Landscape Ontario - March 2012 R

2 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO MARCH, 2012

Botanical Name Qty. 1 Gal Qty. 2 Gal Qty. 3 Gal Avail. Price Avail. Price Avail. Price

VINESAmpelopsis glandulosa ‘Elegans’ 402 8.00 Campsis radicans ‘Balboa Sunset’ 397 8.00 Campsis radicans ‘Flamenco’ 165 8.00 Celastrus orbiculatus ‘Diana’ 210 8.00 Celastrus orbiculatus ‘Hercules’ 265 8.00 Celastrus scandens 412 8.00 Hedera helix ‘Baltica’ 210 6.00 Hydrangea anomala petiolaris 2 6.00 378 13.00Lonicera x ‘Mandarin’ 198 8.00 Lonicera brownii ‘Dropmore Scarlet’ 240 8.00 Lonicera heckrottii ‘Goldflame’ 198 8.00 Lonicera japonica ‘Halls Prolific’ 265 6.00 235 8.00 Parthenocissus quinq. ‘Engelmannii’ 112 6.00 844 8.00 Parthenocissus quinquefolia 1,000 6.00 Parthenocissus tricus. ‘Veitchii’ 1,000 6.00 Polygonum aubertii 1,000 6.00 Vitis riparia 355 8.00 EVERGREENS Azalea ‘Golden Lights’ 271 13.50Azalea ‘Mandarin Lights’ 201 13.50Azalea ‘Orchid Lights’ 484 13.50Buxus ‘Faulkner’ 246 5.00 754 11.00Buxus microphylla 441 5.00 Buxus X ‘Green Gem’ 509 5.20 257 11.20Buxus X ‘Green Mound’ 1,000 5.00 857 11.00Buxus X ‘Green Mountain’ 682 5.00 906 11.00Buxus X ‘Green Velvet’ 1,000 5.20 1,000 11.20Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Pygmaea’ 215 15.00Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Aurea Sungold’ 120 5.00 241 11.00Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Filifera’ 162 5.00 284 11.00Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Filifera Aurea’ 120 5.00 265 11.00Cotoneaster dammeri ‘Coral Beauty’ 921 5.00 578 7.00 Cotoneaster dammeri ‘Major’ 276 7.00 Cotoneaster salicifolius ‘Repens’ 716 7.00 Euonymus fortunei ‘Canadale Gold’ 375 7.00 Euonymus fortunei ‘Coloratus’ 1,000 5.00 Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald Gaiety’ 1,000 5.00 1,000 7.00 Euonymus fortunei ‘Goldtip’ 223 7.00 Euonymus fortunei ‘Sarcoxie’ 240 7.00 Ilex X meserveae ‘Blue Prince’ 445 6.00 140 13.00Ilex X meserveae ‘Blue Princess’ 765 6.00 488 13.00Juniperus chinensis ‘Gold Coast’ 160 5.00 232 11.00Juniperus chinensis ‘Gold Star’ 270 5.00 290 11.00Juniperus chinensis ‘Mint Julep’ 380 5.00 243 11.00Juniperus chinensis ‘Pfitz. Compacta’ 205 5.00 583 11.00Juniperus chinensis ‘San Jose’ 130 5.00 412 11.00Juniperus communis ‘Repanda’ 386 5.00 283 11.00Juniperus conferta ‘Blue Pacific’ 530 5.00 Juniperus horizontalis ‘Andorra Compacta’ 217 5.00 22 11.00Juniperus horizontalis ‘Bar Harbor’ 279 5.00 234 11.00Juniperus horizontalis ‘Blue Prince’ 49 5.00 Juniperus horizontalis ‘Icee Blue’ 1,000 6.00 550 13.00Juniperus horizontalis ‘Lime Glow’ 160 6.50 119 13.50Juniperus horizontalis ‘Prince of Wales’ 419 5.00 5 11.00Juniperus horizontalis ‘Wiltonii’ 315 5.00 870 11.00Juniperus horizontalis ‘Yukon Belle’ 355 5.00 Juniperus media ‘Armstrongii’ 122 5.00 408 11.00Juniperus procumbens nana 172 11.00Juniperus sabina 276 5.00 59 11.00Juniperus sabina ‘Buffalo’ 241 6.00 177 13.00Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Carpet’ 96 5.00 194 11.00Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’ 185 11.00Metasequoia glyptostroboides 1,000 7.00 Myrica pensylvanica 1,000 7.00

Picea abies 299 7.00 125 11.00Picea glauca 577 11.00Picea glauca ‘Conica’ 371 13.00Pinus mugo var. mugo 260 11.00Taxus cuspidata ‘Aurescens’ 218 15.00Taxus X media ‘Densiformis’ 1,000 6.00 227 13.50Taxus X media ‘Hicksii’ 941 6.00 937 13.50Taxus X media ‘Hillii’ 630 6.00 80 13.50Taxus X media ‘Wardii’ 627 6.00 1,000 13.50Thuja occidentalis 503 11.00Thuja occidentalis ‘Brandon’ 27 5.00 180 11.00Thuja occidentalis ‘Nigra’ 627 5.00 462 11.00Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ 601 5.00 1,000 11.00Thuja occidentalis ‘Wintergreen’ 1,000 5.00 564 11.00Thuja plicata ‘’Spring Grove’ 670 11.00Tsuga canadensis 195 5.00 192 11.00Tsuga canadensis ‘Jeddeloh’ 264 13.50Tsuga canadensis ‘Pendula’ 215 13.50

DECIDUOUS SHRUBS Acanthopanax sieboldianus 367 7.00 Acer ginnala 419 7.00 Acer rubrum 1,000 7.00 Alnus glutinosa 210 7.00 Amelanchier humilis 442 7.00 Berberis thunbergii ‘Aurea nana’ 60 6.00 261 13.50Berberis thunbergii ‘Rose Glow’ 230 6.00 409 9.50 30 13.50Berberis thunbergii ‘Royal Cloak’ 581 6.00 100 13.50Berberis x ‘Emerald Carousel’ 200 9.50 Betula alleghaniensis 200 7.00 Betula nigra 460 7.00 Buddleia davidii ‘Ellens Blue’ 435 7.00 Buddleia davidii ‘Ile de France’ 699 7.00 Buddleia davidii ‘Nanho Purple’ 317 7.00 Buddleia davidii ‘Petite Plum’ 390 7.00 Buddleia davidii ‘Pink Delight’ 445 7.00 Buddleia davidii ‘Purple Prince’ 773 7.00 Buddleia davidii ‘Royal Red’ 309 7.00 Caryopteris clandonensis ‘Dark Knight’ 216 7.00 Caryopteris clandonensis ‘Grand Blue’ 417 7.35 Caryopteris clandonensis ‘Worchester Gold’ 234 7.00 Celtis occidentalis 778 7.00 Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Nivalis’ 407 7.00 Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Rubra’ 896 7.00 Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Texas Scarlet’ 418 7.00 Chaenomeles sup. ‘Crimson and Gold’ 218 7.00 Clethra alnifolia ‘Pink Spire’ 356 7.00 Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’ 782 7.00 Cornus alba ‘Red Gnome’ 440 7.00 Cornus alternifolia 532 7.00 Cornus kousa chinensis 335 7.00 Cornus racemosa 709 7.00 Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ 324 7.00 Cornus stolonifera ‘Kelseyi’ 329 7.00 Cotoneaster apiculatus 303 7.00 Cotoneaster preacox ‘Boer’ 1,000 7.00 Deutzia crenata ‘Nikko’ 693 7.00 Deutzia gracilis 867 7.00 Diervilla lonicera 481 7.00 Euonymus alatus 255 5.00 581 8.00 Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ 1,000 5.00 Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’ 503 7.00 Forsythia ovata ‘Ottawa’ 780 7.00 Forsythia X inter. ‘Northern Gold’ 1,000 7.00 Forsythia X intermedia ‘Goldtide’ 373 7.00 Forsythia X intermedia ‘Lynwood’ 780 7.00

RR 2, Mount Brydges, ON N0L 1W0 • Tel: 519-264-9057 • Fax: 519-264-1337


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Forsythia X ‘Kumson’ 466 7.00 Fothergilla gardenii ‘Mount Airy’ 275 13.00Genista tinctoria ‘Royal Gold’ 299 7.00 Gymnocladus dioica 20 8.00 170 9.50Hibiscus syriacus ‘Aphrodite’ 289 5.00 70 10.00Hibiscus syriacus ‘Collie Mullins’ 137 5.00 80 10.00Hibiscus syriacus ‘Diana’ 435 5.00 292 10.00Hibiscus syriacus ‘Minerva’ 124 5.00 5 10.00Hibiscus syriacus ‘White Chiffon’ 57 5.00 187 10.00Hibiscus syriacus ‘Woodbridge’ 375 5.00 179 10.00Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ 1,000 7.00 1,000 10.50Hydrangea paniculata ‘Pink Diamond’ 289 7.00 Hydrangea paniculata ‘Pinky Winky’ 156 7.60 Hydrangea paniculata ‘Tardiva’ 340 7.00 Hydrangea serrata ‘Bluebird’ 405 7.00 Ilex verticillata 396 7.00 Ilex verticillata ‘Afterglow’ 1,000 7.00 Ilex verticillata ‘Southern Gentleman’ 442 7.00 Itea virginica ‘Henrys Garnet’ 549 7.00 Kolkwitzia amabilis ‘Pink Cloud’ 698 7.00 Ligustrum ovalufolium 243 7.00 Ligustrum vicary 167 7.00 Ligustrum vulgaris 333 7.00 Lindera benzoin 345 7.00 Liriodendron tulipefera 245 8.50 Lonicera tatarica 227 7.00 Lonicera xylosteum ‘Claveys Dwarf’ 298 7.00 Lonicera xylosteum ‘Emerald Mound’ 1,000 7.00 Lonicera xylosteum ‘Miniglobe’ 555 7.00 Magnolia stellata ‘Royal Star’ 207 15.00Magnolia X Butterfly 133 15.00Magnolia X loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’ 236 15.00Nyssa sylvatica 315 7.00 Philadelphus coronarius ‘Aureus’ 264 7.00 Philadelphus ‘Innocence’ 753 7.00 Philadelphus ‘Minnesota Snowflake’ 171 7.00 Philadelphus ‘Natchez’ 238 7.00 Philadelphus schrenkii ‘Snowbelle’ 97 7.00 Philadelphus X virginalis 285 7.00 Physocarpus opulifolius 1,000 7.00 Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Dart’s Gold’ 1,000 7.00 Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’ 1,000 7.60 Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Luteus’ 300 7.00 Physocarpus opulifolius nanus 446 7.00 Populus deltoides 446 7.00 Populus tremuloides 135 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa ‘Coronation Triumph’ 1,000 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa ‘Dakota Sunrise’ 782 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa ‘Gold Drop’ 889 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa ‘Goldfinger’ 135 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa ‘Goldstar’ 83 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa ‘Mango Tango’ 383 7.00 Potentilla fruticosa ‘Pink Beauty’ 60 8.00 Potentilla fruticosa ‘Tangerine’ 352 7.00 Prunus cistena 289 5.00 1,000 7.00 Prunus incisa ‘Kojou-no-mai’ 150 8.00 Prunus virginiana 156 7.00 Quercus bicolor 90 7.00 Quercus macrocarpa 468 7.00 41 8.00Quercus palustris 137 7.00 Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata’ 583 9.00 Quercus rubrum 621 7.00 Quercus velutina 123 7.00 Rhus glabra 85 7.00 Rhus typhina 1,000 7.00 Rhus typhina ‘Tiger Eyes’ 150 16.50

Ribes alpinum 148 7.00 Rosa Bonica 365 7.00 Rosa ‘J P Connell’ 121 7.00 Rosa ‘John Cabot’ 265 7.00 Rosa ‘Morden Centennial’ 116 7.00 Rosa rubrifolia 307 7.00 Rosa rugosa ‘Marie Bugnet’ 123 7.00 Rosa ‘William Baffin’ 185 7.00 Rosa ‘Winnipeg Parks’ 300 7.00 Rosa x ‘Champlain’ 350 7.00 Rosa x ‘George Vancouver’ 120 7.00 Rosa x ‘Royal Edward’ 695 7.00 Rosa x ‘The Fairy’ 80 7.00 Salix bebbiana 740 7.00 Salix eriocephala 231 7.00 Salix exigua 250 7.00 Salix gracilis ‘Purpurea Nana’ 731 7.00 Salix repens 313 7.00 Sambucus canadensis 1,000 7.00 Sambucus canadensis Aurea 1,000 7.00 Sambucus pubens 55 7.00 Sorbaria aitchisonii 495 7.00 Sorbaria sorbifolia 1,000 7.00 Sorbaria sorbifolia ‘Sem’ 125 8.00 297 9.50Spiraea alba 1,000 7.00 Spiraea arguta 151 7.00 Spiraea betulifolia ‘Tor’ 245 7.00 Spiraea bumalda ‘Gold Mound’ 1,000 7.00 Spiraea japonica ‘Anthony Waterer’ 165 7.00 Spiraea japonica ‘Crispa’ 562 7.00 Spiraea japonica ‘Dakota Goldcharm’ 511 7.00 Spiraea japonica ‘Flaming Mound’ 1,000 7.00 Spiraea japonica ‘Froebelii’ 1,000 7.00 Spiraea japonica ‘Golden Princess’ 968 7.00 Spiraea japonica ‘Goldflame’ 1,000 7.00 Spiraea japonica ‘Magic Carpet’ 1,000 7.25 Spiraea japonica ‘Neon Flash’ 107 7.00 Spiraea japonica ‘Shirobana’ (Genpei) 86 7.00 Spiraea japonica ‘White Gold’ 478 7.00 Spiraea nipponica ‘Snowmound’ 100 7.00 Spiraea vanhouttei 407 7.00 Spriaea vanhouttei ‘Golden Fountain’ 52 9.00Stephanandra incisa ‘Crispa’ 471 7.00 Symphoricarpos albus 1,000 7.00 Symphoricarpos chenaultii ‘Hancock’ 150 7.00 Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’ 1,000 8.00 Syringa patula ‘Miss Kim’ 1,000 8.00 Syringa vulgaris 460 7.00 Syringa vulgaris ‘Beauty of Moscow’ 16 9.00 195 13.00Syringa X prestoniae ‘Donald Wyman’ 165 9.00 Syringa X prestoniae ‘Miss Canada’ 30 9.00 100 13.00Tilia americana 248 7.00 Viburnum dentatum 200 7.00 Viburnum dentatum ‘Chicago Lustre’ 606 7.00 Viburnum nudum ‘Winterthur’ 409 7.00 Viburnum plic. ‘Summer Snowflake’ 316 9.00 Viburnum plicatum ‘Mariesii’ 228 9.00 Viburnum plicatum ‘Shasta’ 415 9.00 Viburnum trilobum ‘Bailey Compact’ 279 7.00 Weigela florida ‘Bristol Ruby’ 119 7.00 Weigela florida ‘Bristol Snowflake’ 331 7.00 Weigela florida ‘French Lace’ 312 9.60 Weigela florida ‘Java Red’ 185 7.00 Weigela florida ‘Nana Variegata’ 911 7.00 Weigela florida ‘Purpurea Nana’ 335 7.00 Weigela florida ‘Victoria’ 211 7.00

Many More Cultivars and sizes available

RR 2, Mount Brydges, ON N0L 1W0 • Tel: 519-264-9057 • Fax: 519-264-1337




Landscape Ontario’s mandate is to be the leader in representing, promoting and fostering a favourable environment for the advancement of the horticultural industry in Ontario.

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO STAFFCarla Bailey, Kim Burton, Rachel Cerelli, Tony DiGiovanni CHT, Rob Ellidge, Denis Flanagan CLD, Sally Harvey CLT CLP, Helen Hassard, Jane Leworthy, Heather MacRae, Kristen McIntyre CHT, Kathy McLean, Linda Nodello, Kathleen Pugliese, Paul Ronan, Ian Service, Tom Somerville, Martha Walsh

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17 INdUSTRy NEWS National Awards Urban-tolerant trees New overtime tool Bill 119 C. buxicola found Invasive Plant Council Turfgrass Symposium

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Lighting Symposium Community projects Waterloo blood donor In memoriam Georgian Lakelands Snow Day Turf product recognized Bienenstock part of CBC program Sherk donation Windsor project featured Day Service partner Growers short course Letter to editor Volunteer profile


In the LO greenhouses in Milton, volunteer Don Voorhees cuts grass that will be used in LO’s Canada Blooms garden.

Since 1997, Landscape Ontario members have volunteered their time to support Canada Blooms, making it one of Toronto’s most successful events.

The volunteers have been involved in all aspects of the show, from sitting on the organizing committee, to building gar-dens, to take down. That dedication con-tinues, and this year it was rewarded with the announcement that Canada Blooms is again one of the Top 10 Festival Destina-tions in North America. This is according to the Society of American Travel Writers that announced its list of the best spring festi-vals in the U.S. and Canada on Feb. 14.

Over the past three years, Landscape Ontario’s Green for Life garden has grown from 2,500 sq. ft. to 9,000 sq. ft.

“We learned that bigger isn’t always better,” says Canada Blooms garden build manager Paul Doornbos CLP, CLT. “Big-ger and better gardens in the past few years taxed many members physically and mentally.”

This year’s Green for Life garden will cover 1,373 sq. ft. “One challenge fac-ing this year’s team is creating an equally impactful garden as the large-scale cre-ations of the past few years,” says Doorn-bos. Members of this year’s team include: design team, Paul Brydges, Mathew Hooker and Fred Post CLD; operation managers, Paul Doornbos and Brian Marsh; green roof detailing, Janet Enna-morato; water feature, James Thompson; plant acquisition, Regine Marsh; recogni-tion area, Barry Hordyk; and takedown, Peter Vanderley CLP.

“The smaller garden requires us to work on the details of the garden,” says Paul Brydges. “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.

“I am thrilled with the design and build teams in terms of quality and dedication,” said Brydges. “I can’t stress enough, what a great team we have.”

Promoting turfThe Lawn Care Sector Group is working on a number of ideas to show the benefits of turf.

From signage to turf displays, the sec-tor group is continuing its promotional campaign following the great success with the St. James Park renovation project in Toronto.

Canada Blooms will show visitorsa garden they can have in their backyard

The group will explain how turfgrass reduces pollution, is nature’s air con-ditioner, controls soil erosion, reduces allergy-related problems and acts as a nat-ural filter to help purify water.

The sector group will also have promo-tion items showing the great achievement experienced when hundreds of LO mem-bers restored St. James Park in December.

not your Parents’ rosesAnother big promotion at this year’s LO feature garden is the job of educating con-sumers that roses have come a long way in terms of convenience and versatility.

A group of Landscape Ontario rose growers will create displays to show how today’s roses are easy to grow and have improved in performance.

“Today’s rose has become an incred-ibly versatile plant,” says John Bakker III, general manager of J. C. Bakker and Sons Nurseries of St. Catharines, one of the driv-ing forces behind the rose promotion at Canada Blooms.

All the roses at Canada Blooms will be potted in three gallon pots. Some of the varieties include Apricot Drift, Peach Drift, Pink Drift 50 and Sunny Knock Out.

Bakker says, “Many people who have purchased roses in recent years still end up being disappointed. Doing a little research and looking into the roses will usually guar-antee more than satisfactory results. The first thing to look for in a rose selection is whether or not the rose is suitable for your climatic conditions.”

To emphasize this fact, one of the speak-ers during Canada Blooms is Peter Schnei-der, author of Right Rose, Right Place, who will show gardeners attending Canada Blooms that when it comes to roses, it’s all about location, location, location.

John Bakker points out that many new hybrid teas, floribunda, grandiflora, and climber varieties will perform very well in the Toronto area and similar climates, if on a hardy multiflora rootstock. “The hardiest selections we have today are those that have come out of the Canadian rose breed-ing programs and are going to perform well in some of Canada’s coldest regions (down to zone 3 or colder),” he says.

Companies donating and growing roses for the Canada Blooms project include J. C. Bakker and Sons Nurseries, Pickering Nurseries, Palatine Nurseries, Pan Ameri-can Nursery Products, Star Roses and

Rosa Flora.

ten-day showThis year’s show will open for ten days, compared to five in previous years, requir-ing a plant change mid-way through.

This is the first year that Blooms is co-locating with the National Home Show at the Direct Energy Centre. One ticket will admit guests to both events. LO members can order special bar-coded tickets for $12 (regular price is $20) to give to clients, staff, business associates and family. Tick-ets are available in packages of 20, and members will be invoiced at the conclusion of the show, only for the tickets that were redeemed. Ticket packages are available from Kathleen Pugliese at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 309, or [email protected].

Take time to...Follow this link to see the think-ing, philosophy and passion behind LO’s 2012 Canada Blooms garden.

http://www.horttrades.com/landscape-ontario-g2-garden


There is a critical need for landscape fea-tures in the densely-built urban core of Toronto.

Providing a solution to that need is the goal of the Toronto Chapter members through a competition entitled Toronto Green Streets. Participants are invited to create the most innovative, instructive and head-turning garden in downtown Toronto.

“There is a place for plants in the city core,” says Allan Kling, chair of the Green Streets Organizing Committee. “There is also an exciting aesthetic opportunity. The lack of open space is not a problem, but an opportunity.”

“We really want to get our Green for Life message to the hundreds of thou-sands of Torontonians who live and/or work in the downtown core,” says Kling. The target zone is Toronto’s financial district, bounded by Queen Street, Front Street, University Avenue and Yonge Street.

Chapter aims to re-plant TorontoThe design theme is sustainabil-

ity. “We are looking for installations that incorporate re-purposed or recycled materials, that demonstrate resource sav-ing features such as storm water cap-ture, or that showcase urban agriculture techniques. Most important, the gardens must amuse, inform and inspire the hun-dreds-of-thousands who live and work in Toronto,” says Kling.

Container gardening, at grade or on roofs, balconies and podiums, is ideally suited to the concrete canyons of the city centre.

OvER 50 SITESThe Green Streets Organizing Committee has contacted all property owners in the area, and has received huge support for the idea. “We will have no trouble reach-ing our target of 50 sites,” says Kling.

Green Streets will kick off in May, 2013 and gardens will be on display throughout the summer.

“Our challenge now is to recruit gar-deners. Are you feeling creative? Would you like to put your horticultural genius on display for tens-of-thousands of Torontonians and visitors?” asked the committee chair.

Participants must submit an applica-tion before Jan. 21, 2013. Allan Kling explained that details of the application are now being finalized. It will require a description of the project in a few hun-dred words and an illustration in the way of a sketch or plan.

A jury will select participants based on the design criteria described above. Suc-cessful applicants will be notified in mid-February 2013. All gardens must be in place by May 27, 2013.

JUNE 2013 gALAThere are awards to be won in various categories that include The People’s Choice, The Innovation Excellence Award and Best Student Installation. Winners will receive a cash price, the amount of which has yet to be determined. Winners will be announced at a gala event in June 2013.

“We encourage all LO members to participate. Those who specialize in design may want to collaborate with a landscape contractor. You are free to collaborate with whomever you prefer,” explained Kling.

Members of the Green Streets Orga-nizing Committee are Sabrina Goettler CLP, Janet Mott CLP, Francesco Scara-mela, Jonas Spring, Sean James, Adam Bonin CLT, Lindsay Drake Nightingale and Mike O’Connor.

For more information, contact Allan Kling at [email protected], or call 416-805-0703.

Toronto Green Streets gives companies a chance to create head-turning city gardens.

Container gardening ideally suited to Toronto contest.


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GreenTrade Expo continues to grow in importance among industry members as the trade show to visit in eastern Ontario.

The 19th annual GreenTrade Expo was presented by the Ottawa Chapter and Ginsberg, Gluzman, Fage and Levitz LLP Chartered Accountants on Feb. 15.

This year GreenTrade called the newly constructed CE Centre in Ottawa home. The exceptional meeting and trade show facility helped make the 2012 version of GreenTrade a real success.

The day was smooth sailing supported by generous sponsors, over 90 knowl-edgeable exhibitors and energetic volun-teers from Kemptville College, Greenscape Watering Systems, Your Exponential Potential (YEP), Clintar Landscape Man-agement, Full Dimension Group, Kings Creek Trees, Prebbel Enterprizes, Yards Unlimited and many members of the Ottawa Chapter.

Landscape Ontario president Phil Charal was an honoured guest for the day. Meeting members and exhibitors, his connecting presence with the rest of the Landscape Ontario team was welcoming to all attendees. GreenTrade Expo 2012 show chair Bruce Morton stated, “We had a strong and capable team, and everyone gave their all to make the show successful.”

Exhibitors this year had the opportunity to participate in a pre-show sales train-ing seminar given by Terry Ledden from Sandler Training on how to optimize and maximize exhibitor experience.

GreenTrade continues to growThe Ministry of Transportation (MTO)

contractors’ breakfast began the day at GreenTrade. The event was sponsored by Bradley’s Commercial Insurance, Unica and Jim Tubman’s Chevrolet. For the sec-ond consecutive year, Marc Stang of the MTO communicated recent updated regu-lations concerning the landscape industry.

As visitors entered the show they received Dutchmaster Nurseries sponsored name badges, Canlok Stone show bags and a show guide sponsored by Greely Sand and Gravel. Attendees who pre-reg-istered were given the opportunity to win several door prizes, including Mustang Feel the Rush Experience, co-sponsored by Calabogie Motorsports Park and Permacon Ottawa, and a 23-inch Dell computer moni-tor, courtesy of Intellisyn Communications.

Attendees entering the show room were greeted by award-winning designer Beth Edney’s lush whimsical display that welcomed spring and a design innovation that included Urns by Barracuda. The urns were designed by Ottawa Chapter design-ers. Complementing the experience on the floor, was the coffee bar and treats spon-sored by Twin Equipment, Manotick Tree Movers, Petersen’s Turf Farm, Peter Knip-pel Nursery and Weave World Homes.

The trade show floor, which sold out quickly, hosted a wide breadth of exhibi-tor excellence in all areas of the landscape and horticultural trades. Also present were associates providing the necessary ser-vices in technologies, new products and innovative solutions to address the busi-ness needs of all attendees. All areas of the

industry were represented. The Business Builders Education series

once again included a variety of free semi-nars for the attendees throughout the day. The education stage and venue was spon-sored by Connon NVK Holdings. It included the ins and outs of a reliable IT system, sponsored by Intellisyn Communications. Other seminars included marketing tips from Full Dimension Group, workplace safety by Sheila James of WSPS, strate-gies for sales from Sales about Face and social media from Yeah Yeah Online.

GreenTrade once again set the industry standard of information, networking, opu-lent surroundings and fun. Our thanks go out to all of our sponsors, superior exhibi-tors and dedicated volunteers who worked together to make GreenTrade Expo 2012 a resounding success.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

Landscape lighting conference promotes industry improvement

Now in its third year, Landscape Ontario’s Lighting Conference attracted 100 partici-pants and 13 exhibitors.

Organized by the Landscape Ontario Landscape Lighting Sector Group, the event was held at Piper’s Heath Golf Club in Milton on Feb. 16.

This year exhibits highlighting new and innovative landscape lighting prod-

ucts were on display inside the room with attendees. It gave them an opportunity to see new products up close and talk to the suppliers throughout the day.

One of the exhibitors, Ernie Drougas of Unique Lighting in New England, said of the day, “It was an excellent opportu-nity to showcase our product to our target market. Everyone had lots of questions,

and we look forward to next year.”The morning keynote presentation,

‘Better Illumination for Outdoor Living’, was delivered by Doug Alderman from Palm Harbour, Fla. The session high-

lighted best practices and fea-tured some new innovations.

Carl Hastings from Moon-struck Landscape Lighting treated attendees to design highlights from a 2012 Awards of Excellence top lighting project. He answered many in-depth questions about the project and shared some tricks and tips in the lighting trade.

John Calabrese from the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) provided an update on new regulations that could affect the trade, as well as permit requirements. The

audience flooded Calabrese with many good and relevant questions. It was a great opportunity to learn more about compliance and what could be next. All in attendance appreciated the ESA’s co-operative effort and the exchange of information.

The day capped off with the annual much-anticipated round-table discus-sions. Topics included a ‘Design Case Study’ by Ken Martin of Copper Expres-sions, who presented a walk-through of a hands-on case study, and Carl Hast-ings highlighting different types of con-trol systems. Joe Willemse of DiMarco Landscape Lighting presented ‘Rules and Regulations.’ He discussed current ESA requirements and applicable codes, rec-

Participants take part in a design case study at the lighting conference.


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ommended installation guidelines, appli-cation and inspection process. Corey Yourkin from VBI moderated the topic of ‘Fixture Applications,’ which discussed choosing the proper fixture for the correct application, including a broad spectrum of niche fixtures. The final topic of ‘Sales and Pricing’ discussed best practices and reviewed what works and what doesn’t. It was delivered by George Urvari of Oriole Landscaping.

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

“The event was a great success and reflects well on our industry,” said John Higo, chair of the Lighting Sector Group. “Attendees were engaged and left the day with a platform of new product infor-mation, and a renewed passion for land-scape lighting.”

Exhibits on display were from the following supportive sponsors: Aurora Experience, Cast Lighting LLC, Focus Industries, FX Luminaire, Hunza Can-ada, Illumicare Group, John Deere Landscapes, Linzel Distributing, Mar-tek Supply, Solutions Aquasol, Turf Care Products, Unique Lighting and Vista Pro-fessional Outdoor Lighting.

The sector group looks forward to announcing plans for the 2013 event.

LO MEMbERS gIvE bACk TO ThE COMMUNITyLO executive director Tony DiGiovanni CHT recently asked members to share the great causes and projects their com-pany has been involved with over the past year or two.

The response was overwhelming. “I

am always amazed and inspired by the contribution ethic of our members. Many participate in organized events through the Chapters, while many more contrib-ute to their own special causes,” said DiGiovanni. “The reality is the good works reflect a company’s culture and individual character, while also reflecting well on the entire industry.”

If you have carried out a project that helped their community, let us know. Each month Landscape Ontario maga-zine will feature a number of projects our members have performed in their com-munity. Email details to [email protected].

klomp’s Landscaping helps studentsKlomp’s Landscaping in St. Marys wrote about its support in 2011of the outdoor classroom project of St. Marys Dis-trict Collegiate and Vocational Institute (D.V.C.I), located in St. Marys.

Office manager Ashley Smith writes, “Throughout the development of the project, it was important for Klomp’s Landscaping to make sure the design benefited the students, allowing them to learn and expand their creative minds, while getting in touch with the natural world.”

Smith explained that during the instal-lation process, Klomp’s crew members had the pleasure of working with a cou-ple of the students. “This allowed us to share our knowledge in how to accurately place a variety of plants around the out-door classroom. It was enjoyable to work on this outdoor classroom and Klomp’s Landscaping hopes that many more

schools will encourage the development of the natural environment.”

duo renovate 100-year-old courtyardPeter Woolcott, owner of Algonquin Land-scape Design in Toronto, reports about a project that Josh Hollander from Hol-lander Landscaping in Schomberg and he were involved in this past fall.

Woolcott continues, “We renovated the courtyard for St. Christopher House, a 100-year-old community agency in downtown Toronto. The courtyard renova-tion became a very enjoyable and grati-fying project, which we helped to initiate along with the Horticultural Societies of Parkdale and Toronto. We installed 3,000 square feet of permeable pavers. We donated trees, labour, and received addi-tional support from Kelly’s Tree Care of Scarborough for tree removal and Unilock for the donation of some permeable pav-ers. These donations topped up a grant which St. Christopher House received to improve wheelchair access in the courtyard.”

An additional planting will include the courtyard and alongside the Ossington Ave. side of St. Christopher House.

“We really want to do an excellent environmental planting at St. Christopher House, because the courtyard is used by so many children. We are seeking the help of Toronto City councillor Mike Lay-ton to try and get the city to remove some trees that will allow for this planting,” says Woolcott.

He and Josh Hollander are planning to seek additional donations next year to complete the planting projects. “We may


ASSOCIATION NEWS

also seek donations of patio furniture to help St. Chris.” It is hoped to get all this done in time for the 100 year anniversary of St. Christopher, in June 2012.

“It is turning out to be a great proj-ect, because we are turning an unsightly, almost unusable space into a beautiful, environmentally friendly, green courtyard and streetscaping. The project has been written up in the the monthly newsletter by the Horticultural Societies of Parkdale and Toronto,” concludes Peter Woolcott.

WATERLOO ChAPTER dONATES bLOOd TO hELP COMMUNITyWaterloo Chapter members are rolling up their sleeves to donate blood through the Canadian Blood Services Partners for Life program.

Kimmy Adams, manager at R.M. Adams Trucking of Kitchener, says this is another way LO members in the Waterloo

Chapter reach out to the local community. “We have set our goal at 20 units of

blood for the year 2012 and are well on our way to surpassing this goal,” says Adams. The Chapter signed up for the program in November, and set a goal of 15 donations for the year. “We managed to get 12 donations in only two months!”

Adams says Chapter members saw the need to reach out to people in the local community through ‘non-green’ means. “This program recognizes and promotes our Chapter as a caring, help-ing and involved partner in our local com-munity,” she says. The Green for Life logo is proudly displayed at the front desk at the Canadian Blood Services Bridge-port Clinic.

Waterloo Chapter hopes other Chap-ters within the association will follow its lead in joining the “great cause which is saving lives every day.”

Anyone wishing to donate on behalf of

Landscape Ontario Waterloo Chapter can inform the staff at the front desk before their donation. The Canadian Blood Ser-vices Bridgeport clinic is located at 94 Bridgeport Road East in Waterloo. For more information or to book an appoint-ment, go to www.blood.ca.

IN MEMORIAM

John bakker Sr.The funeral service for John Bakker Sr. took place on Sat., Feb. 11, at Trinity Christian Reformed Church in St. Catha-rines. He passed away on Feb. 7. Bak-ker was a second-generation owner of J.C. Bakker and Sons Nursery. His love of the nursery industry was passed on to his two sons, John III and Ken, who work at the nursery today. He was dear father of Marg and Greg Kuiper, Linda and John Suk, John and Renee Bakker, Ken and Lisa Bakker and Robert Bakker. He will be sadly missed by 19 grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

donald h. CavanOn Jan. 31, Donald Hewson Cavan (1921-2012) passed away peacefully

Weather conditions were on our side with temperatures just below zero, with light flurries, when the Georgian Lakelands Chapter held its annual Snow Day.

The Chapter’s trailer, proudly recognizing all our sponsors, welcomed everyone to Craigleith Ski Club on Feb. 10.

Many hit the slopes as soon as possible and only stopped for a quick lunch. Some even missed the group photo, as they grabbed the opportunity to enjoy as many runs as possible.

The annual fun-run was held in the afternoon. The majority of attendees participated to see how they stacked up. Chapter president Jeff Lee led the way, winning the crown as the

Weather smiles on annual Snow Dayfastest skier.

Skiing was followed by an après ski, awards and raffles. The Chapter congratulates all our winners, and offers thanks to all who attended. We hope to see you back next year, with more friends. Great appreciation is offered to all our sponsors who made it possible to hold this great event.

Prize sponsors were Atlas Block, Auto Trim and Sign, Geor-gian Hills Vineyards, Gro-Bark and Upper Canada Stone Company.—Michael LaPorte CLT

A few of those enjoying LO Snow Day take a break from the slopes in Collingwood.


GeorGian LakeLandsTerry Beausoleil865 Hugel Ave, Midland, ON L4R 1X8Tel: 705-526-7817Membership Type: HorticulturalBrent QuarriesNorman Brent3841 Hwy 118 W, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0Tel: 705-765-6447Membership Type: Chapter Associate

GoLden HorsesHoeDeanna Rando376 Seneca Ave, Burlington, ON L7R 3A2Tel: 905-730-3410Membership Type: HorticulturalCountry Estates Landscaping IncHenry Oosterveld912 Beeforth Rd, PO Box 640Waterdown, ON L0R 2H0Tel: 905-689-4970Membership Type: ActiveOpen Flower Box/ EcoScapersMichelle Wheeler6748 Cherryhill Dr, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 5N1Tel: 289-477-6136Membership Type: Active

NEW MEMbERSTB Grass N’ Landscape Inc.Tanner Mcgean31 Lorne St, St. Catharines, ON L2P 3C6Tel: 905-650-4194Membership Type: Active

London1724830 Ontario Inc o/a FlandscapeJosh Flanagan2509 Main St, PO Box 275, Lambeth StationLondon, ON N6P 1P9Tel: 519-203-1800Membership Type: ActiveTillson Brands IncMichael Perovich281 Tillson Ave, Tillsonburg, ON N4G 5X2Tel: 519-866-3446Membership Type: Associate

ottawaBobcat of OttawaMario Tremblay3 - 1551 Michael St, Ottawa, ON K1B 3T4Tel: 613-745-5775Membership Type: Chapter Associate

torontoTracey Young1393 Winglos Crt, Mississauga, ON L5C 1R2Tel: 416-526-8253Membership Type: Horticultural

Hybrid Landscape ManagementMitchell Ronan2438 Concession 7, Tottenham, ON L0G 1W0Tel: 647-221-1022Membership Type: InterimTrue Green Lawn CareWade Patry40 - 3045 Southcreek Rd, Mississauga, ON L4X 2X7Tel: 905-238-8150Membership Type: ActiveWalter Weykamp Landscaping IncorporatedJakob Weykamp328 Maple Grove Dr, Oakville, ON L6J 4V5Tel: 905-845-5446Membership Type: Active

waterLooAlltask Property Improvement IncEric Horst1750 Durst Rd, RR 1, St. Jacobs, ON N0B 2N0Tel: 519-664-1597Membership Type: Active

windsorJessica AytounC/O Sutton Creek Golf Club2135 County Rd 12, Essex, ON N8M 2X6Tel: 519-999-1750Membership Type: Horticultural

with his family at his side. He was known to many in the trade as a pioneer of the independent garden centre industry. He owned Cavan’s Garden Centres in Mis-sissauga and Erin, along with his life partner of 65 years, best friend and wife Doreen. They, along with their children Larry (Glenda), Jamie (Willy), Ellen (Bob), Tom (Anne), Gina and Barb fashioned a thriving full-service business, retailing bedding plants, perennials, nursery stock, horticultural products, patio furniture, pool supplies, concrete products and tools.

Don and Doreen Cavan were one of the first independent garden centre operators to introduce a complete Christ-mas trade with poinsettia, tropical plants, Christmas trees and ornaments. They held evening design classes that were attended by hundreds of guests, twice a week for over 40 years.

Don was a very proud, charitable busi-nessman, veteran of WWII, avid golfer and had a great appreciation for sports teams and team work. He will be dearly missed by his family.

A celebration of his life will take place in spring. A date has yet to be determined.

MANdERLEy TURF PROdUCTS RECOgNIzEd FOR MANAgEMENTManderley Turf Products was named one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Com-panies for 2011. The national award is sponsored 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 Greg Skotnicki, president, Manderley Turf Products and director of the Nursery Sod Growers Association of Ontario.

Established in 1993, the Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies is a national awards program, recognizing Canadian companies that have implemented world-class business practices and created value in innovative ways.

The 2011 winners of the best man-aged award will be honoured at the annual gala in Toronto on Mar. 27.

hIgh SCORE ON CERTIFICATION TESTRob Tester, owner of TNT Property Main-tenance in Kitchener, recently scored 91 per cent on his certification exam to become a Certified Installer of Permeable Paving Systems. His achievement was

acknowledged in the Grand Valley Con-struction Association Newsletter.

This course was held in Kentucky in October. Tester is president of the Water-loo Chapter.

bIENENSTOCk PART OF CbC LIvE RIghT NOW PROgRAMBienenstock Natural Playgrounds announced its national partnership with the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF), CBC, and Parks Canada, in the Live Right Now campaign.

CBC, together with Radio-Canada, is looking for the Canadian community that most embodies the spirit of Live Right Now; a community where residents are motivated and supported to make healthier choices.

The CWF, Parks Canada, and CBC and Bienenstock are rewarding the win-ning city with a community-designed and -built Bienenstock Natural Playground worth over $100,000.

More information on the program may be found at www.liverightnow.ca.

ShERk dONATES bEER LAbELS TO LIbRARyLarry Sherk, retired chief horticulturist at Sheridan Nurseries, was the focus of a recent Globe and Mail feature article.

Rather than Sherk’s horticulture exper-


ASSOCIATION NEWS

tise, the story outlined his impressive col-lection of beer labels. The Globe story revealed, “He is one of the world’s fore-most brewerianists, a collector of beer stuff who over 40 years has amassed the country’s second-largest private collec-tion of beer labels (about 3,000), many of which date to the late 1800s. For a beer label, that is practically prehistoric.”

Sherk, in an attempt to clear some space in his house, donated some of his collection to the Thomas Fisher Rare Books Library at the University of Toronto. “The library immediately declared the labels of ‘outstanding signifi-cance’ and made them part of its paper-ephemera.” The library claims the labels are worth $125,000, and getting more valuable.

The Globe and Mail article is available online at http://bit.ly/beerlabels.

UPPER CANAdA hOSTS ITS FIRST SqUASh TOURNAMENTThe Upper Canada Chapter held its inau-gural squash tournament on Feb. 15 at Belleville’s Harbour Fitness Centre.

Named, “I Was There Squash Tourna-ment,” the event attracted two full flights of competitors, as well as a mini-round-

robin set. There was excellent participa-tion by member companies.

The tournament provided two acts of recognition. The overall winner received the ‘I Was There’ vintage squash racquet to display for one year, at which time they must return and defend the title. The win-ner will autograph the trophy, thus creat-ing a proper memento. The second act of recognition is the ‘Dead Tin Award’ ritual. Tossed at the person who displays a spectacular ineptitude for the game, the winner received a discarded hockey plaque and is banished to the weight room with the knuckledusters.

Undefeated Mike McKay edged out Mitch Wiskel for ‘Journeyman Flight’ honours and the privilege of holding the squash racquet for the next year. Mitch thoroughly trounced Dan Clost in a spir-ited match for the ‘B’ consolation title. Diana Cassidy-Bush was full value in tak-ing the ‘Apprentices Flight,’ but it required double overtime matches. Veronica Shro-der warranted the ‘Dead Tin Trophy’ and the best sport award.

Thanks go to my co-convener Janine Treanor and also Mitch Wiskel who was prepared to lead the stretching exer-cises. Also, thank you to the companies and individual who donated gifts for the

draws: Connon Nurseries CBV, Steve Ally, Myke, Harris Turf Seed, Dan Clost’s Greenscapes, and Reilly’s Trophy Shop. The Harbour Fitness Club was a proper host and the Chapter is grateful for their generous pricing structure.

Watch next year when, “I Was There,” returns with more squash action in Upper Canada. Be there.— Dan Clost CHT

WINdSOR ChAPTER PROJECT FEATUREd IN MAgAzINEWork by members of the Windsor Chap-ter to create a dream backyard for an 11-year-old girl, was featured in a city magazine, Our Homes.

At only six days old, Olivia Klingbile required heart surgery to correct a con-genital heart defect. Complications led to another heart surgery at five weeks old, at which time she suffered a stroke while in recovery. Olivia relies on a wheelchair and walker to move around, with the help of her family.

The backyard has a swing, bicycle track, outdoor chalkboards, a painting station and raised planters, so Olivia may pursue her love of gardening from her chair. The story was also featured in the September 2011 issue of Horticulture Review.

The Our Homes article may be accessed at http://bit.ly/Garlatti. The article appears on pages 50 and 51.

LO JOINS PLANET IN dAy OF SERvICE Landscape Ontario is joining with PLANET (Professional Landcare Network) to host the 4th annual Day of Service on April 20, 2012.

PLANET is the U.S.-based national association represent-ing lawn care professionals. The U.S. association is partnering with other association mem-bers in a grassroots effort that encourages individual members, supplier members, and state associations to create volunteer lawn care, landscape, and inte-riorscape projects in their own communities.

In signing the partnership agreement, LO executive direc-tor Tony DiGiovanni, said, “This program will enhance the impor-tance and profile of giving back.” No specific plans have been announced for the Apr. 20 event.The Upper Canada Chapter squash tournament attracted an excellent and varied field to the first-ever event.


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The invitation from PLANET outlined that partners on the Day of Service will receive marketing templates to co-brand and distribute, a copy of the article of the event to publish in respective magazines and co-branding on www.planetdayofser-vice.org website and a link to each asso-ciation’s website.

PLANET says that by participating in Day of Service, members will:• Impactqualityoflifeintheirlocal

communities• Becomepartofthefoundationthatbuilds

a national movement to improve the nation’s green spaces

• Revitalizetheplaceswherepeoplelive,work, and play

• Demonstrategoodwillandenvironmentalstewardship

• Berecognizedasaleaderintheircommunities

• Fosterteamworkamongtheircomrades• Showtheircommitmenttoagreatcause• Raiseawarenessaboutthelawnand

landscape profession• Joinothergreenindustryprofessionals

for a day of giving back to local communities around the nation

gROWERS ShORT COURSEINCREASES ATTENdANCEEach year the Landscape Ontario Grow-ers Group Short Course provides nursery growers with a chance to hear about the latest research and best practices in the industry. The event also allows attendees to network with fellow industry members.

This year the short course returned to the Royal Canadian Legion in Guelph after several years at the Royal Botanical Gar-dens in Burlington. The Legion was packed

with over 190 growers in attendance, which is up slightly from last year’s number.

Among the presenters were members of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, University of Guelph, Niagara College and Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.

The morning session began with pre-sentations on using nematodes effectively, managing black weevil, cover crops that suppress pathogenic nematodes, bio-composites for greenhouse and nursery, and concluded with using native species for green roofs and root-pruning pots for native oaks.

A new product showcase drew a great deal of interest among those attending. Lunch was sponsored by Gro-Bark

The opening talk in the afternoon was entitled Are Fungi Having Sex? This was presented by Tom Hsiang of the University of Guelph. Other subjects included water

quality for plant production, irrigation and acidification in the nursery, wetland biofil-tration, management strategies for verticil-lium, organic versus biological pesticides and stinkbug identification and identifying invasive pets.

The Growers Good Ideas session is held at the end of the day. The popular presentation allowed many to learn from their peers. Thanks went to Glen Lumis, Jen Llewellyn, Christian Schramp and Tom Somerville for their work to make the event successful, and much appreciation went to Plant Products, the generous spon-sor of the 2012 Growers Short Course, and other supporters, ASB Greenworld, Agrium Advanced Technologies, FreeLink Wireless Irrigation Systems, Gro-Bark (Ontario), Kam’s Growers Supply and Natural Insect Control.

A few of the 190 in attendance take a break from the full-day of education at the annual Growers Short Course in Guelph.


ASSOCIATION NEWS

Some people can’t see something when it is staring them right in their face. Appren-ticeship training is one such example.

Many employers just can’t see the value, or don’t understand the program. It is cer-tainly a hidden treasure that is waiting to give young people, not only a future guaran-teed career job, but also one that will build their confidence for years to come. At the same time, the program will help employ-ers make more money. The cost is basically zero, the educational value is priceless and it actually pays $4,000 cash to those who successfully complete the program.

Why isn’t there a line up to get into the program? Why do the colleges fight each year to secure apprenticeship enrolments?

I don’t know of any employer in the hor-ticultural industry that doesn’t need to train their staff, especially new hires. Training and knowledge allows your employees to perform to an accepted level for excep-tional customer service and for the firm to obtain repeat business.

Apprenticeship training does this for you. It educates the employee in what you require, because you (industry employers) wrote the apprenticeship-training program. Yes, the industry committee developed and also monitors the curriculum. So it is your training program that gives you what you want. Yet, why is it that many employers won’t partner with their own program and make it a standard part of their company’s education and training program?

Why not let professional educators, all current industry practising professionals, educate your staff for you? Why not have your employees engaged during the off-season in education and training? Why not

Letter to the editorlet the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities (MTCU) Apprenticeship Pro-gram be your company’s training program? This is solid strategic human resource planning and that will make you a stronger company for years to come.

hOW TO STARTThe best way to begin the process is to make apprenticeship training a standard discussion point when hiring staff in the spring. It should be a standard part of the interview and employment offer. Inform new hires that part of your company’s training program is a partnership with the industry’s apprenticeship program. Employees will begin accepting the fact that part of their hiring is the expectation that they will enrol into the horticultural apprenticeship pro-gram for the next January. Make this train-ing plan a major component of your human resources development program.

Anyone with a grade 12 Ontario High School Diploma (OSSD), working in the industry, and who has a $40 registration fee for MTCU can enrol immediately. Your employer sponsors you as you train under their guidance. The winter training only requires you to register at the college of your choice. Bingo, it’s that simple, you are registered.

But yet, it must be a big secret, as very few employees take part in this training. We annually graduate fewer than 200 appren-tices in an industry that has almost 100,000 employees.

PROgRAM UNdERvALUEdMaybe it’s because few people under-stand the apprenticeship program and its

value. Each year we write about it, speak at Chapter meetings and yet very few seem to get the message, as each year Ontario colleges agonize over low registration and struggle with enrolments. The reverse should happen, with industry employees lined up waiting to take this great educa-tion and training program. In talking to stu-dents currently in the program, they cannot understand why this program is not loaded every year with registrations.

Here is why students make this claim. The program duration is a short 12 weeks, starting in January and taught in the off-season (two 12 week terms to Mar.). The courses are completed in time to start employment in the spring. Seasonally laid-off employees can receive Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. It is the only pro-gram I know of that will pay EI benefits and still allow you to study. MTCU pays the col-lege about $4,000 each term to cover the employee’s tuition. The employee cost is $600 per term.

There may be a transportation allow-ance for those who must travel a distance from the teaching facility. Because the hor-ticultural trade is Red Seal, there is $4,000 in cash gifts available to the employee who completes the three stages of the two-term training program. The employer also gets $1,000 from the province when the employee completes the program. If the employer pays the $600 cost, then the employee cost is zero. Employees get a well-rounded education in horticul-tural subjects, in addition to value added life skills such as first aid and CPR, safety management, better communication skills, increased calculation and mathematical skills, team building and in the key ele-ments of professionalism.

Fours years ago the employee cost for each term was zero. Now, MTCU assesses a $600 per term cost. Who knows what it might be in five years time?

There are absolutely no negatives and only positives in apprenticeship training. Why then is our industry so reluctant to have their employees take the program? Why do we not have waiting lists and line-ups for winter training? We are leaving gov-ernment money on the table that should go to this industry.

It’s time for the industry employers to think about education and training and understand the tremendous impact that apprenticeship training can make to their bottom line at no additional cost.

Terry MurphyFormer manager of education, training and human resources at Landscape Ontario


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Lindsay Drake Nightingaleappreciates volunteer opportunitiesComing into the horticulture field was a change of careers for Lindsay Drake Nightingale of Yorkshire Garden Services in Toronto.

She had worked with non-profit agen-cies such as the VON (Victorian Order of Nurses), Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Canadian Diabetes Association. She says she loved the work, but felt it was time for a change.

“Being a gardener is the best thing I’ve ever done,” says Drake Nightingale. “I knew in order to get the most out of it, I had to get involved.” Through the encour-agement of Bob Tubby of Arbordale Landscaping, Drake Nightingale became my involved in Landscape Ontario at the Chapter level. “I haven’t looked back.”

That’s for sure. Currently, one of her volunteer tasks with the association is president of the Toronto Chapter. “I work with a fabulous group of people who strive to increase relevancy at the Chap-ter level, whether it’s by building a new garden for Sick Kids Hospital, organiz-ing a baseball tournament, or having a roundtable discussion at a Chapter din-ner meeting. We are definitely succeed-ing.” She says the feedback received is most encouraging.

For years, Drake Nightingale has been involved with Canada Blooms. She reflects that most of her memorable vol-unteer experiences happened during the builds. “One that still makes me smile is from the year I was planting the All-

weather Landscape garden. The tulips had to be just so. I had another volunteer helping me. Here I am telling him how to plant in order to get the best show. Well, James Garfield Thompson OALA was one of the most gracious volunteers I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. The tulips looked fabulous, but nothing compared to the way he can make huge boulders look like pieces of art.”

Last year’s build of the LO feature garden was another Blooms experience that is fondly remembered by Drake Nightingale. “It wasn’t just one particu-lar moment, but rather the overall feel of the volunteer experience. The collective energy, passion and raw emotion of all those involved was an overwhelmingly wonderful experience. Everyone pulled together to create a truly original and visually stunning garden.”

She says the benefits received from volunteering are purely altruistic. Drake Nightingale reflects on how there is so much positive return in meeting people, creating the future, building beautiful gar-dens, knowing that one person can make a difference.

A strong believer in Landscape Ontario, the Toronto Chapter president says it is an inspirational organization that encourages its members to push beyond conventional boundaries. She strives to advance the horticultural indus-try, and strongly supports the associa-tion’s programs of education, symposia

and trade shows.Drake Nightingale notes, “It is impor-

tant to remember that not all landscape professionals want to become involved in LO, but that doesn’t mean that we as an organization should lose sight of them. Their input is also very important. These companies still should be asked and encouraged to take out a membership every year, because one year they will surprise us and join.”

For Lindsay Drake Nightingale, volun-teering is an important part of who she is. She points out that this is year of transi-tion, so she is currently looking at other volunteer opportunities inside and outside of LO. “I do sit on the Landscape Tech-nician Program Advisory Committee for Humber College. It is a rewarding experi-ence, as we move the program forward to meet the growing (no pun intended) demands of the horticultural industry. I do know that I will continue to be a part of Landscape Ontario.”

vOLUNTEER PROFILE


EvENTS

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

LANdSCAPE ONTARIO ANd INdUSTRy EvENTSMarch 16 - March 25Canada bloomsDirect Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, TorontoCanada Blooms: The Flower and Garden Festi-val is co-locating with the National Home Show at the Direct Energy Centre. One ticket will admit guests to both events. See www.canadablooms.com for more information.

March 19Smart about Salt training100 Maple Grove Rd., Cambridge

Seating is limited at Salt Management Training sessions in

Cambridge at 100 Maple Grove Rd. Learn best management practices for effectively and effi-ciently applying de-icing salt, the science behind salt and principles of ice formation, record keep-ing and risk management, calibrating equipment and using weather forecasts to your advantage. If successful at the written examination, you will become a Smart about Salt Accredited Opera-tor listed on the the Smart about Salt website at www.smartaboutsalt.com. Advanced registration is required by emailing [email protected]. Other sessions are available in Ottawa on Apr. 11, and in Milton on Apr. 24.

March 22Windsor Chapter meetingDominion Golf Club, 6125 Howard Ave., LaSalleThe Windsor Chapter meeting will focus on general marketing for the landscape industry, and look at flyers, websites, ads, target markets, etc.

March 22Certification written test dateCanada Blooms

All Certification Designation writ-ten tests can be completed

at Canada Blooms, at 1 p.m. (with pre-regis-tration). To register for this test date, visit hort-trades.com/landscape-industry-certified, and click on the designation test you are interested in writing. Be sure to fill out a registration form and send it in prior to the test date! For more information, contact Landscape Ontario 1800-265-5656, or email [email protected].

March 28Apprenticeship Career Connections 2012International Centre, 6900 Airport Road, Hall 5, MississaugaApprenticeship Career Connections 2012 is a one-day event for anyone interested in an excit-ing and rewarding career in the skilled trades. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is absolutely FREE. Apprenticeship Career Connections 2012 is hosted by the Peel Halton Workforce Development Group. To find out more about the event, go to www.apprenticeshipcareerconnections.ca.

March 30growers safety programVineland Research and Innovation Centre 4890 Victoria Ave., N LincolnAn OHSA-compliant safety seminar aimed at ornamental growers — in one morning ses-sion. This seminar will help establish preven-

tion and due diligence practices, that will result in reduced injury rates, lost time and therefore claims costs, and ensure the long-term viabil-ity of a business in a competitive market. The morning program runs from 9 a.m. – 12-noon. Lunch is not included. To register, go to www.horttrades.com/seminars/2012-03-30/LS021.

April 4Waterloo Chapter meetingKnights of Columbus, 145 Dearborn Place, WaterlooGear up for the new season with presentation on new plants and trends at the Waterloo Chap-ter’s April meeting. The meeting runs from 7-9 p.m. Contact Rob Tester at [email protected] for more information.

April 4Upper Canada Chapter’s business Improvement and Networking meetingStrathcona Paper Centre, 16 McPherson Drive, NapaneeDon’t miss your chance to gear up for spring at the Upper Canada chapter’s annual Business Improvement and Networking meeting featuring the MTO, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. To find out more information contact Dan Clost at [email protected].

April 5Toronto Chapter meetingLatvian Centre, 4 Credit Union Dr., TorontoJoin the Toronto Chapter from 6:30-9 p.m., for its AGM and a round table discussion.

April 11 and 24Smart about Salt trainingSeating is limited at Salt Management Training sessions at the University Of Ottawa on April 11 and at the LO home office in Milton on Apr. 24. See March 19 for course details.


INdUSTRy NEWS

Three Ontario companiesbring home national titlesThree Landscape Ontario members brought national honours to the associa-tion, winning four major awards in the National Awards of Landscape Excellence.

The 9th annual awards event was held at the Westin Nova Scotia Hotel in Halifax on Feb. 8. Hosted by Landscape Nova Scotia and the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, over 150 guests filled the room to recognize

Gary Zielke of John Deere, left, presents the John Deere Award of Excellence for Residential Landscape Maintenance to Brad Patton and Tracey Urbasik of Shades of Summer Landscaping and Maintenance.

operational excellence.Ontario companies receiving awards

included Sheridan Nurseries of George-town, named RBC Grower of the Year. Sheridan’s Mississauga store shared the Chrysler Garden Centre Inspection Award with Canadale Nurseries of St. Thomas.

Shades of Summer Landscaping and Maintenance, Milgrove, won the John Deere Award of Excellence for Residen-tial Landscape Maintenance.

The awards event was hosted by Liz Klose, CNLA Landscape Priorities Man-ager, and Niki Jabbour, media personality and author of The Year Round Vegetable Gardener.

SponsorsAward sponsors are RBC, Chrysler, Dynascape, Caterpillar and John Deere.

The national awards program is intended to showcase the highest level of professionalism in Canada’s green indus-try. Each provincial association nomi-nates members that won in awards in the respective province. There are seven cat-egories: commercial landscape construc-tion/installation, residential landscape construction/installation, commercial landscape maintenance, residential land-scape maintenance, landscape design, grower of the year, and garden centre excellence awards.

Representing Sheridan Nurseries, Bill Stensson, left, and Pieter Joubert , right, accept RBC Grower of the Year Award from Steven Harris of RBC.

Bill Stensson of Sheridan Nurseries, Mississauga, left, accepts the Chrysler Garden Centre Inspection Award as Most Improved Garden Centre from Bill Fisher of Chrysler Canada.

Pauline Intven of Canadale accepts the Chrysler Garden Centre Inspection Award as the top achieving garden centre from Steven Harris of RBC.


INdUSTRy NEWS

Common hackberry is not grand, but it’s a survivorYou may know the common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) as the brave little tree that survives parking lot islands, its pale lime leaves covered in weird bumps. It per-haps is not the grandest tree in our expec-tations of canopy in the urban environment. But its survival only emphasizes the useful-ness of Celtis occidentalis.

A. L.Jacobson writes in his book, North American Landscape Trees,“Lacking flam-boyance and romantic associations, hack-berries are like cinder blocks: eminently useful but stigmatized by default.” Yet, the hackberry has many features, makeing it one of the cinder blocks of the landscape.

Hackberries were frequently planted as alternatives to elm. The elm-like vase shape of the hackberry can be found through much of eastern and central U.S., southwestern Quebec and expanding regions of Southern Ontario. Mature trees can be 12 to 25 metres tall with a highly variable lifespan of up to 150 to 200 years. The bark of the common hackberry is per-haps the most interesting feature. It is rich with corky ridges that have distinctive strati-fied layers that look very geological.

Alternately-budded twigs end in a unique horizontal-oriented bud. The simple leaves have an asymmetrical base and a

The hackberry fruit is nutritious and delicious.

The hackberry’s solid branching structure becomes more elm-like with age.

long tapering tip. They become a subdued green through the season, turning to yellow in the fall. Both male and female flowers are found on the same tree, though they are inconspicuous. After wind pollination, the small fleshy drupe that develops may persist on the tree until spring.

Many species of birds and animals will enjoy the nutritious hackberry banquet throughout the winter. The dry fruit has been described sometimes as messy on side-walks. This may be noted in areas with little animal diversity, because even squirrels and chipmunks eagerly search for the fruit.

Pest issues in Celtis occidentalis are limited to cosmetic issues such as witches broom and nipple galls. There are culti-vars that offer more resistance to these problems.

The hackberry grows in a wide-range of soils, from moist bottomland to dry rocky sites. Hackberries growing naturally in Ontario are primarily found on dry lime-stone outcroppings, which may suggest some natural selection for drought toler-ance. Shade tolerance and tree shape are also variable. Sourced seed could provide some uniformity. Seed from drought toler-ant stock is more suited to urban sites, than seed from moist-rich bottomland stock.

Consider common hackberry for several reasons. It exhibits tolerance of challeng-ing sites and it is ecologically important to birds, butterflies and mammals and shows little disease. These are all important fac-tors in repopulating our urban forests.—Thelma Kessel

Urban tolerant trees This is the third in a series of articles highlighting 29 trees selected by the Land-scape Ontario Growers’ Sector working group, as recommended alternatives to ash and Norway maple. For the complete list and factsheets on each, go to http://bit.ly/urbantoleranttrees.

Funding was from the Farm Innovation Program, to the Landscape Ontario Growers’ Sector Group, which initiated the research project to develop a list of urban-tolerant trees that could be offered to the Ontario landscape industry. The project team, led by Thelma Kessel of Lacewing Horticulture, included Sean Fox, assistant manager, University of Guelph Arboretum, Jennifer Llewellyn, OMAFRA nursery crops specialist, and Dr. Glen Lumis, Professor Emeritus, University of Guelph.

The 29 trees on the list are considered suitable for Ontario urban settings, while encouraging species diversity. The research group feels the trees on this list have tolerance to urban situations, along with aesthetics and relative freedom from pests and diseases. The trees are similar to ash in size and form. Smaller specimens were included for sites where ash would be too large.


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NEW ONLINE TOOL hELPS WITh EMPLOyEE hOURSThe Ministry of Labour has launched an online tool to help employers confirm and comply with specific rules concerning employee hours of work.

The launch of the Ministry of Labour’s Hours of Work and Overtime (HOW) Tool completes a suite of interactive tools avail-able on the ministry’s website.

The Hours of Work and Overtime Tool will help employers to determine compli-ance for a range of standards such as daily rest, overtime, averaging and rest between shifts. The tool will also allow employees to understand their entitlements.

The HOW Tool features tutorials and calculators and serves as an introduc-tion and link to the online forms required for requesting excess hours and overtime averaging.

To access the site go to www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/es/tools/hours/index.php.

INdEPENdENT CONTRACTORS MUST REgISTER ThIS yEAR FOR WSIb COvERAgE Independent operators with no employ-ees, who perform ‘construction’ work (work that falls primarily under Class G of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board’s Employer Classification Manual), have until Dec. 31, 2012 to register their business with the WSIB.

Bill 119, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, makes insurance cover-age mandatory for independent opera-tors, who do not employ workers. The Bill was proclaimed as of Jan. 1, 2012, and comes into full force on Jan. 1, 2013.

An independent operator is defined as, “a person who carries on an indus-try included in Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 and who does not employ any workers for that purpose.” WSIB’s Class G includes rate groups in the 700s, such as exca-vating, masonry or fence, deck or pool installation (711), but Bill 119 could also affect other rate groups with complemen-tary businesses. For example, among member firms of Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS), this could include landscape or pool companies that use an independent contractor to do portions of the work within the contract that are classified as construction activi-ties. To figure out whether your business may be included, see below, ‘Determining whether Bill 119 affects you.’

Home Renovators who contract directly with the person occupying the residence, and work exclusively in home renovation, are exempt from the manda-

tory coverage legislation.The WSIB warns that landscape com-

panies using an independent contrac-tor to do work classified in Class G, by January 2013, must make sure they are registered with WSIB by requesting a clearance certificate.

For more information on the amend-ment, access Bill 119 and background information at http://bit.ly/y1HxkR.

does bill 119 affect you?Check out online by accessing the WSIB’s Employer Classification Manual at http://bit.ly/x10oFc. Landscape compa-nies are typically registered in rate group 190 under Class C.

Note that the above activities under 190 are classified with a domestic or home renovation application for a private residence.

Commercial contracts would classify these activities under Class G: Construc-tion. The work activities that a landscape company may include in the scope of a contract and might be classified in Class G: Construction fall under rate groups 711: Roadbuilding and Excavating, 741: Masonry and 748: Form work and demoli-tion. The work activities include: excavat-ing and grading, asphalt paving, fencing and deck installation, swimming pool installation, masonry and stone work and pre-cast concrete installation except domestic.

If your company includes these types of work within your landscape contracts, call the WSIB’s Employer Service Centre during business hours to clarify the appli-cation for your business at 1-800-387-0750, and select option “3” to connect with the centre.

If you’re an independent operator required under Bill 119 to register, you can do so online at http://bit.ly/woLhFd.

Estimating premiumsTo calculate the premiums you could expect to pay, based on 2012 assess-ment rates, WSIB has an online premium estimator. Visit www.wsib.on.ca, enter “pre-mium estimator” in the search field, and click on “How much will I pay in WSIB premiums?”

C. bUxICOLA POSITIvE FOUNd IN b.C.Cylindrocladium buxicola (also known as C. pseudonaviculatum), commonly called box blight or boxwood leaf drop is a fun-gus that has been reported to occur on all Buxus species and cultivars.

C. buxicola has been a serious pest of boxwood in the U.K., Europe and New


Zealand since the mid-1990s. The first detections in the U.S. were made in Con-necticut in October 2011. Since then it has been found in eight states, includ-ing North Carolina, Connecticut, Virginia, Rhode Island, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon and New York.

A tour of nursery delegates from Ger-many, arranged by CNLA, resulted in the Canadian nursery industry put on alert for Cylindrocladium buxicola. Back in Octo-ber 2011, CNLA made arrangements for the group from Germany to tour nurser-ies in B.C. and Ontario. The last stop the group made was a visit and lunch at Sheridan Nurseries. The group’s orga-nizer, Dr. Heinrich Losing, a noted exten-sion specialist based in Hamburg noted the importance of boxwood as an orna-mental crop all across Canada, and par-ticularly at Sheridan Nurseries. Dr. Losing informed Sheridan about the disease. His advice to Sheridan was simple, “If C. bux-icola has not yet been found in Canada, do what you can to ban imports of lining out stock from Europe.”

Within two to three weeks, CNLA began receiving emails and telephone calls about a new pest of boxwood that had been found in the U.S. CNLA requested CFIA consider regulatory action.

On Jan. 6, the first evidence that the disease had found its way to Canada was

confirmed with a positive find of Cylindro-cladium buxicola at a B.C. nursery. The grower quickly removed and destroyed all boxwood plants at his nursery as a pre-cautionary measure.

C. buxicola is not a regulated pest, but in view of the popularity and economic importance of this ornamental crop, it is considered a disease of great concern. CNLA is working with growers across Canada to establish Best Management Practices for the control of this disease through the Clean Plants program.

All growers are advised to be very aware of their sources of incoming box-wood shipments. Growers should also be aware that certain varieties such as Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruiticosa’ (English boxwood) and B. sempervirens (American boxwood) appear to be highly susceptible. However, even those spe-cies that do not appear to be suscep-tible can carry the fungus and it is now believed that asymptomatic plants have been responsible for some of the spread of C. buxicola throughout nurseries and into garden centres and the landscape.

CFIA said that further surveys would be conducted to determine the pos-sible spread of the disease throughout Canada. As of late Feb., no reports have been received. For more information, go to http://bit.ly/boxwoodblight.

ALTERNATIvE PLANT PROMO FOR gARdEN CENTRESThe Ontario Invasive Plant Coun-cil (OIPC) is a non-profit organization founded in 2007 to develop a coordinated provincial response to the growing threat of invasive plants.

Since 2009, the Horticulture Outreach Collaborative (HOC), an OIPC commit-tee with Landscape Ontario representa-tion, has focused its attention on garden plants that can be invasive in some situ-ations. This committee has accomplished plenty in its short life, including a nursery research project and the development and distribution of outreach material.

Last year, horticulturists and ecolo-gists on the committee worked together to create a resource for hobby and pro-fessional gardeners under the name, Grow Me Instead. Over 15,000 copies of this colourful guide have been distributed at consumer and trade shows, partners’ offices and garden centres. An electronic

INdUSTRy NEWS version is available on the OIPC website www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca.

This year HOC is asking additional gar-den centres to prominently feature the guide and to promote the sale of the alternative plants included within the publication.

Participating centres will receive the following products free of charge: post-ers, header cards and brochures, with stands included. In addition, HOC mem-bers would be pleased to speak to staff at a scheduled early-morning meeting or whenever it is convenient, as well as cus-tomers at participating centres. HOC will acknowledge these centres on the OIPC website and in related presentations for gardening clubs and Master Gardener groups across the province.

Contact the Horticulture Outreach Col-laborative chair Colleen Cirillo at [email protected] if interested in participating. The Council hopes that this is the start of a long and fruitful partnership between Ontario’s horticultural and conservation communities. —Colleen Cirillo

TURFgRASS SyMPOSIUMPROvIdES LATEST INFOThe 21st annual Ontario Turfgrass Symposium (OTS) brought together industry industry professionals, educators and researchers for two days, Feb. 22 and 23, at the University of Guelph.

This year’s theme was Grow your Knowledge, with each presentation focused on providing up-to-date infor-mation dealing with the complexities of maintaining healthy turf in today’s more restrictive environment.

Paul Turner, chair of the OTS execu-tive committee, welcomed attendees, fol-lowed by Rob Witherspoon, director of Guelph Turfgrass Institute.

The keynote speaker was Dr. James Beard, considered one of the world’s leading authorities of turfgrass science. He is the director and chief scientist of the International Sports Turf Institute, headquartered in College Station, Texas, and Professor Emeritus of Turfgrass Sci-ence, Texas A&M University.

His presentation was titled, ‘History of Turf.’ He addressed the use of turf back in the 18th century, through to the 1950s and today.

A full agenda had speakers covering lawn care, sports fields and golf.

Along with learning sessions, attend-ees took the opportunity to network with fellow industry professionals.

@LOassocMag@TonyDiGiovanni1@denis�anagan@green_for_life@LOEnviro@locongress@LOExpo2012

Socialize with LO

www.facebook.com/landscapeontario

http://linkd.in/LOLinkedIn


New social media sensation

MEMbERShIP

By Helen HassardMembership coordinator

What’s the most popular social media referral site right now? Twit-ter? Facebook? Nope, according

to online sources, and most of my social circle, it’s an addictive little website called Pinterest.

Pinterest takes the concepts of Twitter and combines it with the idea of an inspira-tion board, where you “pin” images of your favourite things: fash-

ion, decor, event ideas, recipes, books and yes, even landscapes. Your followers or others may then browse through the Pinter-est pages, view these and re-pin them for their followers, etc.

Now, I know less than a year ago I wrote an article on why social media isn’t the end-all and be-all for communication, and I stand by that. But I think that a com-munication strategy needs to have a bal-ance of print, electronic, social media and personal communication; you need to find out the best way to communicate with your target market.

So, you may have already attended a training program or two about social media and learned from some social media guru how to use Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Those gurus are likely already preaching the benefits of Pinterest.

The beauty of Pinterest is its simplic-ity. Users can spend hours sifting through attractive images ‘re-pinning’ things that catch their attention, or they may upload their own images to show off to their fol-lowers. They ‘pin’ similar images to various inspiration boards that they can later revisit.

Most images have corresponding links for you to learn more. I see members using this several different ways. • LinkittoyourFacebookpage.Youcan

update Pinterest and automatically send the image to your Facebook account at the same time. All of this is engaging your network and making sure you have a constant presence on social media. I’ve heard it said that a poorly maintained social media page is worse than no social media page at all!

• Pinimagesofjobsitesyou’veworkedon,but don’t forget to direct them back to your website! While your audience might end up stretching far beyond your company’s geographical area, the more people who pin your images to their followers, the more trafficyourwebsitewillreceive.

• Useitforyourowninspiration.Ifyouseeplants you like, or colour palettes that are popular, incorporate them into your work.

• Havefunwithit.Thesiteisaddictiveforareason.Havefunandletthecreativityflow!

Overall, Pinterest is still relatively new, but if you’d like to learn more about what it can do for you, give it a try. Go to http://pinterest.com.

Feel free to let me know, email me at [email protected].

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TURF RESEARCh

Field evaluation of biocontrols for leatherjackets By Peter Purvis Guelph Turfgrass Institute, and Pam CharbonneauOMAFRA Turfgrass Specialist

The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of four bio-controls (Bacillus thuringiensis

kurstaki; Neu1138I; Neu1161I; and entomo-pathogenic nematodes) and one reduced risk insecticide (Acelepryn) for the control of early instar leatherjackets larvae. Treat-ments were applied on Nov. 4, 2011 onto areas known to have previous leatherjacket infestations.

Results of this study showed that three weeks after treatment, Bacillus thuringien-sis kurstaki, entomopathogenic nematodes and Neu1138I were effective in reducing the populations of first and second instar leath-erjackets larvae, compared to the untreated control. The level of control among those three treatments did not differ significantly from each other and ranged from 55, 57.5 and 62 per cent of the control, respectively.

At six weeks after treatment, only the entomopathogenic nematodes and Neu1161I were effective in reducing the populations of first and second instar leath-erjackets larvae, compared to the untreated control. The level of control among those two treatments did not differ significantly from each other and ranged from 50 to 70 per cent of the control, respectively. None of the bio-controls or the reduced risk prod-uct resulted in phytotoxicity to the turf at one or seven days after treatment.

EFFICACy OF bIOCONTROLS ANd REdUCEd RISk INSECTICIdE FOR EUROPEAN ChAFER gRUbSSince the passing of the Cosmetic Pesti-cides Ban Act in 2009, the lawn care sec-tor has has had great interest in testing bio-controls and reduced risk pesticides to control insect pests, such as leatherjackets (Tipula paludosa). It is well documented that most bio-pesticides are efficacious on early instar insect larvae. These reduced risk

pesticides have been used for the control of European chafer grubs, but there is limited data on its efficacy to control leatherjack-ets. Research was conducted to compare bio-controls and a reduced risk pesticide to control early instar leatherjackets.

The objective of the project was to deter-mine the efficacy of fall applied bio-controls (Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki; Neu1138I; Neu1161I; and entomopathogenic nema-todes (EPN’s; which were a 50/50 mixture of Steinernema feltiae) and a reduced risk insecticide (Acelepryn) for the control of early instar leatherjackets on a mixed stand of turf maintained as a home lawn.

This experiment was conducted on plots of a mixed stand of turf (Kentucky blue-grass, perennial ryegrass and creeping bentgrass maintained as a home lawn) on the native soil rootzone at the Guelph Turf-grass Institute. The turf was maintained at seven cm mowing height and fertilized with 2 kg actual N 100 sq. m yr-1.

The experimental plots were arranged in random block design with six replica-tions of each treatment. Plots were 1 m x 2 m (2 sq. m). Each block was established separately on areas of turf with previously known infestations of leatherjackets. Treat-ments are as indicated in Table 1.

All treatments were applied on first and second instar stages of leatherjackets (Nov. 4, 2011). Treatments 2, 3, 4 and 5 were applied using a compressed air sprayer (20 psi) with Teejet orange flat fan nozzles. Treatment 6 was applied using a five litre watering can. The total spray water volume

for treatments 2, 3, 4 and 5 was 10 L per 100 sq. m (100 mL/ sq. m) and 200 L per 100 sq. m (2000 mL/ sq. m) for Treatment 6 to ensure delivery to the pest location. Treat-ments 2, 3 and 6 were watered in with 250L per 100 sq. m of water post-treatment. Treatments 4 and 5 were not watered in, as recom-mended by the registrant (Neudorff Canada).

EFFICACy ASSESSMENTSLarvae were recovered from each plot by direct harvest from four cup-cutter cores (0.1 m diameter x 0.05 m depth) removed in a random pat-tern on Nov. 25, 2011 (three weeks after treatment [3 WAT]) and on Dec. 16, 2011(6 WAT). Larval counts were determined from the untreated control of each of the six replica-tions. Replicates 2, 5 and 6 had zero larvae per cup changer, therefore those replicates were discarded from the experiment. Larval counts were done only on Replicates 1, 3

Treatments (Table 1) Treatment 1 Untreated Control Treatment 2 Acelepryn at 0.58 g a.i. 100 sq. m Treatment 3 Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki at 2.85 g a.i. 100 sq. m Treatment 4 Neu1138I (2.5% solution) 2.5 mL 100 sq. m Treatment 5 Neu1161I (2% solution) 2.0 mL 100 sq. m Treatment 6 Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) (a 50/50 mixture of Steinernema feltiae

and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) at two million ij (infective juveniles) 100 sq. m

Treatment Treatment 3 WAT (Nov. 25, 2011) 6 WAT (Dec. 16, 2011)Larvae/core1 Larvae/ sq. m Larvae/core Larvae/ sq. m

1 Control 7.252a 837.73a 5.25a 606.64a2 Acelepryn 4.42ab 510.38ab 3.42ab 394.80ab3 Neu1161I 4.42ab 510.38ab 1.58b 182.95b4 Bacillus

thuringiensis kurstaki

3.25b 375.54b 3.08ab 356.24ab

5 EPN’s 3.08b 356.24b 2.58b 298.50b6 Neu1138I 2.75b 317.76b 3.08ab 356.24ab

1Mean number of larvae per four cores. 2Mean values from Fishers’ protected LSD tests. Means with the same letters are not significantly different.

Post-treatment larval counts (Table 2)

number


By Bob HodginsSmart about Salt executive director

Not much winter left — possibly — but the risks still exist as long as we are in the freeze-thaw period.

One of the greatest drivers of salt use is the fear of lawsuits. Many people

address this fear by spreading a lot of salt; in fact we see areas coated with excessive amounts of salt. This keeps ice from forming, but it also damages infra-structure, pollutes the environment and

wastes resources. It is important to use just enough salt to maintain safety while reducing the adverse affects from exces-sive salting.

In my November 2011 article, I wrote about managing drainage so as to elimi-nate icing situations. The first task of course is to identify these potential icing situations. It is always important to keep risk management foremost in your mind, especially during the winter.

In my home we have a mantra: Keep your PPA finely tuned. PPA stands for Potential Problem Analysis. This is sim-ply a matter of looking at any situation

Managing your winter risk

SMART AbOUT SALT

and asking yourself, “What Could Go Wrong?” These tend to be risk situa-tions that if not properly handled, can lead to an unpleasant experience. When you train yourself and your team to scan your surroundings for potential risks, then your PPA alarm or spidey senses will go off when before problems arise. Then it is time to take proactive action to eliminate the problem, before someone is hurt.

Another key tool to effective risk man-agement is having a variety of tools or best practices at your fingertips to address the different conditions that you will encounter during the winter. These best practices include:• Goodweatherforecasts• Knowledgeandabilitytointerpretthese

forecasts • Abilitytoreadpavementtemperatures• Rangeofanti-icingchemicalstohelp

prevent ice from forming• Rangeofapplicationratesthatcan

be adjusted for the precipitation and temperature conditions

• Properequipmentforplowingandapplying anti-icing materials

• Properlytraineddecision-makersandoperators to ensure that control strategies are properly selected and deployed

• Monitoringtoensurethatsnowandicecontrol strategies are working

• Goodrecordkeepingthatdocumentsall

aspects of your snow and ice control program

• Continualimprovementtoidentifyandmanage risks with less salt

The Smart about Salt program offers training on these subject areas. There are three training sessions planned for March and April in Milton, Kitchener and Ottawa. Sign-up online at www.smartaboutsalt.com.

We all benefit from proactive risk man-agement. Injuries from slips and falls and vehicle accidents cost everyone in terms of pain and suffering, lawsuits, elevated insurance premiums, lost time, etc. By being better at identifying potential risks and proactively eliminating these risks, we can collectively reduce the number of injuries and claims and bring down overall costs, including insurance premiums.

Keeping thorough records about each site that your company treats, the spe-cific risks that are being managed and the tactics that are used will help to improve operations and provide an historical record in the event of problem.

You can’t manage what you don’t mea-sure, so it is critical to have good record-keeping. Landscape Ontario’s Snow and Ice Group, along with its insurers and the Smart about Salt Council developed sam-ple logs that are available to the industry, or consider designing or revising your own forms.

As the winter winds down, we will have more freeze-thaw events, so it is important that we are all on our toes and have our PPA working.

You can learn more at www.smartaboutsalt.com, or email Bob Hodgins at [email protected].

and 4 (3 WAT and 6 WAT). Leatherjackets population densities were reported as larvae per cup changer core and per sq. m.

There was no insect damage to the turf detected at any time prior to, or after treat-ment application. Plots were assessed at one and seven days after treatment (DAT) for phytotoxicity effects of the insecticide treatments on the turf. None were detected.

There were significant differences among the treatments for larvae counts. Results of the treatments at the 3 WAT and 6 WAT are shown in Table 2.

At 3 WAT, Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki, EPN’s and Neu1138I were effec-tive in reducing the populations of first and second instar leatherjackets larvae com-pared to the untreated control. The level

of control amongst those three treatments did not differ significantly from each other (ranging from 55, 57.5 and 62 per cent of the control respectively).

At 6 WAT, only the EPN’s and Neu1161I were effective in reducing the populations of first and second instar leatherjackets lar-vae compared to the untreated control. The level of control between those two treat-ments did not differ significantly from each other (ranging from 50 and 70 per cent of the control respectively).

None of the experimental bio-control products resulted in phytotoxicity to the turf at 1 or 7 DAT.

The authors thank the Agricultural Adap-tation Council and the Ontario Turfgrass Research Foundation for support for this

study. They also thank Valent Canada for supplying the Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (DiPel2X), Neudorff Canada for supplying Neu1138I and Neu1161I and Natural Insect Control for supplying the EPN’s (Steiner-nema feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacte-riophora) for this experiment. The authors thank Shahram Sharififar from Natural Insect Control for assistance in applying the nematodes, Erica Gunn for assistance with direct harvesting leatherjackets from cores for post-treatment assessments, and Dr. Ken Carey for assistance with the statisti-cal analysis.

Pam Charbonneau may be contacted at 519-824-4120, ext. 52597, or by e-mail at [email protected].


By Arthur Skolnik

A few years back I met a landscape designer at Congress. Let’s call her Pam. She told me she had a planting

crew, but was looking for a contractor who could install the wood, water and stone ele-ments in several jobs which she had signed for the coming season.

I sensed her inexperience, but I liked her designs and enthusiasm. I also felt she had passion for her new career and would be easy to get along with, so I agreed to work with her.

Part way through our first job, she changed the specs in the backyard we were doing. I’m sure she made these changes when her design ‘jumped off the page’ and into 3D. This meant more excavation, removals and materials. “No problem,” she said, “I’ll pay for the materials.” No mention of the secondary costs, including lost time.

Every subsequent job had changes which required more labour and materials. In every case, I swallowed some loss of profit. I never knew if these changes were as a result of her clients’ wishes, or her inexperience. The issue of my profit loss was a sticky one and I always made sure she knew I was going to be out of pocket. In any case, I pressed on as our relation-ship solidified and her jobs assured me of a full season of work.

Then, Pam had a client with a small backyard and they wanted to spend big money on a few well-designed and modern features, including a waterfall, which was my part of the job. She got me involved

The Jekyll and Hyde phenomenon

CONTRACTORS’ COLUMN

during the design phase to offer sugges-tions to the clients and show types of stone, examples of falling water, etc.

We all agreed that a modern water fea-ture using cubic, square and rectangular armour stone, flagstone and curbing would work. The materials were easy to draw and after a few attempts and with input from all parties, we came up with a great design, including shape, size and location. My instinct told me these were tough clients without much ability to conceptualize land-scape art. Because I was working for Pam, I felt more at ease knowing she’d field any issues.

We couldn’t have chosen hotter days and harder soil, all in a south-facing back yard. The conditions were unbearably dif-ficult. Every aspect of the work was by hand, because of the very limited access. It didn’t help that the homeowners practically ignored us, never offering drinks or encour-agement, or approval of the work we were sweating through.

When we were 95 per cent finished, the phone call came. Her tone was cold and aloof. I’d never heard her speak to me that way. Pam insisted I meet with her and the clients in the evening to discuss their con-cerns. I was shocked and bewildered. When I asked what the problem was, she said it would all be explained later. When I pressed her for an explanation, she was silent.

We met at the client’s house after dinner. I brought the original drawing and remarked how close to the sketch the bones of the stone waterfall looked. No one said anything. My jaw dropped when both the clients and

the designer said the work was not accept-able. I felt helpless and dumbfounded. It seemed as though Pam’s entire personality had changed and she became my adver-sary. The homeowners were totally unreach-able. I was mystified. Again, it seemed as if the 3D version of the sketch we had all agreed upon was now unacceptable.

The answer to the ‘how can I fix the problem’ question came as a huge surprise. Re-do the entire thing at my expense! I felt deceived and discouraged. I don’t know what happened to the bond Pam and I had forged, but it shattered that night.

Her inexperience shone through. There was no way, even with her lack of foresight that Pam could honestly say the work we did wasn’t a close match to the sketch. I had a tough decision to make, but I told both parties I wouldn’t be back. Since I had only been paid for half the job, I knew I was walking away from the money, but I made a tough decision based on the following realizations: If she wasn’t going to stand behind me, or at least be civil with the issues; if she wasn’t interested in speak-ing with me off-site or away from the cli-ents and honestly explain what the issues were, and if our entente meant little to her, I wasn’t willing to risk being put into this situ-ation again. I thought, what if the dollars on a future job were two, five or ten times greater? I felt terrible walking away, but it seemed like a no-win situation.

I’ve worked for other designers and architects who change specs part-way through a job. One must weigh a future affiliation against the costs associated with making changes that will not be recovered. As a contractor, I know the Jekyll and Hyde phenomenon is not unique to relationships between designers and architects. Home-owners can change how they feel about a job’s unfolding beauty, but I’ve found home-owners can be more reasonable to deal with in terms of reaching a workable solution.

Perhaps contractors should ask the designer or architect for references. (I hope I’m not shooting myself in the foot.) I feel there should be a high degree of honour, and reciprocal understanding of each oth-er’s role and position. Most of all, the roads of communication must stay open and be driven with tact and empathy.

Have you had an issue involving mis-communication, or discommunication? Did you ever not see ‘eye-to-design’ with the person you were working for? If so, let me know about it. I may include your story or comments in an upcoming article.

Arthur Skolnik owns Shibui Landscaping in Toronto and is a member of the Land-scape Contractors Sector Group.


www.horttrades.com/prosperity

“

Erin Schuler Create It! Garden Design & Installation,Williamsburg

I am able to apply the knowledge taken from the Prosperity seminars into my every day life. I use the manuals as business guides. I have a greater understanding of how to manage all aspects of a business. I also take advantage of the awesome opportunity to network with peers.

Lecture series provides insight

PUbLIC RELATIONS

By Denis Flanagan CLDDirector of public relations and membership services

The audience at LO’s annual Con-tractor Lecture series enjoyed two very insightful presentations by

industry veterans Terry McGlade and Haig Seferian CLD.

Terry McGlade gave a history of his early years when he was involved in TV production and dance, and then decided he wanted to spend less time in a dark studio and

more time in an outdoor environment. This motivated him and a neighbour to form a company that specialized in perennial gardens with its core value.

“It’s all about plants,” said McGlade, adding it’s a value he still promotes today. He’s moved through many phases in

his career, including design and instal-lation of high-end gardens in downtown Toronto, specializing in intricate stone work, swimming pools and four season plant displays.

The audience was certainly wowed by the images of his award-winning projects. Many were surprised when McGlade shared that his company had never owned a skid steer or backhoe.

The next phase for the company was to move into roof gardens. His company soon became known as a leading expert

in designing and installing landscapes for residential and commercial buildings, with an emphasis on customized struc-tures that were often pre-built in a studio, requiring a crane on-site to lift them into place.

The most recent phase of Terry McGlade’s career is working with one of North America’s largest building envelope companies that provides major projects with a green roof component. This has led to large scale projects at the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto Botanical Garden and The Vancouver Convention Centre.

FONd MEMORIESMcGlade shared a personal moment from his early years, revealing that he never had any formal training in horticulture. He said he believed in the Gladwell the-ory that says one needs to spend 10,000 hours on any subject to become proficient.

Haig Seferian was the second pre-senter for the evening. He explained that his early years in the industry, after grad-

uating from school as a Landscape Architect, involved working with Aldershot Land-scaping. He has particularly fond memories of being mentored by Bill Deluca and Horst Dickert.

He reflected how he was encouraged by both of them to start his own design firm. He

shared his story of how that company evolved.

Seferian learned early in his career that if his company was to be successful it had to be first in thinking to remain lead-ing edge. This philosophy paid off with his design team responsible for thousands of high-end projects and working with many of Ontario’s leading contractors.

As a result of his work with many industry associations, including the OALA and LO, Seferian became involved in the media world. This resulted in him hosting

several hit TV shows and writing a best-selling book on hardscaping.

Going back to the principle of being first, Haig Seferian’s company began using 3D software design capabilities, which has led to some amazing contracts. One such proj-ect involves a client based in Texas, who owns property in Toronto. The new software allowed the project to be designed and managed almost entirely online.

The next phase in Seferian’s journey was a result of a lecture given by Ron Koudys that inspired him to literally widen his view of the world through travel. After a trip to Paris, Seferian returned with a new mission for his company to take on projects not necessarily for monetary rea-sons, but with the goal that the project will “make a difference in people’s lives.” Since his team has adopted this new phi-losophy, many new doors have opened.

The Lecture series is an initiative of Landscape Ontario’s Contractors Sec-tor Group. Sponsors of the event held Feb. 22 at Toronto Botanical Garden, were Eloquip, Unilock, Gro-Bark, Dufferin Aggregates and Beaver Valley Stone.

Denis Flanagan may be contacted at [email protected].

MC at the Contractor Lecture Series Harry Gelderman thanks guest speakers Terry McGlade, left, and Haig Seferian, right.


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www.horttrades.com/green-for-life-decals-now-availableO R D E R Y O U R S T O D A Y !

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Are you helping yourself avoid underground damage?

UNdERgROUNd WORLd

By Terry Murphy CLP

A wise man once said, “If you sit and do nothing, then don’t expect results.”

If you want results, then you have to be proactive and do something. What can a landscaper do now to help man-age the underground and damage preven-tion during the spring rush? Here are some things to think about.

Forecast your locate needs now: Every locate com-pany plans its job activities just like you plan your landscape projects. By fore-casting your jobs now with approximate

locate requirement dates, it can go a long way towards making sure you get them in on time. If you have a large tree planting project that requires several locates, you are inviting delays if you don’t forecast these jobs well in advance.

Understand locate turn-around time: The turn-around time from calling Ontario One Call to when you can expect locates marked on the ground is five days. This used to be three days, but this was not realistic and really wasn’t being achieved. Turn-around time depends on staffing and locates demand. You can help your locate company help your com-pany by forecasting your needs well in advance.

Plan your jobs now: Just as you are planning ahead with your landscape and tree planting projects, give your job

requirements to the locate company in February or early March, not a week before you start your season.

Join your local ORCGA Geographic Council: Each Landscape Ontario Chap-ter should designate a member to serve on the local or closest ORCGA Council. This will give you access to all the key players in your local area, which will defi-nitely help the Chapter. It will keep you up-to-date on any problems on locates in your area, which may assist you with a quick solution.

Bring up the subject of locates at your next LO Chapter meeting: You will be helping your fellow landscapers by making sure they are aware of some of these facts prior to the start of the season.

You can help yourself and your fellow Chapter members by doing a little proac-tive planning and forecasting your locate requirements in advance of the start of the season.

Suggestions and comments can be sent to [email protected].


Management and wisdom are tools

ExECUTIvE dESk

Tony DiGiovanni CHTLO executive director

It is intriguing how much can be commu-nicated using a few words, a short story, song lyric, or well chosen image. It’s a

skill I aspire to. I need a lot more practice. Here are a few of my favourites: Green for Life The emphasis is on

“life.” The reason that plants and gar-dens are so impor-tant is because they enhance lives. When-ever someone sees the green for life tag-line they are reminded of the connection between living green

space and quality of life. We are in the green for life business. Wear it with pride.

“When you stare at too much con-crete, you forget the world is alive.” This is a lyric from a Bruce Cockburn song. I love how simple and profound it is.

Prosperity Partners We use this phrase to describe our business enhance-ment program, but it is so much more. It is a mission and a way of life. What would be the downside of seeing every interac-tion and relationship within the framework of being a partner in someone’s prosperity? To me, the phrase describes the purpose of our association better than anything else. LO exists to encourage and nurture a membership that sees each other as pros-perity partners.

“A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.” I heard this saying at a recent CNLA meeting in Halifax. What a great image for what our members do every day as they work together; even as competitors. It reminds me of another story I have often told to describe the benefits of membership. Years ago I asked Joe Pep-etone (Holland Park Garden Gallery) why he was so free sharing business informa-tion at a Garden Centre Commodity Group meeting, when his competitors were sitting around the table. “It’s easy,” he said. “Do the math. If I offer one good idea in a room with ten competitors and they do the same, I receive nine ideas back.”

“It’s about the people.” Tim Kearney and I have often talked about this. Even

though many of the programs and activities of Landscape Ontario are about enhanc-ing businesses, competency and profes-sionalism, when you boil it down it’s about enhancing each other’s lives. The busi-ness part is almost an excuse. President of CNLA Bill Stensson recently made the same observation in his closing remarks at the Halifax meetings. He said, the longer he participates in the association, the more he realizes that “it’s all about people.”

Here are a few more that do not require any explanation:

“We are in the business of enhancing lives.” Perry Molema used this saying at Windsor Chapter meeting.

“We are stewards of creation.” These words were uttered by Paul Fraser from Somerville Nurseries at a Growers Auction. He was describing why he loved working in the industry.

“Leadership is a choice, not a posi-tion.” I heard this one from Steven Covey. He was describing that all great contribu-tions, cultural shifts, organizations, ideas, philosophies and social movements start with a choice of one person. Regardless of their position, these people first changed themselves from the inside out.

“Hard on process; soft on people.” This is from Jim Paluch. When things go wrong, the first question that needs to be asked is how can the process be improved to prevent a recurrence? Being hard on the people will make matters worse.

“What you focus on grows.” I heard this from Tim Glover from Jump Point when we were developing the Prosperity Part-ners program.

Now for some business tools

OJT“If you tell me, I will listen. If you show me, I will see. But if you let me experience, I will learn.” — 5th century BC philosopher, Lao-Tse (also known as Lao-tzu)

In the next year you will hear a lot about the OJT program. It stands for On the Job Training. On the job training is the primary way our industry has since the beginning transferred skill and knowledge from one person to the other.

If you think about it, there are 70,000 employees in our sector with only 300 com-ing out of the various education institu-

tions each year. How are all these people trained? How were you trained? The reality is that owners, managers, supervisors and foremen are all in the training business. It’s more complex in a seasonal industry that utilizes many summer students.

Would it not be revolutionary to develop a process that would accelerate and improve training results? Would it not be ground-breaking if this process accelerates the transfer of skills quickly and effectively, leading to amazing increases in productiv-ity, results, employee loyalty and customer satisfaction? It has its genesis at the start during World War 1 to provide a method to quickly produce trained workers. Land-scape Ontario has embraced this process as a priority. For more information go to http://bit.ly/xK0etN. Our first seminars were sold out. We are planning many more. Watch our weekly enews for specific dates and locations.

PROSPERITy PARTNERS This business enhancement program is a must. The reaction from members (large and small, experienced or not) has been very positive. The Prosperity Partners pro-gram simplifies the elements of your busi-ness by using the analogy of five pillars that hold up the roof of prosperity. Companies must continually improve competency in each pillar in order to thrive. Please see here for more information: www.horttrades.com/prosperity-partnership-initiative.

CERTIFICATION ANd APPRENTICEShIPCertification and apprenticeship are also amazing tools. You can find information on the Certification programs at www.landscape-ontario.com/industry-certification.

For information on the apprenticeship programs go to www.horttrades.com/ apprenticeship

hR TOOLkITAnother great tool for your benefit is the Human Resource Tool Kit. You will find a great deal of excellent information that will help you deal with recruitment and reten-tion as well as policies, procedures, regu-latory compliance and best practices. Go here for more information. www.horttrades.com/HRtoolkit.

I started this article by saying that I aspire to be brief. I have not mastered the skill yet. Have a great spring. See you at Canada Blooms from Mar. 16 to 25.

Tony DiGiovanni may be reached at [email protected].


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F. 1-888-867-1925E. [email protected]

LARGE TREE TRANSPLANTINGTransplanting trees up to 10” trunk diameter. We have a 44”, 80”, 90” and 100” spade to move trees with. Large trees up to 25’ tall for sale.

BOTANIX OXFORD INSTA-SHADERR#2, Burgessville ON N0J 1C0

Tel:519-424-2180•Fax519-424-2420Toll Free: 1-800-387-0246Contact Jan Veldhuizen

E-mail: [email protected] www.botanixois.on.ca

MACUTO NURSERIESExperienced farm workers required to perform manual work. Hand cultivating,

digging and tree planting. Hourly rate $10.25.Also required Driver - Class A licence,

Z Certificate and Mobile Crane Operator 0-8. Driver hourly rate $17.50.

Seasonal employment starting April 1, 2012 to Nov 30, 2012. Job site Keswick, Ontario

Fax resume (905) 898-0360 or call (905) 898-6856

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]

SERvICES ANd SUPPLIES

NURSERy STOCk

EMPLOyMENT OPPORTUNITIES

BRENT QUARRIESMUSKOKA GRANITE PRODUCTS

• Black adn Pink Clearstone •• Rip Rap Oversize •

(705) 765-6447www.brentquarry.com

Email: [email protected]

PERENNIAL PRODUCTION MANAGER Wholesale nursery is accepting applications for the position of “Perennial Production Manager”. The Perennial production department is a progressive, rapidly expanding division at our nursery. This position requires experience and dedication. Emphasis will be placed on implementing up-to-date growing 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 commensurate with quali-fications. A training period may be available. Resumes may be emailed to [email protected] or dropped off 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)

STRIVING TO BE THE BEST!Johnston’s Greenhouse is a family run business since 1945. It has been our goal to provide superior customer service and satisfaction on every job. Our employees are a key aspect or our success. Johnston’s Greenhouse is a family run business that promotes a culture of learn-ing, trust and accountability. We are looking for highly motivated individuals to join our team for a long term career.Landscape Construction Foreman • 3+ years in landscape construction• Able to schedule and execute all aspects of a landscape project• The ability and confidence to lead and direct a team• Experienced backhoe or skidsteer operator • Experienced in all aspects of hardscaping and softscaping• Possess a strong work ethic and be highly motivated.• Assist in the preparation of jobsites• Operate various tools and equipment• Prepare and lay bricks, natural stone walkways• Build patios, garden walls, and other decorative installations• Installation of natural stone walls by hand and machine• Load and unload materials, tools, and equipment required to complete landscape construction projects• Detail orientated•Perform preventative maintenance on tools and equipment by conducting inspections, lubricating, and cleaning on a daily basis• Safety-focused and able to guide crew members on best practices.• First-aid training or other certifications are definite assets.The Johnston’s Greenhouse advantage• Employee Incentive Plan• Summer and Christmas Dinner and Party• Online employee safety training• Career paths and career coaching• Horticultural Apprenticeships available• Competitive Wages• Year round (12 month), 2000 hours or salaried positions available• Opportunities for career advancement• Performance based awards –• Training and seminars • Staff BBQ’s• Modern and innovative equipment• Co-op benefit package• First aid training• Wages negotiable

Please apply by:Email: [email protected]

Fax: 705-745-2513In Person: 871 Crawford Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 3X1



COMPANY PAGE PHONE WEBSITE

Aco Systems Ltd. 24 877-226-4255 www.acocan.ca

Braun Nursery Limited 19 800-246-6984 www.braungroup.com

Canadale Nurseries 4 519-631-1008 www.canadale.com

Connon Nurseries/NVK Holdings Inc 32 905-628-0112 www.connonnurseries.com

Greenlife 29 613-692-3047 www.greenlifelandscaping.ca

Hillen Nursery Inc 2-3 519-264-9057

Kobes Nursery 9 905-263-8814 www.kobesnurseries.com

Legends Landscape Supply Inc 8 905-336-3369 www.landscapestore.ca

Limestone Trail 30 800-810-8223 www.limestonetrail.com

Mankar Distributing Inc 21 647-309-7826 www.mankar.ca

Newroads National Leasing 19 416-587-1021 www.newroadsleasing.com

Oakville Dodge Chrysler (J. Lockwood) 7 289-644-2250 [email protected]

Potters Road Nursery Inc 30 519-688-0437 www.pottersroadnursery.com

Sipkens Nurseries Ltd 15 866-843-0438 www.sipkensnurseries.com

Stam Nurseries 16 519-424-3350 www.stamnurseries.com

Uxbridge Nurseries 14 877-655-3379 www.uxbridgenurseries.com

V. Kraus Nurseries Limited 21 905-689-4022 www.krausnurseries.com

Winkelmolen Nursery Ltd 13 519-647-3912 www.winkelmolen.com

Zander Sod Co Ltd 26 877-727-2100 www.zandersod.com

AdvERTISERS

Which products can I use

on lawn pests in Ontario?

plus Tips for a healthy lawn

Tips for a healthy lawn:

Maintain ideal mowing height

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Presented by

Ontario Turfgrass Research Foundation and

Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation

To order, contact Jane Leworthy [email protected]

Turf tools for todayColour brochure from the Ontario Turfgrass Research Foundation, offered to LO members for only $15 per 100 copies.

OTTAWA WHOLESALE NURSERY

Go Local and Save!

Now you can order plants wholesale in Ottawa

1776 Manotick Station Road, Greely, ON K4P 1K4 Tel: 613.692.3047

www.GreenlifeNursery.ca Convenience Savings Selection

Save up to 60% off retail plant prices

Enjoy convenient local pick-up & delivery

View a great selection of plants on-site at our wholesale yard

I N T R O D U C I N G

Opening Spring 2012

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



By Phil CharalLO president

I find it hard to believe that the Canada Blooms flower and garden festival will be embarking on its 16th annual event

this year. It seems only a short time ago that the initial discus-sions began at one of our Landscape Con-tractors’ Commodity Group meetings. Now, 16 years later, having weathered numerous venues and a chal-lenging financial cli-mate, Canada Blooms

has continued to develop into a premier, world class garden event.

This year Canada Blooms will grow from a five-day to a ten-day festival in con-junction with The National Home Show. This will make it the largest home and gar-den event in North America.

Canada Blooms and The National Home Show will run from Mar. 16 to the 25, at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto. The purchase of a single ticket will allow you into both Canada Blooms and the Home Show. Canada Blooms will expand into the larger, Hall A, Heritage Court and Hall F, while the home show will occupy the remaining exhibit space. This year’s theme, City Culture, will be reflected in the six acres of spectacular gardens and in the special cultural evenings.

Remember, that as LO members we have tickets available to us for $12, instead of the regular $20 price. The show relies on the generosity of industry volunteers to ensure its success. To volunteer in any capacity, please contact the Canada Blooms office at 416-447-8655, at www.canadablooms.com.

Having spent several years on the Canada Blooms board, serving as its co-chair for three years, I can attest to how rewarding the giving of your time to this show can be. Every year, since the very beginning, my firm has designed

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PRESIdENT’S MESSAgE

The re-birth of Canada Bloomsand built a garden at Canada Blooms, either for a sponsor or our own company. It is always a pleasure to see how much the attendees enjoy and appreciate what all of the Landscape Ontario members cre-ate at this amazing event. The promotion of our industry is a wonderful result, and we all benefit in some way from the enor-mous effort that is put into making Canada Blooms a very special happening.

The daffodil has been chosen as the official flower for Canada Blooms 2012. More than a flower, the daffodil is a sym-bol of strength, courage and life. It signi-fies fighting back and beating cancer, and in honour of the Canadian Cancer Soci-ety, Canada Blooms will donate $2 from every ticket purchased. It should be noted that over the years Canada Blooms has donated over half a million dollars to horti-cultural projects throughout the province.

In closing, I encourage all of you to attend Industry Night at Canada Blooms on Mar. 22 at 6 p.m. It will be a great opportu-nity to visit the show, mix with your fellow members and be part of the award presen-tations to honour the companies that have built gardens at Canada Blooms.

There will also be a delegation from St. James Park to provide a special thank you to LO members for their commitment to the beautification of the park. Canada Blooms needs the support of the Landscape Ontario members to continue as the world class event that it is today. Canada Blooms is an incredible promotion of horticulture and the landscape industry. I truly hope that you will all attend this year’s very special event. Don’t miss this great opportunity!

Phil Charal may be reached [email protected].

Canada Blooms is a great promotion for industry.


How do we navigate the uncertainty of 2012?

PROSPERITy PARTNERS

By Jacki Hart CLPProsperity Partners program manager

My phone has been ringing off the hook since Congress.

An unprecedented number of Prosperity Partners business own-

ers are coming back looking for advice on the current real-ity. A few have lost big contracts, which represent a good percentage of total sales. Some are mildly panicking because phones

aren’t ringing, while others are just plain fearful of the impact that the economy continues to have on client confidence.

Regardless of the rea-son, they are referring back to the Prosperity framework, language and resources. In turn, I am referring some of them to industry resources, such as budgeting and estimat-ing software from www.jplbiz.ca, business systems from www.landscapemanage-mentnetwork.com , health and safety compliance training from www.land-scapesafety.com , and peers within their same sector and Chapter who I know will mentor and nudge them along through this time of uncertainty.

I’m grateful that the tools we provide in the Build Your Prosperity semi-nar (formerly Introduction to Prosperity Partners) are providing a ground zero place to return to when things are feeling like they are about to come off the rails. It’s rare in business to have a bridge from the island on which you dwell in your business. A place you often find yourself feeling very alone and

responsible for others livelihoods. The Prosperity Partners program is a bridge between questions and wisdom.

Many of our industry pioneers and present-day champions are also feeling the fear in the consumer market. My busi-ness, after 22 years, has the same pulse this year as most others in my generation to whom I’ve spoken this year. There are lots of unprecedented questions, a gen-eral desire to cut back on some services, and generally, a sense of pessimism in the air. I know by being positive and deploying creative marketing and clever levering of established relationships we will be just fine, and my company will have a profitable year — in some way, shape or form. And, if you plan carefully, so will yours.

But when you’re really feeling unsure

about the year ahead, and how your sales and business will perform, it’s really hard to fore-cast and budget, especially when you aren’t sure which sales targets are reason-able. Therefore, it’s hard to know how to charge for your services to recover overhead expenses. It’s a Catch-22. A bit of the chicken and the egg stuff. Which comes first – sales targets to determine overhead recovery percentage, or figur-ing out the overhead you are required to recover and therefore need ‘X’ dollars in sales? Do I advertise more? Do I liq-uidate some equipment? Do I buy more equipment to meet an optimistic sales target? Do I wait for sales to material-ize, and then take on more equipment to meet demand?

We’re all in good company. With the Prosperity program, we have a great resource — each other. Peer groups are invaluable. Your Chapter is a great place to create one of your best resources: experienced brains to connect with! At recent province-wide Chapter rele-vance discussions, a unanimous desire

emerged among the members to share ideas and challenges and talk through solutions with peers.

Every Chapter represen-tative agreed that Prosperity Partners is the venue to facili-tate and initiate peer sharing and support. This is why we run Build Your Prosperity sem-inars with a minimum of 12 participants, so there is peer sharing and input in every business discussion which emerges during the day.

Speaking of resources, in a recent Build Your Prosper-ity seminar, attendees were overwhelmed to learn of the Prosperity Partners template library (www.horttrades.com/prosperity) Click on ‘improve your best practices’ button. If you haven’t checked it out, go for it!

If you are trying to navigate your way through uncertainty, join Tim Kearney and myself on Mar. 28 in Durham, and discover the industry’s best toolbox to guide your career.

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


1155 Dundas St. W. (Hwy. #5), West Flamborough, OntarioTel.: 905-628-0112 • 905-523-0442Fax: 905-628-3155www.connonnurseries.comemail: [email protected]

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Landscape Ontario - March 2012 R