e
p.o. box 748 • st. charles, il 60174 847.742.1790 • fax 847.742.2655 www.midwestgroundcovers.com
September 2016
CONTENTS
Excellence In Landscape Awards Project
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FOCUS: Making the Most of the Digital World Anti-Indemnity Statute in IL — Net Impact 10 What this new law means to you New Legislation Successfully Passed 12 Represents significant relief for industry Know Your Costs and Succeed in Snow 18 Great reminders for anyone in snow business
Ranch Verde’s Edible Makeover Finding a path in the food forest
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Summer Field Day 2016 Another strong showing for ILCA’s oldest event
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Jim Fizzell’s Hort Advisory Winter weather projections and more
42
Midwest Groundcovers Hosts Pollinators Event
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Committee Chair Profile 52 Dave Warning of Baily Nurseries Member Profile 56 Snowfighters Institute
Plant All-Stars 62 Magnolia x loebneri ‘Merrill’
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EN ESPAÑOL
Ranch Verde’s Edible Makeover Renovación comestible de Rancho Verde
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On the cover... A Safe Haven received a Gold Excellence in Landscape Gold award for this 2015 project. The Landscape Contractor September 2016
62 3
CONTENTS
DEPARTMENTS ILCA Calendar From Where I Stand President’s Message New Members Classified Ads Advertisers Index Photo Credits ILCA Awards Program Rick Reuland Midwest Groundcovers Kendall Hill Nursery
Calendar
4 5 7 54 58 61
SEPTEMBER September 9, 2016 Turf Education Day (TED) Chicago Botanic Garden Glencoe, IL 60022 September 15, 2016 ILCA Golf Outing Village Links of Glen Ellyn Glen Ellyn, IL
1, 8-9 22-30, 32-35, 36-41, 43, 52 41-51 62
The official publication of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA), The Landscape Contractor is dedicated to educating, advising and informing members of this industry and furthering the goals of the Association. The Landscape Contractor carries news and features relating to landscape contracting, maintenance, design and allied interests. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited material and reserves the right to edit any article or advertisement submitted for publication. Publication reserves right to refuse advertising not in keeping with goals of Association. WWW.ilca.net Volume 57, Number 9. The Landscape Contractor (ISSN # 0194-7257, USPS # 476-490) is published monthly for $75.00 per year by the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, 2625 Butterfield Road, Ste. 104S, Oak Brook, IL 60523. Periodicals postage paid at Oak Brook, IL and additional mailing offices. Printed in USA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Landscape Contractor, 2625 Butterfield Road, Ste 104S, Oak Brook, IL 60523. DISPLAY ADVERTISING SALES: Association Publishing Partners, Inc., Ph. (630) 637-8632 Fax (630) 637-8629 email: rmgi@comcast.net CLASSIFIED ADS, CIRCULATION AND SUBSCRIPTION: ILCA (630) 472-2851 Fax (630) 472-3150 PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL OFFICE: Rick Reuland, rmgi@comcast.net, Naperville, IL 60540 Ph. (630)637-8632
OCTOBER October 6, 2016 Women’s Networking Group Fall Event featuring Lynne Franklin Chandler’s Chophouse Schaumburg, IL
NOVEMBER
PRODUCT DISCLAIMER: The Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, its Board of Directors, the Magazine Committee, ILCA Staff, The Landscape Contractor and its staff, neither endorse any products nor attest to the validity of any statements made about products mentioned in this, past or subsequent issues of this publication.
ILCA Staff
Magazine Staff
Executive Director Scott Grams (630) 472-2851 sgrams@ilca.net
Rick Reuland Publisher/Advertising Sales (630) 637-8632 rmgi@comcast.net
Education Manager Julie Nicoll jnicoll@ilca.net
Debbie Rauen Advertising Sales (817-501-2403) debbie.landscapecontractor@ yahoo.com
Events Manager Terre Houte thoute@ilca.net Office Manager Alycia O’Connor aoconnor@ilca.net Membership & Marketing Coordinator Marissa Sikirdji msikirdji@ilca.net
ILCA 2625 Butterfield Road Ste. 104S Oak Brook, IL 60523 (630) 472-2851 • Fax (630) 472-3150 www.ilca.net
v Becke Davis Senior Writer treethyme@aol.com
November 3, 2016 Annual ICLA Membership Party Two Brothers Roundhouse Aurora, IL
FEBRUARY 2017 February 1-3, 2017 iLandscape 2017 The Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center and Hotel Schaumburg, IL
Patrice Peltier Feature Writer patpeltier@charter.net Meta Levin Feature Writer meta.levin@comcast.net Barbara Dutton Feature Writer Nina Koziol Feature Writer Jim Fizzell jjfizz@aol.com
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The Landscape Contractor September 2016
From Where I Stand — The first sign of getting older was the thinning of
there is a breadth of communication channels at our disposal. True, the number of these channels has grown with technology. my hair. Flash forward 10 years later and I can barely remember However, to simply remove one of these core channels is disrewhat hair feels like. The second obvious sign was that I started spectful to those around us. You are dictating the terms of comto pejoratively use the word “millennials.” Millennials went munication and that can be incredibly risky in an industry that from being the next generation to some strange, alien creature revolves around customer service. Yes, you may no longer like who were undoing the fabric of society. I’d see them walking email, it may seem time-consuming and wasteful, but communiaround in clusters, talking a strange language, wearing strange cation is a two-way street. It is respectful to mirror the communiclothing, listening to strange music, and constantly staring at cation chosen by the sender. If the sender sends an email and you their mobile phones. I noticed them, would shake my head, and follow-up with a phone call, that may not be what went back to staring at my own mobile phone. the sender wanted. It is obtrusive. Regardless of the generation, we are now He felt phone calls sped up the process of almost universally wired. 91% of Americans communication, which is usually true, but more carry a mobile phone in their pocket at all and more people are electing to avoid phone calls times. We act like the encroachment of techaltogether. This is the reason why data plans are nology is slow in our lives, but think back to now exorbitantly expensive where you can all just 10 years ago; The Cloud was still a cluster anyone in the continental United States, at any of rain droplets in the sky, apps were ordered time of day, for practically nothing. In 2004, before dinner, and social networking was done almost 100% of homes had a landline, today it is wearing “Hello My Name Is” nametags in less than 55% and declining. hotel banquet rooms. Deloitte estimates that 25% of smart phone users It’s impossible not to get nostalgic of the will stop making calls altogether at the end of 2016. way it used to be. Mobile phones were used Think about that, one in four smart phone users will for making phone calls. Receiving an email no longer be using their phone as a phone. That felt like getting a letter from a pen pal. Texting can’t just be dumped at the feet of millennials. was in its infancy and pre-emoji. In my day, Phone calls have their purpose, but my own you still needed to create a smiley face with a home doesn’t have a landline. We Skype with colon/hyphen/and a parenthetical! People called our in-laws. I send texts to my friends. I send each other on their phones, even to give the Facebook posts to my acquaintances. I send slightest updates like, “Hey, we decided to go emails to my colleagues. I log into LinkedIn once to Chili’s for dinner. I gotta let you go because a month to accept 200 friend requests and read I still need to call like, eight other people.” Of that some engineer in Pakistan who I’ve never course, this has all changed and we did what met has endorsed me for “leadership.” was reasonable — we blamed millennials. Now, cell phones will need to be pried out of the cold, dead Near the end of a recent ILCA Committee meeting, we devihands of landscape contractors. Any break at an ILCA event ated off topic. The Chair was talking about how he was done sends contractors rushing to the hallways to return calls from with email. He was tired of the spam, the fluff, and the 20 mintheir clients or crews. Salesmen pace hallways with a Bluetooth utes he spent responding to something that could take two minwedged in their ears seemingly talking to the voices inside their utes over the phone. He said he planned to set his out-of-office heads. Contractors still live in a world of phone calls, but that responder to say, “I am no longer accepting email. If you would world is shrinking, not expanding. like to call me here is my number, if you would like to send an I don’t remember a time where the amount of communicaemail, please contact my administrative assistant and she will forward me a copy. I will respond with a phone call.” In essence, tion methods has exploded this rapidly. For years, the primary forms of communication between people were face-to-face, the he was going off the grid. telephone, and the letter. The fax arrived in the 1970s, but was I was aghast. I couldn’t believe my ears. I called him a herprimarily used for business communication. etic. As an office dweller, email is my link to the outside world. With the birth of the personal computer, email arrived in the midILCA relies heavily on email for member and committee com1990s. Internet chatrooms, made popular by platforms like AOL, munication and marketing. We don’t have the time or resources debuted. Mobile phones became popular in the early 2000s and to call 800 members and invite them to personally attend brought portable communication and texts. Blackberries arrived and Summer Field Day or The Golf Outing. put emails at our fingertips. Smartphones came around about eight He stood firm in his position. I looked around the conference years later and revolutionized social media. In addition, we have table and was expecting the rest of the committee to shake their multiple forms of social media and almost every website has a comheads in indignation and condemnation. What I saw shocked me. ments section where you can get into a mouth-foaming flame war They all were nodding. They were hanging on his every word. with a total stranger about any topic. Skype and Facetime seemed It was like he had evolved. He had sprouted little legs and had ripped from “Back to the Future” and now require us to put on some the courage to crawl out of the primordial soup. He was Cropants and a clean shirt before we talk to Grandma. Magnon, we were all Neanderthals banging away at keyboards Business professionals have doggy-paddled to keep up. Any or mobile screens with femur bones. marketing presentation will discuss the benefits of Twitter, Houzz, Sensing a full-scale mutiny, I had to interject. I argued that The Landscape Contractor 5 September 2016
A Failure to Communicate
From Where I Stand —
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SnapChat, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Flickir, Reddit, and even aggregators like HootSuite. By the time you are done figuring out how to spell “HootSuite” another five more platforms have debuted. This is where I do agree that the sheer amount of communication channels can be become exhausting. It is tempting to set up an auto-responder and just check out. That temptation must be resisted. It is natural for us to treat communication channels like a buffet line. For example, we can load up on emails and texts and bypass phone calls and social media. Others will fill their plate exclusively with social media and ignore spoken communication or face-to-face interactions. The challenge for landscape contractors, or anyone in the service industry, is that you need to match and mirror the channels that a customer prefers. No longer is communication the troika of face-to-face, phone, and written. Customers now come at you from a variety of different channels. Regardless of how the landscape professional chooses to communicate, it is more appropriate and respectful to match how the client wishes to communicate. The communication model didn’t change, it now just includes more distribution methods. Phone calls are not dead. There is still a time and a place for personal phone calls, but fewer people are relying on them for both social interactions and to conduct business. Take the lesson from the pizza delivery industry. This was an industry completely dependent on the telephone. Ordering a pizza, for decades, involved calling a pizza place, being placed on hold, and then finally giving your order to a distracted teen. Half the time, the pizza order was correct. Now, according to, Pizza Magazine Quarterly (yes, that’s a thing) 50% of all pizza orders are made online. This is no surprise, the 80 million millennials are now outspending baby boomers on pizza so it’s natural the trend would change. The good news is that the longer communication channels exist, the more they mature. Look at how we use communication now. Email is more for business or group communication. Texts are for quick updates. LinkedIn is for professional social networking. Facebook is for casual social interactions and keeping up with acquaintances. Fax machines are dusty artifacts of a bygone era that occasionally offer you discounts for Caribbean cruises. Understanding the role of these communication methodologies will make you a better and more efficient communicator. Look, we barely understand millennials. Do we really think we are going to change them or their communication habits? We can wax nostalgic about an era where people wrote love letters, phones clanged and typewriters hissed, but that era is not returning. Millennials will be landscape clients and they don’t want to spend 30 minutes on the phone with an inbox full of emails, five unread texts, and twelve comments on their recent Facebook post to sift through. Contractors must be open and flexible to these communication channels. If not, the chatter of the world will grow softer and softer. It may bring a modicum of peace, but don’t confuse peace with deafness.
Scott Grams August 18, 2016
The Landscape Contractor September 2016
President’s Message — I hope you had the opportunity
President
Mike Schmechtig Schmechtig Landscape Company (847) 566-1233 mschmechtig@schmechtiglandscapes.com
Vice-President
Lisa Fiore Don Fiore Company, Inc. (847) 234-0020 lfiore@donfiore.com
Secretary-Treasurer
Tom Lupfer Lupfer Landscaping (708) 352-2765 tom@lupferlandscaping.com
Immediate Past President Rusty Maulding Nature’s View (815) 592-7582 rusty@naturesview.info
Directors
Mark Breier National Seed Co. (630) 963-8787 mark.breier@natseed.com Lisa Fiore Fiore Nursery and Landscape Supply (847) 913-1414 lisa@cjfiore.com Jose Garcia Natural Creations Landscaping, Inc. (815) 724-0991 info@naturalcreationslandscaping.com Allan Jeziorski Hartman Landscape (708) 403-8433 allan@hartmanlandscape.net Dean MacMorris Night Light, Inc. (630) 627-1111 dean@nightlightinc.net
Kevin Manning K & D Enterprise Landscape Management, Inc. (815) 725-0758 kmanning@kdlandscapeinc.com Maureen Scheitz Acres Group (847) 526-4554 maureen.scheitz@acresgroup.com Donna Vignocchi Zych ILT Vignocchi, Inc. (847) 487-5200 dvignocchi@iltvignocchi.com
www.ilca.net
to attend the Summer Field Day Event last month. What a successful day of education and fun. Thank you to Midwest Groundcovers and Midwest Trading for being gracious hosts at their Virgil location. The weather was excellent and their facility was the perfect setting for members, exhibitors, and sponsors to come together for educational sessions, panel discussions, product information, demonstrations, tours, food and Pizzo’s microbrew selections! Thank you to the Summer Field Day committee, the ILCA staff, volunteers, and everyone involved in this event. This month your fellow ILCA members will gather for the annual golf outing. We know there are members who do not play golf, so if you are not a golfer, consider joining us by coming for lunch and presentations. Membership is the reason why there is an ILCA and membership is who we are. We continue to grow through you, our members, by way of your participation and involvement. Take a moment and ask yourself who in the industry can you ask to join ILCA? Associations like ours, always asks the question, “How can we build on what is happening?” The answer is – new members! Each of us has something to contribute, so why not consider joining a committee? Did you know the ILCA is run by its members and adheres to a bottom-up approach to association management? We are not a top-down driven organization where a few individuals are in charge. The ILCA Board members and Committees meet annually to discuss ideas and strategy. The Board, through its strategic planning process, sets goals which are mostly completed by the staff and committees of the ILCA. Our committees are given maximum flexibility in matters not related to the strategic plan. This approach encourages and supports collaboration to work together in resolutions for the continued growth and success of the organization. Committees change as the times change. Some run their course like the Public Relations Committee which has now evolved into a Membership and Marketing Coordinator position. Each committee works to keep things fresh, interesting and to stay in step with what is happening now while looking towards the future. Consider taking your membership to the next level by joining one of the following committees: Awards, Certification, Design, Education, Experience, Finance, FLIP, Golf Outing, Latino, Magazine, Membership, Professional Oversight, Regulatory and Legislative, Scholarship, Summer Field Day, Sustainable Landscaping, and Womens Networking Group. Not sure which one is right for you…give me a call. As I mentioned in my July letter, an area that is highly important to me and cannot be expressed enough, is education. When I joined the association, the technical classes gave me training in areas which I was not proficient. In turn, my confidence increased knowing I was giving my clients the best in landscaping principles and techniques when caring for their home, whether it be maintenance practices or a design/build plan. The business sessions afforded me the tools to skillfully manage the day-to-day operations and how to effectively deal with and supervise the employees and crews of the company. I know the Education Committee is consistently reviewing their offerings to ensure the courses are viable by delivering relevant technical and business sessions providing you, the ILCA members, a path to a thriving career and prosperous business. Take advantage of your membership, go online, sign onto ilca.net and get involved!
Michael Schmechtig August 18, 2016
The Landscape Contractor September 2016
7
James Martin Associates • A Charming Site Vernon Hills
A challenge for a site
with such a formal theme, is giving the sense that the pristine lines and shapes have never been affected by time or adverse conditions and remain striking. Lawn areas that are used for entertainment must be pristine like a welcome Rug. The hedges must always be a complimentary green frame to the lawn panels. Seasonal colors must always be vibrant and help compliment the outdoor spaces. And the after effects of any outdoor entertainment, whether they are the hardscape or lawn, must be addressed immediately to uphold the pristine appearance of the site. The front lawn panels are mowed with a 21-inch mower that has to be lifted into the space because of the limited access by the boxwood hedge frame. The rear lawn area is actually artificial turf to reduce the wear from the children’s play area. But just because it’s artificial doesn’t mean that some care isn’t needed to ensure its deceptive appearance. Seams and any settling of the subgrade must be checked and repaired to avoid any accidents. Annual tea compost treat-
ments help keep all of the flower and annual beds vigorous and ensure healthy soil microbes. Containers and annual flower beds are changed out four times a year to impress any guest or passerby from the street. A cistern is used to collect runoff from the upper house balcony and then run through a separate irrigation system from the lawn irrigation which uses city water. All of the containers and annual beds use drip irrigation to allow for efficient use of the gray-water. Arbor-ties are used to prevent splitting of the arborvitae hedge and ensuring their use as a privacy screen in the backyard. Each year the homeowner has a large party which includes a large tent. The maintenance team is always involved with the preparations by identifying where all of the irrigation lines are located so that they will not be damaged by the tent anchors. When the party is over, the maintenance team addresses any turf damage so that the pristine appearance remains uninterrupted.
The Landscape Contractor September 2016
9
Breaking News for Snow Removal Contractors
Anti-Indemnity Statute in Illinois – The Net Impact by Joshua G. Ferguson, Esquire Courtney K. Mazzio, Esquire
Snow and ice
management companies in Illinois can thank Kevin Gilbride, the Accredited Snow Contractors Association (ASCA), and Scott Grams of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association for a monumental step in the right direction. Pending the signature of the governor, an anti-indemnity statute will now be applicable to the snow and ice management industry. Bill 2138 prohibits language in a snow removal and ice control services contract that requires a service provider to indemnify a service receiver for any damages or liability arising from the acts or omissions of the service receiver or the service receiver’s agents. This marks a significant change with regards to contract dealings between snow and ice management companies and the properties they service, namely, reducing the risk and burden snow contractors face in signing a contract that contains a broad indemnification clause. Snow contractors will now maintain some negotiating leverage with an indemnification provision that is no longer available to the property manager as the primary risk transfer option. Since this risk transfer is no longer available, property managers will have to put better systems in place to vet the quality of the snow and ice management professional they retain to mitigate their liability exposure in negligence actions. This vetting incentive will have the effect of encouraging property owners to retain certified, experienced snow contractors who will properly service the property and provide documentation to support the work completed. In other words, should they fail to properly vet the snow service provider in a manner that is below the standards of a reasonable property manager and/or owner, they could now be responsible for that transgression in litigation as they can no longer contract that duty they have away to the first willing snow contractor to sign.
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A second effect is that the property owners and managers are less likely to limit or place restrictions on snow and ice management services given their increased exposure. This should result in opportunity for snow and ice management professionals to increase services at each site, and thus profitability. Since the property owner/manager has some stake in the outcome of the services, the contracting for these services will move in the direction of being more in line with ASCA standards with regards to servicing and documentation. The properties will have snow contractors performing services who are insured, dutifully perform their services and have the documentation to back up those services. The anti-indemnity statute will have the effect of removing indemnity as a risk transfer tool for the property manager/ owner. Now, the only risk transfer tool will be the additional insured certification, much as it already is in other construction related fields. This is the only avenue through which they will be able to transfer their risk to another entity. The snow contractors will no longer be personally liable for the negligence of the property manager/owner as currently is the case. This bill passing is a major victory in the snow and ice management industry. The industry spoke and the chosen representatives listened. They understood that snow and ice management professionals play a crucial role in keeping roadways, parking lots and pedestrian walkways safe and America’s businesses operating. These hard working contractors needed the protection from these inequitable clauses. The net impact should be a safer environment for all and increased opportunity for those professionals doing things the right way.
The Landscape Contractor September 2016
Focus — Snow Removal
A ‘Blizzard’ of Collaborative Action Advances Successful Legislative Campaign By Barbara Dutton
As an anti-indemnification
act to help snow and ice removal contractors awaits the Governor’s signature, this is the perfect time to acknowledge the efforts put forth to make the law a reality. Like an “engine” and a “blade” working in tandem to clear an obstructing deposit of snow, when a combination of entities sharing a mutual goal move together, an avalanche of accomplishment can result. This was the case in recent months when ILCA joined forces with the Accredited Snow Contractors Association (ASCA), Cincinnati, to push for legislation to eliminate contract requirements that presented, in the eyes of industry advocates, undue risk for professional snow and ice management contractors. Having progressed through Illinois state senate channels as SB2138, the Snow Removal Service Liability Limitation Act represents the result of a determined team working concurrently on various fronts. “We were a coalition of two,” relates ILCA Executive Director Scott Grams, referring to the association partnership. Working with the ASCA, and through Springfield, lobbyist Manning Consulting Group, the ILCA initially introduced the bill into the Illinois Senate, which after undergoing a series of amendments, ultimately attained passage in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, receiving bi-partisan support before hitting the Governor’s desk. The impetus of the effort built over time. “What we started to see years ago is that every contractor will have to deal with a slip and fall at some point, and wind up having to go to court and a deposition in an insurance suit,” relates Grams. “What we started seeing popping up across the country were retail and other large property management companies, saying, ‘If you want to do our snow work, we are going to put in this clause that you have to put in a hold harmless indemnifying against slip and fall.’”
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A line in the sand
This language, says Grams, served to hamstring contractors who not only felt they could lose business by not agreeing to such a clause, and which might also have to abide by contract terms dictating when a contractor could be on a client’s premises. For example, he says, a contract might specify that snowplowing could only be conducted after an inch of snow had accumulated. “If a slip and fall occurs in the meantime,” imparts Grams, “it’s all on the service provider.” Other problems on the property, such as a leaky pipe, could also present problems for a contractor, adds Grams, who says that to combat this potential for liability, it was determined that the association had “better draw a line in the sand as to whose responsibility is what.” The ASCA, a national trade association with which the ILCA teamed to tackle the issue, had the same concern. ASCA Executive Director Kevin Gilbride recounts the organization’s interest in working on the Illinois legislative effort, the success of which he hopes is the first in a sweeping effort to get legislation passed in “all snow removal states.” The campaign was one aimed at addressing a problem that, he says, “has run rampant in the industry. “What has happened in last 15 years,” explains Gilbride, “is that clients have been using a loophole in the law – the indemnification clause in a contract that often passes on the property owner’s liability to the contractor. Essentially what they are doing is using snow contractors’ insurance to protect themselves. This is the major reason,” he says, “that insurance rates for snow management have been going through the roof.” The campaign to remedy the predicament, according to Gilbride, is being fought through an effort to garner legislation on multiple fronts. “We started state-level initiatives two years ago May. (continued on page 14)
The Landscape Contractor September 2016
Focus — Snow Removal (continued from page 10) The first was SB2138,” he relates. “As the first state, Illinois is leading the way.” Illinois was an obvious choice, suggests Grams. “As a snow state, there’s a whole heck of a lot of contractors pushing a lot of snow.”
Heavy lifting
The partnership between the two organizations proved symbiotic. According to Manning Consulting Group President David Manning, while the ASCA does not have representation in the state, its leadership recognized a benefit to be attained from the legislation. In turn, he says, “The ILCA has the apparatus to advocate for or against legislation in Springfield through my firm and its presence locally.” Regarding the effect of the bill’s passage on Gilbride’s organization, says Manning, “Having a foothold in one state is really going to help him export the legislation nationally.” Indeed, Gilbride sees the partnership approach taken as a “win-win,” calling it, “a great model, from my standpoint, to follow.” He cites the “boots on the ground” provided by the ILCA, while the ASCA worked on the effort from its base in Ohio. “ILCA,” he says, “was a great partner on this.” “We had been to the capital with 20 or so snow contractors to explain what the issues are, getting a bi-partisan co-sponsored legislative success,” recalls Gilbride. Suggesting the value of such efforts in getting a bill like this passed, Gram explains, “When it comes to lobbying we do a lot of heavy lifting.” To guide the effort from ILCA’s perspective, a change in procedure was instituted wherein the group’s Legislative Committee conducted business via conference calls rather than meeting in person to “sketch out our battle plan on position,” explains Grams. The change was enacted to ease the pressure on members’ schedules as the Committee meets weekly when the legislature is in session – during the springtime when landscape contractors have a lot going on. “We were scrambling so much more with the old way,” he relates. “The new way has really helped.”
14
Open arms
The implications of the legislation are expected to potentially affect the 60 percent of ILCA’s membership that works in snow service/management, though, according to Grams, “It’ll take time to filter out to the marketplace.” This process, he expects will require getting the message out about how the legislation will affect the way business is done. “We have to educate our snow managers, and property owners, about how a contract should be written,” he explains. “We can’t include these clauses anymore.” Work to change contract procedures will be incumbent on snow service contractors, suggests Grams, who says these professionals will “have to have discipline to go through, and be educated as to what they are signing.” Gilbride identifies two potential and significant outcomes for snow contractors as a result of the passage of the new law. “The passing of this legislation will slowly start to bring down insurance rates,” he says. And Manning sees a benefit for small contractors, who through the legislation will be able to bid on jobs that they otherwise would not have been able to. “Insurance on these jobs should be much easier to obtain without having to indemnify others,” he predicts. As a representative of a large snow removal contractor, Maureen Scheitz, vice president of human resources at Acres Group, Wauconda, Ill., expresses satisfaction with the new law and gratitude for the ILCA’s work to get it on the books. “Any legislation that helps to limit our liability in snow removal is welcomed with open arms,” she remarks, reporting that the contractor immediately shared the legislation with its attorney. “We are happy with any new tool we can add to our attorney’s tool kit.” The change to contract language, could also serve to boost business surmises Gilbride. “We’re also likely going to increase service rates,” says Gilbride. When contractors have the authority to decide when to plow snow, they will, he expects, “be able to bill for more visits.”
The Landscape Contractor September 2016
(continued on page 16)
L O N G S H A D OW
®
. COM
Focus — Snow Removal (continued from page 14)
Us against the world
Reflecting on the legislative accomplishment that will usher in this change in contract practices – and the process to achieve it, Grams points again to the power of collaborative effort, “You can still get legislation passed by very good people when they work together.” In the case of SB2138, the process of shaping the legislation through amendments allowed the team to overcome opposition encountered. Resistance from a major Illinois manufacturing association and a statewide retail association, Manning indicates, posed “the biggest hurdle” for the ILCA-ASCA team. But, he explains, “Rather than simply work against the bill, some of our biggest opposition offered us the ability to modify it in a way to remove their opposition.” And although Grams expresses that, at the outset, “We know were going up against entities with a lot of clout,” he credits a solid strategy and a set of coordinated actions with effectively moving the effort forward. “To get this passed required a lot of lobbying, communication, deal making, compromise and negotiation.” The focused and sustained effort was accomplished through “a lot of work, including meetings and letters,” indicates Grams.
Scheitz, who is a member of ILCA’s board of directors, lauds the organization’s Regulatory and Legislative Affairs Committee along with Grams and lobbyist Dave Manning for their effort to get the bill passed. “They overcame many objections and obstacles in the process but persevered and were ultimately successful in getting the bill passed,” she notes. Grams not only expresses pride in the fact that the bill represents a bipartisan effort, but is emphatic in his belief that the association has a critical role to play in addressing member concerns through the lawmaking process. “Without ILCA, not one else would fight for these issues for our members,” he declares. “It’s us against the world on some of these things, and we fight like hell.”
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Focus — Snow Removal
Know Your Costs and Succeed in Snow by Meta Levin
“Just because
one company is going to do the job for $200, doesn’t mean that you have to bid $195,” says Jim Schwantz, founder and CEO of Acres Group. Schwantz and Acres’ Vice President of Finance, Paul Washburn, walked about 75 landscape contractors through the details of calculating costs and establishing reasonable rates for snow removal services. “You have to know when to say no.” Schwantz and Washburn know of what they speak. They have analyzed all of the costs associated with Acres Group’s snow removal services, as well as figured in a reasonable profit. While the numbers they used in their iLandscape presentation were not their real ones, they were in the ballpark for what a landscape contractor might pay. In sharing their methods, Schwantz and Washburn were trying to “lead them (attendees) down the right road,” Schwantz says. In fact, when, at the beginning of the presentation, they asked their audience what they thought it cost to put a truck on the road, they got diverse and, often, unrealistic answers. It’s no wonder that often Schwantz hears from one of his sales people who is sure that Acres could get a contract if the price was lowered, often significantly. Yet, about half the time when Schwantz shows the prospective customer his costs and explains what he considers a reasonable profit, he gets the job without under bidding. Building trust is crucial for that to work, says Schwantz. It won’t be successful with someone who doesn’t know you
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and your business. Once you have built a good reputation and trust with a customer, however, they understand that there is more to it than just removing snow. Schwantz and Washburn were so intent on helping other contractors that they invited attendees to a casual session at the Acres headquarters a week later. One contractor showed up, but he had some good questions and the two spent time with him.
Capture All of Your Costs
Washburn and Schwantz began their presentation with some examples: for instance, that the company plows an average of seven 2 inch storms per year and that it gets, on average, 10 hours out of each truck. That’s about 70 hours, per truck, per season. They then added truck payments ($550) and an average insurance cost and calculated that down to a per hour cost for insurance ($4.76 per hour). But that is just truck insurance, there also is business insurance (general liability, slips and falls). Add in the costs of snow plow blades, repairs and tires, fuel and the driver, not to mention backroom costs that account for 20 percent to 50 percent of sales. When figuring the cost of a driver and/or shoveler, think of FICA, workers’ compensation insurance, unemployment insurance, health insurance and union expenses. (continued on page 20)
The Landscape Contractor September 2016
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Focus — Snow Removal job. Buying in bulk may make sense for some jobs, but not for others. Costs per job for some variables also tend to be lower the more billable hours you have. They are, however, static for such things as repairs, fuel and the driver (labor).
(continued from page 18)
Determine Your Profit Margin
You are entitled to a fair profit, but only you can decide that number. There are those who just want to break even, pay their overhead and keep a certain number of their employees working during the off season. Others see snow and ice removal as a profit center. “Profit varies,” says Washburn. Everyone has a different view of a fair profit. “It’s important to know what level of profit is right for you.” That was one of the overall themes of the presentation. “We encouraged people to know their costs and to be more comfortable with them,” says Schwantz. “Have an expectation for profit, then you can develop a fair price.” Washburn and Schwantz also recommend diversity in contracts and there are many options for that. Different jobs call for different equipment and techniques, i.e. trucks, tractors, shovelers. Some contracts require that you plow when snow accumulation reaches 2 inches, while for others it is 1 inch or “no tolerance” (if it is snowing, it must be cleared, no matter the depth). Some contracts are seasonal – the client pays a set fee whether or not there is snow, like an insurance policy. Others pay “per push,” or for time and materials. There are many combinations. Selling a blend of contracts to a variety of property types helps maximize use of equipment, people and materials, says Schwantz.
Sell All of Your Services to Your Customers
They suggest offering all services, not just plowing, to customers. This can include salt application, hand labor and sidewalk bag material. Don’t forget to markup the cost of a bag of ice melt, for instance, for shrinkage and backroom costs (about 20 percent). Road salt has a similar markup, including labor and trucking. Washburn suggests that if you buy materials by the bag, invoice by the bag. There are other opportunities to increase revenue, such as including a severe weather clause in the contract, cycle count, ice storm, travel time and holiday pay (shouldn’t you get something for climbing out of bed at 2 a.m. on Christmas day to clear the townhome community or medical center parking lots?). Think about seasonal caps on your contracts, outsideof-season work and under threshold work, if you are asked to perform it outside of the contract. Be certain that you have all and enough of the correct types of insurance. That means, among other things, having slip and fall and liability insurance with an indemnification clause. To be successful in the snow business, it is crucial to capture all of your costs, determine your profit margin, decide how to buy materials for your contract type and sell all of your services to your customers.
Decide How to Buy Materials for Your Contract Type
Determining costs can be a little more complex and take more time, because equipment and materials may vary per ILCA:
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The Landscape Contractor September 2016
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Special Feature — Something Worth Knowing About
From Worksite to Food Forest
Rancho Verde’s Edible Makeover Editor’s Note— This is part two of our look at edible landscapes and the larger question of urban farming. In this issue we examine how Christy Webber Landscapes’ “corporate campus” has undergone a magical makeover to become a life-changing food forest for the company and its employees. A marvelous expression of Urbs in Horto brought to living reality. By Patrice Peltier No one wants to eat their words, but eating their landscape… that’s something Christy Webber thinks should be encouraged. Growing your own food, enhancing ornamentals with edible plants not only in home gardens but in parks and on corporate campuses, this is a trend, and Webber’s determined to be part of it. “It’s a movement. I don’t want to be left out of it as a landscaper,” says Webber, president of Christy Webber Landscapes (CWL). “For our industry, I don’t want this to be like the green roofs going over to the roofers. The city’s talking about these big farms coming on the West side. Who’s going to design them? Who’s going to plant them? We have to step up and own this. “Many of my colleagues see this as trendy and silly,” Webber continues. “Maybe it is, but if it has to do with planting the earth, that’s what I do.”
The guiding light
For several years, Webber’s been involved with helping the city’s poorer neighborhoods plant gardens. While touring one community gardening initiative, she noticed a particularly beautiful garden plot. When she asked who the gardener was, she discovered it was Annamaria Leon, an employee of Christy Webber Farm and Garden Center, Webber’s retail garden center. In her characteristic manner, Webber soon created a department of edible landscaping at her headquarters and put Leon in charge of it. That was in 2014. Leon began exploring ways to incorporate edible plants into clients’ landscapes. She suggested that many of these ideas could be displayed at Rancho Verde, CWL’s corporate headquarters. 22
Today’s harvest from the CWL food forest.
“Annamaria kept talking about this food forest, and I thought, ‘Why not?’” Webber recalls. “It all started in the retention pond, and then I decided ‘Let’s just do the entry, too.’ It was tired. It was time to change.”
Navigating a food forest
Leon says adding edibles was an obvious next step to the headquarters’ LEED certified building. “Every office looks out on green space, but I wanted to think about how employees could also interact with the green space,” Leon explains. “Something changes when you have edibles growing on the property. You become part of the landscape. Edibles are interactive. You get to eat the sun. You get that nourishment.” “It was an organic process. One conversation led to the next,” says Ed Sanders, Facility and Carpentry Manager. “The end result was a great collaboration.” “We got Roy Diblik involved. We were able to incorporate garden center leftovers. We painted it on the ground and did it, and it turned out great,” Webber says. “It looks so beautiful.” Leon’s vision started with the retention basin, which she calls the Rain Garden. She wanted to create a densely planted food forest that could be used by employees and also serve as a demonstration garden for clients and others. Leon had the crews create ledges at different levels of the (continued on page 24)
The Landscape Contractor September 2016
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Special Feature — Something Worth Knowing About
Bees are key to both pollination and a supply of fresh honey.
(continued from page 22) basin for planting fruit trees and other edible plants. Using the “pack and stack” concept, Leon incorporated seven layers of plants: shade trees, dwarf trees such as fruit trees, dwarf ornamental and fruiting shrubs, herbaceous plants, groundcovers, root crops and vines. Today, the food forest and edible campus includes peaches, plums, pears, apple trees, native paw paws, American persimmons, Nanking cherry, black Russian and red currants, elderberries, rugosa roses (for the hips), filberts, black berries, raspberries, strawberries, hops, grapes, and arctic kiwi. “Edibles have been looked on as messy and intermittent,” Leon admits. “Your eyes also need to eat. You have to see something beautiful, so we wanted to show how to make edibles attractive, pro-
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The Landscape Contractor September 2016
ductive, interactive and economical.” “The cool thing about edible landscaping is it can be inserted into what you already have,” Leon continues. “We’re using the water that flows into the rain garden to water the edible trees and shrubs planted in the swale by having the planting beds on contour and using the method called hugelkultur wherever possible. Hugelkultur means hill culture where we have sticks and logs as the bottom layer of the berms. The logs then act like sponges and helps retain more water.”
Ask an expert
Annamaria Leon harvests some rooftop crops.
For help combining edibles with ornamentals, CWL turned to Roy Diblik, perennial design consultant and co-owner of Northwind Perennial Farm in Burlington, WI. (continued on page 26)
The Landscape Contractor September 2016
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The Landscape Contractor September 2016
(continued from page 25) The assignment presented an unusual challenge — chickens. CWL has about a dozen chickens that provide eggs for employees. “We had to fence off part of the garden to keep the chickens out,” Diblik explained. “You have to let the young plants mature before they can co-exist with chickens. Especially the seslaria and the asters. The chickens kept eating those plants to the ground.” Diblik tried some new plants in the shade of the fruit trees. One was Scutellaria ovata. He likes its blue and white flowers. A woodland edge plant, it grows two to three feet tall in full to part shade. “This is the first time I’ve tried it. It’s a beautiful plant, but it needs to run into something,” Diblik says. He planted Seslaria autumnalis 10 inches on center — a bit tighter than usual — to help it fill in faster and compete. He also planted Carex pensylvanica to spread along with the Scutellaria and give it something to travel through. Diblik combined Aster divericatus with the Seslaria, mixing in Aster macrophyllus ‘Twilight’ for its soft blue flowers. Diblik is intrigued by combining ornamentals with edible plants. “I think it’s a big part of the future. It’s being done a lot in Sweden and Norway,” he notes. “It uses space efficiently, and it’s fun. “Using Roy’s Know Maintenance concept will make it easier for us to maintain the plantings, because we don’t have time,” Leon admits, reeling off a Spanish saying that is roughly the equivalent of “in the house of the shoemaker, the shoemakers’ children go barefoot.” Sanders, who owned a floral design company for 16 years before joining CWL, brought both his design and construction talents to the project. At Webber’s direction, Sanders had the mechanic shop weld security gates open to become trellises for espaliered fruit trees. He also used braided stainless steel (continued on page 28)
Special Feature — Something Worth Knowing About (continued from page 26) cables between posts to provide support for grapevines, Arctic kiwis and hops. Installation of the posts, gravel pathways around the food forest, new brick pathways, coordination of landscape crews and equipment was supervised by Ryan Brill, Senior Operations Manager. This was no easy feat as the redesign was in the middle of the busy season and there was pressure to complete it before a major corporate event that was only days away. Leon, Diblik, and the CWL landscape crews handled all the planting.
program. The program includes monthly information about fitness, heart health, financial literacy, healthy food choices, and cooking demonstrations. In the near future they will be providing weight loss incentives and stress reduction practices
No small plans...
Leon and Webber envisioned a few planting boxes filled with edibles along the main entrance. Sanders’ idea was bigger. He suggested the boxes run the length of the structural steel in front of the building—30 feet on one side of the entrance and 12 feet on the other. Not known for thinking small, Webber had the idea of installing more airline cable behind the planters for growing the grapes, hops and arctic kiwi. “In time, we hope the grapes and kiwi will grow into a canopy that will create a play area in the 10 feet between the vines and the building,” Sanders explains. Webber wanted the front of the building to have some benches to create an inviting space to eat lunch or visit. She suggested Sanders contact Jim Venetucci of Topiarius, a Rancho Verde tenant who cuts down large, urban trees. “I picked out some beautiful crosscuts of red oak with some bark left along the edge, and those became our benches,’ Sanders explains.
Above: CFO Roger Post inspects an apple, freshly picked from the espaliered tree in background..
such as yoga, Tai Chi and massage. “The topics are very employee-driven. We are looking for feedback from our employees,” explains Vega. The company is also encouraging employees to think about the snacks they bring in — maybe substituting fruits and vegetables for baked goods. “We’ve also added sparkling water as an option in our vending machines,” Vega noted. “We plan to have meditation paths through the garden to create a mindfulness area, and we hope to convene groups in the garden for mindfulness and other stress reducing activities,” Leon adds. The rooftop production area has also been expanded to grow more tomatoes, basil, kale, collards and other high-nutrient greens, according to Leon. Twelve chickens provide free eggs for employees. Along with goats, a donkey and a nearby trampoline pit, it all adds up to “the opposite of a sterile, corporate environment,” Sanders says. (continued on page 30)
Driving the idea home
Webber, Leon, and Kelly Bolger, VP of Business Development at CW & Co see edible landscapes as an integral part of an overall wellness program. Maritza Vega, CW & Co Human Resources Director created different Wellness Committees to find out what issues were important to employees. This year CWL introduced an enhanced company-wide wellness 28
Above: Members of the CWL team; Roger Post, HR Director, Maritza Vega; and Greorge Kinsella, VP Maintenance.
The Landscape Contractor September 2016
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Special Feature — Something Worth Knowing About (continued from page 28) “Our employees say this is a very Zen-like campus,” Vega notes. “We had 60 kindergarteners and 10 adults here the other day, and one of the parents said to me, ‘This is like an adult Disneyland,’” Leon reports. “People come in here, and they’re shocked that there’s a paradise at the end of this road.” CWL employees can take advantage of both the setting and the harvest that the food forest provides. “The food forest and renovated entrance fit in with all of that,” Sanders says. “I got a lot of great feedback from employees as we were working on the project. As a landscape company, 100% of our projects are not at our place of work. We may see pictures and renderings, but we don’t get to see the results of our work every day. As a landscape company, of course, we should showcase our work. Our campus should be a place where people feel drawn to.”
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The Landscape Contractor September 2016
One caveat
Although Webber is an advocate for incorporating edibles into the landscape, it’s not an easy task, she warns. Edibles require new expertise about insect problems and diseases. “Food plants are highly susceptible to diseases,” she notes. But that’s not the only difference. “Annual planting is very different from planting crops,” she adds. “Annuals can look great the whole season; food doesn’t. When it’s done, it’s done. You have to have other plants to fill in.” Webber encourages other landscape contractors to embrace the edible landscaping trend, but she has some words to the wise: “Contemplate it; suggest it to your clients; sell it, but be aware it requires a different group of people to do it.” Still, Webber thinks it’s worth the effort — and the learning curve. “We are the keepers of this beautiful earth,” she says. “In this urban setting, we’re here to help people see how to do that.”
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The Landscape Contractor September 2016
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The Landscape Contractor September 2016
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Summer Field Day 2016
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The Landscape Contractor September 2016
The Landscape Contractor September 2016
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Enfoque: Sección en Español —
From Worksite to Food Forest
Renovación comestible de Rancho Editor’s Note— This is part two of our look at edible landscapes and the larger question of urban farming. In this issue we examine how Christy Webber Landscapes’ “corporate campus” has undergone a magical makeover to become a life-changing food forest for the company and its employees. A marvelous expression of Urbs in Horto brought to living reality.
Por Patrice Peltier
Nadie desea comerse
sus palabras, pero Today’s harvest from the CWL food forest. comerse sus diseños de paisajismo…es algo que, según Christy de estas granjas grandes que surgen en el lado Oeste. ¿Quién las Webber, debe promoverse. va a diseñar? ¿Quién las va a plantar? Tenemos que dar un paso Cultivar sus propios alimentos, enriquecer los jardines adelante y asumir el trabajo. ornamentales con plantas comestibles no solamente en jardines “Muchos de mis colegas perciben esto como algo pasajero caseros sino también en parques y campus empresariales, es una y superficial”, tendencia impeagrega Webber. rante y Webber “Quizá lo sea, está decidida a ser pero si tiene que parte de ella. ver con plantar la “Es un movtierra, a eso me imiento. No quidedico yo”. ero permanecer al Durante varios margen del mismo años, Webber ha como paisajista”, estado involuafirma Webber, crada en ayudar Presidente de a los vecindarios Christy Webber más pobres de la Landscapes ciudad a plantar (CWL). “Para jardines. Mientras nuestra industria, recorría una inino quiero que ciativa de plantesto sea como ación de jardines los techos verdes en la comunidad, asignados a advirtió un huerto techadores. La ciude jardín espedad está hablando Bees are key to both pollination and a supply of fresh honey. 36
The Landscape Contractor September 2016
Verde cialmente hermoso. Cuando preguntó por el jardinero, descubrió que se trataba de Annamaria Leon, empleada de Christy Webber Farm and Garden Center, el centro de jardinería minorista de Webber. En su forma característica, Webber creó en poco tiempo un departamento de jardinería de plantas comestibles en su oficina principal y encargó a Leon su dirección. Eso fue en 2014. Leon comenzó a explorar maneras de incorporar plantas comestibles en los jardines de sus clientes. Sugirió que muchas de estas ideas podían ser desplegadas en Rancho Verde, la sede corporativa de CWL. Goji berries are going to be a big thing in the future. A “super food,” they taste “Annamaria continuaba hablando de a little like tomatoes. este bosque alimenticio y pensé, ‘¿Por qué no?’” recuerda Webber. “Todo comenzó con el estanque de retención y luego decidí, ‘Hagamos la entrada también’. Era cansado. Era el tiempo de cambiar”. Leon afirma que incorporar plantas comestibles era un siguiente paso obvio para el edificio certificado LEED de la sede corporativa. “Todas las oficinas tienen vistas a espacios verdes, Annamaria Leon harvests some rooftop crops.
The Landscape Contractor September 2016
pero quería pensar en cómo los empleados podían interactuar con estos espacios verdes”, explica Leon. “Algo cambia cuando hay plantas comestibles creciendo en la propiedad. Uno se convierte en parte del paisaje. Las plantas comestibles son interactivas. Uno llega a comer el sol. Uno obtiene ese elemento nutritivo”. “Fue un proceso orgánico. 37
Enfoque: Sección en Español —
Una conversación conducía al próximo paso”, afirma Ed Sanders, Gerente de Instalaciones y Carpintería. “El resultado final fue una estupenda colaboración”. “Involucramos a Roy Diblik. Logramos incorporar sobrantes del centro de jardinería. Lo pintamos en el terreno y lo hicimos y el resultado fue estupendo”, asegura Webber. “Se veía tan hermoso”. La visión de Leon comenzó con la cuenca de retención, que ella llama el Jardín pluvial. Deseaba crear un bosque de alimentos densamente plantado que los empleados pudieran usar y sirviera al mismo tiempo como un jardín de demostraciones para clientes y otras personas. Los grupos de trabajadores de Leon crearon plataformas en diferentes niveles de la cuenca para plantar árboles frutales y otras plantas comestibles. Utilizando el concepto de “empacar y apilar”, Leon incorporó siete capas de plantas: árboles de sombra, árboles enanos tales como árboles frutales, árboles enanos ornamentales y arbustos frutales, plantas herbáceas, cubiertas vegetales, cultivos de raíces y viñas. En la actualidad, los bosques de alimentos y los campus comestibles incluyen melocotoneros, ciruelos, perales, manzanos, pawpaws nativos y caquis americanos, cerezos de Nanking, negro de Rusia, zarzamoras, saúcos, rosas rugosas (por sus escaramujos), avellanas, moras, frambuesas, fresas, lúpulos y kiwis árticos. “Las plantas comestibles han sido vistas
Above: CFO Roger Post inspects an apple, freshly picked from the espaliered tree in background..
como desordenadas e intermitentes”, admite Leon. “Los ojos también necesitan comer. Uno tiene que ver cosas bellas, por lo que decidimos mostrar cómo hacer las plantas comestibles atractivas, productivas, interactivas y económicas”. “Lo ventajoso de los jardines de plantas comestibles es que se pueden insertar en lo que usted ya tiene”, agrega Leon. “Estamos usando el agua que fluye en el jardín pluvial para regar los árboles y arbustos comestibles plantados en el canal de drenaje, colocando los arriates en los contornos y usando el método denominado hugelkultur cuando sea posible hacerlo. Hugelkultur significa cultivo de colina donde tenemos ramas y leños como la capa inferior de las bermas. Los leños actúan como esponjas y ayudan a retener más agua”. Para obtener ayuda para combinar las plantas comestibles con las ornamentales, CWL recurrió a Roy Diblik, consultor de diseño de plantas perennes y co-propietario de Northwind Perennial Farm en Burlington, WI. La tarea presentó una desafío inusual —gallinas. CWL tiene una docena de gallinas que proporcionan huevos para los empleados. “Tuvimos que cercar parte del jardín para mantener a las gallinas afuera”, explicó Diblik. “Hay que dejar que las plan-
Above: Members of the CWL team; Roger Post, HR Director, Maritza Vega; and Greorge Kinsella, VP Maintenance.
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The Landscape Contractor September 2016
tas jóvenes maduren antes de que convivan con las gallinas. Especialmente las de los géneros sesleria y aster. Las gallinas seguían comiéndose estas plantas”.
tivo importante en unos días. Leon, Diblik y los grupos de trabajadores paisajistas de CWL se encargaron de realizar todas las plantaciones. Leon y Webber vislumbraron algunos maceteros llenos de plantas Diblik probó algunas plantas comestibles a lo largo de la entrada nuevas en la sombra de los árboles principal. La idea de Sanders era más frutales. Una fue la Scutellaria ambiciosa. Sugirió que los maceteros ovata. Le gustan sus flores azules se extendieran a lo largo del acero y blancas. Una planta boscosa estructural frente al edificio —30 pies para orillas y bordes, crece de a un lado de la entrada y 12 pies al CWL employees can take advantage of both the setting dos a tres pies a plena sombra o otro lado. sombra parcial. “Esta es la primera vez que laand he the harvest that the food forest provides. Y entonces Webber tuvo la idea probado. Es una planta muy bella, pero necesita de instalar más cables aéreos detrás hacer contacto con algo”, afirma Diblik. Plantó de las macetas para que crezcan las Seslaria autumnalis 10 pulgadas en el centro — uvas, los lúpulos y los kiwis árticos. un poco más ajustadamente que lo usual— para ”Esperamos que con el tiempo las ayudarla a adaptarse más rápidamente y compeuvas y los kiwis crezcan hasta formar tir. También plantó Carex pensylvanica junto con un toldo que creará un área de juego la Scutellaria para darle algo a través de lo cual en los 10 pies entre las viñas y el ediextenderse. ficio”, explica Sanders. Diblik combinó Aster divericatus con Webber deseaba colocar bancos al la Seslaria, mezclando Aster macrophyllus frente del edificio para crear un espa‘Twilight’ por sus flores suaves y azules. cio acogedor para almorzar o pasar el A Diblik le interesa combinar plantas ornatiempo. Sugirió que Sanders contacmentales con plantas comestibles. “Creo que tará a Jim Venetucci de Topiarius, un será una parte importante del futuro. Se hace con locatario de Rancho Verde que poda mucha frecuencia en Suecia y Noruega”, asegura. árboles grandes urbanos. “Recogí “Utiliza el espacio eficazmente y es divertido. algunos cruces atractivos de roble “Utilizar el concepto de Know Maintenance de Roy nos rojo y corteza dejados a lo largo del borde y se convirtieron en facilitará mantener las plantaciones, porque no tenemos el tiemlos bancos, explica Sanders. po”, admite Leon, compartiendo un refrán español que equivale Webber, Leon y Kelly Bolger, Vicepresidente de Desarrollo a “En casa del zapatero, los hijos del zapatero andan descalzos“. Comercial de CW & Co, perciben los jardines de plantas comesSanders, quien fue dueño de una compañía de diseños flotibles como una parte integral de un programa de bienestar rales durante 16 años antes de incorporarse a CWL, aportó al global. Maritza Vega, Directora de Recursos Humanos de CW proyecto sus talentos para el diseño y la construcción. Siguiendo & Co, creó diferentes Comités de Bienestar para averiguar qué instrucciones de Webber, Sanders abrió las puertas de seguridad asuntos eran de importancia para los empleados. Este año, CWL soldadas del taller para convertirlas en enrejado para los árboles presentó un programa de bienestar ampliado, para implementar frutales en espaldera. También utilizó cables de acero inoxidable por toda la compañía. El programa incluye información mentrenzados entre los postes para brindar soporte a las viñas, kiwis sual sobre aptitud física, salud del corazón, literacia financiera, árticos y lúpulos. Ryan Brill, Gerente de Operaciones Sénior, opciones de alimentos saludables y demostraciones de cocina. supervisó la instalación de los postes, los caminos de piedrecitas En el futuro cercano estarán ofreciendo incentivos para bajar de alrededor del bosque de alimentos, nuevos caminos enladrilpeso y prácticas para reducir el estrés, como yoga, Tai Chi and y lados, la coordinación de los grupos de trabajadores y equipos masajes. “Los temas son motivados por los empleados. Estamos paisajistas. El rediseño no fue una empresa fácil pues se realizó buscando comentarios y sugerencias de nuestros empleados”, en medio de la temporada de mayor actividad y hubo presión explica Vega. para completarlo antes de la celebración de un evento corporaLa compañía también está animando a los empleados a penThe Landscape Contractor September 2016
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Enfoque: Sección en Español — sar sobre los alimentos que traen al trabajo —quizá reemplazar los productos horneados, con frutas y verduras. “También hemos añadido agua con gas como una opción en nuestras máquinas expendedoras”, señala Vega. “Planeamos tener senderos para meditación a través del jardín, con el propósito de crear un área de conciencia plena y esperamos reunir grupos en el jardín para ejercicios de meditación y concentración y otras actividades para reducir el estrés”, agrega Leon. Leon informa que también se ha ampliado el área de producción en la azotea para cultivar más tomates, albahacas, coles rizadas, coles silvestres y otras verduras con alto contenido nutritivo. Doce gallinas proporcionan huevos gratis para los empleados. Junto con cabras, un burro y una fosa con trampolín cercana, todo suma “lo contrario de un entorno corporativo estéril”, asegura Sanders. “Nuestros empleados afirman que este es un campus muy similar al espíritu Zen”, afirma Vega. “Nos visitaron recientemente 60 alumnos de kindergarten y 10 adultos y uno de los padres me dijo: ‘Esto es como un Disneyland para adultos’”, informa Leon. “La gente nos visita y se asombra al descubrir que hay un paraíso al final del camino”. “El bosque de alimentos y la entrada renovada coinciden con todo eso”, afirma Sanders. “Obtuve muchos comentarios y sugerencias de los empleados mientras trabajábamos en el proyecto. Como una compañía de paisajismo, el 100% de nuestros proyectos se realiza fuera del lugar de trabajo. Podemos ver fotografías
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y representaciones, pero no vemos los resultados de nuestro trabajo todos los días. Por supuesto que como una compañía de paisajismo tenemos que mostrar nuestro trabajo. Nuestro campus tiene que ser un lugar hacia el cual las personas se sientan atraídas”. Si bien Webber es promotora de la incorporación de plantas comestibles en los diseños de paisajismo, advierte que no es un trabajo fácil. Las plantas comestibles requieren de nuevos conocimientos y experiencias sobre problemas de insectos y enfermedades. “Las plantas alimenticias son altamente susceptibles a las enfermedades”, asegura. Pero esa no es la única diferencia. “Plantar anuales es muy diferente a plantar comestibles”, agrega. “Las plantas anuales tienen una apariencia maravillosa durante toda la temporada; las plantas alimenticias, no. Cuando termina, termina. Hay que rellenar los espacios vacíos con otras plantas”. Webber anima a otros contratistas de paisajismo a sumarse a la tendencia al paisajismo con plantas comestibles, pero tiene algunos consejos: “Contémplelo; sugiéralo a sus clientes; venda la idea pero tenga en cuenta que hacerlo requiere de un grupo diferente de personas”. Aun así, Webber piensa que el esfuerzo vale la pena —y la curva de aprendizaje. “Somos los custodios de esta bella tierra”, afirma. “En este entorno urbano estamos aquí para ayudar a la gente a comprender cómo se hace”.
The Landscape Contractor September 2016
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Special Feature —
Jim Fizzell’s
Hort Ad
The questions of the day — Fall 2016
Weather — White Pines — Simple Solutions by James A. Fizzell
Long-range Weather, Fall and winter
After a cool and wet spring, summer arrived with some warmth and a little drier weather at the start. Rainfall in mid-July was skimpy in some areas while others received benefit of pop-up storms. Scattered, heavy storms in late July pushed the monthly total to nearly six inches in our rain gauges, well above normal. Not all places were that wet. Things got a little dry in early August. Temperatures were moderate throughout the summer, hitting 90 or better on about a dozen or so days, but there were no prolonged heat waves. Temperatures averaged a bit above normal, not just because of daily highs. It was due to unusually warm, cloudy nights. Cloud cover prevents radiation cooling. Most contractors were reporting an excellent season with no particular problems, and plantings doing as well as they have in many years. Farmers were extolling the condition of the crops entering the final weeks to the beginning of harvest time. All-in-all, the summer was boringly normal. There were generally no excesses of temperatures and with a couple of exceptions, adequate precipitation. It was for most a ho-hum summer just as predicted by our friend and agricultural meteorologist, Greg Soulje*. However, 42
according to Soulje, that is about to change. I discussed the upcoming fall and winter seasons with Soulje. While moisture has been quite variable this summer, he says, after a somewhat drier scenario in August it will trend back to a more seasonal September. The beginning of Meteorological Fall in early September does look drier to start. Then with the expectations for a rapidly developing La Niña, a shift to a more active and moisture-laden weather pattern should commence over the second-half of September. It appears that it will remain that way through the better part of Autumn. Soulje has expectations of frequent wet spells, late season storminess with above average amounts, and perhaps quite limited dry-time windows for outdoor activities. Early-season snow(s) as well as a frost and freeze should be planned for. This fall could be a character-builder, warns Soulje. As for temperatures, any return of the August heat looks to be short-lived. A trend back to normal precedes periods of early-season cool air which may begin as early as mid-September, and likely lead to an early conclusion to the growing season. Temperatures through the remainder of fall can be best summed-up The Landscape Contractor September 2016
as “all over the place,” but coupled with a trend toward colder-than-average. The Winter season should have all the trademarks of an old-fashioned “Chicago winter,” and the change will be quick, says Soulje. Driven by the La Niña surging to moderate strength by the new year, and the Polar Vortex migrating to the James Bay area, Winter, Soulje thinks, will be early, and often severe through January. You can expect it to be cold and snowy, perhaps 50 inches for the season. February may be more nearly normal, both temperature and moisture-wise, he says. The US Weather Service, which had up to now been predicting a warm, dry winter, has changed its forecast to temperatures normal or below, and heavier than normal precipitation. The key word for winter will be volatility. Expect it, and plan accordingly. Even if things do not turn out as expected, preparation is good insurance. *Greg Soulje Agriculture Meteorologist greg@agbizweek.com
visory White pine problems
White pines are large evergreens commonly used throughout this area. Magnificent trees, graceful, with a soft texture and decent color, majestic, attractive, and easily established. They adapt readily to landscape designs. They are appreciated by designers, contractors, and property owners. Actually, these are large forest trees, but tend to be used because of their juvenile characteristics, pyramidal shape and dense to the ground. I do see white pines used where they have room to develop fully, but usually this is not the case. Often, they are used where they are not in the best cultural situations. I find white pines used where they are placed in wonderfully landscaped water features, in intricately contoured elevations, in close proximity to buildings and other structures. I see them planted closely together where they are crowded and roots have little room to grow, and on berms and dry slopes where they are baked in summer and exposed to winter stresses. This is not to say they can’t be used in such places. In spite of these tough locations, white pines do amazingly well. When they get into trouble, often we are called to isolate the problem and find a solution. Lately there have been an unusual number of requests to diagnose and correct white pine problems.
Commonly, these trees deteriorate slowly over several seasons. The first indication of trouble is failure to fully color up. The trees stay a light green instead of the normal medium green. As the problem progresses, the trees lose older needles and new growth is diminished. The trees thin out, then branches begin to die off. Ultimately the affected trees expire and are removed. This situation is not new. It has been described and discussed for years. Rarely is any specific disease found to be associated with the problem. An exact cause for such situations may be troublesome to ascertain. The simple answer is white pines decline. That is somewhat of a cop out, because more intense investigation usually identifies a few things that could be involved and which collectively result in the decline. However, the most seriously affected trees generally are located in the rather tough situations previously mentioned. Eastern white pine may be considered only marginally hardy here. Not due to winter cold, but to summer heat and drought. The native range of these trees is somewhat north of most of the state. The farthest South native stand is at White Pines State Park near Oregon, IL. There is a lobe of climatic zone 4-B that extends into that part of the state. Geotypes from
more southerly populations in other parts of the country may be more reliable here and might be preferred. Also, these trees normally are found in lighter, and usually more acidic soils. Soils here are heavier than desired. Digging beneath some of these trees, we find shallow mats of roots and few roots deep into the soil. These roots are exposed to all the vagaries of the weather. The severely dry summer of 2012 was followed by two severe winters. Some of the coldest temperatures occurred with very little snow cover. Exposed roots are susceptible to desiccation and to low temperature damage. When we dig under declining trees, we seldom find healthy, live roots. Alkaline soils also are common in our part of the country. The lighter colored needles may be due to a lack of essential elements in the plants, a result of the high soil pH. Impaired roots are less able to extract essential elements. So, it should be recognized that these plants are not long-lived in such situations. The plants should be considered temporary. When they have begun to deteriorate, they need to be replaced. Since no specific diseases are involved, replanting with more Eastern white pines is fine. But remember, once they have outlived their attractiveness, they need to be replaced.
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Special Feature —
Hort Advisory (continued from page 43)
Is it necessary to fix a problem?
For many years I handled calls from homeowners about their plant problems. Once I had identified the problem, their first question was, what should I buy to treat it? Many times the answer was to do nothing. Generally, this was not the answer they expected or wanted. However, in reality, that is the correct answer more often than not. Plants are affected by many kinds of diseases, insects, and pests. Before heading for the chemical storeroom, the problem needs to be categorized. A few kinds of problems can be fatal to the plants. Some kinds are cosmetically damaging, but cause no permanent harm. Some are just annoying, and some are simply there, minding their own business
and hurting nothing. Managing the problem can be as simple as ignoring it, or removing the offending plant or twig. Sometimes a little cleaning up on the site will solve the problem. Sometimes the problem just goes away. Last year, there was a lot of maple tar spot. Regardless of treatment, there was almost no tar spot this year. Several years ago, it was cottony maple scale everywhere. Natural predators took care of the situation quite nicely. Cosmetic troubles are only significant if the damaged plants are located where they will be seen all the time. Japanese beetles feed on the upper parts of trees. If only the upper parts are showing the skeletonizing, for instance, or if the
plants are where they are not easily seen, there is little need to treat them. However, if the Japanese beetles are skeletonizing the leaves of the crabapple trees next to the entrance walkway or outside the CEO’s office window, maybe the cost is not a factor. More considerations include economics and safety. A large sycamore tree with anthracnose will be costly to treat. The disease is disfiguring, but to eliminate it could take several treatments. Is it worth the money just to have the tree look good and stop dropping all those leaves? Anthracnose goes away when the weather warms up. Many chemicals we used in the past are no longer available because they were quite toxic, or because they hung
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The Landscape Contractor September 2016
around too long after they were used. Still, it is wise to use the least toxic chemical that will do the job, and to use it only when necessary. The effects on neighboring plantings, and on naturally occurring fauna need to be considered. Consider the level of control expected. Rarely do chemicals provide 100 percent control. Eighty percent or less is the norm. Is it worth the cost for the level of control expected? Timing is important. Leaf spot diseases start when the leaves are just beginning to grow. Fungicides are largely protective not curative, so there is no sense spraying after the damage is done. Leaves on trees have just about finished their work by late summer. Feeding by fall webworms, as an exam-
ple, won’t harm the trees. Other management methods can help diminish problems. Clean up old leaves and debris from under damaged trees and shrubs. Keep water off the leaves. Maybe consider replacing troublesome plants. Native plants seem to be more resistant to some of the problems that beset the newer introductions. Weather has a lot to do with the appearances of certain pests. It is often said, if you don’t like the Chicago weather, wait, it will change. Turfgrass diseases such as Helminthosporium or Pythium are affected by the weather. As soon as conditions change, these diseases tend to disappear.
Certainly there are situations where chemical treatment is essential. But, make sure it is appropriate before you haul out the spray hose.
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The Landscape Contractor September 2016
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Special Report The buzz about bees and more...
Midwest Groundcovers Hosts Pollinator Event by Nina Koziol
“To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee, One clover, and a bee. And revery. The revery alone will do, If bees are few.” American Poet Emily Dickinson 1830-1886 Emily Dickinson may have been dreaming about prairies when she penned that poem more than a century ago, but little could she know about the future plight of bees and other pollinators. In the Midwest, native plants support thousands of species of pollinators including native bees, butterflies, moths, flies, wasps, and flower-visiting beetles. While some of these may sound like potential pests, our native pollinators maintain
healthy, productive plant communities. They are part of a food cycle that sustains wildlife, controls pest insects, and some of them play an essential role in crop production. And, efforts to protect butterflies and bees seem to make the news all the time. Land development, loss of habitat and suitable plants for nectar and offspring, disease, and pesticides are some of the things that have a negative impact on our native pollinators. To bring attention to their plight, Midwest Groundcovers in June sponsored a “Pollinators Event” with guest speaker Dr. Scott Steward, the director of the Lurie Garden in Chicago’s Millennium Park. “He joined Trish Beckjord and Janie Grillo and attendees received a six-pack of pollinator plants,” said Jill Bondi, of Midwest Groundcovers. We spoke to Dr. Stewart recently about the role of public and private landscapes to help support pollinators. (continued on page 48)
MIDWEST TRADING HORTICULTURAL SUPPLIES, INC.® a Midwest-Orum Company P.O. BOX 398 • MAPLE PARK, IL 60151 630-365-1990 • FAX 630-365-3818
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Special Report (continued from page 46)
What’s your job at Lurie Garden? I’m responsible for basically all of the garden’s operations--the components like budget and paperwork to working with my horticultural staff, ordering plants, getting them installed, working with thirdparty contractors on irrigation, and tree and shrub maintenance. I also oversee and lead the education programs--we offer over 100 free education programs. If you haven’t been here yet, I invite you to come tour the garden and check out our programs.
What are some of the biggest challenges in your job? The biggest challenge is having everyone understand what Lurie Garden is about. Even though it’s been there for 12 years, interpreting the garden space and having people understand what it’s all about are among the biggest challenges. When you overhear people’s reaction in the garden “oh, this is a prairie,” or “oh, it’s a butterfly garden...,” you’re only half-way down the road to understanding what the Garden’s about. It’s all about
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The Landscape Contractor September 2016
ecologically informed horticultural practices. We have 2.5 acres of perennial planting beds of native and non-native plants. What we do is scalable. You can do those same practice and techniques in 100 square feet, or if you have 40 acres you can scale it up. (Editor’s Note: The garden contains over 222 types of plants within its fiveacre footprint, including 20 types of grasses, 26 types of trees and shrubs, and 34 types of bulbs. There are 142 types of perennial herbaceous plants within the borders of the Lurie Garden. Ninety (40.5%) of these plants are native to North America and 26.1% (58) are native to Illinois. The garden attracts more than two dozen species of birds as well as many types of butterflies and other pollinators. You can see it here: http://www.luriegarden.org/about/) .
Why are we focusing on native plants and pollinators now? The discussion of how to use native plants, in design, for example, has been going on for 40 years, but it’s become much more prevalent in mass media and among consumers. The consumer--our customers--are hearing that we’re losing (continued on page 50)
Special Report (continued from page 48) pollinators, losing wild areas. They may not understand the science behind it, but we can inform our clients and create beautiful landscapes that provide ecological services. We should think of landscapes as beautiful, but also beneficial as working ecosystems. We know urban environments don’t have many green spaces and we know that green spaces do wonderful things for communities and individuals.
How does our industry fit in? I feel very strongly that it’s important as an industry that we all start to look at ecologically informed management and design ideas, simply because I look at urban and suburban areas in Chicago. The amount of public space, the space where people, plants and wildlife can interact-well, it’s frightening how limited those spaces are. How do we as a region or an industry develop a sense or understanding
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about what nature provides to us? If we only have a sterile interaction with nature-weed free lawn, a couple of hostas and boxwood...well, nature (natural settings) provides other services--it supports wildlife, water control, and we need to develop an appreciation for these things. You can’t do that in a sterile situation.
What about using non-native plants? In a designed landscape, mixed native and non-native plants, what we call “nearnative,” are more likely to contain a higher diversity of food resources over longer periods of time for pollinators, and as a result, contain more diverse pollinator communities. The Lurie Garden is a perfect example of the near-native landscaping concept. It’s visually striking but is an ecologically vibrant habitat for all types of pollinators and beneficial insects. All of our education programs help move that type of messaging forward.
How do you handle a mixed landscape? I like to talk about managing as opposed to maintaining. There’s a difference in approach, in plant selection and management techniques. We welcome industry folks to our education programs. We want to share with the industry colleagues and the public how you can adapt what we do. We use a combination of traditional gardening techniques and forward thinking ecological concepts. (Editor’s note: Lurie Garden’s management practices are rooted in natural areas ecology-for example, the horticulturists monitor pest insect populations and only “treat” pests once the populations reach a predetermined level. Use of synthetic chemicals or similar substances within the Garden to manage weeds, pest insects, or diseases does not occur.)
If you had a crystal ball, what could you tell us? More clients are asking for ecologically friendly landscapes. Larger organiza-
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tions, corporations, corporate campuses, for example, are taking the lead in this and they want environmentally sensitive landscape practices. It’s really an exciting time for the industry. Continuing education and adopting some of these management techniques are important. Public and private spaces can be unique, dynamic and ecologically vibrant. Here’s an opportunity as professionals to interpret little pieces of those types of habitats in our designed landscapes. For a list of Lurie Garden’s upcoming education programs and events, see: http://www.luriegarden.org/events/ See what’s going on at Midwest Groundcovers: http://www.midwestgroundcovers.com (Sign up for their e-Newsletter and get a list of upcoming events.)
The Landscape Contractor September 2016
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Committee Chair Profile
iLandscape Experience Committee— Co-Chair Dave Warning by Meta Levin
“I just hired
Ed Begley Jr. as a keynote speaker,” says a clearly pleased Dave Warning, co-chair of the 2017 iLandscape Experience Committee. Begley, Warning explains, is a big advocate of the green industry. Keynote speakers for iLandscape always have been Warning’s purview and he can tick off such popular presenters from the last few years as Alan Armitage, Dr. Michael Dirr and last year’s “Women in Horticulture” with pride. “We try to keep it fresh,” he says. “We flip it around and make it interesting.” But the keynote speakers are just one aspect of what has become a popular annual event. The exhibit hall now is the place to be. Each year it has expanded. Space for 2017 exhibitors is sold out with a waiting list. The move out of Chicago, where the now defunct Mid-Am had been located, has served to energize exhibitors and participants alike. Warning is pleased that it is drawing from Illinois, Wisconsin and northwest Indiana. Warning has been part of the committee since John Algozzini approached him in the run-up to the first iLandscape. “He thought I’d be a good fit.” Which, apparently, he was. Although his focus has been on the speakers, the experience committee is responsible for everything from scheduling, special events, entertainment, food and the like. In an effort to keep things fresh, this year the band on Wednesday night, will be replaced by dueling pianos – think Howl at the Moon Dueling Piano Bar. There also will be more new entertainment during the day. “We take feed back into consideration and are always 52
looking at how we can make it better,” he says. That includes looking at ways to attract people from a wider area to iLandscape, as well as to bridge the gap between what the Education Committee is doing and what the experience committee has planned. “We reached out to Kim Hartmann (Education Committee Chair) to see what we can do so that it isn’t so segmented,” he says. Midwest grower specialist for Bailey Nurseries, where he has worked for the last 15 years, Warning was a regular at Mid-Am and has been an ILCA supporter for his entire career, which you technically might say began the day his parents brought him home from the hospital as a newborn. His father ran Amlings in Rolling Meadows on Algonquin Road. The family lived in a rented farmhouse at the back of the property. “I came home from the hospital to the nursery,” says Warning. As he grew, his father provided his early horticulture education. The Landscape Contractor September 2016
Warning loved horticulture, but yearned to become a pilot. In fact, he was accepted at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Arizona, but finances prevented him from going there. Instead he studied horticulture at Joliet Junior College and the University of Illinois. He has worked at several places, starting with Amlings and now Bailey, where he is a territory representative and Midwest grower specialist, dealing with the 50 largest growers in Wisconsin, Illinois and northwest Indiana. He and his wife spend their spare time in a cabin on 24 acres of family owned land in Portage, WI. Purchased in 1896 from the Menomonee Indian Tribe, it has been in Warning’s family ever since. “The Native Americans told (my family) where to build – on high ground,” he says. “And that’s where the three cabins now sit.” The area also is a Sandhill Crane nesting area. He also likes to fish, garden and travel. During the winter, he and his wife head out west where he visits Sedona, as well as relatives in the San Diego area. Warning loves working on the iLandscape Experience Committee. Its success is a “credit to everybody on the committee,” he says. Already he is thinking about 2018.
Plans are already underway for the 2017 edition of ILCA’s Green Industry Guide
Contact Debbie Rauen for advertising information
debbie.landscapecontractor@yahoo.com The Landscape Contractor September 2016
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Member Profile
Snowfighters Institute
PO Box 8503 Erie, PA 16505 (814) 455-1991 www.snowfightersinstitute.com by Meta Levin
Snowfighters
Institute is a result of one man’s opinion that there needed to be more dedicated training opportunities for those in the snow and ice removal industry. So, in 2010, John Allin started a program where snow professionals could learn best practices from each other. Based in Erie, PA, Snowfighters Institute operates on several levels. It holds three and four-day training events in the Erie area, as well as one day sessions around the country. Once a year it mounts a one-day trade show in Anchorage, AK. The latter derived from a contractor who asked for some educational opportunities in the state. The first was so successful that Snowfighters Institute made it an annual event. Usually planned for July, it was moved to September this year. It not only attracts attendees from Alaska, but all over Canada and the United States, as well, says Tammy Johnson, the institute’s executive director. Formerly executive director of the Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA), where she met Allin, Johnson holds the SIMA Lifetime Achievement Award for her work in the snow and ice management industry, as well as American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Gold Shoestring Award for a training video package initiative. She spent about a year co-hosting a weekly Internet radio show on Blogtalkradio.com with Allin, interviewing industry leaders. There are six full time employees 56
at the institute, including Allin and his wife, Peggy, Johnson and Jeremy Howe, who handles graphics, web design and marketing. Howe, who has been with the company for one year, already has upgraded the website and introduced some new marketing initiatives, including a $500 discount for ILCA members. “I never have to look over his shoulder,” says Johnson. “It is refreshing to have someone so dedicated to the work.” John Allin has more than 30 years’ experience in the snow plowing industry and was president of Snow Management Group and subsequently president of Snow Dragon LLC. He is credited with starting SIMA, was instrumental in the formation of the Accredited Snow Contractors Association (ASCA) and has become a popular speaker and seminar leader. Allin’s wife was the first woman to pass SIMA’s Certified Snow Professional exam. She has more than 25 years’ experience in the snow and ice management industry and is a member of the Human Resource Management Association. Most of the Snowfighters Institute’s programs are facilitated networking events, designed to encourage members to get to know one another and exchange information. The facilitators keep everyone on topic, says Johnson. Every spring the institute sponsors the “Inner Circle,” an event intended for company CEOs and CFOs. It focuses on the previous winter, as well as financial aspects of the business. Snowfighters takes pains to insure that there are no direct competitors in the room. This is to The Landscape Contractor September 2016
encourage a free exchange of information without the concern of giving away company secrets. Registration is open first to past attendees, before the public. Typically, a special guest speaker is involved in the Inner Circle, someone from outside the industry that can offer the attendees a different perspective. Snowfighters Institute also offers a forum for sales, sales strategies, as well as internal and external operations events. The latter is aimed at crew leaders and operations managers. “We have some companies who come back year after year, sometimes sending different employees,” says Johnson. Snowfighters Institute joined ILCA last year after an attendee at a one day Chicago event suggested that the institute become familiar with the association. “We’re still relatively young,” says Johnson. “And we are trying to get some brand awareness. We see this as a way to do that.”
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Ditch Witch Midwest The Premier Sponsor of the 2016 ILCA Golf Outing
PROUD MEMBER
Ditch Witch Midwest | 124 N. Schmale Road | Carol Stream, IL 60188 | 800-243-1328 | www.ditchwitchmidwest.com
Classified Ads HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
Green Roof Maintenance Supervisor
Construction Crew Member
Maintenance Division Manager
Intrinsic Landscaping, Inc. of Glenview, IL is a green roof, living wall, and landscape specialty company and is looking for a motivated candidate to serve as Green Roof Maintenance Supervisor.
A.M. Landscape & Design has several openings for landscaping and hardscape construction crews. We offer top industry pay, paid vacation for Foreman, and great culture with several employee events each year. We are currently looking for several experienced people to join our team. We are looking for people that have a passion for the outdoors and building spaces to look back and be proud of! We are also looking for landscape leaders with experience in directing the activities of a landscaping and hardscape crew with one or more laborers. A great candidate will have at least 5 years’ experience in the field, a valid driver’s license, possess great communication skills when speaking with clients, and have an excellent eye for quality. Positions we are currently interviewing for: • Landscape Construction Foreman • Landscape/Hardscape Installers • Landscape Enhancement Foreman and Laborers
We are currently searching for a Maintenance Division Manager to aggressively grow our commercial and residential, maintenance, and snow removal division the greater Rockford area. Crimson Valley has a team oriented atmosphere, where we empower each team member to do great things. We believe in working hard and having some fun along the way!
Duties include: Polite and prompt communication with customers, management of maintenance crew and appropriate record keeping, execute and improve corporate safety program, evaluate performance of maintenance program/ compliance with manufacturer requirements, evaluate performance of specific green roof projects Required Skills: Crew management and organization for green roof maintenance, landscape maintenance and some construction, Soil sampling and diagnosis, Maintenance-related gardening and horticulture skills, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, and Excel), Quickbooks, Comfortable with Phone and Email Correspondence, politeness is very important to Intrinsic! Quality oriented and a great attention to detail Bilingual is a plus Please send all inquiries by email to greenroofer@ intrinsiclandscaping.com. The position is available immediately. Pay is competitive with opportunity for seasonal bonus, benefits to be determined after 6 months.
Please be advised, if you do not have experience, please do not apply, we will not contact you and are currently looking for individuals whom have direct experience in this field. Thank you. You can begin the application process by sending your resume to kirk@am-ld.com or leaving a message with your information and experience at 847-790-6280.
As a Maintenance Manager for Crimson Valley Landscaping you will have an incredible opportunity to take the leading role in driving growth and sales in our organization. You will work with the local operations team to work on business development, build relationships and promote the company in any way necessary to manage our crews and finish projects efficiently. Join the Crimson family and experience what you’ve been missing – your passion for our industry will be rewarded! We would love to talk with you and answer any questions you have, you’ll quickly hear why we love our career; it’s not just a job! Please send your resume to begin the process. Please email resume to: sswanson@crimsonvalleylandscaping.com HELP WANTED CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING also available on ILCA’s WEB SITE www.ilca.net Call for information (630) 472-2851
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES JAMES MARTIN ASSOCIATES, INC. Vernon Hills, IL & Boulder, CO
James Martin Associates, Inc. is a leader in the Landscape and Snow Management industry. We have been providing services to our customers for over 39 years. We are seeking candidates for the following positions:
Residential Maintenance Account Manager
Irrigation Technicians
Commercial Maintenance Account Manager
To be considered for any of these opportunities, please forward your resume and salary history to b.mcelroy@jamesmartinassociates.com or call Beth at 847-876-8052.
Landscape Architecture • Construction • Maintenance • Snow Management
www.jamesmartinassociates.com
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The Landscape Contractor September 2016
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
Account Managers and Sales Professionals
Lawn Maintenance Sales / Supervisor
Landscape Maintenance Manager (F/T)
Crimson Valley is one of the largest landscaping design, installation and maintenance firms in Northern Illinois & Southern Wisconsin. We are based in Rockford, Illinois and over the years we have earned an outstanding reputation as the premiere Design/Build landscaping company in our community. Our award winning designs are created with our unparalleled industry knowledge, quality, our commitment to customer service and understanding our customer’s vision. Crimson Valley has a team oriented atmosphere, where we empower each team member to do great things. We believe in working hard and having some fun along the way! We are currently searching for Account Managers and Sales Professionals to aggressively grow our commercial and residential landscaping business. As an Account Manager for Crimson Valley Landscaping you will be responsible for management of company supplied leads. With a high degree of self-initiative and integrity, you will be the clients’ primary contact to ensure innovative solutions, and the highest level of customer satisfaction. You’ll conduct client meetings and on site walk-through’s, determine their needs and present opportunities for enhancements. You will develop a sense of pride from your focus on sales. You will be building long term relationships and provide the best service to our valued clientele. Join the Crimson family and experience what you’ve been missing – your passion for our industry will be rewarded! We would love to talk with you and answer any questions you have, you’ll quickly hear why we love our career; it’s not just a job! Visit our website to learn more! Please send your resume to start the process
Immediate opening for lawn maintenance sales with a supervisory role in South Suburbs of Chicago. Ideal candidate should be: • Proficient in the identification of lawn diseases as well as knowledge of the care of residential landscape plants, shrubs and trees; • Well organized with strong communication skills and ability to work in a strong team environment; • Ability to promptly resolve client complaints, build new clientele and retain current client relationships; • Experienced in irrigation repairs, sprinkler turn ons and blow outs; • Experience in fertilizer programs, license is preferable however will be required within 30 days of start; • Daily supervision of lawn maintenance crews, proficiently operate and maintain all lawn maintenance equipment. Ability to repair equipment would be ideal but not necessary; • Daily supervision of snow crews, proficiently operate and maintain all snow equipment. Ability to repair equipment would be ideal but not necessary. We are a well-established full service landscape and lawn maintenance company in the south suburbs of Chicago.. We are currently structuring for expansion of divisions of this company and are seeking top talent to achieve this goal. We offer year round full time employment as well as benefits. Position is base salary plus commission. Only motivated individuals need apply.
Please email resume to: sswanson@crimsonvalleylandscaping.com
*****NO PHONE CALLS - EMAIL ONLY: straightlineemployment@gmail.com*****
Landscape Maintenance Client Rep (F/T)
GREEN-UP CAREER OPPORTUNITY – ESTIMATOR/SALES ASSISTANT in Plainfield!
High end, residential design/build firm in Libertyville seeks individuals possessing strong background in project & client mgmt., customer service, estimating, sales, leadership communication skills. Min. 3-5 yrs. exp. in landscape industry; Must have valid DL; SP speaking a plus. Exc. comp. & benefits pkg. FAX resume: (847) 816-1137 Attn: Nancy Deter or send Email (ndetter@roccofiore.com)
Green-Up has been creating enjoyable playground and outdoor park spaces for over 30 years and is seeking an Estimator/Sales Assistant to assist with project proposals, do plan take offs, estimates and bids. Join our growing team today! To view full job descriptions and apply online, visit us at www. green-up.com or contact Amy@ 847-487-5071.
The Landscape Contractor September 2016
Industry leading IL Landscape Company, with near 70 years experience on Chicago’s North Shore, seeks landscape professional to assist in managing daily operations for Maintenance Dept. Candidate is responsible for overseeing multiple territory managers and site managers, work together with territory managers on estimating projects, customer relations (both residential and commercial clients), possess problem solving abilities. Business/Horticultural degree desired with a min. of 5 yrs. exp. working in the green industry; basic computer skills req. Applicant must have proven leadership, strong customer relations and interpersonal skills. Competitive salary /exc. benefits pkg. Please-email ndeeter@roccofiore.com or fax resume to 847-816-1137 attn: Nancy Deeter RYCO Landscaping The Commercial Maintenance Account Manager must be thoroughly familiar with all aspects of commercial landscape maintenance to include: sales, production, customer service, estimating, training, etc. Oversees all interaction with the customer and keeps him/her informed as to all aspects of the maintenance process. Grooming the relationship with the client while interfacing with company production and accounting personnel, and interfaces with subcontractors and vendors as required throughout the maintenance process. Responsible to conduct monthly walk-throughs with the client, resolve any issues discovered therein, follow through to ensure that all issues are resolved to the satisfaction of the client, and ensure all change orders/enhancements are billed properly. Please send your resume to Debbie Bartsch: DBartsch@rycolandscaping.com Assistant Commercial Estimator Classic Landscape Ltd. Is currently searching for a full-time assistant commercial estimator position. Job responsibilities include plan take offs, bid invites, and creation of proposals. Proficient in basic computer skills. Please contact hire1@classiclandscapeltd.com
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Classified Ads HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
Senior Landscape Architect Designer
Restoration Field Technician
RESTORATION LEAD – MADISON
Cardno is seeking a Restoration Field Technician in our Monee, IL office, to implement project work in the ecological consulting and restoration management fields. Projects will involve field labor, technical work, and/or supervision of labor crews.
The Restoration Services Division of Cardno is seeking an Operations Manager for our Wisconsin/Minnesota region. The position is based in our Madison, Wisconsin office. More information at www.cardno.com The successful candidate will assist with business development, supervision of field work and field crews. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Supervise field personnel, Oversee staff scheduling,Respond to proposals, including bid estimates, Insure that all permit and license requirement are in compliance, Comply with all company and client safety requirement, Assist with business development and marketing geared towards positioning Cardno to be a leader in the natural resource and land management, Build relationships with potential and existing clients to foster a long-term business relationship, Oversee the creation and implementation of business development plans for the region Independently attend client meetings and conferences Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or higher in environmental science or related field: 5-years professional consulting and/or restoration experience, Experience with native and
Under the direction of the owner of Cityescape, this person provides professional advice, directs, mentors, supervises, and oversees the design group. Guides the vision and image of design for Cityescape and leads the planning, administration, staffing, business development, and financial review of the design department. The Senior Landscape Architect Designer is responsible for design leadership and execution across the design group and most importantly, is a lead voice on an aesthetic quality, vision and output, influencing teams across the studio. Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture or Horticulture from accredited university Minimum 4 years experience as Landscape Designer and demonstrate exemplary knowledge of landscape terminology, plant materials, applicable construction materials and coordination in design. Please send resume to: accounting@cityescape.biz ACRES GROUP CAREER OPPORTUNITYMAINTENANCE PRODUCTION MANAGER in Plainfield! Acres Group, one of the top 20 professional landscape contractors in the nation, is seeking Senior Maintenance Production Manager to coordinate maintenance division activities, while managing and providing daily supervision and support for multiple maintenance managers and their crews. Will assure quality service & customer satisfaction while monitoring job costs & crew safety. Join our industry leading team! To view full job descriptions and apply online, visit us at www.acresgroup. com or contact Amy@ 847-487-5071. City Escape- Project Manager The Project Manager is responsible for all landscape maintenance, including administration of all landscape maintenance contracts as well as up keep of of plant health and irrigation system. The position involves regular meetings with clients , creating work schedules, coordinating subcontractors, contract compliance, direct supervision and training of work crews to assure work performance is executed efficiently, safely and within in budget. Daily tasks include fulfilling schedule and assisting with turf and plant material as well as pesticide spraying and co mmunicating with clients. Please send resume to: accounting@cityescape.biz
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Desired Qualifications: > Experience operating equipment such as tractors, ATVs, chainsaws, and/ or skidsteers > Experience with herbicide handling and application > Experience in native and invasive species plant identification and/ or restoration techniques Email resume to: Suzanne.panos@cardno.com Operations Manager – Wisconsin/Minnesota The Restoration Services Division of Cardno is seeking an Operations Manager for our Wisconsin/Minnesota region. The position is based in our Madison, Wisconsin office. Apply at www.cardno.com The successful candidate will assist with business development, supervision of field work and field crews. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Supervise field personnel, Oversee staff scheduling, Respond to proposals, including bid estimates’ Insure that all permit and license requirement are in compliance, Comply with all company and client safety requirement, Assist with business development and marketing geared towards positioning Cardno to be a leader in the natural resource and land management, Build relationships with potential and existing clients to foster a long-term business relationship, Oversee the creation and implementation of business development plans for the region, Independently attend client meetings and conferences Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or higher in environmental science or related field, 5-years professional consulting and/or restoration experience,Experience with native and invasive plant identification,Experience with ecological restoration techniques,Ability and willingness to work in the field, often in strenuous conditions,Experience managing large, complex projects. Email resume to: Suzanne.panos@cardno.com
invasive plant identification, Experience with ecological restoration techniques, Ability and willingness to work in the field, often in strenuous conditions, Experience managing large, complex projects, Strong communication skills, both written and oral, Proficient with Microsoft Excel and Word, Ability to travel between offices, approximately 10% of the time, Must hold a valid driver’s license. Email resume to: Suzanne.panos@cardno.com Lawn Maintenance Positions Available: We are currently looking for to hire for several positions. All positions require a minimum of 2 years experience. Foreman - Laborer - Fertilizer Tech Superintendent Applications are taken daily at the address below: 1604 East End Ave, Chicago Heights, IL 60411 Or, email your resume or questions to: INFO@ SUBURBANLANDSCAPING.NET
The Landscape Contractor September 2016
Advertisers 1st Choice Equipment ...........................................51
Attention Landscape Contractors:
R.A. Adams Enterprises .....................................11, 13 Bartlett Tree Experts .............................................26 Beaver Creek Nursery ..........................................48
Remember to Support ILCA Supporters!
Carlin Sales...............................................................6
These include:
Central Sod ............................................................54 Chicagoland Gardening .........................................61 Clesen Wholesale ...................................................24 Compost Supply .....................................................45 D. Hill Nursery ........................................................25 Ditch Witch Midwest ..............................................57 Doty Nurseries LLC ................................................6 Goodmark Nurseries ..............................................31 Green Glen Nursery ...............................................63 B. Haney & Sons, Inc. ............................................47 Hinsdale Nurseries, Inc. .......................................16 Homer Industries ....................................................27
• Members & Advertisers who supply goods and services • Members who sponsor ILCA programs and events
Where will you find them? • ILCA Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide • The Landscape Contractor magazine advertising • The Landscape Contractor magazine reports of events with sponsor acknowledgments • www.ilca.net member lists – Finding a Landscape Contractor & Suppliers to the Trade
ILCA Golf Outing ...................................................55 James Martin Associates .........................................58 Lafarge River Stone ..............................................49 Longshadow Planters .............................................15 McGinty Bros. ........................................................47 Midwest Groundcovers ...........................................2 Midwest Trading ...................................................46 Mobile Fleet Express .............................................44 North Shore Truck ...................................................20 NutoneHaven ........................................................19 Ornamental Growers Association .........................29 ProGreen Plus ..........................................................6 Rentalmax ...........................................................21 RWC Insurance .....................................................50 The Care of Trees .................................................... 6 The Mulch Center ...................................................51 Spring Meadow Nursery .........................................23 Stockyards Brick Co. ...............................................17 Unilock, Inc. ...........................................................64
The Landscape Contractor September 2016
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All-Star Plants
Magnolia Merrill
Members of the Ornamental Growers Association of Northern Illinois will be the exclusive provider of content for the Plant All-Stars page during 2016.
Magnolia x loebneri ‘Merrill By John Carbonaro
Some plants
— just like All-Star athletes — make everyone around them look better. What’s a plant you can use — and recommend — with confidence? We’ve asked ILCA members who are also members of the Ornamental Growers Association of Northern Illinois — to share their thoughts on proven performers. Although Merrill Magnolia provides interest in every season, it is especially beautiful in spring. Before the leaves appear, Merrill is covered in fragrant, white, star-shaped flowers with a pink blush at the base. The flowers give way to cone-like fruits that turn red as they ripen in late summer—although the fruits are sometimes absent on this hybrid (M. kobus x M. stellata). In summer, the narrow, 5-inch long leaves are dark green. In fall they turn coppery-bronze. An excellent specimen plant, Merrill has a shapely oval form. It grows about 25’ tall with similar spread. An under-utilized plant, in my opinion, Merrill is deer resistant, urban tolerant, has few pests and can be dug and transplanted almost any time of the year. It is very cold hardy—possibly to Zone 3—and very reliable in terms of its flower power. If you’re looking for a great intermediate ornamental tree, I highly recommend Merrill Magnolia.
Magnolia x loebneri ‘Merrill’ 25’ tall with similar spread
Flowers 4-6” wide, fragrant, white, starshaped flowers in early spring
Foliage
Culture
Size
Dark green, obovate leaves to 5: long turn bronze in fall.
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Full sun to partial shade in evenly moist, well-drained soil. Generally intolerant of wet or dry soils.
John Carbonaro Sales & Customer Service Kendall Hill Nursery John Carbonaro has an associates degree in science from Joliet Junior College with a concentration in Greenhouse Management. Prior to joining Kendall Hill five years ago, John was head grower at a Toledo, OH wholesale greenhouse.
The Landscape Contractor September 2016