April 2012 Landscape Trades

Spring: time to train, or prune, staff

Organize operationsto prevent crisis management Win safety buy-in with a game

PM40013519

April 2012 VOL. 34, NO. 3

landscapetrades.com

Green citiesissue

Recipe soil saves trees

Asphalt alternatives for Canadian schoolyards

Proven: urban nature

promotes health

Green citiesissue

Recipe soil saves trees

Asphalt alternatives for Canadian schoolyards

Proven: urban nature

promotes health

APRIL 2012 | LANDSCAPE TRADES | 3

contents

APRIL 2012 VOL. 34, NO. 3

PUBLISHER Lee Ann Knudsen CLP | [email protected]

EdItORIAL dIREctOR Sarah Willis | [email protected]

EdItOR Allan Dennis | [email protected]

WEB EdItOR Robert Ellidge | [email protected]

ARt dIREctOR Kim Burton | [email protected]

GRAPHIc dESIGNER Mike Wasilewski | [email protected]

AccOUNtANt Joe Sabatino | [email protected]

SALES MANAGER, PUBLIcAtIONS Steve Moyer | [email protected]

cOMMUNIcAtIONS ASSIStANt Shawna Barrett | [email protected]

AdVISORy cOMMIttEE Gerald Boot CLP, Laura Catalano, Hank Gelderman CHTM, Marty Lamers, Jan Laurin, Warren Patterson, Bob Tubby CLP

Landscape Trades is published byLandscape Ontario Horticultural trades Association7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8Phone: (905)875-1805 Email: [email protected]: (905)875-0183 Web site: www.landscapetrades.com

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All rights are reserved. Material may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. Landscape Trades assumes no responsibility for, and does not endorse the contents of, any advertisements herein. All representations or warranties made are those of the advertiser and not the publication. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the association or its members, but are those of the writer concerned.

ISSN 0225-6398 PUBLICATIONS MAIL SALES AGREEMENT 40013519RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO:cIRcULAtION dEPARtMENt LANdScAPE tRAdES MAGAZINE7856 FIFtH LINE SOUtH, MILtON, ON L9t 2X8, cANAdA

12 Workplace safety bingo Owner creates safety game to engage staff BY SARAH WILLIS

20 Invest in yourself and your company Final call for green industry management training

COLUMNS26 MANAGEMENt SOLUtIONS | Prune deadwood from your company BY MARK BRADLEY

28 SUStAINABLE LANdScAPING | Bog gardens are natural filters BY SEAN JAMES

30 LEGAL MAttERS | Risk management and project structure BY ROBERT KENNALEY

34 ROAd tO SUccESS | Organization leads to success BY ROD McDONALD

DEPARTMENTSGreen Pencil 4new Products 22Provincial news 36cnla news 38

industry news 40classifieds 44coMinG events 45where to find it 46

On the cover:International Landscaping Inc.

Green citiesGreen cities 6 thinking outside the planting box Manufacturing the perfect soil for street trees BY LORRAINE FLANIGAN

10 Great ROI on green infrastructure Research proves the healing power of nature BY SARAH WILLIS

16 combat nature deficit disorder Help is available to green Canadian schoolyards

Blue S

tone Prop

ertieS

4 | APRIL 2012 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

By Sarah Willis

greenpencil

Running a family including three young adults, being part-owner of a garden centre as well as putting together Landscape Trades requires scheduling and communication, as well as nose-to-the-grindstone hard work. I have recently concluded, managing expec-tations is critical to success. At work or at home, if I can

communicate desired outcomes effectively, there are fewer nasty surprises or letdowns.

What started me thinking about this, was reading an email from Landscape Trades contributor Jody Shilan, who explained the reason-ing behind his ‘unbiddable master plan.’ Shilan wrote that he used to create extensive and intricately de-tailed master plans for clients, with the expectation of getting the work.

But his comprehensive plan made it so easy to collect competitive bids that it was almost an invitation to shop around. His unique solution, to manage his own expec-tations of the client, was to create an unbiddable master plan, a general overview of a dream landscape, where the details are established in the contract.

Because we deal in live plants, the horticulture in-dustry operates like no other. The typical end user of our product expects it to live and bloom forever, with minimal care, no matter where it’s planted — and it’s up to us to explain why this isn’t always possible. Food producers will argue theirs is a perishable product too, but I buy a loaf of bread, cut of meat or bag of onions expecting they will go moldy or rotten in time if I don’t use the products up. Homeowners simply expect plants to live, no matter the level of neglect.

Customer expectations have gone through the roof

in recent years. I’m sure every reader has had an ex-tended conversation with a dissatisfied customer about a plant’s performance. Its leaves burned in the sun, it grew too tall, it didn’t grow tall enough, there are holes in the leaves, it stopped flowering, its flowers fell off and made a mess on the walkway. How do you manage that? You can leave detailed instructions with a com-pleted landscape, hand out planting and care informa-tion with every plant sale or carefully explain about the use of beneficial insects to manage, not control, pests. Successfully communicating how a plant will grow, how an untreated cedar fence will age, how long a perennial will bloom, goes a long way to creating a satisfied cus-tomer. Keys to managing expectations are establishing a trust relationship and education — both for yourself and your client or customer.

I stumbled upon a great book, Managing Expec-tations: Working with People Who Want More, Better, Faster, Sooner, NOW!, written by Naomi Karten. With a title like that, you’d think it was recently published, but it was written nearly 20 years ago. Karten says that, “Expectations are difficult to control and impossible to turn off. However, by learning to identify and influence what your customers expect, you can dramatically improve the quality, impact, and effectiveness of your services.” She cautions against using jargon in com-munications; the horticulture industry is often guilty of this offence.

Put simply, thoughtful and consistent communi-cation can go a long way to managing expectations. But in some cases like Shilan’s, creative solutions are required. Have you come up with an effective way to manage your clients’ expectations? Let me know at [email protected]. LT

Clear, careful, deliberate communication prevents disappointment

Great expectations

By Sarah Willis

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By lorraine flaniGan

CU-Structural Soil — Thinking outside the planting box

Assailed by pollution in the air, soil and water, street trees typically must grow in the cramped quarters of a conventional four ft.-square planting box, their roots vainly stretching for life support in the compacted soils required to provide the struc-tural integrity of the surrounding sidewalks and streets.

“It’s like lowering the tree into a coffin,” says Dr. Nina Bassuk speaking at the Spreading Roots conference at the Toronto Botanical Garden last fall. A professor and program leader of the Urban Horticulture Insti-tute at Cornell University, Dr. Bassuk has developed a growing medium that offers these trees a lifeline.

About 20 years ago, Dr. Bas-suk sought a solution for the op-posing requirements of trees and the built elements around them. The problem was, how to supply the volume of soil trees need to sustain healthy growth, while meeting instal-

Patented, recipe soil improves the odds for urban trees.

lation specifications that require soil to be highly compacted to bear the weight of concrete, asphalt or pavers. Using air excavation tools and ground penetrating radar, Dr. Bassuk was able to trace the way tree roots actually grow in the compacted soils of paved areas. What she discovered was that roots sought the route of least penetration, spreading shallowly between the pavement and the surface of the com-pacted substrate, rather than growing through it or rooting

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more deeply to reach beneath it. This shal-low rooting causes the heaving of pavements and sidewalks and limits the longevity of the tree itself.

The medium Dr. Bassuk developed to solve the problem is CU-Structural Soil. A mixture of 80 per cent crushed gravel and 20 per cent soil bound together with a hy-drogel tackifier, CU-Structural Soil creates a rigid framework able to support the weight of pavements without compacting the soil. This is achieved as the stones form a stable, lattice-like framework that creates pore spaces large enough to accommodate the soil. There is also enough room to allow for the free movement of roots, air and water into these soil pockets.

“It’s important how it’s made,” says Gino Turchiaro, in charge of sales and product development at Hermanns Contracting, one of two companies licensed to produce CU-Structural Soil in the Greater Toronto Area. “The components must meet certain speci-fications,” he says. The stone must be of a uniform size of between ¾ and 1½ inches in diameter. It is also critical that it be washed to remove the fines which may otherwise clog the pores, he adds. The soil itself must be a minimum of 20 per cent clay to allow adequate cation exchange capacity. Also, it must incorporate enough organic matter—between two and five per cent—to ensure adequate nutrient and water-holding capac-ities and encourage microbial activity. Only when mixed according to this strict recipe is the soil successfully suspended in the pore spaces between the framework of stones.

Specifically designed for trees planted on paved sites such as pedestrian malls, side-walks and parking lots, CU-Structural Soil is used directly below these areas, allowing two cubic feet of soil for every square foot of crown projection for each mature tree. It can be used in trenches, under perme-able and non-porous paving, and in island beds in parking lots and plazas. It can also be used to create break-out zones under ex-isting sidewalks for example, to provide a way for roots confined to narrow curb-side strips to grow under the sidewalk and into adjacent yards and green spaces. The one application it is not meant to replace is the

conventional tree pit. Because the success of CU-Structural Soil is based on providing large enough volumes of media for roots to grow into, the meagre dimensions of tree pits offer inadequate space for CU-Structur-al Soil. In these cases, a good, well-draining soil is recommended.

When designing for tree plantings, Rob-ert Beaudin, senior landscape architect at Janet Rosenberg and Associates Landscape Architects of Toronto points out that many municipalities now require minimum soil volumes of about 30 cubic metres for a single large tree. “When we use structural soil,” he says, “municipalities often consider only the soil portion of CU-Structural Soil, which is about 20 per cent of its total volume.” The implications of including only the soil por-tion of CU-Structural Soil in the soil volume calculations leads to a plan with a larger area of structural soil than regular soil. “Despite these difficulties,” he says, “structural soil provides some benefit when planting in po-tentially compacted spaces.”

When installing CU-Structural Soil, “tim-ing is important,” says Turchiaro. “Order the right amount for the trench you’re filling,” he advises. If delivered before the site is ready, or in greater quantities than can be used im-mediately, the soil must be covered to prevent contamination with sand or other elements on the job site and to maintain moisture levels. At Hermanns, the soil is stored under optimal conditions to preserve its integrity. Ordering “as needed” ensures a more suc-cessful installation than storage at the job site. “Once a contractor knows [about these requirements],” says Turchiaro, “there are

usually no problems in the co-ordination of a CU-Structural Soil installation. It just takes a bit of forethought,” he says.

Over the last 25 years, there have been many CU-Structural Soil installations in Canada, from Dartmouth, N.S., to Edmon-ton, Alta. In the Toronto area, Marco Mar-rone of Four Seasons Site Development Limited, has been involved in several CU-Structural Soil installations, including the Bloor Street project. Here, CU-Structural Soil was used above utilities in areas too shallow to accommodate the modular Silva Cells, another urban tree planting system employed on the project (see Landscape Trades, January 2012). Where the two sys-tems are being used, says Marrone, it is criti-cal to use a barrier at the interface of the two systems, to mitigate soil infiltration between the two soil types, which would jeopardize the performance of the CU-Structural Soil.

“Compared to other systems, one of the benefits of using CU-Structural Soil,” says Turchiaro, “is its simplicity of installation. It’s easier and more cost effective to access adjacent underground utilities to perform maintenance and repairs, especially in mu-nicipal streetscapes.”

When it comes to selecting and installing CU-Structural Soil, Turchiaro adds, “It all comes down to awareness, confidence, and showing the research and history that trees thrive.” LT

Lorraine Flanigan is a Toronto-based garden and horticulture industry writer.

Ithaca Commons, created using CU-Structural Soil, complete with trees and pedestrian malls.

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What researchers, horticulturists and parks professionals have long suspected to be true can now be proven — nature has healing powers, and is essential to healthy human habitats.

Leading the charge on this new way of thinking is Dr. Frances ‘Ming’ Kuo, fac-ulty member at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Among her responsi-bilities is directing the Landscape and Hu-man Health Lab. Dr. Kuo spoke at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ont., as part of a two-day Back To Nature workshop. Her keynote presentation was well-received, with lots of participation from an engaged audience.

In the last 10 years, a lot of work has been done looking at the effects of nature in many different forms and on many different populations around the world. Dr. Kuo was careful to point out that all research has been done to rigorous standards, taking income and other advantages into account. “We know that people living in greener neigh-bourhoods have better health outcomes,” she said. She went on to explain that even once income and other advantages associat-ed with living in green neighbourhoods are taken out of the equation, studies prove resi-dents will still have a better health outcome if they live in an area with trees.

Dr. Kuo proposes a new way of thinking, backed up with extensive studies—that na-ture is essential to a healthy human habitat, and its effect helps save money spent in the health care system. Trees in the urban land-scape aren’t just the parsley around the roast, as Thomas Church, a landscape architect famously quipped. They are a necessity.

Ethology (the study of animal behavior) has shown that poor animal habitats will result in social, psychological and physical breakdown. Twenty-five years of research

city planners and health professionals take note: the case for greening our cities has been made. By sarah willis

has shown that humans like environments that include natural elements, so Dr. Kuo set out to determine if humans deprived of na-ture will undergo social, psychological and physical breakdown.

SOCiAL EffECTSDr. Kuo offered multiple research studies that proved each of her points. A study of the so-cial effects of green spaces was conducted through Chicago Public Housing Authority sites. The housing authority owns a number of similarly designed properties surrounded by varying degrees of greenery — to which residents are assigned (fortuitously for Dr. Kuo’s purposes) on a completely random basis. Her research showed that aggression, violent crime, graffiti and illegal activities all decreased in areas where there were planted greenspaces. Residents housed in barren environments exhibited feelings of loneliness, provided less supervision of children outdoors, showed less courtesy and mutual support, and revealed a weakened sense of community.

PSYCHOLOGiCAL EffECTSNumerous studies prove that greenspaces help improve attention, learning and im-pulse control in children, and decrease symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), clinical depression and anxiety attacks. In one study, children with AD/HD were taken on guided walks in each of three different settings: a neighbourhood, a downtown area and an urban park. After each walk the children were taken indoors and given concentration tests. Despite the order in which the walks were taken, the children’s concentration was significantly better after the walk in the park — equal to or greater than the peak performance boost obtained by taking commonly prescribed medications for AD/HD.

Dr. Kuo has looked at years of standardized testing results in Chicago schools. Schools that had poor test results improved substan-tially over a 10-year period during which the city invested in schoolyard greening.

PHYSiCAL EffECTSA tree a day might help keep the doctor away.

Diabetics exercising in a forested setting saw a 74-unit drop in blood sugar, while only experiencing a 14-unit drop if cycling indoors. Residents in the Netherlands liv-ing within one kilometer of a greenspace showed significantly less frequent occur-rence in 15 out of 24 prevalent diseases. A study of elderly Tokyo residents revealed that, taking into account the individual’s age, sex, marital status, socioeconomic status and health status, those living near a walk-able green space enjoyed a longer life. They also reported better functionality and inde-pendent living skills.

Concluding her talk, Dr. Kuo pointed out that she only focused on the large body of ev-idence proving nature is essential to healthy human habitat. She noted that she hadn’t even touched on the many other benefits greening brings to cities such as cleaner air, replenished oxygen, absorption of carbon dioxide, and energy cost savings, to name a few. Her substantive findings are being used to help prove to city planners that plant life is a vital component of neighbourhoods and should be integrated in design to encourage communities that are resilient, effective, car-ing and healthy.

For further information and research ci-tations, download the Parks and Other Green Environments monograph prepared by Dr. Kuo for the National Recreation and Parks Association, available at www.nrpa.org. LT

green streetsMaking the case for


During a trip to the ANLA Manage-ment Clinic in Louisville, Ky., Humphries heard speakers discuss incentive pro-grams using gift cards, and playing games to stimulate staff interest in safety, and he came up with the idea of Workplace Safety Bingo.

“I bought a couple of dabbers and an inexpensive bingo game that comes with

Landscape crews start each day playing bingo

health and safetyThe

game By sarah willis

“health and safety is a boring subject, and it was difficult to keep staff motivated,” says Mark humphries, owner of humphries landscape services and direct landscape supply in oshawa, ont. recognizing the need for health and safety training, humphries struggled with ways to engage his crews in conversations about workplace safety.

Workplace Safety Bingo rulesthe main objective of workplace safety Bingo is to make humphries landscape services a safe and fun place to work. the idea is that everyone works together to work safely and follow all the rules that are set out for the workplace.

l Absence no numbers apply for the day employ-

ees are absent. if absent without a call, the employee cannot play for the rest of the month.

l Unlocked or unwashed vehicles, or dirty, untidy interiors

no numbers will apply on the following day for crew members responsible for the vehicle.

l Lost or damaged tools Based on value of tool, person or crew

forfeits one day to one month.

l Customer call-back crew forfeits for one day.

l Smoking in trucks no numbers to be drawn for one week,

for all crew staff.

l If someone is found without the following Personal Protective Equipment on, the game will zero and start again the next day:

Working without safety glasses. Working without hearing protection. Working without sunscreen.

l Creating or failure to remove trip hazards in the trailer or at job sites.

the game zeros and starts again the next day

l Not reporting damaged or broken tools or equipment

the game zeros and starts again the next day.

l Any workplace injury no numbers will be drawn until the

injured person returns to work.

l Late arrival for work tardy staff member is not eligible to play

that day

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a deck of bingo cards and the playing sheets. Each crew member gets a sheet with his name on it. Each day at Humphries Land-scape Services begins at 7 a.m. on the dot, with a five-minute safety discussion. When-ever possible, safety talks are tailored to the crew’s work. “If we are renting a new piece of equipment, or working with rarely-used machinery or a unique task such as working with heights that day, the chat is geared to the work that day,” explains Humphries.

“After the chat, we pose a question related to the talk. The group as a whole has to get the right answer quickly and succinctly. If, as a group, they come up with a correct answer, we draw a bingo number and employees mark their cards.”

Humphries says the entire talk and game takes 10 minutes. Crews are on the road be-tween 7:15 and 7:30.

The company offers several levels of priz-es. One line in any direction earns the choice of a $10-value reward, including a Tim Hor-ton’s card, lottery scratch card, movie tickets or an HMV voucher.

Diagonal line wins yield $20 rewards, including Best Buy gift certificates, Direct Landscape Supply bonus bucks, HMV gift certificates or a BBQ for you and your crew at the company’s offices.

Box-around wins can bring a Saturday off of the employee’s choice, Direct Land-scape Supply bonus bucks, a Best Buy gift certificate, Mark’s Work Warehouse vouch-er or a certificate for a dinner for two, all valued at $50.

The letter H (for Humphries) wins a re-ward of approximately $300 value, including a day off with pay, Best Buy gift certificate, fishing trip on Lake Ontario for up to three people or an hour-long flight at the local flight school.

IdEA WORkS OVER tIMEGame rules have gradually evolved. Humphries’ initial idea was that new cards would be handed out on the first of the month, but he found that if the prize was won before month’s end, interest in his safety talks waned. Now, as soon as a game

is finished, new cards are handed out the next day.

Some of the game rules penalize indi-vidual crew members, while some safety in-fractions affect a complete crew or the entire company. Members of Humphries Land-scape Services look out for one another (see examples below), to keep the game going from day to day. If a crew member comes in late, he cannot play and an X is put through the number on his sheet if it’s called.

“As a business owner, I have to wear many hats, and be prepared to make sophisticated presentations to corporations in one breath, and offer training to my ground-level staff in the next. Using a tool like Workplace Safety Bingo is a great way to connect with all my staff and get them engaged, working together and looking out for each other.”

Humphries says playing Workplace Safe-ty Bingo has captured the attention of all his crew members. Even the seasoned veterans, “still make sure they get their bingo card stamped if their number is drawn.” LT

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on average, school children spend about 25 per cent of their day outside. the problem is that school grounds are too often treeless, concrete yards with little to no shade or green space and little connection to nature.

In his 2005 book Last Child in the Woods, renowned author Richard Louv coined a new term, “Nature Deficit Disorder,” to describe the effect this disconnect is having on the mental, physical and spiritual development of today’s young people. And a growing body of research is link-ing this disconnection from nature with various learning disorders among children.

With more and more kids growing up in urban environments, this is an issue that is sadly not going away. Fortunately, a number

of schools in Canada are now integrating outdoor learn-ing into their curriculum, in order to reconnect chil-dren with their natural en-vironment. Natural outdoor playgrounds are being in-

stalled on school grounds to provide students with a healthy, hands-on place to play, learn and develop a genuine respect for nature and each other.

Toronto’s St. Brigid Catholic School, with a population of nearly 600 students, is one such example. The school is working on an in-novative greening project to increase shade cover on its grounds, while also creating a system to manage stormwater runoff on site. The grounds have been divided into several areas that serve different age groups, from Junior Kindergarten up to Grade 8. Features in-clude permeable asphalt to catch stormwater, a large mulched island with native shade trees and cut stone seating, as well as a walkway or allée of honey locust trees that will cool the two-storey school.

Designers decided to keep as much asphalt open as possible on the small site, while creating significant shade cover to promote ac-tive play and create areas of refuge. Various teams and committees were created to take ownership of the project, and a fundraising committee was created to take on the significant task of managing the budget. A

Creating areas of infiltration in the asphalt helps reduce stormwater runoff to catch basins, recharges ground-water reserves, and provides water directly to the trees’ roots. Installation involves cutting and removing asphalt and using permeable surfacing around the newly planted trees.

Groves of trees can also be planted in raised beds on the asphalt. These beds can be built out of six-in. timbers or modular precast concrete block.

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stewardship team, composed of volunteers from parents and the neighbourhood com-munity, was responsible for coordinating a regular watering schedule throughout the year.

The St. Brigid school ground greening project was carried out in partnership with Evergreen, a national charity that engages Canadians in creating outdoor green spaces in schools and communities throughout the country, the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), and Victor Ford & Associates, a landscape architect firm.

The effort is indicative of the collabo-rative nature of this kind of work. The St. Brigid project benefitted from the strong leadership of Kathryn Zaleski-Cox, an eco-teacher and librarian, as well as the school’s caretaker, Ron Hearn, who was integral to the project’s success and sustainability.

Evergreen has been facilitating projects like St. Brigid for more than a decade, hel-ping schools and communities find innova-tive, sustainable and financially feasible ways to create green space on school grounds. “There are many creative ways to green up our school grounds,” says Heidi Campbell, Evergreen’s senior designer. Campbell has been busy incorporating new ideas and designs into Chimney Court, the innovative play space she manages at Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto. Campbell’s play space

allows students to get outside and learn in a natural environment, building forts with found objects or just poking around in the dirt to learn about the world of worms. “The key is to allow for creativity and hands-on play,” says Campbell. “Children need to be able to activate their imaginations and en-gage in open-ended play. They need to be the architects of their environment, and to appreciate the natural world.”

Through the Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds funding program, schools throu-ghout the country can apply to receive fun-ding to carry out similar projects as St. Bri-gid and Chimney Court. It doesn’t need to be as elaborate—it could be anything from tree planting in schoolyards to food garden projects. These schools can then benefit from one-to-one consultation with Ever-green’s associates to receive design advice and tips on ensuring success and sustaina-bility of their project, as well as information on local resources.

Evergreen also offers additional resources for school ground greening, including gui-delines and details for tree planting to help ensure the success of these projects. A native plant database provides a comprehensive list of native tree species. The database is avai-lable at www.evergreen.ca. LT

Islands of green are beautiful oases in a sea of asphalt. Installation of these cooling islands involves removing large areas of asphalt and gravel base; amending soils with compost; planting large, native, shade tree species such as silver maple (Acer saccharinum), red maple (Acer rubrum) and hackberry (Celtis occidentalis); and topping up with 15 cm of tub ground mulch.

An allee of honey locust trees in permeable pavers was added to cool the two-storey school.

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Following discussions with green industry members this winter, important changes have been made to the Landscape Industry Executive Program (LIEP), to better meet the specific needs of those in the landscape, nursery and retail garden centresectors.

The course deliverer, the George Morris Centre of Guelph, Ont., has agreed to accept non-refundable deposits of $1,000 per reg-istrant, by April 15 of this year, with the re-maining balance to be paid by September 15, 2012. The course takes place over the winter in three separate sessions.

In order to offer this valuable program to the green industry, registration num-bers must reach 20 by April 15, so that all arrangements can be made and the needed people put in place for delivery.

This program addresses:Strategic planning: Learn to work on the

business, not in the business, by focus-ing and thinking strategically. You will walk away from LIEP with a succinct, but dynamic strategic and operating plan for your business, division or unit.

Succession planning: Whether you are in a corporate or family business, whether you want to position the company to sell it, or whether you want to grow the business or just manage your people risk, succession planning should be a fundamental part of your business strategy.

Operations management: Do you have challenges in recruiting and retaining good people? Do you face challenges with competition from big box stores? Is your competition price-cutting on landscape installation jobs?

Information systems management: Create methodology to increase profitability, organization and communication?

While LIEP has been developed specifi-cally for the green trades, the George Mor-ris Centre offers similar programs to other

take advantage of management training for canadian green industry professionals

agri-business sectors across the country. Be-low are some testimonials from owners and managers who have gone through these pro-grams, providing strong recommendations and encouragement for other owners and managers to participate.

PRAiSE fROM OTHER AG SECTORS“The Executive Development Program provides a wealth of valuable knowledge. I would not have achieved as much in my professional life had I not participated in the program,” says Trish Fournier of Lake Erie Farms, Courtland, Ont.

“The professional and experienced in-structors challenge you on all aspects of your business, giving you the knowledge and focus to succeed in today’s competitive market,” Brian Newcombe of Cornwallis Farms, Port Williams, N.S., says.

According to Lori Schmaltz of Meyers Norris Penny, Calgary, Alta., “The Execu-tive Development Program was one of the most enjoyable and informative programs I have taken in a long time. The program covers a significant amount of material and the instructors do an excellent job providing information while encouraging participa-tion from the entire group. One of the most relevant aspects is the tours and subsequent debriefing sessions. They provide practical examples for utilizing the techniques stud-ied in the course. The program was over far too quickly and I look forward to the devel-opment of an EDP alumni group.”

“Take the course — it’s the best invest-ment I’ve made in terms of my professional development,” advises Jennifer Fleming-MacTavish of the Canadian Sheep Federa-tion, Guelph, Ont.

The Morris Centre’s Canadian Total Ex-cellence in Agriculture Management pro-gram, CTEAM, earned the following testi-monials:

“The George Morris Centre’s commit-ment to moving agricultural producers to

the next level is incredible. The course covers all aspects of business, and is a definite necessity for producers today,” says Lauren Maurer, Land and Sky Grains of Grenfell, Sask.

“CTEAM has changed me and my farm operation forever. My classmates and the instructors gave me more motivation and drive than I ever thought possible. This is a course that every farm operator, owner or manager should be enrolled in — guar-anteed success!” Colin Brown of Dykeview Farms, Canning, N.S. says.

“Going through CTEAM is like coming out of a dark tunnel with a light at the end. You gain the focus to head toward the light, and when you get to the end you realize how large your opportunities are,” states Robert Semeniuk of RAS Farms, Smoky Lake, Alta.

LEARN, NETWORK, BUiLD SKiLLSOthers have indicated that their abilities within their own organizations take on a new and greater understanding of corporate management unanticipated before taking the course. They found that discussing and networking with other industry partners achieved greater benefits as a result of this program. Further, it was found by many that the relationship with their financial insti-tutions improved greatly when presenting their financial statements and credit appli-cations. As well, some advised that due to their new management skills, their finan-cial institution revisited their lending rates, which were then lowered. One indicated that the regional bank manager was so impressed with the client’s course results that, after lowering the rate within his range, he then applied for and obtained further reductions from the head office.

For more information or to register, con-tact Karen Bilton at 519-822-3929, ext. 205, or email [email protected]. LT

LIEP into prosperity

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Mobile concrete factoryStonemaker is an affordable new mobile

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truck bed stepsTailGate Master Truck Steps are the ultimate way to improve access to your trucks or trailers, and make them as safe as possible for the operator. The steps are tough, lightweight, able to handle heavy loads and won’t damage the vehicle’s bed or tailgate. A variety of fully adjustable configurations are available. Legs can be shortened or lengthened to accommodate uneven terrain, ensuring operator safety with every step.Malley Industries www.malleyindustries.com

Thin-veneer limestoneHorticultural Marketing’s Richmond rustic limestone low rise

building stone veneer is now available in thin veneer heights from ¾- to 2.5-in. Sawn top and bottom for easy fit, however some pieces

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Biological insect controlFlower Guard is a unique combination of Canadian beneficial nematodes to control the larval stages of rose chafer. Apply nem-atodes after the adults are observed, usually late July. For rose midges, apply nematodes late fall and again early spring. To control iris borer, apply late April when soil is 10 degrees C (50 degrees F) or warmer, and again early fall. For thrips, apply weekly throughout the growing season. Use hose end sprayer or watering can to treat 46 sq. metres (500 sq. ft.).Natural Insect Control www.naturalinsectcontrol.com

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Limestone ledgerock blendColonial Brick & Stone’s new No. 19 blend consists of brown, tan, black and charcoal limestone. Real stone for the cost of concrete thin veneer can add tremendous value to projects. When concrete thin veneer gets a chip, it adds extra beauty, texture, and color veins. Often, extra time is taken during the manufacturing process to add chips to some edges to make it even more beautiful.Colonial Brick & Stone www.colonialbrickandstone.com

MillstonesHorticultural Marketing offers reclaimed millstones, grindstones and stone rollers from old mills. The spout that poured out crushed grain centuries ago, can now be used as a historic water feature in any garden.Horticultural Marketing www.hortmark.com

Stone bath tubsCarved out of a large fieldstone boulder; no two pieces are alike. For those who enjoy unique, different, charming,and unheard-of things. The bottom is sawn to sit evenly. The top is sawn and polished for an even and smooth finish. The outer edge is natural and rustic. These are breathtaking pieces of art. The inside measurements are very roomy. Colonial Brick & Stone www.colonialbrickandstone.com LT

Non-slip pavingRubaroc Rubber Safety Surface is comprised of a high grade EPDM rubber granule mixed with a very strong urethane binder. Rubaroc Premium, the new product line, allows for more intricate design work and a smoother, more com-pact finish. Rubaroc Premium can be grouted and sealed cre-ating a water-resistant surface. Rubaroc Safety Surface provides a solu-tion to increased slip-fall and safety concerns.Rubaroc www.rubaroc.com

Hand weederHorticulturists know if they leave just a fraction of the 10-in. dandelion root behind, the root will regenerate and all that effort is useless. The Garant weeder’s twisted head lets users completely capture and extract the roots of dandelions and weeds, while standing, to eliminate regrowth without damaging the ground — and its ratchet system is suitable for all types of soil. The sliding handle also lets users easily eject the weeds exactly where they want.

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managementsolutions

In the landscape business, you need to prune often. But the spring pruning I am referring to is the type that isn’t always easy for many business owners and manag-ers. After speaking with many landscapers in our management workshops and operating my own landscape company, I realize that, for a number of reasons, most companies and managers tend to hang on too long to the dead wood within their companies.

As a company grows and expands or im-proves, I believe some longer term employ-ees find their way to the top and crave the entrepreneurial roles. Others simply don’t cut the mustard and slowly (or sometimes quickly) find themselves behind the pace of the company’s progress. When there are people on your team who are not perform-ing to the company’s standard and who do not have the interest to advance their knowl-edge or make the effort to effectively com-plete their work-related tasks, the options are really quite simple. You as the owner or manager can make one of three choices:1. Put up with it — not recommended2. Change it — works in some situations

Spring pruning – removing the dead wood from your landscape crews By MarK Bradley

3. End it — when you have exhausted efforts to “change it.”

Putting up with itMy experience has been that the longer I put up with a situation involving an underper-former in my company, the more damage it causes to the culture I have worked so hard to create. Bad attitudes are cancerous — they can spread quickly and I believe they can cause a terminal illness within your company. You cannot build or maintain a culture of profes-sionalism and efficiency with obvious dead wood on the team. If you are recognized as a leader that “puts up with it,” you can be sure the rest of the team is quickly losing faith in you as leader. And respect is much harder to recapture than it is to keep by acting swiftly and confidently. Remember that putting up with it comes at an enormous cost. One rot-ten apple can spoil the whole barrel, and it can take years to recover. Crew supervisors need to be trained on crew management, and they need to realize that it is up to them to cut the dead wood on their own crews. One of the most frustrating things to happen in my

company over the years was to have a crew su-pervisor advise me in late fall how one of his team members had been underperforming all year. That is like telling me the whole crew underperformed all year — and worse yet, the supervisor clearly underperformed as well by not dealing with the issue immediately.

Changing itI have been astounded at how people tend to burn out in this industry over a period of a few years. Some true superstars have left my company for other industries where they can “live a more balanced lifestyle.” I have come to accept that this will continue to happen. I believe a career in the landscape industry is a lifestyle—and after a few years, in this as in any profession, people come to realize they have either found a fulfilling career or not. When I start to see people wane after being high performers in their role, I generally do one of two things:l Create some challenge for them by add-

ing more responsibility to their role, to keep them engaged; and I keep doing so until they show signs of burn out.

l Quietly remove some responsibility, to reduce the possibility of burn out if they seem overwhelmed or in over their head.

I have tried to “change it,” both success-fully and not so successfully, when people in my company are not working to our stan-dards. Many companies have success sto-ries of waiting and trying out some form of change, and I find myself becoming more skilled at doing this—perhaps I am more patient now than I have been in the past. Still, don’t over compensate by trying to cre-ate the perfect position for somebody. Land-scape companies, like most other business-


FIND IT: at www.LTsourcebook.comLooking for green industry products and services — available in Canada?The exclusive Landscape Trades Online Source Book is the first place to shop. Search by product category or company name... Online Source Book listings are comprehensive, up-to-date and specific to your industry.www.LTsourcebookcom

FIND IT: at www.LTsourcebook.comLooking for green industry products and services — available in Canada?The exclusive Landscape Trades Online Source Book is the first place to shop. Search by product category or company name... Online Source Book listings are comprehensive, up-to-date and specific to your industry.www.LTsourcebookcom

Source book ad revised for LT.indd 1 3/19/2012 12:34:47 PM

APRIL 2012 | LANDSCAPE TRADES | 27APRIL 2012 | LANDSCAPE TRADES | 27

es, are most successful when they employ highly-motivated people who are capable of multi-tasking and doing many different types of work.

Ending itAs a business owner, I try to keep my long-time employees engaged by taking the steps mentioned above. But with new employees, I have what I believe is a simple and effec-tive management style. My company has a two-week working interview, followed by a three-month probation period. If the new worker is not actively engaged in learn-ing and is not adjusting to our culture, we simply “end it.” I believe that the sooner we move people out who are not the right fit with our culture, the sooner we will find ones who are. My philosophy is, don’t be afraid of some turnover — you cannot find superstars without it.

Consider the spring hire like a sports draft, or try-outs. At my company, we hire more workers than we plan to keep, since we know from experience that many will meet the requirements of the job posting, but simply will not fit our company culture.

Remember, when preparing your busi-ness for the busy season, don’t be afraid to do your spring pruning! LT

Mark Bradley is president

of The Beach Gardener and

the Landscape Management

Network (LMN), based in

Ontario.

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sustainablelandscaping

So often customers are afraid of ponds even though, I think, they give more enjoyment, per square foot, than any other part of a landscape. They offer sound and motion. They are sooth-ing to the soul. They attract wildlife. When nightlit, they’re positively magical. Yet, in the face of all this, folks are afraid of West Nile virus (misplaced, but that’s another rant) and practically terrified of (omi-nous chord) algae! Sure, we try to explain that some algae is natural and good but, in all fairness, many folks have seen ponds gone bad, milky green from the top down.

Using oxygenating plants, ensuring proper flow, and shading the top one-third to one-half of the water’s surface will help. We can use many technologies to combat algae, but without a doubt Mother Nature is far, far better at it than we are. The best way to help her is by constructing a bog as part of the pond system. Don’t think of a landscape pond as a pretty hole in the ground filled with water, but rather as a mini-ecosystem, and the rest falls into place.

Use a T-fitting to split the water from the pump, and have a ball valve on either outside pipe, one running to the waterfall, the other to the bog, to control how much water flows to each. Direct the pipe into a socked, plastic drainage tile with the far end plugged. Commer-cial systems are also available from companies such as Aquascape. This way, the water flows out evenly through the length of the tile to percolate up through the bog medium. Set the bog slightly higher than the pond so that the water flows back into the pond. With this construction, a small amount of water is always flowing into the bot-tom of the bog and trickling up through the medium to the plants, then back into the pond, cleaner every time.

Bog gardens: Nature’s filters By sean JaMes

The medium acts as a physical filter, removing particles from the water. The plants are remarkably efficient at removing nutrients from the water. This starves the algae of nutrients. Together this leaves the water incredibly clear, with no chemicals and no mechan-ics beyond the pump. It is practically a miracle of nature. We just help it happen.

In my experience, the best medium is two-thirds composted pine mulch and one-third 3/8-in. chip clear gravel or HPB. This gives maximum permeability and makes it suitable for the plants, although it will turn the water tea-coloured due to the tannic acid that leaches into the water. This will be removed by the plants themselves over time.

Best of all (as an over-eager plantsman), in a bog you can grow plants that you can’t grow elsewhere. The most interesting is the carnivorous pitcher plant, but there are many others such as blue flag iris, umbrella plant, shooting star, fascinating sedges, cardinal flower, and the ironically named blue cardinal flower. This gives your landscapes a rare element of interest, as well as producing a better kind of pond. It’s a win-win! LT

Sean James is owner of an Ontario-based, environmen-

tally-conscious landscape design/build/maintenance

company. In addition, he is an eco-consultant and a

popular speaker.

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legalmatters

In the March 2012 issue of Land-scape Trades, we began our discussion of the choice of project structure in a construction project by reviewing the general contract (where the contractor builds to a design provided by the owner) and the design build contract (where the contractor is respon-sible for both construction and design). In this issue, we will discuss the project man-agement and construction management structures. The key feature that distinguishes these project structures from the other two is that, when properly set up, the project or construction manager does not actually per-form the physical work. Rather, under these models, the manager acts as the owner’s rep-resentative in negotiating and administering contracts for the work, which the trades and the owner enter into directly.

The project and construction manage-ment models are perhaps the most misun-derstood and misused of the models avail-able. Under these models, the owner hires the manager to manage the project on his or her behalf. All of the trade contracts are sourced and, once approved by the owner, administered by the manager. Usually, the owner is the named party to the trade con-tracts, although in some circumstances the manager expressly signs the trade contracts as the agent of the owner. In either case, the trades should know exactly with whom they are contracting.

The essential difference between the con-struction management and project manage-ment models, when they are used in their traditional way, is that under construction

Risk Management and Project Structure – Part II By roB Kennaley

management the manager is only respon-sible to administer the installation of a design provided by the owner. Under the traditional project management model the manager is brought in earlier in the process and repre-sents the owner, at least in part, in sourcing, developing and administering the design.

Under these models, the owner, not the manager, is responsible to pay the trades di-rectly. Should the owner not pay, the trades’ recourse is to pursue the owner, not the manager. In this circumstance, then, there is no one general contract. Rather, there are several and sometimes many trade con-tracts, each between the owner and a trade contractor. For the purposes of construction lien legislation, there will be a separate hold-back requirement for each trade contract, such that the expiry of lien rights, substan-tial performance or completion (depending on the province), and the release of hold-back will arise on a trade-contract by trade-contract basis. There will also be labour and occupational health and safety issues for the owner, because the owner is contracting with the trades directly.

Know who assumes riskUnder these models, the manager is gen-erally paid a fixed fee, often expressed as a percentage of the total construction cost. Beyond this, the terms of the management contracts can vary significantly. Generally, the owner is responsible to pay the total cost of the work, including all of the manager’s administrative costs. Under many manage-ment contracts, if a trade does not perform

properly, or at all, the cost of rectifying or completing the trade’s work falls to the owner. Indeed, under many management contracts, the owner will have to pay all of the manager’s administrative costs in sourc-ing and administering the rectification and completion contracts. This highlights a gen-eral distinction to be made: Project and con-struction management contracts will gener-ally be either at risk or not at risk contracts. The distinction is as follows: Where the manager is at risk, the manager is ultimately responsible to ensure the work is performed properly and on time, et cetera, in accor-dance with the trade contracts. Where there are delays, deficiencies or incomplete work, the owner can look to the manager to resolve the issues at his cost or to pay compensation in lieu of same. Where the manager is not at risk, his role is to simply administer on behalf of the owner. Should any issues arise, they are the owner’s responsibility and the owner will have to pay the manager for fur-ther assisting the owner in resolving them.

One might wonder why an owner would enter into an at risk contract. The answer lies in cost and flexibility. Many owners be-lieve they can keep costs down if they have the opportunity to vet and approve quotes for each component of the work, thereby eliminating the middleman of a general or design build contractor. Also, the construc-tion management model allows the owner to develop his design on the fly. The owner does not need to agree upon a fixed price for the total project at the outset when retaining a general or design-build contractor. Rather,


legalmatters


the owner can move forward with the de-molition and excavation trades before fully deciding where and how to spend his or her money on the rest of the project.

Read details of contractAgain, project management and construc-tion management contracts are very often misunderstood and misapplied. Contrac-tors will often draft contracts that suggest

they are construction managers when they are not. It is also not at all uncommon for a project to unfold as a general contract mod-el, for example, even though the contract provides for construction management. Of-ten, although the contract calls for a sepa-rate trade contract for each component of the work, the manager nonetheless hires the trades, is paid by the owner for the trades’ work, pays the trades, and administers one

contract with the owner for the entirety of the work, for construction lien holdback purposes. Where this occurs, confusion can become widespread, particularly where trades have not been paid and construction lien implications arise.

Who is obliged to pay the trades for the work will depend on the project model—on how the contracts between trades and owner or manager/contractor are set up. In addi-tion, a trades contractor under a properly set up construction management contract model will have the rights of a contractor for the purposes of construction lien legislation. If, however, the trade is actually a subcontrac-tor of the manager, the trade will have the lien rights and obligations of a subcontrac-tor. This, of course, can be significant: The rights and obligations of contractors and subcontractors are different under Canadian lien legislation. Significantly in this regard, a subcontractor’s lien entitlement is gener-ally limited to its pro-rata share of holdback, while a contractor faces no such limitation.

In the end, one telltale sign is the pay-ment stream: If you are hired by a construc-tion manager to perform work on a project, but enter into a contract with, and are paid by, the manager (and not the owner) you are most likely not working under the construc-tion management model. Rather, you are most likely working in the general contrac-tor model. Establishing at the outset which model you are working under is important because, as we have briefly outlined above, the model will determine whom you are working for, whom you pursue in the event you are not paid, and the extent to which you can recover under lien legislation. LT

Rob Kennaley practises

construction law in To-

ronto. He speaks and writes

regularly on construc-

tion law issues and can be

reached for comment at

416-368-2522 or at ken-

[email protected]. This material is for infor-

mation purposes and is not intended to provide

legal advice. Readers who have concerns about

any particular circumstance are encouraged to

seek independent legal advice in that regard.

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I love the expression, God is in the details. One of my favourite entrepreneurs used it all the time. She ran one of the most successful bistros I have visited, and it was a spotless cafe. It was the epitome of cleanli-ness because she instructed her serving staff to clean, clean again, and clean yet once more, when there were no customers to wait on. A clean place does not happen by acci-dent. It happens because there is someone who knows the importance of a clean opera-tion. And when I am consuming food that I have paid good money for, I would prefer to do it knowing the kitchen producing it has been scrubbed recently.

The same thing applies to us this coming spring. God is in the details…and the orga-nizing of those details! If we are not orga-nized, we will not be in a position to harvest the twenty-dollar bills when they are offered. There is no point in chasing away custom-ers, instructing them to return the follow-ing week when we will be ready for them. Customers, once they have made up their mind to purchase, are not easily persuaded to wait. They will find other places to spend their money, if not at your place, then down the street. Sometimes, we lose a sale not to another garden centre, but to a bicycle shop or a clothing retailer.

In order to be ready this spring, we need to have a checklist. I have yet to meet a suc-cessful greenhouse or garden centre opera-tor, or a top-flight landscape or irrigation contractor who did not have a written checklist. The man or woman who insists they have the checklist in their head, does not have one at all. It is fool’s gold to make such a claim.

To start a spring campaign successfully, we need to have all stock ordered and the majority of it in our possession. It needs to have been checked in, inventoried and priced, ready to go on display as needed.

Organization is the path to success By rod Mcdonald

The last thing we should be doing during the busyness of May and June is ordering product and arranging displays. There is of course an exception made for reorders.

The staff should be 99 per cent hired and trained by the middle of April. The train-ing program should be in a printed format and every little detail should be included in that printed document. An employer can-not expect a new employee to know every policy and procedure, from break time to cell phone usage. If you have banned the use of cell phones by employees during work hours, and many have had a need to do so, then it should be in print. No one can com-plain they were not informed if it is written within the training manual.

New equipment, whether it is a tractor or a cash register or a bar code scanner must to be up and running before the need to use it, not after.

Banking and financing need to be ar-ranged months before they are required, especially lines of credit. Financing left un-til the last minute places the tardy ones in a desperate situation. In haste, they must sign on for a plan that requires a ridiculous rate of interest or other less than advantageous terms. I hate fighting rear guard battles, and last minute arrangements are always a rear guard battle.

There are those among us who take pride in being crisis managers. They thrive on the adrenaline of finding ways out of stressful situations. I am not one of those. To be clear and firm: I have never seen the benefit or the rationalization of being a crisis manager. I am at the polar opposite of this conundrum. I believe that if you are a crisis manger, you are not managing at all, or at the very least, you are a bad manager. Good managers do not leave issues that fester until a knee jerk reaction is required. Good managers are planners and list makers, and ensure as

smooth sailing as possible.There are enough waves of insanity that

all of us must deal with once the season’s flood-gates have opened. There are always unforeseen issues, so why increase their im-pact when they could have been dealt with months before?

When I operated my business, one of my standard rules was to explain to all the sales people who called on me, not to do so dur-ing the busy times. My adage was, May is for selling, not for buying. I was always flabber-gasted by the novice sales rep who seemed to think May was the perfect time to pres-ent his company’s catalogue. One young fel-low walked into my office in May, without an appointment, opened a catalogue that was several hundred pages thick, and began pitching me. He left, a sadly chastised man. I’m afraid my words didn’t have much kind-ness to them.

Staging a spring garden show at your store takes a lot of organization, but by all accounts, is well worth the effort!


roadtosuccess

One of the most important things we can do to ensure success during the busy season is to develop a system of systems. I have learned over the years that to be a sys-tems manager, is to be a true manager. Just as a football coach must develop a system of plays that respond to differing situations, so too must those within the green trades. No football coach calls the same play on third-and-one as he does on second-and-fifteen. If he did, he would be a bad coach.

As my garden centre grew in physi-cal size and volume, I needed to develop a different system or approach to managing it. After attaining a certain size, we had to develop areas of expertise. To grab a meta-phor from football and basketball, we had to switch from man-to-man coverage to a zone defence. As customers moved through the garden centre, they needed access to staff who specialized in trees, perennials, bedding plants and garden care products. Each staff member could no longer cover all areas. One young woman did not get, or refused to get, our system. She was assigned to work in the annual greenhouse. Yet, I would find her assisting customers in the perennial shade house or even further away, in the tropical plant greenhouse. Her explanation was that the customer had initiated the interest in moving from one area to the next and she had merely accompanied them. To her, this

was the ultimate in customer service, a one-to-one approach, but in our system she had left a hole in her assigned area. She was not in place to serve those who required assis-tance in the annuals. After a few warnings, I realized she could not follow our system and I terminated her. I needed team players who would follow our system.

As most of us know, many uncertainties are bound to occur, even if we have been most methodical in our planning. Weather is perhaps the largest variable within our operations. We can go from being flooded with customers when it is sunny, to four customers and 26 staff members when a storm erupts. The only good thing about a snowstorm in May is that it does reduce complaints over the lack of available service personnel.

It is important while managing success to always have a Plan B and a Plan C in place. When the customer count drops off, what is next on the list of things to happen? Who organizes that Plan B and how is it to be carried out? Those questions need to be answered long before it is time for imple-mentation.

The busy season is at hand. Here are the essentials:l Have separate lists of what needs do-

ing today, tomorrow, next week, next month.

l Have checklists of all the products that need to be on display.

l Have someone assigned in each area to review and order new supplies for those items on your checklist.

l Have someone review all in-store sig-nage from a customer’s perspective. Do the signs answer questions and clarify issues? Are the signs free of jargon? Do the signs sell product and service?

l Are finances, especially lines of credit, in place? Do suppliers know when they will be paid? Do suppliers offer a discount for early payment?

l Are both full-time and seasonal staff up to speed, ready to sell?

l Is your best foot forward? Is everything clean? Are your customers uttering, “Wow!” when they walk into your greenhouse?

If you can answer yes to all of the above, then you are well on the road to success. LT

Rod McDonald owned and

operated Lakeview Gardens,

a successful garden centre/

landscape firm in Regina,

Sask., for 28 years. He now

works full-time in the world

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and producing in film, television and stage.

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Landscape Trades devotes space in each issue to provincial association news. This month features Jim Landry on Landscape New Brunswick.

You’ve probably been wondering what’s been go-ing on in New Brunswick and P.E.I. since last we communicated. In November, I posted our man-date on the wall of our office, in an effort to keep things focused and on track. You’d be interested to know that what is actually posted is a picture of a train. That’s it. One word – “Mandate” and a picture of a train. I have no idea what it means.

I’ll pick up this story after the smoke cleared from HortEast, which was, by the way, a great show with a good turnout and a healthy bottom line. We charged up the committees for the winter and set our sights on delivering to our members what they said they needed most—training. There was much work to do to prepare for our second year of Apprenticeship Classroom Training: Blocks 1 and 2. It has been a difficult push to get our members to take the time to apply for their Letters of Authenticity. Many have the qualifications to be grandfathered, but not the time or inclination to fill out paperwork. Imagine that, there are landscap-ers out there who shy away from paperwork! That being said we now have more than 30 journey-men (sorry ladies, let’s stick with the old-fashioned terminology) in place in N.B. We have a few people certified in P.E.I., as well, and we’re trying to devel-op a program to get the islanders into our block-training program. We are quite fortunate in that we have some very capable industry people here who are putting a lot of their energy into making an ap-prenticeship program run. Karen Carrier and Ben Scholten CLT, are two such board members who are delivering most of the instruction to our ap-prentices at our own school, called the Landscape Horticulture Training Institute.

Aside from this government sponsored appren-ticeship training, we are doing much more for our business owners and managers. We teamed with Landscape Management Network, AtlanticCat and Landscape Nova Scotia to put together a two-day budget workshop in January. Of all the training we do, this program gets the highest marks. That’s because Mark Bradley and Mike Lysecki make it easy. Evaluations we’ve conducted after the fact reveal that it is exactly what most of our members want and need. Thanks to AtlanticCat, the cost to our members to get this top-notch training is mini-mal. I would encourage any and all associations

to hook their dining car to this locomotive when it comes through your province.

In February, LNB hosted another two-day con-ference called ACES (All Commodity Education Sessions). We’ve been doing this for about 10 years. It is always highly anticipated and well re-ceived, and this year was no exception. The theme was Sustainable Community Development and it showcased several projects around the province along with many industry updates. In support of our IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Accredi-tation program, LNB held a symposium for those involved in the process. It serves the purpose of delivering education credits to those already ac-credited and provides industry updates. We had more than 70 registrants this year. Normally here in N.B., the only way to get 70 people in the same room is to have live music; but this proves you can also do it with quality programming.

At this moment we are smack in the middle of our winter training program, which is somewhat based on Landscape Industry Certification in that it is for the frontline workers and covers a great deal of the scope of the occupation. We have a calendar of events that covers a dozen or so top-ics. Landscape PEI, which does some of this on their own, held a two-day softscaping workshop just last week. There is also a hardscaping work-shop coming up at the end of March.

We have engaged the services of Joel Beatson of the CNLA to run the first of two On-the-Job-Training (OJT) workshops. By the time we are done everyone in N.B. and P.E.I. will be well trained in the art of training.

Our 2011 Awards of Landscape Excellence gala were held in Saint John this year on March 24. The submissions are in the hands (and minds) of our judging committee. Last year’s award cer-emony in Moncton was pretty special with about 130 guests, and I am really hoping my hometown can rise and meet the challenge.

Sad to say, the tracks haven’t been all flat and smooth this year. In fact just this past week we said farewell to Tim Tregunno of Halifax Seed. Here in the east, we all know of Tim and his family who have owned and operated the seed company since 1866. In fact many of us industry folks have felt very much a part of the extended Halifax Seed family. His daughters, Alison and Emily, are going to carry on the proud tradition.

As I was looking at my calendar to remind me of all the things we’ve been doing this past win-ter, I’ve come to the realization that I spend pre-cious little time in the office anymore. Sometimes as little as a few hours a week. But that’s about me and what I really sat down to write about is what our members and committees are up to.

Others are beginning to see value in what Land-scape N.B. and P.E.I. are doing. Attendance at the workshops and training seminars is very strong and brings in a lot of non-members. Our job now is to get these folks on board. I’m beginning to see what that train picture is all about. But I still don’t understand what Dylan meant when he wrote, “It takes a lot to laugh; it takes a train to cry.” LT

Jim Landry CLP, is executive director at LNB.

Members of Landscape New Brunswick attended an IPM Symposium in February.

new brunswickupdate

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cnlanewsGarden Centres Canada has announced that Eve Tigwell will return this June to continue her work performing inspections.

Garden centres register for half-day or full-day inspections. Tigwell reviews the following areas: approach and parking lot, entrance and exit, facili-ties for disabled/toilets, play area, customer ser-vice points, safety, checkout area, people, garden care, outdoor living, indoor lifestyle, food hall/farm shop, aquatics and pet care, houseplants, bedding and patio plants, hardy plants, growing media, outdoor ornamentation, garden construction, ca-tering, and website.

Centres that book a half-day program can expect the on-site inspection to take one to two hours, followed by a one- to two-hour consulta-tion period. Garden centres may also book a full-day inspection. Following the inspection, partici-pating centres will receive a detailed report with scores and comments from Tigwell, as well as a CD of photos.

Registration is now open, but spaces are lim-ited. or more information, visit www.canadanurs-ery.com and click on Garden Centres Canada, or contact Rebecca at the CNLA office, 1-866-383-4711, or [email protected].

Box Blight Best Management GuidelinesCNLA released Box Blight Best Management Guidelines to minimize the risk of moving C. buxi-cola through the wholesale nursery industry, and for companies that buy and sell boxwood to the consumer. The Guidelines may be accessed at http://bit.ly/boxwoodblight.

A C. buxicola certification module for the clean plants program is currently under development and all nurseries are encouraged to implement BMPs in the interim.

On behalf of the grower industry, CNLA thanks Sheridan Nurseries for its considerable contribu-tion to the development of the Boxwood Blight BMPs and certification module.

Cylindrocladium buxicola (also known as C. pseudonaviculatum), commonly called box blight or boxwood leaf drop, is a fungus that has been a serious pest of boxwood in the U.K., Europe and New Zealand since the mid-1990s.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency con-firmed the presence of boxwood blight in Can-ada through the submission of samples from two growers in British Columbia. Both growers

voluntarily undertook ex-treme eradication measures through the incineration and deep burial of all boxwood plants from affected sites. CFIA is conducting a national detection survey, with efforts focused in B.C., Ontario and Quebec, in order to determine the distribution of C. buxicola in the rest of Canada. It is ex-pected that full results should be available at the end of March 2012.

Caucus group to help ornamental horticultureThe Canadian Ornamental Horticulture Alliance has created an ornamental horticulture caucus in Ottawa. The group consists of 14 MPs willing to champion the benefits of ornamental horticulture.

In early March, the Horticulture Value Chain Round Table met in Ottawa. Over 40 MPs attend-ed the event. The goal of the working group is to promote the healthy lifestyles and healthy choices with an emphasis on the consumption of fruit, veg-etables and ornamental products.

A marketing strategy working group is in the process of gathering benchmark data to help with decisions surrounding trade issues. Another group created is searching for more sustainable water practices focusing on nutrients in the water.

More information on the working groups is at www.agr.gc.ca.

Staff changesRenata Triveri, retail manager, has completed her contract with CNLA after championing several new developments for the Garden Centres Canada Committee. Triveri and her partner Bill Hardy are the new owners of Trice Farms in Maple Ridge, B.C.

Rebecca Doutre, provincial relations manager, has assumed the role of retail manager and works in collaboration with the Garden Centres Canada Committee. Doutre will also take a more active role in Newfoundland as the interim executive di-rector of Landscape Newfoundland and Labrador.

Christine Finn, provincial relations coordinator, has had a smooth transition into her new appoint-ment and Julia Ricottone, certification coordinator, will add administration tasks for the Canadian Nurs-ery Certification Institute to her responsibilities.

Visit garden centres around the worldThe International Garden Centre Association (IGCA) has been keeping some CNLA staff mem-bers busily travelling around the world.

Last year a contingent of 25 Canadians (see photo above) attended the IGCA Congress in Italy, while in February, CNLA representatives were part of a tour to Australia in preparation for the 2013 Congress in Melbourne.

Rebecca Doutre says the pre-tour group re-ceived a warm welcome from Australian garden centre members. “I can assure you this Congress is one that you should pencil into your calendars. It will be worth it to take the trip down under to learn from these retail professionals.”

Next on the agenda is the 2012 IGCA Congress in Germany on Aug. 26 to Sept. 1. The event will be held in Bonn, Germany’s former capital. This year’s program will explore many regions of Ger-many, including a variety of unique garden centres and sites of horticultural interest. The tour will also include a visit to Floriade in Venlo, an event that takes place every ten years. There will be a post-tour option to visit one of the world’s largest inter-national trade fairs, Gafa. Visit www.igcc2012.org to register for the 54th IGCA Congress.

The IGCA has created a new Facebook page to help connect garden centre retailers around the world. Visit the page (www.facebook.com/IGCAs-sociation) and “like it” to view and share photos from past Congress tours.

For more information on the International Garden Centre Association, visit www.intgardencentre.org. LT

The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association

is the federation of Canada’s provincial

horticultural trade associations. Visit

www.canadanursery.com for more information.

Canadians toured Italy’s garden centres as part of the 2011 IGCA Congress.

http://www.canadanursery.com

http://www.canadanursery.com


http://bit.ly/boxwoodblight

http://www.agr.gc.ca

http://www.canadanursery.com/EbulletinLink.asp?MailingID=283231&LinkID=1653&Lang=1

http://www.facebook.com/IGCAssociation

http://www.facebook.com/IGCAssociation

http://www.intgardencentre.org

http://www.canadanursery.com/

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industrynewsGreen industry promoted at canada BloomsAn industry-led promotional initiative has reinvent-ed itself for 2012, as Canada Blooms delights the senses of thousands hungry for spring.

The show was founded by The Garden Club of Toronto and Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association in 1997. Its signature at-traction is stylish indoor gardens, complete with forced trees, shrubs and flowers. It has been a hugely successful initiative to drive awareness and demand for green industry products and services.

This year’s edition extends its run to 10 days, co-locating with the National Home Show. The fit is a natural, emphasizing to homeowners how land-scaping improves the value, beauty and comfort of homes.

Canada Blooms was held March 16-25 at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto. Landscape Ontario members designed and constructed 26 exceptional feature gardens that focused around the show’s City Culture theme. Organizers an-ticipated over 300,000 people would attend both shows, making it North America’s largest flower

and garden festival.About 150 members of Landscape Ontario vol-

unteered countless hours, designing, coordinat-ing and constructing a showcase garden for their association. Called ‘Take Time To…’, the garden invited show attendees to slow down, take a deep breath, and appreciate the many wonders of na-ture. Canadian roses, forced specifically for the show, were front and centre, letting consumers know today’s roses are easier to grow than the

cultivars from years ago. Messages throughout the garden also focused on the many benefits of turf.

One of the garden designers, Paul Brydges of Brydges Landscape Architecture, Guelph, Ont., explained, “We want consumers to walk through and relate that this garden is a little bit of home; leaving and thinking that, ‘this could be in my own backyard.’”

Proceeds from Canada Blooms fund commu-nity gardens across Ontario.

Pro-tech sponsors snow documentariesPro-Tech Manufacturing and Distribution is spon-soring a second season of its documentary series titled Project Sno Fighter, which will again highlight the lives and jobs of snow removal contractors, with a focus on how new equipment is integrated into their businesses. Filming is scheduled to take place through March 2012, and the documentary debuts at the 2012 Snow and Ice Management Association (SIMA) Symposium to be held in Buffalo, N.Y.

Project Sno Fighter – Season 2 features four snow removal contactors located throughout the U.S. and Canada. “We want to show, once again, what happens before, during and after the storms,” said Jeffrey Luke, director of marketing for Pro-Tech. “This year, in addition to capturing the core functions of these businesses, we want to share how new equipment is adopted with all the trials and tribulations — and successes.”

Participants selected for the documentary include two Sno Fighters from Season 1, Kyle Stevens of Stonewood and Waters Landscape Craftsmen in Rush, N.Y. and Paul Vanderzon of Dé-neigement Vanderzon in St. Bruno, Que. The two additional participants are Shaun Stever of SMS Maintenance in Hudson, N.Y. and Andrew Eaton of Canadian Grounds in Toronto, Ont.

Throngs of visitors filled the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto to enjoy the scents and sights of Canada Blooms.

7172 Concession B & C RR#5 Orillia ON L3V 6H5

Toll free: 1-888-557-7625Fax: 1-888-349-7625

Armor Stone ~ Weathered Limestone ~ Random Steps ~ Waterfall Stone ~ Jumbo Flag

2012 Contractor/Landscape Prices F.O.B.

A BLAST FREE QUARRY.

Rip Rap Prices vary per rock size

Armor Stone $50.00 per Imp. Ton, for rocks under 3 Tons (3 wide) $45.00 per Imp. Ton, for rocks 3 Tons and over (2 wide)

Dump Rock (Stones under 24`` X 24``) $35.00 per Imp. Ton

Weathered Limestone $75.00 per Imp. Ton, for rocks under 3 Tons $65.00 per Imp. Ton, for rocks 3 Tons and over

Saw Cut Armor $105.00 per Imp. Ton Non-Faced $120.00 per Imp. Ton Torched broken face

Skidded 3 inch Random Flag $105.00 per Imp. Ton

Jumbo Flag $85.00 per Imp. Ton

Skidded Cubical Weathered $125.00 per Imp. Ton

Skidded Armor Stone $80.00 per Imp. Ton

Skidded 10 inch Drywall $95.00 per Imp. Ton

10 inch Drywall Random Sizes $65.00 per Imp. Ton

Step Material 6 – 8 inch $90.00 per Imp. Ton

Random Slabs 3 – 5 inch $85.00 per Imp. Ton

Granite Boulders $50.00 per Imp. Ton

*CUSTOM SAWCUT OR DRILLED STONE TO SIZE ALSO AVAILABLE**SPRING SALE 10% OFF ON C.O.D.*

All Applicable Taxes Will Apply Prices Subject to Change


industrynewsEmergency use registrations for boxwood blight Two fungicides now have registrations for use on boxwoods (Buxus spp.) until Dec. 31, 2012. Daconil 2787 and Switch are now available for use in British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario.

All boxwoods are susceptible to boxwood blight (Cylindrocladium pseudo-naviculatum), which causes defoliation in as little as seven days. This has the potential to have a devastating effect. Currently only boxwoods are known to be susceptible, but not enough is known about the disease to say that with certainty.

To date, only one B.C. nursery was affected and the pathogen was quickly eliminated. Use these fungicides preventatively when disease conditions are present.

New research partnership benefits industry Ontario’s Vineland Research and Innovation Centre and the University of Guelph have announced an important new research partnership for the Cana-dian horticulture industry. Well-respected researcher Dr. Youbin Zheng is now appointed the Vineland/University of Guelph Chair in Environmental Horticul-ture. This position improves collaboration across Canadian research networks and speeds access to new technologies and innovations for industry.

“Dr. Zheng will be splitting his time between Vineland and the University of Guelph where some of the country’s best work in greenhouse intelligent irrigation systems, water treatment for re-circulation, plant environment inter-actions, and biocontrol is being led for the greenhouse and nursery sectors.

No surprise to anyone but rapid delivery of results is the focus here, and of course the key to industry competitiveness globally,” said Dr. Jim Brandle, Vineland’s CEO.

Zheng was an adjunct professor and technical manager of the Controlled Environment Systems Research Facility in the Ontario Agricultural College’s School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph. He will be working side-by-side with Dr. Michael Brownbridge, Vineland’s Research Director in Horticultural Production Systems. Together these researchers bring decades of combined experience in green roof technology, greenhouse and nursery plant production, and urban agriculture.

Manderley recognized for management Manderley Turf Products of Ottawa, Ont., has been named one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies for 2011. This prestigious national award is spon-sored by Deloitte, CIBC, the National Post and Queen’s School of Business.

“Manderley is proud to accept this celebrated business award while rep-resenting the farming and agricultural community, especially turfgrass sod producers from around the world,” says Manderley president Greg Skotnicki.

Dramm premieres watering video Dramm has created a Water-ing 101 video covering the ba-sics of hand watering. It stars the company’s own Canadian sales manager, Louis Dramm, who has worked in the hor-ticulture industry for over 30 years, as well as owning and operating his own greenhouse.

In the video, Dramm dem-onstrates how to measure the amount of water a plant should receive and shows proper watering tech-niques. Visit Dramm’s YouTube Channel to view the video.

Armitage named Great American GardenerThe American Horticultural Society (AHS) has announces recipients of the So-ciety’s 2012 Great American Gardener Awards. Individuals, organizations, and companies that receive these awards represent the best in American garden-ing and horticulture. Each has contributed significantly to fields such as plant research, garden communication, landscape design, youth gardening, floral design, and teaching.

Among this year’s winners is Allan M. Armitage, a horticulture professor with the University of Georgia, who is receiving the AHS’s highest honour, the Liberty Hyde Bailey Award, for his many important contributions to horticulture.

Henri Studio under new managementHenri Studio is now operating under the management of Stonecasters, a pri-vate ownership group. Stonecrafters will expand on Henri’s 50-year tradition of original fountains and statuary. The company’s facility in Wauconda, Ill., is in full production, serving retailers across North America. “Our organization is thrilled that Henri is moving forward,” says Bob Borta, VP marketing. “With a new infusion of energy from Stonecrafters, we are ensuring that the Henri brand and product line will be more exciting and essential than ever for our valued customers.”

Watering 101 trains viewers on watering practices.

• Transplanting services with large and small tree spade trucks• All varieties up to 8 inch caliper• Dependable, Professional, Best Prices

We move and supply big, beautiful trees

905-880-1828 or

1-800-268-9516TREELAND www.pathcom.com/~tree

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www.treeland.ca

C A L E D O N

TREELAND

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industrynewsAquascape brings water to African children A team of Aquascape Foundation volunteers installed a 20,000-gal. rainwa-ter harvesting system at the International Needs Network School in Kiyindi, Uganda the week of January 23, 2012. The newly installed RainXchange rain-

water harvesting system will provide clean drinking water for approximately 900 school children year-round, and creates the ability to prepare one hot meal per day.

The school’s rainwater harvesting system has been designed to collect run-off from the roofs of two school buildings and a nearby medical office. Captured rainwater is passed through a sub-surface chamber where particu-late matter is removed. The collected water is stored in a 15,000 gal. reservoir before passing through an ionization system into a 5,000 gal. tank where it can then be accessed by hand or electronic pump.

The Aquascape Foundation is a not for profit organization established in 2008. Its mission is to create sustainable solutions for the world-wide wa-ter crisis, and promote awareness of water as our most precious resource through environmental, educational and philanthropic efforts.

Meilland receives world rose awardAlain Meilland has received the Great Rosarians of the World (GROW) XII Award at the organization’s annual West Coast meeting.

The organization selected Meilland, head of Meilland International, for his accomplish-ments in his more than 50 years of service in the rose industry. Meilland will also be hon-ored in New York City in June as part of the GROW XII events.

Meilland International is most famous in the United States for the Peace rose, which was developed by Alain Meilland’s father, Francis Meilland, and marketed by Conard-Pyle after the end of World War II. The Francis Meilland rose, created in his honour, is the 2013 AARS winner and will be available to consumers next year.

Rose is herb of the yearThe International Herb Association announces the rose is Herb of the Year for 2012. Association members chose selections based culinary, medicinal or ornamental merit.

Herbal organizations around the world work together to educate the public throughout the year, and retailers can find marketing materials to promote this initiative and grow their sales at www.iherb.org. Contest celebrates Waterplay anniversaryTo recognize 25 years in the industry, Waterplay invites contractors and de-signers to share in its Make Way for Water Play 25th anniversary celebration. In addition to highlighting noteworthy projects over the past quarter century, Waterplay is hosting a contest for all upcoming projects in 2013.

The Make Way for Water Play contest is open to all projects scheduled for 2013. The winning project will be assessed for community impact, design, as well as the story behind the project. Projects of all sizes and geographical locations are eligible for the grand prize, with the winner receiving up to 25 per cent off the wholesale price of Waterplay products featured in the project.

For contest details please visit www.makewayforwaterplay.com. LT

Francis Meilland rose is the 2013 AARS winner.

Volunteers install the liner to the AquaBlox for rainwater harvesting.

• Flagstone• Interlocking• Cultured Stone• Masonry products

Your one stop shopfor pond and waterfall kits and accessories

O�ce and yard: 25 Langsta� Rd. E., Thornhill, Yonge & Hwy 7-407Manufacturing plant: 12350 Keele St., Maple416-222-2424 or 905-886-5787 Fax: 905-886-5795

www.beavervalleystone.com

• Retaining walls• Aggregates• Accessories• Bulk/bag road salt

A wide selection of natural stone and precast concrete products

Visit one of

Canada’s largest

outdoor displays

Join us on Sat. June 16th, 2012 for our annual 'Ask the Experts Day' and No Tax Event!

http://www.iherb.org

http://www.waterplay.com/featuredprojects

http://www.makewayforwaterplay.com


classifiedsWHOLESALE TREE NURSERY

Growing caliper shade trees and evergreens.Custom tree basketing.

Contact us for availability and pricing.STAM NURSERIES INC.

593836 Hwy 59, RR 2Burgessville, ON N0J 1C0

Ph. (519) 424-3350 • Fax (519) 456-1659E-mail: [email protected]

www.stamnurseries.com

NURSERY STOCK

EQUiPMENT

FINN Hydroseeders & Bark BlowersNew and Used

• Flex Guard FRM • Soil Guard BFM• Erosion Control Blanket

Seed & FertilizerToll free: (888) 298-9911

Fax: (905) 761-7959www.fibramulch.com

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING INFORMATIONPayment: All classified ads must be pre-paid by VISA or Mastercard. Rates: $62.15 (includes HST) per column inch (Approx. 25 words). Min. order $62.15. Annual rates also available. Deadlines: The 10th day of the month prior to issue date. (eg: June issue deadline is May 10th). Jan. deadline is Nov. 10. If day falls on weekend or holiday, deadline is the next business day. Space is limited to a first-come, first-served basis. To place an ad: E-mail your name and phone number and your ad to Rob at classifieds@ landscapeontario.com. Also mention the ad is for Landscape Trades. You will be sent a proof/confirmation/payment form by e-mail. Online advertising: All paid ads are posted to our web-site at www.landscapetrades.com/ classifieds for the corresponding cal-endar month. Website only ads are available for $67.80 (HST included) and are posted for 30 days. Additional charge for ads over 325 words.

SERViCES AND SUPPLiES

Advertise your products and services in

FIRST NATURE NURSERY LTD.Wholesale supplier of native branches.

Looking for Willow, Dogwood, or Poplar stems?

We supply native cuts from 1ft.-10ft.Live stakes, fascines, wattlings and fencingNative and ornamental species available.

Call (519) 647-0716 or (905) 973-3605

or [email protected]

FIRST NATURE NURSERY LTD.Wholesale supplier of native evergreens

White Pine ......... 80-250cm ....... 600+White Spruce ..... 80-250cm ..... 2500+White Cedar ...... 80-250cm ..... 2000+Blue Spruce ..... 150-250cm ..... 1000+Hemlock .......... 100-200cm ....... 500+Potted, B&B and wirebaskets availableCall (519) 647-0716 or (905) 973-3605

or [email protected]

BUSiNESS OPPORTUNiTiESEMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNiTiES

ProLineGRABBER Ball & Pot handlers.Ideal for moving & loading trees & plants.

Complete Line of Attachments for Skidsteers, Loaders, Excavators

& Tractors.Toll Free: (877) 625-9677Website: shawbros.ca

KLOMP’S LANDSCAPING INC.Klomp’s Landscaping is a design build contrac-tor serving residential and commercial clients throughout southwestern Ontario.Are you looking to advance or begin your hor-ticulture career?Are you one of the assets we are looking for? Can you show up for work daily with a super BIG smile? We will pay you.

Accepting applications for the following positions:

LANDSCAPE DESIGNERS/ ARCHITECTSALES PERSONS

OFFICE MANAGERLANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISORS/ FOREMANS

PROFESSIONAL HARDSCAPERLANDSCAPE LABOUR

Interested applicants can submit their applica-tion:

MAIL: RR7 St Marys, ON N4X 1C9FAX: 519-284-0359

E-MAIL: [email protected] can be addressed at

(519) 284-0254

PERENNIAL PRODUCTION MANAGER Wholesale nursery is accepting applications for the position of “Perennial Production Manager”. The Perennial production depart-ment is a progressive, rapidly expanding divi-sion at our nursery. This position requires experience and dedication. Emphasis will be placed on implementing up-to-date grow-ing methods of perennials, vines and ground covers. Qualified candidates must be results oriented, self-motivated, able to work as part of a team and possess strong management, organizational and communication skills. Excellent bonuses and benefit package com-mensurate with qualifications. A training period may be available. Resumes may be emailed to [email protected] or dropped of between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon on Friday or mailed in confidence with salary history to:

John LangendoenWillowbrook Nurseries Inc.935 Victoria Ave., R.R. #4Fenwick, Ont., L0S 1C0No phone calls please.

(We thank you for your application, however only those considered will be notified)

LARGE TREE MOVING AND SALES115 inch and 90 inch tree spades available

for hire. Largest truck mount machine in Ontario.

Call Burkraft Services(905) 689-1269

View these ads and more on our website

BUSINESS FOR SALEOwner retiring from growing seedlings and 1-5 gallons pots for over 27 years. Formally of Waterford, Ont. Must sell all equipment, or all nursery stock or both. Retail on the nursery stock is approx. $20,000.

After April 15 call Lana at (519) 443-4444 www.mcguireevergreen.ca


comingeventsApril 27-May 13, Arbor Week, www.arborweek.com

May 3-4, Soils and Urban Trees 2012, University of British Columbia. www.ufis.ca/soil2012.php

June 20-23, 15th Annual Snow and Ice Symposium, Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, Buffalo, N.Y. www.sima.org

June 21, Darwin Perennials Day, The Gardens at Ball, Chicago, Ill. www.darwinperennials.com

July 5-6, Hydrangea 2012: international symposium for professionals and lovers of hydrangeas, Terra Botanica Park, Angers, France, www.hydrangea2012.com

July 4-10, 30th Annual Perennial Plant Symposium, Boston Park Plaza Hotel, Boston Mass. www.perennialplant.org

July 14-17, OFA Short Course, Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio. www.ofa.org

July 30-August 3, Turf Producers International Summer Convention, Ashville, N.C. www.turfgrasssod.org

July 31-August 2, Penn Atlantic Nursery Trade Show, Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks, Penn. www.pantshow.com

August 11-15, ISA Annual Conference and Trade Show, Sydney, Aust. www.isa-arbor.com

August 12-15, CGTA Fall Gift Show, International Centre and Congress Centre, Toronto, Ont. www.cgta.org

August 21-23, Canadian Fertilizer Institute 67th Annual Conference, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. www.cfi.ca

August 21-23, Independent Garden Center Show, Navy Pier, Chicago, Ill. www.igcshow.com

August 22-25, Plantarium, International Trade Centre, Boskoop, Holland. www.plantarium.nl

August 23-25, Farwest Show, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Ore. www.farwestshow.com

August 23-26, Pondemonium, St. Charles, Ill. www.pondemonium.com

August 26-31, IGCA Congress, Bonn, Germany. www.igcacongress.com

September 2-4, Spoga-Gafa 2012, Cologne, Germany. www.spogagafa.com

September 17-19, GLEE, Birmingham, U.K. www.gleebirmingham.com

September 19-22, IPPS Western Region Meeting, Ventura, CA. www.ipps.org LT


where to find it

cOMPANy PAGE PHONE EMAIL WEBSItE

ACO Systems Inc 40 877-226-4255 [email protected] www.acocan.ca

AGCO Corporation 18 800-767-3221 [email protected] www.agcocorp.com

AMA Plastics Ltd 45 800-338-1136 [email protected] www.amaplas.com

Beaver Valley Stone 43 416-222-2424 [email protected] www.beavervalleystone.com

Becker Underwood Inc 14 306-373-3060 [email protected] www.beckerunderwood.ca

Best Way Stone Ltd 19 800-BESTWAY [email protected] www.bestwaystone.com

Bobcat 25 [email protected] www.bobcat.com

Caledon Treeland 42 800-268-9516 [email protected] www.treeland.ca

Chrylser Canada 13 519-973-2000 www.chryslercanada.ca

Cut Above Natural Stone 41 888-557-7625 www.cutabovenaturalstone.com

Echo Power Equipment Canada 27 877-324-6660 [email protected] www.echo.ca

Electrical Safety Authority 47 877-372-7233 www.esasafe.com

Fertilec 9 888-831-1085 [email protected] www.fertilec.com

General Motors of Canada Ltd 23 800-GM-DRIVE www.gmcanada.com

Hanson Hardscape Products 48 800-265-6496 [email protected] www.hansonhardscapes.com

Husqvarna Canada Corp 17 800-HUSKY62 www.husqvarna.ca

John Deere Landscapes 37 800-347-4272 www.JohnDeereLandscapes.com

John Deere Limited 21 www.johndeere.com

Kubota Canada Ltd 11, 31 905-294-7477 [email protected] www.kubota.ca

Oaks Concrete Products by Brampton Brick 2 800-709-OAKS [email protected] www.oakspavers.com

Permacon Group Inc 5 800-463-9278 www.permacon.ca

Pro Landscape by Drafix Software 39 800-231-8574 [email protected] www.prolandscape.com

Stihl Limited 7 519-681-3000 [email protected] www.stihl.ca

Stone-Link Corp 29 800-854-0072 [email protected] www.stone-link.com

Stonemen’s Valley Inc 46 905-841-8400 [email protected] www.stonemensvalley.com

Thames Valley Brick 45 905-637-6997 [email protected] www.thamesvalleybrick.com

Turf Tech Inc 33 905-636-0731 [email protected]

Unilock Ltd 15 800-UNILOCK www.unilock.com

Zander Sod Co Ltd 32 877-727-2100 [email protected] www.zandersod.com

Visit hansonbuildingproducts.com to learn more about our commitment to sustainability.

Hanson Hardscapes provides modern and innovative solutions for an expanding world. Environmental solutions such as our AquaPave® permeable paving system and SmartCast® Clean rooftop paving tiles reduce energy costs, conserve water and remove pollutants from our groundwater and air - an achievement that is truly out of the ordinary.

Our entire line of interlocking pavers, architectural tiles and retaining walls are made primarily of local, natural or recycled materials and will last a lifetime, making all of our products inherently sustainable. Let Hanson Hardscapes inspire you to create extraordinary landscapes that support a healthier future.

out of the ordinary

hansonhardscapes.com

Documents

April 2012 Landscape Trades