Landscape Ontario - March 2020 by Landscape Ontario

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

March 2021

Pollinator Plants Multi-year research trial looks at the best plants to attract pollinators. PM 40013519

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March, 2021 • Volume 39 - No. 03 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.

AWARDS SECTION

Promote careers, not jobs

Page 17

Features 4 Profile: Gelderlands Landscaping 6 Helping Bees

Departments 10 15 16 21 22 26

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Association News Scholarship Profile New Members Professional News Columns Advertisers

Director of Communications and Publications Scott Barber sbarber@landscapeontario.com, 647-478-3171 Editor Robert Ellidge rellidge@landscapeontario.com, 647-722-5645 Creative director / 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 Digital Marketing Specialist Adele Bedard abedard@landscapeontario.com Accountant Joe Sabatino jsabatino@landscapeontario.com, 647-724-8585 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO STAFF Andrea Annis, Darryl Bond, Grace Bruch, Amy Buchanan, Kaneisha De Leon, Tony DiGiovanni CHT, Cassandra Garrard, Meghan Greaves, Sally Harvey CLT CLM, Chantal Jorgensen, Keri MacIvor, Heather MacRae, Katarina Markovic, Kathy McLean, Shalini Mehta, Patrick Roche, Joe Salemi, Ian Service, David Turnbull, Lissa Schoot Uiterkamp, Tom Somerville, COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Gerald Boot CLM, Laura Catalano, Lindsay Drake Nightingale, Jeremy Feenstra, Mark Fisher, Hank Gelderman, Marty Lamers, Bob Tubby, Nick Winkelmolen Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circulation Department Landscape Ontario 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 Canada Phone: 905-875-1805 ISSN 1928-9553 Publications Mail Agreement No. PM40013519 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 2021, reproduction or the use of whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited. Published 9x 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

know about you, but I have never had a busier January and February. I've been designing and estimating projects for the upcoming season. Everyone I talk to, across many trades, are in the same boat. There is pent-up demand for our work and we won’t have enough people to do it. Our businesses will not grow without more people. There needs to be a shift in how we think about hiring and a shift in how we look at our profession. It’s easy for those of us who share the passion for landscaping to understand why we do what we do. We could start by doing a better job of communicating the benefits of working in landscaping — the great working environments, the time outdoors, the feeling of accomplishment as we see our projects built, maintained and thriving. The passion we bring and the rewards of the job could be the very thing that makes us more attractive than plumbing, welding and HVAC to prospective employees. Landscape Ontario is working toward the goal of attracting employees through our partnership with the Ontario government, and the GROW program, among countless other efforts spearheaded by Sally Harvey. We need to follow the lead of members like Wentworth Landscapes and Rockscape who recently received Employer of Choice Awards at last month’s LO Awards of Excellence program. We need to start looking at this issue through a different lens. I challenge you to promote careers, not jobs. We need to promote our companies as great places to work, with great benefits and amazing team cultures. Only then will we change the perception of careers in our industry in the eyes of students and their parents.

recently came across a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) clip recommended by Mike Rowe, host of the TV series Dirty Jobs. Rowe has always been an advocate of high school students skipping the overwhelming debt of college and university by jumping directly into careers in the skilled trades. After the same four-year period, a person who chose the trades route is able to buy a house, but the university graduate is drowning in debt and is still no closer to getting a career job. Statistics Canada actually tracks this, and in 2015, 45 per cent of graduates with a Bachelor’s degree owed more than $25,000 in student debt. The PBS clip digs into the misperceptions students and parents have of the trades — that they are dead-end jobs — and so, parents discourage their children from becoming plumbers, bricklayers and carpenters. Oh, and landscapers too. We need to be on top of this. As a profession, landscapers need to be positioned with the trades. We need to raise our employment standards to attract people who may already be considering a career in HVAC or welding. We are all struggling to attract the same, limited group of hardworking people that see the trades as a viable career path. The landscape sector’s biggest competition for labour right now is not the couch and the video game console, but other construction trades. We need a competitive edge that demonstrates we are equivalent to the other trades — with a lower barrier to entry. At a time when unemployment is at its highest in a long time, we are still struggling to attract employees. I don’t

Dave Wright LO President davew@wrightlandscape.ca

Member Profile:

L A N D SC A P I N G BURLINGTON, ONT.

By Rita Weerdenburg

early on, however, the new company found itself dealing with the harsh realities of inadequate cash flow that is so familiar to seasonal businesses. Residential and small commercial snow clearing contracts generated not only the needed cash flow, but also a local demand for a full slate of landscape maintenance services. Today, Gelderlands Landscaping is a full-service landscape maintenance Brandon Gelderman company, employing up to 15 people during the season in the company’s maintenance, property restoration and landscape design divisions. With the help of loyal employees the maintenance divisions are now running smoothly, allowing Gelderman to refocus on his passion for landscape design. If the challenge of taking a client’s vision and turning it into a reality is what fuels Gelderman’s love of landscape design, the opportunity to use brand new technologies to communicate his designs could be considered the accelerant. By using Google Earth, explains Brandon, one does not need to leave home to service clients anywhere in the world, or in his case, anywhere in Ontario. “Our work in northern Ontario is limited, but otherwise we have worked on landscape design projects across the province,” Gelderman explains. Thanks to Google Earth and SketchUp, a related 3-D modelling program, the process of landscape design has come of age in today’s digital world. “Google Earth has already had a big impact on the landscape design sector, but its use will become even more prominent as more people begin to understand its scope and how to better use the technology,” he adds. As with any new technology, the cost to early adopters can be a limiting factor. Within the company’s very mixed client base that includes estates, commercial developments, condominium and townhouse properties, and churches, it is often difficult to predict, says Gelderman, who will or will not be amenable to the higher costs associated with 3-D modelling. “Demand has definitely dropped off somewhat since 3-D

he more things change, the more they stay the same. It’s a saying that is possibly overused, but usually with good reason. Nowhere does it apply more than in the ornamental landscape sector. As the industry continually evolves to meet ever-changing trends, consumer demands, environmental concerns and more, ultimately the enduring, tried and true formulas are most often cited as the cornerstones to a landscape company’s success. Started by Brandon Gelderman in 2014, Gelderlands Landscaping is a relative newcomer to the landscape scene in Burlington, Ont., but company start dates are almost never indicative of the knowledge and expertise of its management. Brandon’s own opportunity for on-the-job learning came at the age of 12 — helping out in the family landscape and maintenance business when his father suffered a leg fracture. Gelderman’s on-the-job education soon had him taking on most of the functions generally associated with residential landscape maintenance. Those early years established Gelderman’s keen interest in the sector and a desire to learn more motivated him to enrol in the landscape design program at Fanshawe College. It was at Fanshawe, under the guidance of instructor and landscape architect Ron Koudys, that Gelderman discovered his true passion for landscape design. His enthusiasm was reinforced by a full semester of travelling and learning about estate garden designs in Italy, as a part of his studies. After his three years at Fanshawe, Gelderman gained further work experience at several well-known Burlington area landscape companies, but it was his employment as the landscape designer for a London pool company where he was finally able to indulge his passion for landscape design. While he truly loved his job, it had two major drawbacks — London was too far away from his home base and more importantly, it wasn’t his own business. The original focus of the newly-formed Gelderlands Landscaping was to provide landscape design and management services to the area’s landscape contractors. Besides landscape design, its services included sales and cost estimates, quantity take-offs and the provision of various management competences, such as permit acquisition. Very

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

Gelderlands uses the latest technology in order to realize a client’s vision.

providing design services for landscape and home show contractors. Brandon has devoted many hours to the Skills Canada initiative, with a particular interest in progressing the profile of the landscape and landscape design sectors. The blending of traditional values together with modern technologies and a keen sense that the outlook for the landscape sector is positive, Gelderman is confident about the future of Gelderlands Landscaping. He is now in a position to be more selective in the projects the company takes on, and looking for clients who understand the value of a passion for plants and above all, good landscape design.

modelling first became available,” explains Gelderman. “It’s all related to cost. SketchUp is a definite advantage to those clients that aren’t able to read a traditional plan, and certainly, the landscape contractors would prefer that all clients opt to use this new technology, but ultimately, the cost is borne by the client.” Gelderman’s years spent in the family business also taught him the value of supporting the industry through association involvement and he has many recollections of attending local Landscape Ontario chapter events with his father. Especially for a young company, his association portfolio is impressive and includes the Landscape Ontario Congress Committee, many years of helping at Canada Blooms, and

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

HELPING HOMEOWNERS HELP

bees

By Famke Alberts, Sarah Jandricic, Rodger Tschanz and Al Sullivan

t’s no secret there’s been a recent trend in gardening “with purpose.” Many homeowners and businesses want to contribute to local ecosystems by establishing pollinator gardens that provide food and shelter for bees, butterflies and other pollinator species. So how do we help Ontario homeowners find the “right” plants? And, can we find pollinator-friendly plants that fit other criteria homeowners may have for a certain spot in their garden, such as annuals versus perennials, or short versus tall plants? Adding to the confusion, many resources solely promote the use of locally native plants for pollinator gardens. While native plant availability is increasing in the marketplace, the season-long ornamental value of many natives may be hampered by disease susceptibility and/or limited bloom period. Additionally, native plants can be difficult to source, and may also be considered too “wild” or “messy” to appeal to all homeowners. In collaboration with Landscape Ontario, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and University of Guelph, researchers have been looking to help make planting pollinator garden for landscapers and homeowners easier, by way of studying how different plant species rate in their attractiveness to Ontario pollinators. One of our main goals was to determine if any popular “exotic” plants commonly grown by Ontario greenhouses (“exotic” meaning they originated outside of Canada and the continental U.S.) are attractive enough to pollinators to be considered reliable options for pollinator gardens in suburban areas. Each of the last three years, we selected 10 exotic plant species typically grown by the greenhouse floriculture industry in Ontario, and directly compared them to 10 species of native plants. Specifically, we used what are referred to used “nativars” – cultivars of native plants that have been somewhat altered by the ornamental industry for aesthetics – to provide a more apples-toapples comparison. Our plots at the University of Guelph were done with individual plant species in test strips, but in 2020, we were able to plant entire beds of either all exotic or all native plants at the Landscape Ontario site in Milton, Ont., to get a better feel for how these

The 2020 trial set up at the Landscape Ontario site. Plots of exotic ornamentals only (foreground) were compared to plots of native plants (background; with sunflowers). There were four plots per plant category (native or exotic) in a randomized design.

would look and appeal to homeowners. Here, each ornamental species was planted at densities that would best fill up each plot when plants reached full size (e.g. nine dianthus per square metre, but only five plants for a bigger species like lavender). Factors such as height, seasonality, colour and flower type were all considered in plant selection to achieve a good mix, though much of our selection was based off of which plants successfully attracted pollinators in the test strips at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute (GTI) from 2016 to 2018. Students then watched the plots for 30 minutes at a time and counted the

Table 1. Average number of pollinator visits observed over the summer (June to September) in plots of either exotic (orange bar) or native plants (blue bar).

pollinators that came to visit, making note of which plant was visited. Pollinators were only counted if they landed on a flower and stayed to gather nectar or pollen. Overall, the students logged over 70 hours of observations and counted about 3,000 pollinators this past summer! So, what did all this work reveal? Looking at our data from 2020, garden plots made up entirely of native plants attracted slightly more pollinators overall, but this difference wasn’t significant (Table 1). If a homeowner was standing next to a home garden of this size (2 x 4 m), they could expect to observe around 58 pollinators per hour on any given day if they had all native plants, versus 48 pollinators in an all-exotic garden – hardly a difference they would notice! If we look at the data more closely, we can see why this is. Despite the accepted thinking that native plants are generally the better choice for pollinators, we can see from the graph on page 9 (Table 2) that some species did well (tall blue bars), while other native species weren’t very attracted at all (small blue bars). For example, Coreopsis received over 900 pollinator visits in our 2020 trial, but other native plant species, like Phlox and Guara weren’t very attractive to pollinators (at least those found in Ontario), with fewer than 90 total pollinators each. In both plant categories (native or exotic), plant species with the highest total numbers

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO of pollinator visits tended to attract mostly managed honey bees, native bee species, or both (Figure 1). While visits from lots of bees is great (we love bees!), the total number of pollinators isn’t the only thing we looked at when it comes to a successful pollinator garden. To play a bigger role in helping all pollinators that have few food sources in urban areas, pollinator gardens should also support as many different groups (or “guilds”) of pollinators as they can. For example, although some plants like Argyranthemum didn’t attract many bees in our 2020 trial, they did draw higher numbers of both hover flies and pollinating beetles than the other plants tested. This makes them an important contender as part of the type of garden that supports both abundance

and diversity of pollinators. Taken together, our data suggests that the best pollinator garden would likely make use of a mix of species of both native and exotic, which is why we’ve compiled this list of stand-out performers from the species and cultivars we tested in our three years of research. Although it’s not exhaustive, this list is a good place to start with clients, as it allows homeowners to customize their garden with a mix of natives, exotics, annuals and perennials. As a note of caution, our data also show — not surprisingly — that variety can have a big effect on pollinator attractiveness. Changes to the aesthetics of a plant species during breeding can also change things about the plant that pollinators like, such

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as volatiles, amount of pollen or nectar, or the colour the insect sees. This information is not new, as previous publications have shown that pollinator attractiveness can vary between varieties by as much as 10 times. This may partially explain why some of our plant choices that should have been successful didn’t perform well at all (e.g. nativars such as Guara lindheimeri ‘Variegata Rose’, Phlox paniculata ‘Purple Improved’, Penstemon digitalis ‘Dakota Burgundy’ and Heuchera villosa ‘Pinot Noir’). To overcome such issues between varieties, landscapers should keep their eye out for specific cultivar recommendations, such as the ones included here. But another solution is just to recommend that homeowners plant as many pollinator friendly

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO Origin

Seasonality

Plant species

Common Name

Cultivar(s)

Pollinators Attracted

Exotic

Perennial

Cosmos bipinnatus

Cosmos

‘Candy Stripe’

Honeybees, native bees

Annual

Verbena bonariensis

Tall Verbena

‘Meteor Shower’

Honeybees, native bees, hoverflies, Butterflies and Moths

Perennial

Sedum spurium

Stonecrop

‘Summer Snow’

Native bees, hoverflies

Native

Annual

Canna generalis

Canna Lilly

‘Toucan Coral’, ‘Toucan Yellow’ Wasps, native bees

Annual

Argyranthemum frutecens

Marguerite Daisy

‘White Butterfly’

Hoverflies, native bees, pollinating beetles

Perennial

Dianthus chinensis x barbatus

Pinks

‘Floral Pink’

Butterflies and moths, hoverflies

Perennial

Lavandula angustifolia

Lavender

‘SuperBlue’

Honeybees, bumblebees, carpenter bees

Annual

Pentas lanceolata

Starflower

‘Lucky Star Raspberry’

Pollinating beetles

Perennial

Helianthus hybrida

Sunflower”

‘Sunfinity’

Honeybees, native bees

Perennial

Echinacea purpurea

Coneflower

‘Eccentric Yellow’, ‘Green Twister’, ‘Summer Sky’

Honeybees, wasps, butterflies, beeflies, pollinating beetles

Perennial

Heliopsis helianthoides

Ox eye

var. scabra ‘Burning Hearts’

Honey bees, native bees, hoverflies bumblebees, bee flies

Perennial

Rudebeckia occidentalis Western Coneflower

‘Green Wizard’

Bumblebees, pollinating beetles

Perennial

Coreopsis verticillata

Whorled Tickseed

'Corleone Red and Yellow'

Native bees, hoverflies, bee flies, Pollinating beetles

Perennial

Coreopsis grandiflora

Large-flowered Tickseed

'Double the Sun'

Butterflies, beeflies, hoverflies

Perennial

Monarda hybrid

Bergamot, Bee Balm

'Leading Lady Plum'

Bumblebees, hoverflies

Perennial

Salvia farinacea

Mealycup Sage

'Unplugged So Blue'

Native bees, hoverflies, bumble bees

Figure 1. “Stand-out” plant species that attracted the most pollinators in the three years of trials in southern Ontario. Plants that attract high numbers of native bees are indicated in bold, as they are often of most interest to consumers. Plants are roughly ranked from most to least attractive by origin.

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO plants as possible — native and exotic — to hedge their bets. Dr. Sarah Jandricic is the Greenhouse Floriculture IPM Specialist for OMAFRA. Famke Alberts is a fourth year student at McMaster University and was part of the Summer Employment Opportunity program at OMAFRA in 2020. Rodger Tschanz is the Trial Garden Manager at the University of Guelph, and Dr. Al Sullivan is Professor Emeritus at U of G. Land was provided by the University of Guelph in 2016 and 2018, and by Landscape Ontario in 2020.

Exotic plant species such as Sedum attracted a high number of native bee species, in our trial at Landscape Ontario. Photo by Michael Boucher.

Table 2. Pollinator visits broken down by pollinator guild (or group). Blue bars indicate native plant species; orange bars, exotic plant species. Plant species that received the most visits by any one pollinator guild are listed.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

Awards announced for greatest landscapes in Ontario View Video Online LOawards.com

Carson Arthur, master of ceremonies, with aerialist Elizabeth Dawn Snell during the filming of the awards ceremony.

maintenance and design, plus irrigation and lighting projects. Each year the program also recognizes the outstanding contributions of individuals who work tirelessly to advance the landscape and horticulture profession. Individuals who received awards include: LO's Covid-19 Task Force, Mark Cullen, Frank Ferragine, Jacki Hart, Sean James, Alice Power, and Paul Zammit. The new Employer of Choice Award which involves a number of requirements, including a companywide survey, was won by Rockscape, and Wentworth Landscapes. Rockscape and Kent Ford Design Group each earned “Green Stamps,” which are given to “projects that exemplify green practices, using quality construction, maintenance and design, in sustainable landscapes.” Green Stamps also recognize projects that utilize “permeable paving, native plantings, water conservation strategies, and green roof technology.”

The 48th Annual Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence winners were announced in an online presentation on Feb. 4, 2021. Over 400 people streamed the show, which was hosted by Canadian gardening expert Carson Arthur. Filmed in mid-December at the Landscape Ontario home office in Milton, Ont., the show began with opening remarks by Dave Wright, LO President, followed by an opening sequence featuring an aerial silk acrobat dangling from the high ceiling in front of the LO office’s living wall. Set to orchestral music and mixed with stunning images of winning landscape projects, the acrobat appeared to be performing within the amazing landscapes. Some of those watching online were so moved by the opening sequence that they posted comments via the online chat about just how entertaining and beautiful the sequence was, and how proud it made them feel about being a part of the professional association. The 80-minute event revealed winners in the various programs, including: garden centre, construction,

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO Winners of the top three awards were announced toward the conclusion of the event. They are: ● • Nature’s Choice Landscape Construction, 2021 DuningtonGrubb Award, for the most outstanding and highest overall scoring project in the various construction categories. ● • Parkscape, winner, 2021 Casey van Maris Award, for the project with the highest marks for execution of unique and innovative design in landscaping. ● • T he Cultivated Garden, 2021 Don Salivan Grounds Management Award, for the project that protects or even enhances the value of the original landscape investment from all entries in the various maintenance categories. Landscape Ontario’s Covid-19 Task Force members received the Community Leadership Award.

The top three winners go on to represent Ontario at the CNLA National Awards of Landscape Excellence to be held later this summer. Landscape Ontario would like to thank the volunteer judges who spent many hours reviewing each entry, as well as the following sponsors: G&L Group (presenting sponsor), and Connon Nurseries, Bobcat, SiteOne Landscape Supply and Miller Compost (supporting sponsors). Congratulations to Gerald Boot, winner of a one-week stay at a luxury, three-bedroom condo in Mt. Tremblant, Que., courtesy of the G&L Group. All those who attended the virtual LO President's Reception held prior to the Awards Ceremony were entered into the prize draw. Entries for the 49th annual LO Awards of Excellence Program will open July 1 for the Construction, Maintenance and Design program. Details and a replay of the awards ceremony, plus all winners, can be found online at LOawards.com.

The ceremony included videos on the top winning projects from last year. Pictured here is Steve Snider, Snider Turf & Landscape Care.

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In Memoriam — Ed Bryant Ed Bryant, founder of Unilock passed away at his beloved home in Horseshoe Valley, Ont., on Jan. 28, 2021. Ed was an inimitable force in life, a king among men, living many lives in his 85 years through the highest of highs and devastating lows. Measured by the number of people whose lives Ed affected, his life and legacy will continue indefinitely. Born in Alberta, Ed spent many years there and after two years at the University of Ed Bryant British Columbia, he enlisted in the military and was eventually stationed overseas in Soest, Germany. Upon returning, he worked in B.C. and Alberta on the pipelines with Mannix, a career path that ultimately brought him to Toronto where he received training in a new innovation called “computers.” Bryant used this knowledge to help create one of the first companies (Global Travel Computer Services) to offer computerized booking systems to the travel industry as his first foray into entrepreneurship. Ed would often chuckle when he said he saw more opportunity

in paving stones than in computers. However, a ‘happenchance’ encounter while Ed was building his home in Horseshoe Valley ultimately led him to set the wheels in motion for an entirely new market, now known as the North American hardscape industry. A Swiss stone mason who worked with Ed on his Horseshoe Valley home convinced him that paving stones were the answer for his sloped driveway. Unfortunately, at the time, no one in North America was manufacturing paving stones. To Ed, this seemed like an intriguing opportunity, and soon the company that would become Unilock was born. With the help of his new friend, Fritz von Langsdorff, Ed raised the capital to purchase a new Hess multi-layer machine and began producing one product (UNI-Stone) in one colour (natural), at scale. In Ontario, immigrants from Holland and Germany took an interest in becoming paver installation contractors. Ed’s company helped train them, promoting the German DIN standard for pavers to ensure the quality of installations. In the late 1970’s, Ed Bryant and Fritz von Langsdorff traveled to the U.S. and formed the UniGroup, first uniting companies who had purchased licenses to manufacture the UNI-Stone, and then adding other unique paver shapes. Soon, Ed had evolved Unilock from a manufacturing company to a marketing organization with full-colour product catalogues, installation videos, advertising campaigns, and groundbreaking programs such as the Unilock Authorized Contractor program. In

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the 1980s, additions were made to manufacturing plants in Ontario, and new locations were opened in Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, and New York, followed by Cleveland and Boston in the 1990’s. Ed was a titan in business. He and his beloved wife, Heather, built Unilock into one of the most respected paving stone manufacturers in the world. In 2012, Ed received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, a rare honour bestowed upon Canadians for significant achievements, in recognition of his business success and philanthropy. Using the skills and principles that he honed in the military, Ed was the kind of leader who inspired ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things. In Unilock, he and Heather created a culture that feels like an extended family. A company with a heart and soul. He gave many things to many people, and most remember how he made them feel. He possessed a unique ability to make those around him feel special. When you were in his presence, you felt seen, heard and cared for, which undoubtedly you were. Unilock employees, both past and present, will deeply miss him. Ed is predeceased by his wife of 31 years Heather and son Ted Bryant; husband of Mary Bryant, and loving father of Roland Wood (Rita), Stacy Bryant, Jeannie Slade (Paul), Andrew Bryant (Kristina) and Sydney Bryant Kodatsky (Alec). He will be sadly missed by his beloved aunts Marge Woods, Norma Catrano, and (late) Margaret “Peggy” Allan; siblings Rick Bryant (Nancy), Sandra Wood (Stan), Lincoln Bryant, and Beverley Bryant (Loretta), nieces, nephews,

Ed Bryant shows the first Uni-Stone in North America in 1972.

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

Growers connect at annual Short Course

Landscape Ontario launches Sector Success Event Series Landscape Ontario recently launched a new series of online sector conferences and networking events that will take place over the course of 2021. The LO Sector Success Event Series will align the association’s sector educational events with the editorial focus of Landscape Trades magazine and continue to direct people to the year-long Congress Connect virtual marketplace. Each event will start at 11 a.m. with one hour of education based on topics identified by the various LO sector groups, followed by breakout networking sessions. The breakout session format will vary — a town hall format with guest speakers, brainstorming ideas with other sector groups, or an informal, relaxing place to simply enjoy a coffee and connect with other green professionals. The cost to attend each event in

the series is $25 for Landscape Ontario members, $45 per non-member and $10 for students. Registration includes one event registration and a recording of the event. Those registered will also receive access to the Congress Connect Marketplace, where they can access the Sector Success Series Virtual Resource Hub, which will be updated with educational resources throughout the year. You will also be able to connect with over 140 exhibitors. Access to Congress Connect will be granted shortly after each webinar and will remain open for the duration of 2021. Scheduled dates are: March 10, 24, 31, Sept. 16 (Snowposium), Oct. 21, and Nov. 30. To learn more or to register, visit: HortTrades.com/sector-success-series.

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The 2021 Nursery Growers Short Course was held Feb. 17 with the theme “Growing and Thriving.” About 200 people registered for the virtual event, which included 12 expert speakers presenting topics such as: Safety and Efficiency, Correcting Water Chemistry, Resources to Improve Crop Protection, and IPM for Box Tree Moth, to name a few. The topics allow those in the grower sector to access the latest information on efficient production practices, research, pests, diseases, products and supplies. The day ended with the popular Growers Good Ideas segment where nursery growers present a home grown idea they have executed at their own nursery and attendees vote on their favourite. Aaron Bakker from JC Bakker & Sons won the vote for his presentation on mobile water. The annual information and networking event is a joint initiative between the Landscape Ontario Growers Group and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). Organizers would like to thank the following event sponsors: Plant Products (Presenting Sponsor), ICL Specialty Fertilizers, A.M.A. Horticulture, Kam’s Growers Supply, and Gro-Bark (Supporting Sponsors).

Association AGM set for March 17 Landscape Ontario’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place online via Zoom on March 17, 2021 at 11 a.m. The AGM provides a recap of association activities from the previous year, as well as any new business requiring a vote from the LO membership. All members are welcome to attend. The AGM is your chance to have a say in the future direction of association activities and initiatives. Prior to the event, members can view the financial statements of the previous fiscal year as well as summaries of association activities via the 2020 Annual Report at HortTrades.com/2020-annualreport. For more details and a registration link to attend the AGM, visit HortTrades.com/ events.

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

SCHOLARSHIP PROFILE

Laura Delorme gains knowledge and confidence through horticulture What sparked your interest in horticulture?

Who has supported you along the way?

I have my family to thank for planting the seed that later grew into my passion for plants and people. My mother grew up hearing about her father’s famous winery in Lebanon, while my father was raised at his grandparent’s farm. Their childhood memories had a lasting effect on their lives, motivating them to allow their children to experience their version. Although at the time maintaining our vegetable gardens wasn’t the most exciting task, it sparked my curiosity.

My parents have been so supportive of my choices. My father, being a tradesmen, was very happy to know that I’d get to experience what he’d been raving about my whole life. The instructor-curators at the school welcomed me with open arms.

What then prompted you later in life to pursue your career?

Laura Delorme, is in the process of completing her studies in horticulture at the Niagara Parks Commission School of Horticulture. In 2020, Laura received a $2,000 apprenticeship scholarship as part of the Cullen Family Scholarship program under the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation's annual scholarship program.

“ Being able to apply what I was learning solidified that I had made the right decision in pursuing horticulture as a profession.” — Laura Delorme

I was quite involved with business and laworiented extra-curricular in high school, which is what motivated me to pursue a Juris Doctor program at the University of Ottawa. Plants became more of a hobby for me. Right around exam season in my second year, I realized how out of place I felt in my program. I started researching online and since plants were one of the only things that brought me joy at the time, I looked into horticulture. That’s when I found the Niagara Parks Commission School of Horticulture. I’d say the rest is history.

What do you enjoy most about your school? One of the biggest perks for me was living on campus. Although the grounds are there for the public to enjoy, our hard work went into maintaining our own home. The plant identification classes played a crucial role in defining the start of my horticultural career. Each class allowed me to become more comfortable with the material and increased my confidence. The practical portion of the program was one of the main reasons why I applied. I got to work with equipment and learned techniques that I hadn’t had access to before my enrolment. I also learned I was pretty good at it, so that was motivating. Being able to apply what I was learning solidified that I had made the right decision in pursuing horticulture as a profession.

What work experience do you have? Through my studies, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in the maintenance of the Botanical Gardens. This has exposed me to greenhouse work, turf management, IPM, design, as well as woody plant and perennial maintenance. I’ve appreciated being exposed to the more sustainable approach to landscaping, using little to no pesticides, operating electric equipment, etc. The knowledge and confidence I’ve gained has allowed me to work as a gardener in both the Niagara and Ottawa regions. These positions have exposed me to the realities of the different facets that make up the horticulture industry. I’d love to eventually work more closely with woody plants. In the meantime, I’m slowly growing my collection of treerelated books.

What are some of the career opportunities you want to pursue? Horticulture is everywhere and it affects us all. I often hear of those who want to learn more about horticulture but don’t know where to start. With my education, I hope to have the necessary knowledge to initiate projects and inform the public. I’ve come to develop a fond appreciation for trees and would like to spend some time specializing in arboriculture. To complement my horticulture studies, I plan on taking supplementary courses on mental health and human behaviour. This way, I can be proficient in both plants and people, in hopes of successfully bridging the gap between the two. Eventually, I hope to travel through work, which is convenient considering how one can find some form of a plant growing just about anywhere.

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

NEW MEMBERS Landscape Ontario welcomes the following newly approved companies and individuals to our community Durham Landscapes In Bloom Jim McMillen / Tel: 416-433-4616 Membership Type: Member Northscape Inc Simon Evans / Tel: 416-520-6480 Membership Type: Professional Member

Georgian Lakelands 13 Forty Landscape Supplies Morgan Anderson / Tel: 519-599-1340 Membership Type: Associate 1814667 O/A Maurisio Mariotti Maurisio Mariotti / Tel: 705-523-8048 Membership Type: Chapter Associate 1840339 Ontario Inc and/or Lakeshore Construction Rick Larochelle / Tel: 705-626-3333 Membership Type: Chapter Associate Able Rental & Supply (Sudbury) Inc Terry Morin / Tel: 705-525-2253 Membership Type: Chapter Associate Algoma Bio-Septic Technologies Inc Jesse Gionette / Tel: 705-356-3200 Membership Type: Associate Chrispen Concrete & Design Inc Steven Spencer / Tel: 905-912-4587 Membership Type: Sole Proprietor Member JC General Contracting Caitlin Baker / Tel: 705-970-4228 Membership Type: Introductory Langman Enterprise Ltd Dean Langman / Tel: 705-794-5904 Membership Type: Chapter Associate MCN Contracting Limited Malcom Newbury / Tel: 705-662-0379 Membership Type: Chapter Associate Morris Group Sudbury Inc David Morris / Tel: 705-692-9347 Membership Type: Chapter Associate Northern Construction Products Clinton Lindgren / Tel: 705-791-0397 Membership Type: Chapter Associate SKRT Inc Ed Skrt / Tel: 705-623-5258 Membership Type: Chapter Associate SLV Homes/2430808 Ontario Limited Mark Zagordo / Tel: 705-673-3133 Membership Type: Chapter Associate Tucker Forest Products Christa Tucker / Tel: 705-346-0931 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Toronto

Williams Outdoors Inc Luke Williams / Tel: 519-374-7796 Membership Type: Professional Member

2168663 ONT Inc O/A Collwest Contracting Frank Hambly / Tel: 905-868-4404 Membership Type: Member

Golden Horseshoe

2450852 ONT Inc Rick Kerby / Tel: 905-715-9868 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

2719262 Ontario Inc O/A Alden Rents John Quast / Tel: 905-957-2306 Membership Type: Associate

AMG Metals Inc Joe Bettinelli / Tel: 905-953-4111-x277 Membership Type: Associate

A. Linde Sod Farms LTD Wade Poort / Tel: 905-515-4373 Membership Type: Associate

Atlas Ironworks Paul Fernandes / Tel: 416-623-1195 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Andy's Home & Lawn Service Inc Andy Walker / Tel: 905-730-8273 Membership Type: Member

Country Creek Homes Ltd Kurt Thompson / Tel: 647-296-9472 Membership Type: Member

Hildebrant Construction Consulting David Hildebrant / Tel: 289-242-3151 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Dancor Landscapes Daniel Cornacchia / Tel: 416-305-5433 Membership Type: Sole Proprietor Member

Iconic Lawn Maintenance and Construction Inc Brodie Shaw / Tel: 905-531-2395 Membership Type: Member Langford Properties Nathan Van Andel / Tel: 905-807-9947 Membership Type: Chapter Associate Navacon Construction Inc Johnnie Abel / Tel: 519-754-4646 Membership Type: Professional Member Pane in the Glass Window Cleaning & Property Maintenance Inc Richard Gooey / Tel: 905-634-4458 Membership Type: Member Refined Image Property Maintenance Jeff Lenting / Tel: 905-701-9400 Membership Type: Member VanDuzer Painting & Decorating Inc Douglas VanDuzer / Tel: 905-981-0468 Membership Type: Chapter Associate Walnut Creek Property Maintenance Nathan VanArragon / Tel: 905-745-4647 Membership Type: Professional Member

London Eden Gardenworks Inc Adam Foulon CLP / Tel: 519-438-7783 Membership Type: Professional Member

Ottawa

Trillium Outdoor Services Adam Hobbs / Tel: 905-898-9383 Membership Type: Member Verti-Crete Of Toronto Inc Phil Dipalma / Tel: 905-857-8572 Membership Type: Associate Wilcon Construction William Aquirre / Tel: 416-400-8403 Membership Type: Sole Proprietor Member Zing Landscaping & Design Michael Perry / Tel: 416-893-2931 Membership Type: Professional Member

Upper Canada Uloth Trucking Cameron Uloth / Tel: 613-349-2010 Membership Type: Introductory

Waterloo

Garden Party Amber Stafford / Tel: 416-319-3183 Membership Type: Professional Member

CZ Contracting Calvin Zehr / Tel: 519-572-5121 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Mexco Excavating Co. Ltd Mike Dauphinee / Tel: 905-257-0424 Membership Type: Associate

DR Contracting Dan Robertson / Tel: 519-868-0779 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Milton Machine Shop Ltd Henry Brinke / Tel: 905-878-9213 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Elements Hardscaping Inc Nolan Ingram / Tel: 519-803-3714 Membership Type: Professional Member

O'Brien Landscape Group Inc Patrick O'Brien / Tel: 416-949-0238 Membership Type: Introductory

Fazio Installations Inc Nathan Fazio / Tel: 905-703-1310 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

PKLM Property Services Inc Kris Jeppesen / Tel: 416-456-6837 Membership Type: Member

Jamwan Landscaping James Xuereb / Tel: 519-829-6177 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Paul Barraclough Tel: 289-383-0762 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Redi-Wall Forming & Concrete Inc Kenneth Pennings / Tel: 519-623-3617 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Platinum Plus Landscaping Inc Genn Maharaj / Tel: 416-746-2695 Membership Type: Member

Trevor Tout Custom Dozing Inc Trevor Tout / Tel: 519-335-6001 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Sheardown Property Management Inc Darren Sheardown / Tel: 416-407-7573 Membership Type: Sole Proprietor Member

Upper Canada Cedar Roof Ralph Noack / Tel: 519-647-2645 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Switches and Thangs Inc Jeffrey Forgione / Tel: 416-901-4323 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Urban Cottage Landscapes Inc Judy Roeder / Tel: 519-760-9436 Membership Type: Member

Echo Rock Landscaping Inc Marc Arnold / Tel: 613-749-2323 Membership Type: Member

Terra Care Landscaping & Property Management Ltd Dimitri Faliagkas / Tel: 647-550-2477 Membership Type: Introductory

GPS to Go Russ Salo / Tel: 613-695-0444 Membership Type: Associate

Top Tier Group Damian Lupo / Tel: 647-400-5876 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Windsor Nature's Own Landscaping Scott Ashby / Tel: 519-355-8386 Membership Type: Member

Landscape Ontario members have access to exclusive savings on everyday business expenses. HortTrades.com/member-savings-programs 16

THE GREATEST LANDSCAPES IN ONTARIO

CELEBRATING:

LANDSCAPE DESIGN CONSTRUCTION MAINTENANCE LIGHTING IRRIGATION GARDEN CENTRE OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS

DUNINGTON-GRUBB AWARD NATURE’S CHOICE LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION, for Stellar Spicewood Awarded to the most outstanding and highest overall scoring project in the various construction categories.

TOP SCORING WINNERS ARE AUTOMATICALLY ENTERED TO COMPETE IN THE CNLA NATIONAL AWARDS OF LANDSCAPE EXCELLENCE.

CASEY VAN MARIS MEMORIAL AWARD PARKSCAPE, for High Park Project with the highest marks for execution of unique and innovative design in landscaping.

2021 CONSTRUCTION AWARD WINNERS Abloom Landscape Contractor Algonquin Property Services Allweather Landscape Balsam Creek Landscaping Bancheri Bros Interlocking and Paving Bongro Landscape Group (2351124 Ontario) CCS Pool and Landscape Cedar Springs Landscape Group Cedarcroft Landscape & Design Core Precision Interlock Countryside Landscape (1904728 ON) CSL Group Curbz Landscaping Cypress Hill Design and Build Darsan (1216951) Ontario Earthscape Elite Concrete Exact Landscapes Frontier Landscapes Frontiers Landscape Architecture Garden City Groundskeeping Services Griffith Property Services Hollander Landscaping

Hubble Landscaping Ian McGregor Pools & Landscaping Kenneth Morgan Pools & Landscaping Kent Ford Design Group Kingscape Landscape Construction Group Klutch Landscaping & Design Lake Ridge Landscaping Land-Con LandArt Landscape Plus M.E. Contracting Mr. Lawnmower Landscaping Services Nature’s Choice Landscape Construction Niagara Outdoor Oakridge Landscape Contractors OGS Landscape Services Oriole Landscaping Parkscape Partridge Fine Landscapes Plantenance Landscape Group Plantscape Windsor Pool Craft

Porter Landscaping Precision Landscaping Pristine Property Maintenance Pritty Landscapes Inc Pro-Land Landscape Construction ProScape Land Design Rockscape Royal Stone Landscaping & Design Rugged Earth Landscaping Rustic Impressions Rutherford Contracting Seferian Design Group Silverfern Landscaping (2019) Streamline Irrigation & Landscape Services Terra Vista Landscape Construction The Gardener Landscaping Three Seasons Landscapes TLC Professional Landscaping Tydan Landscape Design UrbanTerra Landscape & Design Wentworth Landscapes Whispering Pines Landscaping Wild Ridge Landscapes

FIND A FULL LIST OF WINNERS AND A REPLAY OF THE 2021 LO AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE CEREMONY ONLINE AT LOAWARDS.COM.

2021 MAINTENANCE AWARD WINNERS Allweather Landscape Boot’s Landscaping & Maintenance Cedar Springs Landscape Group Silverfern Landscaping (2019) Strathmore Landscape Contractors The Cultivated Garden Wentworth Landscapes

2021 DESIGN AWARD WINNERS Adele Pierre Landscape Architect Derue Designs Jennifer Hayman Design Group Kenneth Morgan Pools & Landscaping Kent Ford Design Group Partridge Fine Landscapes Plantenance Landscape Group Welwyn Wong Landscape Design Wentworth Landscapes

DON SALIVAN MEMORIAL

GROUNDS MANAGEMENT AWARD THE CULTIVATED GARDEN, for Contemporary Beauty The top maintenance award recognizes skill, that when properly executed, protects or even enhances the value of the original landscape investment.

Adele Pierre Landscape Architext, winner: Private Residential Design, 2,500 to 5,000 sq. ft.

2021 LIGHTING AWARD WINNERS DiMarco Landscape Lighting Kenneth Morgan Pools & Landscaping Kingscape Landscape Construction Group LawnSavers Plant Health Care Moon Glow Lightscapes Nutri-Lawn - Burlington Irrigation Partridge Fine Landscapes ProScape Land Design

Nutri-Lawn Burlington, winner: Landscape Lighting, Design and Installation over $30,000.

2021 IRRIGATION AWARD WINNERS Streamline Irrigation & Landscape Services

2020 GARDEN CENTRE AWARD WINNERS Baltimore Valley Garden Centre Canadale Nurseries Maidstone Tree Farm Sheridan Nurseries Georgetown

Rutherford Contracting, winner: Commercial Construction, $250,000 and over.

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO Sheridan Nurseries Georgetown, winner: Outstanding Display of Good Seasonal.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS GARDEN COMMUNICATORS AWARD

Mark Cullen, Mark’s Choice Frank Ferragine, FrankieFlowers.com Sean James, Sean James Consulting & Design Paul Zammit, Niagara College

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD

Landscape Ontario's COVID-19 Task Force: Margot Byers, Terry Childs, Jon Durzi, Peter Guinane, Jeff Olsen, Jamie Riddell, Lindsey Ross, Alan White, Dave Wright

PROSPERITY PARTNERS AWARD

Allweather Landscape, winner: Private Residential Maintenance over 15,000 sq. ft.

Jacki Hart, Consulting By Hart

HORTICULTURAL EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD Alice Power, Ontario College of Trades

GREEN STAMP AWARD

Rockscape, for Haliburton Highlands Cottage Kent Ford Design Group, for Clarkson Community Fusion Landscape Project

EMPLOYER OF CHOICE AWARD Rockscape Wentworth Landscapes

WSIP WATER OPTIMIZATION AWARD DJ Rain Optimal Irrigation Smart Watering Systems

Cedar Springs Landscape Group, winner: Residential Construction, $250,000 - $500,000.

2020 COME ALIVE OUTSIDE DESIGN CHALLENGE University of Guelph

SPONSORS

The Awards of Excellence ceremony is made possible through the generosity of the following sponsors: Presenting Partner: Wentworth Landscapes, winner, Residential Construction $250,000 to $500,000.

Supporting Partners:

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

PROFESSIONAL NEWS

Aquascape training gets an overhaul Aquascape recently announced the launch of a new online training program called Aquascape University. The new platform replaces the Aquascape Academy Online and Aquascape Operating Manual Online. The goal for Aquascape University is three-fold: • To offer an in-depth training curriculum for water feature professionals in a series of courses that can be consumed on demand and are based on the user’s roles, responsibilities, and preferred business discipline. • To increase training efficacy with frequent learning checkpoints to access user understanding and knowledge. • To reward customer loyalty, reach more trainees, and position learners toward ongoing success in their water feature installation businesses.

The Aquascape University online training curriculum is unrestricted by time constraints and offers fully refreshed training content. Each course has been curated by Aquascape experts based on an extensive evaluation of the education and training needs of its customers. With various learning curriculums specifically designed for water feature professionals of all skill levels ranging from the inexperienced novice to the seasoned veteran, Aquascape University presents targeted courses that are specific to the roles of the various personnel on your team. Sasha Hunter, Territory Sales Manager, says the program was developed to serve contractors who would often request training for new staff each season. Hunter has taken six of the courses so far and says even with over 25 years of

Ways to meet Covid variants head on Should you now be wearing two masks instead of one? Wearing better masks, indoors and out? These are just two suggestions pundits have made in the face of more infectious Covid-19 variants. “Masks and face coverings are workplace essentials, but they’re a starting point, not an end point,” says Wagish Yajaman, Workplace Safety and Prevention Services’ Manager, Specialty Services. “They’re best used in combination with other source controls.” Yajaman suggests the following: • Assess the risk of coming into contact with potentially infected people. “The level of risk will determine the type of source control or personal protective equipment (PPE) needed,” explains Yajaman. “The greater the risk, the greater the level of protection required.” • Create and implement a safety plan, and make sure it’s working. Evaluate to see if it’s working, and change whatever needs to be changed — plan, do, check, act. • Choose the right mask. Wear them correctly and consistently, in tandem with other controls, including physical distancing. • Engage all workplace parties. “Safety has never been ‘somebody else’s job.’ There’s a role for everyone in the workplace,” says Yajaman. • Ensure health and safety remains a top priority, especially in the face of staff shortages due to illness or high demand for products and services. Take the long view. Keeping employees safe even in the most difficult circumstances sustains productivity and minimizes the risk of business disruption. • Stay informed via local news sources, including your local public health unit, for updates in workplace requirements. Visit the WSPS Covid hub at covid19.wsps.ca for more resources.

experience in the industry, she found the material a great refresher and also learned a few new things. There are a number of free courses available that cover the basics of water feature components and pond ecology, and Hunter says there has also been a lot of interest from home and property owners who want to make the most of their water feature investment. Businesses can also purchase lessons a la carte or in bundles, allowing owners to scale training to suit the needs of their company and personnel. For more information, or to enroll, visit the Aquascape University website at aquascapeuniversity.com. Landscape Ontario members can access the training for 50 per cent off the regular price until March 31, 2021 by using the promo code CNLA50AU.

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

EXECUTIVE DESK

Remembering Ed Bryant

n Jan. 28, 2021, the landscape profession lost Ed Bryant, the founder of Unilock. Ed was a visionary who pioneered the paving stone industry in North America. I find it remarkable that vision and visionaries can have such a great impact. How many thousands of people have been positively affected by the gardens and landscapes that were built with elements Ed first brought to North America? How many businesses and careers were propelled forward? How many other companies were elevated? How many people were inspired by his dreams, attitudes, energy and actions? I had the pleasure of meeting Ed in 1990. I had recently started my new job at Landscape Ontario when I received a call from Ed who asked me to come visit him. A few days later we met at his office near the airport. After the usual niceties he handed me a cheque for $10,000 made out to Landscape Ontario. I was surprised and puzzled. “What is this for?” I asked. He then pointed out the window to a long line of airplanes and said, “Every time I see an airplane land, I know there are approximately 300 people who won’t get their driveways and landscapes built this year. Find me nine other companies that will contribute $10,000 and we will run a television campaign to encourage people to stay home for their holidays and build paradise in their own backyards.” Ed also commented that Unilock was not a paving stone company, but a marketing company that happened to sell paving stones. Ed was one of the first visionaries I had

the pleasure of meeting. He understood that in order to sell paving stones it was necessary to promote the garden experience as a whole. It was not about the individual elements of the garden. It was not even about promoting the Unilock brand. It was about collaborating with others to understand the bigger picture, the larger opportunity and the broader message. It was also about understanding what the public needed and how to provide value and benefit. As another member once put it: “We are in the business of enhancing lives through what we do and who we are.” Based on Ed’s ideas, we mounted a campaign called Operation Nurture. Within a few months we raised $278,000 and took out prime-time television commercials encouraging the public: “stay home for your holidays and build paradise in your own backyard.” We even had spots on Hockey Night in Canada. We were inundated with calls from members who loved the fact we were actively promoting the profession on TV. Everyone felt good about the campaign. The problem was, we spent the entire budget in three weeks. Television was way too expensive, even though the cost per hundred was very low. This experience taught us that in order to sustain the message we needed to have a reliable source of funding. This led to the idea of creating a marketing agency similar to the Milk Marketing Board. The Farm Products Marketing Act allows the formation of marketing agencies funded directly by producers. If 66 per cent of growers agree,

Tony DiGiovanni CHT LO Executive Director

tony@landscapeontario.com

then the government gives the agency authority to collect funds from all growers to be used for generic promotion. The concept is based on the idea that if everyone contributes, everyone benefits. The concept of generic promotion seeded by Ed Bryant evolved and we pursued the formation of a marketing agency. The agency idea did not work. Although growers seemed to be in agreement, when it came time for a vote, we did not achieve the required 66 per cent majority. However, the Operation Nurture experience proved how effective a generic and collective marketing message could be. This idea evolved into creating a worldclass flower and garden show that would inspire and wow the public with a garden and landscape experience. We even recorded the goal in LO’s strategic plan. Years later, when Kathy Dembroski from the Garden Club of Toronto dropped into the office with an idea to organize a world class garden event, it was easy to say yes because the concept was already in our strategic plan. Canada Blooms was born. There is a direct connection from Ed’s original idea of generic promotion to the formation of Canada Blooms. Canada Blooms went on to inspire millions of visitors to “create paradise in your backyard.” One of the last times I saw Ed was at a Unilock banquet held at Canada Blooms. He had a gleam in his eye as he talked about the importance of providing garden experiences. Ed’s vision and his legacy lives on.

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

CANADIAN SOLDIERS LIVE FOREVER Join us in planting 2 million trees along the 401 Highway of Heroes, a tribute to the men and women who fought for Canada in our wars, and a living memorial to the 117,000 who died for freedom. You can participate in honouring our military, protecting the environment and beautifying North America’s most travelled highway. Visit hohtribute.ca or call 905-875-0021 to get involved. Illustration by Rick Jacobson

Proudly supported by

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

SMART ABOUT SALT

Are salt bins really safe?

alt bins have become ubiquitous at building entrances. They are relatively inexpensive, and offer convenience to property owners and winter maintenance professionals. But there are downsides as well. They are sold as being a “…durable outdoor storage bin which conveniently stores loose or bagged sand/salt to help keep slippery walkways safe.” Buyers are encouraged to use them “at your business, home, cottage, farm, campground, municipality, school and any public space where safety is a concern.”Really, that covers just about anywhere. However, the use of salt bins is concerning for a variety of reasons. First, as many can attest, the use of salt bins promotes the over application of salt in winter maintenance. This is a

problem in and of itself, certainly when the environment is considered, but given their use at or near entry points, the corrosiveness of salt on facilities is amplified. Moreover, the overapplication itself presents a safety hazard, ironic given the ambition of the product. Time and again studies show there is a ‘sweet spot’ for salt application: Too little and deicing isn’t sufficient, but too much, and a slip hazard is created. Applying granulated salt beyond the Goldilocks point can create a situation that is akin to marbles on pavement. The challenges surrounding the use of salt bins is magnified by those that are often encouraged to spread product from bins. Often these aren’t knowledgeable and experienced winter maintenance professionals who should fully understand the science behind salt and the limits of

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W h a t ev e r y o u r a p p l i c a t i o n , w e h av e y o u r co n c r e t e r e a d y t o p o u r.

D r i v ewa y s - Wa l k wa y s - Pat i o s St e p s - P o r c h e s , Fo ot i n g s - Sw i m m i n g P o o l s G a ra g e / B a s e m e nt F l o o r s a n d m a n y ot h e r a p p l i c at i o n s .

www.stouffvilleredimix.ca 24

the product: typical winter salt (Sodium chloride (NaCl) isn’t effective below -10 C (14 F). Often these are lay persons such as property managers, custodial team members, desk clerks or store associates. These folks are likely not trained and not expected to appreciate the liability that is associated with winter maintenance. It doesn’t take much for a smart legal team to draw a straight line between the deployment and upkeep of a salt bin, the non-professionals that are encouraged to draw and use product, and a slip and fall claim. In striving to do things different (#SaltingShift), the use of salt bins and any associated risks and liabilities should be well thought through. If all those that are encouraged to use salt from salt bins aren’t fully trained and keeping thorough records, perhaps consider replacing salt with sand. Better still, the use of liquids, i.e. salt brines, has been demonstrated to offer improved safety while reducing negative impacts. Instead of the salt bin, consider brine application equipment. Those wishing to learn more about the unique programs and services offered by the Smart About Salt Council (SASC) are encouraged to visit smartaboutsalt.com, where you can register for training priced at $375 (less than the price of a cup of coffee a day) and “Register Intent to Certify” for $226.

Lee Gould Executive Director, Smart About Salt Council

lee.gould@smartaboutsalt.com

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

PROSPERITY PARTNERS

Well worth the time

n January, we held our annual Landscape Ontario Peer to Peer Network leadership event via Zoom. I warmed up the attendees with a question: "What is the most influential business book you’ve read?" Here’s the reading list that resulted:

Arlene Hazzan Green: The E-Myth, by Michael E. Gerber. Brian Cotter: Ownership Thinking, by Brad Hams. Grant Harrison: The E-Myth Contractor, by Michael E. Gerber; Profit Works, by Alex Freytag. Tim Oliver: Think & Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill. George Urvari and Susan Beduhn: How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie. James Canton: The Great Game of Business, by Jack Stack. Kara Peters: Good to Great, by Jim Collins. Justin Siemens: Profit First, by Mike Michalowicz. Phil Charal: C.A.R.E. Leadership, by Peter Van Stralen. Joe Salemi: The Leadership Contract, by Vince Molinaro. George Urvari: The 48 laws of Power, by Robet Greene and Joost Elffers. Liana Desmarais: Surrounded by Idiots, by Thomas Erikson. Chloe Philip: You're Not Listening: What You're Missing and Why It Matters, by Kate Murphy. Heather Jerrard: The Infinite Game, by Simon Sinek; Miracle Morning, by Hal Elrod; The Execution Factor, by Kim Perell; The Inward Garden, by Julie Moir Messervy; Creating Sanctuary, by Jessi Bloom; Who Moved My Cheese?, by Spencer Johnson and Kenneth Blanchard. Laurie-Ann Stuart: Start with Why, by Simon Sinek; The Four Hour Work Week, by Tim Ferriss; Turn the Ship Around, by David Marquet.

The event featured an awesome panel of six successful business leaders who tackled questions about keeping their business nimble during a crisis, and how they handled the challenges of 2020. They also commented on how their businesses are now better prepared to remain nimble no matter what comes their way. I asked our experts three questions (which you may also want to ask yourself):

1. When the ‘non-essential’ lockdown started last spring, what was the impact on YOU, your team and your customers? How did you feel? What stressed you out the most? 2. What leadership lessons did you learn? What leadership strengths did you personally lean on? What did you need to learn on the fly? What strengths did you need to mentor others to embrace? 3. How have the pandemic lessons better prepared your mindset and business systems/team for the next unanticipated impactful external event? Some of the nuggets of advice they shared included:

Scott Wentworth, Wentworth Landscapes: “Don’t panic. When you panic, you make mistakes. Never panic.” Scott and his team were determined to not be surprised by events as they unfolded. They stripped away complexity and made things as simple as possible for staff, customers and management. Kevin Scott, Muskoka Landscapers: “This is a good time not to run in either direction.” Without history or context for handling the situation, Kevin and his team stuck to intentional processes for making decisions. They slowed down so that timelines weren’t a source of stress. They looked at what was best for staff, family and the business and struck a balance. George Uvari, Oriole Landscaping: “We, not me. We made sure everyone had

a right-hand to help them. Plus, we used data to drive decisions: we stockpiled materials, reorganized storage, and acquired a few small companies who were in trouble.” Phil Charal, Allweather Landscape: “Back to basics. We renewed our company culture, focused on appreciation and what makes us proud. It brought everyone together with reassurance and support.” Grant Harrison, Nextra Consulting: “Think like an owner, not a technician and trust your staff. We worked hard to support our coaching clients to make ‘owner’ type decisions, and we trusted our own team to bring their best forward and assisted clients to pivot looking for new opportunities (ie: e-commerce).” Joe Salemi, Landscape Ontario: “Don’t expect everyone to run at the same speed. We made sure we connected with how others were feeling on our team. We didn’t panic and realized there was something constant about the rapid change — we found our rhythm and kept moving forward.” The session was a great launch for the LO Peer to Peer Network’s new professional development program for 2021: The monthly Virtual Business Bites Series. The first in the 10-part series kicked off Feb. 3, when we spent an hour with Frank Bourque who discussed “Getting a High Performance Mindset.” To register for our monthly Virtual Business Bite Series held the first Wednesday morning of each month, visit HortTrades.com/p2p.

Jacki Hart CLM Prosperity Partners Program Manager info.peertopeer@landscapeontario.com

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