The New Jersey Landscape Contractor Magazine - February 2017

THE NEW JERSEY

Winter 2016-17

Landscape Contractor

The Official Publication of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association

2O17: A Landscape Odyssey

Published By

The New Jersey Landscape Contractor magazine is the official publication of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association, dedicated to the professional landscape industry of New Jersey. NJLCA was founded in 1966 as the Bergen County Landscape Contractors Association, and is today comprised of over 550 member companies throughout New Jersey.

New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association 465 Boulevard, Elmwood Park, NJ 07407 Phone | 201-703-3600 -- Fax | 201-703-3776 E-mail | info@njlca.org Visit our website at www.NJLCA.org Publisher/Editor Gail E. Woolcott Contributing Writers Joe Bolognese | Josh Braen | Greg Carpenter, CLT Kenneth Cerullo, Esq. | Paul Cimini Sr. | Barry Draycott Matt Elmore, PhD | John Helander | Bob Hibler Arnulfo Hinojosa | Nelson Lee | Brian Lenskold Daniel G. Moreland, CCPR | Theresa Munitillo | Emil Pescatore John Raffiani | Rob Swanekamp | Jerry Vogel | Karen Walzer Bill Webb | Gail Woolcott NJLCA Combined Board President | Nelson Lee Vice President | Richard Goldstein, CLT Treasurer | Greg Carpenter, CLT Director | Anthony Agudelo Director | Jeff Baker Director | Tom Barillo Director | Justin Flatow, CLT Director | John Freitag Director | George Futterknecht, CLT Director | Dan Kindergan Director | Michael McMorrow Associate Director | Joe Bolognese Associate Director | David Gaynor Associate Director | Gregg Straffin Advisor | Dr. Bruce Clarke, Rutgers University Advisor | Dr. Steven Fischer, Bergen Community College Advisor | Dr. James Murphy, Rutgers University The New Jersey Landscape Contractor magazine is published triannually. 600 print copies are distributed to members and over 3,000 digital issues are sent to professionals in the Green Industry of New Jersey, as well as educational and governmental institutions. Subscription rates: $45.00 per year; $15.00 per copy. New Jersey residents only, please add 7% sales tax.

To advertise in The New Jersey Landscape Contractor, please contact Gail Woolcott at (201) 703-3600 or e-mail gwoolcott@njlca.org.

Article and photo submissions are encouraged and may be sent to NJLCA at the above address. Publisher assumes no responsibility for safekeeping or return of photos or manuscripts, and reserves all rights to edit material submitted for publication. © 2017 New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the publisher.

PUBLISHED February 2017

contents

Winter 2016-17

FEATURES

6 2016 Landscape Achievement Awards 20 F.U. 54 Why Am I Paying Too Much for Snow Insurance

SPECIAL FEATURE: 2017 & Beyond

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False-Green Kyllinga Stand-On Mower Dedicated for Snow Cast Stone Walls New Year, New Initiatives Water Features: Beyond the Pond Jersey-Friendly Yards Don’t Be the Victim of a Scam New & Innovative Hardscaping Options What’s New with Organics?

Growing Success: What’s New 2017 Artificial Grass: Ahead of the Game Innovative Retaining Wall Technology Gives Landscape Contractors an Entry Into the “Big Block” Wall Business What Does President Trump Mean for the H-2B Program

IN EVERY ISSUE...

NJLCA News Briefs 4 President’s Message 5 Letter from the Editor 5 The Buzz: Industry News 22 Landscape NJ 2017 Trade Show & Conference 35 Welcome New Members 35 Advertiser Index

Columns

21 Can You Dig It

35 Makin Cents 41 Certifiable

43 Snow Caps

45 Turf Talk NJLCA.ORG

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President’s Message

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reetings Members, For those of you who may not be aware, our Combined Board is in the process of finding a suitable A fifth-generation 30-acre facility supplying one of the replacement for our most diverse selections of plant material and landscape Executive Director position. We are products in Northern NJ. searching for someone who shares our • Trees and shrubs • Sod vision and can help us grow, add value to • Annuals and perennials • Tools all of you, our members, as well as advo• Bagged or bulk soil • Ice Melt products cate for us legislatively. Please keep us in mulch and stone mind if you think of anyone who may be • Techo-Bloc a good fit for this position.

• Liberty Stone • Decorative stone There are lots of great things hap• Grass seed and fertilizer pening for us in 2017. The snow bill has been passed, with a unanimous vote from the NJ State Senate. We have sevNursery Division eral more hoops to jump through for it David Casselli - E-mail: Dave@condursos.com to be enacted, but we are optimistic.

Carol Como - E-mail: Carol@condursogc.com We are working with the New Jersey Hardgoods Division Nursery and Landscape Association to John Ruggiero - E-mail: JohnR@condursos.com obtain a 2,500 per association grant to “We are not just another garden center we are a destination” assist in expenses to help us advocate against the Blower Ban in Maplewood.

I did attend the GIE in Louisville, Kentucky in October and got to see a 96 River Road, Montville, NJ 07045 lot of new products that will help us to Ph.: 973-263-8814 Fax: 973-263-2614 www.condursos.com become more efficient and productive, friendlier to the environment and dazzle our clients. There was something new for every type of landscape contractor on display at the ability we have to not only service our clients but also Condursos2016.indd 1 2/12/2016 10:52:48 AM help preserve the world we live in.

GIE. For maintenance contractors, there was a large The 40th anniversary of our trade show is on March assortment of electric powered equipment, from riding 8th 2017. The show is sports themed and has somemowers, to back pack blowers and string trimmers. thing for everyone. Stop in and get some pesticide Could this be the answer for summer blower bans in some towns? For design/ build contractors, there were credits, take some classes, see vendors from nurseries so many new varieties of hardscape products from pav- to truck dealers and everything your landscape company may need. ers to man-made rocks, and equipment to help install them as well. There are also virtual reality goggles that Have a great spring, your client can wear to see the design you have created in 3 dimension from anywhere in the virtual yard. In addition, new, environmentally friendly chemicals are now available to treat lawns for everything from weeds to fungus, and even deer control Nelson Lee, President I am amazed at how much we as an industry have progressed in the past 30 years and how much more l

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The Buzz We are so appreciative of all of our members here at the NJLCA, but each year, several who have gone above and beyond are chosen to receive awards at our annual Holiday Gala and Achievement Awards Dinner (Save the date: December 12, 2017). The following people/ companies were awarded for their dedication and commitment to the association and the industry.

2016 Associate of the Year: Bob Hibler, Gamka Sales Co. and New Jersey Deer Control

2016 Contractor of the Year: Greg Carpenter, CLT, American Beauty Landscape Design

2016 Volunteer of the Year: Jason Cina, CLT, Chris James Landscaping

2016 Budding Contractor: Scott Hild, Scott Hild Landscaping

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Letter from the Editor

s I write this, the wind is blowing hard and there are approximately 9 inches of snow on the ground. Yet yesterday, it was 65 degrees outside! Welcome to New Jersey, is all I have to say!

In this issue, we celebrate our winners of the 2016 Landscape Achievement Awards. The competition gets better every year and it was great to see so many new and returning faces at the Achievement Awards Dinner and Holiday Gala. We broke a record with 175 attendees this year! If you want to view the photos from the dinner, go to www.jeniferstudio.com and click on “Client Access”. Where it says, “Enter your access code:”, type in njlca (all lowercase) and click “Go”. You will then be asked for a password, which is also njlca (all lowercase). Enter njlca and click “Go”. You will see three albums, Candids, Details, and Portraits. Click on any of those to access the photos. Click on the thumbnail of the first photo and it will enlarge. You may now click through all of the images by clicking the arrows above the thumbnails.

If you would like to download a photo (without the Jenifer Studio Photography watermark on them), simply right click once on the photo and then left click where it says “Download” or run your mouse over the top left hand corner of the photo until you see a menu, where you can choose “Download”. You may also make and purchase an album, or order prints directly on the site, by choosing “Make an Album” or “Buy”.

As I’m sure you are all aware, it’s Trade Show season! This year, for our 40th Annual Trade Show, we have one heck of a party for you, with loads of DEP credit sessions (that Mike Reed promises will be interesting) and business presentations.

The theme of this year’s show is sports and you will see that theme everywhere, including at our Silent Auction, where we have some fantastic signed sports memorabilia, tickets to games and more. Don’t forget to stop by the lounge on the trade show floor to check everything out. One thing to note this year is that you must pre-register for most of our classes (except for those on the stage). This will allow us to make sure everyone has a seat! Furthermore, you must check out the PreCon Workshops that will be held on March 7th. They are packed full of amazing speakers and topics, and are at a price you can’t beat, considering they include registration for the trade show on March 8th!

Last but certainly not least, spend some time visiting your favorite vendors and getting to know new ones. You never know when you might find that product or service that will save you time, money, or both.

You may notice that this issue is thicker than usual. That’s because in addition to the Landscape Achievement Awards and Trade Show info, I have packed a full issue of the magazine into it, with everything that is new and exciting in 2017 and beyond. Hopefully, this issue will get you excited for the show and the season, which will be here before we know it. We had so many great articles, I actually have some saved for the May issue!

Once again, it is so great to see all of you at our monthly meetings and we hope that you attend as many as you can. The knowledge that you can gain from not only the speakers, but the other members in the room, is worth every penny of your membership dues (plus...free food). It’s a no-brainer!

Don’t forget to register for all of the great events we have the rest of this month and in March. And some may say, most importantly, The Tony DeFeo Annual Pizza Night, sponsored by NJLCA. Everyone gets as much pizza as they can stomach, beer you can enjoy (safely) and prizes to bring home! And don’t forget those guessing games. Tony is getting pretty good at creating ones that you can’t Google! Happy Spring!

Gail E. Woolcott Editor in Chief NJLCA Director of Operations

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Feature Story

Monello Landscape Industries Wins Two NJLCA Landscape Achievement Awards

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onello Landscape Industries, located in Wayne, New Jersey has won first prize, the Award of Excellence, in the NJLCA’s Residential Landscape Design/Build: Landscape Lighting category for the Wayne Lighting Project.

Monello Landscape converted this outdated lighting system into a state of the art, LED lighting show room. The products were all Coastal Source, and include 70+ bullet lights, 40+ path lights, 25+ tiki torch lights, 90+ wash lights, 40+ lip lights and six transformers to illuminate this backyard paradise. In addition, there are LED multi-color strips illuminating the bar area, as well as the veneer water-wall into the pool. All of the LED lights have the ability to be controlled by an app on the homeowner’s phone. This backyard paradise could not have been possible without the lighting system showcasing every feature, from the waterfalls to the plantings.

The blue lenses and bullet lights were particularly hard to place in the rocks around the waterfall to both hide the lights from being visible to the eye, but to also properly illuminate

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the falling water. All of the LED strip lighting was soldered for a better connection, and wire harnesses were created for more stability. All of the tiki torch LED lights were core drilled into the outdoor kitchen bar top.

Monello Landscape also won an Award of Distinction in Design/Build: Commercial for its “Weymouth Massachusetts Courtyard” project and an Award of Distinction in Poolscapes: Over $300,000 for its “Pool Carved Into a Mountain” project. See “And the Winner’s Are...” on pages 12-17.

Joe Monello established Monello Landscape Industries, LLC over 28 years ago. For nearly three decades, Monello Landscapes has continued to uphold the values of innovative artistry and attention to detail that clients have come to expect.

Monello Landscape Industries specializes in residential and commercial landscaping of all shapes and sizes. From retaining walls, to outdoor kitchens, fire pits, snow and ice management, commercial site work etc. The foundations of Monello Landscapes Industries, LLC lie on the experience of its staff. The team is headed by Joe Monello, who holds a Bachelor of Science from Rutgers University in Environmental Planning and Design, and is made up of employees that stay on top of the latest developments in the landscaping field. Joe says, “At Monello Landscapes, we strive to let our crafted works speak for themselves. Each home is treated as if it were our own, giving our valued client the guarantee of our full commitment to their project. We have outstanding referrals and testimonials that are available on request and we are proud to be a Better Business Bureau Accredited company.”

For more information, visit www.MonelloLandscape.com.

Feature Story

Scenic Landscaping Wins Three NJLCA Landscape Achievement Awards

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cenic Landscaping, located in Haskell, New Jersey has won two Awards of Excellence and one Award of Distinction for projects entered in the 2016 NJLCA Landscape Achievement Awards.

Design/Build: Ponds and Water Features

Scenic entered this category with their Bernardsville Water Feature and won the Award of Excellence. This client was looking to expand their patio, adding a spa. As the project progressed, however, they had second thoughts and were concerned about winterizing the spa, as well as not using it as much as they had planned. Last minute, Scenic’s landscape architect created a new concept that turned the spa into a double level water feature with spillways. In order to keep it cost effective, they used fiberglass basins that recirculate the water.

Design/Build: Landscape Installation: $25,000 - $50,000 Scenic entered the Wyckoff Residence Landscape Design in this category.

This particular client wanted to create a landscape that would thrive and evolve each season. They wanted the plantings to screen them from neighbors and the street and also wanted many planters throughout the property, which could be updated often. The stairways evened out the grade changes, while giving a sense that there was a variety of rooms.

Scenic also won an Award of Distinction in Design/Build: Landscape Installation with Pool: Over $500,000 for its “Wyckoff Residence - Pool and Landscape” project. See “And the Winner Is..” on pages 16-19.

Scenic Landscaping consists of highly qualified employees, who are committed to sharing their knowledge and keep up with industry developments year after year.

Scenic Landscaping, LLC doesn’t bend to the whims of nature. They stand strongly behind a promise of unsurpassed quality, unmatched service, and an attention to detail found nowhere else.

Scenic’s services include Residential and Commercial Landscape Design, Residential and Commercial Landscape Construction, Garden Enhancement Services, Landscape Maintenance, Commercial Snow Removal, Commercial Sweeping, Outdoor Lighting, Lawn Care, Pool Landscaping, and Outdoor Living Spaces.

For more information, visit www.ScenicLandscaping.com.

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Feature Story

Sponzilli Landscape Group Wins Two NJLCA Landscape Achievement Awards

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ponzilli Landscape Group, located in Fairfield, New Jersey has won first prize, the Award of Excellence, in the NJLCA’s Residential Design/Build: Landscape Installation: $25,000 - $50,000 category for The Cherichella Residence.

This outdoor fireplace with an integrated rustic cedar pergola and irregular bluestone patio, features a dry laid bluestone patio, 2” of thermal bluestone mantle and fireplace trim pieces, black slate urn water feature set in a bed of river cobble, a custom cedar pergola with chunky sized lumber and woodland edge plantings. The fireplace was pre-built before the pergola was installed. Since two of the four posts were to be set in the fireplace, footings had to be perfectly located.

Sponzilli also won an Award of Merit in Design/Build: Landscape Installation with Pool: $250,000 - $500,000 for its

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“Glenn Residence” project. See “And the Winner Is...” on pages 16-19.

Sponzilli Landscape Group is an award-winning landscaping company specializing in both Residential and Commercial Landscaping design, construction, and maintenance in the Northern New Jersey and New York City area.

Their goal is to provide the highest level of service in the landscaping industry in NJ and NYC, and to continue to be known for the quality of their landscape design work and genuine commitment to their clients.

Sponzilli has always believed that the work they do should reflect the individuality of their clients. After more than 40 years, they continue to be the company that conceives and creates commercial and residential landscapes that truly stand apart.

For more information, visit www.sponzilli.com.

Feature Story

Landscape Perceptions Wins NJLCA Landscape Achievement Award for “Pro Re Nata”

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andscape Perceptions, located in Oakland, New Jersey has won the Award of Excellence, the top award, in the NJLCA’s Design/Build: Landscape Installation: $50,000 $100,000 category for Pro Re Nata.

They were charged with creating an outdoor entertainment space that provided ample seating, a covered bar area, an outdoor kitchen including a wood fired pizza oven, a water feature, fire, lighting, outdoor TV and landscaping to the surrounding areas.

For Pro Re Nata (a medical term meaning “take as needed”), Landscape Perceptions ran into deer, drainage

and grade change issues, but persevered.

The judges said about the project, that it was an amazing pavillion, a great use of fire and water, and an excellent transition of the rear yard, with lots of great detail.

Landscape Perceptions Design / Build Firm combines the art of Landscape Architecture with the skills of Landscape Construction to professionally create a well-balanced outdoor living environment customized to their clients needs. Their staff includes only professionals who provide a personalized design service, a group of individuals who carefully analyze existing site conditions, develop a comprehensive design and then carry out the implementation of a landscape project.

Their work is carried out by their own crews or highly skilled tradesmen, and is overseen by the Landscape Architect who designed the project. With the expertise of their carpenters, masons, plumbers and electricians, as well as their Landscape Artisans, and their close collaboration with pool and spa companies, Landscape Perceptions ensures a beautiful and functional landscape environment.

For more information, visit www.landper.com.

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Feature Story

Todé Landscape Wins Two NJLCA Landscape Achievement Awards

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ode Landscape, located in Midland Park, New Jersey has won first prize, the Award of Excellence, in the NJLCA’s Residential Landscape Design/Build: Landscape Installation: $50,000 - $100,000 category for Brick and Bluestone in Westfield, NJ. This two tier patio, firepit, seat wall and outdoor kitchen were created to complement the new addition to the home. Taking into account the architecture, Tode Landscape created this usable space with defining areas incorporating different materials and patterns.

Once excavation began, they found three 60” caliper oak stumps that had been covered up and had to be removed.

Drainage lines from the garage also had to be re-routed for the new outdoor kitchen.

The judges said that this project demonstrated quality craftsmanship and was a good use of brick and bluestone.

They continued that the material blends well with this older home with beautiful detail and the plant material fit the house architecture and look as well.

Tode Landscape also won an Award of Merit in Design/ Build: Landscape Lighting for its “Westfield, NJ” project. See “And the Winner Is...” on pages 16-19.

Michael B. Todé is President of Todé Landscape Contractors, Inc., located in Midland Park, New Jersey. Todé is a full-service landscape company that has been providing the highest quality of landscape services to homeowners and commercial properties in the North Jersey area for over 20 years. Mike holds a BS degree from West Virginia Univer-

sity, an AAS degree in Horticulture from Bergen Community College, and is a Certified Landscape Technician. Mike’s passion for landscaping and horticulture comes through in all of his designs and work as he strives to take a client’s ideas and create a landscape design that is executed with superior craftsmanship and ingenuity.

Tode’s technicians go through constant training on subjects of safety and updated industry practices. By participatting in the exam administered by NJLCA, they have employees that are Landscape Industry Certified, a certification awarded through NALP, the National Association of Landscape Professionals, representing the industry’s highest standards of landscape professionalism.

For more information, visit www.todelandscape.com.

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Feature Story

Wicklow and Laurano Landscape Contractors Wins Three NJLCA Landscape Achievement Awards

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icklow and Laurano Landscape Contractors, located in Flanders, New Jersey has won two Awards of Excellence and one Award of Distinction for projects entered in the 2016 NJLCA Landscape Achievement Awards.

Design/Build: Landscape Installation: $50,000 - $100,000 Wicklow and Laurano entered this category with Hoboken Residence. This Hoboken Estate’s rear yard was dark, dingy and over-grown. The project consisted of hand dug excavation for a custom made fireplace with planter, self-contained drainage system along the perimeter of the turf, a dropped bluestone patio beneath a redesigned deck, reconstructed front basement entrance and custom made bluestone slab steps at the front entry. All material was brought in and out of the site by using 5 gallon buckets through the basement.

In addition to the hardscape, plantings were installed as well as turf, lighting and irrigation. The completed work created a personal, one-of-a-kind outdoor entertainment oasis within the busy city of Hoboken.

the edge of the existing woods were transformed.

All Masonry and hardscape materials were a direct reflection of the newly constructed home, creating the perfect relationship between interior and exterior spaces. Through advanced construction and attention to detail, this once bland property was transformed into a lush estate.

Wicklow and Laurano also won an Award of Distinction in Design/Build: Landscape Installation:$50,000-$100,000 for its “Bedminster Residence” project. See “And the Winner Is...” on pages 16-19.

Wicklow and Laurano Landscaping and Excavating is a full service, high-end, residential and commercial landscape firm. They specialize in the management and implementation of all aspects of each project ranging from site development, custom masonry, hardscaping and plantings, as well as property maintenance.

For more information, visit www.wicklowandlaurano.com.

Design/Build: Landscape Installation: Over $100,000 This Bernardsville residence was a new construction project, meaning every element from initial excavation and grading to the landscaping and installation of a BBQ island were performed. As a generally freeform design, the curves and angles of the project were carefully executed to ensure clean edges and continuous site lines. The use of stone veneer and boulder walls complemented the unique grading of the site, providing different levels of entertainment, balanced by colorful landscaping. By the layering of lawn, pea gravel and plantings that were strategically placed by increasing heights,

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Feature Story

Thomas Flint Landscape Design & Development Wins Four like water feature as opposed to the traditional spillway look, which allowed Thomas Flint to place boulders so that they were just cresting the waterline, creating a nice perch for sitting and having their feet in the water.

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homas Flint Landscape Design & Development, located in Midland Park, New Jersey has won first prize, the Award of Excellence, in four different categories of the 2016 Landscape Achievement Awards.

Design/Build: Landscape Installation with Pool: Up to $100,000 The Bakhash Residence had a relatively large yard with enormous exiting trees, making it a challenge to locate the lagoon pool in a sunny location, while also meeting the client’s demands for a large lawn area. They decided to nestle the pool into a grove of mature Beech trees for a natural backdrop and created a blind wall with boulders to elevate the area behind the waterfall for plantings. They located the raised spa in the back, adjacent to the waterfall to create a strong focal point. The contrast of the boulder work and the cleanliness of the veneer are the highlights of the pool. The oversized gunite base for the waterfall sits within the confines of the pool shell, which eliminates the tile border below the falls to create a more natural look and submerges the boulders into the water. The client also requested a stream

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Design/Build: Landscape Installation with Pool: $100,000 - $250,000 The McCarthy Residence, a quaint village property, posed a perfect opportunity for a classic rectangle pool and spa with a little flair and some understated elegance. The client questioned the possibility of a pool fitting in this backyard with the variable grades, existing cabana and the elevation of the house all being different. This simple but stunning pool was the missing piece that ties all of the existing elements together. Taking advantage of the sloped lot, Thomas Flint was able to seamlessly connect the spa area with the existing cabana. The bluestone slab steps adjoin the house with the pool. The stonework on walls and steps is made to match the dry stacked thin veneer on the spa and acts as “the golden thread” that anchors the pool to the garden. The offset spa breaks up the monotony of the simple pool and the dark plaster highlights the reflections of the stonework, landscape and sky.

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Feature Story

NJLCA Landscape Achievement Awards stairs that seamlessly continue into the water. Nestled in and around the staircases, the perimeter overflow spa floats 4” above the raised patio, as you move through the landscape it reveals itself to show 28” of exposed iridescent glass tile, creating a tranquil water element right in the middle of the backyard. A 2’ high raised beam water wall helps to distract from road noise and mimics the stonework on the retaining walls by the house. The addition of 600+ fiber optic starlights on the floor and walls of the pool ensure that it is just as dramatic at night.

Design/Build: Landscape Installation with Pool: $250,000 - $500,000 This client wanted a lap pool, but his wife wanted an infinity edge at The Millstein Residence. The flat backyard of this property borders a high school and active tennis courts. We encouraged the clients to keep the mature plantings to maintain screening and provide a dramatic backdrop to help soften the scale of the 75’ long pool. A 6’ tall, freestanding water feature wall was designed to drown out background noise.

The raised beam wall also hides pool equipment and frames the mature trees behind. The large, 10-12 person perimeter overflow spa mimics the shape of the shallow end, while the deep end narrows down to 16’, enough for two swim lanes.

Led by owner Tom Flint, Thomas Flint Landscape Design & Development, is a landscape design and custom pool contractor firm servicing the tri-state area since 2003.

Their goal is to produce an outdoor living space that fits the way their clients live and focusing on doing their work better than anyone else. They have an in-house team of skilled stone masons and formally trained landscape designers, all who adhere to strict construction standards.

Thomas Flint provides landscape design and plantings, pool renovations, custom swimming pools and water features, custom stonework, patios and paver walkways, and outdoor lighting.

For more information, visit www.thomasflintlandscape.com.

Design/Build: Landscape Installation with Pool: Over $500,000 For The Stocker Residence, the clients gave Thomas Flint Landscape an enormous amount of leeway to design their backyard. They utilized a small window of opportunity to change the grade to create three separate spaces, all connected by the pool. They were able to create a grand set of

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Feature Story

Landscape Techniques Wins Two NJLCA Landscape Achievement Awards

which spills 40” via an 18’ spill rock into a lower, 1,100 sq. ft. free form pool. The pool is surrounded by 3,900 sq. ft. of wet laid full range natural cleft bluestone. All surrounding stonework is PA Colonial Fieldstone. There were no natural drainage opportunities on this site and it was difficult to locate all pool equipment 9’ below grade within the cabana basement. An emergency water control security system was devised for protection of the cabana, utilizing sensors that would shut the system down in an emergency.

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andscape Techniques, located in Nutley, New Jersey has won two first prize Awards of Excellence, in the NJLCA’s Residential Design/Build: Landscape Installation with Pool: $250,000 - $500,000 category for The Goldstein Residence and The Marcus Residence.

The goal for The Goldstein Residence was to design and build a functional, yet elegant, space for family and friends to enjoy throughout the year. This was achieved by creating multiple outdoor living spaces within the compact, hillside site. The yard is divided up into tiers, which include a lower garden, a main patio with fireplace, kitchen and pool, a raised spa and patio area, children’s play area with play structure and expansive lawn areas surrounded by large, native plant material. The property is located on the top of a mountain of solid rock and required removal of 100 tons of shot rock.

The Marcus Residence is a large, upscale property. The owners were simply looking for an interesting pool/spa combo, with an adjacent cabana structure. Landscape Techniques embraced the request, utilizing the natural grade changes to their advantage, creating a 180 sq. ft. raised spa,

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Landscape Techniques has over thirty years of experience in the design and construction of beautiful, functional commercial and private landscapes in the Tri-State Area. During their long history, they have created beautiful and functional spaces for hundreds of private homes and estates, as well as high-profile businesses and public areas, such as Liberty Science Center and Liberty State Park, the Wall of Honor at Ellis Island, the Long Branch Beach walk redevelopment, and several public park projects.

Owner, Brian Koribanik holds a BS in Landscape Architecture from Cook College, Rutgers University.

For more information, visit www.landscapetechniquesinc.net.

Feature Story

Cipriano Landscape Design Wins NJLCA Landscape Achievement Award for O’Connor Residence

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ipriano Landscape Design, located in Ridgewood, New Jersey has won the Award of Excellence, the top award, in the NJLCA’s Design/Build: Landscape Installation with Pool: Over $500,000 category for The O’Connor Residence.

This project showcases a magnificent backyard attraction that features some of the most unique luxury pool amenities imaginable. The 1000 sq. ft. swimming pool includes a luxurious spa, fiber optic lighting, iridescent glass tile finishes and three waterfalls. The mountainous structure beyond the pool mixes natural and artificial stone to form a waterfall backdrop across the backyard.

One of the most challenging aspects of the project was

creating an 8 foot high waterfall and grotto structure in a flat backyard, while maintaining the natural style of the design.

Horticulture, masonry and water features are, President of Cipriano Landscape Design, Chris Cipriano’s lifelong passions.

His 25 years of experience in all aspects of the green industry have led him to create a landscape and swimming pool design / build firm that handles every aspect of a custom swimming pool and landscape projects from the ground up. Chris’s expertise ranges from preliminary site evaluation and analysis to initiating the overall development of the site, which is then integrated into a master plan of the property with his NJ landscape architecture staff. Chris is the infield designer responsible for most of the finishes selected for a project; he is also responsible for selection of stone and plants within waterfall and swimming pool areas.

For more information, visit www.plantnj.com.

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Feature Story

And the Winner Is...

Maintenance: Commercial Award of Merit - Siciliano Landscape Co. Project: CommVault Siciliano Landscape has provided CommVault, the first and premier corporate resident of the old Fort Monmouth property, for the last several years. New construction and lots of deer have been a challenge, but the site works great and has seasonal interest.

Maintenance: Residential Award of Distinction - Siciliano Landscape Co. Project: Scothigh Siciliano provides residential maintenance for this 30 acre estate in the heart of Rumson. 10 acres of the property have been groomed and maintained by them for the past 25 years for the same owner.

The property includes a service and a formal entrance, the backyard, a driveway passing next to the stables and a “secret� rose garden.

Award of Merit - Horizon Landscape Co. Project: Macaluso Residence This project consists of keeping the property in its finest shape.

Horizon provides full maintenance, including treating the lawn to provide a deep green, weed free grass, prune the plant material and complete bed maintenance. They also provide the homeowner with seasonal enhancements throughout the season, including planting annuals, green giant arborvitaes and Dogwood trees.

Landscape Design/Build: Commercial Award of Distinction - Monello Landscape Industries Project: Weymouth Massachusetts Courtyard Monello carefully designed, planned and organized this large courtyard project and was able to complete the task in 6 weeks.

This nursing home courtyard has every feature ADA compliant, from the handicap ramp to bistro tables. Additional features include two outdoor kitchens, bar, outdoor TV, four bistro tables, fountain with seat wall, custom company logo cut into pavers, seat walls with planting beds, window boxes, audio and LED lighting.

All of the pavers and walls were Techo-Bloc product, lighting and audio were all Coastal Source products.

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Feature Story Landscape Design/Build: School

Award of Merit - American Beauty Landscape Design Project: Parkway School Outdoor Classroom American Beauty created this outdoor classroom to create an outdoor teaching area with each of the four gardens, that are connected to the first through fourth grade science curriculums. The four gardens include dwarf conifer, perennial and deciduous plant life cycle, butterfly garden/ life cycle and farming, in which proceeds of sold crops benefitted the school.

Landscape Design/Build: Lighting Award of Merit - Tode Landscape Project: Westfield, NJ Project This landscape lighting project shows off the home’s architecture and larger plant material. It also enhances the backyard patio and entertaining area. One of the challenges of this project were the large roots from mature trees, which had to be dug through.

Landscape Design/Build: Installation: $25,000 - $50,000 Award of Distinction - Siciliano Landscape Co. Project: Bellevue Ave, Rumson This landscape renovation to the existing home redirected and captured downspouts and surface water to a new dry well. The project incorporated new decorative entrance piers. Siciliano also resurfaced the existing driveway.

Award of Merit - LawnMax LLC Project: Glen Court Landscape Design and Build This was a complete makeover of entire property including stump, walkway, old turf and landscape removal. Regraded and installed steps, walkway, garden walls, plant material and retaining walls.

Also installed sprinkler, sod and annual bed plantings. There was an extremely uneven grade that needed to be properly retained with a 90’ retaining was built to code using geo-textiles, fill, etc.

Landscape Design/Build: Installation: $50,000 - $100,000 Award of Distinction - D. Panetta Contracting, LLC Project: Design and Build DP1 Renovation of a 20 year old pool and backyard. Included demolition and removal of existing coping, concrete patio, plants, trees and shrubs. Installed new hardscape and landscape as per 3-D design. Faced with tight access, the installation of the dive rocks was complicated, but made for an excellent feature.

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Feature Story Landscape Design/Build: Installation: $50,000 - $100,000 Award of Distinction - Wicklow & Laurano Landscape Contr.

Project: Bedminster Residence Complete redesign of this project included refacing the barn and extensive landscaping. The addition of weathered a wood Belgian block entrance and parking areas, and pea gravel drives, highlight the rustic aesthetics of the property. Specific landscaping, masonry walls, and hardscape surfaces perfectly merged old and new. Carefully installed wildflowers, distinct planting beds and undulating lawn lines help to finish off the exquisite property.

Award of Merit - CLC Landscape Design Project: A Yard to Entertain In - Sparta, NJ This blank slate called for several outdoor living spaces. Designed and installed large pergola as a dining area. To create more interest, the flat backyard was excavated, creating a slightly sunken firepit patio. Surrounding the patio with masonry seat walls provided overflow space for parties. Evergreen tree screening and deer resistant ornamental grasses and perennials were installed.

Landscape Design/Build: Installation: Over $100,000

Award of Distinction - Horizon Landscape Co. Project: Ufferfilge Residence This project included installation of new landscape, extensive retaining walls with grading, hardscape, privacy and enhancement plantings, an outdoor kitchen and fire pit. 13% slope with drainage easement required planning board approval due to the large volume of soil required to create functional space.

Award of Distinction - Battinelli Enterprises Project: Greenwood Lake Rustic Lodge Transformed this once rough and rocky property by excavating large amounts of rock and installing multi-level patio with curved stone walls and bluestone tops, curved bench seating with custom wood burning firepit, 12’ custom gas firepit, lush planting beds, sod, mulch, fencing, custom rock garden with riverstone, LED lighting and stonework that incorporated the original rocky terrain that could not be excavated.

Award of Merit - Limone Farm & Gardens Project: Rivkin Residence This project was initially faced with strict lot coverage restrictions.

With many hours of design prep, they were able to complete a backyard experience that created a spa-like living environment. The project included main and upper patios, and a private patio backed by a naturalized waterfall, along with two fire pits. Also installed a backdrop of plants for privacy. Asphalt driveway was removed and installed paver patio.

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Feature Story Landscape Design/Build: Installation with Pool: Up to $100,000 Award of Merit - D. Panetta Contracting, LLC Project: Hardscape J3 This project was a new construction of a pool and hardscape. Included paver patio with coping, wet cast stepping stone for dive rock, steps to upper patio around hot tub, pillars and a fire pit area.

Tight access to the job site offered a challenge, but succumbed to the expertise of the installation crew.

Landscape Design/Build: Installation with Pool: $100,000 - $250,000 Award of Distinction - D. Panetta Contracting, LLC Project: Hardscape S1 Circular patio, fireglass filled fire feature, new walkway and steps to the pool patio, with custom cut round radius corners, were some of the extensive features of this unique project. The most intriguing feature was installing the underground bar on the property, which took creative thinking, but was executed perfectly.

Landscape Design/Build: Installation with Pool: $250,000 - $500,000 Award of Distinction - CLC Landscape Design Project: Luxurious Backyard in Randolph, NJ To meet the clients desires of a completely relaxing backyard, a raised dining patio was added to the existing flat facade, with a raised spa waterfall on the back side of the swimming pool. A pergola, with a louvered roof was designed to open in the sun and close in the rain. Patio and adjacent walkways were designed with angular lines to complement the contemporary style of the home. Boulders, waterfalls and fire were included in the more natural scenery.

Award of Merit - Sponzilli Landscape Group Project: Glenn Residence Rear yard landscape transformation included an inground gunite pool on upper level. Natural stacked stone wall implemented to create grade change between pool level and lower yard. Pool level boasts a pergola with retractable shade, patio, lounge area, bluestone walkway and evergreens. Lower level includes outdoor kitchen and bar counter, with natural stone seating area.

Landscape Design/Build: Installation with Pool: Over $500,000 Award of Distinction - Scenic Landscaping Project: Wyckoff Residence At the clients request, this project required a Caribbean feel. Larger additions included outdoor bar, kitchen area and cabana/bathroom, as well as small details such as intricately placed extra fine pebbles detailing the edge of the pool. The resort style waterfall became the focal point and gathered the most attention. The patio surrounding the pool provides intimate seating areas along with meticulous garden spaces throughout the property.

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F.U. Don’t get your shorts in a knot, FU stands for FOLLOW UP, not what you were thinking, shame on you!

Scene one: You walked the job, you schmoozed the prospect, you did the research, you sent out the quote and NADA. So, after waiting several weeks because you don’t want to seem pushy, you drive by and see that Thomson’s Turf and Tree is on the job, not you.

Scene two: You worked your butt off, beat the deadline for the garden wedding date by a week, told the bride to be she looked beautiful even though lipstick on a pig did not become her and waited to get paid. There should have been some gratitude for a job well done, not to mention the dinero, right? The wedding passed five weeks ago and NADA, not a cent comes your way. You missed a truck payment because you counted on the money.

by Bob Hibler, Gamka Sales Co.

Scene three: You hear from a client that a neighbor likes your work, so much so that they highly recommended you and gave them your contact information. After waiting by the phone and checking your e-mail and texts for six weeks, day and night, you give up and decide it was just a ploy to get a freebie down the road. Then you drive by and Peter’s Ponds and Pavers is doing a job right next door.

What is the common thread in every one of these? NO FU, Follow Up! Or, perhaps there was an FU in there, but you did it to yourself.

In the first scenario, did you even go back to see if the prospect got your quote? Liked your Quote? Had a question or an issue or an objection or anything? Well, how the heck would you know if you did not follow up?

In scene two, how do you know that the check wasn’t mailed and got lost? Or maybe they wanted some extras, seeing as how great a job you did and wanted you to come back, get it all done and then get paid? Perhaps they thought you had won the lottery and no longer wanted payment. Or you died. Or maybe your work wasn’t as good as you thought and they were looking for amends. It’s your money, why didn’t you follow up?

Finally, in the third scene, could you not have been more

Can You Dig It If you’re not Attending Trade Shows, Taking Classes or Watching Webinars YOU ARE FALLING BEHIND! “Learning is not attained by chance. It must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence”.

Abigail Adams (1744-1818) First Lady of the United States.

“The secret in education lies in respecting the student.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) U.S. poet, essayist and lecturer.

The quotes above are as true today as they were in times past. It applies to our industry today with a renewed emphasis, due to the changing demographics of the client, new products, and the instituting of never ending regulations. Now, more than ever, we all had better arm ourselves with the one substance that will keep us ahead of the packKNOWLEDGE! Teaching adults is different from children-we tend to possess deeper base knowledge and thus concepts are understood quickly. We learn better with short burst instruction.

When we see-do-think, it allows us to rememberunderstand-learn. We retain knowledge better when we are presented with instructional steps that are linked to our senses. Seeing and hearing will only take us so far-saying and doing brings us full circle.

Thankfully, most all educational offerings in the landscape field, be they short presentations at trade shows, association meetings or webinars, are geared to adult learning. The catch? You must make an effort to seek them out and open your mind to learning. When attending classes or other venues, ask yourself these three questions: “How would I apply this concept, product, design or method in the field?” “Why would I want to do this?” and most importantly “How can I improve my company and my bottom line?” Answer these questions honestly and you will find a desire to open your mind to other educational opportunities as they arise.

The end result of seeking knowledge is that it makes you THINK. Thinking leads to new ideas. New ideas can make your company (and you) more efficient, profitable and respected by your peers.

Educational opportunities abound in the landscape industry and the topics are as varied as the services we offer.

If you haven’t attended the numerous venues available to you, then it is time to get on that horse and ride into a better future. Look forward not backward.

John Raffiani has been in the industry since the late 1950’s when he started to work at his grandfather’s shrub farm and greenhouses. Since 1965 he has installed numerous landscape, lighting, drainage and irrigation systems throughout the U.S. He also teaches irrigation, soil amendments and business courses for the Irrigation Assn. of NJ and others.

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proactive and asked who was getting you as a reference? What did you have to lose except the job to Peter’s Ponds and Pavers? If you got NO for an answer, couldn’t you have left a list of references and a promise to give a free planting if you got the job? There is nothing better than a testimonial and a glowing reference, but how do you know without follow up?

So what is the lesson here for all of us? DO NOT ASSUME! Check on things. Why go to all the trouble to get work and then just hope for results? Didn’t your mother tell you, “God helps those who help themselves?” If you don’t hear if a prospect likes your proposal, find out why and you might get that job next time. There are few things easier than paying late, or not at all, if there are no penalties and if

you send an account out for collection, you really lose! Margins in the landscaping business are slim enough as it is, why pay the collection agency 30%? They probably make more than you do that way. If you were given as a reference, what happened to the inquiry? Maybe you got lost in the shuffle, maybe the work went to the son-in-law, maybe they sent you an e-mail and it went to the wrong address.

The landscape business is highly competitive, hard work, not all that profitable, subject to the whims of the weather and not so safe but this is the life you have chosen, Don’t make it any more difficult to earn a living! Follow up!

Bob Hibler, the person responsible for writing this diatribe, has been in the business of construction product distribution since before many of you readers were born. That does not make him as old as Methuselah, but close.

He started in general sales out of New Jersey at Contractors Supply Corp., became known as Bobcat Bob for selling skid steers in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, ran Contractors Supply’s Service Department in Long Island City, volunteered to be General Manager and to start up General Trading and Equipment (a distributor off shoot from CSC), in Saudi Arabia and to live there for three years, then becoming GTE’s Overseas Manager, moved on to Patent Construction Services as North American Scaffold Product Manager covering San Juan to San Francisco and Canada to Mexico, and joining Gamka Sales in 2003. An avid motorcyclist, in his spare time he wrote 130 articles for motorcycle magazines, was President of the Board of Health in his home town of Westwood, regularly calls Bingo for the local Catholic Church (as Bingo Bob, don’tcha know) and is the Westwood Borough Historian. He is a friend of Captain Safety, now residing in a Rest Home in Ohio. Whew! There is more but this is supposed to be about FOLLOW UP, not Bob. OK, That is it.

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Landscape Business Boot Camp 8:00 am - 5:30 pm Room C Steven A. Cohen and Bill Eastman GreenMark Consulting Group

With the education you need to grow your career and connect with your future, the Landscape NJ Trade Show and Conference 2017 is the place to be on March 8, 2017, with pre-con education offered on Tuesday the 7th.

The New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA) is very excited to announce that 2017 marks the 40th Anniversary of the Landscape New Jersey (formerly Bergen Landscape) Trade Show and Conference.

The Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, NJ will once again be the site for this one day Green Industry marketplace and educational event. Landscape NJ 2017 will feature over 150 exhibitors displaying the latest trends in plants, green industry products, hardscapes, equipment, and more. A DEP program offering recertification credits is available, while additional business related seminars are also offered.

Join thousands of landscape professionals for one exciting day of industry fun and education. Ask the experts, make new business contacts, meet up with old friends and learn from the best at Landscape NJ 2017.

Struggling with improving your team’s performance, attitude and loyalty? Or perhaps feeling like you are constantly putting Band-Aids on problems, only to find that they continue to resurface? With his business and industry expertise, Steven has put together a program tailored to business owners, managers, employees and those seeking to improve their expertise in the industry. The curriculum includes guiding the business, running the business, getting the business & doing the business to help you put in place the vision, mission and values necessary to make your business successful. Includes lunch. If you own a landscape or irrigation business with an annual revenue between $350k and $2 million, this work session will help you plan and implement business strategies to take your business to the next level. You’ll come away with a renewed sense of energy, ready to stay the course and keep building your business, along with the essential foundation needed to improve the overall vitality of your company. Each section includes Landscape Business Courseware and our Landscape Business Success Toolkits™ which serve as a blueprint to help attendees. Attendees also receive one FREE month of personalized business coaching via phone, email and skype ($99 value). More details given at event.

Steven Cohen started his first entrepreneurial endeavor in high school, a landscape business, which he developed through college. Since selling that first business, he has held key leadership positions with several large landscape companies on the Eastern Seaboard in the capacity of Director of Operations, VP-Landscape, VP-Operations and most recently as Chief Operating Officer. With thirty years in the landscape-snow industry, Steven shares his passion, purpose and pride in an industry he loves with the formation of GreenMark Consulting Group.

Bill Eastman is a Business Management Consultant with GreenMark. Bill is also the Managing Partner of Intellectual Property at the GrowthWorx - a business research and product development company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Bill brings to GreenMark 36 years in the consulting and training industry. Bill over his career has assembled a library of best practices for growth oriented companies looking to build a model of organizational excellence. The gWORX team in collaboration with GreenMark Consulting Group and It’s Landscape Business Success™ platform have developed a suite of business best practices.

Members:$225 / Non-Members: $249

NJ Fertilizer Training & 9:00 am - 12:00 pm ProFACT Exam (English) Room A - NJ Fertilizer CEUs – 3 Dr. James Murphy, Rutgers University ProFACT Training for Professional Fertilizer Applicators (Qualifies you to take the certification exam. Certified Fertilizer Applicators will receive 3 credits of continuing education). Manual and Exam in English and Spanish.

NJLCA’s Pre-Con Education program was created four years ago to provide in-depth workshops that compliment and expand upon the education that we provide at our trade show.

These workshops will give you the skills and training that you need to be successful in the green industry right now!

All pre-con workshops on March 7th include admission to the trade show on March 8th!

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Dr. James Murphy conducts extension and research programs on best management practices for turfgrasses grown in and around New Jersey. His work focuses on a better understanding of turfgrass responses to soil-related stresses. Dr. Murphy holds a BS in Agriculture from Western Illinois State University and an MS and PhD in Crop and Soil Sciences from Michigan State University.

Members: $99 / Non-Members: $149

All pre-trade show workshops include trade show admission the next day!

Feature Story Pre-Trade Show Workshops Tuesday, March 7, 2017 Basic Pesticide Training 9:00 am - 1:00 pm for Operators (Spanish) Nelson Soberol, Essex Management Svc Room D NJ Pesticide Credits - 6 CORE

NJ Fertilizer Training & 1:00 am - 4:00 pm ProFACT Exam (Spanish) Room A - NJ Fertilizer CEUs – 3 Dr. Raul Cabrera, Rutgers University

This workshop will allow attendees to earn their Pesticide Operator license or prepare to sit for the Pesticide Applicator Exam and save yourself time and money! This course will cover the proper use of application equipment; possible hazards; mixing pesticides; protective clothing and safety equipment; disposal of containers; applicable State and Federal pesticide laws/regulations; pesticide label info; and integrated pest management.

This class is required for all those wishing to become either Certified Pesticide Applicators or Pesticide Operators (those who work under the supervision of a Certified Pesticide Applicator). This is REQUIRED training for taking the DEP Core Exam and for all Operator’s Licenses. At the end of your class, you will receive a certificate.

ProFACT Training for Professional Fertilizer Applicators (Qualifies you to take the certification exam. Certified Fertilizer Applicators will receive 3 credits of continuing education). Manual and Exam in English and Spanish.

Member: $79 / Non-Members: $109

Advanced Landscape Design Techniques 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Room B Mike Tripp, DynaSCAPE/ Patrick DuChene, DuChene Design Solutions In this amped up session, Patrick DuChene of DuChene

Design Solutions will take you through one of his landscape projects that he has recently designed and sold. He will outline some of the tools he utilizes, his workflow, and how he gets the job done. You will be given the job scope, photos and budget to work with to create your own version. Make sure you bring your laptop with DynaSCAPE Design installed. You must bring a Windows based laptop, power adapter, and mouse.

Mike Tripp is currently the Business Development Manager for DynaSCAPE. He attended Sheridan College in Toronto, CA with a concentration in e-Commerce. He has worked with DynaSCAPE for the past 7 years.

Patrick DuChene has more than 20 years of experience in the landscape industry, has worked for some of the Northeast’s most prestigious landscape companies and one of the top 100 landscape companies in the US. He studied Landscape Architecture and Horticulture at Ohio State University.

Members: $99 / Non-Members: $149

Estimating on Steroids

9:00 am - 4:00 pm Upstairs Joe Salemi & Fabio Roncone, DynaSCAPE

Raul Cabrera is an Associate Professor and the Extension Specialist in Nursery Crops at Rutgers University. Raul holds a MS in Plant Physiology and a PhD in Plant Biology from the University of California at Davis. His current projects include the use of alternative waters (graywater, reclaimed) for irrigation, optimizing nursery and greenhouse crop fertilization and productivity and evaluation of urban landscape water use and conservation.

Basic Pesticide Training for Operators (English) Room D

1:15 am - 5:15 pm Len Douglen, NJPMA & Essex Management Services NJ Pesticide Credits - 6 CORE

This workshop will allow attendees to earn their Pesticide Operator license or prepare to sit for the Pesticide Applicator Exam and save yourself time and money! This course will cover the proper use of application equipment; possible hazards; mixing pesticides; protective clothing and safety equipment; disposal of containers; applicable State and Federal pesticide laws/regulations; pesticide label info; and integrated pest management (IPM). This class is required for all those wishing to become either Certified Pesticide Applicators or Pesticide Operators (those who work under the supervision of a Certified Pesticide Applicator). This is REQUIRED training for taking the DEP Core Exam and for all Operator’s Licenses. At the end of your class, you will receive a certificate.

Leonard Douglen has been in the structural pest control industry for over 40 years. First as an owner/operator of his own pest control company and as president of one of the largest pest control companies in NYC. Currently he is executive director of both the New Jersey Pest Management Association and the New York Pest Management Association. Len is a graduate of Rutgers-The State University and has an MA in education. He has been teaching the Basic Pesticide Training for the last 13 plus years.

Len uses his experiences to put the subject manner in more relevant terms.

In this unique session, you will create a budget for your landscape maintenance division. Once you nail down all of your direct and indirect expenses you develop the tools you need to estimate your seasonal landscape maintenance contracts with confidence. Build your budget, create your kits, assemble your services. Estimate with accuracy and confidence. Please bring: your most recent P&L, and your laptop with power adapter.

Joe Salemi is the Marketing Manager for DynaSCAPE Software. He spent ten years with the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) as their Member Services and Communications Manager. He holds a BA from Brock University in ON, where he concentrated on communications studies, marketing, and organization behavior.

Fabio earned his Civil Engineering degree at the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, ON. He has over 15 year of experience in the construction and information technology industries and has been with DynaSCAPE Software for the past 7 years.

Fabio is the lead implementer and trainer for DS|Manage360.

Members: $99 / Non-Members: $149

One of NJLCA’s (then BCLCA) first Trade Shows at Van Saun Park in 1977

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8:00 am Registration - Trade Show Opens 8:30 am Educational Classes Begin DEP Recertification Credit Classes - Room A Improving Ornamentals and Turfgrass Soil Health to improve overall Plant Health Jeremy Bigler, Lebanon Seaboard Corp.

9:45 am - 10:45 am Credits: 2 - 3A, 2 - 3B, 2 - Cat 13

Topics: How do forests have prolific growth without external applications of fertilizers, organic products reducing pesticide needs, neonicotinoid update.

Reduce Your Turf Herbicide Use by 70% Greg Wallace, Intelligro

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Credits: 2 - 3B, 2 - Cat 13

Topics: Sustainability reducing pesticides, low impact pesticide products, nano technology and more.

DEP Recertification Credit Classes - Room E Improving Spring Weed Control with Fall Applications Tara Beauregard, Dow AgroSciences

8:30 am - 9:30 am Credits: 2 - 3B

Topics: Review labeling, proper application procedure, application rates and updated info/suggestions for uses on residential and commercial lawns, golf course and sports turf and landscape ornamentals.

Broadleaf and Grassy Weed ID and Control Michael Reed, Synatek

9:45 am - 10:45 am Credits: 2 - 3B

Low Input, High Performance Turf Dr. Leah Brilman, Pick Seed

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Credits: 2 - 3B, 2 Cat 13

Topics: Identifying broadleaf and grassy weeds, post-emergent vs. pre-emergent, tough to control weeds, the changing look of commercial herbicides and changes in pesticide labels.

Topics: New genetics, disease resistance, stress tolerance wear tolerance, breeding behavior and correct varieties, base on desired results.

Kyllinga and Sedge Control: Roadside Right of Way, Forest and Maintained Turf Areas Bryan Bolehala, NuFarm US

1:15 pm - 2:15 pm Credits: 2 - 3B, 2 - 6B

Topics: Biology, growth habits, characteristics, life cycles and control methods of Kyllinga and Sedge; along with mode of actions, timing, temp considerations and water pH effect for herbicides.

Trade Show held in Hasbrouck Heights (now Holiday Inn and Bananas) circa 1980’s

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The Trade Show Committee making their way up the steps of the newly-built Meadowlands Expo Center circa 1990’s

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Education Schedule - March 8, 2017 On our Stage on the Floor!

Stop Killing Your Plant Material

8:30 am - 9:15 am Brian Brisby, Stone House Nursery A properly planted tree or shrub will be more tolerant of adverse conditions and require much less management than one planted incorrectly. Planting technique impacts water quality as it minimizes water, fertilizer and pesticide use. In this session, learn what decisions you need to consider when choosing, locating and installing plant material.

Brian Brisby is the Owner of Stone House Nursery in Wyckoff, NJ and former owner of Brian Brisby Landscape Design and Development. Brian holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Plant Science from the University of Delaware.

The Matchmaker: How to Connect with Millennials

9:20 am - 10:05 am Chad Diller, Landscape Leadership Look in the mirror – the way we buy products and services today has changed. For the millennial generation this is just normal behavior.

Have you changed the way you market and sell your services? It’s time to face this reality and connect with buyers on their terms, not yours. In this special presentation you will learn: • What makes a website great in the eye’s of a buyer (not in your eyes).

• Demystify SEO and learn how search engines really work (and what they want).

• How to leverage your unique knowledge and expertise to attract buyers (including millennials).

• How to turn objections and uncomfortable questions into a sales magnet.

Chad works for Landscape Leadership, an inbound marketing agency specializing exclusively in green industry clients. Prior to joining their team, he served in the industry for almost 20 years, most recently as a marketing manager for one of the LM Top 150 Companies. In addition to his vast marketing experience, he also is an ISA Certified Arborist and Landscape Industry Certified Technician. He currently resides in beautiful Lancaster County, PA.

Protecting Yourself from Consumer Fraud

10:10 am - 10:55 am John Raffiani, Raffiani’s Automatic Sprinklers In today’s over-regulated environment, you can’t be too careful. Did you know that almost all home improvement contracts do not comply with consumer laws? Yours could be among the crowd. Learn the ins and outs of protecting yourself from civil fines that could bankrupt you and from customers who can legally not pay for your services.

John Raffiani has been involved with the landscape trades since the late 1950’s beginning with work at his grandfather’s shrub farm and greenhouse operation in Fair Lawn. Since that time, he has installed numerous landscape, drainage, lighting and irrigation systems in NJ, NY, MA,CA, AZ and FL. His latest endeavor is teaching in the trades.

Managing the Spring Rush

11:00 am - 11:45 am Chris James, Chris James Landscaping It will be July or January in no time. You just wasted 6 months and why? Chris will talk about using winter and summer to your advantage, budgets, marketing preparations, current account reviews, equipment repair and maintenance, goal setting, both business and personal. This session is great for owners, managers, foremen and more!

Chris James is the founder and President of Chris James Landscaping, Inc. and has been in the landscape industry since 1978. He has been very involved in the profession as a past president and board member of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association and two time board of director of the Snow and Ice Management Association in Milwaukee, WI. Chris has taught a number of classes at Rutgers University. He is a member of the Bergen County Agriculture Board,as well.

Artificial Turf for Residential Use

11:50 am - 12:35 pm Paula Korinko, Synthetic Lawns and Golf After this session, you will be more knowledgeable about the evolution of landscaping and synthetic turf, understand the environmental impact of natural grass and synthetic turf, learn the versatility of synthetic turf and its many uses in a sustainable landscape design and be more educated on the newest turf technology.

Paula Korinko is the Sales Manager for Synthetic Lawns & Golf. Synthetic Lawns & Golf, Inc. specializes in superior design and installation of SYNLawn the most durable, long-lasting artificial grass in the industry.

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Education Schedule - March 8, 2017 On our Stage on the Floor!

Renovating Ball Fields for Profit

12:40 pm - 1:25 pm Scott Bills, Sports Field Solutions In this session, learn how you expand your business into sports field maintenance, renovation and/or construction.

Scott will discuss specifications, equipment, understanding grades and elevations for sports fields, estimating labor and costs and sourcing materials.

Scott Bills is a Sports Field Consultant for Sports Field Solutions since 2008. He provides professional expert investigation, site evaluation, safety assessment and testimony for plaintiff and defendant cases related to natural and synthetic athletic fields, park and recreation complexes, golf courses, premises, landscapes and arboriculture.

Make Easy Money with Pondless Waterfalls

1:30 pm - 2:15 pm Thomas Smith, Garden State Koi Have you ever thought about adding water features to your clients’ properties but didn’t know where to begin? Fountain kits eliminate the guesswork and provide everything you need to create a beautiful water feature. They provide instant impact and high profit, fit any space and are simple to install. Check out this session to learn how easy it is to make more money today!

Tom started Garden State Koi & Aquatic Center in 1991 in his backyard in Montague, NJ. He built his first pond and before he knew it, there were fish & plant tanks and customers showing up on weekends. In 1995, he moved his business to Greenville, NY and in 2001 he moved to his current location in Warwick, NY. Garden State Koi & Aquatic center is the largest water garden store in the Hudson Valley and is also Aquascape’s largest independent water garden distributor.

Roundtable Breakfast

If you have never attended this type of event, you don’t know what you’re missing. We will have three groups, each focusing on a different topic for discussion. This is your opportunity to sit down, talk to other landscape contractors and compare notes. Just choose a topic that is important to you, grab a seat and start talking.

Get ready to hear some great ideas and share your thoughts and experiences as we all learn from each other. Make sure to bring business cards and a pad and pen. Breakfast is included.

March 8, 2017 from 7:00 am - 8:00 am in the Lounge

1990 -- Final trade show at Giant’s Stadium

Topics:

Snow and Ice Management with Tom Canete

Protecting Yourself Growing Your Mainwith Your Contract tenance Division with John Raffiani with Greg Carpenter

$30 for NJLCA Members / $40 for non-Members Breakfast Included

Pre-registration is required -- only 10 seats per table available!

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Trade Show at The Ramada Inn - circa 1980’s

Feature Story Latino Mix and Mingle

We are thrilled to invite you to NJLCA’s first ever Latino Mix and Mingle at 2:00 pm in Room A at the Meadowlands Expo Center on March 8th!

Meet fellow members and potential members for a fun afternoon in a relaxed setting! This special event will be a fun way to meet new colleagues and catch up on current topics unique to our profession. Enjoy music, complimentary beverages and food.

Also join us at our Employment Booth next to the stage, where you can get more information, apply for several positions at once and even speak with an immigration attorney!

Latino Mix and Mingle

Estamos encantados de invitarle a la primera Mezcla Latina de NJLCA y reunirse a las 2:00 pm. en la sala A, en el centro de exposiciones de Meadowlands el 8 de marzo.

Conozca a otros miembros y miembros potenciales para una divertida tarde en un ambiente relajado! Este evento especial será una manera divertida de conocer a nuevos colegas y captar temas actuales únicos de nuestra profesión. Disfrutar de música, bebidas y comida de cortesía.

También, únase a nosotros en nuestra cabina de empleo que esta al lado del escenario, donde podra obtener más información, solicitar varias posiciones a la vez y hablar con un abogado de inmigración.

March 8, 2017 from 12:00 pm - 2:15 pm in Room A No cost to attend! Please pre-register at http://bit.ly/NJLCALatino

Landscape New Jersey Trade Show and Conference 2016 at the Meadowlands Expo Center -- the new trade show lounge

NJLCA.ORG 27

The Pricing Details To make things easier for you, we are including a price list below that breaks down all opportunities per person. Pre-registration is required for Pre-Trade Show Workshops, Roundtables and DEP Classes.

Trade Show Registration Pre-Registration Fee Registration at Door

Member $20 $30

Non-Member $30 $40

Pre-Trade Show Workshops - 3/7/17 - Includes entry to Trade Show on 3/8/17 NJ Fertilizer Training & ProFACT Exam $99 $149 Advanced Landscape Design Techniques $99 $149 Estimating on Steroids $99 $149 Landscape Business Boot Camp $225 $249 Basic Pesticide Training for Operators $79 $109 Roundtables - 3/8/17 Snow and Ice Management Protecting Yourself with Your Contract Building Your Maintenance Division DEP Classes - 3/8/17 Kyllinga and Sedge Control Improving Ornamentals & Turfgrass Soil Health Reduce Your Turf Herbicide Use by 70% Low Input, High Performance Turf Improving Spring Weed Control w/ Fall Applications Broadleaf and Grassy Weed ID and Control Business Seminars - 3/8/17 Stop Killing Your Plant Material The Matchmaker: Connect w/ Millennials Protecting Yourself from Consumer Fraud Managing the Spring Rush Artificial Turf for Residential Use Renovating Ball Fields for Profit Make Easy Money with Pondless Waterfalls

$30 $30 $30

$40 $40 $40

Pre-registration required $0

$30 for any or all

Please note schedule when choosing classes.

Included

Included

Registration Form Attendee Information

Business Name: ___________________________________________ Owner’s Name: ___________________________________________ Business Address: _________________________________________ City: ____________________________ State: ______ Zip: ________ Phone: ___________________ E-mail: ________________________ Print First and Last Name of all attendees as they should appear on name badge below. (Name badges will be mailed to you) Please check all that apply below each name. You MUST pre-register for each individual class that each person is taking and for the roundtable breakfast.

Pre-Trade Show Workshops - 3/7/17 q NJ Fertilizer Training & ProFACT Exam Attendee: ______________________________q English q Spanish Attendee: ______________________________q English q Spanish Attendee: ______________________________q English q Spanish q Advanced Landscape Design Techniques Attendee: _______________________________________________ Attendee: _______________________________________________ Attendee: _______________________________________________ q Estimating on Steroids Attendee: _______________________________________________ Attendee: _______________________________________________ Attendee: _______________________________________________ q Landscape Business Boot Camp Attendee: _______________________________________________ Attendee: _______________________________________________ Attendee: _______________________________________________ q Basic Pesticide Training for Operators Attendee: ______________________________q English q Spanish Attendee: ______________________________q English q Spanish Attendee: ______________________________q English q Spanish DEP Classes - 3/8/17 q Kyllinga and Sedge Control Attendee: _______________________________________________ Attendee: _______________________________________________ Attendee: _______________________________________________ q Improving Ornamentals and Turfgrass Soil Health Attendee: _______________________________________________ Attendee: _______________________________________________ Attendee: _______________________________________________ q Reduce Your Turf Herbicide Use by 70% Attendee: _______________________________________________ Attendee: _______________________________________________ Attendee: _______________________________________________ q Low Input, High Performance Turf Attendee: _______________________________________________ Attendee: _______________________________________________ Attendee: _______________________________________________ q Improving Spring Weed Control with Fall Applications Attendee: _______________________________________________ Attendee: _______________________________________________ Attendee: _______________________________________________ q Broadleaf and Grassy Weed ID and Control Attendee: _______________________________________________ Attendee: _______________________________________________ Attendee: _______________________________________________ Roundtables - 3/8/17

q Snow and Ice Management q Protecting Yourself with Your Contract q Building Your Maintenance Division

Qty: ___________ Qty: ___________ Qty: ___________

Trade Show - March 8, 2017

NJLCA Member Pricing Qty.

Total

Pre-Registration Fee: $20 per person

____ _____

Registration at Door: $30 per person

____ _____

DEP Credit Session: FREE

____ _____

Non-Member Pricing

Qty.

Pre-Registration Fee: $30 per person

Total

_____ _____

Registration at Door: $40 per person

_____ _____

DEP Credit Session: Additional $30 ea.

_____ _____

Special Membership Trade Show Price

____________

Pre-Show Workshop Subtotal

____________

Roundtable Breakfast: $30 mem/$40 non-mem.

____________

Trade Show Registration Subtotal

____________

Grand Total ____________ All educational sessions, except for the DEP Credit Session are included in the price of attendance at the show. Pre-Show Workshop attendees receive entry to the trade show at no cost.

Payment Information Credit Card: Cardholders Name: ________________________________________ Signature: _______________________________________________ Card Number: ___________________________________________ Billing Zip Code: _______________ Exp: _________ CCV: ________ Check: Make checks payable to: NJLCA - Must be received by February 24, 2017. No refunds after Feb. 24, 2017. No snow or rain date.

Please send check, purchase order and registration form to: NJLCA, 465 Boulevard, Suite 4, Elmwood Park, NJ 07407 Phone: (201) 703-3600 Fax: (201) 703-3776

Please tell us more about you! q I have ultimate responsibility for decision making q I contribute to decision making (make recommendations) q I do not have input/responsibility for decision making

Please indicate types of services performed: q Residential Maintenance q Residential Design/Build q Commercial Maintenance q Commercial Design/Build q Residential Snow Svcs. q Commercial Snow Svcs. q Irrigation and/or Lighting Installation q Plant/Lawn Care q Organics q Pesticide q None of the above, we supply services and/or products q Other: ________________________________________________

Ask yourself.

What is in the bag?

Is it worth the risk?

Helps make sidewalks safer.

Don’t Be Fooled.

Think about it.

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Feature Story

Identifying and Understanding False-Green Kyllinga

by Matt Elmore, Ph.D., Rutgers University

F

Control Kyllinga may be indicative of chronically excessive soil moisture, which should always be addressed as part of an overall treatment program. In general, false-green kyllinga is more difficult to control than yellow nutsedge. Due to the underground rhizomes and dense mat that kyllingas form, hand removal is difficult.

Selective Herbicide Options There are several herbicides that can provide effective kyllinga control when applied according to the label. Like many herbicides, in order for them to provide adequate weed control and not injure the desirable turfgrass they must be applied to healthy, actively growing weeds and mature, actively growing turfgrass at the rate indicated on the product label.

Herbicide applications should be made shortly after full kyllinga shoot emergence in the spring to reduce rhizome production and potentially the total number of follow-up applications required for control. This is typically from late May to mid-June. Make follow-up applications after re-growth is observed and sufficient shoot tissue is present for Figure 4. Three-ranked leaf arrangement characteristic of herbicide absorption. This nutsedge and kyllinga species. is typically 4-6 weeks after When a single stem is viewed from the initial application. the above these species have three Herbicides for false- leaves spaced at 120° angles. Most green kyllinga control/sup- grass species have leaves on oppopression will also provide site sides of the stem at 180° angles. yellow nutsedge control.

Many products registered for yellow nutsedge control are only labeled for suppression of kyllingas. Always consult the product label for information about the proper conditions for application.

Rotating herbicidal modes of action is important to prevent populations of herbicide-resistant nutsedge from developing. Relying on herbicides with the same mode of action for several consecutive years can accelerate the development of herbicide resistant weeds. While herbicide resistance to kyllinga and sedge species is not thought to be widespread, there are reports of sedge species resistant to ALS-inhibitors in turfgrass.

Continued on Page 33

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Introduction and Identification alse-green kyllinga (Kyllinga gracillima) has become increasingly problematic in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions over the past several years (Figure 1). It is a warm-season perennial weed that emerges Figure 1. A severe false-green kyllinga infestation in an athletic field. in late spring/early summer The light green areas are kyllinga. when soil temperatures in- Photo: Dr. Jim Murphy crease and it grows rapidly throughout the summer months before going dormant after the first frost in the fall/winter (Figure 2). It is closely related to yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus); both species have a triangular stem and three-ranked leaf arrangement (Figures 3 and 4). Yellow nutsedge is typically interspersed within the turfgrass canopy while false-green kyllinga tends to form a dense mat.

This dense mat makes it appear similar to turfgrass in the summertime, but it usually has a lighter green color (Figures 5 and 6). The dense mat continues to expand Figure 2. A patch of dormant false-green kyllinga surrounded by as the underground stems (rhizomes) spread outperennial ryegrass. wards. False-green kyllinga tends to thrive at mowing heights common in turfgrass areas all the way from putting greens to lawns. Much like yellow nutsedge, it tends to thrive in wet areas. Although false-green kyllinga does not have tubers like yellow nutsedge, it has rhizomes, which make it extremely difficult to control.

False-green kyllinga is also very similar to green kyllinga (Kyllinga brevifolia), but green kyllinga is found in the southern and western US. False-green kyllinga is the only species found northern regions of the U.S., which is probably due to greater cold tolerance than green kyllinga. Green and false-green kyllinga are very Figure 3. A triangular stem, chardifficult to differentiate, but acteristic of nutsedge and kyllinga control and management of species (resting on a pen for scale). these two kyllinga species is thought to be similar.

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Feature Story Continued from Page 31

Halosulfuron-methyl Mode of Action: ALS inhibitor Trade Names: Sedgehammer (0.66 - 1.33 oz/A), ProSedge 2, Manage, others Halosulfuron-methyl can be safely applied to most cool and warm-season turfgrass species. Results may not be evident for up to 2 weeks after application. While this herbicide has systemic properties, multiple applications will be required for long-term kyllinga control. Rutgers research trials have demonstrated that it provides excellent falsegreen kyllinga control after two applications.

This herbicide should be applied with a suitable surfactant as indiFigure 6. Yellow nutsedge interspersed cated by the label. Do within turfgrass. not seed before 4 weeks after an application. Refer to the label for restrictions to newly-seeded areas.

Sulfentrazone Mode of Action: Protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitor Trade name: Dismiss (4-8 fl oz/A) Note: Many products contain sulfentrazone in combination with other herbicides but often at rates too low for kyllinga or yellow nutsedge suppression.

Sulfentrazone can be applied to most cool-season turf-

grasses and is a resistance management alternative to ALSinhibiting herbicides. Sequential applications will provide some suppression; do not exceed 12 fl oz/A per year. Sequential applications of halosulfuron-methyl or single applications of imazosulfuron have provided greater kyllinga control than sequential applications of sulfentrazone in Rutgers research trials. Nutsedge or kyllingas treated with sulfentrazone will typically display injury symptoms within 48 hours after application. Good spray coverage is important for control with sulfentrazone. Seeding within 4 weeks of an application can inhibit establishment. Refer to the label for restrictions to newly-seeded areas.

Figure 7. A close-up of false-green kyllinga seedheads.

Photo: Stephanie Alea

Combining Chemical and Cultural Practices Long-term weed control is possible only if the underlying cause of their competitive advantage is resolved. Much like nutsedge, kyllinga is often found in areas with excessive soil moisture, which likely reduces competition from desirable turfgrass. Especially in cases of severe infestation, modifications to the irrigation regimen and/or drainage should be considered in conjunction with herbicide programs. Seeding desirable turfgrass into infested areas should also be considered. Be sure to plan herbicide programs well in advance of seeding to make sure they will not reduce seedling establishment. Rutgers research will evaluate herbicide programs in combination with seeding in 2017.

Dr. Matthew T. Elmore an Assistant Extension Specialist in Weed Science at Rutgers University with a focus in turfgrass weed control.

His program is researching integrated approaches to control problematic weeds and reduce herbicide applications. He is also interested in influence of abiotic and biotic factors as well as management practices on weed competitiveness.

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Imazosulfuron Mode of Action: ALS inhibitor Trade Name: Celero (8 - 14 oz/A) This herbicide is relatively new to the turfgrass market and may be more widely available in 2017. Although it is only labeled for control of annual kyllinga and nutsedge species, Rutgers research trials demonstrated excellent efficacy against false-green kyllinga at the maximum labeled rate. Results may not be evident for up to 2 weeks after application. This herbicide should be applied with a suitable non-ionic surfactant as indicated by the label. Newly seeded turfgrass should have received at least Figure 5. A dense mat of falsetwo mowings prior to appli- green kyllinga with seedheads. cation. Do not seed before 4 Photo: Dr. Jim Murphy weeks after an application.

Feature Story

2 O 17 a nd B eyo nd

Toro Launches Stand-On Mower Model Dedicated for Snow Removal Due to the positive response to the Toro® GrandStand® MULTI FORCE™ stand-on mower, Toro is now introducing a snow-only Multi-Force model. The snow-only model is designed to give snow-focused contractors access to the superior snow-clearing capabilities of the Multi-Force, without having to purchase the mowing deck.

The snow-only model is built on the same trusted GrandStand Multi-Force platform and features the same easy-to-use controls as current models. The unit comes equipped with the revolutionary Flex-Ride operator platform designed to reduce operator fatigue and contributes to higher productivity throughout the day. The operator platform is self-compensating to accommodate operators of different sizes. The snow-only model can be equipped with a five foot BOSS® snowplow attachment. Snow-only models also come standard with winter tires and have optional light and flasher kits to increase visibility in challenging conditions.

“By creating a dedicated snow-only Multi-Force unit, we are able to better serve the snow and ice management market with this versatile and innovative machine,” said Chris Hannan, Toro senior marketing manager. “As we continue to gather feedback from end-users, customers can expect to see additional capabilities in the coming years.”

This machinery also provides operators with exceptional visibility for a higher quality of work, and great traction on slopes and other challenging areas. The Multi-Force also allows the operator to easily mount and dismount to remove obstacles in the unit’s path.

For more information about the new GrandStand Multi-Force, contact your local Toro dealer.

This article was provided by Storr Tractor. For more information, contact Bob Kaufman at 908-722-9830 or email rkaufman@storrtractor.com.

Makin Cents The job of a busy human resources manager or business owner can be overwhelming, and keeping up with the changes to state and federal laws daunting. But you can control the unemployment taxes you pay.

How can you lower your Unemployment Tax (SUTA)?

It’s true that this state tax is guided by the government, but a law passed in 2001 states you can lower your rates by utilizing and adopting the co-employment and savings of a qualified PEO (Professional Employer Organization). By joining a PEO you can sidestep high New Jersey taxes and workers comp rates.

A PEO can achieve this by adding your policy to other existing policies, therefore allowing a greater purchasing power and ultimately lowering rates.

Who really gets hit the worst is seasonal employment, such as landscapers. Seasonal employers have more claims, so their rate is generally higher; often in the neighborhood of 5.7 to 8.0. For example, assume you have a 6.0 SUTA rate. By joining a PEO, you can bring that rate down to 2.0. With each point being $326, multiplied times 4 (the difference in the SUTA rate) and you will save $1,304 per employee. Assume you have 20 employees. Multiply that times $1,304 and you can see the savings for yourself. Can you afford to leave this money on the table?

A PEO can provide several options to help you with your payroll administration.

1) Afraid of change? No problem! You can continue to do your payroll as you have been, with your own checks and bank account. The PEO will simply send you or your service the Net amounts.

2) The PEO can handle everything for you and send you your checks by Federal Express.

3) Employees can be issued a pay card similar to a debit card, with no additional charges.

Jerry Vogel has been helping New Jersey businesses limit liability, mitigate risk, and dramatically slash unemployment and workers’ comp expenditures. Visit Jerry’s website at www.jvogelassociates.com or call 732-616-5155.

News Brief

A warm welcome to our newest members...

A. DeLuca Paving, LLC Frank DeLuca South Plains, NJ 07076

Groff Tractor New Jersey Lorrie Adler Vineland, NJ 08360

AP Mazzilli Landscape Contractor Kenvil Power Equipment Anthony Mazzilli Peter Channell Mountainside, NJ 07092 Kenvil, NJ 07847 AVRO Enterprises Tom Simpson Sparta, NJ 07871

Linwyck Gardens, LLC John Linney Freehold, NJ 07728

Better Image Landscapes Lumi Bilali Englewood, NJ 07631

Meadow Services, Inc. Tina Kaiser South Bound Brook, NJ

Celtic Concepts, Inc Mark Napolitano Eatontown, NJ 07724

Mikulik Lawn and Landscape John Mikulik Highland Lakes, NJ 07422

Citibank Rick Evans Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

Oosting Custom Masonry Rudi Oosting Midland Park, NJ 07432

Dell Landscaping, Inc. Anthony Mondello Kinnelon, NJ 07405

Primerica Robert Fenners Union, NJ 07083

DynaSCAPE Software Joe Salemi Burlington, Ont. L7N3N1

Rusk Enterprises, LLC Matt Rusk Wantage, NJ 07461

G. Puma Landscapes Gianfranco Puma Cliffside, NJ 07010

Vox Communications Corp.

Gary Seem Princeton, NJ 08540

Advertiser Index

Al D. Garden Supply Stop..............www.aldlandscapingandtree.com..................56 Aquarius Supply................................www.aquariussupply.com...............................20 Bergen Brick Stone and Tile...........www.bergenbrick.com.....................................46 Central Jersey Trailer & Hitch.......www.hitchone.com..........................................42 Condurso’s Garden Center................www.condursos.com.........................................4 Netafim.............................................www.netafimusa.com......................................32 Nursery Stock 2Go..........................www.nurserystock2go.com............................34 Oakland Marine & Equipment.......201-337-7741...................................................52 Precision Companies........................973-697-0900.....................................................2 Proven Winners / Color Choice....www.provenwinners-shrubs.com..................44 Schoenberg Salt.................................www.gosalt.com..............................................30 SCIW Fence........................................www.hometownvinyl.com.............................38 Tech Terra Environmental.................www.techterraenvironmental.com...............32

NJLCA.ORG 35

Feature Story

Cast Stone Walls

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T

by Paul Cimini, Sr. Manager: Product & Contractor Development, EP Henry

he race has been on for quite some time between Hardscaping product manufacturers trying to make their wall products look like natural stone. For obvious reasons the thinking is these products will open up new sales opportunities and design possibilities for contractors as well as capture the interest of homeowners. At EP Henry we’ve not only developed the wall system that looks exactly like natural stone but have also proved the reasons for doing so to be correct.

Two years ago we introduced the Cast Stone Wall single-sided wall block. The reception in the market by contractors and homeowners was overwhelming and proved to us that all our years of development and hard work were indeed creating new sales opportunities for contractors. The block offers the look of two distinct ashlar stone faces – random and fullface – and can be used separately or combined which allows contractors to make each wall they build look unique. There are 36 individual face patterns and with no top or bottom to the block you can get 72 different looks.

Cast Stone Wall™ has a dedicated corner unit that has quickly become our best-selling go-to block for columns and outdoor elements. Cast Stone Wall is installed like any landscape wall block and following the guidelines and best practices set by NCMA insures that the stability of the wall matches the “wow-factor” look. The block installs vertically with no batter and must be core filled with clean stone and EP Henry recommends the use of high-strength concrete adhesive course to course. The block can be installed up to five courses (total height) without reinforcement (given proper drainage and site conditions) and engineering is available for walls up to eight feet high.

Following up on the success of Cast Stone Wall, and in response to demand from contractors, we introduced Double Sided Cast Stone Wall in 2016. Just like the singlesided version the double-sided took off the day we rolled it out. The wall system features block designed to be installed back-to-back and has two radius units (ordered separately) that allow for no-cut installations regardless of the layout or radius of the wall. Contractors report that the Double Sided Cast Stone Wall installs 50% faster than any other manufacturer’s wall meaning increased field production, less installation time and much greater profits. All this with the incredible look of natural stone. Double Sided Cast Stone Wall has a dedicated two-piece corner unit to terminate a free-standing wall and a specially designed footer block to get your wall out of the ground quickly and economically.

Double Sided Cast Stone Wall can be installed up to four courses high (24” not including footer and cap).We also have two new 16” wide double-sided caps that provide the finishing touch for any seat wall or outdoor element.

Adding the finishing touch for your patio projects can be accomplished using the Cast Stone Wall Fire Pit Kit. Everything you need to build the hottest looking fire pit on the market is on one pallet: block, bowl insert and spark screen. Best of all it installs without any cuts. That’s another Cast Stone Wall product that puts money in your pocket.

I’m revved up about the Cast Stone Wall family of products for several reasons: number one, for the first time in a long time there is a wall product that lets contractors take their jobs to the next level. Simple jobs or complex installations can become eye catching creations that help sell the next job. Second, a unique product like Cast Stone Wall lets contractors command more money for their designs and installations and at the end of the day that’s what it’s all about. Lastly, EP Henry’s commitment to innovative product development means that the Cast Stone Wall family of products will continue to expand driven largely by input from our contractors.

If you haven’t experienced Cast Stone Wall yet, check out the EP Henry Facebook page. Take a look at how contractors are using Cast Stone Wall to keep their businesses moving forward and setting the stage for the next big thing in Hardscaping. Call your EP Henry sales rep 800-444-3679 and get the Cast Stone Wall info you need to drive your business forward.

36 WINTER | 2016-17

Feature Story

New Year, New Initiatives It’s the beginning of a New Year and many people make resolutions! New Year’s resolutions are many times to lose weight and go to the gym more often, but here are two more worthwhile resolutions: 1) Take a new, “fresh” look at your insurance program and make sure it takes into account any recent changes to your business operations; and 2) Write, Email or Call your State legislator to support a legislative effort that will help your industry and business.

your policy. Those miscellaneous tool floater policies many times have a limit of $1,000 to $2,500 for any particular piece of equipment in which case you would be underinsured (especially if you bought 3 new plows and they all got stolen).

A Call to Action! Please contact your State Legislator in Support of the Snow Plow and Deicing Liability Limitations Bill!

Great News to start a New Year!. On January 23, the ASCA’s model legislation – Snow Plow and Deicing Liability Limitations Bill (New Jersey Senate Bill 181) was passed by the NJ Senate with special thanks to Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman, our NJ Senators, Kevin Gilbride (the Executive Director of the ASCA), and Tom Castronovo.

However, passing the NJ Senate is ONLY one step in the legislative (law making) process. In order to become law, the bill still needs to be voted on and passed by the General Assembly before it even reaches the Governor for signature.

If this bill eventually became law, hold harmless agreements and indemnification clauses in which property owners pass on their liability to you will no longer be enforceable. This will hopefully result in reduced insurance premiums for snow plowing operations and provide an incentive for property owners to take appropriate actions to reduce their liability (and maybe even more work for you).

Accordingly, we need every NJLCA member to spread the word, and at the VERY LEAST contact your Assemblyperson to support this bill.

I WILL MAKE IT EASY FOR YOU. Please contact me directly at kennethc@thecommercialagency.com and provide me your home town. I will email you back with the name of your assemblyperson and number to call.

The information set forth in this article is general in nature and no legal advice is being given. Insureds are recommended to speak with their own insurance agent and attorney to discuss their own particular risk exposures and needs.

Kenneth F. Cerullo, Esq. is the President and an Owner of The Commercial Agency, Inc. in Park Ridge, NJ along with his brother Steve. He is also a Co-Founder of the New Jersey Agents Alliance (NJAA) – a limited group of select agents spread throughout the State of NJ with over $175 Million is premium volume. Ken currently serves as the Legislative Chairperson for the NJLCA and can be reached by email at kennethc@thecommercialagency.com or (201)391-1324.

You can also visit the Agency websites atwww.thecommercialagency. com or www.bergensnowplowinsurance.com

NJLCA.ORG 37

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Insurance Review Many times contractors put their insurance programs on “auto drive” and fail to take a “fresh look” at their policies.

Even if your New Year’s resolution were to examine your insurance costs (a good idea), reviewing the actually policy coverages is of the utmost importance to make sure you have coverage when it is needed. While you may invite an agent in to give you a quote, too often unsophisticated agents just ask for “dec sheets” and provide an “apples to apples” quote based on the same incorrect information that you may currently have on your policies. You need to have the correct named insureds, coverages, limits, equipment, etc. You pay a great deal of money towards insurance – you should make sure you and your agent take the time to make sure information is correct and target the coverages you actually need in the most cost effective way. After all, it does not cost anymore to do it right and that is why you are paying your agent a commission!

It’s advantageous to have annual meetings with your insurance agent so the agent can prod you along and force you to think about the insurance aspects of any changes you may make to your business operations. You are thinking about other things – payroll, hiring, new jobs, customer issues, etc.

You are not always thinking about insurance. That’s why you have an agent. Maybe you changed the address of your office? Maybe you now store your materials somewhere else?

Or park your vehicles and equipment elsewhere? Maybe you bought a new snow plow at a cost of $3,000 to $4,000? Maybe your business is now renting from you individually and you only have your company name on the policy? These are all little things with big consequences.

By way of example, let’s say that you bought a new snow plow for the upcoming season, you need to discuss with your agent how to best cover your new business investment.

That particular piece of equipment should probably be scheduled on your policy as opposed to being covered by the miscellaneous tool floater you may or may not have on

by Ken Cerullo, Esq., The Commercial Agency

Untitled-1 1

2/13/17 10:33 AM

Feature Story

Water Features: New Opportunities Beyond the Pond

by John Helander, Aquarius Supply

T

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he popularity of water features has grown exponentially in recent years. Simplicity, efficiency and education have propelled water features from a small, specialized market into a popular DIY or supplemental project. Manufacturers now offer a wider array of solutions that have given birth to a new market aside from the traditional customer, which has been in decline for the past several years.

This market is composed of a new generation of “High profit consumers, seeking products consismargins can be tent with the scale achieved with water of their available features, having income and property size. Homeownquick installations.” ers require custom, smaller, simpler and safer and effective products that need minimal maintenance.

Water features fill this requirement by offering a smaller footprint for installation along with a multitude of style options. Along with homeowners, businesses, schools and property managers are now seeking out alternate solutions to large-scale ponds with water features.

A pond-less feature provides the calming aesthetic qualities of a traditional pond: the ability to view the soothing motion of water while enjoying its natural, calming notes.

These benefits come without the risks of extended mainte-

nance as well as the liability of safety to the public.

With the growth of demand from the market, it is critical that pond contractors modify their approach and grasp the opportunity for increased income with reduced follow-up calls. High profit margins can be achieved with water features, having quick installations (under four hours.)

Manufacturers like EasyPro have answered the demands and developed a Tranquil Décor Series that feature products designed as free-standing, compact basalt column bubbling rock installations. These installations accentuate the rock’s natural beauty with flowing water, giving the consumer a glimpse into the wonders of nature anywhere.

The nature of this piece allows the customer to personalize the installation with different size and shaped columns and layout. This allows the customer the privilege to actively assist in the design of their exterior water feature.

It is evident that there is clear room for growth in this segment for those willing to embrace it. With such simple solutions, tailored to the modern needs of the marketplace, water features produce the perfect harmony between new opportunities for professionals and new solutions for homeowners.

John Helander is the National Sales Manager for Aquarius Supply and has been in the Green Industry for over 30 years.

Aquarius Supply has served Landscape and Irrigation professionals throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Delmarva regions for almost 50 years.

NJLCA.ORG 39

Feature Story

Jersey-Friendly Yards: Resources for Landscape Professionals

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by Karen Walzer, Barnegat Bay Partnership Public Outreach Coordinator

New Jersey residents care about clean air, clean water, and healthy waterways for fishing and swimming in our state.

They want a healthier environment but are not always sure what they can do to help reduce sources of pollution. To provide a much-needed guide specifically for New Jersey property owners, the Barnegat Bay Partnership developed the Jersey-Friendly Yards website (www.jerseyyards.org), with grant funding provided by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Developed for the entire state, Jersey-Friendly Yards brings together multiple resources about the best landscaping practices to help property owners make sound decisions for a healthy yard and healthy environment. The website shows property owners how to minimize fertilizer and pesticide use, conserve water, and provide valuable habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. It also highlights the benefits of using native plants, which thrive in our local climate and soil and require less maintenance, and educates about invasive plants to avoid in the yard.

Landscape professionals can use the website’s resources as educational tools as they provide recommendations about these best management practices and work with customers to make informed decisions about their landscape. The “8 Steps to a Jersey-Friendly Yard” provides property owners with an overall how-to guide to low-maintenance landscaping, and the “Interactive Yard” takes users through the steps with an interactive example so they can see the benefits of Jersey-Friendly landscaping.

Another excellent resource for educating customers is the site’s searchable “Plant Database.” The Plant Database is a great tool for finding the right plant for

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the right place. Customers can work with their landscapers to search for plants that match the specific conditions in their yards (e.g., amount of sunlight and soil type) and their personal preferences (e.g., plants that attract bees, butterflies, or hummingbirds). When making recommendations for plant choices, landscapers can refer customers to the database to look up details and see photos of the recommended plants.

The “Success Stories” section of the website gives examples of landscapers transforming properties using JerseyFriendly practices. Several Jersey-Friendly Yards demonstration projects are also featured on the website. The Ocean County Soil Conservation District, a partner in designing and launching the site, completed these demonstration projects, which are available to local communities as models of healthy low-maintenance landscaping.

The website also has a “Resources for Professionals” page, which has information about and links to training and certification programs, professional associations, and other useful resources for professionals. The “Where to Buy Native Plants” page “The Plant provides a list of Database is a great New Jersey nurseries that sell native tool for finding the plants, both retail right plant for the and wholesale. right place.”

Jersey-Friendly Yards will continue to evolve to provide the best resources possible for eco-friendly landscaping in New Jersey. Feedback about the site and suggestions for additional content can be emailed to Karen Walzer, Barnegat Bay Partnership’s Public Outreach Coordinator, at kwalzer@ocean.edu. The Barnegat Bay Partnership is the National Estuary Program for the Barnegat Bay. More than 30 partners – government agencies, academic institutions, businesses, non-profit organizations, and citizen groups – are all working together for cleaner water and a healthier ecosystem in the bay.

Certifiable Night “Vision”

Photo: Tode Landscape Contractors

2) Value - Properties that feature outdoor lighting tend to hold a higher resale value because potential buyers know they can entertain and use the homes outdoors at night as well as in the day.

3) Savings – The LED lighting is very inexpensive compared to traditional low voltage or line voltage systems. They can surprisingly fit into the most frugal budgets.

Please make sure you check with your local and state rules and regulations when considering installing low voltage lighting for your customers. It is a great way to increase your client’s outdoor enjoyment while increasing your bottom line as well.

Joe Bolognese is an inside sales rep for Gamka Sales, Inc. He is a Past Vice President and currently an Associate Director of the NJLCA. He is also Chair of the Education and Landscape Industry Certified Exam committees. He has over fifteen years experience in the landscape and irrigation supply industry and can be reached at jbolognese@njlca.org.

Don’t Be the Victim of a Scam

by Emil Pescatore, Peak Equipment Everyone likes a good deal, right? Of course. But we also want a fair and reasonable deal on both sides. We are all very aware of the saying, “If the deal is too good to be true, then it probably is.” Well, nothing has been truer lately than when you go onto public websites where people are listing items for sale. Whether that item is concert tickets, clothes, appliances, etc. There are a lot of legitimate people selling legitimate items, but unfortunately, there are many others looking to scam people into believing in something that is definitely not true. It doesn’t make you dumb or ignorant if you’ve fallen for one of these scams. Trust me, I’m one of those people. Mine was of a very large number that I was able to get back via insurance, but I sure felt dumb and vulnerable after. That was until I spoke to a lawyer and also the FBI. Wow, I couldn’t believe how many internet scams are out there with people trying to sell items that aren’t even theirs.

Anyway, I hope this article educates you where, at the least, you will be armed with the knowledge to not have this happen to you or your friends, if you ever decide to purchase heavy equipment or any other large purchase online. We are mainly talking about Craigslist, which can be a great source to find equipment, so please don’t think I don’t believe in the product because I do. It’s provided a lot of exposure to my company around the world.

Also, those “fisher” emails you get from people looking to sell equipment or broker equipment. Please be very careful. Here are some steps that I would take before making a purchase and some things to look for when searching for equipment: • Always ask to see the item for sale in person, never take just pictures via email or text as proof that this item really exists • Odd prices on Craigslist, instead of an excavator being listed for sale at $45,000, the price is $24,753. This is done for a reason to stick out and attract a possible victim.

• Never wire money to an unknown source and never out of the country.

• Always speak to the person over the phone and never just via email or text. Many times they are foreign so you can tell as they cover up with a heavy accent and give themselves pretend American first and last names.

• Google the person’s name and/or business name, many times they will come up as a scam artist as you probably aren’t the first ones they are trying to scam.

• Verify the serial number with a local dealer that represents that brand.

• Ask the person selling the item for a referral • Many times they are selling a machine they don’t own. Google that exact machine and you may see it listed by someone else on MachineryTrader, Rock&Dirt or some other equipment trading website.

• Many times they are taking the images from other ads and using as their own so the images are fuzzy since they have to save them to a desk top and repost.

I hope these tips and advice help in saving you money, time and effort when looking for heavy equipment or other items via the internet. Best of luck! Please don’t hesitate to call me with any questions if you are looking to buy a piece of equipment and want to make sure the sale is legitimate.

Emil Pescatore is the Owner of Peak Equipment. He has over fifteen years of experience in the construction equipment industry concentrating on asset management, procurement, attachments and municipal sales for the NJ/NY/MD/DE/DC area.

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You have just finished installing the dream backyard your clients have been hoping for.

It looks wonderful in the sunlight, but what happens when that great ball of fire sinks into the horizon?

The many plants, rolls of sod, yards of soil and mulch, pavers and wall stones, water features, custom kitchens and etc. all unseen or appreciated. A simple and versatile option is to design and offer to install low voltage LED outdoor lighting. LED technology has grown exponentially and is very affordable. Including low voltage lighting in your overall layout can offer your customers several different benefits such as: 1) Security – Having low voltage lighting to illuminate their property can provide safe passage around previously dark corners or corridors. It can also deter wrong doers from seeking hiding places on your property.

Feature Story

Feature Story

New and Innovative Hardscaping Options

by Josh Braen, Braen Supply

CINLMEORAE WNA

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T

hroughout the centuries, natural wood has been viewed as elegant, sophisticated and classically beautiful in both interior and exterior design. When it comes to establishing a rustic yet functional outdoor living space, however, natural wood may not always be the best option. As a contractor, you understand the limitations of natural wood - especially here in New Jersey and the northeast in general. Here, we frequently experience high volumes of rain, hot and humid summers and cold and icy winters. The combination of these natural elements wreaks havoc on wood and quickly leads to warping, rotting, discoloration and decay.

That doesn’t mean that the wood look is down for the count though! Where there’s a will, there’s a way, and some of the largest and most respected hardscaping manufacturers have taken it upon themselves to come up with a suitable alternative for home and business owners who desperately crave the look and feel of natural wood.

By developing concrete and porcelain pavers that look just like the real thing, these manufacturing companies have made it possible for contractors to easily and affordably install stunning patios and outdoor flooring surfaces for their customers. Customers are able to enjoy the rustic look of natural wood on more practical and budget-friendly terms without any splinters!

So what are these amazing alternatives to natural wood that we speak of? Our three favorite solutions for offering the real wood look to New Jersey outdoor living spaces are Borealis Slabs by Techo-Bloc, Mirage Sundeck Pavers by Belgard, and Timber Stone from Cambridge Pavingstones with ArmorTec. Read on to learn more about the unique beauty of each of these incredible options and for useful tips on the installation process.

Mirage Sundeck Pavers: Manufactured by Belgard Belgard recently teamed up with a leading designer and manufacturer of porcelain tiles in Italy to bring American customers a unique new type of porcelain tile.

The Mirage Sundeck collection is carefully crafted to give users the distinct impression that they are basking in the delightful New Jersey sun from the warmth and

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The FISHER® XLS™ sn Carry up to 30% mo

LOCKED ‘N

FOUR PLOWS IN ONE 8' COMPACT

10' EXPANDED

LOADED The FISHER® XV2™ V-Plow is loaded with features and ready to take on the harshest winter conditions. Extreme flared wings help bust through drifts and carry more snow. Standard InstaLock double-acting cylinders lock the blades firmly in place while back dragging. And the FISHER trip-edge system keeps the blade upright and plowed snow in front of the blade when snow-covered obstacles get in the way.

Innovative Products for Today’s Snow Removal Professional

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coziness of a natural wood deck. The porcelain pavers are available in plank cuts for the classic look of wooden decking around porches, patios and swimming areas. They are also available in a square cut for a more modern and geometrically “chic” style.

Both cuts feature rich, brown tones (in three distinct shades - Classic, Origins and Spirit) and wood texturing that’s nearly imMirage Sundeck by Belgard

The FISHER legacy

Snow Caps

This article provided by Van Dines 4WD Center on behalf of Western Plows. Van Dines can be reached at 201-487-1466 or vandines@aol.com.

possible to distinguish from the real thing.

Porcelain pavers like those used in the Mirage Sundeck collection can be installed in several different fashions. Depending on the existing conditions within your work site, personal preferences and the intended usage of the completed project, you might choose a different method of installation. For example, those who plan on using Mirage Sundeck pavers only in settings where they will be exposed to pedestrian foot traffic might install the pavers over a compacted road base, a concrete overlay, a concrete base, etc. In the event that light vehicular traffic may be involved, it’s suggested that you consider a cementious adhesive overlay, concrete base installation. Regardless of the method, though, there are some things that you should know. First, you should make sure that a wet cut tile saw that is specifically equipped with a diamond blade be used for any cutting. It’s also important to handle the porcelain pavers with care, never allowing them to slide or rub against one another, as this can lead to cracking or chipping.

Always maintain a minimum of 4mm of joint space between pavers, and do not make use of a plate compactor throughout the installation process. Polymeric sand is recommended for sealing the joints. For more information on Sundeck porcelain pavers, visit www.belgard. com/products/porcelain_pavers/sundeck.

Timber Stone Pavingstone: Manufactured by Cambridge Pavingstones with ArmorTec The Cambridge brand has long been known for their unique ArmorTec seal on each of their carefully crafted pavingstones. Their Timber Stone pavingstone collection is truly a sight to behold. Customers no longer have to choose between the reliability and endurance of faux stone pavingstone Timberstone in Cottonwood by units and the luxurious el- Cambridge Pavingstones egance of natural wood. The two have been married with the Timber Stone line. The 4-piece design kit features three different wood colors (Ironwood, Cottonwood and Birchwood), fabulous texturing, natural wood patterning and a variety of cuts and shapes for a truly unique outdoor living space.

When installing Timber Stone pavingstones, it is recommended that you begin by squaring off a corner with a perfect 90-degree angle.

Pavingstones should be laid on top of a stable base comprised of quarry process or similar material, followed by a layer of concrete sand.

Proper compaction is key to permanence. Each paver comes with a spacer

NJLCA.ORG 43

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Winged Plows versus V-Plows If you read the Internet forums, you will find plenty of opinions on V-Plows, winged plows and which design is superior. Both types of plows give you greater versatility than a straight blade. Let’s take a look at what each brings to the table.

A V-Plow blade is hinged in the middle, with hydraulic controls that adjust it from V to straight to scoop modes. In its V position, it breaks through deep snow banks and compacted “hard pack” with fewer passes. The V position can be reversed to create a scoop that allows the blade to carry more snow. V-Plows can also be used in a straight position for back dragging, windrowing and other uses where a straight blade is desired. Many V-Plows also feature flared blades that improve the plow’s snow rolling performance.

For greater carrying capacity there are several wing options. Wing extension kits can be added to straight blade and V-plow models for moving more snow. Some manufacturers offer hydraulic winged plows that simply extend and retract between narrow and wider positions. Automatic winged plow models automatically reposition the wings based on the plowing angle for optimum plowing efficiency. They are especially suited for making beginners more productive, because they operate just like a straight blade.

Fully hydraulic-controlled winged plows provide the most versatility of all winged plows. Although they don’t provide the drift-breaking capability of a V-plow in V mode, they can offer greater carrying capacity, and additional flexibility.

Winged plows with full hydraulic control allow you to independently or simultaneously extend the wings on either side of the plow to let you easily transition it from a narrow blade for clearing tight spots and transport, to a wider blade that reduces the number of passes to get a job done.

They also allow you to angle the wings forward, creating a scoop plow that can carry more snow than a V-plow. Unlike a V-plow which is fixed forward in the scoop position, a winged plow can fully angle left or right in scoop position to carry more snow around corners with less spill off.

For windrowing, a V-plow can be angled in straight-blade mode. With a hydraulically-controlled winged plow, you can angle the leading wing forward with the trailing wing in the full extended position. This configuration allows you to take a wider pass because it directs snow into the moldboard that would otherwise be lost as spillover.

Both V-Plows and hydraulically-controlled winged plows give you increased versatility and save you time and money compared to a traditional straight blade. Each offers unique features and benefits that make them better suited to particular types of jobs. If most of your work involves long pushes moving a lot of snow or windrowing, a winged plow might make the most sense. A V-plow, meanwhile, may be the best choice for operators pushing through one plowed-in driveway after another or those dealing with heavy, deep snow.

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Yuki

™

Available from these suppliers in 2017

Deutzia

Our new Deutzia varieties are like ‘Nikko’…only better. Yuki Snowflake™ is a heavier blooming selection that is covered with white flowers in spring. Yuki Cherry Blossom™ is a pink version of YUKI CHERRY BLOSSOM ™ FALL COLOR

the classic Deutzia ‘Nikko’; it has soft pink flowers in spring and outstanding fall color, too. Both are tidy, low-growing mounds that fit easily into landscapes and have excellent resistance to deer browsing.

5’

YUKI SNOWFLAKE ™

FULL SUN / PART SHADE USDA ZONE 5, AHS 8 12-24” TALL AND WIDE

www.provenwinners-shrubs.com

J & J Landscaping South Flemington, NJ • 908-782-1969 Ocean Wholesale Jackson, NJ • 732-833-7000 Statiles’ Wholesale Colts Neck, NJ • 732-294-1991 Victoria’s Paramus, NJ • 201-251-2555 Coastal Wholesale Freehold, NJ • 732-303-6700 Cohansey Nursery Bridgeton NJ • 856-453-4900 D. Johnson Farms Deerfield NJ • 856-358-1123 Loews Nursery Bridgeton, NJ • 856-451-7047 New Hanover Nursery Bridgeton, NJ • 610-636-1764 Shemin Branchburg NJ • 908-707-8222 Mahwah NJ • 201-529-0099 Lawrenceburg NJ • 609-844-1075

Turf Talk

bar for appropriate joint widths. Each joint should be filled with polymeric sand. For more information on Timber Stone, visit www. cambridgepavers.com/cfiles/products_pss_sc.cfm.

Borealis Slabs: Manufactured by Techo-Bloc When you first take a look at Borealis slabs, you’ll hardly believe your eyes. These incredible concrete slabs were designed with care and precision by the best industry professionals. Each individual slab is shaped like a long and narrow wooden beam or plank, and each feature the rich texturing and patterning of natural wood. Homeowners who choose to work with these intriguing slabs by Techo-Bloc will be able to choose from three distinct color families - Sauvignon Oak, Hazelnut Brandy and Smoked Pine - depending on their unique tastes and style.

The installation of Borealis slabs is very simple for well-seasoned contracting professionals, and can make for a fast and affordable process for both you and your clients. For the best results, it is highly recommended that you set the slabs on a foundational base of crushed stone that has been wet and thoroughly compacted, followed by a setting bed of concrete sand, or a similar material, that has been leveled and compacted. Slabs should be initially laid down at a precise 90-degree angle. Walk on the installed slabs as you proceed outward, filling in the joint gaps with concrete sand as you go. Polymeric sand is highly recommended for filling the joints. It’s important to remember that you should avoid using vibrating plates on Borealis slabs at all costs, as this can lead to damage. For more information on Borealis Slabs, visit www.techo-bloc.com/products/borealis.

Looking for a local supplier that can connect you to beautiful concrete or porcelain alternatives to natural wood? Braen Supply is your “go to” supplier for all faux-wood pavers and similar hardscaping materials in NJ. Braen Supply is an authorized dealer of Belgard, Cambridge and Techo-Bloc, providing you with exclusive access to all of these brands’ latest product offerings and details about installation, care and maintenance. We’re also able to secure the best and fairest prices on all of these materials so that you can keep your costs low while offering competitive pricing to your clients. Feel free to visit our showroom to see these incredibly versatile pavers with your own eyes. Our faux wood hardscaping materials can be picked up at your convenience or can be bulk delivered to job sites throughout parts of New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

Borealis Slabs by Techo-Bloc

Greg Carpenter, CLT is co-owner of American Beauty Landscape Design since 1983. He attended the SUNY Farmingdale Turfgrass Program and is an NJLCA Director. Greg also serves on the Rutgers Turfgrass Advisory Board and the Bergen Community College Horticultural Advisory Board.

NJLCA.ORG 45

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I was at a popular landscape supply distributor yesterday (early January) and I saw someone picking up fertilizer. He had just a couple of bags, so I didn’t think it was an early order for next season. I guess it was someone going out spreading fertilizer in January. But why? He is about a month too late. NJ Fertilizer Law states no fertilizer from December 1 through March 1 and just who is going to pay for fertilizer now? I’d like to meet the customer who pays for fertilizer in January!

A couple of years ago; against my better judgment, I broke one of my cardinal rules of business – I took on my neighbor’s lawn. She was having all kinds of problems with her turf. She could never get the lawn to be “right”. She called me early in February, which was good, as I had plenty of time to plan for her. I noticed that the town, when it plows our cul-de-sac, pushed all the snow up on her front lawn with all the salt and grit mixed in to the pile. When it came time for her spring cleanup, I paid special attention to try to remove as much of the salt and grit as possible. I started to lime it heavily and told her we needed to top dress the area. Her soil was so loaded with salt it would never support life of any quality – even the weeds were having trouble surviving. So, I put several inches of screened top soil over the area. I then sowed a proper seed mixture leaning towards sunny grasses, even though there was a huge oak tree out in front. She has a big bay window that reflects the afternoon sun directly on her lawn. I made a point of increasing her water from 20 minutes, 3 times a week to 60 minutes, 5 times per week (we live in a sand pit, so the water runs through our soil very quickly).

By June, her lawn looked better that it had in 20 years.

The moral of the story here is that you need to ask yourself “why is that not working?” She had shade and irrigation and had reputable people working at her house, so what is going wrong? Many of the issues we deal with in turf are due to outside influences. Whether it is the delivery guy who idols his truck, blowing hot exhaust on the grass, killing it because he parks in the same spot all the time. Or it’s something like the windows that reflect the sun and cook the turf. PVC Fencing is another influencing factor. The white reflects the sun. The minute one of these fences goes in, you need to bump up the sprinkler or the turf will suffer. You have to truly take a step back and analyze the site.

Good Luck and Keep Growing!

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Easily

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• Safe - Non-Slip, Skid Resistant Surface

• Strong - Highly Resistant to Loads!

• Easily Installs over Sand, Grass or Gravel

• Long Lasting - Rarely have to replace

• Resistant to Mold - and Moss

Your Ultimate Stop for Porcelain Pavers. Forklift Delivery Statewide!

Large Quantities In Stock! Contact Us Today; 685 Wyckoff Ave., Wyckoff, NJ phone: 201-891-3500 www.bergenbrick.com

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What’s New with Organics?

by Barry Draycott, Tech Terra Environmental

F

your job becomes easier with fewer problems to solve. Another snag often spoken of is that it takes a while for organic land care to show the benefits. With research and years of trial and error, we now have a better understanding of how to produce faster results.

Fourth. Learn as much as you can about improving the biological aspect of soil health. A good place to start is the USDA Soil Biology Primer, which you can download for free online. You will learn the essentials of how soil microbiology improves soil structure, reduces drought tolerance and protects plants from insects and diseases, while improving nutrient cycling. The first time someone told me about this, I thought he was crazy! Then I started studying up on it and implementing what I had learned, and saw the results. The more I learned, the better the results. Just Google “Benefits of Soil Microbes”. This is the heart of organic land care and really sets it apart from conventional methods. All terrestrial life depends upon the soil food web. We need to pay more attention to keeping it healthy.

Fifth. Find yourself a mentor. Whoa, hold on a minute; make that first on your list! A mentor will help you jumpstart the process by avoiding many mistakes. This is still a relatively new approach to landscaping and more information is coming in every day. Learn from those who have been doing this well for a while.

Which brings us to why you would want to go through all this trouble. Yes, this is a service which will provide another revenue stream for your company. But there is more to it than that. And before I go any further, let me state that I am not an anti-chemical activist. However, I do believe that our industry can do a better job of getting results with fewer pesticides. We can do so if we change our focus from just making applications to growing healthy plants in a healthy environment. Best Management and Plant Health Care practices go a long way in that direction, and more of us should be following those guidelines. The next big step is to use the science behind improving soil health, especially the biological aspect. When we increase soil organic matter, nutrient cycling improves, irrigation needs drop and plants’ own immune systems improve. In other words, we are better able to maintain healthy, beautiful landscapes. After all, this is what our clients really hire us for.

Barry Draycott is the President of Tech Terra Environmental.

You can reach him at Barry@techterraenvironmental.com or visit www.techterraenvironmental.com.

NJLCA.ORG 47

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irst off, I hate the term “organic”, because it means different things to different people. Some say anything that contains Carbon is organic. This is true in chemistry, but not in agriculture. The USDA National Organic Program sets very strict regulations on what can be claimed organic, and farms are overseen by State authorized certifying agents.

There are those who claim compost made from poultry manure is only organic if it’s from free range hens. This statement goes beyond NOP regulations and is not accurate.

The landscape industry lacks the clearly defined regulations, policies and procedures that guide organic agriculture. The term organic, as it applies to landscaping, generally means: without the use of synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or synthetic soil amendments, among other things.

There are guidelines set up by non-governmental bodies, such as the Rutgers Organic Land Care Certificate Course offered annually for the past 5 years and the NOFA Organic Land Care Accreditation Course, which since 2001 has published Standards for Organic Land Care.

While organic lawncare services currently only account for 5% of industry sales, it is considered one of the fastest growing segments of our market. Many companies are now offering, or thinking about offering, organic options for their clients. So, how do you go about getting started?

First. Don’t believe everything you’ve heard about organic landcare. It’s not all “junk science” and the promotion of magic elixirs made by “voodoo, hippie, witch doctors”! Yeah, some of that is happening, but there is also a great deal of well-documented science behind the organic approach. In fact, most successfully implemented organic services rely on current Best Management Practices and Plant Health Care for turf and woody ornamentals. Rutgers has been teaching them for years and if you follow their advice, you will have better results, while reducing pesticide and fertilizer usage.

Second. While organic methods rely a lot on sound horticultural management, products do come into play. Here’s where you do have to be careful of the “magic elixirs” being sold. And keep in mind that some of the old stand-by organic products have been upgraded or are being replaced with products that are much more effective. Weeds and grubs are much easier to control organically now, more than ever before.

Third. It has often been said that organic programs cost more. This may be true in the short term, but studies show that the long term costs go down, because healthier plants require less water, fertilizer and pesticides. In other words,

Feature Story

Growing Success: What’s New 2017

by Rob Swanekamp, Kube-Pak

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T

he year 2017 is here! As an NJLCA member, you receive valuable information and benefits indispensable to the ongoing success of your business, and I have no doubt planning, design and maintenance contracts are well underway to meet the needs of clients. This article is intended to highlight areas to help you, the landscape contractor, your business, your clients and our industry, harvest another great year of success.

The first area is an update on the results of the 2016 Northeast Field trials of Annuals. The Northeast consists of Maryland to Massachusetts. Hot dry weather was the challenge in a number of field trial locations in the northeast. Trials are run by greenhouses and universities from the plant breeding distribution network. The trials offer a real world-growing environment to the new plant introductions to determine the known characteristics of the plant. Trials have been held for at least 50 years. Trial managers identify varieties with good drought, heat and humidity tolerance. Trial locations in New Jersey, New York and New Hampshire, showed a variety of plants listed appearing more than once on the list of best performers. They are as follows: Alternanthera Purple Prince - first compact Alternanthera that stands tough in heat and humidity with low water needs; Artemesia Quick Silver - from Proven Winners is a new alternative for a Dusty Miller Silver foliage landscape compliment; Begonias - there are 3 new series introduced in the last couple of years, Whoppers, Bigs, and Megawatts. All of them are in the same class

48 WINTER | 2016-17

and are good landscape performers; Canna Canova - this Canna series has consistent color and growth from these seed germinated annuals that are also disease resistant, compared to the older tuber varieties; Geranium Calliope and Caliente - both of these series are heat and drought tolerant.

Calliope has larger flowers and the Caliente’s have the benefit of being self-cleaning. Both series have great garden performance. Lantana Bandana series from Proven Winners Lantanas are underutilized in the Northeast, and are great in hot dry conditions; Salvia Black and Bloom - this interesting Salvia offers a great color combination and attracts pollinators; Sunpatiens Compact Series - are resistant to Downy Mildew and have taken the place of Impatiens as a good

color, drought tolerant option; Verbena Enduroscape - this is a Verbena that can withstand the hottest days of summer, superior branching with high flower count and also has excellent powdery mildew resistance; Vinca Titan Series - is a landscape performer. The best time to plant is after May 20th to ensure a healthy start and disease resistance.

Your grower can and would be happy to grow these products for your landscaping needs. But they need time to secure the plant material and grow them to full color for installation. Work with your grower now and, come May, you will have plant material you need to make your installations look great.

A second noteworthy point is a trend that I have seen in the past 3 growing seasons. Landscapers are selecting larger pot sizes for installation, because plants are bigger- more mature.

They are choosing 5- and 6-inch pots, instead of smaller 4-

Feature Story

Native pollinator and Neonicotinoid bills • S2078/A3400 requires the DEP to add a course on to the pesticide education program about pesticide application and bee and native pollination awareness. This bill is one of three bills to address the concerns over Neonics. It is a simple, expanded education program as part of the pesticide licensing program.

Passed the senate on 9/15/16 36-0, no action yet in the assembly. Assigned to the assembly Ag committee. • S2076/A3398 The bill expands the regulations on bee hive/ yard registration to native bees; requires bee yards seeking notification of pesticide applications harmful to bees to register with DEP by March 1st of each year. A licensed applicator applying a pesticide harmful to bees must notify the yard owner at least 24 hours in advance of application. Passed the Senate on 12/19/16 34-0. • S2077/A3397 Directs DEP to classify neonicotinoid pesticides as restricted use pesticides. This bill is still under consideration and negotiation between the chemical manufacturers, environmental advocates and New Jersey Farm Bureau. Currently looking at neighboring state legislation and how they address Neonicotinoids and Agriculture use.

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and 3.5-inch pots, for impact. Ultimately, using larger plants in larger pots creates an impact, and therefore immediate client satisfaction, and less installation time on site for the contractor.

A third and most significant topic of discussion is the continuing use of Neonicotinoids in greenhouses. There are newer classes of insecticides that are not Neonics. Also, there are beneficial insects that take the place of insecticides that create less stress on the environment.

An example would be harming insects in the natural landscape. Pollinators have issues in the environment that are not related to pesticides.

Parasites like Varroa Mites, predatory insects like wax moths and hive beetles are affecting pollinator populations as well. There are bills working their way through the State House that will have a direct impact on landscapers use of pesticides.

Last, and certainly not least, is paid sick leave and minimum wage bills. Members should always be willing to talk about these mandates and the impacts to their business with their legislators. For the full report of Legislative activities, questions or information contact The New Jersey Farm Bureau, Ed Wengryn, edw@njfb.org 609-393-7176. Also, reach out to your local representatives in Trenton to get more information. It is a two-way street, as you have knowledge to offer your legislative representatives that they need to make informed decisions about our industry. To find your local representative, http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/roster.asp.

Robert Swanekamp is the Co-Owner of Kube Pak Garden Plants in Allentown, NJ. He is a Graduate of Delaware Valley College and is a former President and current member of the NJ State Board of Agriculture. Rob also sits on the Board of Trustees for the NJ Agriculture Society.

NJLCA.ORG 49

Feature Story

Artificial Grass – Ahead of the Game

by Theresa Munitillo, GardenMark

A

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thletic fields are a commonly known use for artificial grass.

Reducing maintenance costs, increasing play times and enhancing the look of professional college and school fields everywhere. But the uses and benefits of artificial grass don’t end after the game! Artificial grass options are limitless and a smart choice for applications big and small.

Artificial Grass – Adding Space and Value - Artificial Grass is a smart option for everyone who wants to increase the usable space of any size property, while saving on maintenance costs.

Homeowners enjoy the appearance and function of lush, natural grass with a no maintenance backyard. Perfect for a picnic, putting green or around the pool. No yard? Artificial grass is perfect for balconies, rooftops and courtyards. Artificial grass is waterpermeable and can be easily installed in places grass cannot grow.

Artificial grass is an excellent choice for larger, commercial properties. The beautification of industrial parks, airports, large office complexes and other landscaped areas is a growing segment of the commercial market. Why? Because it makes great business sense. Installing artificial grass on areas traditionally covered with landscaping creates a beautiful, vibrant environment, while positively impacting the bottom line.

Municipalities are pleasing their residents and taxpayers by using artificial grass. It has been installed on school grounds, daycare’s, batting cages and dog runs all around the country. It creates a fun, fresh, clean and mud free environment for families and pets. Artificial grass does not contain any allergens, harbor insects or discolor from pet urine.

There is one visitor municipalities and industry agree they do not want, Canadian geese. Recent evidence has shown that the geese prefer natural grass areas over artificial grass. Canadian geese can cause a great deal of property damage and are very dangerous near airports. Switching out some or all areas with artificial grass can be an effective tool in reducing their impact.

Artificial Grass is GREEN - Working towards USGBC LEED certification for your project? Artificial grass is recognized as a GREEN material that contributes to sustainability. Housing and commercial developers appreciate the role artificial grass can play in obtaining USGBC LEED certification for their project, resulting in a variety of tax benefits. Using artificial turf products can help builders meet USGBC LEED criteria under several cat-

50 WINTER | 2016-17

egories (SS61, SS62, WE1, MR4, and MR6.1) and can provide an attractive, cost effective way to create a sustainable project.

The environmental benefits continue well after the project is completed. The use of a non-toxic, non-absorbent “synthetic soil” that is pet and environment friendly, prevents bacteria growth and can be cooler than black crumb rubber and more sanitary than silica. It’s just a one-time application, keeping costs down.

The “greenest” aspect of artificial grass is in the simple upkeep.

There are no fertilizers, weed killers or pesticides leaching into the ground. No mowing means no emissions from gas powered equipment and no grass clippings, which the EPA states are the third largest component of municipal solid waste in landfills.

Water conservation is vital in most areas of the country. Federal and local regulations regarding water use and reductions have become increasingly strict. The Synthetic Turf Council estimates that the use of artificial grass has resulted in the conservation of between three to six billion gallons of water in 2010. In addition to saving money on water bills, some cities offer rebates or credits for residents who install artificial grass as a water-saving landscaping alternative.

Artificial Grass is Growing Employment - According to The Synthetic Turf Council, “synthetic grass for landscape, golf and other recreation applications is the fastest growing segment of the synthetic turf market.” In 2014, 40-45 million square feet of synthetic grass for landscape and recreation was installed.

In order to fill this growing demand, the market needs Certified Artificial Grass installers. The base prep is almost identical to that of a paver base and most installers only need training on seaming and project design before they can add this as an additional service to offer their clients.

Meeting New Demand - One of the latest developments and innovations in the industry is the use of a shock pad that answers market demand for schools and daycare’s that is compliant with the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards for gmax; measurement of shock absorption and meets ADA federal standards for mobility devices. Shock pad can also be environmentally friendly when made of recycled material.

Artificial grass products vary in their composition so that an infill is unnecessary, which saves time and money during the installation process. And new developments and advanced technology allows for a superior product to offer upwards of a fifteen year warranty on their artificial grass products.

GardenMark LLC is a one-stop supplier of Artificial grass headquartered in Hoboken New Jersey. All artificial grass products are always in stock, including all accessories needed for a quality installation. Timely delivery to the tri-state area and the entire eastern seaboard is available.

GardenMark also offers free training and certification to contractors and landscapers. For more information, contact Theresa Minutillo at 877-711-TURF (8873) or email info@gardenmark.com.

Feature Story

Innovative Retaining Wall Technology Gives Landscapers an Entry into the “Big Block” Wall Business

P

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erceived as a quick and dirty method of providing a retaining wall solution, “big block” walls are very popular with engineers. The heavier weights require specialized lifting equipment. Many landscapers who typically do not use cranes have been disqualified from bidding on these projects-until recently.

Introduced five years ago, “Tandem” paneled wall systems can be installed using the same equipment for segmental retaining walls (SRWs).

The system consists of two 1’x2’ 65-pound panels, light enough to lift by hand. The panels are connected with 27” or 46” co-polypropylene connectors and the space between filled with #57 clean stone. This allows construction of walls up to 10’ high without geogrid. Aggregate costs are competitive with concrete and the gravel between the panels may substitute the 12” gravel fill zone traditionally required behind 12” deep SRW units, with engineer approval.

by Daniel G. Moreland, CCPR, LEED GA

The popularity of these 1’x2’ panel systems has led to smaller tandem units for landscaping walls. Smaller units available on the market today are available in multiple 7” high pieces, in aesthetically pleasing natural and ashlar finishes. This versatile system allows for faster install times and potentially less lifting injury. They can be installed as landscaping retaining walls or as double-sided freestanding systems.

The lightweight panels can even be installed on sturdy metal grids for columns and attached to grid-covered pressured treated wood frames for outdoor kitchens or veneers. Tandem grid systems minimize cutting, fitting, and the trial-and-error experienced with many outdoor kitchen custom and pre-designed kit projects.

A final word about quality. Unlike most SRW units, the panels are manufactured face up on a paver big board machine with higher mix densities, while creating very tight height tolerances.

Easy to handle, faster to install, and manufactured with a very salt-resistant concrete, tandem paneled wall systems are designed to solve a lot of on-site issues for landscape professionals, while providing a visually exciting final product for the client.

Daniel G. Moreland, CCPR, LEED GA is a National Concrete Masonry Association SRW Instructor and a member of the Interlocking Concrete Paving Institute Technical Committee. A graduate of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Dan has been with Oldcastle, Inc. as a Belgard Architectural Representative for over 14 years and resides in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

NJLCA.ORG 51

Oakland Marine and Equipment

Oakland Marine and Equipment, Inc. is offering the new Vanguard Oil Guard system on its powerful 810cc EFI 28hp engine. This new dry sump design offers many benefits like external 5-quart oil tank with an easy change integrated oil filter. Because of its large capacity it extends oil changes to 500 hours, keeping oil cooler, and providing superior lubrication on hills. Better engine protection always means longer life and lower costs. See this new engine on Ferris power equipment this spring at Oakland Marine and Equipment.

206 West Oakland Ave., Oakland, NJ 07436 201-337-7741

Feature Story

What Does President Trump Mean for H-2B

I

ously defend the H-2B program and encourage Congress and the Administration to address the 66,000 cap.

Congress must also wrap up federal spending for the end of fiscal year 2017 and begin the appropriations process for fiscal year 2018, which begins on October 1, 2017. Our coalition will encourage Congress to re-instate the H-2B returning worker ex-

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n today’s partisan political climate, it is easy to dismiss the political process as broken and assume that nothing will be done to help landscape companies that use the H-2B program. It can be frustrating to contact your elected officials over and over about the endless trials and tribulations of the H-2B program. However, your calls, emails, letters and tweets are actually making a difference. We need H-2B cap relief immediately and Congress will not act without hearing our collective voices. Working together as a cohesive industry, we can and will make a difference.

As you are all well aware, the 33,000 H-2B cap for the first half of fiscal year 2017, which runs through March 31, was reached on January 10 and the second half cap could also be quickly reached, causing a great deal of pain across the landscape community.

Congress will not act unless we all share our pain with our lawmakers. Cap relief requires legislation to be passed by Congress and signed into law by the President.

The H-2B Workforce Coalition, the Federation of Employers and Workers of America and many other organizations continue to urge Congress to pass cap relief. The newly sworn-in 115th Congress is focused on cabinet nominations, healthcare and border security. Almost simultaneously, Congress must also finalize appropriations for the remainder of fiscal year 2017 and begin the drafting fiscal year 2018 spending bills. Border security and appropriations legislation provide the best opportunity for an H-2B cap fix, but we are also working with our champions in Congress to have them re-introduce freestanding H-2B reform bills.

Border security and immigration enforcement were key parts of President Trump’s campaign platform. He speaks often about the need to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexican border and to deport large swaths of undocumented immigrants. He nominated anti-immigration Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) to be attorney general and has said that addressing employer abuses in worker visa programs is a top priority for his first 100 days in office. But Mr. Trump also uses H-2B workers in some of his resorts and defended the use of the program during the campaign. During discussions around border security and immigration, the H-2B Workforce Coalition, FEWA and others will continue to vigor-

by Arnulfo Hinojosa, FEWA

emption through the end of fiscal 2017. For 2018, we will encourage Congress to include both cap relief and the H-2B regulatory relief provisions that are presently in effect.

For these efforts to be successful, we need everyone to continue to engage their lawmakers by doing the following: • Call your Senators and Representative and ask them to renew the H-2B returning worker exemption immediately. If you do not know their direct numbers, you can reach them through the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 225-3121. Once connected to the office, ask to speak to the person who handles H-2B issues and stress the immediate need to renew the returning worker exemption. Congress must understand that failure to renew the exemption will result in American job losses.

• Encourage your employees, co-workers, customers and suppliers to also call their Senators and Representatives.

• Set up meetings locally with your Senators and Representative.

• Email your Senators and Representative.

• Tweet at your Senators and Representative using #SaveH2B. We will not give up on this fight for H-2B cap and other relief.

We appreciate you joining us in this fight.

Arnulfo Hinojosa is Vice President for the Federation of Employers and Workers of America, FEWA. FEWA is a national nonprofit association that consist of employers across the country and workers around the world that utilize the temporary guest worker programs, H-2B and H-2A. FEWA is the national voice of the existing legal guest worker programs community. www.fewaglobal.org 1-877-422-3392, ahinojosa@fewaglobal.org.

NJLCA.ORG 53

Feature Story

Why am I Paying Too Much for Snow Insurance?

A Risk Manager’s Analysis of Insurance and its Impact on the Green Industry

I

nsurance – Perhaps the most confusing and costly necessity of running a business, especially in the green industry. The process of getting quotes and securing coverage can be time-consuming, arduous and extremely expensive.

Our goal with this article is to explain the current state of the insurance industry, suggest risk management tactics to decrease your likelihood of major claims, and explain how implementing these risk management strategies can help improve your experience with the insurance process.

State of the Market In the United States, snow removal companies pay about $500 million in insurance premiums annually; the same insurance companies pay out nearly $1 billion in claims each year – that is a 200% loss ratio. With statistics like this, it is easy to see why insurance carriers are backing out of the marketplace and ceasing coverage for snow operations. Fewer carriers has reduced competition in the industry. As a result, carriers are increasing premiums and becoming extremely selective about the companies that they choose to write.

In the insurance industry, there are 2 types of carriers, Admitted and Non-Admitted. Non-admitted carriers are often referred to as the Surplus/Excess market and do not need to abide by state regulations in terms of standard policy language and rates. These carriers typically charge significantly higher premiums and can offer limited coverage with detailed exclusions that are extremely specific to an organizations operations and contractual obligations. This could result in a claim for which you are contractually responsible being declined. In addition, Surplus policy premiums are typically paid in full at policy inception, unless financed through a third party. These policies are audited at the end of the policy period and carriers reserve the right to collect additional premiums if projected payrolls or sales are higher than those determined at audit. In the event of a light snow year, when projected payrolls or sales are lower than estimated at the beginning of the policy period, these carriers do not

54 WINTER | 2016-17

return any of the premiums that they collected. This puts the insured in a lose-lose situation.

Admitted carriers are also known as the Standard market.

These carriers are mandated to file their rates with the state and their policy language must conform to state regulations set forth by the Department of Banking and Insurance. This means lower premiums and often broader coverage. In addition, standard market carriers offer returns after an audit when/if the audited sales or payrolls are less than projected at the inception of the policy. This is a huge advantage to snow contractors, as they can get money back in the case of a mild winter with little snow. In addition, to better coverage and pricing, many of the Standard market carriers offer loss control services, such as training seminars, claims handling instruction and process improvement recommendations.

With this being said, the Standard market is not for everyone. Due to the heavy losses associated with the snow removal industry, underwriting guidelines are very strict.

Standard market carriers require a relatively clean loss history, with detailed documentation on all losses that may have occurred. They also prefer that snow removal make up less than 25 percent of company’s revenue, and that they have detailed documentation and loss control measures in place.

Many carriers also require a copy of the insureds standard snow contract to determine if liability is being transferred or absorbed properly, based upon the scope of their work.

Many carriers shy away from companies that take on snow removal contracts for high risk locations, such as hospitals, assisted living facilities, and a high volume of homeowners associations. Finally, smaller snow removal companies who may not have the resources to implement these detailed loss control measures are at a steep disadvantage in the snow insurance market. Standard market carriers are less willing to take on a snow removal risk when they are not collecting sig-

Feature Story

by Bill Webb & Brian Lenskold, AJ Gallagher nificant premium from other lines of coverage. These other lines of coverage essentially act as insulation to the carrier in the case of a large claim from a snow removal incident. A $100,000 claim from a contractor spending $20,000 on his entire insurance program is much less desirable to a carrier than the same claim from a company with a $200,000 premium spend.

The real question is, how can you make your company appealing to the standard market carriers in order to minimize your insurance costs without sacrificing coverage?

First and arguably most importantly, contractors must pay attention to hold-harmless agreements and unfavorable language in contracts that they are considering signing. These are the basis for many expensive claims in which the contractor is not fully at fault. We recommend having your legal counsel review all contracts before signing your rights away.

The fact is that the risks do not outweigh the rewards with many of these contracts. Next is education. It is essential that all contractors gather their teams, as well as subcontractors that may be working with them, for a brief meeting before the start of snow season. These meetings should review

and quality of your job sites. This documentation could be the difference between having a claim paid out or defended by your insurance company.

Taking these steps will increase your likelihood of getting Standard market coverage and decrease your likelihood of claims. However, there are certainly no guarantees. Until legislation is passed to mitigate the financial hardship that slip and fall claims put on snow contractors, these steps are about all that contractors have to protect themselves. If your company chooses to, or already does implement some of these procedures, it is essential that you make sure your broker is representing your operations accurately. You work hard to distinguish your company as a safe, high-quality, professionally run operation. This goes a long way when presenting to an insurance company for quoting.

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some of the procedures detailed on the training offered by SIMA, ASCA, or your local landscaping associations. Insurance carriers look more favorable upon companies that provide snow operation training and education for all of their employees and subcontractors. It is essential that everyone in your company is on the same page when a snow event occurs. This could make the difference in obtaining coverage in the standard market for a company with questionable losses. Last but certainly not least, documentation is critical.

Weather logs, photo documentation, notes of arrival time and departure time from sites, pre-inspection notes, and a defined scope of your duties at a site, are critical to showing a carrier that you are responsible and dedicated to the safety

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