Landscape Ontario - March 2013

March 2013

www.horttrades.com

OT OF CH TA TH AP W E M TER A ON TH

From student landscaper to

BIG TIME RECOGNITION David Kampen of Edengrove Landscapes built his company into a Dunington-Grubb winner.

Page 7

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PrESIdENT’S MESSAgE It’s time for Canada Blooms

By Phil Charal LO president

C

anada Blooms will embark on its 17th year by celebrating with the theme The Magic of Spring, when Canada’s largest garden and flower festival will return to Toronto’s Direct Energy Centre, March 15 - 24.

This will be the second year the garden festival co-locates with the National Home Show. It is now North America’s largest home and garden event.

Canada Blooms has always been the first sign of spring for Canadian garden lovers, and this year’s festival promises to be one of the best yet. Some of the attractions this year include: • Six acres of glorious gardens in full bloom • Works displayed by national and international professional fl orists in the Floral Hall competition • Over 200 hours of seminars, workshops and demonstrations • The new product showcase, featuring many innovative and exciting garden products

Formerly Horticulture Review

March, 2013 • Volume 31, No. 3 www.horttrades.com Landscape Ontario’s mandate is to be the leader in representing, promoting and fostering a favourable environment for the advancement of the horticultural industry in Ontario.

ISSN 1928-9553 Publications Mail Agreement No. PM40013519

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circulation Department Landscape Ontario 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 Canada

• An Ontario wine tasting area in the sensory garden put on by Reif Estate Winery and Mori Gardens Some of the feature garden builders, designers and landscape architects include Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds, Creative Garden Design, D.A. Gracey, Elite Landscaping, Genoscape, Landscapes by Lucin, Near North Landscaping, Parklane, Ron Holbrook and Associates, Royal Stone Landscaping and Design, Brydges Landscape Architecture, Forestell Designed Landscapes, Miyabi Landscape Design, Mori Gardens and Kent Ford Design Group.

The floral image for this year’s Canada Blooms is the hellebore, which is thought to be a harbinger of spring. The early spring bloom is appreciated by gardeners, designers and the general public. It comes in beautiful colours and the blooms tend to last for months. This is the perfect flower for Canada Blooms and its celebration of the ‘magic of spring.’

Again this year, one ticket gets you into two great events. You receive same-day admission to the National Home Show and Canada Blooms.

Landscape Ontario members may purchase tickets at $12 each, instead of the regular rate of $20. The tickets come in packages of 20, and LO members will be invoiced after the show for only for the tick-

Publisher Lee Ann Knudsen CLP lak@landscapeontario.com, 416-848-7557 Editorial director Sarah Willis sarahw@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5424 Editor Allan Dennis adennis@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5345 Graphic designer Mike Wasilewski mikew@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5343 Sales manager Steve Moyer stevemoyer@landscapeontario.com, 416-848-0708 Communications coordinator Angela Lindsay alindsay@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5305 Accountant Joe Sabatino jsabatino@landscapeontario.com, 647-724-8585 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO STAFF Shawna Barrett, Darryl Bond, Kim Burton, Rachel Cerelli, Tony DiGiovanni CHT, Rob Ellidge, Denis Flanagan CLD, Sally Harvey CLT CLP, Helen Hassard, Jane Leworthy, Heather MacRae, Kristen McIntyre CHT, Kathy McLean, Linda Nodello, Kathleen Pugliese, Paul Ronan, Ian Service, Tom Somerville, Martha Walsh

ets that were presented at the event. Contact Kathleen Pugliese at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 309, or kpugliese@landscapeontario.com for more information.

Having been involved with Canada Blooms since its beginning, I never get tired of seeing the great pleasure that attendees receive from the incredible gardens built by Landscape Ontario members.

The promotion of our industry is the wonderful result of Blooms, and we all benefit in some way from the enormous effort that is put into making Canada Blooms a very special happening. The festival relies on the generosity of industry volunteers to ensure its success. Blooms is a not-for-profit organization that has donated over $600,000 to gardening and horticultural projects. The most recent donation of $50,000 went to the creation of the June Callwood Park in Toronto last year.

To volunteer in any capacity, please call the Canada Blooms office at 416-447-8655, or go to www.canadablooms.com.

I encourage all Landscape Ontario members to attend Industry Night at Blooms on Thurs., Mar. 21. This is a special event that honours the companies and individuals who have designed and built award-winning gardens. Industry Night also gives you an opportunity to visit the show and experience the gardens, along with mixing with your fellow LO members. The event begins at 5 p.m., with free parking available after 4 p.m.

I really hope you all can make it to Blooms. Don’t miss this great opportunity to visit and support this amazing event.

Phil Charal may be reached at pcharal@landscapeontario.com.

Looking back 15 years since LO celebrated its 25th anniversary Page 20 4 6 18 18 19 24 25 27 31 31

fEATurES ASSOCIATION NEWS VOLuNTEEr PrOfILE NEW MEMbErS EVENTS ChAPTEr Of ThE MONTh INduSTrY NEWS COLuMNS CLASSIfIEdS Ad INdEX

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 2013, reproduction or the use of whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited. Published 12x per year. Rates and deadlines are available on request.

Subscription price: $43.51 per year (HST included). For subscription and address changes, please e-mail subscriptions@landscapeontario.com

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A massive stone bridge connects the driveway to the home across the two ponds.

Profile: Edengrove Landscaping

Dunington-Grubb winner began with bike and lawnmower David Kampen has come a long way from his days when he entered the landscape trade at age 13.

If you were among the 600 in attendance on Jan. 8 at this year’s Award of Excellence ceremony during Congress, when his company Edengrove Landscaping of Mississauga was presented the Dunington-Grubb Award, then you saw firsthand just how far Kampen has come on that journey.

The award goes to the most outstanding and highest overall scoring project in the

construction categories.

“I didn’t grow up in a family involved in horticulture or landscaping, but I always wanted to work outside,” says Kampen.

When he first pursued his quest to work outside, he named his company David’s Student Landscaping. That soon changed, about 23 years ago, when the name of the company became Edengrove Landscapes.

Since then, the company has grown to where it presently employs 50 people; 25 of them full-time. With an office in Mississauga, Edengrove has its yard in Bur-

Crews began work on the 25 acre site by excavating two large ponds.

4 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO MARCH, 2013

lington. Kampen has been a member of Landscape Ontario since 1991.

Edengrove provides design and landscape installation in the residential and commercial sector, and maintenance programs for the residential, industrial, retail and commercial sectors.

Kampen says one of the keys to his company’s success began several years ago when he developed the philosophy of limiting the number of clients he would provide service for at one time. “I believe in developing relationships with a select number of clients each year. We’re not about volume or numbers. We live up to our promises, and always consider the long-term.”

Project reflects philosophy

He points out that the project chosen as the winner of this year’s Dunington-Grubb Award is a perfect example of how this philosophy results in success. “The client on this project was fantastic and very involved.

We began with an empty 25-acre canvas, with him providing both his passion for the project and some fantastic ideas that we incorporated into the design.”

Edengrove began excavating the property in December of 2010, dredging and digging the areas for two large ponds. The material that came out of the ponds was used to elevate the driveway and property around it. “We were very fortunate to run into blue clay, which makes a perfect lining and base for ponds and roads,” says Kam-

The back of the home is filled with hardscape features and and illumination, which is all softened by massive plantings.

pen. As well, when the excavation crews reached a depth of 14 feet, they hit natural springs which now assist in providing the ponds with an excellent supply of water right through the driest of conditions.

Luck and great design

Both good luck and great design helped in the next phase of the project. A large concrete bridge was required between the the ponds to connect the driveway to the house. To create the bridge, a 16 foot earthen dam was built to hold back the water, with two large pump generators to move the water out of the construction area. “Just after we completed the bridge, a huge spring rainstorm hit that night causing the dam to collapse.

It turned out perfect, as the water washed away the dam and the bridge remained completed and in place.”

No luck was needed for the project to win the prestigious Dunington-Grubb Award. One of the judges commented, “Finished landscape integrates beautifully into overall design style and materials with house.”

Another stated, “Takes advantage of exceptional views,” and, “Exterior paving design reflected into the out-

doors — integrated the interior and exterior living spaces.”

David Kampen credits his team members for the company’s success. “God has blessed Edengrove with hardworking and passionate employees and dedicated supervisors. It’s a big advantage for Edengrove to do everything in-house with no subcontractors.” It’s part of the reason Edengrove is booked right through the 2013 season. Even more remarkable,

Kampen doesn’t advertise, with his only marketing through referrals and a website.

These days, David Kampen is mostly kept busy indoors designing projects. He still manages to schedule time on the job outside, where he still loves to see the crews creating and maintaining the outdoor living environments that have been designed on paper. Of course, these days, he has more than a bicycle and wheelbarrow at his disposal.

The large deck area continues an interior pattern outside, while presenting a magnificent view of the escarpment.

WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 5

ASSOCIATION NEWS

show. Beth Edney CLD once again was GreenTrade Expo’s floral exhibit hall designer and Connon Nurseries NVK Holdings donated the floral product for the designs.

Back by popular demand was the free coffee bar, co-sponsored by Bradley’s Commercial Insurance and Geosynthetic Systems.

Ottawa Chapter members were appreciative to have home office representation as an integral part of the show. Members and potential members had direct access to Landscape Ontario staff who answered questions or concerns.

With over 105 exhibitors in this year’s soldout show, and a 30 per cent increase in sold trade show floor space, the event addressed all sectors of the industry.

Additions to the exhibits this year included new large equipment dealers, representation from local Bruce Morton of Greenscape Water Systems, left, received the distinguished member award from Tim Kearney of Garden horticultural associations, Communities in Bloom, Creations.The award was presented to honour Morton’s dedication towards GreenTrade over the show’s 20-year history.

Ottawa Botanical Garden Society and the local college horticultural programs. Also present were nurseries from both Ontario and Quebec.

The plant identification booth, so popular at Expo and Congress, was manned by local Chapter volunteers, including A record crowd and a clear winter’s day allowed great feedback for members.

Ottawa Certification chair Kennedy Johnat the Ernst and Young Centre in Ottawa The trade show opened its doors to ston CLT, Ottawa Certification commitmarked the 20th anniversary celebration a bustling crowd from all over eastern tee members Richard Rogers CLT and of Ottawa Chapter’s GreenTrade Expo Ontario and western Quebec, picking up Eric Brooks CLP, Ottawa member Karin 2013. their show badges sponsored by DutchBanerd and Ottawa directors Sundaura Celebrated as the premier event of master Nurseries, show bags from CanAlford CLD and Erin Schuler-Van Gilst. the Ottawa Chapter, this is the second lok Stone and show guides courtesy of Along with conducting the plant identifiyear that GreenTrade took place at this Greely Sand and Gravel. cation tests, they handed out information state-of-the-art trade show facility.

Horticultural students from Algonabout Landscape Industry Certification.

GreenTrade Expo show chair and quin College and University of Guelph GreenTrade once again featured free Ottawa Chapter provincial representative -Kemptville College, and students from business education seminars, sponsored Bruce Morton welcomed attendees. The Bell High School were a large compoby Connon Nurseries NVK Holdings, morning session was presented by Ginsnent serving as volunteers. Also included Peter Knippel Nursery and Permacon berg Gluzman Fage and Levitz LLP, with were many Chapter champions from Ottawa. This year’s lineup of speakers to the MTO contractors’ breakfast sponHansen Lawn and Garden, Clintar Landincluded Paul Zammit, Beth Edney, Hugh sored by Tubman’s Chevrolet Oldsmobile scape Management - Ottawa and GreenFaloon, and the ever-popular Sheila and Petersen’s Turf Farm. scape Watering Systems. They were put James from Workplace, Safety and PreFor the third consecutive year over 70 through their paces by this year’s volvention Services. attendees were brought up-to-speed on unteer coodinator Melanie Crisitiano of GreenTrade Expo began as a small Ontario Ministry of Transportation rules Greenscape Watering Systems. Greentrade show in a local Ottawa hotel with a and regulations by local ministry officer Trade Expo is proud to have over 50 few exhibitors and networking. ThroughMarc Stang. The presentation included members of the industry giving their time out its 20-year history, the show has cona question and answer session, which throughout the show’s move-in and trade tinually grown, while moving to larger

GreenTrade’s 20th anniversary attracts record crowd

6 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO MARCH, 2013

LO rEAdY TO ShOW PrIdE AT CANAdA bLOOMS

Landscape Ontario will be smack in the middle of things, both literally and figura-

tively, at this year’s Canada Blooms.

The association’s garden will be located in the centre of the show floor, and feature a very visible dry stone lighthouse in the centre of the garden, complete with a lighted beacon with the LO logo prominently displayed. “We are calling it the beacon of knowledge,” says garden designer co-chair Paul Brydges of Brydges Landscape Architecture in Guelph. He explains, “LO offers so many opportunities for members to educate themselves, that the beacon of knowl-

edge is appropriate.”

A co-founder of the event, over the past number of years Landscape Ontario has taken on a bigger role in Canada’s largest flower and garden festival. “It’s a great opportunity for us to demonstrate in one location to consumers the high quality of work produced by members of Landscape Ontario,” says Brydges.

The LO garden will be among 19 other featured gardens at this year’s Canada Blooms. At 2,500 sq. ft., the garden this year is about double the size over the

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facilities and becoming eastern Ontario’s do-not-miss event for the landscape and horticultural industry trade.

A post-show charity event celebrated the 20th anniversary. Based on the famous Congress Tailgate Party, this event included a fund-raising component for the Ottawa Food Bank. Sponsors included Bradley’s Commercial Insurance, Canlokabout Stone, Central We’re excited our Irrigation Supply of Canada, Communities in NEW COLOUR CATALOGUE Bloom, Consulting by Hart, Create It!, with easy ordering format.

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A raffle for a pair of Ottawa Senators tickets to a 200 level game, donated by The Sam Group, was held with all proceeds going to the Ottawa Food Bank.

The winner of the tickets was Cindy Summerfeldt-Madeley from Hutcheson Sand and Mixes. Local Ottawa jazz, funk soul band Old Stereo provided the entertainment.

A special part of the event, had LO executive director Tony DoGiovanni taking the stage as lead guitar on the Stevie Ray Vaughan classic Pride and Joy. Trade show chair Bruce Morton from Greenscape Watering Systems received a distinguished member award, presented by Tim Kearney of Garden Creations. Morton was thanked for all of his dedication from the beginning of GreenTrade, as well as his involvement in the Ottawa Chapter.

As a result, the GreenTrade Expo Charity Tailgate Party donated over $2,000 to the Ottawa Food Bank.

The 21st edition of GreenTrade Expo, presented by the Ottawa Chapter of Landscape Ontario, will be held on Wed., Feb. 12, 2014 at the Ernst and Young Centre in Ottawa.

— Martha Walsh, GreenTrade Expo 2013 manager

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

Over 200,000 people pass through Canada Blooms, making it one of the best opportunities to show the high-end skills of Landscape Ontario members.

2012 garden, which was 1,373 sq. ft.

“The theme of this year’s garden reflects the advancements of the horticultural industry over the years and the powerful message of sustainability, whether through food production or reusing materials,” says Brydges.

He explains that visitors will be taken through the history of garden design, “which has come full circle,” says Brydges. “Gardens have always utilized the

elements of stone, water and plants.

Today’s gardens are returning to traditional concepts of design, as we attempt to be more sustainable.”

The garden will also pay homage to LO’s 40th anniversary. Photographs from over the years will be displayed.

This year the lawn care sector group will be promoting turf. Attendees will find a contest entry form inside Garden Inspiration to help them in a turf scavenger hunt through-

out the Canada Blooms floor space.

Members will have a chance for an early look at the garden and the rest of Canada Blooms when Industry Night is held on Mar. 21, starting at 6 p.m. with a reception. Canada Blooms 2013 co-chairs Arvils Lukss and Mary Lou Tigert will host the proceedings, which will include a thank you from Karl Stensson of Sheridan Nurseries for a century of success and the annual Canada Blooms award ceremonies.

Feature gardens at Canada Blooms 2013 are by Ron Holbrook and Associates, Genoscape, Mori Gardens/Reif Estate Wine, Unilock, Miyabi, Near North Hardscapes, Elite Environments, Shawn Gallaugher, Aura Landscaping, Canada Blooms Garden (with partners Spring Valley Gardens, Timbereno Flowers, Woodhill Greenhouses, Slaman Greenhouses, Ultra Grow, Virgil Greenhouses, Cosmic Plants and Humber College student volunteers), Royal Stone Landscaping and Design, Kent Ford Design Group, DA Gracey and Associates, Shibui Landscapes, Landscapes By Lucin, Bienenstock Natural Landscapes, Sheridan Nurseries, and Creative Garden Design.

Canada Blooms runs from Mar. 15 to 24 at the Direct Energy Centre. This is the second year that Blooms is co-locating with the National Home Show. One ticket will admit guests to both events.

More information may be found at www.canadablooms.com/

Landscape lighting design was highlight of conference

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ence continued with a full house of more ity (ESA) presented safety and technithan 100 contractors and suppliers. cal requirements to the group. Inspector The event was hosted on Feb. 20 by Allan Lis provided an update on regulaLO’s Landscape Lighting Sector Group at tions that could impact local business, as Piper’s Heath Golf Club in Milton. well as permit requirements. The audiA total of 13 exhibits showcased new ence responded with many questions; and innovative landscape lighting prodgroup chair John Higo did an excellent ucts. It gave everyone an opportunity job providing clarification to many of the to see the products up close and talk to points. It was a great opportunity to learn suppliers throughout the day. Exhibits on more about compliance and what could display were from the following supportbe coming next. Attendees appreciated ive sponsors: Aurora Experience, Brilthe ESA’s co-operation effort and the liance Led, LLC, Cast Lighting LLC, FX exchange of information.

Luminaire, Hunza Canada, Illumicare Group, Martek Supply, Moon Visions, Turf Care Products, Nightscaping, Vanden Bussche Irrigation, Vista Professional Outdoor Lighting and WB Cross. The Lighting Sector Group appreciates all of the time and effort put into the displays, and was happy to see the great benefit to all of the delegates.

The morning keynote presentation was delivered by Nels Peterson from Minnesota. The session highlighted innovative selling techniques and featured the importance of a good lighting design.

One attendee noted, “I really enjoyed Nels’ presentation — I take with me the real importance of selling the design of an outdoor lighting system, as well as when and how to make the sale and when to close the deal.”

Peterson’s larger than life approach to design for exterior illumination was a key highlight for most attendees.

Nels Peterson was a hit at this year’s Lighting Conference.

The Electrical Safety Author-

Attendees were also engaged with pictorial highlights from two Awards of Excellence-winning lighting projects from 2013. Joe Willemse and Stew Dunn from DiMarco Landscape Lighting, as well as Brad Paton and Katie Van Grootheest from Shades of Summer Landscaping and Maintenance walked the audience through installation highlights and challenges. They answered questions about the projects, and shared some tricks and tips for the lighting trade.

The day capped off with interactive

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ASSOCIATION NEWS panel discussions. Three areas covered included customer, design and installation challenges. Carl Hastings from Moonstruck Landscape Lighting, Leon Hordyk from Shademaster Landscaping and James Solecki from Integra Bespoke Lighting Systems discussed each topic in detail. They each related back to their own business practices, and included very candid real-life examples and solutions. An audience member noted, “The panel discussions were really enjoyable; hitting topics that were on the minds of all the contractors in the room.”

The end of the sessions was marked with refreshments for all at the Pipers Pub, courtesy of Illumicare Group.

“This event has become a highlight for landscape lighting professionals in Ontario. Attendees were engaged and left the conference with new product information, and great sales techniques for design in landscape lighting,” said John Higo, chair of the Lighting Sector Group. Higo also remarked that this event is made possible through the hard work of our committee members. “We thank each one of them for volunteering their time,” he said.

Plans for the conference in 2014 will be announced soon. Members with ideas, comments or suggestions to share may contact kristen@landscapeontario.com.

NEW — The PRIMO XL

SKI dAY ATTrACTS gOOd NuMbErS ANd bIggEST SNOWfALL

Skiers taking part in the annual Georgian Lakelands Ski Day were blessed with a fresh snowfall of 20 cm throughout the day on Feb. 8, at Craigleith Ski Club in Collingwood.

“We had a great day at Craigleith with a total of 45 participants,” said Chapter president Jeff Lee. The Chapter introduced a new program this year that gave a T-shirt to everyone. “This was a great success and sold out at Congress,” said Lee. Shirt sponsors were Braun Nurseries, Clearview Nursery, GroBark, Myke, Solty Garden Centre, Synlawn Canada, Vanden Bussche Irrigation and Xeriscape Pavers. The lunch sponsor was Canadian Equipment Outfitters.

A poker run contest was also added this year. The event required participants to find clues around the resort and pickup cards to complete a poker hand. The winner of this was Mike Beadle of M&S Architectural in Gilford. His prize was a hotel and spa package at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville.

There was also a fun race where the fastest time was recorded by Gary MacPhail of Ego’s Nurseries in Coldwater, who took the title from the 2011 champion Jeff Lee. The closest matched time was by Kerri Stevenson from Gro-

Bark, and the most cautious award went to Inta Lukss.

The Chapter thanks all the sponsors, those who donated prizes and attendees for making this another great day on the slopes.

To view a first-hand look at what it was like to ski down the hill that day, check out this video by LO information technology manager Ian Service, http://bit.ly/15JVt7y.

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Georgian Lakelands Chapter’s annual ski event was blessed with 20 cm of snow throughout the day.

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LONdON ChAPTEr uNVEILS NEW TrAILEr AT LONdON LIfESTYLE ShOW

The London Chapter proudly launched its new trailer at the London Home Builders Association’s Lifestyles Show, held in late January at the Western Fairgrounds.

The new addition drew much attention to the Chapter’s booth area with its colourful wrap. With the trailer as the main feature, softened by posters and cascading containers (supplied

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Throughout Landscape Ontario’s 40th anniversary year, www. horttrades.com/history and the Landscape Ontario YouTube channel will feature compelling interviews with interesting people who are important icons in LO’s history.

The new feature will highlight videos, photos and articles that tell many stories about the contributions of longtime Landscape Ontario members. The website features filmed interviews with Joe and Bill DeLuca from Aldershot Landscape Contractors, Leno Mori from Mori Nurseries, Horst Dickert from the legendary Lakeshore Landscaping, and more.

Currently, the homepage features a range of conversations that took place at Congress 2013 past president’s lunch. The leaders were asked three questions: how they got into landscaping, what changes they’ve seen in the industry and LO, and what would they like to see the association do in the future. None of the past presidents had the same answer to the questions The site will continue to tell more and more stories in as many mediums possible. To keep up with all the updates throughout 2013, make sure to “like” the site’s Facebook fanpage (Landscape Ontario pioneers) to experience the newest articles and videos via your Facebook timeline. The fanpage is also a way for friends, family and LO members close to the pioneers to share additional photos and stories about the featured individuals, and also to make suggestions about who should be featured on www.horttrades.com/history.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

London Chapter unveiled its beautiful new trailer which will be used at events throughout the area to both promote the association and carry supplies for Chapter events and shows.

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year volunteers working at the booth have handed out information about Landscape Ontario, a list of all London Chapter members and talked to passersby as part of the branding and promotional initiatives for the Chapter.

This year London Chapter members decided to eliminate hardscapes and a complex garden display, which they felt in the past made the booth look like a contractor’s booth. “It also made set-up fast and easy, says Chapter coordinator Wendy Harry.

Thanks go to the volunteers who helped man the booth, Bob and Ruby Allan, Paul and Barbara Gagnon, Derek and Penny Geddes, Jerry Hakkers, Wendy Harry, Nicola and Jeremy Kamp, Mike Lunau, Shannon Martin, Mike Martins, Paul and Anne Marie Rancourt, Scott Sim, Paul Snyders, Pete Vanderley, Jarrett Woodard and Eric Wright.

GM endorsed supplier program still popular among LO members

The most popular saving opportunity in Landscape Ontario’s Endorsed Supplier Program is offered by General Motors.

“Over the years, we have purchased many GM trucks through the program and have saved thousands of dollars in the process. We have received great value for our participation in the program,” says Dave Wright CLP of Wright Landscape Services in Bloomingdale.

Arvils Lukss of Landscapes by Lucin in Toronto, says “Landscape Ontario and the CNLA have spent considerable time and energy creating purchasing pro-

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by Canadale and designed by Nicola Kamp), the booth attracted patrons to stop and chat with Chapter members.

This was the sixth year the London Chapter was present at the show. Each

The trailer will be used at all Chapter events, and on location around London and area. At present, the trailer can be seen at Grand River Brick and Stone.

The trailer also serves as storage for the accumulated supplies the Chapter has for shows, meetings and more. Volunteers are now making plans to have a booth at the London Home and Garden Show in April. Volunteers will be needed, and may contact Wendy Harry at wharry62@gmail.com if interested.

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Great year for pro development Participation has been brisk this season at LO’s professional development seminars.

At the mid-February mark, over a thousand industry participants had registered. With six weeks’ worth of seminars to go, attendance is expected to top last year by a strong margin.

“People really like the hands-on sessions. There is also a lot of interest in equipment, skid steer and fall protection,” says seminar coordinator Kathy McLean. She adds, “Irrigation is through the roof!”

Even though seminars are filling fast, there are still opportunities to attend; March offerings are especially strong in maintenance. Visit www.horttrades.com/ seminars for details.

Agriculture

Landscape Ontario

Short-term time loss rates Averages for claims less than seven days

1.2

1.15

1.0

1.15 0.97

1.09

1.06

0.97 0.88

0.8 0.6

0.55

0.4 0.2 0.0 2009

2010

2011

2012

Long-term time loss rates Averages for claims longer than seven days

70 60 50

62.24

59.59

55.70 55.23 49.53

47.67

40

37.35

30 20.99

20 10 0 2009

2010 Calendar Year

2011

2012

Source: Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

The latest report card from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board shows the Landscape Ontario Safety Group has achieved high marks on the Lost Time Severity Rate Report Card, compared with the rest of the agriculture industry.

Sally Harvey, CLP, CLT, LO’s manager of education and labour development, says that the report card is a true testimonial of the effectiveness of safety groups.

Gerald Boot CLP has been involved with the LO Safety Group since it began ten years ago. “This is a prime example of how an association benefits the industry,” he says. The association’s involvement with the safety group helped to solve a serious problem back in the late ‘90s when rates were too high.”

Boot credits former safety manager Terry Murphy with pushing through the safety group to help improve the industry’s rate.

The improvement has been dramatic over the past three years, with 2012 seeing the largest drop. See right).

Data shows that the most common injuries are sprains, strains, tears, cuts, lacerations, non-specific injuries, punctures and tendonitis. The most common causes listed are bodily reaction, exertion, non-collision, struck by object and falling to floor, walkway or other surface.

The most common body parts injured are feet and ankles, knees, fingers and hands.

The LO Safety Group included 27 firms that provided

For LO Safety Group members, work time losses due to accidents beat the agriculture industry as a whole. Better yet, numbers are improving.

Average time lost per worker per claim, in days

LO SAfETY grOuP brINgS hOME TOP MArKS

Lost time report card

Average time lost perSeverity worker per claim, in days Derived Rate

grams with substantial discounts! All this and more are available simply by being an LO member!”

Brian Lofgren, president of Horta-Craft in Strathroy, says, “The discount we are receiving from GM is a great added benefit and was part of the reason that we went with the GM vehicle.

We just finalized a deal for a new vehicle.”

The program can save members up to $12,000 on fleet leases/purchases on their new GM vehicle. For instance, in 2012, a total of 169 Landscape Ontario members purchased 259 vehicles using the GM program in 2012, saving them a collective $2,845,900.

To find out more about the Endorsed Supplier Program, www.horttrades.com/endorsedsuppliers

An updated resource for the green industry: Workplace Safety Tailgate Talks Landscape Ontario Safety Tailgate Talks, developed by Landscape Ontario in collaboration with Workplace Safety & Prevention Services, promotes workplace safety by providing a simple tool for trainers and staff to include safety on the job, in the classroom or shop, or in the truck.

The publication features: • Health and safety tailgate meeting topics in an easy- to-deliver format • Important reminders on hazards and personal protective equipment (PPE) • Topics arranged in alphabetical order • Ideas to facilitate discussion and demonstrations

Order copies for your supervisors, class and crews today!

www.horttrades.com/Tailgate WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 13

ASSOCIATION NEWS 733.7 full-time employees with an accumulated 1,467,538 hours worked.

At a ceremony to celebrate the LO Safety Group’s 10th anniversary, it was announced that members would be sharing a group rebate cheque of nearly $60,000 from WSIB. At that meeting Lawrence Medas, WSIB Safety Groups coordinator, stated, “We at WSIB appreciate the the partnership with Landscape Ontario. No doubt the safety group is way ahead of the pack in terms of the new introductions that have come and are coming from WSIB.”

landscape and managed Chapter volunteers to complete the construction project.

“As a father of two boys who have benefited from the amazing care provided by CHEO, I jumped at the opportunity to design the landscape and oversee the project management for the 2012 home,” said Smalley.

The LO member went on to explain that the design challenge is to create a landscape that appeals to the aver-

age person and has enough pizzazz to encourage people to buy a ticket and support the hospital. “The management challenge is to coordinate several dozen contractors who are donating their time and resources while trying to juggle schedules to fit the home’s construction timeline,” stated Smalley.

Generous donations of labour and materials came from the following contractors and suppliers: Permacon – Ottawa, Greely Sand and Gravel, Richmond Nursery, Lanark

Ottawa members help build fundraising home

Ottawa Chapter member Jason Smalley was quick to step forward to be a part of the project in his home city of Ottawa to help raise funds for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO).

Each year a custom home is built through donation of talent, labour and material, and then auctioned off to the highest bidder. The funds from the auction go towards the hospital. This year the value of the home is estimated at over $1.5 million.

Jason Smalley, upper right, took on the task of both designing and managing the construction project at the home Smalley designed the which is auctioned to raise funds for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario

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gLAM TOur SET fOr gEOrgIAN ANd WATErLOO

Two Landscape Ontario Chapters are taking part in The Backyard Glam Tour this July.

The tour will feature 12 gardens cre-

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ASSOCIATION NEWS ated by members from the Georgian Lakelands and Waterloo Chapters.

The tour will be a one-of-a-kind opportunity to gain access to see and visit glamorous and professionally decorated backyards in the Georgian Bay and Waterloo areas.

The tour will take place on July 5 and 6 in Georgian Lakelands and on July 6 and 7 in Waterloo region.

Portions of the proceeds will go towards local projects selected by the Chapters as well as two local charities.

The tour is being promoted by Georgian Lakelands events coordinator Deborah Lalonde and and former LO trade show manager Paul Day. LO public relations director Denis Flanagan will be the tour speaker.

For more information go to www.backyardglamtour.com. As more details on the backyards and the designers are conformed, information will appear on the website.

to network with fellow industry members.

The morning session featured presentations What’s Bugging Your Nursery Crops by Jen Llewellyn, OMAFRA; Success in Frost Protection by Charles Stevens, Wilmot Orchards; Emerging Disease Issues in Woody Plants by Dr. Tom Hsiang, University of Guelph; Report from the Pest Diagnostic Clinic

by Xuechan Shan, University of Guelph; Plant Phenology Tools for Growers by Melissa Spearing, Niagara Parks School of Horticulture; Wastewater Regulations That Affect You by Jeanine West, PhytoServ, and Progress in Ornamental Breeding at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre by Rumen Conev.

A new product showcase featured various exhibitors.

The afternoon session featured War-

fare in the Trees by Tom Hsiang, University of Guelph; Roots Roots Roots!

by Glen Lumis, retired professor from the University of Guelph and honorary life member of LO; Minor Use Update

by Peter Isaccson of CNLA; Fertilization and Irrigation Considerations in Containers by Youbin Zheng, University of Guelph; Wetland Biofiltration in the Nursery by Ann Huber, Soil Resource Group; Alternative Strategies for IPM by George Lazarovits of A&L Biologicals Agroecology Research.

The Growers Good Ideas session is held at the end of the day. The popular presentation allowed many to learn from their peers.

Main sponsor for the event was Direct Solutions — Agrium Advanced Technologies, and table top exhibitors and/ or sponsors were Advanced Micro Polymers, FreeLink Wireless Irrigation Systems, Kam’s Growers Supply, Myers Lawn and Gard Group/Bloomin’ Good Idea and Natural Insect Control.

grOWErS ShOrT COurSE KEEPS MEMbErS uP-TO-dATE

For the second consecutive year, the Landscape Ontario Growers Sector Group staged its annual short course at the Royal Canadian Legion in Guelph.

Nearly 200 nursery growers packed the hall on Feb. 6 to hear about the latest research and best practices in the industry.

The event also allows attendees Nearly 200 nursery growers packed the Royal Canadian Legion Hall in Guelph.

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VOLUNTEER PROFILE Jason Wilton provides talent to create certification video A highly entertaining, educational and professional-grade video is now playing on horttrades.com, thanks to the volunteer efforts of Jason Wilton CLT. Working for Clintar Landscape Management in Markham, Wilton volunteered his time and talent to produce the new certification promo video, How Pro Are You?

Wilton felt that the younger generation would relate to the certification program if the information came through video. “The industry needs to appeal to more young people, and I think this format may be one way to do it,” said Wilton.

Sally Harvey, manager of education and labour development, says, “This is a fantastic video that was launched at Con-

gress at both the Awards of Excellence and the AGM. You have to see it — I smile every time with pride!”

Harvey went on to say that Jason Wilton is a very talented and enthusiastic young man. “He is the next generation to lead the way in the industry.”

Wilton has education in both horticulture and marketing. He enjoys making video presentations. “I couldn’t possibly have produced the certification video if not for Clintar,” says Wilton. Clintar has been a strong supporter of the certification program since it began.

A Landscape Industry Certified Technician, Jason Wilton has been a volunteer judge at the Certification tests. To view the video, go to www.horttrades.com/certified.

NEW MEMBERS Durham J. Byrne Enterprises Ltd Jim Byrne 846 Cedarhurst Dr, Peterborough, ON K9J 6X3 Tel: 705-292-7921 Membership Type: Active JB Top Deck Const Corp John Brown 126 Millard St, Stouffville, ON L4A 4Z9 Tel: 905-640-6496 Membership Type: Chapter Associate Georgian Lakelands Muskoka Landscapers Kevin Scott 2442 Manitoba St, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1X4 Tel: 705-385-9202 Membership Type: Active Golden Horseshoe Cellex Fence & Landscape Inc Gerald Linde 301 Concession Rd 5 E, PO Box 1522 Waterdown, ON L0R 2H1 Tel: 905-690-1044 Membership Type: Active Green Groves Lawn & Landscape Service Ed Van der Geer 2095 3rd Sideroad, Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0 Tel: 416-233-3433 Membership Type: Active Ottawa Algonquin College Steve Neumann Ottawa, ON Membership Type: Horticultural Metal Pless Jason Whittemore 1683 blvd des Sucreries, Plessisville, QC G6L 1W4 Tel: 819-362-2221 Membership Type: Associate

18 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO MARCH, 2013

Myers Orleans Robert Dale 1875 St. Joseph Blvd, Ottawa, ON K1C 7J2 Tel: 613-834-6397 Membership Type: Chapter Associate Torovin Investments, c/ob as Campanle Management Tony Campanale 200 - 1187 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3X7 Tel: 613-730-0850-x282 Membership Type: Active Toronto Descanon Cook Toronto, ON Membership Type: Horticultural Accurate Lawn Care Service Inc Giancarlo Lucchetta 120 Kirkbride Cr, Maple, ON L6A 2J6 Tel: 905-668-7588 Membership Type: Active Deman Construction Corp Peter Deman 201 - 776 Dundas St E, Mississauga, ON L4Y 2B6 Tel: 905-277-0363 Membership Type: Chapter Associate Figure 4 Design Consultancy David Hlady 4 Beckwith Rd, Etobicoke, ON M9C 3X9 Tel: 416-803765-7650 Membership Type: Active Fine Design Living Braden White 8 Jill Crt, Markham, ON L3P 3R9 Tel: 416-817-6128 Membership Type: Active John C Lucas Landscaping Inc John Lucas 4 Zachary Dr, Brampton, ON L7A 1H4 Tel: 647-333-9904 Membership Type: Associate

Lawn Care Property Services (division of 2347601 Ontario Inc) Chris Milwain 123 Samuel Lount Rd, Holland Landing, ON L9N 1K3 Tel: 905-836-7536 Membership Type: Active Shawn Gallaugher Design Shawn Gallaugher 87 Whispering Pine Trail, Aurora, ON L4G 4Y1 Tel: 416-427-7342 Membership Type: Active The Corporation of the City of Brampton John Allison CLT, CLD Orangeville, ON Membership Type: Horticultural Waterloo Edenborough Landscaping Joesph Edenborough 388 Hill St, West Montrose, ON N0B 2V0 Tel: 519-588-6071 Membership Type: Active Floristerra Greenhouses and Landscape Centre Jeremy Feenstra 1033 Kenning Place, Elmira, ON N3B 2Z1 Tel: 519-669-0271 Membership Type: Active Vanderleigh Inc Neil Vanderpost 3 Mayfair Crt, PO Box 1044, St. George, ON N0E 1N0 Tel: 519-448-1120 Membership Type: Active Vesterra Property Management Inc Caitlin Freeburn 279 Woolwich St, Guelph, ON N1H 3V8 Tel: 519-800-6590 Membership Type: Active

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

March 15 - 24

Canada blooms 2013

Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto Celebrate the magic of spring at Canada Blooms 2013, co-located with the National Home Show. LO members can order packages of tickets (20) at substantially discounted prices.

Contact Kathleen Pugliese at kathleenp@landscapeontario.com. Members will be invoiced after the show, only for the tickets that were turned in at the door.

March 19

London Chapter meeting

Lamplighter Inn, 591 Wellington Road S., London A representative from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will visit the London Chapter to talk about plant disease diagnosis and control. You will also have the opportunity to see the new plant cultivars being introduced to the horticultural market for 2014.

The meeting will take place at the Lamplighter Inn in the Royal Palm Room, starting at noon and will include a buffet lunch. The meeting costs $25. For more information, contact Wendy Harry at wharry62@gmail.com.

March 27

upper Canada Chapter MTO meeting

Selby Community Hall This meeting will feature a representative from the Ministry of Transportation answering your questions and clearing up confusion regarding regulations. It is also the Annual General Meeting (AGM), so if you want to get involved on the Chapter Board of Directors, you need to be there from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., and will include refreshments.

March 28

golden horseshoe Chapter’s AgM and MTO meeting

Cap Brick, 2082 Queensway Drive, Burlington.

This meeting will feature a representative from the Ministry of Transportation answering your questions and clearing up confusion regarding regulations. It is also the Annual General Meeting, offering a great opportunity to get involved at your local Chapter. You must R.S.V.P. if you wish to attend, at http://bit.ly/Xdr7pH.

March 28

Windsor Chapter meeting

Dominion Golf Course, 6125 Howard Avenue, LaSalle Come get your crew ready for spring at the Windsor Chapter’s MTO meeting, which will feature officials from the MTO talking about rules and regulations. It takes place from 12 - 3 p.m., and will include lunch. For more information, contact Jay Rivait at jaytopgrade@hotmail.com.

March 28

best Practices and Lessons Learned — round Table

Wasaga Beach RecPlex 1724 Mosley Street, Wasaga Beach Join the Georgian Lakelands Chapter for Best Practices and Lessons Learned. A round-table discussion will be about the issues faced in your business. This is a wonderful opportunity to share and learn from other Chapter members. Send topic ideas to Lexi Dearborn at lmdearborn@sympatico.ca. The annual AGM and elections will be conducted at this meeting.

Members are encouraged to invite their employees to this event.

April 3

Waterloo Chapter general meeting Waterloo Knights of Columbus, 145 Dearborn Place Waterloo Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 7 p.m. sharp. The meeting will include dinner, information about the Chapter’s projects and more. For more information or to R.S.V.P., contact Helen Hassard at 1-800-265-5656, or helen@landscapeontario.com.

April 4

Toronto Chapter presents Stuart Knight

Latvian Cultural Centre, 4 Credit Union Drive Welcomed back by popular demand is guest speaker Stuart Knight, who has a big impact with a hilarious and thought provoking presentation. The meeting will also feature a chance to network and a great meal with refreshments. It all begins at 6:30 p.m. and is free to all members who R.S.V.P. by Mar. 28, and $20 for potential members or members who do not R.S.V.P. For more information or to R.S.V.P., contact Helen Hassard at 1-800-265-5656, or helen@landscapeontario.com.

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Pottersroadnursery.com WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 19

1.

2.

4.

5.

1. Humber College acknowledged Landscape Ontario for its contributions to the college’s Strategic Alliance. In photo are three LO representatives who

accepted the award from Humber. From left, Dr. Stuart L. Smith, chair of Humber College Board of Governors, Tony DiGiovanni, LO executive director; Rita Weerdenburg, publisher; Bob Tubby, LO first vice president; and Dr. Robert A. Gordon, president of Humber College. 2. The Ontario lawn care industry staged one of the most impressive and and successful municipal lobby campaigns in Toronto’s history. The result: an IPM by-law. 3. Congress celebrated its 30th year with a record attendance of over 14,000 industry professionals. 4. The LO Growers Group annual Research Auction joined the Waterloo Chapter for its Landscape Trade Expo, which featured over 550 participants and 85 booths. Held at the Kitchener Auditorium, the auction raised over $28,000. 5. A total of 45 installations and maintenance personnel took part in the Certified Horticultural Technician evaluation at the the Landscape Ontario property in Milton. Over 60 volunteers were on hand to judge, administer and set-up the site. In photo are those who took part in the event. 6. Humber College honoured founding member of Landscape Ontario Casey van Maris with a dedication ceremony of a garden, named ‘Casey’s Corner.’ On hand to take part in the ceremony were, from left, members of the van Maris family, Patricia Tipson, Carol van Maris and Monica van Maris.

Landscape Ontario celebrates 40 years

2003

Growth and change have marked Landscape Ontario’s history, but pride in the association shines throughout. The year 2013 is occasion for special pride, as

20 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO MARCH, 2013

your association’s 40th year.

Landscape Ontario magazine is searching its archives to publish nostalgic annual highlight spreads through the end of next year.

LO’s first 25 years were documented in a special yearbook, available at

www.horttrades.com/yearbook. Each issue this year will feature information from the years between the 25th anniversary and today.

Photos or material about LO’s history are appreciated; please send to Allan Dennis, adennis@landscapeontario.com.

3.

6.

TOrONTO bYLAW MAJOr VICTOrY fOr LAWN CArE

The hope was that the City of Toronto would vote against any type of bylaw that restricts the use cosmetic pesticides.

That didn’t happen, but in 2003, Toronto City Council was willing to make several amendments. Under the new bylaw, integrated pest management (IPM) principles were fully recognized.

“I am convinced that the aggressive campaign and emotionally draining negotiations saved the commercial lawn care sector,” said LO executive director Tony DiGiovanni.

“In the end, both parties came out with wins,” he continued. “The industry and public will still be allowed the responsible use of pesticides within the

framework of IPM and Plant Health Care, and the activists got their bylaw...”

Roger Mongeon of Weed Man questioned whether Toronto’s bylaw could even be enforced.

“There is no permit system in place yet, and it escapes me how the fine structure will be determined,” Mongeon said. “Enforcement remains the major flaw. I don’t think anybody believes it to be enforceable.”

Major victories for the industry were seen in two council resolutions: use of exempt pesticides was permitted in cases of infestation, and city residents would be encouraged to contact a licensed professional if application of nonexempted pesticides was anticipated.

The City also created a 10-member Pesticide Advisory Committee, which included five industry professionals.

bOrEr ArrIVES IN WINdSOr

The emerald ash borer (EAB) was busy in 2003 decimating thousands of trees in Windsor.

“We are looking at the loss of 6,000 street trees alone,” said Bill Roesel, manager of forestry and horticulture in the City of Windsor.

“That’s not including city trees on parkland, in naturalized areas or on private property. The environmental and economic impact of this pest could be enormous,” he continued. “Fortunately, our planting policy has promoted diversi-

fication for quite a while.”

Despite years of promoting biodiversity within the urban forest, large areas in the City of Windsor were planting predominantly one species.

“We tend to take our trees for granted until something like this happens,” Roesel said. “The irony of this situation is that many of the ash trees coming down were planted to replace the elms lost to Dutch elm disease in the 50s and 60s.”

No significant levels of infestation were found outside the area of Windsor and Essex County following a CFIA quarantine.

Alarm bells sounded when 70,000 ash trees on a plantation in Essex County, which were supposed to be made into hockey sticks and baseball bats, were discovered to be contaminated by borers. The EAB was first reported in 2002 across the border in the U.S., where quarantine zones were soon established in Michigan and Ohio.

ShErIdAN, WEALL ANd CuLLEN MErgE

A gardening retail super-power in the GTA was created on May 1, 2003, when Sheridan Nurseries expanded its retail locations from six to 11.

Sheridan extended its reach in southern Ontario by converting five Weall and Cullen stores in North York, Whitby, Scarborough, Markham and Mississauga.

“The business focus, market and culture of the two organizations are remarkably similar,” said Sheridan Nurseries CEO Bill Stensson. “This move is a positive step in providing GTA gardening customers with top quality retail garden centres and experienced, knowledgeable staff.”

Mark Cullen was retained as a spokesperson for Sheridan Nurseries.

“I am delighted to take on a new role to represent Sheridan Nurseries to the gardening public,” Cullen said.

Sheridan Nurseries president Karl Stensson, who was senior vice-president of the company at the time, assumed responsibility for the Weall and Cullen locations. He said the immediate focus would be to ensure that “operations proceed smoothly, customers are satisfied and that staff can do their jobs well and with confidence.”

Omitted from the merger was the famous Whitby tourist attraction, Cullen Gardens and Miniature Village, which remained in the hands of the Cullen family.

WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 21

1.

2.

3.

1. The June issue of Horticulture Review announced that Landscape Ontario was now mortgage-free on the property in Milton purchased in 1995. To celebrate, board members and staff gathered for a photo outside the home office. 2. Willowbrook Nurseries in Fenwick celebrated its 25th anniversary by

hosting the annual Growers Research Auction. The annual event saw $28,000 in sales. Many of the 150 people in attendance took advantage of wagon rides around the nursery’s grounds. 3. The new board of directors was sworn-in at the AGM during Congress. Taking the president’s chair was Gerald Boot. 4. Jay Murray of Tender Lawn Care in London won the Harley Davidson special edition motorcycle in the LO Foundation’s fund-raising raffle. Murray said he planned to have a license plate that read, ‘LO HOG.’

Landscape Ontario celebrates 40 years

2004

ThE YEAr Of ThE PEST

An industry doing its best to parry the side-effects of Asian long-horned beetle

22 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO MARCH, 2013

(ALHB), Japanese beetle and emerald ash borer (EAB) invasions had one more outbreak to deal with; sudden oak death.

In Michigan, after discovering the EAB in 2002, local and state governments spent more than $14 million and destroyed 40,000 tons of ash trees. During the costly quarantine, a Milford, Mich-

igan landscaping company was caught shipping two loads of ash trees to Maryland. The owner of the company was placed on two years’ probation, ordered to perform 200 hours of community service, and fined $100 for each of the 123 trees shipped.

North of the border, more than 137,000 trees needed to be removed to stop the spread of the ALHB and EAB.

stamped $6.5 million for re-planting efforts, which included quarantine compensation figures of $300 per tree on privately-owned land, $150 per tree on public land and $40 per tree in woodlots.

ECONOMIC bOOM rESuLTS IN LArgE TrEE ShOrTAgE

4.

In Essex County, a persistent EAB problem resulted in the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture issuing a complete ban on the movement or removal of all types of firewood from the quarantined area to stop the spread.

To compensate for aggressive pestcontrol measures, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources contributed $1 million to fund tree-planting in Vaughan, north Toronto and southwestern Ontario.

“Providing funds to plant new trees will go a long way towards ‘re-greening’ hard-hit areas and ensuring the longerterm health of our forests,” said Natural Resources minister David Ramsay.

The federal government also rubber-

A boom in the commercial and residential landscaping market created challenges for sellers of large trees in 2004.

John Putzer of M. Putzer Hornby Nursery said the biggest problem with plant shortages is they’re not solvable issues.

“Trees have to be in the ground seven to 10 years before they are large enough for today’s landscape requirements,” Putzer said.

“We aren’t like a furniture manufacturer, who can put on an extra shift to make a couple thousand more chairs.”

The demand for large trees puts pressure on all levels of the growing cycle.

“Small plant material is still readily available,” said Dave Wylie of Braun Nursery. “I could set some smaller trees aside to grow on, but for me, cash is king. It is better to have cash in pocket rather than a tree in the field.”

bILL C-45 PuTS SAfETY ONuS ON SuPErVISOrS

An amendment to the Criminal Code holds employers responsible for the actions of their workers. Bill C-45 states, “Everyone who undertakes, or has the authority, to direct how another person does work or performs a task is under a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent bodily harm to that person, or

any other person, arising from that work or task.”

The first charges under Bill C-45 occurred in 2004 when a trench collapse in King Township claimed the life of a 38-year-old Toronto man. The accused was supervising the deceased and another man as they repaired a drainage problem.

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, an individual found guilty of a contravention may be fined up to a maximum of $25,000 and/or sentenced to up to one year in jail per offence. The maximum penalty under the criminal code for criminal Negligence Causing Death is life imprisonment.

INSurANCE rATES STAbILIZE, gAS gOES uP

Major strides taken by the industry to dramatically change its approach to preaching safety continued to lead to greater discounts to WSIB premiums.

However, any money saved on WSIB was likely spent at the pumps, due to 30 and 15 per cent rises to the prices of gas and diesel, respectively. The highest price in Ontario by the end of May, 2004 was 96.6 cents per litre in Thunder Bay. Jim Monk of Markham Property Services said he hadn’t yet passed on an added fuel surcharge to his clients.

That’s because Monk saw this crisis coming.

“We switched a lot of our trucks to diesel, which has a much more stable price. I have no problem taking credit for the foresight,” he said.

Iain Souter of Aldershot Landscape Contractors said ALC’s fleet of trucks all use diesel, and has also been able to keep from passing along a fuel charge to customers.

“It’s a competitive business, and if our prices keep increasing as fuel and insurance rates increase, customers would look at other contracts,” Souter said.

Randy Tumber of Tumber and Associates in Orangeville, said, “I can’t imagine how contractors who perform winter services will fare.”

“People already perceive landscaping as very expensive and squawk when you try to raise the rates,” continued Tumber.

“They look for the same rates as three years ago, but the economic situation has changed.”

WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 23

ChAPTEr Of ThE MONTh Ottawa Chapter thrives on service Landscape Ontario’s Ottawa Chapter has always been known for getting results that are disproportionate to its numbers.

Its most recent project supported a custom home, the grand prize in a lottery benefitting the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Chapter member Jason Smalley jumped at the opportunity to design its landscape and manage chapter volun-

Ottawa Chapter snapshot

Number of members: 162 Active members: 109 Current Awards of Excellence winners: Garden Creations of Ottawa Plantenance R.J. Rogers Landscaping Welwyn Wong Landscape Design Yards Unlimited Landscaping Ottawa Chapter Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/Ottawa-ChapterLandscape-Ontario/297686137159 Ottawa Twitter @LndscapONottawa Chapter Board Sundaura Alford, Director Chris Burns, Director Jim Curran, Director Mike Fulcher, Director Ed Hansen, Director Sarah Johnston, Past President Mark Mallette, Director Bruce Morton, Director, Trade Show chair Kelly Mulrooney-Cote, Director Bill O’Reilly, Director Patricia Stanish, Director Chris Urquhart, Director Erin Schuler-Van Gilst, Director Martha Walsh, Chapter Coordinator

teers, since both his small boys have benefitted from the hospital’s care.

According to Smalley, “The design challenge is to create a landscape that appeals to the average person and has enough pizazz to encourage them to buy a ticket and support the hospital. The management challenge is to coordinate several dozen contractors who are donating their time and resources, while trying to juggle schedules to fit the home’s construction timeline.” Labour and material donations from member contractors and suppliers appear on page 14.

This large-scale project follows a string of successful community-building Ottawa Chapter initiatives: maintenance of the Cancer Survivors Park and landscape renovation at Ronald McDonald House.

In addition, the Chapter distinguishes itself every fall by grooming Beechwood National Military Cemetery -- an outstanding show of respect for Canada’s veterans.

The Ottawa Chapter Education Committee, led by Ed Hansen, celebrates a strong commitment to connecting with eastern Ontario educators. Algonquin College is well under way with the second semester of a revised curriculum, that Chapter leaders helped to develop. In February, Landscape Ontario is hosting a strategic planning meeting called Connecting

The Day of Tribute has become a major community-building project for the Ottawa Chapter.

24 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO MARCH, 2013

Educators, which was inspired in part by the near-loss of the Algonquin program.

From that experience, Chapter members learned how important it is for Landscape Ontario to play an integral role in facilitating connectivity between education and the industry, to ensure long term success for students and employers alike. The Ministry of Education responded, and a Specialist High Skills Major in Horticulture and Landscape, connected to the Algonquin College program, is offered at St. Patrick’s High School.

Future plans include development of an annual education conference, driven by all stakeholders, to inspire connectivity, relevance, student success and therefore industry success, as we attract the brightest and the best to our industry.

GreenTrade Expo (story on page 16) is another proud Chapter achievement, as well as evidence of the Chapter’s strong industry leadership for eastern Ontario.

This year, membership benefit pamphlets were distributed to exhibiting members, along with a request to pass on the message of what LO can do for business owners, employees and the industry. The plan was simple, to give an LO-branded pamphlet holder and stack of membership benefits pamphlets to the exhibiting members, in hopes that they wil proudly display them in their showrooms or office space. This back-to-basics approach has been discussed several times, but now more than ever we are hearing that our members are overwhelmed by electronic marketing and might just prefer a handout. This year’s show proved very successful from a member recruitment perspective.

INDUSTRY NEWS

The Landmark Group of Thornbury received the Dynascape Award of Excellence for Landscape Design. In photo, from left, Mike Bosch, president of Dynascape; Gary Nordeman and Darren Bosch, both of The Landmark Group; and Joe Salemi, Dynascape product marketing manager.

CNLA honours Canada’s best Ontario hosted the 10th annual Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) National Awards of Landscape Excellence ceremony at the Hilton Hotel — Fallsview in Niagara Falls on Jan. 30.

Co-hosted by Landscape Ontario’s Denis Flanagan CLD and new CNLA president, Christene LeVatte of Sydney, N.S., the evening recognized companies that have actively participated in raising the level of professionalism in the

industry. Each province nominates members that are then entered into the national awards.

“It is never an easy decision for the judges, as all entrants displayed a high level of effort and expertise,” said Flanagan.

Sheridan Nurseries won the Royal Bank of Canada Grower of the Year Award. The company, which is celebrating its centennial this year, was pre-

Sheridan Nurseries won the Chrysler Garden Centre of the Year Award for its Unionville operation. In photo Nadine Reeves, Sheridan’s assistant manager of garden operations, accepts the award from Michael Young, fleet account manager with Chrysler Canada.

sented the International Grower of the Year Award on Sept. 13, 2012 in Venlo, the Netherlands. Sheridan continued its winning ways at the Niagara Falls event, when it was presented the Chrysler Garden Centre of the Year Award for its Unionville operation.

Other awards presented at the CNLA event in Niagara Falls included Ontario winners, The Landmark Group of Thornbury for the Dynascape Award of Excellence for Landscape Design, Snider Turf and Landscape Care of Waterloo for the John Deere Award of Excellence for Residential Landscape Maintenance, The Cultivated Garden of Toronto for the John Deere Award of Excellence for Commercial Landscape Maintenance, and Flynn Canada of Mississauga for the Caterpillar Award of Excellence for Commercial Landscape Construction/Installation.

LO’s work to revitalize St. James Park in downtown Toronto received recognition at the CNLA award night, with the presentation of the Green for Life Community Award. On hand to accept the award were members of the Friends of St. James Park and the St. Lawrence Market BIA. The Caterpillar Award of Excellence for Residential Landscape Construction/ Installation went to Fossil Projects Services of British Columbia and the CNLA President’s Award to Gloria Beck of Parkland Nurseries and Garden Centre, Alberta.

The awards ceremony took place during CNLA’s annual winter meetings.

Landscape Ontario members named to the CNLA board of directors were Gerald Boot CLP of Boots Landscaping, Toronto,

Sheridan Nurseries was presented The Royal Bank of Canada Grower of the Year Award. In photo Pieter Joubert, Sheridan’s vice president of nursery operations, accepts the award from Steve Chow, Royal Bank group banking manager.

WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 25

INduSTrY NEWS who is now second vice president; Bill Stensson of Sheridan Nurseries, Georgetown, is past president; and Rene Thiebaud CLP of OGS Landscape Service, Brooklin, is 1st vice president.

Selected winners from Landscape Ontario’s 40th anniversary ceremony will be entered into the the next year’s National Awards program in 2014. To view this year’s LO winners, go to www.landscapeontario.com/ 40th-annual-awards-winners.

More information on the awards night may be found at www.cnla-acpp.ca/awards.

dEfININg OVErTIME ANd LANdSCAPE gArdENErS

Employers of landscape gardeners are exempt from the requirement to pay overtime. However, the Ministry of Labour (MOL) has a specific interpretation of what constitutes landscape gardener work. In general, this type of work includes landscape maintenance, planting, caring for lawns and plants, installing rock gardens and planters, parks work and golf course greens keeping.

When must I, as an employer, pay overtime? If scope of an employee’s work falls outside of the MOL’s landscape gardener definition, employers

Socialize with LO www.facebook.com/ landscapeontario

@LOassocMag @TonyDiGiovanni1 @denisflanagan @green_for_life @LOEnviro @locongress @LOExpo2013

http://linkd.in/LOLinkedIn

26 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO MARCH, 2013

may be required to pay overtime. There are also special rules concerning construction work which may cover other landscape site work not technically under the landscape gardener exemption. The ministry maintains an interactive web page that describes the special rules for different occupations: http://bit.ly/WoLhdR. Most of my work involves irrigation contracting. Must I pay my workers overtime? Yes, irrigation contractors installing irrigation systems, must pay employees overtime.

Is a landscape contractor installing irrigation systems required to pay overtime? It depends. If the employee is installing irrigation systems less than 50 per cent of the time, overtime is not required. If, however, the employee specialized in installing irrigation systems most of his work time, then overtime applies.

I run a lawn care company. Are my employees considered landscape gardeners? Yes, and the overtime exemption applies. However, if most of an employee’s work is related to vegetation management along railway or transmission lines, payment of overtime is required.

Does the exemption apply to landscape contractors? If an employee of a landscape contractor works mainly on building retaining walls, overtime is required.

From a practical, administrative and level-playing-ground perspective, Landscape Ontario believes that the Ministry of Labour interpretation of the term “Landscape Gardener” is flawed, and should be more comprehensive.

Although LO has attempted to convince the ministry to broaden its interpretation, the association has not been successful to date.

Please see www.horttrades.com/ defining-landscape-gardener for more information.

ThOMAS EQuIPMENT ANNOuNCES NEW dEALEr

Thomas Equipment has announced the appointment of Ashots Outdoor Power Equipment as a new dealer serving the Mississauga area in Southern Ontario.

Thomas Equipment is a member of Landscape Ontario.

rESEArCh LOOKS AT WILdfLOWErS fOr dOMESTIC MArKET

A project underway at the University of Guelph is working towards introducing domestic wildflowers into commercial landscaping applications.

U. of G. Plant Agriculture graduate student Jeremy Boychyn and professor Alan Sullivan are working to introduce local wildflower species to the landscape and cut-flower industry, in part to tap into, consumer interests in native species.

A news report states that Boychyn is studying the wildflowers’ characteristics to find how the plants will fare using low water and fertilizer. The report goes on to reveal that the researchers feel wildflowers will cut down on production costs for producers and provide an environmentally friendly commercial option for landscapes.

Another benefit cited in the report is that native wildflowers don’t run the risk of introducing unfamiliar pests to surrounding plants.

The project includes eight species of native flowers including eastern bluestar, Carolina lupine, blue false indigo, blazing star, prairie blazing star, eastern blazing star, button snakeroot and barrelhead gayfeather.

Boychyn is quoted in the article, “These local species were chosen based on floral characteristics that I thought would be popular in landscapes and for bouquets and flower arrangements.”

Trial tests are underway to show how the plants respond to different levels of herbicide, fertilizer and water.

“Making the public aware of the importance of incorporating native wildflowers into their gardens and landscapes has opened an environmentally friendly and cost-effective niche in the industry that will benefit producers in Ontario,” he says.

This research is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), the OMAFRA-funded Highly Qualified Personnel program and Flowers Canada.

MEMBERSHIP Best practices and lessons learned

By Helen Hassard Membership coordinator

Y

ou’ve probably already read an article from myself or someone else at LO about the importance of chapter relevance. If you haven’t seen anything yet on the issue, go to www.horttrades. com/horticulturereview-20 and check out the archives of Landscape Ontario magazine. I know I touched on it briefly in January. Go ahead — I’ll wait.

Okay, we can move on to the juicy details now that you’ve had a chance to go over chapter relevance. It is is basically about having a large impact at the local level to make a greater influence. To paraphrase Gandhi, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

The volunteer board members have gone over this concept in great detail and came up with three main priorities that make up chapter relevance: networking with industry members and non-members, networking with government, and meaning something to the public.

It was decided that one way to keep these priorities in the forefront of our minds, while working with each chapter, is through

UNDERGROUND WORLD Alliance celebrates 10th anniversary

By Terry Murphy CLP

C

ongratulations to the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA) for its 10th year in business and all the great work that has been accomplished over that period of time.

This milestone was recently celebrated in early February at a three-day convention.

The Alliance has a number of accomplishments that deserve to be celebrated. Starting in 2003, ORCGA has now grown to 460 member firms, and become self-sustaining without any financial support from the government.

It is now one of the premier associations that focus on North America’s underground industry.

Accomplished in this decade • Almost all Ontario utility organizations belong to a common entity, On1Call

System • Bill 8, which was backed by the ORCGA, passed in the Ontario legislature, brings a regional focus and mandated by law, requires that all underground industry firms participate in the locate process • A convention and trade show with seminars and networking is held each year, similar to Landscape Ontario’s Congress • Industry stakeholders through a process of consensus, agreed to A Best Practices Manual, including all aspects of safe digging.

• An annual awards ceremony, including a hall of fame, volunteer of the year, excavator of the year in key industry sectors.

• An annual locate rodeo competition • A quarterly publication Ear to the Ground to bring important issues and articles to the industry • Twenty–three volunteer board of directors (major industry firms) who meet five times a years (Landscape Ontario is represented) to guide the ORCGA • A regional network of ORCGA chapters, called Geographic Councils, to promote

a new column in the Landscape Ontario magazine. With the 20th anniversary of GreenTrade Expo taking place in Ottawa last month, we thought it made sense to launch the column with the Ottawa Chapter profile.

I’ll let you read for yourself how we approached and displayed the above-noted three relevant priorities in Ottawa. While you’re reading, keep in mind ideas you may have to help your own chapter. Also, we would be happy to hear of any improvements to the column you would like to recommend or to include in future issues.

This initiative was developed by staff, based on a concept from members, but as with most of our projects, the initiative is organic (pun intended) and it will continue to evolve over time.

Feel free to give me a call at 1-800265-5656, ext. 354, or by email to helen@ landscapeontario.com, or tweet me about it at @LOMembership. I would like to hear your thoughts and feedback on the project.

damage prevention by area in the province (similar to LO Chapters).

• A damage prevention reporting system, DIRT, that provides records and statistics on all damages and hits to underground utilities in Ontario • Strategic partnerships with organizations, such as Children’s Safety Village, the insurance industry, and proposed with the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office The above are just some of the very important contributions that have been organized and developed over the last ten years.

At the ORCGA awards ceremony, it was a proud moment in the evening to see Landscape Ontario member, Lomco Landscape Contractors of Newmarket, accept the Landscape Excavator of the Year Award. Company president Joe Lombardi was on hand to accept the award. This firm obtains over 2,000 locates every year and had the lowest ratio of strikes per locate in this category. The scoring information comes from the industry DIRT Program.

Considering over 8,000 horticultural firms in the Ontario industry, Lomco has done a great job in this area and has really demonstrated its due diligence in damage.

Congratulations to Lomco Landscape Contractors and employees for this accomplishment.

Contact Terry Murphy at tvmurphy@ ca.inter.net with your comments.

WWW.HORTTRADES.COM 27

PrOSPErITY PArTNErS An interview with Erin Schuler-Van Gilst

By Jacki Hart CLP Prosperity Partners program manager

L

ast month at the Green Trade Expo in Ottawa, I met with Erin SchulerVan Gilst, owner of Create It! of Williamsburg.

A few years ago, I featured a new Prosperity Partners member in each column throughout the year. Erin was one of them, with her young business just getting started. In fact, when Erin took her first Prosperity Partners seminar, she hadn’t actually started her business.

I thought it would be fun to meet with her to see whether or not she is still using the tools in her business that she received from the Build Your Prosperity seminar.

Here’s what she had to say in an interview with me.

Jacki How has the Prosperity language helped you be intentional about how you run your business?

Erin It’s made me visualize my strengths and actually write them down. It’s helped me put down concrete things, like my goals for every year. I use it as a basic outline every winter. It helps me to ask lots of questions of myself about what I’m doing and the direction I’m going.

Jacki How does what you’ve learned through the Prosperity Partners program help rejuvenate your interest and passion, and keep you engaged?

Erin The power of networking really hit home for me in the fi rst seminar.

I realized Erin Schuler-Van Gilst

28 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO MARCH, 2013

way back then (it’s been fi ve years since I took the fi rst Prosperity seminar), that networking keeps me rejuvenated and engaged. It gives me the confi dence of knowing that I have my expertise, and access to lots of additional information when I need it. I also feel really engaged and rejuvenated when I have knowledge to share and offer my peers. It makes you feel good to meet with peers for the mutual improvement, which Tony DiGiovanni always talks about.

Jacki I understand that you’ve just been elected to the Ottawa Chapter board.

Congratulations! What is it about being involved with your chapter that keeps you engaged and rejuvenated?

Erin Even though our chapter meetings are just an hour or two a month, going to them keeps me enthusiastic because everyone else is. Everyone enjoys sharing common interests and challenges, and dreaming for a common goal for the chapter. I believe that in order to do something good and be successful, you have to keep yourself engaged and enthusiastic. At our chapter meetings, there are a lot of great people who keep me engaged and enthused. It goes around, because it also gives me a chance to give something back.

Jacki What do you hope to get from your career by being on the chapter board?

Erin To grow, in terms of my professional network. I want to learn what is in the inner works of the chapter. I’ve always had passion to be a teacher. I would love to teach any age and perhaps by broadening my knowledge through the chapter leaders, I could get involved in industry teaching (at Kemptville college, or LO). I love mentoring fellow members.

Jacki Most recently, what specifi cally has the Prosperity Partners program done to help you with your business and work-life balance?

Erin Prosperity is the language of how my business runs — it’s that simple. On the Congress Warm Up Monday, I took the Effective Management Short Course. It was a great day to focus on my skills as a manager. I’m at a point in my business

where I can begin to step away from the job and do consultations, sales and manage the moving parts.

The workshop gave me some new skills and helped me defi ne where my business is lacking.

Jacki Can you give me an example?

Erin I’m struggling with right-fi t employees.

Some are the right fi t for quality, but don’t have the people skills to interface oneon-one with my clients in an appropriate way. My clients love the miracles I create, but it’s the little things that build relationships which are key, and an ability to communicate in an engaging, confi dent way. I need my people to be able to do the same. The Short Course gave me some food for thought going forward. Jacki, as you put it, you can teach people to do the hard skills, but it’s pretty hard to teach them to smile and be comfortable making eye contact or speaking with confi dence and clarity. Your advice to hire the soft skills fi rst, the hard skills are easier to teach, will go a long way for me.

Jacki What did you like the most about the Effective Management Short Course?

Erin Defi nitely the group interaction was the key for me. It was the whole structure of the day. We had tasks to complete as a group/team. We had to be task oriented and time focused. It was hard core management stuff, and got us very quickly to the point of specifi c skill development as managers.

Jacki I’ve had lots of feedback on the Short Course. What are your thoughts on the value of breakout sessions/networking in a seminar?

Erin It works when people have something positive to say. It’s better to not allow a bitch session. Focus on what’s working, and defi ne what’s not. The tight timelines made the difference of being effective to solve problems. We had no time to drift. The format kept dominant people in check and encouraged quieter people to participate. It was great!

I’m grateful for Erin’s time, and invite other graduates to drop me a line to share their Prosperity story with you.

To experience one for yourself, catch the next Building Your Prosperity seminar on Mar. 15 at LO home office near Milton.

To find out more about it, or to register, go to www.horttrades.com/seminars/2013-03-15/ PP001.

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

PUBLIC RELATIONS Spring promotions

By Denis Flanagan CLD Director of public relations and membership services

A

lready this year, we have had many requests to be involved in public relations opportunities. By taking a team approach, we are managing to keep up with the demand.

Our membership and chapter coordinator Helen Hassard keeps me connected with the chapter requests for public speaking engagements, etc., and trade show coordinator Linda Nodello is a constant

conduit on how we can create connections through our trade show exhibitors.

Our communications department spins its magic weekly by making us look terrific.

Lee Ann Knudsen, Sarah Willis and Allan Dennis edit my articles and often rein me in if it sounds like the article is more fitting for a U.K. soccer magazine rather than an industry article. And then, Robert Ellidge, Kim Burton and Mike Wasilewski all utilize their creative talents to jazz-up articles and presentations.

As a result of all this teamwork, I bring you a selection of some of the public promotions LO will be involved in during the next couple of months.

Curbalicious

BCH Landscaping,

An exciting new promotion with ReMax is Curbalicious.

Finally, a real estate company has decided to put some money behind a campaign to show the effectiveness of professional landscaping.

ReMax is sponsoring four small gardens at Canada Blooms, which will show the diversity of curb appeal and how it increases the value of property.

The gardens will be designed and constructed by LO members, James Garfield Thompson, Ecoman, Invision Landscaping and Plantworld.

At Canada Blooms, visitors will be encouraged to enter a draw with a grand prize of $10,000 to be spent on goods and services with a Landscape Ontario member of One of the award-winning images that will be used in the Curbalicious their choice. The

draw will also be offered at eight different regional home shows across the province, along with a video we will create with Re-Max to promote the benefits of landscaping, featuring landscapes from our Awards of Excellence entries. The video will also be distributed to 8,000 real estate agents across Ontario, and of course featured on our website.

International Master Gardeners Conference

Our membership will be represented at the International Master Gardeners Conference at Deerhurst Resort, near Huntsville, from Apr. 4 to 7.

Along with the annual AGM, there will be an industry update and a presentation on green roof/wall technology.

There are many other large events where LO members have and will promote the benefits of landscaping and the association. One of these events was Success with Gardening Show at the International Centre in Mississauga from Feb. 22 to 24. Two other shows coming up are the Waterloo Home Show at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex from Mar. 22 to 24 and the London Home Show at the Western Fair Grounds in London from Apr. 19 to 21.

And, of course one of the best promotions geared towards consumers of our industry and LO members is the magazine, Garden Inspiration. This year will feature the top landscapes from LO’s Award of Excellence, the trial gardens at LO, Chapter community projects, how to find LO members on landscapeontario.com, and much more.

Denis Flanagan may be contacted at dflanagan@landscapeontario.com.

program to promote the benefits of landscaping.

WWW.HORTTRADES.COM  29

EXECUTIVE DESK Coincidences, relevancy and purpose Tony DiGiovanni CHT LO executive director

C

oincidences are a pleasant mystery to me. They sometimes feel like spiritual communication.

In December, I re-read an excellent book by Viktor Frankl, entitled Man’s Search for Meaning. In it is a quote by Friedrich Nietzsche, “He who has a why to live can bear any how.”

The statement stimulates thought and discussion. To me, it means if you are driven by ‘purpose’ you can withstand many hardships and challenges.

As I relayed in last month’s article, I suggested to our staff that we choose ‘why’ as our word of the year. In everything we do, we must consider and articulate the higher purpose. This will enhance relevancy. It will help to make a real difference in the lives of our members and stakeholders.

Coincidently, Ryan Heath sent me an audio book by Simon Sinek entitled, Start with Why. And, even more of a

coincidence occurred when Jacki Hart reviewed Simon’s book in her January column. (I suspect Ryan sent her the book, too.)

Sinek’s theme is that in order to be truly successful, you must start with ‘why’ you do what you do. He goes on to make an intriguing statement, “People buy why you do it.” People buy your passion, care, mission and attitude. People buy your culture. People buy your integrity. People buy you.

Coincidently, in celebration of our 40th anniversary, Landscape Ontario is developing a website to honour the contribution of our pioneers. As part of this project, a number of past presidents were videotaped by Stuart Service and Mark Disero. What struck me was how well they articulated the purpose and values (the why) of Landscape Ontario. Take a moment to visit http://lopioneers.com/ and listen to Monica van Maris, Tom Intven, Bob Tubby, Gord Shuttleworth, Phil Charal, Barry Benjamin and Karl Stensson talk about why Landscape Ontario exists.

All of the interviews are focused on purpose. Landscape Ontario exists for members to build up and help each other succeed. It is all about enhancing lives.

It is all about making a difference in the lives of our members and public. Our purpose is inspiring. As long as we continue to attract members who are focused on the higher purpose we will continue to succeed.

And speaking of passion and celebration, join me in congratulating the following Landscape Ontario members who were recognized for their outstanding achievements at the National Awards of Excellence ceremony at a recent meeting of CNLA in Niagara Falls (See story on page 25 ).

• Sheridan Nurseries, RBC Grower of the Year Award • The Landmark Group, Dynascape Award of Excellence for Landscape Design • Snider Turf and Landscape Care, John Deere Award of Excellence for Residential Landscape Maintenance • The Cultivated Garden, John Deere Award of Excellence for Commercial Landscape Maintenance • Flynn Canada, Caterpillar Award of Excellence for Commercial Landscape Construction/Installation • Sheridan Nurseries, Unionville, Chrysler Garden Centre of the Year Award.

Congratulations as well to the Ontario category winners Canadale Nurseries for Growing Teams and Sandhill Nursery for Growing Sales • Green for Life Community Award to the Friends of St. James Park and the St. Lawrence Market BIA for the St. James Park Revitalization Project Tony DiGiovanni may be reached at tonydigiovanni@landscapeontario.com.

Featuring:

• Expert speakers • Professional training courses • Guided tours of Toronto’s best green infrastructure projects

30 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO MARCH, 2013

• Trade show featuring the most cutting edge products in green infrastructure

CLASSIFIEDS

employment OPPORTUNITIES

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

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

To advertise: E-mail your name, phone number and ad to Robert at classifieds@landscapeontario. com or fax to (905) 875-0183. Online advertising: Website only ads are available for $67.80 (HST included). Min. order $67.80 for up to 325 words. Website ads are posted for 30 days.

View ads online at www.horttrades.com/classifieds

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T. 905-689-1749 F. 1-888-867-1925 E. info@millgroveperennials.ca www.millgroveperennials.ca FIRST NATURE NURSERY Looking For a Supplier of Native Cuts?

We do Dogwood, Willows and Poplars for live stakes and fencing.

Looking For a Supplier of Native Evergreens?

Ask about our quality supply of potted B&B and wirebasket material.

Looking For a Supplier of Decorative Branches?

Check out our bunches of Pussy Willow, Forsythia and other branches.

Call 905-973-3605 Email wayne@firstnaturenursery.com

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION HELP STONE MASON/HARDSCAPE POSITION • Working knowledge of all aspects of Landscape construction/precast pavers and walls/natural stone walls, flagstone, cladding.

• Lead a crew of 3-5 people.

• Valid drivers licence with abstract.

• 5 years experience minimum.

GLENOAKS LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS 31 Cardico Drive, Gormley, Ontario Call: Joe (416) 936-8562 joe@glenoakslandscaping.com

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES LANDSCAPE TECHNICIAN POSITION: 1. Able to understand blue prints (design drawing) 2. Full knowledge in all landscape construction and equipments (min. experience 5-7 years) 3. Clean driving abstract, G-driving license required, and A -license is a bonus 4. Assist the site supervisor work order, and material requisition 5. Maintain a clean and safe work environment including site and equipment.

Contact Rim Asraoui O : 416-492-6465 • F : 416-492-7667 TF: 866-492-6465

Have openings for: Commercial Landscape Estimator Requirements: • College Diploma in Landscape or C.E.T. • 5 years experience in commercial landscape, estimating and selling • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills • Able to provide full cost estimates, submit proposals and quotations, and diligent sales follow up to secure projects.

• Motivated self starter with a desire to advance your career with an industry leader • Excellent computer skills including Excel, Dynascape knowledge helpful Residential Landscape Design-Sales • Minimum 3-5 years experience preparing designs for residential customers • Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills • Landscape Diploma, Dynascape knowledge with the attention to detail • Involves some evening and Saturday work • Position has flexibility as to full time year round or seasonal Both positions offer excellent compensation based on experience, benefit plan.

Send resume to info@helmutz.com www.helmutz.com

ADVERTISERS Amberg Tree Farms

Braun Nursery Ltd. www.braungroup.com Canadale Nurseries www.canadale.com Connon Nurseries/NVK Holdings Inc. www.connonnurseries.com Great Lakes New Holland Inc. www.glhn.ca Hillen Nursery Inc. www.hillennursery.com Legends Landscape Supply Inc. www.landscapestore.ca Limestone Trail Company Ltd www.limestonetrail.com Mankar Distributing Inc www.mankarulv.com Newroads National Leasing www.newroadsleasing.com Oakville Dodge Chrysler www.lockwoodchrysler.com Potters Road Nursery Inc. www.pottersroadnursery.com Rymar Synthetic Grass Ltd www.rymar.ca Sipkens Nurseries Ltd. www.sipkensnurseries.com Stam Nurseries www.stamnurseries.com Uxbridge Nurseries Ltd www.uxbridgenurseries.com V. Kraus Nurseries Ltd www.krausnurseries.com

Phone:519-941-8046

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Phone: 800-246-6984

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Phone: 519-631-1008

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Phone: 905-628-0112

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Phone: 866-767-2958

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Phone: 519-264-9057

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Phone: 905-336-3369

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Phone:800-810-8223

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Phone:647-309-7826

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Phone: 416-587-1021

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Phone: 289-644-2250

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Phone: 519-688-0437

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Phone: 888-924-7277

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Phone: 866-843-0438

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Phone: 519-424-3350

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Phone: 877-655-3379

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Phone: 905-689-4022

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32 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO MARCH, 2013