The Landscape Contractor magazine Digital Edition by Association Publishing Partners

Program on page 31

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September 2018

CONTENTS Excellence In Landscape Awards Project

FOCUS: Turf Education Day 2018 Turf Education Day 2018 10 A quick overview of the 10th Anniversary event Renewal and Remembrance 2018 16 ILCA members work in Arlington National Cemetery Legislative Day on the Hill Members storm Capitol Hill to make voices heard ILCA Summer Snow Days Inaugural event finds the mark

18 20

The Silver Tsunami 24 Aging population requires specific landscape needs Turf Education Day Program 31 Everything you’ll need to navigate the day

Customer Service vs. Customer Experience An exercise in understanding customer desire

The Landscacpe Industry’s Favorite Bulbs The most often used bulbs in the marketplace

New Board Member Profile Jeff Kramer of Kramer Tree Specialists, Inc.

Turf Education Day 2018 A quick overview of the 10th Anniversary event

Member Profile 56 Estate Lighting, Inc.

EN ESPAÑOL

Before You Go... Design for the Ages

On the cover... Christy Webber Landscapes received an Excellence in Landscape award for this Grant Park Maintenance project. The Landscape Contractor September 2018

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CONTENTS

DEPARTMENTS ILCA Calendar From Where I Stand President’s Message New Members Classified Ads Advertisers Index

Calendar

4 5 7 54 59 61

SEPTEMBER September 13, 2018 ILCA Golf Outing September 27, 2018 Turf Education Day (TED)

Photo Credits ILCA Awards Program Rick Reuland Regulatory and Legislative Karl Krogstad DeVroomen Bulb

1, 8-9 10, 20, 22, 36, 42, 45, 52 16-19 24-28 47-48

Jeff Kramer Estate Planning Scott Mehaffey

50 56 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 59, 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 4, 2018 Women’s Networking Group Event October 16, 2018 IMPACT Conference Building Sustainable Landscapes

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

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 AnneMarie Drufke adrufke@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 Stubler mstubler@ilca.net

v ILCA 2625 Butterfield Road Ste. 104S Oak Brook, IL 60523

v Becke Davis Senior Writer

treethyme@aol.com

at dotynu rseries.co m to rece ive our

Patrice Peltier

Feature Writer patpeltier@charter.net

Meta Levin

email ne wsle t ter

Feature Writer

dotynurseries.com

Nina Koziol

Shade TreeS • OrnamenTalS • evergreenS • ShrubS

meta.levin@comcast.net Feature Writer

n.koziol@att.net Heather Prince Feature Writer

princeht@sbcglobal.net Marilyn Witney

Ryan Doty sales@dotynurseries.com

P 630 365 9063 F 630 365 9081

45W121 Beith Road Maple Park, IL 60151

Follow—

Feature Writer

madwitney@comcast.net

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

@ILCAlandscape

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From Where I Stand — I want to discuss the part of ILCA’s name that we don’t think much of. Yet, it still brings us much frustration and consternation. It’s certainly not the “association” part. That is the fun part of our name and manifests itself in parties, golf outings, and trade shows. “Landscape” is probably our second favorite part. New plants, techniques, design styles, and materials enter the marketplace every season. We gather the best minds to give presentations, write articles, join committees, and develop programs. This profession rewards lifelong learners with open minds and ILCA is the tent they gather beneath. We are getting warmer with “contractor”, but are not quite there yet. This is an operative term because ILCA isn’t merely about demonstrating how great landscaping is. We focus on how companies and individuals need to make a buck while doing it. Doing landscaping is a lot easier than doing it profitably and without stress and frustration. No, I am talking about the word “Illinois.” Illinois is the part of our name that we don’t think about much and likely take for granted. Sure, our office is located in Illinois and our programs and members are primarily from Illinois. We get involved in state and local politics. We certainly exist in Illinois, but have we fallen out of love? Does Illinois even feel like home anymore? Let’s face it, Illinois can be a difficult place to love sometimes. In 2014, Gallup commissioned a 50-state poll that asked their state residents if their state was the best or one of the best states to live. Montana, Alaska, Utah, Wyoming, Texas and Hawaii were all found at the top of the list. You had to go a little lower to find Illinois, then a little lower than that, and finally a few spots below that. Illinois came in 49th, just one percentage point higher than Rhode Island which must have a serious Napoleon complex. Only 19% of Illinoisans surveyed felt Illinois was one of the best states to live. I’d love to chalk that up to Midwestern modesty, but Gallup actually drew their own conclusions. They reported that, “Residents who have a lot of state pride generally boast a greater standard of living, higher trust in state government, and less resentment toward the amount they pay in state taxes.” With that definition, I’m surprised we cracked 19%. Let’s get the easiest one out of the way, Illinois actually ranks in the middle of the pack in our standard of living. We are actually higher than Montana so, take that, big sky country. The other two factors, trust in state government and resentment about taxes are burned into us like a firebrand. I believe we chose the state motto, “The Land of Lincoln” because he is the only politician left that we are 100% sure will never go to prison. We do rank 8th in the nation in tax burden. That is almost exclusively due to our whopping property taxes. We are actually in the middle of the pack for personal income tax and excise taxes. A little over 10% of our income goes to state or local government in Illinois, sandwiching us between New Jersey and, you guessed it, Rhode Island. I have lived in Illinois my entire life. I have traveled to 40 of the 50 states (including Rhode Island). Illinois has a great and proud history. In 1818, we were granted statehood. Lake Michigan

and the Erie Canal turned Chicago, and thus Illinois into a booming region. Due to explosive job opportunities in the mills, rail yards, and slaughterhouses, it became a beacon to immigrants and freed blacks creating the multicultural melting pot still seen today. Illinois has an incredible past from the World’s Fair to the Chicago Fire to our romanticized and sanitized gangland history of the 1920’s. We are the birthplace of the blues. We are known worldwide for our improv and comedy scenes. Chicago was named the best food city in the United States. We rank second in corn production, first in soybeans, we grow 95% of America’s pumpkins, and 80% of the world’s horseradish. We are a warm people, but won’t get walked on. We have a wonderful, sarcastic sense of humor. We love underdogs. We strive to improve ourselves without forgetting our blue collar roots. We work hard but, when those weekends come, watch out. We are molded by, and remain fiercely loyal to our towns and our communities. We welcome strangers and immigrants with open arms. We have the 5th largest Hispanic population in the country – even higher than Arizona. We aren’t elitists. We believe the working man still deserves a fair shake. We have some of the best schools in the country. We aren’t afraid of a little weather. So what happened to us? Why all the self-loathing? Why the embarrassment? Why are people leaving Illinois in droves? Why are we now the 6th most populated state, falling behind Pennsylvania? We’ve always had political corruption. What used to be jokes about dead people voting a few extra times has turned into a bleak sense of powerlessness. As Illinois looks to modernize its economy and solve its crushing pension debt, new taxes, including one on landscaping are bandied about. The winters seem colder. The summers seem shorter. The roads seem bumpier. The traffic seems worse. Illinois has lost its mojo. Maybe we should just pack it in and get whiskey drunk with Rhode Island and Jersey. In order to restore our Illinois pride, we need to face some harsh realities, realize a lot of our problems are in our heads, and, lastly, accept and embrace who we are. First, the harsh realities. Most of our despondency comes from our self-induced pension crisis. Ironically, it was actually a bipartisan effort signed by Governor Edgar that created the pension funding ramp. Prior to that bill, our unfunded debt was only $17 billion. Large, yes, but completely manageable with some fiscal prudency. In 2008, the pension debt was $58 billion and that was before the recession punched us over the top rope and out of the ring. It now sits at around $250 billion. Now, repeat after me, the state constitution says you can’t mess with what was promised. Period. The end. Any and all attempts have been either ruled unconstitutional or ended in an injunction. Illinois is on the hook for that $250 large and there is no “but, what abouts” left. In order to get right, Illinois has to pay at least 80% of its annual pension liability. That is about $7.2 billion, per year, through 2045. Illinois has already raised the personal and corporate income tax rates. It needs to tax retirement income (like most other states). Finally, it needs to broaden its tax base to include some of the fatter margin services like investments, legal, and elective health care. It needs to elect leaders with the political courage to do that and watch

State of Mind

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

From Where I Stand —

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those leaders like hawks for any signs of mismanagement. There are no other options regardless of what honey dripped rhetoric gets thrown around each election cycle. Second, we have to stop it with all the gloom and doom. Every year, US News and World Report does an annual state by state ranking based on a number of criteria including health care, the economy, infrastructure, quality of life, fiscal stability, crime and corrections, etc. It ranks each state individually in each category and then forms an overall composite score. Illinois ranked 35th overall ahead of states like Texas, Arizona, and Ohio. That may not sound that great, but keep in mind that Illinois gets absolutely murdered on fiscal stability (50th) and quality of life (47th). Quality of life looks at the overall health of the population and access to parks, recreation, and natural beauty. I don’t think anyone is going to confuse Illinois with Colorado. In all other categories except for Economy, Illinois ranks in the top 25 and even in the top 15 for infrastructure. Lastly, Illinois just needs to take pride in who we are. My daughter and I recently camped on a friend’s family farm in Coal City. We tented out in the back 40 of their 200 acres. We fished and drove the tractor. We made a campfire and made hobo turkey underneath a charcoal lined garbage can. That night we watched grizzled coyotes skulk past our campsite and were lulled to sleep by silence and distant train whistles. It is a shame that more “city folk” don’t get outside our comfort zones. Sure, it’s no mountain range, but there is nothing quite like watching clouds roll across the blue sky in an Illinois farm field on a perfect summer day. There are so many wonderful places to go in Illinois outside of Chicago. Shawnee National Forest, Galena, Springfield, and Starved Rock are all less than 5 hours away and will change your paradigm. My favorite restaurant in Illinois, including Chicago, is Firefly in Effingham almost 4 hours south and right past a truck lube. It will serve you one of the best farm to table meals you will ever eat as you sit lakeside. You can feed the catfish and koi in their pond and walk the garden to see what food will be on plates later that night. It is quintessential Illinois; a welcoming, sustainable urban vibe that completely embraces its small town, rural setting. I know I sound like a spokesman for the Illinois Tourism Bureau. That isn’t my point. I just want Illinoisans to feel that spark of pride once again. The worst part about seeing Illinois at 49th on the state pride list was that I probably would’ve been one of the 80% who put us there. There are days where all hope seems lost. Getting ILCA members to take pride in the “landscape contractors” part of our name is hard work enough these days. It’s probably a Hail Mary to get you to care about the State of Illinois again. Yet, I for one, am not going to give up quite yet. I’m from Illinois. We aren’t quitters and we know what to do when times get rough: We will laugh the stormy, husky brawling laughter of youth, half-naked, sweating, proud to be a hog butcher, tool maker, stacker of wheat, player with railroads, and freight handler to the nation. - Carl Sandburg

Scott Grams August 20, 2018

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

President’s Message — Spring’s over,

President

Tom Lupfer Lupfer Landscaping (708) 352-2765 tom@lupferlandscaping.com

Vice-President

Jose Garcia Natural Creations Landscaping, Inc. (815) 724-0991 info@naturalcreationslandscaping.com

Secretary-Treasurer

Donna Vignocchi Zych ILT Vignocchi, Inc. (847) 487-5200 dvignocchi@iltvignocchi.com

Immediate Past President Lisa Fiore Don Fiore Company, Inc. (847) 234-0020 lfiore@donfiore.com

Directors

Jennifer Fick Wilson Nurseries and Landscape Supply (847) 683-3700 jennf@wilsonnurseries.com Allan Jeziorski Hartman Landscape (708) 403-8433 allan@hartmanlandscape.net

Jeff Kramer Kramer Tree Specialists, Inc, (630) 403-8433 jwkramer@kramertree.com

Kevin Manning K & D Enterprise Landscape Management, Inc. (815) 725-0758 kmanning@kdlandscapeinc.com Scott McAdam, Jr. McAdam Landscaping, Inc. (708) 771-2299 Scottjr@mcadamlandscape.com Dean MacMorris Night Light, Inc. (630) 627-1111 dean@nightlightinc.net Mark Utendorf Emerald Lawn Care, Inc. (847) 392-7097 marku@emeraldlawncare.com Ashley Voss Vermeer Midwest (630) 820-3030 ashley.voss@vermeermidwest.com

www.ilca.net

the two-week lull in August is done, and the customers are back from summer vacation. Back to school also means back to work. The crazy spring doesn’t allow much time for education and networking, the summer is too short, but the steadiness of the fall is when we have time to start getting back to working on our businesses and careers; not in them. This means ILCA starts to ramp up its offerings. In fact, ILCA will host an event of some kind once every 8.3 days from now until iLandscape. It starts with the end of summer celebration; the Golf Outing. Time to let your hair down and have fun with your colleagues. There will be beer, raffles, prizes, and fun times. Oh yeah, and golf too. It’s a lot of suppliers bringing contractors, but the newest trend is for contactors to bring clients. Who needs to sell a big job this fall? Then comes Turf Education Day (TED) at the end of September. This is the largest event for lawn care companies in the Midwest. It is all things turf and maintenance. The problems we’ve seen this year in the turf make this a must attend event. Fungus anybody? The Women’s Networking Group meets in October for some dynamic speakers and a lot of networking. This is always one of the more dynamic events with great camaraderie and exchange of ideas. The focus of this year’s event is about rediscovering the pride we have in our industry and companies. I can’t think of a more useful topic coming off this challenging season. The middle of October brings the second year of the wildly successful Impact Conference and is close to my heart. I come from the sustainable side of the industry and couldn’t be happier to see it going mainstream. There will be speakers, vendors, and displays featuring the latest in sustainable techniques. It is a fusion between the why and the how of sustainability. The Annual Party in early November is a highlight of the calendar. It’s a raucous evening yet reverential. We have a fun time and honor the Industry luminaries: Lifetime Honorary Memberships, 25-year Members, Past Presidents and the like. It’s where we recognize the ‘grinders’ of the industry. Sometimes the honorees are hard to hear over the peanut gallery at the bar, but that’s what makes it so fun. Field Staff Pruning follows and then Digital Design makes its triumphant return with a completely altered format covering SketchUp, Lumion, and drones. These are for the producers in any company. Do you have or are you the kind of employee that wants to get ahead? These are perfect offerings to keep and reward valuable employees. Then the big daddy- iLandscape. You can get education and networking in this fall for everybody in the company, from field staff to ownership, so by the time iLandscape comes around, everybody is ready for three days of career enhancement. This year’s show promises to be the biggest and best yet. The Experience Committee have really outdone themselves; just wait until you see the floor. The educational offerings continue to be the most diverse and highest quality found in the Midwest. When I say ‘three days of career enhancement’ it’s because active participation in ILCA events is vital to every job in the industry. Every person at every level should go to an event tailored to their position plus the iLandscape show. Personal development leads to a happier employee which leads to a better company which elevates the entire industry. I’ll see you at the next event. Make sure to come up and say “hi.” Thank you, Tom Lupfer

August 20, 2018 The Landscape Contractor September 2018

This lake house

James Martin Associates â&#x20AC;˘ Vernon Hills Lake House Promenade

was used as a summer retreat for landscape project manager and house construction crews allowed many years. But as the family grew, so did the demands of not for minimal scheduling conflicts and easy access to the work sites. only the interior spaces of the house, but for the landscape. The Another challenge was that the house was still being used by the design team worked in close collaboration with the architect who family as construction progressed. So, the crews were very conwas responsible for the house renovations. The main objective of siderate making sure that the site remained not only safe, but tidy. the landscape project would be designing a walkway connection Materials would be stock piled out of view, and if possible, trucks from the driveway courtyard to the renovated rear terrace that over and machinery would be parked so as not to impede the familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s looked the lake. At the time, the only way to the lake was either access to the house. through the house or traversing a steep lawn path along the side of The general contractor did an excellent job compacting the gravthe house. el that was used to backfill the promenade retaining wall. However, Before any construction started the homeowners were havthe design called for a planting buffer to avoid a handrail on the ing a tough time trying to imagine what the design would look retaining wall. The installation team had to remove the unnecessary like given the drastic grade changes and many retaining walls. gravel and bring in proper planting medium to create an ideal plantThe design team created a 3D computer model which helped the ing bed. Drainage and weep-holes were also designed in the planthomeowner visualize the design and put their minds at ease. ing bed to avoid excessive water retention. Having the house situated on a steep hillside was a big challenge since the access route from the front of the house to the back was only 12â&#x20AC;&#x2122; wide. Frequent communication between the The Landscape Contractor 9 September 2018

Turf Education Day 2018 —

By Meta L. Levin

Happy birthday to TED.

Turf Education Day (TED) is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a day-long series of lectures and exhibits and a reception on September 27, 2018 at the Chicago Botanic Garden. “It will feature some of the top researchers in the turf field,” says ILCA Turf Committee Chair Scott Roberts. “We are focusing on education. I think we have as strong a line up as we’ve ever had.” That line-up is headed by three leading lights in the turf world: Doug Soldat PhD, University of Wisconsin; Kevin Frank, Michigan State University and Dr. Aaron

Patton, Michigan State University. Soldat, a professor in the department of soil science at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, will kick off the program with a keynote address at 8:45 a.m. Focusing on “Lawn Fertilization Fundamentals,” he will talk about the science and research of how to best fertilize lawns to maximize form and function without harming the environment. He earned a BS and MS in soil science from the University of Wisconsin, and a PhD in horticulture from Cornell University. In addition, to his keynote address, Soldat will speak on

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

“Understanding the Environmental Impact of Landscape Maintenance” during the 9:40 a.m. breakout session. Kevin Frank, associate professor and extension turf specialist – turfgrass nutrition, winter injury and irrigation, at Michigan State University’s Department of Plant Soil & Microbial Services, will cover “Fall Turfgrass Management Strategies” during his 1 p.m. keynote speech. He will cover optimum application strategies for fall fertilizations and weed control. Frank has a Bachelor of Science in crop science from the University of Wyoming, (continued on page 12)

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Turf Education Day 2018 — (continued from page 10) as well as a Master of Science and a PhD in horticulture from the University of Nebraska. His research program focuses on developing turfgrass nutrition programs, evaluating what happens to fertilizer applications to turfgrass, gauging irrigation practices and evaluating management strategies designed to alleviate winterkill of turfgrass. He also conducts turfgrass cultivar evaluations and fertilizer product evaluations through the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program. Associate Professor of Agronomy at Purdue University, Aaron J. Patton will wind up the education sessions at 3 p.m., with the closing keynote, “There’s an App for That.” His presentation will take attendees through the apps that can help turf specialists diagnose problems and manage turf. With a bachelor’s degree in horticulture from Iowa State University, as well as a master’s and Doctorate in agronomy from Purdue University, Patton is responsible for planning, implementing and leading projects dedicated to managing lawn, sod, golf and sports turf. He also is the executive director of the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation and provides education to the turfgrass industry. “The program is anchored by three keynoters who in the turf field carry a lot of weight,” says Roberts. Past TED conferences have attracted 180-200 people. This year the committee is sending invitations out widely throughout the state, including to licensed applications specialists and Roberts estimates there should be about 250 attendees. While the 10th Anniversary Reception, scheduled for 4:00 to 5:30 pm is celebratory, it also serves another important purpose, says Scott Grams, ILCA executive director. “Not all of the learning is in the classroom,” he says. “The interaction and networking are of great benefit.” The committee also has opted to expand the exhibit hours and extended the lunch break so that attendees can spend more time with the exhibitors and each other. All the speakers were identified through committee suggestions, says AnneMarie Drufke, ILCA’s education manager. Most are academics with excellent credentials in the field. 12

Two panels, however, will be composed of representatives from companies that provide some of the newest and most soughtafter equipment in the industry. “Stand on Aerator Assault!” will feature representatives who will explain the features and benefits of their machines. “Ride on Spread/Spray Round Up” will give attendees an up close and personal look at the latest features of these machines. “Attendees will be able to kick the tires,” says Drufke. The program includes: Lawn Fertilization Fundamentals Doug Soldat, University of Wisconsin. A look at the latest in science and research about how to best fertilize a lawn without harming the environment. What’s in My Fertilizer Bag and What’s it Doing for Me? Chuck Darrah, CLC Labs. Learn key characteristics of the most common N-P-K sources and how they impact plants in the landscape. A review of how the fertilizer is formulated and how much filler you may be paying for. Stand on Aerator Assault! Panel discussion reviewing equipment. Understanding the Environmental Impact of Landscape Maintenance Doug Soldat, University of Wisconsin. A look at the science, perception and reality of landscape maintenance’s environmental impact, as well as how to minimize nitrogen losses and the importance of soil quality for healthy landscapes and environmental protection. Pesticide/Lawn Care Programs Regulatory Update Doug Owens, Illinois Department of Agriculture. An update on the latest in pesticide licensing and containment requirements, as well as an update on the increased scrutiny of Dicamba use.

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

Ride on Spread/Spray Round Up Panel discussion. An opportunity to learn about the latest features. Assessing Soil Nutrients to Maximize Turf Performance and Minimize Environmental Impacts and Costs Chuck Darrah, CLC Labs. Learn how nitrogen and phosphorus behave in landscape soils. Darrah also will cover the 4R principals of nutrient management and the importance of testing in the urban environment to increase turf performance and minimize environmental impact and costs. Keynote— Fall Turfgrass Management Strategies Kevin Frank, Michigan State University, Department of Plant Soil & Microbial Services. Frank will cover best application strategies for fall fertilization and weed control. Can Your Company Deal with a Pesticide Spill? Fred Whitford, Purdue Pesticide Programs/Lily Hall of Life Sciences. Learn from “real life” as you step into a mock pesticide spill with an injured person. Whitford will guide attendees through everything from equipping your trucks to deal with a spill, training your employees and knowing who to call. In addition, Whitford will help participants understand what types of accidents are covered by insurance policies and what they can do to prevent and react to incidents. Sedge and Poa Annua Control Michael Johnson, FMC, Professional Solutions. Attendees will learn growth

habits of Sedges and Poa Annua, how to properly identify both species, and effective weed control and management practices. (continued on page 14)

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Turf Education Day 2018 — Keynote— There’s an App for That Dr. Aaron Patton, Purdue University. Learn how your smart phone can help you be a better turf manager, through apps that provide help with diagnosis and treatment. 10th Anniversary Reception Hors d’oeuvres, beverages and networking to celebrate 10 years!

To Register for TED visit:

“We try to make every year unique,” says Roberts. “We encourage everyone to check it out.”

www.ilca.net/turf-education-day

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

ILCA in Action â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

Renewal & Remembrance 2018

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

Summer Snow Days 2018 —

by Rick Reuland Over the last 10 years ILCA has invested a considerable amount of time, effort and money to enhance its image, outreach and offerings to members. Summer Snow Days, held July 25-26, 2018, was the most recent iteration of these efforts. Summer Snow Days was intended as a market segment driven event to serve an evergrowing strata of ILCA membership — contractors involved in the lucrative business of snow removal. Conceived and directed by a dedicated Snow Committee, led by Paul Washburn and Mike Clark, the event was well organized and flawlessly executed. The average attendee would scarcely believe that it was a maiden voyage. You can look for Summer Snow Days to return in the summer of 2020. Next summer, watch for the return of Summer Field Day. The two events are planned to alternate their appearance in the mid-summer. Over the next 2-3 months The Landscape Contractor will highlight some outstanding presentations that were offered at Summer Snow Days 2018.

Meet the Committee that brought you Summer Snow Days: Paul Washburn, Acres Group; Mike Clark, Acres Group; Patti Howe, LaFarge Holcim; John Downing, Casey Equipment; Robert Bertog, Bertog Landscape; Peter Liakouras, Russo Power; Brad Beaulieu, Martin Implement Sales; Wes Arnold, 1st Choice Equipment; Jon (JR) Warner, Ariens Company; Kelly Knudson, Reinders; Jim “Turk” Turcan, Cornerstone Partners; Scott Grams, ILCA Executive Director; AnneMarie Drufke, ILCA Education Manager.

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

Summer Snow Days 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

The Silver Tsumani

Aging Boomers Require Different By Patrice Peltier

Baby Boomers have

shaped the marketplace ever since they were born. Now, as they age, they’re creating a new market: designing spaces for their golden years. Landscape Architect Karl Krogstad has spent much of the last 25 years designing landscapes for senior facilities. He shared his insights at iLandscape in a presentation entitled “Garden Design for an Aging Population”. “This is a special group of people with particular needs,” Krogstad explains. “To me, it’s all about how to help this group of people interact with the environment.” Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Support facilities have become increasingly popular over the last several decades in addition to the traditional skilled care facilities, or “nursing homes”, as they were called. The landscape design needs of each type of facility have some elements in common. But each type also presents unique design considerations, Krogstad explains. Although he described a fourth type of senior facility, active adult communities, he limited his remarks on this category. “From a design standpoint, the considerations are not significantly different than non-age-restricted master-planned communities,” he notes. How big is the market? The wave of aging Baby Boomers is so big, it’s been dubbed a “Silver Tsunami.” Krogstad pointed out that in 1900, less than 5% of the US population was older than 65. By 2040, that number is predicted to be 20%, according to the US Department of Commerce. “As the senior population increases as a percentage of the overall population, we in the landscape and design professions must adjust our thinking and design to accommodate this change,” Krogstad says, pointing out this will apply not only to housing and health care facilities but also to commercial, entertainment and recreational sites. 24

In fact, Krogstad notes that 70% of seniors remain in their own homes with help or live with relatives. The issues of appropriate paving, lighting, arrangement of planting beds, use of raised beds and containers and selection of plant materials apply to private residences where seniors live as well, he adds. Common considerations Designing a landscape that’s pleasing is important for every site. Landscapes for seniors, however, also need to provide therapeutic opportunities while considering the special safety issues facing this population, according to Krogstad. For instance, most facilities include a system of paths, particularly for exercise and enjoyment of Independent and Assisted Living residents. Because seniors may use canes, walkers or wheelchairs, Krogstad points out that Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards must be met throughout the pathway system. The pathway system should also include ample seating, including benches, gazebos with benches or seating incorporated into retaining walls. Krogstad recommends placing seating, preferably with backs, every 100 to 150 feet. “Wherever there is seating, there should be something of interest nearby,” Krogstad says. He recommends these interest areas stimulate as many senses as possible. Birdhouses or sculptural elements, including wind chimes, can stimulate both sight and sound. Fragrant flowers and herbs appeal to the sense of smell. Soft foliage and water bubblers provide interesting things to touch. Edibles such as fruits, berries and herbs can stimulate tastebuds, and colorful flowers and foliage, of course, are appealing sights. Whatever you select, remember to provide interest in all seasons, Krogstad says. In general, Krogstad offers these do’s and don’ts:

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

Landscapes •

iLandscape

2 0 1 8Landscape Show The i llinois + wisconsin C T

Do visit the ADA website (www.ada.gov) to become familiar with the requirements.

•

Do work with irrigation specialists who are familiar with Illinois Department of Public Health requirements.

• •

Do consider brushed paving surfaces pathways or to help prevent slipping when surfaces are wet.

Do promote a homey atmosphere through the use of residential scale lamp posts and bollard lighting; avoid commercial lighting. (continued on page 26)

(continued from page 25)

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

The Silver Tsumani • • • • • • • •

Do use small fountains and bubblers for water features instead of ponds or pools.

Do consider detention ponds or natural streams or lakes as amenities to be viewed from indoors or from outdoor seating areas.

Don’t encourage access to open water unless it’s secured by a railing system to limit the danger of slips and falls. Do provide recreation areas for residents and their families.

Do provide areas for dog walking with waste collection amenities. Don’t select plants with fruits, nuts or large pods to line pathways because they can create trip hazards. Do keep plants with thorns away from pathways in case of falls. Do incorporate raised beds and containers for easy access to plants and planting activities.

Independent Living Independent Living facilities are designed for active seniors still in relatively good health. Many residents still drive, have pets and participate in walking, gardening, yoga and even lawn sports such as bocce ball, Krogstad explains. Designs for Independent Living facilities should include courtyards and open areas for amenities such as raised gardens, bubbler-type water features, yoga and bocce ball. Gas-operated fire pits, gazebos, porch swings, benches under arbors or umbrella tables with seating provide gathering spots in sun and shade, Krogstad says. He also points out that some facilities use outdoor areas for physical therapy activities, including gardening. “A walkway with various paving types, curbs and handrails may be incorporated into a garden area for this purpose,” he says. “It’s also good to include amenities for visitors—especially great grandchildren—with features such as tot lots and sand boxes,” he adds. Because some residents may still be driving, Krogstad cautions that special care should be taken not to obstruct the line of sight around parking areas, entrances and exits. “This is something that should always be considered, but it’s especially important with seniors who have more sight limitations and may have less confidence driving,” he says. Assisted Living Assisted Living residents don’t require constant medical care, but they do have physical or mental limitations that require some outside assistance. Because this population is far less mobile, views from interior rooms become even more important, Krogstad explains. 26

“They will spend more time in their own rooms and indoor common spaces such as the dining room or sitting rooms, so special care must be taken to consider what they will be looking at,” he says. He recommends pulling plantings away from the foundation, where they can’t be seen from inside, screening parking areas, using decorative fencing to screen negative views, and accentuating attractive views with plantings. Although Assisted Living residents aren’t likely to use the pathway system unaccompanied, they may visit courtyards. Krogstad points out these must meet ADA requirements with respect to paving, lighting and plant materials. Shade trees and protective covering such as pergolas should also be included in the design to give residents the option of enjoying either sun or shade, he says. Memory Support Residents in Memory Support have Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia and require a high level of supervision. They do not use pathway systems unless accompanied, but they may have access to enclosed courtyards or rooftop gardens. “For the landscape designer, there are many unique issues and concerns that need to be considered for those suffering with memory loss,” Krogstad says. He highlighted these factors: • • •

•

Residents may have child-like behaviors, including eating plants. Some are physically fit and may attempt to climb trees, pergolas and fences to get back “home.”

Because they are frequently disoriented, some may become easily agitated. Familiar sights, sounds and aromas often stimulate memories and provide a calming effect.

Some engage in repetitive activities such as walking back and forth or in a circle. When it comes to the hardscape, Krogstad explains that fences should never have slats on the interior side that might provide a foothold. Similarly, pergolas and trees should be placed far enough from fences to prevent residents from using them to scale the fence. He also recommends that maintenance and access gates in a fenced area be visually screened so as not to invite residents to try to venture out. In addition, pathways should form a loop for residents to walk an extended period of time, Krogstad says. When it comes to plant selection, be sure to avoid poisonous plants, Krogstad cautions. “Treat this the same way you would if you were designing a landscape for people with young kids,” Krogstad says. “There are some plants you wouldn’t want kids to eat.” What’s more, Krogstad says that staff or volunteer groups often cut plants from the garden to put in vases inside the facility—another reason not to include poisonous plants in the landscape. (continued on page 28)

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

Street Pavers

Granite Cobble

We carry a wide variety of reclaimed street pavers,

When presenting a client with choices for estate quality material, reclaimed granite street pavers are the material most often preferred by architects and designers. Natural granite quarried from the earth provides desirable variations of textures and colors, available in tones from pink to red, brown and grey, black and salt & pepper. Presently we are fortunate to have an ample selection of the majority of colors in inventory. Large quantities are currently available at last years prices.

from Athens, Barrs, Danville to Metropolitans and Puringtons. From the old streets of yesterday to the patios, walkways and driveways of today their popularity has made their availability somewhat limited. We are always searching for the best reclaimed clay pavers we can locate and offer them to you at a fair and competitive prices.

Stones per Sq. Foot: 2.5

SHIPPING 120 bricks/pallet WIDTH 5’’″ LENGTH 10’’″ THICKNESS 5’’″ TRUCKLOAD = 18 pallets

Pavers per Sq. Foot: 4.5

SHIPPING 264 pavers/pallet WIDTH 3.75’’″ LENGTH 8.5-9’’″ THICKNESS 4’’″ TRUCKLOAD = 18 pallets

Let us know if you have a present or upcoming project that we can provide samples for.

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The Silver Tsumani (continued from page 26) “Fragrance is the strongest sense attached to memory,” Krogstad notes, so he recommends planting aromatic plants, including herbs and perennials. Roses, lilacs and peonies may spark memories for many residents. Because memory support residents often don’t go outside, Krogstad recommends placing these plants near windows so that breezes can carry the fragrance inside. Speaking of windows, Krogstad encourages designers to consider the view from every window—those in residents’ rooms and in common areas such as dining rooms, sitting rooms and libraries. “Particularly for people who may not get out as much, beautiful views become especially important,” he says. The wave Today’s aging Baby Boomers will have new landscape requirements not only for their homes but for senior residential facilities, day care facilities, senior centers, parks and rehabilitation centers, Krogstad notes. He adds, “With the projected growth in senior population, these are issues we in the landscape industry will be facing with more regularity in the years to come.” Are you ready to ride the wave of the Silver Tsumani?

Avoid poisonous plants like… •

Boxwood

•

Clematis

•

Cotoneaster

•

Foxglove

•

Holly

•

Hydrangea

•

Larkspur

•

Lily of the Valley

•

Rhododendron

•

Yew

Boxwood

Cotoneaster

Foxglove

Holly

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

Lilacs

Crabapples

Magnolias

Redbud

Peonies

Viburnums Use fragrant plants like…

Sweetgum

Sycamore Keep these plants away from walkways

•

Herbs

•

Crabapples (other trees with fruit)

•

Lilacs

•

Kentucky Coffeetree

•

Magnolias

•

Oaks

•

Peonies

•

Pines

•

Roses

•

Redbud

•

Serviceberries

•

Sweetgum

•

Viburnums

•

Sycamore

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

LET’S DANCE BLUE JANGLES ®

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘SMHMTAU’ pp#27,035, cbr#5283

Are your designs missing something? Perhaps the hydrangea flowers you had planned on? If your reblooming hydrangeas haven’t performed as you expected, try Let’s Dance® Blue Jangles®. This sturdy little hydrangea blooms and blooms, flowering on both old and new wood. Its compact size fits nicely into any landscape, and this variety is especially easy to shift to blue when the soil conditions are right.

Available from these suppliers Alsip Home & Nursery St. John • 219-365-0882

Hinsdale Nurseries Willowbrook IL • 630-323-1414

CJ Fiore Prairie View IL • 847-913-1417

Kaknes Landscaping Supply Naperville IL • 630-416-1002

Cedar Path Nurseries Lockport | Barrington www.cedarpath.net

Lurvey Landscape Supply Des Plaines | Park City | Volo www.lurveys.com Midwest Groundcovers St. Charles IL • 847-742-1793 www.provenwinners-shrubs.com

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

September 27, 2018

Registration 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

9:40 AM - 10:30 AM

Joseph Regenstein Center at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Alsdorf Auditorium

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM Alsdorf Auditorium

Scott Roberts, Turf Committee Chair Scott Grams, ILCA Executive Director Tom Lupfer, ILCA President

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

8:45 AM - 9:30 AM Alsdorf Auditorium

Lawn Fertilization Fundamentals Doug Soldat, University of Wisconsin – Madison There is no shortage of opinions and options when it comes to lawn fertilization. In this session, we will take a look at what the science and research has to say about how to best fertilize a lawn to maximize form and function without harming the environment or your bottom line.

9:30 AM - 9:40 AM — Break

TED PREMIER SPONSOR—

BREAKOUT SESSIONS Understanding the Environmental Impact of Landscape Maintenance Doug Soldat, University of Wisconsin – Madison This presentation will cover the science, perception, and reality of the environmental impact of landscape maintenance. Will phosphorus fertilizers bans improve water quality? Is phosphorus needed at all? We will discuss how to minimize nitrogen losses and discuss the importance of soil quality for healthy landscapes and environmental protection.

Pullman Room

What’s in My Fertilizer Bag and What’s it Doing for Me? Chuck Darrah, CLC Labs From quick release to slow release nitrogen sources, from MAP to DAP to TSP and from MOP to SOP, do you know what’s in your fertilizer bag? You’ll learn some of the key characteristics of the most common N-P-K sources and how they impact the plants in your landscapes. We’ll review how that bag of fertilizer is formulated and also how much filler you may be paying for!

Linneaus Room

Stand on Aerator Assault! Stand on Aerators are taking the industry by storm and with good reason. Their increased productivity and ability to provide good results in tough condition make them a wise choice. But which brand should you consider? During this session, representatives from manufacturers will review the features and benefits of their machines giving you a unique opportunity to learn about some of the leading brands in one convenient place. (Machines will be on display during lunch.)

10:30 AM - 10:40 AM — Break

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

10:40 AM - 11:30 AM

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Alsdorf Auditorium

1:00 PM - 1:50 PM Alsdorf Auditorium

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Assessing Soil Nutrients to Maximize Turf Performance and Minimize Environmental Impacts and Costs Chuck Darrah, CLC Labs The perception of adverse environmental impacts from fertilizer use in urban landscapes is causing nutrient use restrictions in many parts of the U.S. These regulations are leading to unintended consequences in lawn quality and in some cases greater adverse environmental impacts. Learn how nitrogen and phosphorus behave in landscape soils. Also, learn the 4R Principles of Nutrient Management and the importance of soil testing in the urban environment to maximize turf performance while minimizing environmental impacts and costs.

Fall Turfgrass Management Strategies Kevin Frank, PhD, Michigan State University Fall is not the time to rest when it comes to prepping your turf for success next year. This presentation will discuss the optimum application strategies for fall fertilization and weed control.

1:50 PM - 2:00 PM — Break 2:00 PM - 2:50 PM

BREAKOUT SESSIONS Alsdorf Auditorium

Biology and Management of White Grubs

Pullman Room

Dr. R. Chris Williamson, PBI Gordon

Pesticide/Lawn Care Programs Regulatory Update

This presentation will provide an overview of the biology (behavior, ecology, life cycle, etc.) of various white grub species in the Great Lakes Region. This presentation will also provide management options for these important white grub species.

Doug Owens, Illinois Department of Agriculture Attendees will get the latest info on the new pesticide licensing requirements, learn about containment requirements for lawn care facilities and get an update on the increased scrutiny over Dicamba use.

Can Your Company Deal with a Pesticide Spill?

Linneaus Room Ride On Spread/Spray Round Up

Fred Whitford, Purdue University

These machines have become a critical component of lawn care and they continue to evolve with new features and improvements every year. This session will give you the opportunity to learn about the latest features from leading brands – all in one place. Come learn what’s new and get all of your questions answered before you make your next buying decision! (Machines will be on display during lunch.)

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM — Lunch Served in McGinley Pavilion

Pullman Room

The worst time to “learn” how to deal with a pesticide spill from a truck is at the time of the accident. In this interactive presentation, attendees will be stepping into an emergency situation: a mock pesticide spill with an injured person. Equipping your truck to deal with a spill, educating your employees on what steps to take, and knowing who to call in the event of a pesticide spill are essential when trying to reduce the negative impacts associated with these types of accidents. Attendees will address all of these situations and review whether these types of accidents are covered by insurance policies. Finally, common sense preventative and reactive approaches will be discussed during the session.

Linneaus Room

Sedge and Poa Annua Control Michael Johnson, FMC Professional Solutions Attendees will learn growth habits of Sedges and Poa Annua, how to properly identify both species, and effective weed control and management practices.

2:50 PM - 3:00 PM — Break The Landscape Contractor September 2018

THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

KEYNOTE SPEAKER Alsdorf Auditorium

There’s an App for That

Premier Sponsor

Dr. Aaron Patton, Purdue University Can your phone help you be a better turf manager? Several apps are available to help with the diagnosis of turf pest problems. In this session, we’ll review the apps available and cover the use of smartphones and how they can help you better manage turf.

10th Anniversary Sponsor

4:00 PM — End of Program Session Sponsors

Tabletop Sponsors

10th Anniversary Reception

National Seed NuFarm Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements Soil Tech Corp.

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM Burnstein Hall

Please join us for hors d’oeuvres and beverages to celebrate 10 years!

See You Next Year! 34

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

We are experienced wholesale growers producing thousands of acres of quality, northern Illinois-grown nursery stock. A wide variety of shade trees, intermediate trees, shrubs, evergreens, broadleaf evergreens, vines, groundcovers and perennials are available.

Arthur Weiler, Inc. Clavey’s Nursery, Inc. Doty Nurseries LLC Fox Ridge Nursery Goodmark Nurseries, LLC GRO Horticultural Enterprises Hinsdale Nurseries, Inc. Kaneville Tree Farms, Inc. Kankakee Nursery Co. Midwest Groundcovers Poul’s Nursery, Inc. Spring Grove Nursery, Inc. The Fields on Caton Farm, Inc.

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www.ogaoni.com While there, check out our members’ profiles and request a copy of our Plant Locator, a print version of our online inventory listings.

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The Landscape Contractor September 2018

7/6/18 2:29 PM

Enfoque: Sección en Español

Por Meta L. Levin

Feliz Cumpleaños a TED

. El Día de Educación sobre el Césped (Turf Education Day / TED) está celebrando su 10.° Aniversario con una serie de conferencias y exposiciones y una recepción que se llevarán a cabo el 27 de septiembre de 2018 en el Jardín Botánico de Chicago. “Se presentarán algunos de los principales investigadores en el campo del césped”, afirma Scott Roberts, Presidente del Comité sobre el Césped de ILCA. “Nos estamos concentrando en la educación. Pienso que contamos con la programación más sólida que hemos tenido

hasta ahora”. Esta programación estará encabezada por tres figuras descollantes en el mundo del césped: Doug Soldat PhD, Universidad de Wisconsin; Kevin Frank, Universidad Estatal de Michigan y el Dr. Aaron Patton, Universidad Estatal de Michigan. Soldat, catedrático del Departamento de Ciencias del Suelo en la Universidad de Wisconsin en Madison, iniciará el programa con un discurso de apertura a las 8:45 a.m. Centrándose en los “Aspectos fundamentales de la fertilización de céspedes”, hablará sobre la ciencia y las

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

investigaciones para fertilizar mejor los céspedes y maximizar la forma y la función sin perjudicar el ambiente. Obtuvo una Licenciatura en Ciencias (BS) y una Maestría en Ciencias (MS) de la Universidad de Wisconsin y un PhD en horticultura de la Universidad Cornell. Además de su discurso de apertura, durante la sesión de trabajo de las 9:40 a.m., Soldat hablará sobre “Cómo entender del impacto ambiental del mantenimiento de parques y jardines”. Kevin Frank, profesor asociado y especialista en céspedes extensivos – nutrición de hierbas de césped, lesiones

durante el invierno e irrigación, en el Departamento de Servicios de Plantas, Suelos y Microbianos de la Universidad Estatal de Michigan, hablará sobre “Estrategias de manejo de hierbas de césped en el otoño” durante su discurso de apertura de la 1 p.m. Su exposición incluirá estrategias de aplicación óptimas para fertilizaciones en el otoño y control de malas hierbas. Frank tiene una Licenciatura en ciencias de cultivos de la Universidad de Wyoming y un Máster en Ciencias y un PhD en horticultura de la Universidad de Nebraska. Su programa de investigaciones se centra en desarrollar programas de nutrición de hierbas de césped y evaluar lo que ocurre a las aplicaciones de fertilizantes en las hierbas de césped, las prácticas de irrigación y las estrategias de control diseñadas para aliviar la destrucción en invierno de las hierbas de césped. También realiza evaluaciones de variaciones de céspedes y de productos fertilizantes a través del Programa Nacional de Evaluación de Céspedes. Profesor Asociado de Agronomía en la Universidad Purdue, Aaron J. Patton dará por concluidas las sesiones educativas a las 3 p.m. con su discurso de clausura, “Hay una aplicación para eso”. Su presentación explicará a los asistentes las aplicaciones que pueden ayudar a los especialistas en céspedes a diagnosticar problemas y manejar el césped. Con una Licenciatura en horticultura de la Universidad Estatal de Iowa y un Máster y un Doctorado en agronomía de la Universidad Purdue, Patton es responsable de planificar, implementar y liderar proyectos dedicados a manejar el césped, el tepe y el césped de campos de golf y deportivos. También es Director Ejecutivo de la

Midwest Regional Turf Foundation y proporciona educación a la industria de las hierbas de césped. “El programa es presentado por tres oradores principales que tienen gran influencia en la industria del césped”, asegura Roberts. Las conferencias del TED en el pasado han atraído entre 180 y 200 personas. Este año el comité está enviando invitaciones por todo el estado a una gran variedad de personas, incluyendo a especialistas licenciados en aplicaciones y Roberts calcula que habrá alrededor de 250 asistentes. Si bien la recepción del 10.° Aniversario, programada de 4:00 a 5:30 p.m. es celebratoria, tiene también otro propósito importante, afirma Scott Grams, Director Ejecutivo de ILCA. “No todo el aprendizaje es en el aula”, afirma. “La interacción y el establecimiento de contactos son muy beneficiosos”. El comité ha decidido también ampliar los horarios de exposición y prolongar la pausa para el almuerzo para que los asistentes puedan pasar más tiempo comunicándose entre sí y con los expositores. Todos los oradores fueron identificados por medio de sugerencias del comité, afirma AnneMarie Drufke, Gerente de Educación de ILCA. La mayoría son académicos con excelentes credenciales en el campo. No obstante, dos paneles estarán compuestos de representantes de compañías que ofrecen algunos de los equipos más novedosos y buscados en la industria. En “¡El asalto de los aireadores con conductor montado!”, representantes de Toro, Turfco y Ryan explicarán las características y beneficios de sus máquinas. “Esparcidores/rociadores de montar” dará a los asistentes una mirada de cerca y personal a las características más novedosas de estas máquinas, con representantes de Turfco, Permagreen y Z-Spray. “Los

asistentes podrán golpear con el pie las llantas”, asegura Drufke. Este programa incluye: Aspectos fundamentales de la fertilización de céspedes Doug Soldat, Universidad de Wisconsin. Una mirada a lo último en ciencias e investigaciones sobre cómo fertilizar mejor un césped sin perjudicar el ambiente. ¿Qué contiene mi bolsa de fertilizantes y qué me está haciendo? Chuck Darrah, CLC Labs. Conozca características clave de las fuentes de N-P-K (Nitrógeno, Fósforo y Potasio) más comunes y cómo impactan las plantas en parques y jardines. Un repaso de cómo se formula el fertilizante y cuánto relleno podría estar usted pagando. ¡El asalto de los aireadores con conductor montado! Discusión del panel sobre los equipos de Toro, Turfco y Ryan. Cómo entender el impacto ambiental del mantenimiento de parques y jardines Doug Soldat, Universidad de Wisconsin. Una mirada a la ciencia, la percepción y la realidad del impacto ambiental del mantenimiento de parques y jardines y cómo minimizar las pérdidas de nitrógeno y la importancia de la calidad del suelo para parques y jardines saludables y protección ambiental.

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

Enfoque: Sección en Español Programas de pesticidas/cuidado del césped Actualización reglamentaria Doug Owens, Departamento de Agricultura de Illinois. Una actualización sobre los requisitos para el otorgamiento de licencias y contención de pesticidas y una actualización sobre el mayor nivel de escrutinio con respecto al uso de Dicamba. “Esparcidores/rociadores de montar” Discusión de panel. Una oportunidad de aprender sobre las últimas características de representantes de Turfco, Permagreen y Z-Spray. Evaluación de los nutrientes del suelo para maximizar el desempeño de los céspedes y minimizar los impactos ambientales y los costos Chuck Darrah, CLC Labs. Aprenda cómo se comportan el nitrógeno y el fósforo en suelos ajardinados. Darrah también hablará sobre el principio de las 4R en el manejo de nutrientes y la importancia de las pruebas en el entorno urbano para incrementar el desempeño de los céspedes y minimizar el impacto ambiental y los costos. Discurso de apertura— Estrategias de manejo de hierbas de césped en el otoño Kevin Frank, Universidad Estatal de Michigan, Departamento de Servicios de Plantas, Suelo y Microbianos. Frank hablará sobre las mejores estrategias de aplicación para fertilización en el otoño y control de malas hierbas. ¿Puede su compañía lidiar con un derrame de pesticida? Fred Whitford, Programas de Pesticidas de Purdue/Lily Hall of Life Sciences. Aprenda de la “vida real” experimentando un derrame de pesticida simulado con una persona lesionada. Whitford guiará a los asistentes a través de una variedad de temas, desde cómo equipar sus camiones hasta cómo lidiar con los derrames, la capacitación de sus empleados y saber a quién llamar. Además, Whitford ayudará a 38

To Register for TED visit: www.ilca.net/turf-education-day

los participantes a comprender qué tipos de accidentes están cubiertos por pólizas de seguro y lo que pueden hacer para prevenir y reaccionar a los incidentes.

Recepción del 10.° Aniversario ¡Hors d’oeuvres, bebidas y oportunidades de establecer relaciones para celebrar 10 años!

Control de juncos y poa anual Michael Johnson, FMC, Soluciones profesionales. Los asistentes

“Tratamos de hacerlo todo excepcional”, afirma Roberts. “Animamos a todos a verificarlo”.

aprenderán los hábitos de crecimientos de juncos y poa anual, cómo identificar debidamente ambas especies y prácticas eficaces de control y manejo de malas hierbas.

Discurso de clausura— Hay una aplicación para eso Dr. Aaron Patton, Universidad Purdue. Aprenda cómo su teléfono inteligente puede ayudarle a administrar mejor los céspedes con aplicaciones que ayudan en el diagnóstico y tratamiento. The Landscape Contractor September 2018

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The Landscape Contractor September 2018

Special Feature

Customer Service vs. Customer Experience P

iLandscape

by Meta Levin

You have a favorite

2 0 1 8Landscape Show The i llinois + wisconsin C T

restaurant. You go there often. The food is good. But the food is good at many restaurants in the area. The prices are reasonable, maybe a little high, but not bad. There’s plenty of parking. None of these, however, is the main reason you return over and over again. You go there because they treat you like a king. Your favorite waiter attends to the little details: the bread in your basket is fresh and warm, your water glass is refilled and he lets you know if there’s a glitch and it will take a little longer to serve your food. The manager and sometimes even the chef stop by your table to make sure everything was to your satisfaction. In other words, each time you eat there, you have a good customer experience. And you believe that you have a personal relationship with them. And that, says Parke Kallenberg, founder of Advance Training, is the key. Kallenberg, a veteran of 34 years in the landscape industry, spoke at iLandscape 2018. Landscape contractors typically do not run restaurants, but they do have clients and customer perception of the way they are treated goes a long way toward making the decision to continue to do business with you. So, manage the perceptions. For instance, says Kallenberg, if you tell a customer that you will call before end of day tomorrow, by 3:30 p.m., your client is wondering where you are. However, if you give a more definite time, such as, “I will call you no later than 4 p.m.,” when you call at 3:30 p.m., you are a hero. “Control perception and expectation,” says Kallenberg. “Understanding the difference between what you think is good service and what the customer believes is good service is important.” 40

Ask yourself, he says: 1. Do you let clients know you are coming to their property? 2. Do you let clients know each time you are on the property? 3. Do you send pictures of finished work to clients immediately? 4. Do you use finish times, instead of start times? What happens when you complete a project on time and within budget? Do you send your customer a bill with, perhaps a little, “Thank you,” written across the top? Or do you go the extra mile? Kallenberg suggests tooting your own horn. Let the client known that you did a little something extra in the flower bed about which she was so concerned. Take photos at various points during the project and text them to her with a one or two-line update. When you make an appointment to meet a customer, make sure that you are on time. If you are unavoidably detained, call or text to let them know and offer to reschedule or call him when you are on your way. At the end of the project, take a few minutes to walk the customer around the property and point out the salient parts. Listen to the customer’s comments. If all is not up to snuff, find ways to fix it. In fact, Kallenberg recommends a survey for each customer to complete. “Even if you get a terrible rating, it gives you a chance to fix it,” he says. What do you do if your customer is unhappy? “The most powerful thing that you can do is to agree that he or she is unhappy,” he says. Don’t be defensive. Instead, be empathetic. “I understand why you are upset. Agree with the feeling.” Then try to find a way to fix it. (continued on page 42)

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

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(continued from page 40) If you think that you are in the right, try to find a win-win solution. He recounts the story of a customer who thought using a particular mulch was part of the quoted price, when it was an add on. Kallenberg told the man that he would be angry, too, in that situation. Then, he made a proposal: if the customer signed a three-year contract, he would provide the product for free the first year. The second year the man would get it at cost and the third year, he would pay full price. Everybody was happy. Sixteen years later, the man is still a customer. “It’s a sizeable contract.” “Perception is what is remembered,” says Kallenberg. In fact, you can do everything right and still fail. “You may be great at service, but what experience are you creating?” Kallenberg suggests four steps you can take to manage your client’s expectations:

1. 2. 3. 4.

Be consistent in the delivery of your service Communicate more often than they do Communicate in a way that is memorable Clarify any possible misperceptions

So, the two rules of building great experiences for your customers are: 1. Perception must exceed expectation 2. See Rule #1 “It’s all about the balance between these two,” says Kallenberg. And, you must control the perception and the expectation. “The true core of customer experience is not what is going on, but what the customer thinks is going on.” (continued on page 44)

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(continued from page 42) Therefore, it is important to think like a consumer, not like a service provider. “It’s all about relationships,” says Kallenberg. Kallenberg notes that he is picky about who he takes on as his clients, because he likes to build relationships with them. In fact, he talked about the surveys a company for which he worked distributed to clients. If the client used an employee’s name in completing the survey, “we knew we were gold. Names are important.” And they should be used on both sides. In your relationship building, take the time to learn children’s and even pets’ names. Then use them. Ask about little Johnny or Spot. It’s also a good way to toot your horn. You can point out, for instance, that you used a product that is safe for children and pets. Good relationships can benefit both parties. “What we do has an impact on our customers and their customers and friends,” he says. Designing and installing lovely landscaping can allow a customer to invite friends over to enjoy the yard. In commercial installations, it attracts customers and makes their employees feel good.

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In other words, when talking with a prospective customer, you may indicate that good landscaping costs some money, but “look what it does for your property,” says Kallenberg. “This is a great industry. We make people’s lives better.” But when managing experience and expectations, as well as building relationships, you must speak the same language as your customer. “Sometimes we are almost too good at speaking horticulture and construction,” he says. Customers, on the other hand, speak the language of experience. What will this do for them? It is much the same, by the way, with our employees. Today we complain of a labor shortage, but how are we recruiting? What kind of experience do potential employees have? Would it make them want to work for us? What do we

do to make them feel a part of the team? “People don’t follow positions,” says Kallenberg. “They follow people.” Give your employees a good experience and they not only will follow you, but will help you give your customers a good experience, as well.

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The Landscape Contractor September 2018

The Landscape Industry’s Favorite Bulbs — Editor’s Note: In the August issue we ran a feature based upon Jill Sellinger’s assessment of the best flowering bulbs used in the landscape industry, (Top 10 Bulbs You’re Not Planting, August 2018, page 24-30). Editorial constraints did not allow us to include this valuable information provided bu Jac de Vroomen, De Vroomen Garden Products. Devroomen has been an ILCA member firm since 1982. We are providing this information for your consideration and use in future plantings. RR

Bulb Best Sellers

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We asked Jack de Vroomen to share the top sellers in bulbs to see how and what companies are using. As you can see, landscaping companies tend to get stuck on red and yellow tulips. The Darwin hybrids are a large, wonderful cottage garden tulip and clients demand them. “Yellow is the 50 mile an hour flower,” observed de Vroomen, so it’s easy to see why it’s popular. However, de Vroomen is seeing more movement into pastels, especially in the blends. What is surprising is muscari. “They are best-selling because you need a lot of them to make an impression,” reported de Vroomen. The ‘River of Blue’ is still in demand for formal or informal landscapes.

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The Landscape Contractor September 2018

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The Landscape Industry’s Favorite Bulbs — Top 10 Blends

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The Landscape Contractor September 2018

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Special Feature —

New Board Member Profile Jeff Kramer by Meta Levin

New ILCA Board

Member Jeff Kramer has been around ILCA since he was young, following his father, who founded and owned Kramer Tree Specialists. Kramer and his brother took over from his father a few months ago. So, when asked to join the board, he only thought about it for a short time. “I called back within a few days,” he says. “ILCA is a great organization.” Over the years, he has “developed many personal and professional friendships through ILCA. “I value the wealth of knowledge available through industry leaders I have met,” he says. “There are a lot of great people. ILCA is a great asset.” Kramer is no stranger to being active in professional organizations. A certified arborist, he has long been a part of the Illinois Arborists Association (IAA), where he helped teach classes needed for certification. In addition to the IAA, he also has been active in the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) and the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Not only that, but he has competed numerous times in the Illinois and International Tree Climbing Championships, winning the Illinois competition seven years in a row and competing in International contests in the United States and Europe. He now serves as a lead judge for the Illinois events. He’s not doing much climbing these days. Instead he is in sales, where he has been for the last 15 years. “I always do what the company needs,” he says about his move into the sales realm. That said, he finds ways to go into the field from time to time, which he enjoys. In 1998 he became a certified arborist, one of the early ones to do so. His brother, Todd, with whom he runs 50

it should be handled. This is a fight the family has been waging since at least 2010 and that he hopes to see to a successful conclusion.

Jeff Kramer

Kramer Tree Specialists, also is a certified arborist, who teaches and trains arborists throughout the country. With a love of the outdoors, Kramer spends his free time maintaining his own yard. Such tasks as cutting grass and pulling weeds are “stress relievers for me,” he says. When not doing that, he likes to go boating. He and his family have a cabin in Galena, IL, where they go for relaxation. They love the area so much that he and his wife, Sharon, were married there 20 plus years ago. While their four children all have an affinity for the outdoors, none seems poised to go into the family business. Kramer, however, started his career working for his father and stayed with it. “I’ve always loved it,” he says. Looking forward to serving on the ILCA board, Kramer is concentrating first on learning, listening to his fellow board members and supporting ILCA in its goals. For years, Kramer has been working with the association on efforts to change the state laws defining waste and how The Landscape Contractor September 2018

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Member News —

DITCH WITCH MIDWEST BREAKS GROUND ON NEW WEST CHICAGO FACILITY Ditch Witch Midwest broke ground on a new facility on July 25, 2018 at the West Chicago site of their new construction.Earl Harbaugh, CEO of Ditch Witch Midwest, was joined by Mark Harbaugh, President of Ditch Witch Midwest, Fred Schramm, President of Schramm Construction Corporation, and West Chicago Mayor Ruben Pineda at the ceremony. The new +40,000 square foot facility will be located at 1555 Atlantic Drive in West Chicago. With the continued growth of Ditch Witch Midwest and Rentals Plus, along with the startup of 1st Choice Equipment, the companies have outgrown their current facility and yard space at 124 N. Schmale Road in Carol Stream. “Although we hate to be leaving the Village of Carol Stream, we are excited to be making our new home in the City of West Chicago. This new building and yard space will give us the opportunity

Ditch Witch presidernt, Mark Harbaugh

to train and hold customer schools on proper equipment operation and safety,” commented Mark Harbaugh. The new facility will include two advanced training rooms and more than ½ acre of outdoor space to educate clients on the proper use of equipment and the overall Ditch Witch Midwest safety goals. Other building amenities

include a 3,000 square foot showroom, covered equipment storage, over 14,000 square feet of service area, and 12,000 square feet of warehouse space, in addition to private offices, conference rooms, and more. The architect for the new facility is Eric Carlson of ECA Architects & Planners. Founded in the 1970’s by Earl K. Harbaugh, Ditch Witch Midwest provides quality products for purchase or rent, as well as parts and service for underground construction. The company currently operates five facilities with locations in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Their company philosophy is “commitment,” which can be seen in their high standards for products, services, and training. The firm has been an ILCA member since 2005.

Ceremonial ground breakers included l to r: Eric Carlson, President of ECA Architects & Planners; Scott Harbaugh, President of Illini Power Products; Leanne Harbaugh, Human Resources Manager of Ditch Witch Midwest; Earl Harbaugh, Founder of Ditch Witch Midwest; Mark Harbaugh, President of Ditch Witch Midwest; Ruben Pineda, Mayor of West Chicago; Jim Bibby, Schramm Construction; Fred Schramm, President of Schramm Construction. 52

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

New Members â&#x20AC;&#x201D; CONTRACTORS Focal Pointe Outdoor Solutions, Inc. Sandra Gonzalez 1921 Ravinia Drive Caseyville, IL 62232 Email: sgonzalez@yourfocalpointe.com Phone: 618-398-9000 www.yourfocalpointe.com Lawn and Landscaping Maintenance Company, Design Build, Irrigation, Lighting, Pools and PHC. Langton Group John Langton 4510 Dean Street Woodstock, IL 60098 Email: langtongroup@att.net Phone: 815-338-2630 langtongroup.com Langton Group was founded in 2005 by John and Joe Langton. Services included are snow and ice management, landscape maintenance, design build, irrigation, and many more! We serve governmental, state, industrial, commercial, and residential markets

Sustainable Creations, LLC Sheila Smith Cortland, IL 60112 Email: admin@sustainable-creations. com Phone: 630-394-2800 www.sustainable-creations.com Helping clients create, build and maintain their outdoor oasis using sustainable materials and products. Serving residential, commercial and public works. Let us guide you into the oasis of your dreams. Wheaton Snow & Ice Kevin King 301 E St Charles Rd Carol Stream, IL 60188 Email: kevin@wheatonsnowandice.com Phone: 630-546-2043 www.wheatonsnowandice.com Wheaton Snow & Ice provides snow and ice control for commercial, industrial, institutional, educational and multi family properties.

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The Landscape Contractor September 2018

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New Member Profile Snapshot

Estate Lighting, Inc. 10305 Covell St. Richmond, IL 60071 (847) 612-1705 Estatelighting.net

by Meta Levin

It all started

with lettering. Tim Tacheny watched a man letter the truck owned by the landscape company for which he worked. Tacheny was struck by the way the man did business, carrying everything with him. Not long after that Tacheny attended a presentation by the late Bill Locklin, considered the “father of 12-volt outdoor lighting” and the founder of the Nightscaping Manufacturing company. The two ideas merged with Tacheny and Estate Lighting, Inc. was born. Then, as now, Tacheny is an entrepreneur, running his business independently. He brings to his work a background in ornamental horticulture and landscape design. Before starting Estate Lighting, Inc., he worked for 12-years as construction manager for a mid-sized landscape contractor. In addition, he oversaw the company’s sale and installation of landscape lighting projects. Now, with new technology and other improvements in the lighting world, Tacheny finds himself in an industry in which the quality has improved and there are many more options from which to choose. “LED is the biggest breakthrough,” he says. “It has made it easier to design and engineer systems. It’s a wonderful advance.” They have, he notes, nearly eliminated the heat. There is less waste and less wear and tear on the systems. Now annual visits to clients involve fewer bulb changes. Advances in technology also allow for more control, including mobile apps that give the homeowner more control of the lighting. Controlling the systems has been made easier without added cost, he says, “Every year the companies come out with more graphics and technology.” Fifteen years ago, Tacheny instituted a maintenance division, which gives him the opportunity to make regular visits to customers to keep things “ship shape.” 56

Increasingly, customers are asking about lighting for security reasons. This might involve lights under the soffits to light up the dark sides of homes. This trend emphasizes the importance of listening carefully to customers, so as to provide lighting that meets their needs, says Tacheny. “It is important to listen to them first,” he says. His preference is for subtle and soft lighting. Most of his customers agree. “They don’t want to look gaudy.” Tacheny also listens to the landscape contractors with whom he works. In fact, that is what led him to ILCA. Donna Vignocchi Zych of ILT Vignocchi, one of his regular customers, suggested that he join ILCA. “She said that I needed to get involved,” he says. “She thought it would be a good thing for me and my business.” He didn’t need another push. “I had been a member many years ago,” he says. Now he is especially finding the networking, not to mention the educational opportunities valuable. He has attended iLandscape and even took his wife, Amy. With a background in sales, she is willing and able to give him advice. Their 17-year-old son has been out helping his father all summer long. Their daughter, however, is a music teacher. “She excelled at school,” he says. “She loves it.” Tacheny has learned many lessons as a subcontractor to landscape contractors, like ILT Vignocchi. “You have to make it easy for the landscape contractor to use you,” he says. Tacheny is proud of what he does. “I tell people that they never will grow tired of the lighting,” he says. “It will always look pretty to you and make you feel good.”

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

Plans are already underway for the 2018-19 edition of Green Industry Guide

Contact Debbie Rauen for advertising information

debbie.landscapecontractor@yahoo.com

Classified Ads HELP WANTED Account Manager Grow with us! Balanced Environments is looking for a full-time addition to our sales team. As an Account Manager you will manage a portfolio of commercial landscape and snow accounts, prepare and present site recommendations, maintain client relationships and develop new clients through sales of new services. Our organization offers a compensation plan that includes a competitive salary/commission structure, health/dental/disability insurance and 401k plan. For a confidential consideration please send your inquiry and resume today to: hdill@balancedenvironmentsinc.com or call Ed Reier at 847-833-3594.

Midwest – Chicagoland Certified Sales Arborist Assist owner in daily operations, sales and client contact for an established territory. Applicant must possess skills in identification of plants, insects and disease. Motivated candidate would be responsible for providing daily work and scheduling for 6 crew members. Qualified leads will be issued. Equipment will include 2 aerial towers, 3 chipper trucks and various size stump machines. Full benefits include company vehicle, medical, dental, life insurance and retirement plan. This is a salary plus commission position (6 figures). Submit resume to: Vince Winkler Winkler’s Tree & Landscaping, Inc., P.O. Box 1154 LaGrange Park, IL 60526 708-544-1219 or email to info@winklerstreeservice.com Discretion assured. CLASSIFIED ADS CLOSING DATES & RATES October 2018 issue ads: September 15, 2018 November 2018 issue ads: Octobe 15, 2018 PLEASE NOTE: “HELP WANTED” AD SALES ARE LIMITED TO ILCA MEMBER COMPANIES Magazine Cost is $5 per line Minimum charge $50 Website Cost is $12 per line Minimum charge $120 (About 6 words/line)

HELP WANTED Landscape Architect/Landscape Designer Wingren Landscape Downers Grove, IL Wingren Landscape is considered one of the area’s top landscape architectural and design firms. Our goal is to create a unified and stimulating environment where your talents and motivation are rewarded. Wingren Landscape is not just a place to work; it is a place to be creative and successful while at work. Wingren Landscape, Inc. is an award winning full-service landscape company for both residential and commercial properties seeking an experienced candidate for the following full time position: Landscape Architect/Landscape Designer Position/Role Requirements: This person will be responsible for managing all phases of residential design projects of varying types and sizes from initial client outreach to project managing the job to completion. The position will involve a combination of design, sales and project management. Requirements: • Degree in Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, or demonstrated experience. • Ability to produce high-quality creative designs, estimate and sell jobs. • Intermediate to advanced skill level in Autocad, Adobe Photoshop and MS Office. • Experience with Sketch Up, LandFX and Asset is considered a plus. • 3 + years of experience preferred • Excellent communication and graphic skills Wingren offers competitive compensation and benefit packages. Please send resume and work samples to Human Resources Department, Attn: Paulab@wingrenlandscape.com Help Wanted Seasonal Color Supervisor in Aurora, IL REQUIREMENTS: • Able to work flexible hours during all four installation seasons. • Minimal 3 years’ experience and knowledge working with plants/annuals, including identification, growth habits, and design knowledge for various environmental situations and conditions. • Experience in operation/supervising crews.

HELP WANTED Job Opportunity (Horticultural Sales Position) Mariani Plants, a 670 acre B&B, Container and Perennial nursery located in the Chicagoland/ Southern WI area, is seeking a qualified sales person to join our team. We have a 550 acre B&B operation in Kenosha, WI and 120 acre container/perennial range in Garden Prairie, IL. Our main sales office is located in Kenosha, WI. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to sell our entire plant line and help develop markets for our new Tree container program. Professional sales skills along with the following attributes are required: • Existing customer base ( primarily landscape contractors, re-wholesalers, garden centers) • Well organized • Solid Computers skills including Excel & Word • Positive attitude and great team player • Strong Plant knowledge a plus • Non smoker Please e-mail resume to Kevin Finley, General Manager, Mariani Plants kfinley@marianiplants.com All resumes will be kept in strict confidence. Illinois Account Manager We are looking for a friendly Account Manager to handle our Illinois clients, from Joliet to the border of Indiana. Your responsibilities will be commercial, industrial and municipal maintenance/ snow accounts, inspect properties, meet with clients, present site recommendations, maintain client relationships We offer a competitive salary, bonus & commissions structure, limited hours, and health insurance. We are located in the South suburbs, but we are open to a work from home situation. This is a year round position, but we might be open to a seasonal only if desired. Please send resume to: info@suburbanlandscaping.net

Please send resume to: bramirez@landscapeconcepts.com

Submit your ads online at ilca.net or call Alycia O’Connor (630) 472-2851

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

Call Debbie @ 817-501-2403 Or email

debbie.landscapecontractor@yahoo.com

Contact Her Today!

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Our readers are your potential customers Each issue includes the work of regional garden designers and landscape contractors as they solve special problems for homeowners

North Shore Truck & Equipment .............................43 OGA .......................................................................35 ProGreen Plus .......................................................44 Russo Power Equipment .........................................57 Spring Meadow Nursery ........................................31 Stockyards Brick Co. ............................................27 The Care of Trees .................................................44 The Landscape Contractor magazine .................58/60 The Mulch Center ..................................................55 Unilock, Inc. ...........................................................64

Do you have a small or large project other homeowners may dream about? Did you solve a challenging landscape issue? Tell us about it and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll consider it for a future issue.

Email our editor: Carolyn@ChicagolandGardening.com Keep you customers inspired with a gift that lasts all year

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Call 888-265-3600 or visit chicagolandgardening.com The Landscape Contractor September 2018

Before You Go...

Design for the Ages:

Landscaping for Clients Who Want to Age In-Place By Scott Mehaffey

People are living longer

and choosing to stay in their homes as long as possible. This trend impacts the services that landscape designers and contractors provide to their aging clients. It’s not unusual for the nearly-retired or recently-retired to invest in landscape improvements – whether or not they want to garden. More time at home makes people more aware of their surroundings – and drives a desire for safe, accessible and beautiful outdoor space. Many landscape companies are already well-versed in design considerations for the elderly. If you aren’t, there are many good books, classes and websites but most important is the ability to listen to your clients and suggest ways their landscape might be designed or adapted to meet their needs and abilities over the coming years. Here are a few tips and considerations you might offer: 1. Select plants that will thrive in the garden’s existing conditions: consider the soil (oftentimes heavy clay in the Chicago Region), moisture and water availability (irrigation system or easy hand-watering), and available. Take time to select plants that will fir and remain in scale when mature: avoid plants that will need thinning, pruning or periodic replacement. 2. Focus on trees, shrubs and groundcovers; limit perennials to easy-care plants like hostas, daylilies and blackeye susan. Avoid plants that self-seed or spread aggressively, like purple coneflower, garden phlox and native asters (in garden soil). Proper grading and bed prep will help ensure lower maintenance, as will using compact-growing varieties with proven hardiness. 3. Evergreens or plants that hold their leaves through the winter months will provide year-round color and interest: design to emphasize contrast (in form, texture and color). Avoid using plants that need annual rejuvenation pruning, frequent deadheading or other routine maintenance. 4. Unless your client has a lawn service, consider using less lawn in favor of groundcovers. If your older client has

a larger property and likes to ride the mower (as some do) – lay out bed edges around the turning radii of the mower to reduce the need for trimming. This is also a good time to discuss a “range of acceptability” for certain fobs like clover and violets. (Aging Boomers may relate to the concept of a “mellow meadow” where their lawn is concerned.) 5. Expand hardscape and remove steps and slopes whenever possible. Consider where snow can be pushed into piles rather than removed entirely. Make paths to and from the house, as well as patios and driveways, usable for walkers and wheelchairs. Keep obstructions to a minimum, recognizing that peripheral vision and depth perception become compromised as we age. 6. Integrate raised beds and wall gardens when possible – and provide a table or ledge nearby for tools, plants, etc. to reduce the need for bending and stooping. When selecting containers, consider the purpose, i.e. lower pots may be fine for flowers that require occasional watering, but use a waist-high planter for cultivating and harvesting herbs and vegetables. (Ideally, also designed for wheelchair access.) For many, gardening is one of life’s greatest pleasures as we age. It’s a great source of exercise and relaxation, and provides opportunities to connect with nature, breathe fresh air and absorb (indirect) sunlight for the production of Vitamin D. Garden clubs and gardening friends are important opportunities for socializing and reducing isolation. Consider all of the ways you can enrich an aging client’s life by making their landscape accessible and maintainable throughout their later years. Editor’s Note: This series of columns is by Chicago-area landscape architect Scott Mehaffey. Scott has enjoyed a long and varied career in the landscape world. He has spent time in the employ of contractors, public gardens, and the City of Chicago. He now operates his own design firm and is an ILCA member. His musings are intended to be reflective, inspirational, and occasionally motivational.

The Landscape Contractor September 2018

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