The Growing Concern January 2020 by Sandy Munley

Growing Concern

The

JANUAR Y 2 0 2 0

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

It’s Home & Garden Show Season!

OLA March Meeting: Creating & Living Your Brand March 5, 2020 / St. Michael’s Woodside / PAGE 7

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PR ES I DEN T’S COLUM N

5 DAILY DISCIPLINES

DOMENIC LAURIA Vizmeg Landscape, Inc.

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Domenic Lauria (Vizmeg Landscape, Inc.) and I am honored to be your 2020 OLA President. Going on my fifth year of service with the Board, I could not be happier – or more proud – to have this opportunity to write to you each month. The reason I got involved with the OLA dates back 9 years, to my first day of employment with Vizmeg Landscape, Inc. On March 19th, 2012, Anna Vizmeg suggested to me that if I did everything James (Arch) did, I too would be successful. James, as many of you know, is a coworker of mine and was serving as President of the OLA, at the time. Thus, I quickly got involved with the association, contributing as Committee Chair for the Scholarship Golf Classic, Board Treasurer and Board Vice President. Now, as President, I can honestly say that Anna’s words are some of the best professional advice I have ever received. The decision to become more involved has introduced me to many people over the years, all of whom have taught me something different about our industry. I really have developed relationships that will last a lifetime. Like Anna, I sincerely recommend participation in the association as a key ingredient to success in our industry for anyone looking to further their career. Speaking of success… many people actually find the concept hard to define. Is it wealth? Is it work-life balance? Is it happiness? I struggled with a good definition of success for many years, but then decided that success for me would be continued learning, in effort to become as educated as I could both personally and professionally. While I graduated from

The Ohio State University in 2012 and thought my learning days were over, I have never been more wrong. I’ve since found that the day you stop learning is the day you should call it quits. I think any entrepreneur, or engaged employee would agree. It’s important to understand that we all learn in different ways and identifying how we learn is as important as learning itself. As I grew up, I can honestly say I never read a book from cover to cover. I cheated and failed my way through any English class that involved reading. I wouldn’t read in college because I found it boring. Yet, as I’ve grown professionally, I’ve been given some invaluable advice. Sitting in the truck with my boss, George Vizmeg, he said “You will be the same person you are today in 25 years, if not for the people you meet and the books you read.” Incredible leadership and indispensable advice – all in one simple statement. To that point, if you do any amount of research on the value of reading, you will find astounding results. Warren Buffet (maybe you’ve heard of him) reads 6 (SIX!) hours a day. Bill Gates reads a book a week. Obviously, if 2 of the 3 richest individuals in the world read that much, it must hold value. So, I started reading and my life has changed. I try to make it part of everyday by including it in my “daily disciplines.” continued on page 6 The Growing Concern | January 2020 | 3

TAB LE OF CON TEN TS J A N UA R Y 2020 WWW. OH I OLA N D SCA P E R S. OR G OH I O’ S P R OF E SSI ON AL G REEN I N D UST 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 DESIGNER / EDITOR Rick Doll, Jr. REGULAR WRITERS Adam Capiccioni, Ohio CAT 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 COVER: Landscape Ohio! Honor winner in the category of Show /Display Gardens, Brothers Grimm Landscape & Design Company.

FEATURES

3 8 14 18 22 27 30 31 31

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

5 Daily Disciplines

PERENNIAL FOCUS

The Fireside Reader: 2020 Edition

FISCAL FITNESS

Pre-Retirement Roadmap

FOR SAFETY SAKE

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 Domenic Lauria

OLA STAFF Executive Director Sandy Munley

Acer japonicum: Full Moon Maple

President – Elect Dr. James Funai, PhD.

FEATURE ARTICLE

Treasurer Brian Maurer, LIC

Communications & Events Manager Rick Doll, Jr.

Safety Tips for Snow Removal Using Heavy or Compact Equipment

PLANT OF THE MONTH

Winter Mulching in Cold Climate Gardens: Protecting Your Clients’ Plants from Winter Damage

DIRECTIONS WELCOME NEW MEMBERS ADVERTISING INDEX

4 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

Immediate Past President Adam Capiccioni DIRECTORS Keith Clapper Ryan Drake Stephanie Gray, LIC Cameron Maneri Rob Morel Joshua Way

C AL ENDAR OF EVEN TS UPCO M I N G OLA MEETINGS , EDUC AT I ON SE MI N A R S, A N D OT H E R G R E E N I N D UST R Y EV ENT S

JANUARY 2020

JANUARY cont...

MARCH cont...

JANUARY 9, 2020 OLA MEETING: ONBOARDING AS A KEY TO EMPLOYEE RETENTION

JANUARY 31 - FEBRUARY 9, 2020 OLA DISPLAY AT THE GREAT BIG HOME & GARDEN SHOW

MARCH 26, 2020 23rd ANNUAL LANDSCAPE OHIO! AWARDS GALA

Join us for our first meeting of the new year as Todd Pugh, CEO & Founder of Enviroscapes discusses the importance of having a strong employee onboarding process and how it leads to better employee retention. Held at St. Michael’s Woodside. For more information concerning sponsorship opportunities, call the OLA at 440.717.0002. See page 21 for more information.

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

Join Ohio’s landscape community for an elegant, fun-filled evening of celebrating as we reveal the 2019 Landscape Ohio! Award winners. This year, space will be available for those who have not entered the awards portion of the program. Call the OLA offices at 440.717.0002, for more information.

MARCH

APRIL 8. 2020 SPRING TRAINING

MARCH 5 2020 OLA MEETING: CREATING AND LIVING YOUR BRAND

Safety is the key to a running a successful company. This class features sessions on proper equipment utilization & operation, basic first aid, safe hauling and loading procedures, and more. More information to come. Registration Opens February 1st, 2020.

JANUARY 23, 2020 COMMUNICATING DESIGN CONCEPTS QUICKLY Looking to quickly convey to customers what their project might look like without submitting a costly design? Award-winning designer, Kevin O’Brien (Lifestlyle Landscaping), shows you how. See page 17 for more information.

JANUARY 20 - 30, 2020 SET-UP OF OLA DISPLAY AT THE GREAT BIG HOME & GARDEN SHOW If you are interested in volunteering to help construct this year’s OLA garden please contact the OLA at 440.717.0002 as soon as possible and we will forward your information on to our Garden Committee’s chairperson. This is a great opportunity to work along side others in the industry , as well as contribute to the association.

Join us March 5, 2020 as Jason Cromley, Co- owner of Hidden Creek Landscaping, discusses how Hidden Creek attained their vision, while offering advice on how to NOT settle, when it comes to creating and living your brand. See page 7 for more information.

MARCH 9 & 10, 2020 FOREMAN TRAINING 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 at Held at Indiana Wesleyan University in Independence, OH on March 9th and the Wolfcreek Company in Columbus, OH on March 10th. Sponsored by WolfCreek. See page 13 for more information.

APRIL

2020 COMMITTEE MEETINGS OLA committees are a great way for members to get more involved with the association. We are always looking for new volunteers to help on our Awards, Education, Golf, Programs, Legislative & Membership committees! At our January meeting, we will be filling out our committees for the 2020 year. If you, or someone on your team is interesting in joining a committee, please have them attend the January meeting. Committee involvement is also a great stepping stone towards working on the OLA board. For more info, call the OLA office at 440.717.0002, or email us at info@ ohiolandscapers.org

The Growing Concern | January 2020 | 5

PR ES I DEN T’S COLUM N continued from page 3 “Daily disciplines” is an idea that I came up with after reading the book “The Power of Habit,” written by James Duhigg. Turns out, habits are one of the true great deciders in life, and if you are anything like me, they (i.e. routines, systems, processes, etc…) control how you live your life, every day. We all have habits which we can develop and control to our benefit, in-turn enabling us to learn, grow, and conquer our daily lives. As human beings, it’s fair to speculate that those of us who are successful have created better habits for ourselves and learned how to manage our emotions. For example, have you ever done something and afterward thought, “I will never do that again,” only to do it over and over again? Much of this can be attributed to a small almond-size portion of our brains, known as the Amygdala. The Amygdala plays a central role in how we process our emotions and impulses. What habits help us do, in a way, is manage those impulses by developing small patterns every single day, not by trying to produce one revolutionary change. Think of it this way: Why do New Year’s Resolutions always fail? Because, we try to make one

revolutionary change on one single day, instead of making small incremental changes that effect our lives, long-term. So, why am I writing about this? Because instead of tackling one huge task at once (i.e. solving the labor shortage), I want you to ask yourself this; “What small tasks can I do every day, 365 days a year, which will become the habits that make my company more desirable?” Try starting with 5 daily disciplines, every day, like I did. (I broke it down into 3 professional disciplines and 2 personal.) You may find at first that, realistically, every day is tough – but do them at least 4-5 days a week and see where it gets you. My guess is this will lead to the development of new habits, that once formed, will allow you to develop even more. What difference could you make for your company and your personal life if you worked on five small things, incrementally, over 365 days a year and turned them into habits? And then worked on five more? For me, it all started with reading. I recommend finding a book that can impact you and make you better. It could be the habit that leads to further success.

( 4 4 0 ) 3 3 8 - 8 10 0 1 5 6 5 6 c h i l l i c o t h e r o a d | chagr in falls | OH | 4 4022

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a r t fo r m n u r s e r i e s .c o m

OLA MEETINGS SERIES

EVENT INFORMATION

DATE & LOCATION MARCH 5, 2020 ST. MICHAEL’S WOODSIDE 5025 EAST MILL ROAD BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, OH AGENDA REGISTRATION / NETWORKING FOOD / CASH BAR 6:00 PM TO 7:00 PM GENERAL BUSINESS 7:00 PM TO 7:30 PM PROGRAM 7:30 PM TO 9:00 PM COST TO ATTEND MEMBERS: NO CHARGE NON MEMBERS: $30 REGISTER TO ATTEND BY FEBRUARY 27, 2020

SPONSORED BY GOLD SPONSORS

OLA MARCH MEETING

Creating & Living Your Brand From the way it’s offices are designed, to the appearance of their personnel, vehicles, and equipment, Hidden Creek Landscaping is undoubtedly an exceptionally well-branded company. In going above and beyond other companies in creating a professional brand, their work has become synonymous with quality and creativity. Join us March 5, 2020 as Jason Cromley, Co- owner of Hidden Creek Landscaping, discusses how Hidden Creek attained their vision, while offering advice on how to NOT settle, when it comes to creating yours. Among other topics, Jason will cover the benefits of consulting professional help (e.g. photographers, marketing personnel, designers), along with the importance of fostering progressive partnerships with interior designers, custom builders, custom pool installers, etc.

GUEST SPEAKER

JASON CROMLEY, CO-OWNER HIDDEN CREEK LANDSCAPING With a formal education in construction, landscape design, and horticulture from The Ohio State University, Jason has identified the essential components and most effective methods required to create new and exciting outdoor enhancements. Since co-founding Hidden Creek Landscaping in 1998, He has continually looked to the future with a positive attitude towards life, and uses that same mentality to exceed the expectations of Hidden Creek’s ever-growing client base. Jason is more than confident that Hidden Creek Landscaping is on track to fulfill their mission statement of creating a higher quality of life for both their clients and their team.

ABOUT HIDDEN CREEK Hidden Creek Landscaping Inc. was founded in 1998 by Matt Seiler and Jason Cromley, based on a mutual respect for hard work and creativity. With a shared vision of how projects should be installed - and how people should be treated - a business relationship was formed based on solid morals and friendship. Through dedication and innovation in all aspects of landscaping,

SILVER SPONSORS EMMETT EQUIPMENT CO. KURTZ BROS., INC

Hidden Creek has demonstrated impressive growth while maintaining personal relationships with their business contacts. Their goal is to be recognized amongst peers and clients as the finest landscape design company in Central Ohio.

BRONZE SPONSORS DAVIS TREE FARM & NURSERY HEARTLAND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS YEAR’S MEETING SCHEDULE ARE NOW AVAILABLE. CALL 440.717.0002 FOR INFO.

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PEREN N I AL FOCUS

BOBBIE SCHWARTZ, FAPLD Bobbie’s Green Thumb

By the Fireside, by P. S. Kroyer.

THE FIRESIDE READER 2020 EDITION

GARDENING WITH GRAINS Arthur, Brie Lynn’s Press, 2019 Pittsburgh, PA.

I met Brie Arthur a few years when we were both speaking at a symposium in North Carolina where she lives. She is a high-energy woman who has embraced the trend of growing edibles and brings hundreds, if not thousands of people, to that endeavor. In her latest venture, she has become

fascinated with the history, the beauty, and the health aspects of growing grains. The first grain she attempted was wheat, large swaths of it in her front yard (keep in mind that she lives in a semi-rural area that was once a tobacco field). Although she was smitten with the beauty of the wheat, she soon decided that she had to do more, i.e. harvest it, thresh it, and grind it into flour. Meanwhile, she learned that “wheat can improve your soil. Its strong roots will break through compacted soil and act as a natural tiller.” It can also be used as compost by tilling it into your soil. Once Brie had grown her first crop of winter wheat, she set out to learn about and grow other grains. Her book focuses primarily on wheat, barley, and oats for cool season growing and corn, rice, and sorghum for warm season growing. She has continued on page 11

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PEREN N I AL FOCUS continued from page 8

learned to sow twice a year with the seed germinating in place and to sow densely in order to eliminate weeds. She irrigates only when necessary and has found that grains are the easiest and lowest maintenance of all the edibles she grows. All you need to grow grains is space, full sun, and moist, well-drained, neutral ph soil full of organic matter. For those of us in Ohio, the growing season is essentially mid-spring to mid-fall, thus we would be growing warm season but cold-tolerant grains, i.e wheat, barley, and oats. However, if we are patient and wait until the soil warms to fifty-five degrees, we could try corn, rice, and sorghum. If you decide to grow grains, Brie asserts that crop rotation is essential. Her chapters on specific grains and their culture supplies all the information you need in order to grow any of these grains. Because Brie sees a connection between health and grains, her short history of grain and pseudo-grain (Chia, Amaranth, Quinoa, and Buckwheat) culture is quite informative and, at the least, should drive us, as consumers, to find bakeries that purchase their flour from local sources instead of national conglomerates. As an environmentalist and horticulturist, she strongly believes that we need to change our methods of weed control, particularly eliminating the use of herbicides and pesticides. She also believes that there is a strong correlation between soil health, our health, and the type of fertilizers being used and that the best fertilizer is organic matter. Growing grains is a way to reinvent the landscape at least twice a year. They vary in height and boast kinetic appeal with their textures, structure, and color. Perhaps you can think of them as an annual ornamental grass. Few plants are lovelier blowing in the wind than grasses. If you think of them this way, you will come to the realization that the grains are great garden companions and do not have to be grown as monocultures. She also reminds us that they can be used in small spaces, perhaps to replace some shrubs or to use as architectural focal points, in large masses, or in containers. Brie gives several suggestions for annuals with which the grains can be combined but there are many others from which you can choose. She also mentions some perennials and shrubs that have worked well for her in combination with grains. Sadly, grains are also beloved by deer. Brie’s deterrents are spray repellents, motion sensors that spray water, and some plants, especially on bed edges that often

keep deer from venturing further into the garden. Some of her plant deterrents are also useful in regard to rabbits, groundhogs, voles, and moles. We don’t all have the amount of space that Brie does but I love her dream of having office parks, schools, and churches devote 1000 square feet each into growing and harvesting wheat. The result would be over one thousand pounds of organic flour that could be supplied (or sold) to local bakeries. Other grains, some that are gluten-free, could be grown instead. For those of you whose focus is the cut flower and arrangements market, grains are a natural for inclusion. Gardening with Grains is a short but thought-provoking book. Read it!

INSIDE OUTSIDE: A SOURCEBOOK OF INSPIRED GARDEN ROOMS O’Keeffe, Linda Timber Press, 2019 Portland, OR.

For years, I have emphasized to my clients and in my lectures, how important it is to bring the inside details outside and vice-a-versa. Ms. O’Keeffe also emphasizes the idea that the garden is not an appendage of the house but a continuation, basically another room or rooms. She says in her introduction that even though indoor and outdoor spaces may not be literal extensions of each other, they can and should share a sensibility. What she has attempted to do in this book is show us outstanding examples of how interior and exterior designers blend the two types of spaces. I was struck by Ms. O’Keeffe’s comment about structure: “Without structure, a garden is merely an open field. …..but without some kind of permanent organizational framework there’s nothing to focus on. ….. Too little structure and there’s continued on page 12 The Growing Concern | January 2020 | 11

P EREN N I AL FOCU S continued from page 11

continued from page 11

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no “there” there.” One can create structure by framing a door or window to direct the eye; “it is also a way of perceiving a garden or an interior as if it’s a series of visual experiences.” As she points out, it not easy to ensure that a focal point is unencumbered. Many of the gardens feature beautiful paths and hedges that interconnect what were formerly disjointed areas of a property. In several instances, continuity is created with repetition of species and colors. Every room, every garden, needs to be evaluated from different perspectives. So we walk through them to find the best viewing spots as well as the best spots, outdoors, for fragrance, texture, and color. As designers, we use meandering paths to slow the journey so that each aspect of the garden can be duly appreciated. All too often, we forget that time is an element of design. As the author points out, neither a garden nor an interior is ever finished.

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I had to laugh at and appreciate an English designer’s solution to a dog’s penchant to treat precious plants as launching and landing pads. In those spots, there are now heavy, immovable pots. I’m assuming that those special plants were transplanted.

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I loved the author’s quote from Alexander Pope that “all gardening is landscape painting” and each of the selected designs exemplifies that thought. She then goes on to say that the introduction of color is the quickest way to create mood and emotion into a room. As designers, we are also aware that color can enlarge or diminish a space. We are reminded that the four elements of fire, earth, air, and water are also mood enhancing and that we can use them to acknowledge all of the five senses.

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The design examples in this book, from around the country and the world, all belong to wealthy homeowners with a lot of space. Nevertheless, there are numerous design ideas that could be used in smaller spaces.

klynnurseries.com 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.

12 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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OLA EDUCATION SERIES

COURSE INFO MARCH 9, 2020 INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY 4100 ROCKSIDE ROAD INDEPENDENCE, OH 44131 MARCH 10, 2020 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 02/24/20 - $159 AFTER 02/24/20 - $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

• 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....

INSTRUCTED BY

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.

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F I SCAL FI TN ESS

MICHAEL J. DONNELLAN King Financial, Inc.

PRE-RETIREMENT ROADMAP Knowing how to secure your financial well-being is one of the most important things you’ll ever need in life. You don’t have to be a genius to do it. You just need to know a few basics, form a plan, and be ready to stick to it. No matter how much or little money you have, the important thing is to educate yourself about your opportunities. There is no guarantee that you’ll make money from investments you make. But if you get the facts about saving and investing and follow through with an intelligent plan, you should be able to gain financial security over the years and enjoy the benefits of managing your money. No one is born knowing how to save or to invest. Every successful investor starts with the basics. A few people may stumble into financial security—a wealthy relative may die, or a business may take off. But for most people, the only way to attain financial security is to save and invest over a long period of time.

Current market conditions make saving and investing a daunting task. The beginning of a new year is a perfect time to plan or update your investment goals. Market rises and downturns can make the stock market a scary and volatile place to invest. The important thing is to map out your direction. Similar to planning a trip, you need a map, directions, and the resources to get on your way. On this financial road trip, start by mapping your goals. Are you saving for a house, college education, retirement planning or trying to grow or protect your nest egg? You could also rely on a financial advisor as your GPS, routing you the best way to reach your destination, and making recommendations along the way. continued on page 16

14 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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continued from page 14 Develop your plan by investing your assets, whether it is in real estate, the stock market, bonds, hard assets, etc. Younger investors should be investing on a regular basis and keeping a balance of cash as an emergency fund. Investors should always be reviewing their risk tolerances and time frames for investing. Older investors should plan on extending their time horizon. According to the Social Security Administration the latest figures show that a 65 year-old man will live to an average of 84 and a 65 year-old woman to 86.5 years of age (https://www. ssa.gov/planners/lifeexpectancy.html). Life expectancy averages are over 78 years of age currently and expected to continue to rise. That makes retirement planning even more important than previous generations. Income will have to be stretched over a longer period of time, so plan accordingly. An annual review prior to retirement can help keep you on track. Your roadmap should involve the following:

• Inventorying and understanding your assets: Retirement plans, savings, real estate, etc. • Reviewing your sources of potential income: Social Security, pensions, dividends, interest and real estate rental properties. • Listing your expenses: Non-discretionary- such as income taxes, real estate taxes, groceries, utilities, health care costs and insurance. Discretionary – travel, vacations and entertainment.

16 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

• Align income and expenses: To ensure you don’t outlive your money. The road will be bumpy, with many different routes to take and you will see some roadblocks along the way. The important part is to stay focused on your journey. Stock market volatility does create opportunity, though. Your financial advisor, just like your GPS in your car, is valuable at a time like this. Investors have different goals or destinations and advisors will have plans/ideas specific to your individual situation. 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 * King Financial Inc. does not provide legal or tax advice, consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific situation. The information herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice. ** Scenarios illustrated are hypothetical in nature, results may vary. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

FOROLA SAFETY SAK E EDUCATION SERIES

EVENT INFORMATION DATE & LOCATION JANUARY 23, 2020 INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIV. 4100 ROCKSIDE RD, INDEPENDENCE, OH 44131

AGENDA REGISTRATION / BREAKFAST 8:30AM - 9:00AM CLINIC 9:00AM - 5:00PM COST MEMBERS BEFORE 01/09/20 - $129 AFTER 01/09/20 - $159 NON MEMBERS BEFORE 01/09/20 - $159 AFTER 01/09/20 - $189

LANDSCAPE DESIGN CLINIC

Communicating Design Concepts Quickly Most of us are landscape designers and contractors, not artists. We need to be able to communicate our ideas quickly to a client & move on with what we do best, installing & maintaining beautiful landscapes. This clinic will teach you the fundamentals of creating a 3D sketch that will excite your client and shorten sales time. This is the ideal way to show how portions of a larger project will look or to sell small enhancement projects when a traditional landscape plan isn’t necessary. • • • • • •

Learn how to test ideas with a client on the first appointment to avoid producing design plans & concepts they don’t like, or want. Gain confidence by having another sales tool available in their ‘sales toolbox.’ Learn to not be afraid of hand rendering. (You’ll be done by the time others turn their computer on.) Learn the essentials of quick rendering & what tricks to use when time is short and stress is high. Learn how line weight, color and perspective come together to give your rendering believability. Be able to create client enthusiasm that will give your company a competitive edge.

INSTRUCTED BY

KEVIN O’BRIEN / LANDSCAPE DESIGNER: LIFESTYLE LANDSCAPING Kevin is a landscape designer specializing in creative & naturalistic residential gardens. His built projects have earned awards at the local, state and national level via the OLA, The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association, The Perennial Plant Association, National Association of Landscape Professionals and the American Horticultural Society. He has been featured in Lawn & Landscape Magazine, Grounds Management Magazine, Cleveland Magazine, Cleveland Home Décor, Green Industry Pro Magazine, Landscape Contractor Magazine as well as local news media. Kevin enjoys sharing what he has learned over his career to further elevate the art and craft of landscape & garden design. He has spent the past 20 years at Lifestyle Landscaping, Inc. North Ridgeville designing and selling residential work.

2020 Landscape Design Clinic / REGISTRATION CLOSES 01/16/20

(Make checks payable and send to: Ohio Landscape Association, 9240 Broadview Rd, Broadview Hts., OH 44147)

Company Contact Address City State Phone (______)

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6.517 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association REGISTER ONLINE AT CEU’S OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/EDUCATION/DESIGNCLINIC.HTML

F OR SAFETY SAK E

SAFETY TIPS FOR SNOW REMOVAL USING HEAVY OR COMPACT EQUIPMENT Adequate visibility, daily checks, training and more are essential to keep operators and bystanders safe during snow removal with construction equipment. Here are some tips for you to keep in mind for the winter season if you push snow with heavy or compact equipment.

STAY PROTECTED Even though most equipment (hopefully) that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll use in winter weather will have a cab or at least some protection from the elements, make sure you still wear the appropriate clothing and protective equipment. Generally we recommend hard hat,

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safety glasses, and hearing protection when operating skid steer loaders and other heavier equipment. Also, make sure you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have loose clothing that could catch on hydraulic or steering control systems.

DAILY CIRCLE CHECK Pushing snow can be tough on any piece of equipment, so make sure you do a daily circle check of each machine that includes checking the fluids, attachments, tires/tracks, back up alarms, lights, and other key areas for damage or problems.

TRAIN FOR SAFETY Anyone who will operate snow management equipment for your organization should go through at least annual refresher training on the machine(s) they will operate, and some detailed training specific to the uniqueness of managing snow & ice with that machine. Your safety training should include basic safety information, some hands-on time on the machine, and discussions about potential hazards. Also, make sure you have any operators sign off on safety training once its completed, and keep the files. SIMA has training videos available that include documentation examples. You can get more information at www.sima.org/resources.

EFFICIENCY + SAFETY = SUCCESS Efficiency in snow removal is key to staying ahead of the storm. Efficiency doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean just doing the work faster, it means speed plus performance to a defined level. Think of ways to ensure efficiency while fostering safety, like coordinating pieces of equipment onsite to work together.

AVOID EXCESSIVE DOWN PRESSURE Some operators in the industry apply too much down pressure while plowing, especially in skid steer loaders, causing the wheels to lift off the ground. This is not recommended as it could cause damage to property and create unsafe conditions for operators and anything nearby.

VISIBILITY IS CRITICAL Make sure the equipment you use has adequate visibility for the operator, and that all proper lighting/warning sound devices are in working order. Especially if equipment is managing snow during the day in parking lots or in parking decks, train operators to be vigilant for pedestrians, vehicles, and obstacles, especially when backing up. Snow management is a valuable service and should be approached with adequate preparation and attention to safety. Good luck out there, keep pushinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;!

This article was originally published by the Snow and Ice Management Association (SIMA, www.sima.org) and appeared at https://www. forconstructionpros.com/equipment/snow-removal-equipment/ article/12283629/safety-tips-for-snow-removal-using-heavy-orcompact-equipment. The Growing Concern | January 2020 | 19

OL A MARKETI N G OP P ORTUN I TY

20 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

OLA MEETINGS SERIES

EVENT INFORMATION

DATE & LOCATION JANUARY 9, 2020 ST. MICHAEL’S WOODSIDE 5025 EAST MILL ROAD BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, OH AGENDA REGISTRATION / NETWORKING FOOD / CASH BAR 6:00 PM TO 7:00 PM GENERAL BUSINESS 7:00 PM TO 7:30 PM PROGRAM 7:30 PM TO 9:00 PM COST TO ATTEND MEMBERS: NO CHARGE NON MEMBERS: $30 REGISTER TO ATTEND BY JANUARY 2, 2020

SPONSORED BY GOLD SPONSORS

OLA JANUARY MEETING

Onboarding: A Key to Employee Attraction & Retention Enviroscapes hit a wall 3 years ago. They struggled to recruit and retain the front-line employees necessary to operate. The results were slowed growth, smaller profits, and most importantly an over-worked, over-whelmed, burnt-out management staff. With the future growth of a good business in jeopardy, they recognized the need to change. At that moment, Enviroscapes began focusing on the personnel side of the business, visualizing what they wanted their team and culture to look like. They changed their philosophy to “Team first - Client second,” knowing that if they built a great team, they would undoubtably be able to take care of their clients. 3 years later, through dedication and discipline, Enviroscapes - for the first time - had a waiting list of new hires. CEO and Founder, Todd Pugh, will share some of the tools that were developed throughout this process, including specifics related to their onboarding process. You will be able to take away strategies and tools that you can put to work in your company.

GUEST SPEAKER

TODD PUGH, CEO AND FOUNDER ENVIROSCAPES At fourteen, owner Todd E. Pugh began mowing lawns to earn spending money and begin saving for college. After graduating from The Ohio State University, he incorporated his growing business and he renamed it Enviroscapes. Strong business values and ethics have enabled Enviroscapes to grow from its first $5.00 per week mowing client into a multi-million dollar landscape company that ranks in the top 2% of all landscape companies nationwide. Enviroscapes is known nationwide by its peers for award winning landscapes and being a trend setter in LEAN business practices.

ABOUT ENVIROSCAPES Enviroscapes mission is to build a World Class Organization by creating a culture that fosters

SILVER SPONSORS EMMETT EQUIPMENT CO. KURTZ BROS., INC BRONZE SPONSORS DAVIS TREE FARM & NURSERY HEARTLAND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS YEAR’S MEETING SCHEDULE ARE NOW AVAILABLE. CALL 440.717.0002 FOR INFO.

1.5 CEU’S

growth for landscape professionals, stimulates innovation and, as a result, delivers World Class Landscape Services. Their team consists of passionate people who love working outdoors and love the Landscape & Snow Business. Enviroscapes performs work out of 6 Service Locations (Akron, Austintown, Boardman, Canton, Louisville and Columbus), employing 250 team members in peak season and 150 year round. They have a diverse book of business with revenues coming from 70% Commercial Maintenance and Snow and Ice Removal, 20% Design/Bid Build and 10% Utility Service Work. The company’s focus is to have fewer clients, with higher revenue from each, so a better level of service can be provided.

PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH

JIM FUNAI, LIC Cuyahoga Community College Acre japonicum, Full Moon Maple

SHELLEY FUNAI, LIC Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

ACER JAPONICUM FULL MOON MAPLE

Thank you, History, for Carl Linnaeus. Before Carl had his eureka moment, “What if all living things ONLY have 2 names (Latin binomial),” the explorers of our natural world used a long chain of words to name each living thing, essentially describing it in Latin. The original discoverer of this month’s plant, Acer japonicum, was Carl Thunberg (1743-1828). In 1784, he used the traditional method of description, recording it as “Acer foliis multipartito-incifis villofis floriis fubumbellatis,” which we all know translates, loosely, to; “Maple with leaves that have many drooping divisions, appears shaggy, and has fat umbellate flowers.” Of course, this plant was not to be confused with “Acer foliis palmatis ferratis glabris floriis umbellatis” (Maple with palmlike, iron-colored, smooth leaves and umbellate flowers), which most of us know as Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple).

Sure, this is all way too nerdy, but it’s pretty neat to explore how plants got their names and why we call them what we do today. Try and imagine being a 41-year old Swedish dude, in 1770’s Japan during the Edo period (i.e. Japan is not super excited about white guys wandering the countryside looking at plants). Thunberg arrived in Japan in 1775, and like all other Europeans, was not allowed to leave a small section of Nagasaki. However, being as clever as he was, he shared the cure to the “Dutch Disease” (syphilis) with local doctors and slowly earned the rare ability to explore other areas to collect specimens of continued on page 24

22 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

Since 1986, VanCuren Tree Services has been Northeast Ohio’s complete tree care specialist. We provide comprehensive services for any residential, commercial, or utility tree care need. The tree professionals at VanCuren Tree Services have helped home and business owners throughout Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio maintain the beauty, vitality, and safety of their trees. We are proud to offer a full range of tree care services, from tree and stump removal to storm damage clean up to utility work and beyond.

To find out more about what VanCuren has to offer, visit our website at www.vancurentreecare.com, or call us at 440.338.5005 today for a free consultation. • Complete Tree Maintenance Programs

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PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH

continued from page 22 plants. During this time, he collected and described a number of Maples, including; A. dissectum, A. japonicum, A. palmatum, A. pictum, A. septemlobum, and A. trifidum. Pretty impressive to be granted access to the closed countryside of Japan, curing syphilis and finding sweet Maples to send home! Our focus this month is on the Full Moon Maple (A. japonicum) which – as we mentioned – is often overshadowed by the incredibly popular Japanese Maple (A. palmatum). In truth, the two trees are quite similar and can be used almost interchangeably. Almost, we say, because there are now so many unique cultivars of Japanese Maple that no plant can interchange with all. Full Moon Maple is closer to a straight species of Japanese Maple, standing 30 to 40 feet tall/wide. It has beautiful, but understated flowers, palmately dissected leaves, and wonderful fall color. In cultivation, the ultimate size will likely be less than that of a Japanese Maples, though cultivar selection will dictate the ultimate size. Perhaps the most impactful cultivar of Full Moon is ‘Aconitifolium’ (Deeply Cut Leaf ). Truly, this leaf is deeply dissected with around 11 lobes all cut down to just above the

24 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

petiole, giving it a fern like appearance. At around 6 inches across, the leaf is large and graceful in appearance, adding an instant focal point in the garden. Literally, no one will walk through a garden and not stop to admire the leaves and form of this plant. In fall color, the brilliant orange will give way to the brightest red you’ve ever seen. The few weeks of fall color alone will have your clients raving about the tree. Expect the tree to grow somewhere in the 10 to 25 foot range, with some time, and be sure to personally select the plant you want. Most are raised in nursery production from seed, giving each one a unique form and leaf variation. Sure, you could pick one of the many Japanese Maple cultivars available and get a similar result, but we bet you won’t have as much of a “stop you in your tracks effect” as you will with ‘Aconitifolium.’ Another option that may take more effort to locate from the nurseries is ‘Vitifolium’ (Grape Leaf). Just as the name hints, the leaves on this cultivar are much less deeply-dissected and resemble grape leaves on the tree. Perhaps, slightly larger in time than ‘Aconitifolium,’ this specimen will have a wider range of fall color with purples, yellows, and crimson-reds joining the orange. The fall color of either of these cultivars makes them worthy of almost any garden.

SCA

S S I F I E

ONLINE CLASSIFIEDS Looking for Classified and Help Wanted ads? Want to post one of your own? You’ll find them at ohiolandscapers.org or myohiolandscape.com. HELP WANTED ADS Help Wanted ads are posted on both our industry website and our consumer website, along with bi-monthly postings via social media. CLASSIFIED ADS (I.E. Equipment for sale) Classified ads are posted on our industry website ohiolandscapers.org COST MEMBERS: $35 plus $3 for each 10 words for 30 days. NON MEMBER: $70 plus $3 for each 10 words for 30 days. Please send all inquiries and ad content to: info@ohiolandscapers.org or call the OLA office at 440-717-0002.

All Acer japonicum prefer full-sun to part-shade, but ideally some shade from the blasting, late-afternoon, summer sun. Soils should be toward the acidic side, but nothing crazy, and certainly should be well drained. We lost a well-established tree near our pond this summer, after it spent two full months in 4 inches of water, from all the excess rain we had. It is possible a late frost will burn the tips of the leaves, but isn’t a major concern and certainly not a reason to avoid these trees. Pest issues are nearly non-existent, making your plant health care regime no more than basic structural pruning, when needed.

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So now, thanks to two “Old Dutch Carls,” we have some great Maples for our landscapes – and much easier names to discuss with our clients. Talk to your nursery and ask for Acer japonicum and its cultivars. Remember, if contractors don’t create demand for trees, growers may not know to grow them!

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

Call Today! 330-483-3400 • ValleyCitySupply.com

house museum. She is Landscape Industry Certified in Ornamental Plant Care.

The Growing Concern | January 2020 | 25

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FEATURE ARTI CLE

Winter Mulching in Cold Climate Gardens: P r o t e c t i n g Yo u r C l i e n t s ’ P l a n t s f r o m W i n t e r D a m a g e By Marie Iannotti

In areas that experience freezing temperatures, winter mulching differs from mulching during the growing season. We mulch our clients’ gardens in the spring to suppress weeds, retain moisture and feed and warm the soil. While we may spread a layer of soil conditioning compost or manure in the fall, the primary reason for winter mulching is to protect our plants from the harsh conditions of winter freezes, thaws, and winds.

WHY MULCH THE GARDEN IN WINTER?

WHAT TO USE FOR MULCH IN WINTER

The main idea behind winter mulching is to keep the ground frozen by shielding it from the warmth of the sun. A steady temperature will keep the plant in dormancy and prevent it from triggering new growth during a brief warm spell. Tender, new growth too soon will just result in more winter dieback. Mulching now will also help conserve whatever water is in the soil, so hopefully, your clients have been keeping their garden beds watered right up until the hard frost.

Any loose, insulating material will do. Keep in mind that you’ll need to remove this mulch in the spring, or at least rake it aside. So, choose a material that’s easy to handle. Shredded mulch, straw, pine needles or shredded leaves are all easy to remove or easy to work into the soil. If the ground doesn’t freeze until after Christmas, you can use the cut boughs of Christmas trees as a mulch covering. These are nice because they’re easy to remove in spring. continued on page 28 The Growing Concern | January 2020 | 27

F EATURE ARTI CLE continued from page 27 One of the easiest mulches out there is snow cover, though it’s much less predictable. Snow is actually a great insulator and protector of plants. Some plants will simply collapse onto themselves and act as self-mulches. Chrysanthemums survive best if allowed to do this.

WHEN TO APPLY AND OTHER PREVENTION METHODS Protect Crowns & Surface Roots Mulching to protect most perennial plants is done when the soil has started to harden, which is generally after the first hard or killing frost. A hard frost is usually defined as when temperatures drop to below 25 F, but you’ll know it when you see the last of the hardy annuals crumbled and brown in the morning. At this point, your perennials should be well into dormancy and mulching around them won’t encourage tender new growth. The ground has had time to chill and absorb fall moisture. Go ahead and spread a 2 to 4-inch layer of mulch around the base of the plants. Grafted plants, like hybrid Tea Roses, benefit from being mulched more heavily. These are usually mulched with compost or soil and are actually buried to just over the graft union. You can pile the soil up around the stems or you can use some wire fencing and fill with compost.

Prevent Desiccation Some shrubs that are evergreen or somewhat evergreen, like Rhododendrons and Viburnums, can become desiccated by harsh winds. You can protect the branches and buds by wrapping them with burlap or by spraying on an antidesiccant, like Wilt-Pruf. If you choose to wrap client’s shrubs, make certain there is space between the branches and the burlap or the burlap will freeze onto the branches and cause its own problem. You can also fill the space between the shrub and burlap with leaves, for additional insulation. Woody plants don’t require as much protection as herbaceous perennials. However, a 2 to 4-inch layer of shredded bark mulch or compost does help conserve the ground moisture. Just be sure not to pile it around the base of the plants. Keep it several inches from the stems or you’ll invite rodents, like voles and mice, who like the cover of mulch while munching on the bark. Mulching up against the stems also holds too much moisture against the plant, providing ideal conditions for diseases to take hold. Prevent Heaving When the ground repeatedly freezes and thaws, it expands and contracts. When a plant is sitting in ground that expands and contracts, its roots get loosened from where they are anchored underground and the plant eventually gets pushed up through the surface of the soil, exposing its crown and roots to freezing temperatures and drying winds, which brings us right back to Reason to Winter Mulch #1. Again, you would wait until the top of the plant has died back and the ground has frozen, before applying a layer of mulch.

REMOVING WINTER MULCH The rule of thumb is to remove winter mulch in the spring when all danger of a hard frost is past. That’s sometimes very hard to judge, as anyone who’s experienced an Easter snowstorm can attest. However, when the ground starts to thaw and the smell of mud is in the air, it’s time to start raking and removing the mulch so that the ground can warm and new growth won’t be inhibited.

Marie Iannotti is an author, photographer, and speaker with 27 years of experience as a Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener to use as your reference guide to all things gardening. Follow her on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter. You can contact Marie by emailing her at hello@marieI.com or visit her website at marieI.com.

28 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

The Growing Concern | January 2020 | 29

D I RECTI ON S

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

SANDY MUNLEY

Executive Director The Ohio Landscape Association

I know it sounds clichĂŠ, but how can it possibly be 2020? It seems like it was only a few years ago that we were worrying that our computers would blow up and our infrastructure would come crashing down at the stroke of midnight because computers would not know how to read the year 2000. The reality was that it was no big deal, because the computer geniuses around the world patched the issues in advance. That was 20 years ago and technology has continued to change at a rapid pace. In the landscape industry, our members used to be slow to adapt to new technologies, but not anymore. We have seen a shift to embracing the new and phasing out the old to gain efficiencies. Here at OLA, we are very excited about the new year and seeing what new opportunities will arise and how we can help our members learn about the new technologies and methods. We have a great team on the Board of Directors and here in the OLA office. We continue to look at and discuss new ways to assist our members to grow and prosper, but we could use your help! The Ohio Landscape Association can only be a good as it members make it. We think we have some pretty awesome members and it shows with the many successes we have had over the years. An involved membership is what really makes us tick. I hope that you might be inspired and make it one of your goals to get more involved with the Ohio Landscape Association by helping with the garden at the Great Big Home

30 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

and Garden Show, or joining an OLA committee. Generally speaking, committee work is not a huge time commitment, but it is very helpful to us and a great networking tool for you. It is also the first rung on the ladder towards becoming a future board member â&#x20AC;&#x201C; if you have interest in that. Not all of our committees have been very active over the last couple of years, but it is our goal to change that. Some of our committees have done exemplary work and we hope to use them as a model. Our first committee meetings are being held January 9th, but you can join a committee after that date as well. Our committees include Education, Golf Classic, Awards, Legislative, Membership, Programs, and Public Relations/ Workforce Development. I hope to hear from you about an area of interest you may have. Give me a call, I would be happy to tell you more! I wish you and your families a healthy, happy and prosperous new year!

ADVERTI SI N G I N D E X

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

Abraxus Salt

Art Form Nurseries

Botson Insurance Group, Inc.

Davis Tree Farm & Nursery, Inc.

Frank Brothers Landscape Supply

Klyn Nurseries, Inc.

Mason Structural Steel, Inc.

O’Reilly Equipment

Premier Plant Solutions

REGULAR MEMBERS GM Landscaping & Design 1645 Lander Road Mayfield Hts., OH 44124 (440) 759-0047 Tommy Gaye

Nessley’s Lawn Care PO Box 143 Sugar Grove, OH 43155 (740) 243-8180 Malinda Sigler

Landskeepers Commercial Landscape & Property Care 15533 Chillicothe Road Novelty, OH 44072 (440) 338-8200 Daniel Osicki

Thrive Lawn & Plant Healthcare 15533 Chillicothe Road Novelty, OH 44072 (440) 338-4053 Tina Graver

Marsch Landscaping 126 East Main Street Orrville, OH 44076 (440) 319-9935 Alex Marsch

TAB Property Enhancement LLC 1669 W. 130th Street, #408 Hinckley, OH 44233 (440) 821-2385 Trace Baum

Salt World

Sohar’s / RCPW, Inc.

Valley City Supply

VanCuren Tree Services, Inc.

VanCuren/ All Organic Mulch

Zoresco Equipment Company The Growing Concern | January 2020 | 31

9240 Broadview Road Broadview Hts., OHâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6; 44147-2517

ENTER TODAY ENTER TODAY

10/19 01/20

RING P S

ININ

PREPARING YOUR STAFF TO PERFORM DAILY TASKS AND SERVICES SAFELY

SAVE THE DATE 04.08.20 Encouraging Professional Standards and Promoting the Green Industry