The Growing Concern February 2019 by Sandy Munley

Growing Concern

The

F EBRUAR Y 2 0 1 9

A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E O H I O L A N D S C A P E A S S O C I AT I O N

OLA Education Series: Foreman Training March 11, 2019 / Cleveland, Ohio & March 12, 2019 / Columbus, Ohio

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PR ES I DEN T’S COLUM N

ADAM CAPICCIONI Ohio CAT

TAKING TIME FOR OURSELVES A few weeks back, I arrived in Cleveland to a snow covered runway and temperatures in the low 30s, yet I was still overcome with a sense of peace and serenity. My new wife and I had just spent ten days in beautiful Oahu, Hawaii, enjoying some much needed time away from the chaos of the last few months. I’m sure most readers can relate as to how easy it is to get wrapped up in everyday life, postponing time with family and other things that really make us happy. Whether they are business related or personal, we need to remember to make sure we are taking time for ourselves. My wife and I make sure we spend time away from our busy lives, traveling whenever possible, whether it’s to a beautiful destination or just a short drive. We do so in order to get away from all the responsibilities that come with work and mundane chores. My wife has taught me the importance of making time away a priority, because over the years it has not always been easy for me to leave the laundry list of things that are unfinished behind. Through her, I’ve come to realize that what is left undone will be there when I get back and most things CAN wait. Time away with my wife, my family, or friends has resulted in minimized stress levels and a more productive approach to what is on my plate when I return. The truth is, we can get stagnant in our daily lives if we don’t take the time to pull away from them once in a while.

Travel, along with time with friends and family, is a necessity, but must also coexist with time for ourselves and the drive to keep elements of our own individuality. Our entire existence cannot simply be to please others in the workplace, or within our home lives. In any successful relationship, whether it’s professional or personal, we need to remember what made us who we are and what simple things bring us joy. For example, I enjoy watching Cleveland sports, golfing and catching up with friends. Sometimes these events need to happen without family involvement. I have learned that I can’t be afraid to ask for the time that I need, and that stating, “I need some time to be alone or away” doesn’t mean, “I don’t want to spend time with you.” continued on page 6 The Growing Concern | February 2019 | 3

TAB LE OF CON TEN TS F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 9 WWW. OH I OLA N D SCA P E R S. OR G OH I O’ S P R OF E SSI ON A L G REEN I N D U ST R Y A SSOCI AT I O N OHIO LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION 9240 Broadview Road Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147 Phone: 440.717.0002, or 1.800.335.6521 Fax: 440.717.0004 Web: www.ohiolandscapers.org and www.myohiolandscape.com EDITOR Rick Doll, Jr. REGULAR WRITERS Michael J. Donnellan, King Financial, Inc. Jim Funai, LIC, Cuyahoga Community College Shelly Funai, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens Sandy Munley, Ohio Landscape Association Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, Bobbie’s Green Thumb Cathy Serafin, ASLA, RLA, Suncrest Gardens COVER: Photos courtesy of Lifestyle Landscaping.

FEATURES

3 PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Taking Time for Ourselves

5 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS 8 PERENNIAL FOCUS

What’s New in Perennial Garden Design

12 FISCAL FITNESS

Managing Risk and Volatility

16 FOR SAFETY SAKE Tips for Firepit Safety

22 PLANT OF THE MONTH

Corylopsis spicata: Spike Winter Hazel

26 FEATURE ARTICLE Salt Accounting 101

30 DIRECTIONS 31 ADVERTISING INDEX 4 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

ADVERTISING INFORMATION Submission deadline: 10th of the month, prior to the month of publication. For advertising rates and ad specs, please call 440.717.0002, 1.800.335.6521, or email Rick Doll Jr. at rick@ohiolandscapers.org. DISCLAIMER The Ohio Landscape Association, its board of directors, staff and the editor of The Growing Concern neither endorse any product(s) or attests to the validity of any statements made about products mentioned in this, past or subsequent issues of this publication. Similarly, the opinions expressed in The Growing Concern are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Ohio Landscape Association. OFFICERS President Adam Capiccioni

OLA STAFF Executive Director Sandy Munley

President – Elect Domenic Lauria

Communications & Events Manager Rick Doll, Jr.

Treasurer Brian Maurer, LIC Immediate Past President Marie McConnell DIRECTORS Doug Ellis James Funai, LIC Philip Germann Stephanie Gray, LIC Cameron Maneri Joshua Way

C AL ENDAR OF EVEN TS U P CO M I N G O L A MEETINGS , EDUC ATION SE MI N A R S, A N D OT H E R GREEN INDUS TR Y EVE N T S

UPCOMING LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN WRITTEN TEST DATES

FEBRUARY

MARCH

FEBRUARY 1 - 10 OLA DISPLAY AT THE GREAT BIG HOME & GARDEN SHOW

MARCH 11 LMN BUILD A BETTER LANDSCAPE BUSINESS SEMINAR

Wed, Feb. 13, 2019 9:30 am (OSU ATI, Wooster) Application Deadline: 2/1/19

Explore this year’s fairytale themed gardens created by some of Northeast Ohio’s top landscapers. If you are interested in volunteering to help staff the OLA garden during show hours, please contact the OLA at 440.717.0002 as soon as possible. Spots do fill up quickly. This is a great opportunity to help promote the industry, our association, and your company to the general public.

FEBRUARY 19 & 21 LMN BUILD A BETTER LANDSCAPE BUSINESS SEMINAR

Foremen have to walk the fine line in working side by side with employees while having to direct, motivate and critique them. In this seminar, they will learn how to more effectively handle tight deadlines, tight margins and increase customer satisfaction. Held in both NE and Central Ohio. See page 7 for more details.

Industry experts will show you how to take the guesswork out of running your landscape business with proven best practices and practical rules for success. All in just a single day. Held at Ohio CAT, 5252 Walcutt Ct., Columbus, OH 43228 on Feb. 19 and at Courtyard Cincinnati Covington, 500 West 3rd Street, Covington, KY 41011 on Feb 21. See outside back cover for more details.

FEBRUARY 27 OHIO GREEN INDUSTRY ADVOCACY DAY Hosted every other year, Ohio Green Industry Advocacy Day is a great opportunity to network with colleagues, meet with state legislators, and make your voice heard on issues critical to your business. Held at the Ohio Statehouse and Riffe Center, in downtown Columbus. Register online at https://cdn.ymaws.com/ www.onla.org/resource/resmgr/files/2019_ registration_form.pdf by February 6, 2019.

MARCH 11 & 12 FOREMAN TRAINING

MARCH 21 22nd ANNUAL LANDSCAPE OHIO! AWARDS GALA Join Ohio’s landscape community for an elegant, fun-filled evening of celebrating as we reveal the 2018 Landscape Ohio! award winners. This annual landscape competition was created to increase awareness of quality landscaping and how it improves our environment. This year’s Gala, held at Windows on the River, includes dinner and awards presentation. For more info call the OLA Office at 440.717.0002, or email us at info@ohiolandscapers.org.

Tues, Mar. 19, 2019 9:30 am (ONLA, Westerville) Application Deadline: 3/1/19 Thurs, Apr. 18, 2019 9:30 am (OLA Broadview Heights, OH) Application Deadline: 4/1/19

OLA’s NEW MEMBERS The Ohio Landscape Association is delighted to welcome the following members:

REGULAR MEMBER Outdoor Lighting Perspectives 27100 Richmond Road, #2 Solon, OH 44139 (440) 247-6300 Tim Bickett

AFFILIATE MEMBER Cuyahoga Community College Lauren Zatroch

STUDENT MEMBER(S) Auburn Career Center Aaron Blaney Andrew Marcelli Peter Brent Alec Miller Joe Cloonan Hunter Myers Tyrelle Early Anthony Norwood Christian Eveland Quentin Piotrowski Ryan Ford Veronica Shockey Declan Goerndt Remington Snook Chaeli Hobson Emily Speck Mason Laski Tyaeh Taylor Alivia Long John Trebec Dae’Shawn Luckett Nathan Urban Maxwell Lyttle Logan Van Cleef Marysville High School Blake Kessler Grant Kessler The Growing Concern | February 2019 | 5

PR ES I DEN T’S COLUM N continued from page 3 It also helps to simplify our lives. When we have too much stuff that needs to be organized in our homes, or on our calendars, we tend to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or distracted. By choosing less on the outside, it becomes that much easier to experience more peace and time on the inside. Simplicity provides clarity, which results in less distraction. It also invites us to pay attention to what matters most, letting the not-so-important go by the wayside. A person may find better awareness, in a more simplified lifestyle, to listen to what our bodies, hearts and souls really need to thrive. By simplifying our lives and eliminating the things that don’t matter, we can find our way back to the people we love, the lives we love and happiness in our careers.

event that we dread attending – for whatever reason – because the last thing we want to do is socialize. Still, we sit with a fake smile on our face involved in fluff conversations. We are not our best self if we feel forced to participate. We have to find a way to gracefully decline and do what is best for our own sanity. We must do whatever it takes to build up a reserve of calm and relaxation so our minds are prepared for the people we love. Self-care should be a daily act that is part of our routine. Taking time for ourselves isn’t selfish. It helps us to show up fully for others in our lives. Self-care can prevent burnout, reduce stress, promote a healthy work-life balance, and help us refocus.

In order to obtain a healthy balance in life, we must also find a way to say “no” once in a while, without feeling guilty about it. We overextend ourselves, over-schedule our lives, and attempt to be in more places than we have hours in a day. We hold ourselves to unreasonable expectations, without prioritizing what is best for us, instead making decisions based on how we may be viewed by others, or society.

Although simplicity and work/life balance seems unreasonable in today’s world, this is attainable with minor changes in our approach. However, change for our benefit can often bring negative reactions from others. We have to be persistent in communicating what we need and follow through to get it. When work starts to pile up, or you have too many projects at home, it’s easy to put aside taking care of ourselves. In these times, we need to prioritize the things that are absolutely necessary, say no to those that aren’t, then plan a trip, take a walk, or simply put down the phone and breathe!

Don’t wait until you are completely “peopled out” in order to take time to refuel. I’m sure we’ve all had that party or other

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OLA EDUCATION SERIES

COURSE INFO MARCH 11, 2019 INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY 4100 ROCKSIDE ROAD INDEPENDENCE, OH 44131 MARCH 12, 2019 WOLF CREEK COMPANY 6700B HUNTLEY ROAD COLUMBUS, OHIO 43229 AGENDA REGISTRATION / BREAKFAST 8:00AM - 8:30AM CLINIC 8:30AM - 4:30PM LUNCH 11:30AM - 12:15PM COST MEMBERS BEFORE 02/25/19 - $159 AFTER 02/25/19 - $189

Foreman Training

Production and maintenance landscape foremen have unique needs as they have to wear two hats: a worker and a leader. Foremen have to walk the fine line in working side by side with the employee and having to direct, motivate and critique at the same time. Managing former peers and friends can be especially difficult, dealing with problems and obstacles can take skills that can only be developed by stepping out of the work environment for a few days, learning best practices, applying it in a learning environment through role play, and then going back and applying it on the job. In this dynamic seminar, foremen will learn: • The central role of the “worker-leader” • How to supervise friends, peers, and former equals • How to communicate with their superiors • How to generate accountability from their team • How to motivate and delegate at the same time

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ARMANDO ACTIS / PROFESSOR Professor Actis provides management, inside sales & public relation training based on his education & experience in the landscaping & construction industry at Rendel’s Inc, where he is currently the Training & Project Manager for the Joliet Branch. He provides end user operation, application and maintenance training – training anyone from the casual user to the professionals in OSHA, safe & correct usage of landscaping and construction equipment. He was Equipment Manager and judge for ILCA’s (Illinois Landscape Contractors Association) Certified Landscape Technician exams at Joliet Junior College.

NON MEMBERS BEFORE 02/25/19 - $189 AFTER 02/25/19 - $219 SPONSORED BY

• How to implement and follow work schedules • How to budget and complete jobs on time • How to manage problem behavior • How to produce client focused work • And more....

Cancellations made 8 to 14 days prior to the course start date will be subject to a 30% cancellation fee. NO refunds will be issued for cancellations 7 days or less prior to the course, no shows, or cancellations on the day of the course. If, for any reason, the course is cancelled, enrollees will be notified, and fees refunded in full.

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PEREN N I AL FOCUS

BOBBIE SCHWARTZ, FAPLD Bobbieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Green Thumb Jekyll drawing of perennial garden.

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEW IN PERENNIAL GARDEN DESIGN When I first started designing perennial gardens in 1977, the guru of perennial gardens was Gertrude Jekyll who used the color spectrum in her particular way, light to dark and back again. Her other emphasis was on succession of bloom, an element of perennial garden design that will probably never change.

This Jekyll design at Hestercombe is for an enclosed perennial garden with tall plants in the background.

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The traditional perennial garden has been based on blocks of color and this is what we frequently see in municipal and institutional designs but perennial design today is using Impressionist art as inspiration. Colors flow into each other and are repeated or specific plants, such as ornamental grasses are used as punctuation instead of being massed.

In this modern setting, colors flow into each other and are repeated.

continued on page 10

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In this modern interpretation, formally pruned hedges and conifers provide contrast with the informality of Perovskia.

This mixed border incorporates all types of plants.

Perennial design today also incorporates all elements of the plant palette (ornamental grasses, flowering shrubs, conifers, vines, and bulbs) so that what we often have is a mixed border rather than a strictly perennial garden. Vines can enhance a mixed border in several ways. They can create a lovely background if they are tall; they can be allowed to sprawl on the ground, winding their way through perennials; or they can be encouraged to climb into confers.

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The yellowing foliage of Bittersweet serves as a color echo with Carex elata â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Aureaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and as a contrast to the blue and white of Anemones and Asters.

CHANGES IN DESIGN STYLE The epitome of perennial garden style in the last century was the gardens at Sissinghurst, England, designed by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, that combine formal lines with informal planting. Harold was a landscape architect who created a series of rooms with sheared hedges and rectilinear paths while his wife Vita loved wildly informal plantings.

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This relaxed design fits well into a country setting.

Today the design is often more relaxed. The bed lines tend to be curvilinear and the plantings weave in and out of each other.

The intense colors of Belamcanda and Echinacea ‘Merlot’ make this section of a perennial garden quite striking.

In the past, the color scheme of perennial gardens was usually pastel but many of today’s clients are asking for colors with more intensity, such as magenta and orange.

Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, owner of Bobbie’s Green Thumb in Shaker Hts., Ohio, is a landscape designer, consultant, freelance writer, and lecturer whose specialties are perennial gardens and four season landscapes. In addition to being an Ohio Landscape Association (OLA) member, she is an active member of the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association (ONLA) and Perennial Plant Association (PPA). Bobbie is a Past President of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD). Bobbie’s new book, Garden Renovation: Transform Your Yard into the Garden of Your Dreams, was published in November 2017 by Timber Press.

The Growing Concern | February 2019 | 11

F I SCAL FI TN ESS

MICHAEL J. DONNELLAN King Financial, Inc.

MANAGING RISK AND VOLATILITY Many of us invest in stocks for their ability to grow our wealth. So when volatility rears its ugly head, our instinct is to take our money out of the market to safeguard it. However, history shows that rather than giving in to fear, staying invested and buying stocks during volatile times can be beneficial in the long run. That analysis comes from examining the CBOE VIX, an index that measures volatility. It’s often referred to as the “fear index” because it gauges the market’s expectation of 30day volatility. On average, the VIX measures around 20. For example, the VIX was tranquil for most of 2017, hovering in the low teens—well below its average. Then, a better-thanexpected jobs report in early February 2018 stoked concerns that the US Federal Reserve would raise interest rates faster than anticipated. The VIX responded with its largest one-day spike ever on February 5, closing near 37—an increase of more than

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115%—while the S&P 500 Index lost more than 4% that day and experienced its largest daily point loss in history. Volatility is, by definition, a rapid and unpredictable change. It’s not an enjoyable experience. But there’s something to be said about staying the course despite the discomfort. And if we step back and examine six of the previous VIX spikes above 40, indicating extremely high fear levels, there’s a trend. Within three years of volatility-induced declines, the market not only recovered its losses, but also produced additional positive returns in each case. Five years out, those gains remained positive, too. continued on page 14

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continued from page 12 A takeaway, then, is that while volatility is difficult to endure, it can present opportunities for long-term investors. When the broad sentiment is fear and others are selling, it may be time to be contrarian: consider it an opportunity to not only stay invested, but to buy while prices are depressed.

much harder to experience in reality. It can be incredibly difficult to watch a hard-earned portfolio lose value, no matter how much of a buying opportunity it presents. And in today’s world of instant gratification, it can be difficult to keep in mind you’re more likely to recoup those losses over time, not immediately.

Another advantage to resisting fear is that it’s impossible to tell when the market will resume its upward course after a bout of volatility. So remaining invested during a market dip means participating in the recovery as soon as it happens, rather than waiting until things seem to be back on track and missing the beginning of the turnaround.

Three keys to help manage a portfolio in volatile (and not-sovolatile) times are to manage risk, keep time horizons in mind and diversify. That means rebalancing your portfolios regularly.

In a stark example of that advantage, take the financial crisis, arguably the most challenging market environment in our collective memory. Volatility picked up in September 2008 and a record amount of outflows followed. However, Fidelity Investments recently compared the returns of retirement accounts for those who stayed invested versus those who sold all their stocks in 2008. In the 10 years following the financial crisis, those who stayed invested saw their retirement account balances increase by 240%. But investors who moved into cash missed out on the market’s recovery. In short, although difficult, staying the course for the long term meant a better return than giving in to fear. Volatility creates opportunity. It is easy to say volatility and market dips work themselves out in time, but we realize it is

14 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

That’s why it’s critical to be proactive by working with your financial advisor to put a solid, long-term financial plan in place. By doing so, you can build a portfolio that’s allocated according to your personal risk tolerances, which can help you stay confident no matter the market’s movements. And when you’re confident, you can be the contrarian who sees the opportunity in fear.

Michael J. Donnellan is President of King Financial, Inc. specializing in stock selection and retirement planning. Feel free to contact him with any questions or comments at the M3 Wealth Management office at 17601 W. 130th Street – Suite 1 in North Royalton, Ohio. Phone number (440) 652-6370 Email: donnellan@m3wealthmanagement.com Securities and advisory services offered through L.M. Kohn & Company Registered Broker/Dealer Member FINRA/SIPC/MSRB 10151 Carver Rd. Suite 100 – Cincinnati, Ohio 45242 (800) 478-0788

The Growing Concern |

January 2019 | 15

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TIPS FOR FIREPIT SAFETY For homeowners and commercial property owners seeking to enhance the outdoor experience, fire pits provide an opportunity for close interaction with the flames, explains Scott Cohen, owner of The Green Scene Landscaping and Pools, a licensed contractor in landscape, swimming pool and general construction. With that proximity comes not only excitement, he says, but also the need to create systems that minimize risk of injury. It’s strange to consider fire pits as some kind of new trend. After all, human beings have been gathering around outdoor fires since the dawn of our species. Just as water can hold a hypnotic or even spiritual appeal, there’s something about fire that is prewired within our psyche. In terms of exterior design, although fire pits have been around a long time, over the past few years we’ve seen a dramatic uptick in their use in both residential and commercial settings, along with outdoor fireplaces and fire bowls. Fire pits in particular are attractive to many clients in the way they provide gathering places, destinations and focal points. Whether it’s waiting for a table at a restaurant enjoying a cocktail, or roasting marshmallows poolside, people love to

16 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

put their feet up and warm their toes while enjoying the fire’s mesmerizing dance. What’s interesting is that while there are plenty of rules governing the manufacturer of components and natural gas service lines, when it comes to how fire pits themselves are designed and built, there’s not much to go by. As a contractor with extensive experience with all types of fire features, and as an expert witness in situations where something’s gone terribly wrong, I’d like to share some of the basic guidelines I use to maximize both safety and enjoyment of fire pits. As is the case with so many exterior design issues, hitting the right marks is mostly a matter of common sense. continued on page 18

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MINDFUL MEASURES Let’s start with a brief look at some basic measures that help minimize operational risks. It bears mentioning that with fire, as is true with water, there is always an element of risk and it’s impossible to design with every remote possibility in mind. The fact is, sometimes people do careless things that lead to injury. That said, we can still set things up so that there is less risk for people who use their features appropriately. Fire-Ready Materials: A big issue I see in fire pits is that they’re built only using CMUs, which are not designed for use with fire. The aggregates will heat up and expand and might potentially pop or explode. I assert that all fire pits should be lined with firebrick and fire clay mortar. These materials are the same as those used in a kiln and various types of furnaces. They are fired during the manufacturing process and are designed to provide insulation over a range of temperatures. The same holds true for the materials you use to fill the fire pit. Whether stone or glass you should always use materials designed for high temperatures. Keep in mind, not all recycled glass is suitable to be installed in a fire pit.

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Manual Control: In spite of the fact that fire feature systems can include automated control, I still advocate the oldfashioned manual key valve to control the flow of gas. The reason being, the person holding the key is responsible for the height of the flames. He or she can set the flames relative to the wind conditions or how many people will be around the flame or the nature of the gathering. (It’s probably smart to maintain low flames when hosting a gathering of small children, or inebriated adults.) The idea is to prevent the flame from blowing into the surrounding area, which might, for example, set fire to a woman’s sundress or singe a child who comes too close or set someone’s hair on fire. For fire features that are set in locations where there’s very little chance of human contact — a fire bowl set on a pilaster on a vanishing edge, for example — there’s less of an issue with having a preset flame height or on/off schedules. There, an automated control may be appropriate. But with a fire pit where people come within a few inches of the flame, having the ability to manually raise and lower the flame on the spot provides an extremely important element of safety.

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I advise both residential and commercial clients to designate someone responsible for operation whenever the flame is lit. Possession of the key itself is a nice clear way to establish that. Proper Spacing: The dimensions of the pit will go a long way in determining the proximity of people to the flames. You should always maintain at least 4 inches clearance between the burner assembly and the edge of your coping. For rings where people will put up their feet or set drinks, I recommend a minimum 12-inch-wide coping. I also like to build raised pits to 10-12 inches above the deck, perfect footrest height. There’s a tendency for some to raise the coping surface to 18 inches, standard bench height. When you put your feet up on an 18-inch raised surface, it’s likely that you’re toes will get numb, which can present a safety hazard if your shoes get overheated or catch fire. Only build your fire pits at 18 inches tall if it is your intention that guests sit directly on the coping of the fire feature. In that instance, the coping width should be 16-18 inches wide (standard seat depth) to ensure clearance from the flames.

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Burner Installation: Fire elements have changed over the past few years. Not long ago there was a debate as to whether or not you installed fire rings with the holes pointing up or down. Pointing up could lead to water entering the manifold. Flipping the ring over solved that problem but lead to uneven flame distribution. Fortunately, these days, manufacturers make units that can be installed upward but also allow water to drain from the tubing. An important caveat: Don’t try to make your own burner assembly. Manufacturers follow specific guidelines critical to proper function and safety, so buy a good burner assembly and adhere to the manufacturers’ installation instructions carefully.

PUBLIC SAFETY As mentioned above, fire pits are no longer just for the home backyard. Fire pits, fire bowls and fire conversation pits are growing in popularity in hotels, restaurants, bars and poolside decks. The romantic ambiance of the dancing flames provides warmth and light, and encourages continued on page 20 The Growing Concern | February 2019 | 19

FOR SAFETY SAKE continued from page 19 conversation and relaxation. Restaurant owners have learned that patrons don’t mind waiting a little longer for a table while sitting around fire features, while bar and club owners know that the warm glow of an outdoor fire pit prolongs the cocktail hours, which translates directly into profits. The problem is that if the fire feature is not built or managed correctly guests can inadvertently catch fire, resulting in very serious burn injuries — or worse. I know how potentially dangerous fire features are, especially in commercial settings. As a construction-expert witness, I’ve investigated incidents where patrons’ clothing and hair have caught fire, resulting in months of burn treatments, discomfort and permanent scarring. Naturally all of this translates into expensive lawsuits and hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills. Commercial fire pits are more susceptible to accidents than residential fire features and only with proper planning, design and construction can liability exposure be greatly reduced. Let’s begin with the control issue. At my own home I have a large outdoor fire pit that I enjoy often with family and friends. There I take my own advice and control the flame using a manual keyed valve. We take into consideration the wind, and the number and age of guests when setting the height of the flame. It is enjoyed in a controlled environment and the burning flame is never left unattended. Commercial fire features are different. They are exposed to a large population and are largely unattended and left unprotected from mischievous children who might touch the hot coals or toss flammable material in, or even from inebriated patrons who might pull any number of foolish stunts. After all, commercial fire pits are often placed in proximity to a bar where adult guests may well be distracted and/or drunk. Because of these added hazards, I recommend a protective clear shield be placed around commercial fire pits. Indeed, many architects design commercial fire features with a low protective glass (or Pyrex) shield around the feature, which provides a barrier to children’s hands, limits the wind’s influence on the feature, and greatly reduces the chance that clothing may accidentally enter the fire zone and catch. Clear

20 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

shields do not distract from the ambiance of the feature, warmth is still provided, and they protect against windrelated problems.

fire feature, a fire extinguisher (or swimming pool) should be located nearby, visible and maintained in operating condition.

Because residential fire-pits are in a controlled environment and mostly supervised by the homeowner, I don’t believe a shield is appropriate. Also, a shield impedes the ability of homeowners to roast marshmallows and hot dogs, a favorite family ritual.

Also in my opinion, in commercial settings it’s the management’s responsibility to monitor fire features and maintain gas ring burners, valves and lines. Certainly some responsibility lies with the guest — we learn early in life to respect fire and that it is dangerous to get too close — but, guests of any public establishment like a hotel or restaurant make the reasonable assumption that the space is safe, and that special care has been taken to protect them from harm.

On indoor and outdoor fireplaces there is a code requirement for a spark shield, but none is required on outdoor gasburning (not wood) fire pits. It’s critical that personnel be trained on the proper operation and maintenance of the fire feature and the safety hazards associated with wind and crowds. If an accident does occur, employees should be trained how to properly use a fire extinguisher — it’s my view that anywhere you have a The Growing Concern |

This article was written by Scott Cohen, owner of The Green Scene Landscaping and Pools, and originally ran in Aqua Magazine. AQUA Magazine is the top resource for retailers, builders and service pros in the pool and spa industry. For more info, visit https://aquamagazine.com/

January 2019 | 21

The Growing Concern | February 2019 | 21

PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH

JIM FUNAI, LIC Cuyahoga Community College Sweetly-scented, pale, primrose-yellow flowers appear in short chains along bare stems, providing a pleasing show when few plants are in bloom.

SHELLEY FUNAI, LIC Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

CORYLOPSIS SPICATA SPIKE WINTER HAZEL Every month, we write in an effort to share a potentially lesser-known plant that we’ve come across, and every month we seem to have a “chicken vs. egg” debate as it applies to that plant. The way we see it, there are so many landscape-worthy plants in our world (eggs), yet far too many of them are not produced by the nurseries (chickens). Now, to our peeps in the nurseries, we are NOT calling you out to a high-noon shootout for being “yella-bellied.” In fact, we totally get that if it weren’t for you “hatching” all the great plants you do, we’d have nothing to beautify our great state with. The point we’re actually trying to make – and issue we’d like to address – is that it seems like everyone just mindlessly purchases a dozen, medium-sized, white eggs every time they go to the store, without considering that there are many other sizes and colors of eggs available. This month, we’d like to discuss Spike Winter Hazel, a plant that will soon be blooming in our garden and arguably puts on a more attractive flower show than its more-popular

22 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

cousin, Witch Hazel. The problem is, not many nurseries grow this plant because of its low demand. Chicken, or egg? Truth be told, if contractors don’t ask for different eggs, nurseries aren’t going to produce them. As the consumers, we need to increase our demand for greater variety in our landscapes, A. to make them more interesting, and B. to make them more resilient to pests and climate change. Spike Winter Hazel has a genus name rooted in Greek, with korylos as an ancient name for the Corylus species we know today. Opsis means “resembling,” as in the leaves of Corylopsis resemble the leaves of Corylus species. Spicata is a reference to the flowers (more on those later). With several

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plants in the Hamamelidaceae family having “hazel” in the common name, it is interesting to discover the origin of this word. Today, the most common use of Hazel – outside of the plant world – is to describe a light, reddish/brown color in someone’s eyes. Yet, the origin of the word has to do with the color of the nut many members of the Corylus (Hazelnut) genus have. The root of the word is Germanic, hasel, and as the Germanic original name for the plant, it just stuck. (Fun fact: The first known written use of hazel, in reference to a person’s eyes, was in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, as Mercutio picks a fight with Benvolio: “Thou wilt quarrel with a man for cracking nuts, having no reason, but because thou hast hasel eyes.” Corylopsi, as a genus, has around 30 species, mostly in China, Japan, the Korean peninsula, and extending into the Himalayas. There are no native members found in North America, unless we move the timeline back some 40 million

years to the Eocene epoch, where there is fossil record of a species in Washington State. But hey, the earth was a much warmer place back then – no polar ice caps – so there’s always the potential of working our way back to it being native, at the rate we’re going… Spike Winter Hazel, as a landscape plant, should grow to be around 5 to 6 feet tall (perhaps up to 8) and spreads out about twice as wide as it is tall. We’ve found the best use is as a massed plant, akin to an informal hedge. In time, it suckers to form a full colony where there is no clear line between plants. Heavy clay is not a great idea for this shrub. Try and find a location that has more organic material and sand to provide a loose soil, so the colony can form via underground stems. Direct winter winds are also an issue, as they can damage the late-winter to early-spring flower spikes. If there’s late, heavy frost, the flowers will potentially become damaged, but then again, most spring bloomers are. continued on page 25 The Growing Concern | February 2019 | 23

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continued from page 23 Flowers emerge in March to early April as 2 inch long, drooping clusters (raceme) of lemon-yellow flowers, with a slight fragrance to them. One of the more interesting features of the bloom is found in the individual flower, as they have distinct, reddish-purple anthers, providing a stark contrast to the light-yellow petals. While one would have to be in close proximity to truly appreciate the color combination, it is well worth the effort. Each raceme will hold around 10 flowers, with tons of them throughout the entire shrub, providing a strong blooming effect that even the plant-blind will notice. In April, 4-inch long, alder-like leaves will emerge in deep bronze/purple, with a bit of shine to them. This provides several weeks of ornamental value. As spring continues, the leaves will settle into their blue-green summer color. Somewhat glaucas on top and pubescent on the bottom, the leaves will stay clean and pest free throughout the summer. Like most members of the family, fall color is strong year to year, with this member skipping the reds and producing consistent bright yellows, really standing out on our cloudy fall days.

Fruit is similar to that of Witch Hazel – boring – as a small, two-beaked capsule that opens to dump some seeds out. We are using this plant for the leaves and flowers. There is no ornamental value to the fruits. We urge you to keep considering new plants for your projects, so that we may diversify our landscapes. Form a strong relationship with the nurseries you are purchasing from, and keep asking for new eggs. Many of the nurseries we know would love to grow new plants and step away from so many Spirea and Red Twigs. It’s up to us to provide the demand for the product! Till next time.

Jim Funai is full-time faculty at Cuyahoga Community College, a NALP accredited associate of applied science in hoticulture degree program. He is pursuing a PhD in Landscape Engineering and Forestry and is a Licensed Arborist. Shelley Funai is Grounds Manager at Stan Hywett Hall and Gardens in Akron, Ohio, which offers a historic estate designed by Warren H. Manning and a beautiful manor house museum. She is Landscape Industry Certified in Ornamental Plant Care.

The Growing Concern | February 2019 | 25

F EATURE ARTI CLE

SALT ACCOUNTING

101

By Doug Freer, CSP, of Blue Moose Snow Co.

Management consultant Peter Drucker once said, “If you can’t measure something, you can’t manage it.” This is relevant to managing your assets, and in particular, ice control chemicals. In today’s increasingly competitive marketplace, finding efficiencies and room for improvement can provide an advantage in your business space. Next to labor, your ice control chemicals may represent the largest variable expense. How do you manage your inventory to ensure you get the best return? Are you using too much product, or could you use less and get the same results? How much shrinkage (theft) or spoilage (waste) do you have? Do you know? If you don’t have a system for managing your inventory and product, you can’t determine “normal” usage and benchmark to determine if you’re ahead or behind expectations.

26 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

WHAT IS SALT ACCOUNTING? Salt accounting is the process of measuring and tracking ice control chemicals purchased and used during a season. The salt accounting system produces data that informs your decision-making related to operations, sales and expenses. More simply, salt accounting is a check register for your ice control chemicals. You make deposits (credits) when you take a delivery of material and withdrawals (debits) when you use material to service your sites. At a minimum, your salt accounting system should tell you how much material you purchased and when you used it. This system can be improved if you record where the salt is used by having drivers collect data for each site serviced.

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ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL Your salt accounting system does not need to be complicated; in fact, keeping it as simple as possible for your specific needs is important for making salt accounting sustainable. Fancy applications on devices are not necessary to manage an effective system. The scope or sophistication of your salt accounting system will depend on your needs, which in large part is driven by the size of your business. It’s important to collect the same basic data whether you use 10 or 10,000 tons a season. The more ice control chemical you use the more incentive to find savings, since a 10% savings of a larger whole number will mean more dollars for the bottom line.

DEVELOPING A PROCESS A very basic salt accounting system measures the amount of ice control chemical used per event, which allows for stormevent job costing. You could track this by truck driver and determine approximately how much product, on average, the driver uses and estimate application rates for a given route during an event. However, with a little more tracking you can record salt usage at each site. Tracking the information to each specific site is not complicated and can be accomplished with a paper-based system, which can be converted to an electronic system if the use of

technology is justified and cost effective. Setting up an effective salt accounting system means answering these questions: • Who handles the data? The material loaded into each truck is recorded by the loader operator as well as the driver, who records site-specific information. Office administrators input the data into the database or storage system for future retrieval. • What materials were used? Was it bulk or bagged, straight granular salt or treated material? Did it include prewetting with a liquid system? • Where were the materials sourced? • Where and how much material was used? • Why was the application made? What site and weather conditions required the application? • What was the method of application? What truck and/or system was used to apply and what were the settings?

MASTER INVENTORY SHEET A master inventory register is kept for each bin or storage location and for each product. This relatively simple register, or transaction journal, records the deposits and withdrawals from the inventory, giving you a quick reference on how much total material has been purchased, used and remains in inventory. continued on page 28 The Growing Concern | February 2019 | 27

FEATURE ARTI CLE THE BENEFITS OF MEASURING Measuring and managing your ice control chemicals has multiple benefits. If you effectively track the flow of material through your business by event, driver and property serviced, you will have important data that can provide insights into developing and improving best practices. Feedback from your system will help to increase or improve: Production efficiency. Feedback to drivers about proper application rates and methods reduces waste and guesswork and improves their effectiveness, resulting in more efficient service. Storm management. Reduced consumption increases salt truck load range, which improves routing, reduces drive time for reloading and increases service consistency. Improved material management and awareness will reduce mistakes and the possibility of running out of material at critical times. Cost control. Reduce costs by using what is necessary, avoiding waste and reducing overall material consumption, which reduces inventory and related carrying costs. Inventory management. Determine how much product is necessary to service your client for the season so you can accurately order in the preseason. Client expectations. With increased attention to detail, you are more likely to meet or exceed client expectations due to consistent and improved performance by avoiding under- or over-application. Legal defense. Tracking material use at the client level provides useful information to dispute slip-fall claims. Confidence. Crew members will have increased confidence in their work because they understand what they are doing and the accounting process will become second nature. Best practices. You’ll be able to compare variables and measure outcomes as you experiment and test products and equipment, leading to operational tweaks in search of the sweet spot, resulting in the definition of your company’s best practices. If you don’t measure, you won’t be certain which variables are better than others.

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continued from page 27 Keep a separate inventory register for each product that you use and for each location where product is stored. Physically checking inventory periodically will help uncover discrepancies, which can be investigated and rectified in a timely manner.

STORM EVENT INVENTORY SHEET A simple form filled out by the loader operator or by each driver provides a master log of the material applied for a particular storm event. The form records the material loaded and then returned (if any) at the end of the event, providing a total number of material units used by location.

TRUCK LOG The driver log records the estimated amount of materials used during the event by recording how much was loaded into the truck and then how much was applied at each site. The driver is responsible for knowing how much material was applied and to ensure his calculations balance. If three tons of material were loaded and the truck came back empty, where and when were 6,000 pounds applied?

AUTOMATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS Automated measurement systems are available to let the driver know how much material has been applied. Based on spinner rotation, hydraulic flow or some other means of measurement, the equipment is calibrated from known test measurements to provide close estimates on the units applied. In the absence of an automated measurement system, the driver will have to visually estimate their load after each application in order to record the amount of material used. With guidance, practice and time spent balancing the truck log, the driver will gain experience and become more proficient at estimating product use. Technology can be useful in collecting and processing data. Be leery of using technology if you don’t have a salt accounting system yet or if it isn’t sufficient to meet the needs of the business. Technology by itself is not a solution. First you need to know what kind of reports or information you want to get out of your system.

CALIBRATION AND APPLICATION RATES Who decides how much material should be used in a given storm event? The driver? The area managers? Do supervisors

offer guidance? In the same storm scenario, a driver may feel that 500 pounds on a site is appropriate while another subscribes to the theory that more is better and decides to apply 1,000 pounds. Establishing application guidelines for each site gives your drivers a basic guideline for how much material should be used under â&#x20AC;&#x153;normalâ&#x20AC;? conditions. For example, if the average application is 500 pounds per acre, a 3-acre property will generally need 1,500 pounds. This does not mean that your driver should always apply this amount, since conditions may warrant more or less. But a guideline will help them make that decision. You can take application guidelines a step further by providing a site list with property size, and then adding incremental calculations for each site, ranging from a light to heavy. For example, you may indicate in a light icing scenario that your target is 250 to 300 pounds per acre. The driver can consult the reference chart for each site theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re servicing and determine the target quantity and apply with that estimate in mind. When it comes to calibration, not only are you ensuring your equipment is calibrated and working correctly, but you are dialing in your drivers. Applying ice control chemical from a moving truck at varying speeds in traffic and around obstacles is imprecise, but measuring and checking against expectations will help make the driver more efficient and effective.

RETURN LOOP Once your system is in place, the first step is to reliably and accurately record and collect the data each storm event. After the storm event you need to review the paperwork or data collected for accuracy, and enter it into your record keeping system if this is not an automated process. This system can be paper based or managed in Excel or another database, making it easier to tabulate and manipulate data to share with others. With this type of data, you can begin to make more informed decisions and provide feedback to those who need the information, leading you to a more efficient and effective operation.

This article, written by Doug Freer, CSP, of Blue Moose Snow Co. in Cleveland, OH, originally appeared in Snow Business magazine, the official publication of the Snow & Ice Management Association. Learn more about SIMA at www. sima.org/join.

The Growing Concern | February 2019 | 29

D I RECTI ON S

LET’S CELEBRATE! OLA members do incredible work! I hope that you are all as proud of the projects that you’ve completed, and the properties you’ve maintained, as we are! Too many times, I hear members say, “I am just a landscaper.” You are not “just” anything. You are a landscape professional! You are invested in your trade and care enough to be a part of a professional organization that helps educate both you and your staff members. You should be proud of what you do and how that affects the lives of those you serve. Not only do you make our communities more attractive, better places to live… you turn people’s dreams into reality by creating and maintaining beautiful spaces that bring people outside, all while increasing the value of their properties and growing their usable living space. Isn’t that wonderful? I think it is. That is why I am so excited about our Landscape Ohio! Awards Program. Currently in our 22nd year and going stronger than ever, this program provides an opportunity to celebrate the landscape profession and all the beautiful work being created and maintained by OLA Members. In fact, attendance at the Awards Gala has been so strong that our board of directors has decided to move the event to a larger venue. For most of the prior 21 years, the Gala has been held at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. This year though, it will be held at Windows on the River, located on the West Bank of the Flats, across the river from downtown Cleveland. Those of you that have been a member of OLA for many years will recognize Windows on the River as the location that hosted the OLA Dinner Dances for many years. It is absolutely beautiful and much more spacious.

30 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

SANDY MUNLEY

Executive Director The Ohio Landscape Association

What does this mean for you? In short, this move will allow us the opportunity to open registration for the Gala to all member companies, including those that haven’t entered the competition. In past years, this hasn’t been the case, because we haven’t been able to accommodate all the people that have been interested in attending based on the lack of space. So, for those of you who did not enter this year’s awards, if you would like to be inspired for this coming spring, or if you’ve considered entering projects in the past, but haven’t because you’d like to see the types of projects that get entered first, I urge you to attend. It is a fun, upscale event that begins with time to network, followed by dinner, and then an Academy Awards style presentation. That same evening, we will also be presenting the OLA Scholarships, as well as this year’s Lifetime Contributions to the Landscape Industry Award. For those of you who don’t know, this year’s Contributions Award will go to George Hohman of Turfscape. George served on the OLA Board of Directors and is a Past President of the OLA. He’s continued to work tirelessly on our legislative committee, and this year, became one of our spokespersons with the media regarding the H2B visa shortage. You can find registration information on the OLA website. Just go to our calendar page and click on the Landscape Ohio! Awards Gala link, scheduled for March 21, 2019. We’re looking forward to our biggest crowd yet, as we celebrate your profession!

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