CERTIFICATION program
Start saving today!
Marketing benefits Distinguish your company as a professional using the Landscape Ontario brand. Members are exclusively entitled to use the LO logo for electronic and print materials, and can order free decals and license plate holders to brand vehicles and equipment.
Certificate of Membership
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OF STANDING ER IN GOOD IO IS A MEMB PE ONTAR ION LANDSCA ASSOCIAT L TRADES RA LTU HORTICU e Ontario H ap
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The annual Awards of Excellence program showcases the talent and skills of member projects and winners get special recognition and can promote themselves as an award-winning company. 23
Members working together for the LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
Networking benefits Connect with other professionals, suppliers and experts that can help grow your business through free monthly chapter meetings, social events, sector-specific events, and by participating in local community greening projects. Plus, all LO member business owners can ask questions and get advice from other pros, through the LO Peer to Peer Network via private online group chat anytime. Group members set the topics for workshops held across the province to help their business to grow.
Sector Groups
Chapters
• • • • • • • • • • •
• • • • • • • • •
Garden Centre Group Grounds Management Group Growers Group Hardscape Group Irrigation Group Interior Plantscaping Group Landscape Contractors Group Landscape Designers Group Lighting Group Snow and Ice Group Turf Management Group
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Durham Georgian Lakelands Golden Horseshoe London Ottawa Toronto Upper Canada Waterloo Windsor
benefit of ALL!
LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
2021 Member Benefits
Skills upgrading benefits Expertise, knowledge and passion are three words often used to describe professionals in any field. Landscape Ontario offers members easy access to many skills upgrading, training, and certification programs that give customers peace of mind and confidence: • LO Professional Development Seminar Series • Fusion Landscape Professional • Water Smart Irrigation Professional • Landscape Horticulture Certification Program • Horticultural Technician Apprenticeship Program (HTAP) • Chapter Meetings • Congress Conference ...and more!
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LANDSCAPE HORTICULTURE
CERTIFICATION program
Members working together for the LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
Communication benefits Landscape Ontario members receive annual subscriptons to leading industry publications to stay up-to-date on the latest trends, products and legislation. Electronic media keep you connected to the latest news. Members also receive a discount on advertising and custom e-blasts. • Landscape Ontario magazine Association and industry news that is brief, targeted and relevant. • LO Enews Weekly broadcasts provide quick info on events, breaking news, and more.
Get social!
LO members are loyal followers on these social media platforms:
4,137 5,660
8,059 3,978
• Landscape Trades magazine The business magazine serving landscape sectors across Canada. • Landscape Trades E-ssentials Monthly broadcast of relevant content to a national audience. • Garden Inspiration magazine Connecting professional members with a captive consumer audience. • The LO Podcast Conversations on the issues affecting landscaping and horticulture pros in Ontario. 26
benefit of ALL!
LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
2021 Member Benefits
Even more benefits For nearly 50 years, Landscape Ontario’s signature trade show, Congress, has provided a means for the profession to learn, shop, share and grow. Congress is well-known throughout North America. Members save on Congress trade show and conference passes, exhibit space, and sector-specific conferences. Members also save on admission to Canada Blooms. Congress Canada’s top landscaping trade show features: • IPM Symposium • Congress Conference • Landscape Designer Conference Canada Blooms Showcasing horticulture’s elegance to 200,000 visitors.
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Funding industry research and scholarships The Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation provides over $45,000 in scholarships to students each year and an average of $30,000 to industry research projects. Find out more or donate online: OHTF.ca
In the words of members... LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
“LO’s support was amazing when we had a legal question last fall.” Linda Weykamp Walter Weykamp Landscaping
“I really enjoyed the LO webinar and received information that I will use in my business.” Chris Urquhart Green Unlimited
“Thanks to LO for working with government.” Bert Hoytema Earthworks Landscaping
“I watched the webinar today, and thought it was fantastic. We are also part of the Peer to Peer group, and are thankful for that.” Claudia Baun B.K. Baun Landscape
Membership and more...
Visit HortTrades.com for more information on the many benefits available exclusively to members. Renew online at HortTrades.com/dues 28
“We appreciate LO ‘kicking it into high gear’ right now.” Andrew Macdonald Arborvitae Ecological Landscapes Ltd.
“We have been keeping up-to-date with all of LO’s updates; we understand that safety is the key to be able to getting back to work.” Brad Paton Shades of Summer Landscaping & Maintenance
LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
EDUCATOR PROFILE
Sean James helps to improve lives through teaching Why did you start teaching?
When I first started teaching about 14 years ago, it was about legacy; leaving a mark by passing on what I knew. It’s become much more than that, guiding the next generation of horticulturists to repair our world and run businesses better, improving how we treat our teammates and finding a better life balance.
What qualities make you a successful teacher?
I found a hobby that became a career, so I’ve got a boatload of enthusiasm and experience, hopefully in the right proportions. I also don’t like not knowing things, which makes me a constant learner. I think that is a must for any good teacher. This month, Landscape Ontario magazine introduces a new feature to shine a spotlight on educators in the landscape trades. Whether they teach via a formal institution, an event stage, or a Landscape Ontario classroom, these great mentors share a passion for passing on their knowledge, experience and expertise for the betterment of others and the profession. Sean James, owner of Sean James Consulting and Design in Milton, Ont., is a Master Gardener, writer, public speaker and teaches in the Apprenticeship program at Mohawk College. James is well-known for sharing his passion for eco-friendly gardening.
What experience and education do you have that qualifies you to be a teacher? I was one of 12 people fortunate enough to graduate from the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture back in 1991. Also, I’ve been interested in horticulture since I was four, and started landscaping when I was 14. I have many years of experience (successes AND failures) to pass on.
How would you describe your teaching style?
I aim for ‘easy going and folksy.’ I bounce around enough to be interesting, sharing stories beyond the basic curriculum that the students can learn from, but also getting into the deep end of the pool, horticulturally and environmentally.
What advice do you have for others who may want to teach? If you don’t LOVE it and if you don’t LOVE people, then don’t do it. You also have to know how to present — it’s not just droning out facts. A good teacher makes lives better, but a bad teacher can ruin people.
What is it about the landscape and horticulture profession that inspires you?
Gardening, more than any other profession, can change the world! WE know about stewarding soil, and how to grow plants to save the bees and monarchs. WE know how to improve food security and sequester carbon. Gardening improves health (mental and physical), improves productivity and adds beauty to the world. We deserve capes, and seeing students get that – really absorb it – is wonderful.
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What is one life lesson or mistake you made that you try to teach others, so they can avoid making the same mistake?
I teach many things about plants and design, but the safety stories I tell, based on events in my life, have huge impacts and a great trickle-down. Also, there’s the bigger picture that ‘todays’ lesson is not what it’s about, but rather a tiny taste of all that there is to learn.
What is the hardest part about teaching?
The hardest part about teaching is also one of the best. Horticulture is replete with different types of learners and trying to figure out how to help as many of those different types of brains is the toughest, yet most rewarding, part.
What is the best class or lesson you’ve ever taught?
I think my new two-part lesson on soils and the things living in it for the City School program is the most important, generating even more energy from me than usual, and is therefore the best.
Do you have any students that have gone on to be very successful?
I love watching my students move through the world, beyond what I’ve offered them. TWO of my former students have gone on to become teachers. Some of their students have become mine. Some of those who’ve graduated from my program have sent their employees through the apprenticeship program. Seeing the changes that they make, and how they take their lessons and pass them on, makes everything worthwhile!
Do you know an inspiring educator? Email your suggestion to robert@landscapeontario.com.
LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
PROFESSIONAL NEWS
Improved national certification program launched The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) is proud to announce the launch of the national Landscape Horticulture Certification Program (LHCP). The newly-revised program is 100 per cent Canadian owned and operated, and aligns with Red Seal Occupation Standards. The new program is designed to maintain high certification standards, while being streamlined and more accessible, thanks to a world-class, web-based solution. The goal of the program is to ensure
professionals from across Canada comply with current standards and industry best practices. Certification is currently available for Technicians, Designers, and Managers. In addition, an Accredited Company certification is available for companies that prioritize certification and have high standards as a cornerstone of their business. Benefits of certification include: more opportunities for career advancement, proven competency and greater professionalism, and peace of mind to clients.
A new website, CNLAgetcertified.ca includes details on the qualifications required for the various designations, including the testing process, registration forms, and study manuals. Candidates will be required to meet the requirements for their chosen program, plus achieve a minimum grade in various written exams. To start your journey toward industry certification, visit CNLAgetcertified.ca, email certification@cnla-acpp.ca or call 888-4463499 or 905-875-1399.
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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO assessment of the current (2018) size of the sector’s supply chain (including jobs, GDP, and revenues) as well as breakdowns for each sub-sector. The report also models the projected future growth potential of the sector to 2030. “We were pleased to see that at $4.64 billion in direct GDP, Ontario’s green infrastructure sector was 28 per cent larger than the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing sector and 31 per cent larger than the computer and electronic product manufacturing sector,” said GIO’s Executive Director, Jennifer Court. “Having a comparison with other sectors helps us understand the economic importance and relevance of green infrastructure. But the real story is in the jobs; with 84,400 direct jobs in 2018, green infrastructure employs five times more people than the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing sector (16,335 jobs) and three times more people than the computer and electronic product manufacturing sector (26,600 jobs).” “Investments in green infrastructure will create much-needed jobs for Ontarians, particularly in light of Covid-19 economic strain, and are a triple win for the environment, the economy and society at large,” says Kathy Macpherson, VP of the Greenbelt Foundation. Support for green infrastructure projects has value chain ripple effects wherein the economic, environmental, and social benefits largely remain inside Ontario. Current trends show significant growth potential for the sector as public awareness and attitudes toward the sector evolve. In short, this report recognizes the meaningful role that this sector plays in today’s economy, as well as the vital role we can play in the economy of tomorrow. To read the full report, visit the online version of this article at gfl.me/h8iA.
New report shows economic impact of green infrastructure sector in Ontario The full scope and impact of Ontario’s vibrant green infrastructure sector has never been quantified — until now. From maintenance and landscape staff on the ground, to designers and engineers, nursery staff, manufacturers of equipment, and public administrators, the green infrastructure sector includes jobs with businesses and organizations at various scales across the province. The new “Economic Impact Assessment of the Green Infrastructure Sector in Ontario” a first-ever assessment of the full scope of the green infrastructure sector, commissioned by the Green Infrastructure Ontario Coalition (GIO) and funded by the Greenbelt Foundation, with additional financial support from Landscape Ontario. It highlights to what degree green infrastructure is an important contributor to Ontario’s economy. According to the report, green infrastructure generates $8.6 billion in gross output (revenues), $4.64 billion in direct gross domestic product (GDP), and directly employed approximately 84,400 people in 2018. Factoring in the indirect and induced impacts, Ontario’s green infrastructure sector was responsible for more than 120,000 jobs and nearly $8.33 billion in GDP in 2018. The green infrastructure sector includes six key sub-sectors: landscape horticulture and open spaces, natural heritage, parks, urban forests, green stormwater management, and green roofs and walls, as well as the cross sectoral support services that play essential roles across these sub-sectors. The report includes an overview of the key trends and drivers impacting the sector, an
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CONTACT 705-606-3950 anastasiaksparling@gmail.com
LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
Heat stress and Covid-19 Heat stress is a recognized hazard for many workplaces in the landscape and horticulture profession. Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) will soon offer a new downloadable guide to help workplaces implement a comprehensive approach to assessing potential heat stress hazards linked to Covid-19. Heat Stress Management - A Practical Guide assists workplaces in applying the tried-and-true RACE (Recognize, Assess, Control, Evaluate) model. Users will be able to identify and assess hazards in their workplace, and explore possible controls. WSPS Ergonomics Specialist Angela Cameron has one concern: could Covid19 related personal protective equipment (PPE) increase the risk of heat stress? Until now, workers in many workplaces have had no need to wear face shields, masks or eye protection, other than simple safety glasses. But now, authorities are recommending surgical masks and eye protection in any workplace where physical distancing is a challenge. The problem is, they can make wearers feel hotter. “Every time we exhale, we’re creating a little micro-climate behind our mask or
shield,” explains Cameron. “In an already hot environment, these microclimates can make us feel we’re hotter and working harder than we really are.” While microclimates alone don’t cause an increase in core body temperatures, the associated perceptions of heat and discomfort may distract workers from the tasks at hand (a safety hazard) and cause stress and anxiety (a psychosocial hazard). WSPS offers this advice to employers and
health and safety personnel:
• Refresh your understanding of workrelated heat stress and Covid-19 in the workplace. • Review and update your existing heat stress plan in the context of Covid-19. WSPS offers a variety of heat stress resources, including eCourses, articles, safety tips, and more at WSPS.ca.
Partnership provides funded consulting and training to agricultural producers The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) is partnering with Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) to provide agri-food businesses, organizations and associations with educational resources, tools and consulting services to help them meet Covid-19 health and safety requirements. The Agri-food Workplace Protection Program, through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, is designed to help agriculture producers enhance health and safety measures to stop the spread of Covid-19. Under this program, WSPS can provide partnership-funded consulting and training related to modifications to existing agricultural workplaces and enhancing healthy workplace access and accommodation. Applicants can submit expenses for temporary or permanent modifications (ie: shielding, barriers), PPE, medical equipment, and cleaning supplies incurred on or after May 15, 2020 that are eligible for 70 per cent cost share, to a maximum of $7,500 per project. For more information and links, view the online version of this article at gfl.me/h8kn.
NEW LOOK • NEW CONFERENCE
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SPONSORSHIP AND EXHIBITOR OPPORTUNITIES PLEASE CONTACT KERI MACIVOR AT KERI@LANDSCAPEONTARIO.COM
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BE B ES CRExcellence Dprogram The Landscape C Ontario AwardsEof RE IG EA AT N T recognizes the breathtaking design and master craftsmanship IV I V E E in landscape construction, maintenance and design projects created by members.
Full details and online entry submission at
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The Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) has made available a pre-recorded, 45-minute webinar on Covid-19 health and safety practices for the construction sector. The webinar includes information on best practices for construction sites as well as on-site roles and responsibilities regarding Covid-19. Designed for company owners, managers, supervisors, and join health and safety committee members, the session is available for download to watch at your own pace. View the online version of this article at gfl.me/h8kk for a link to the free webinar. CO NS TR UC TIO
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IHSA offers free webinar E NC A on Covid-19 construction CO EN NS TR sector health and safety M UCT IO practices
The Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) has published two new web pages to assist Ontarians during the Covid-19 outbreak. Employers can learn about their employment standards responsibilities with regards to the Employment Standards Act, and health and safety, including how to protect workers. Workers can access information about leaves, vacation time and temporary layoffs, as well as information about health and safety protection. For links to the web pages, view the online version of this article at gfl.me/h8kq.
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Congratulations to Landscape Ontario member Seferian Design Group, who was recently honoured with two DNA Paris Design awards. The Burlington, Ont.-based landscape architectural design firm won in the Landscape Design/Private Gardens category and the Landscape Design/Parks & Public spaces, Educational, Community & Recreation Facilities category. The award winning landscape design project, Simcoe Sophistication in Simcoe, E Ont., featured a completely redesigned NC A 19th century historical estate, where EN drainage became an important issue due to the very flat nature of the site. The project M involved a year and a half of design work and three years of construction. The award winning public space project, Cayuga Grand Vista Trail, spans a reclaimed CN Rail bridge across the Grand River. Designed to meet CSA S6-14 standard, the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code, the space also complies with all regulations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The awards, which honour the work of international architects and designers, were announced May 18, 2020.
New web pages outline employment standards related to Covid-19
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Seferian Design Group wins international awards
LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
EXECUTIVE DESK
Reflections on John Paul Lamarche — a wonderful industry leader
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He made the cover of Landscape Trades magazine. Paul was also very popular in the United States. On numerous occasions south of the border, I was asked if I knew Paul Lamarche. He made a positive difference in the lives of industry members across North America. Paul continued helping members until January 2017 when he officially retired. Even in his retirement he was a frequent contributor to various social media groups. His posts were always helpful and encouraging. Earlier this year, during the heart of the Covid crisis, Paul decided to offer his expertise and experience free of charge to anyone who needed it. This gesture reflects Paul’s caring and generous nature. Here is one of his latest posts: “A short while ago, I felt that I might be of help to the 8,000 plus members in my professional LinkedIn network. I came out of retirement to offer my horticultural business services completely free of charge, to one and all. It was the least I could do for all I had received in life. Well here we are, and all of you are back to work. And just as importantly the golf courses are opening up. How wonderful. I was not surprised at the questions! The most common: How can I do my pricing for the year, when I most likely will not meet expected sales? This came up a lot: With my sales going to be down, and my costs of business going to be up, what can I do to balance this? Another: How do I deal with clients asking for a discount as they are experiencing an unexpected sales forecast as well? Lastly: My cash flow is at the worst it has ever been. People are not paying their winter accounts, especially commercial, and I can’t get any more money from the bank, to see myself through ‘til summer? It is going to be a very interesting year to say the least. Thank you all. Respectfully. JPL” Paul was helpful and caring to the very end. The horticulture profession has lost a true friend and contributor. Landscape Ontario plans to plant a tree in recognition of Paul’s immense contributions to the lives of so many. View the online version of this article at gfl.me/h8kw for a link to Paul’s obituary, which unsurprisingly, he wrote himself.
any of you were touched by John Paul Lamarche of JPL Consulting. He helped hundreds, if not thousands of companies become successful by helping them develop financial competency. JPL passed away on June 8. I first met Paul Lamarche around 1990. He had a big personality, infectious enthusiasm, boundless energy and a friendly smile. He also had a very strong handshake, a signature handlebar moustache and very strong opinions. He was always the strongest presence in a room. At the time, Paul served as a volunteer on the Canadian Garden Council alongside some industry pioneers and past presidents of Landscape Ontario. The purpose of the Garden Council was to promote the joys and benefits of gardening. Paul was a huge contributor to the group. He was always full of ideas and worked hard (and selflessly) to generate and execute programs that inspired and educated the public about gardening. The meetings were always lively and fun. I remember when he single-handedly decided to host a 50th birthday party for fellow council member, Marc Thiebaud. Paul was a good and caring friend to many. Landscape Ontario asked Paul on hundreds of occasions to speak at various events. His talks were consistently popular. He was articulate and funny, but always had a serious message. His focus was on helping members understand the financial aspects of their business. He sincerely cared about the success of his clients. Paul was also a frequent contributor to our magazines. Years ago, our contractors sector group decided the best thing they could do to promote prosperity was to focus on helping contractors know their costs. If contractors understood their costs, they could better manage their business, make larger profits and recover overhead. The contractors decided to evaluate the programs and strategies of the top North American consultants with the hope of endorsing one. After a detailed and lengthy process, they decided to endorse Paul Lamarche of JPL Consulting. Paul was so thankful.
Tony DiGiovanni LO Executive Director
tony@landscapeontario.com
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Educators, Students and Media
MEMBERSHIP
Something for everyone
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arlier this year, we announced some big changes to Landscape Ontario’s membership categories. Approved at the AGM in January, the changes allow for a more inclusive environment for new businesses, address the unique needs of sole proprietor operations, and help showcase companies who have a proven commitment to ongoing professional development. The new and improved membership categories offer something for everyone!
Individual Membership
Formerly the Horticultural membership, this category is for individuals allied to the profession, including municipal staff, golf course personnel, etc. Individual Membership is now automatically conferred to all employees of LO member companies.
Introductory Member
A new category designed for businesses looking to get a taste of what Landscape Ontario has to offer, this membership category is a one year, low cost, low barrier entry option for a horticultural business. Companies wishing to utilize all of the membership benefits must join one of the other membership categories.❡ The next three categories are replacing what had previously been defined as ‘Active Membership.’
Member
The previous requirement of one year in business has been removed to help new companies survive the challenging early years. Members are subject to the same accreditation process as Active members: job site photos or proof of education, references from two LO members, insurance and WSIB information, etc.
Professional Member
After being in business for at least two years, a company apply to become a Professional Member. These companies must show proof of a health and safety plan, plus at least eight hours of professional development.
Certified Professional Member
These are companies that have been an LO member for at least five consecutive years. In addition, 10 per cent of staff must have a professional certification or equivalent, as well as proof of ongoing professional development and continuing education. The goal is to be able to guide members through the process toward becoming an Accredited Landscape Horticulture Company through the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA). See cnla.ca/learn/landscape-companyaccreditation.
Landscape Ontario is proud to offer complimentary memberships to students and teachers of horticultural programs as well as media personnel. If Covid-19 has taught us anything, it is that we are truly stronger together. Throughout the pandemic, LO members came together in tremendous fashion to formulate a special task force to help businesses manage through these incredibly difficult times. The task force was also very active in lobbying the government for resources and support, and the direct communication was a key factor in landscaping and horticulture businesses being among the first to reopen after the shutdown. The LO community is here for you and for your business when times are good, and when times seem unbearably hard. Membership offers something for everyone.
Myscha Stafford LO Membership and Chapter Coordinator myscha@landscapeontario.com
Sole Proprietor Status
We have heard from a lot of members that the past categories did not accurately reflect their type of business. Sole proprietors were paying the same membership fee as large companies, but were unable to utilize many of the benefits due to having only a handful of staff. This new category is for companies with 1.5 full-time (or equivalent) employees or less, and can be applied to the Member, Professional Member, or Certified Professional Member category.
Associate/ Chapter Associate
This category is for a company that supplies products, equipment or critical business services to other companies. Associate members supply province-wide, but Chapter Associates cater to the specific needs of a smaller, more specific region (ie: within a single LO geographic chapter).
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Tillsonburg, ON Specializing in field grown and potted cedars along with perennials, trees and shrubs of both deciduous and evergreen varieties.
519-688-0437
info@pottersroadnursery.com
PottersRoadNursery.com
LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
UNDERGROUND WORLD
Where’s the discipline?
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association exists in the first place and why it remains relevant in a time of crisis. I’m sure all realize the value of belonging to the LO community in these times. If for some reason you are not a member, you should make the investment now and see the high return on that investment that you will get.
e are living in historic times and the unique circumstances we are dealing with present the possibility of several new and significant outcomes. Over the first half of 2020, the world has seen many lifealtering events. A global pandemic, unseen in modern times, has resulted in over 130,000 deaths in the United States alone and over 8,000 deaths in Canada. Entire countries have been on lockdown, resulting in limited movements and activities for citizens. The brutal murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis sparked protests and riots, leading to a social movement to end racism around the world. Police actions are under scrutiny, and government stimulus will lead to unheard-of deficits. Chaos seems to be winning, so I find myself asking, “Where is all the discipline and order?” Webster’s dictionary defines discipline as: “a rule or system of rules governing conduct or activity,” or “instruction and exercise designed to train proper conduct or action,” or “a set of systems of rules or regulations.” I think you get the idea. It seems that discipline has gone out the window. It’s time to sit back and take a good look at what’s happening. It’s time to set a new discipline and order to our daily way of life. It’s time we all took a little reality check.
ORCGA works to reduce utility costs
In the damage prevention industry, attention to discipline is also required for all excavators, who are required by law to first call for locates before digging. Year after year, we see a high number of underground utility hits across the province, which could have been avoided by following proper excavation practices and calling for locates first. This lack of discipline across Canada costs society over $700 million each year in repair costs to damaged underground infrastructure. Every taxpayer (company and homeowner), collectively pays for this through monthly utility bills. We are all paying for this needless expense. The Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA) is another great industry association your company should join. The ORCGA is committed to reducing utility hits and promotes damage prevention through education and training to reduce the costs passed on to consumers and companies each month. The work of the ORCGA helps to keep everyone safe and to save lives. A small contractor can join for as little as $125 a year. You can sign up by calling 1-866-446-4493. This safety organization deserves your support.
Association membership working for you
In this age of uncertainty, one shining light is Landscape Ontario. I commend the association’s leadership: Tony DiGiovanni, Dave Wright, and the Provincial Board of Directors for the swift action in setting up the special Covid-19 Task Force, whose lobbying efforts to the Ontario government led to landscapers and garden centres being among the first businesses allowed to reopen. This huge win by the association proves that a unified voice in a time of need is something that all industry should be a part of. Now, more than ever, members should be quick to pay their membership dues to continue to be a part of this community. For the reopening work alone, I would pay my dues for the next 10 years! Throughout the chaos this year, LO has demonstrated and preached discipline. It illustrates the very reason the
Conclusion
Now, more than ever, we need discipline to come out of these challenges and uncertainties in good shape. We have to be diligent and continue to follow the recommended health and safety guidelines outlined by health care professionals and government officials. We must continue to exercise patience and be willing to adapt to the new normal. We need everybody in our society to be diligent, follow the rules and be disciplined in order to help get through this tumultuous time. Please do your part by paying attention to your own discipline and staying connected to industry associations and groups.
Terry Murphy CLM
tvmurphy@ca.inter.net
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PROSPERITY PARTNERS
Staying the course
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partly because people working from home want their yards to look better, but we could be shut down once again if things go in the wrong direction. So you need to be prepared with a plan if that second wave comes. When it comes to Culture and Compliance, I’d like you to consider my favourite expression: “Culture eats compliance (policies and procedures) for breakfast.” If your team isn’t on the page, you need them to be thinking and acting the way you need them to. It makes no difference how many posters you use, how many sanitizing kits are in your trucks, your store or on work sites. Culture will either see you through a crisis, or destroy your best intentions every time. An engaged team, who feel appreciated, safe and protected, who are proud, hopeful and always learning — that’s your ticket to compliance and success, pandemic or no pandemic. So, as we slip into the busy, but more steady pace of the summer months, a word of caution from me: focus on your company culture. Build it, grow it, talk to your team. Engage them with great questions. When was the last time you asked each employee: “What do you need from me to be successful today?” or “How do you feel about where our community is on the pandemic right now?” Show empathy consistently, and they’ll show up. Think about systems this summer, because they are the key to the 5 Cs when they’re working well. How well are your company systems working? What’s broken? What are you measuring? How do the metrics compare to targets? What’s getting in the way of blowing past profit projections? Look deep and look often into how your people are not only performing, but how they’re feeling about it. Look for things to celebrate. Bring joy. Bring safety. Bring confidence. In unprecedented times, you need to be nimble. Consider things you haven’t before and keep your eye on the horizon. Work ON your business this summer. This column is dedicated to the memory of my friend and mentor, Jean Paul Lemarche. JPL taught me first and foremost to be a successful, profitable entrepreneur — with an exit strategy. Second, but equally impactful, he taught me to be a successful business coach and consultant. I miss him already, and cherish his wisdom. If JPL were here, with respect to staying on top of pandemic management strategies, I know he would say, “Giddy up!”
K. Phew! We’ve all made it this far after a very uncertain and stressful spring. So far, (hopefully) so good. There’s a lot of boxes you’ve had to tick this year: pandemic management, PPE sourced and in ample supply, new policies in place, new procedures to practice and learn, customers aligned with company protocols, staff trained on staying healthy, and what to do if they, or someone in their home isn’t. The list of adjustments and accommodations is a long one, and it’s very dynamic. Everyone in our entire profession has had to adapt to a new normal with very little notice. In my last column, I coined the phrase ‘Compliant vs. Complacent’. And, I want everyone reading this to think about how well YOUR team is performing and how consistently they are exercising every required step of compliance EVERY hour of every day. For example: Wearing a mask in 30 C weather sucks. Let alone doing physical work while wearing one. It’s going to be a tough summer as long as Covid-19 lurks in the shadows. It’s great that our economy and movements are opening up, but at the same time, we’re playing a bit of roulette with the probability of a second wave of the pandemic. What does that have to do with your business? Everything. From late March, through to early May, there were countless webinars and online meetings to provide you with sound pandemic business advice. Topics were widely ranging and crucially important: definitions of just who was essential, how many people to a truck, variances between regions, where to find washroom facilities, how to interact with clients, and so on. To help people continue to move forward, industry consultants pivoted quickly to create resources for businesses on many levels. Among these many resources, I developed and ran several five-day boot camps on the 5 Cs of Crisis Management: Cash Flow, Communication, Culture, Course of Action and Compliance. I want you to keep these five points in mind as you move through the summer months, into fall, and maybe even into another shutdown if predictions about an inevitable second wave come true. I want you to be calm and ready if and when you need to be. You need to stay the course — the pandemic management course. I know many of you are having hugely successful sales
Jacki Hart CLM Prosperity Partners Program Manager info.peertopeer@landscapeontario.com
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ADVERTISERS Anastasia K. Sparling (Real Estate Listing)
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Braun Nursery Limited
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Carrier Centers
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John Deere Corporate
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Greenlife - Ottawa Wholesale Nursery
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Millgrove Perennials Inc.
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Potters Road Nursery Inc. RUN YOUR OWN TREE FARM Large inventory of very mature trees grown in fabric grow bags. Easy to handle. Huge potential! Great location in Collingwood. Expand into landscape supplies and services. Land not for sale. Call or text Gordon McLean 705-888-2322 www.bloomnnursery.ca
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GARDEN CENTRE
Program DEADLINE!
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LOawards.com 38
LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
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