The Growing Concern July 2023

INVESTING IN YOUR EMPLOYEES

With labor at an all-time premium, employee retention is at the forefront of every manager’s mind. Once a company attracts the best talent, the work is not finished. They must continue to invest in their employees to keep them engaged, motivated, and loyal to the organization. Research shows that companies with high employee retention rates have a better bottom line, higher productivity, and a more positive work culture.

That being said, demonstrating care for your employees should be a critical aspect of your employee retention plan. While something as simple as a thank-you card is a good start, investing time and resources in your staff can go a long way towards improving employee morale and loyalty - and it shows you care.

While ongoing training and development can be viewed as activities that will improve the overall performance of your business, they also improve the individual. Think about your current relationships for a second. Is there a person who checks in on you regularly and offers help or feedback? Or, do you have friends who only check in when they need something? Which friendships make you feel valued and connected? Which ones do you prefer to invest your time

in? While your employees are the people who get the work done, never lose sight of the fact that they are people with feelings, wants, and needs. The more you give of yourself to the people around you, the more you will receive. And, as Woody Hayes once said, “You win with people.”

So, what should you be doing to develop or train your personnel? Well, that’s the million-dollar question and it all depends on the individual, and the company’s overarching goals. While talent development can motivate someone who already has a passion for what it is they are doing, it might also ignite a spark in someone who is slightly disengaged.

The first thing that comes to my mind is the concept of mentorship. This can benefit the mentor and mentee and create a lifelong bond. Pairing up a newer employee with a veteran can help with team bonding and the mentee is encouraged that an interest is being taken in their development and well-being. For those employees on the management track, it’s possible that a mentor resides somewhere outside of your company and may only be needed as a sounding board. Weekly or monthly check-ins away from the office will help develop a relationship and give that employee a break.

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STEPHANIE GRAY BrightView Landscape

IT’S WORTH THE TIME AND MONEY

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Investing in Your Employees: It’s Worth the Time & Money

PERENNIAL FOCUS

Underutilized Landscape Plants: Let’s Talk Native Perennials

FISCAL FITNESS

Managing Risk & Volatility

FOR SAFETY SAKE

Protecting Your Business: Focus on Safety Training When Onboarding

AND THE WINNERS ARE...

Landscape Ohio! Enhancement Awards Results

PLANT OF THE MONTH

Aralia Cordata: Spikenard

FEATURE ARTICLE

FEATURE

How

OHIO’S PROFESSIONAL GREEN INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

OHIO LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION

9240 Broadview Road

Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147

Phone: 440.717.0002

Toll Free: 1.800.335.6521

Web: www.ohiolandscapers.org and www.myohiolandscape.com

DESIGNER / EDITOR

Rick Doll, Jr.

REGULAR WRITERS

Michael J. Donnellan, M3 Wealth Management

Dr. Jim Funai, PhD., Cuyahoga Community College

Shelley Funai, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

Stephanie Gray, LIC, BrightView Landscapes

Sandy Munley, Ohio Landscape Association

Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, Bobbie’s Green Thumb

ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Submission deadline: 10th of the month, prior to the month of magazine publication. For advertising rates and ad specs, please call 440.717.0002, 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

Stephanie Gray, LIC

President – Elect

Cameron Maneri

Treasurer

Ryan Drake

Immediate Past President

Brian Maurer, LIC

DIRECTORS

Brandon Barker

Matt Malone

Tim McCaskey

Bob Ramser, LIC

Tom Rieder, LIC

Kate Stone, OCNT

OLA STAFF

Executive Director

Sandy Munley

Associate Director

Rick Doll, Jr.

COVER: 2023 Landscape Ohio! Honor Award winner, in the category of Residential Installation, Landscapes by Terra.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

UPCOMING OLA MEETINGS, EDUCATION SEMINARS & EVENTS

JULY

JULY 11, 2023

PLANT I.D. CLINIC (Central Ohio)

This clinic is a hands-on training opportunity for you and your crews covering the basics of Plant ID for plants typically used in Ohio. Sponsored by Willoway Nurseries.

See page 32 for more details.

JULY 13, 2023

PLANT I.D. CLINIC (N.E. Ohio)

This clinic is a hands-on training opportunity for you and your crews covering the basics of Plant ID for plants typically used in Ohio. Sponsored by Davis Tree Farm & Nursery.

See page 32 for more details.

JULY 19, 2023

WOMEN IN LANDSCAPE MEET-UP

OLA’s Women in Landscape Group was created for the purposes of connecting, empowering, and advocating for women in the landscape industry, while amplifying the voices of our current & future women leaders.

See sidebar (right) for more details.

AUGUST

AUGUST 3, 2023

OLA SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC

Join us at Mallard Creek Golf Club for the OLA Scholarship Golf Classic! Our golf outing was created to help generate funding for our scholarship program. Call the OLA at 440.717.0002 for available sponsorship opportunities. See page 7 for more details.

AUGUST cont.

AUGUST 23, 2023

SNOW & ICE MANAGEMENT CLINIC

Whether you’re an owner, operations manager, dispatcher, or anyone in between, the OLA’s annual snow and ice management clinic is a can’t miss event for any company focused on improving how they handle the “white side” of their business.

For more details see pages 26 & 27.

SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023

PLANT HEALTHCARE DAY

This full-day workshop combines all aspects of Plant Health Care (PHC) for both technicians and managers, with live demonstrations of PHC techniques. Held at Secrest Arboretum, located in Wooster, OH. See page 33 for more details.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

NE OHIO FACILITY TOUR (Turfscape)

Founded in 1988 by George Hohman, their dedication to detail and healthy client relationships quickly led to Turfscape’s first location opening in 1989. By 1999, the company began to thrive, building a headquarters in Twinsburg, a second location in Independence (2004) and a third in North Canton (2013). Join us as we tour Turfscape’s headquarters, located in Twinsburg, Ohio, to find out what has made them so successful for over 35 years. Registration opens August 2023.

WOMEN IN LANDSCAPE MEET-UP

The OLA’s Women in Landscape Group was created for the purpose of connecting, empowering, and advocating for women in the landscape industry. We want to help drive the change necessary to recruit and retain female professionals while amplifying the voices of current & future women leaders. If you are female, you are invited to join this FREE networking group. (Note: Based on group consensus, males may be invited to join from time to time.)

Our first meeting of 2023, scheduled for July 19th, will be a very informal event used to determine future topics of conversation for the group.

EVENT INFORMATION

DATE & LOCATION

JULY 19, 2023

SUDS MAGUIRE’S BAR & GRILL 1270 W BAGLEY RD. BEREA, OH 44133

AGENDA NETWORKING

5:30PM TO 7:30PM

COST TO ATTEND

NONE

FOOD/BEVERAGE: ATTENDEES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN FOOD & BEVERAGE PURCHASES.

REGISTER TO ATTEND BY JULY 12, 2023

ABOUT SUDS MAGUIRE’S BAR & GRILL Suds Maguire’s Bar & Grill has always been one of Berea’s favorite establishments. With cold beers on tap, a wide variety of bottled and canned beers, wines, and creative mixed concoctions, their patio is open seasonally with tables for dining, two TVs, and an outside bar that is connected to their inside bar. Sud’s has a pet friendly patio, as well as a variety of entertainment options.

continued from page 3

Another idea is looking into academic partnerships and/or tuition reimbursement. Since the pandemic, many colleges continue to offer online courses that can be dialed up on demand – when it is convenient. We are fortunate in the state of Ohio to have several colleges and universities with amazing horticulture programs.

Speaking of education, the OLA also has several classes coming up on our calendar for technicians and supervisorlevel employees. Please check the website for registration information and our most current offerings, as we are currently working on filling out the rest of our calendar. Our classes range from half-day to full-day – depending on the topic – and typically revolve around topics currently relevant to your business. Plus, the OLA offers discounts on training through Greenius (one of your member benefits) which is an online portal with hundreds of topics that can be taken on demand.

In addition to hands-on training and mentoring, I suggest you look into ways to coach up your staff’s ‘soft skills.’ What are soft skills, you might ask? The term refers to a wide

range of topics or transferable skill sets that some potential candidates may be lacking in today’s job market. Soft skills are not learned by acquiring knowledge (taking a class or listening to a TED talk), but by interacting with others. An example would be interpersonal skills like dealing with different personality types, or social skills regarding attitude and task flexibility. These are a little difficult to develop and require patience and positive reinforcement. Soft skills also relate to emotional intelligence and one’s ability to recognize thoughts and manage feelings. Soft skills can be measured by how well someone manages and communicates with the people around them.

In closing, most of us are looking for employees with a good work ethic. Once you find that diamond in the rough, showing them you care and are willing to work with them to hone their problem-solving skills and apply their creativity will help create – and keep – that employee. And while it will inevitably take time and patience on your part, your company will be much better off for it in the long run.

- Stephanie Gray, LIC

MAJOR SPONSORS

UNDERUTILIZED LANDSCAPE PLANTS

LET’S TALK NATIVE PERENNIALS

From an environmental perspective, an essential benefit of native plants is their role in benefitting pollinators and other wildlife. But they are also aesthetically pleasing in the landscape. Here are three native perennials to consider adding to your portfolio of landscape plantings.

BOWMANS’S ROOT, INDIAN PHYSIC

Bowmans’s root (Porteranthus trifoliathus) is a study in contrasts. It boasts delicate white, star-shaped flowers in May-June but has a robust shape and appearance. This highly ornamental perennial blooms in May and June and throughout USDA zones 4-8. Porteranthus trifoliathus is native from Ontario east, south to Georgia, and west to Arkansas. It prefers moist, humusy, welldrained soil in full to part sun. The warmer the area, the more shade it prefers. Bowmans’s root is a mounded 2-3 foot tall and 3 foot wide deciduous perennial. Once established, it is very drought tolerant.

In addition to the ethereal blooms, Bowmans’s root boasts red calyces that persist after the flower petals drop and beautiful red fall color. It is pollinator and butterfly-friendly but resistant to herbivory from mammals, i.e., deer. This native has few pests and needs little maintenance. Bowmans’s root

looks excellent at the edge of a woodland, in a meadow, in a mass, or as a specimen. I like to use it with the tall spires of foxgloves, the substantial flowers of Baptisia, or mixed with Astrantia and roses. At the feet of the Roses, Bowmans’s root, and Astrantia, you could add a punch of color with Callirhoe involucrata, Poppy Mallow. Porteranthus blooms are available in white (straight species) and pink (Pink Profusion). I love the white, but you can see that pink also has its charms in the picture.

INDIAN PINK

Spigelia marilandica is now more available in the nursery trade. Because it is a long-blooming native perennial, it will grow in the shade and is a top ten hummingbird plant. There is no reason not to grow this attractive addition to our gardening palette. Add to this the spectacular tubular red and yellow flowers and their ease of cultivation, and really, what’s not to like?

Bowmans’s root (Porteranthus trifoliathus).

continued from page 8

While Indian Pink is not native to the upper-midwest, it is a southeastern US native perennial, it is hardy in zones 5-9. Its size allows it to fit into most gardens, growing to 1-2 feet tall and ½ -1 foot wide. It grows in clumps and has a spectacular bloom period in June, followed by sporadic blooming throughout the summer. Average, well-drained soil in full to partial shade is all that is needed. Some sources suggest it will tolerate wet soil, but not for prolonged periods. It is pest and disease free, deer and rabbit resistant, and does not require division.

Landscape uses include planting in bioswales, woodland gardens, or along paths. The upraised, red tubular flowers with yellow firecracker stars encourage clients to stop and admire. Try interplanting with Eastern Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) to echo the yellow and red contrasts.

GOATSBEARD

Goatsbeard is a larger native perennial that will make quite a statement in your client’s garden. The plumelike flowers and the finely dissected foliage resemble very large Astilbe. The blooms are cream in color and last for about ten days. According to the Missouri Botanic Gardens, Goatsbeard occurs naturally in moist and wet areas in the temperate northern hemisphere, zones 4-8.

Goatsbeard does well in medium to wet soils high in organic matter and enjoys full sun to part shade. The more sun, the more moisture is needed. It wants a mulch of shredded leaf litter to keep the soil cool and moist, but overall maintenance is low. There are seldom insect or disease problems, although leaf appearance suffers when placed in full sun without sufficient

moisture. Site this plant correctly because once established, the plant attains a large size, 4-6 feet tall and 2-4 feet wide, and does not transplant well. It does spread rhizomatously but in a well-mannered fashion. This native perennial is another plant that tolerates deer and rabbit herbivory. When designing with goatsbeard, remember it is slow to establish and takes a few years to attain its shrublike proportions.

Designers can use Goatsbeard in pollinator gardens; it attracts bees and butterflies, and as an added plus, it is a host plant for the Dusky Azure butterfly. Goatsbeard is often used to good effect edging a walkway. If used as an edging plant, be sure to site 3-4 feet from the path’s edge so clients are not forced off the walkway. Goatsbeard combines well in a perennial border with Purple Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica), Hosta ‘Sagae’ (Hosta sp. ‘Sagae’), Star of Persia (Allium christophii), Giant Onion (Allium giganteum), native Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum commutatum), or Monkshood (Aconitum napellus or A. carmichaelii ‘Arendsii’). As long as the soil does not experience sustained dryness, it is an excellent addition to rain gardens. Goatsbeard is a great choice for woodland transition areas and looks terrific next to ponds and streams.

This article was written by Margaret Hoffman, Ph.D., assitant professor at the PennState Extension. Penn State Extension is a modern educational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communities. They provide access to face-to-face and online education, helping customers to address problems and take advantage of opportunities for improvement and innovation.

Indian Pink (Spigelia marilandica). Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus).

MANAGING RISK & VOLATILITY

Many of us invest in stocks for their ability to grow our wealth. 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.

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.

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.

Volatility creates opportunity. It is easy to say volatility and market dips work themselves out in time, but we realize it is 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. 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.

A well-diversified portfolio containing a broad mix of equities, bonds and cash will likely be less volatile over the long term than a portfolio concentrated in only a few investments. In a welldiversified portfolio, losses in one area tend to be offset with gains in other areas. For example, bonds and stocks often move

continued on page 14

MICHAEL J. DONNELLAN M3 Wealth Management

continued from page 12

in opposite directions. On the other hand, in a concentrated equity-only portfolio, both losses and gains can have a bigger impact. If you want to mitigate the level of volatility in your portfolio, diversification is one of the keys. And with interest rates at levels we haven’t seen in over a decade, bonds can offer a level of comfort along with a more predictable rate of return.

Another approach that can help ease concern over volatility is dollar-cost averaging. This strategy involves investing a predetermined amount on a set schedule—say, every month or every quarter—regardless of market conditions. No need to worry about whether prices are heading up or down, because this mechanical process eliminates emotion. You’ll naturally buy more shares when prices are lower, and less when prices are higher.

Avoid following herd mentality. When you have a portfolio based on a long-term outlook, there’s less of a need to respond to short-term events. According to behavioral finance, herd behavior may be a psychological trap. For example, based on negative economic news, some investors decide to sell. Others are spooked by that trend and follow suit, and suddenly there is a major correction as a big crowd of investors dump their shares. Rather than follow the herd, investors are often better off staying the course, and simply waiting for prices to recover. It can be hard to sit tight when pessimism prevails, but such a rational response could spare you the pain of locking in a permanent loss. Similarly, in periods of market euphoria, following the herd can lead people into adding overhyped and subsequently overpriced investments.

Three keys to help manage a portfolio in volatile (and notso-volatile) times are to manage risk, keep time horizons in mind and diversify. That means a rebalance of portfolios on a regular basis.

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.

Scenarios illustrated are hypothetical in nature, results may vary. Investing is subject to risk which may involve loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

The M3 Wealth Management Office 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.

Michael J. Donnellan specializes 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

PROTECTING YOUR BUSINESS

FOCUS ON SAFETY TRAINING WHEN ONBOARDING

Statistically, the first six to 12 months with a landscape company are the most dangerous period for new employees. By taking the time to ensure proper safety training from the start, you can help lower this high incidence level for your new hires.

While it may seem like common sense to include safety training in your onboarding process, as you continue to grow your business, it’s a good idea to have this type of training organized.

“Things go astray very quickly if it’s not dialed in from day one,” says Brian Connors, president of Peak Landscape, Inc., based in Truckee, California.

Taylor Heisey, ops director for LaBahn’s Landscaping, based in Santee, California, says the number of incidents has drastically decreased with their newer training and safety program.

“In addition to creating a safer environment, we started using a company called Onsite Health and Safety,” Heisey says. “These trained healthcare professionals provide 24-hour

first aid to injuries. Adding this service has helped keep our employees safe since Onsite can come to the jobsite or the office same-day to assist with any injuries when they occur.”

WHAT TO COVER

Heisey says they cover their safety and PPE policies during onboarding, which takes about two hours. Then the production management team takes the new employee to their warehouse to train them on the correct and incorrect ways to use all the equipment. He adds they are working on a year-long safety and training program that all employees can access via an app.

“I think basic safety information can be often overlooked as we all take for granted what we assume people know,” Heisey says. “Reviewing policies can be helpful, but hands-on training

continued on page 18

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and working one-on-one with the employees is always the best way to make sure they are trained and safe in all aspects of their job. I always make sure our employees know that it is our job to make them feel safe so they can go home to their families at the end of each day.”

Joe Lewis, COO of Yard Solutions, based in Groveport, Ohio, says they have a PowerPoint presentation that addresses PPE, fire and fuel safety, heat and cold stress safety, landscape hazards and hazard communication.

“I feel hazard recognition and who the employee should go to for questions is often overlooked,” Lewis says. “I recommend approaching all training with the intent to make it easier to do the right thing. Essentially, focus on developing sound habits from orientation as a new employee through a tenured manager. Too often, the focus is on the consequence after something bad occurs, rather than developing effective habits and reinforcing that behavior.”

Connors says they bring on their new hires in the spring and take them through various safety stations. Depending on the position they’re going into, the focus will change. He says they continue safety meetings every Monday about a relevant topic so everyone is on the same page throughout the season.

“In the spring, we’ll try and bring all new hires in for a couple of days and just have them at our yard and just go through

different areas of concern as far as small engine equipment, working around large equipment all the way down to hand tool safety and basic PPE as far as ears, eyes, dust masks, so on and so forth,” Connors says.

Connors notes that depending on the new hire’s background, they might not be used to wearing PPE or accustomed to a safety culture.

“That’s definitely a massive challenge,” Connors says. “Taking them and taking those bad practices that they’ve been taught over the course of years and molding them into somebody who’s actually safety conscious.”

ENSURE COMPREHENSION

Conducting initial safety training during onboarding is important, but it’s equally critical to ensure your new employees grasp the concepts.

Following the review of safety and PPE policies and the demonstration of equipment use, LaBahn’s new employees take a short quiz to ensure they’ve understood everything. Lewis says they also conduct a multiple-choice test covering the basics.

At Yard Solutions, they have the new employee assigned to a crew with one of their in-house trainers for at least two weeks. This is one of the ways they help their new hires feel comfortable enough to ask questions on the job. Lewis says

they focus on covering safety content that is relatable and ensuring their leaders are engaged.

“You would be amazed at the power of being available and asking people how they are doing and if there is anything you can do for them,” Lewis says.

Heisey says they conduct regular check-ins with their new employees throughout the first few weeks and let them know they are available to help with anything they need.

“The direct supervisor of the new hire is the one that greets them on their first day and walks them through the warehouse, which helps to create a bond from the start,” Heisey says. “This helps new hires feel comfortable and valued, so they are more inclined to ask questions.”

Connors stresses to his team that the only stupid question is the one you don’t ask. He says during their weekly safety meetings, they have two circles, one in English and one in Spanish, just to make sure everybody understands fully.

COMMON MISTAKES

The opposite of neglecting to touch on safety topics during onboarding is overloading new hires with a four-hour lecture on everything safety-related.

Another common failure is investing in thorough safety training leading up to the spring season for new hires but not providing the same level of training to employees who join your company later in the season. Connors admits they are working to improve this at their own company.

“I feel like the longer the season goes, the less we really focus on that, which is something that we’re looking to curb and improve upon for sure,” Connors says.

Heisey adds it’s important not to assume new employees know how to properly use PPE, even if they’ve previously used it.

“While many people understand what PPE is and what it is used for, they often forget or take shortcuts to be more productive,” Heisey says. “Assessing their knowledge and helping them remain safe is always our priority, and we understand that some people may need a refresher.”

This article was published in the The Edge magazine. The Edge is the official publication of the National Association of Landscape Professionals, covering the events, people, and issues of the association and the green industry. To read more stories from The Edge visit www.landscapeprofessionals.org

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THE AWARD FOR LIFETIME CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY Richard Haury

Each year, since 1992, the OLA Board of Directors selects a deserving individual to receive the Lifetime Dedication and Contributions to the Landscape Industry Award. This year, the OLA recognizes Ric Haury as the 32nd recipient of this prestigious award.

Ric Haury was the 4th of five children born to Charles and Gerry Haury. In typical post war, baby boomer fashion, they had 5 children in just 7 years. The family lived in Stow, where Ric is a lifelong resident. He learned to love gardening working in the family’s large vegetable garden and enjoyed watching the plants grow.

Ric graduated from Stow-Monroe Falls High School in June of 1971. Winning the Good Park Golf Tournament in August of ’71 convinced Ric that he could play in college. He went on to the University of Akron and earned a bachelors Ddegree in Accounting. All Ric’s college days were focused on either schoolwork or golf. In fact, during college Ric was working at the pro shop of a public golf course. The girl working in the snack bar caught Ric’s eye. They began dating and he married Bev two years later in 1978. In 1988, Ric and Bev added to their family with the birth of their daughter, Maggie. She works at Suncrest, but is also a very talented singer.

Ric founded Rite Landscaping in 1976 with his accounting background,

his interest in horticulture, and his strong desire to build a full-service landscape business. With the addition of Production Manager Rob Gray in 1987, the Management Group was formed.

Expansion in 1990 led the business to its current location in Peninsula, Ohio and Rite Landscaping became a full-service landscape construction Ccompany with Design / Build and Maintenance divisions. In 1997, a new garden center was added and the Rite Landscaping name was retired in favor of Suncrest Gardens. A second expansion was completed in 2006 with an enlarged store, new greenhouses for the Garden Center, and new offices.

Ric served on the OLA Board from 1997 through 2001, serving as Board President in 1999. While on the board, Ric helped plan the CLT program, though the biggest legacy he leaves with OLA is being the creator of our Scholarship Golf Classic, which has helped many students achieve their goal of attending college.

Ric has been an instrumental leader in the OLA’s quest for a permanent solution for the H2B program, having traveled to wWashington, D.C., countless times, and has helped organize and participate in political fundraisers to further this cause.

Ric spent time on Tri-C’s Plant Science & Landscape Contracting Advisory Board, served on the Urban Forestry Commission in the City of Stow for more than 10 years, and has taught adult education classes on landscaping in the City of Stow.

Ric says that he has been guided throughout his life by the wonderful example set by his parents, the love of his family and friends, and his faith in God. He hopes he has been able to do the same.

Congratulations, Ric, on receiving this prestigious award!

RESIDENTIAL MAINTENANCE

SPONSOR: ALVORD’S YARD AND GARDEN

AWARD OF MERIT

Blooming Designs

The Four Seasons Garden in Richfield

AWARD OF MERIT

The Pattie Group

A Private Residence in Shaker Heights

COMMERCIAL MAINTENANCE

SPONSOR: STANLEY BLACK & DECKER

AWARD OF HONOR

Rice’s Landscapes Redefined

Belden Mall L.L.C. in Canton

AWARD OF MERIT

Suncrest Gardens

CEIA USA in Hudson

RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION, CATEGORY I

SPONSOR: SNOW & ICE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (SIMA)

AWARD OF MERIT

Suncrest Gardens

A Private Residence in Hinckley

RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION, CATEGORY II

SPONSOR: M.H. EBY

AWARD OF MERIT

Ground Works Land Design

A Wooded Project in Westlake

RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION, CATEGORY III

SPONSOR: WILLOWAY NURSERIES

AWARD OF MERIT

Sasak Landscaping, Inc.

A Private Residence in Bay Village

RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION, CATEGORY IV

SPONSOR: LAKE COUNTY NURSERY

AWARD OF MERIT

Ground Works Land Design

Lakeside Luxury II in Avon Lake

AWARD OF MERIT

#1 Landscaping

A Private Residence in Westlake

Our

awards program was created to increase awareness of quality landscaping and how it improves the environment. This annual competition recognizes designers, installers, and property owners. It is open to all Regular Member companies of the Ohio Landscape Association.

AWARD WINNING PROJECTS

RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION, CATEGORY V

SPONSOR: DAVIS TREE FARM & NURSERY

AWARD OF HONOR

Landscapes by Terra

The Hideaway Haven in Powell

RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION, CATEGORY VI

SPONSOR: VALLEY CITY SUPPLY

AWARD OF HONOR

Green Impressions

A Private Residence in Brecksville

AWARD OF MERIT

Suncrest Gardens

A Private Residence in Hinckley

AWARD OF MERIT

Landscapes by Terra

A Rustic Pool Retreat in Galloway

AWARD OF MERIT

Sasak Landscaping, Inc.

A Private Residence in Westlake

COMMERCIAL INSTALLATION, CATEGORY I

SPONSOR: EARTH ‘N WOOD

AWARD OF MERIT

M.J. Design Associates

The I.P.A. Roundabout in Plain City

COMMERCIAL INSTALLATION, CATEGORY II

SPONSOR: KLYN NUSERIES, INC.

AWARD OF MERIT

Suncrest Gardens

CEIA USA in Hudson, Ohio

WATER FEATURES

SPONSOR: BEDFORD GLENS GARDEN CENTER

AWARD OF HONOR

The Bremec Group

A Water Feature in Shaker Heights

LANDSCAPE LIGHTING

SPONSOR: WOLF CREEK COMPANY

AWARD OF MERIT

The Bremec Group

Landscape Lighting in Shaker Heights

AWARD OF MERIT

The Pattie Group

A Private Residence in Moreland Hills

AWARD OF MERIT

#1 Landscaping

A Private Residence in Westlake

Project sites must be located in the State of Ohio, or in a bordering state, and a major portion of the project must be the work of the entrant. Projects are eligible for up to five (5) years after completion.

AWARD WINNING PROJECTS

SPECIALTY GARDENS

SPONSOR: GREAT BIG HOME & GARDEN SHOW

AWARD OF HONOR

Lifestyle Landscaping, Inc.

A Private Residence in Amherst

AWARD OF MERIT

Suncrest Gardens

A Private Residence in Aurora

GARDEN STRUCTURES/PAVEMENTS, I

SPONSOR: OBERFIELDS

AWARD OF MERIT

Suncrest Gardens

A Private Residence in Aurora

GARDEN STRUCTURES/PAVEMENTS, II

SPONSOR: UNILOCK OHIO, INC.

AWARD OF MERIT

Suncrest Gardens

A Private Residence in Hinckley

AWARD OF MERIT

Executive Landscaping

A Private Residence in Columbiana

GARDEN STRUCTURES/PAVEMENTS, III

SPONSOR: BELGARD HARDSCAPES

AWARD OF HONOR

Ground Works Land Design

A Private Residence in Bay Village

AWARD OF MERIT

Ground Works Land Design

Lakeside Luxury II in Avon Lake

AWARD OF MERIT

Executive Landscaping

A Private Oasis in Girard

GARDEN STRUCTURES/PAVEMENTS, IV

SPONSOR: BIGFOOT LANDSCAPE SUPPLY

AWARD OF HONOR

Landscapes by Terra

The Hideaway Haven in Powell

AWARD OF MERIT

Landscapes by Terra

A Rustic Pool Retreat in Galloway

AWARD OF MERIT

Landscapes by Terra

A Tuscan Arrival in Dublin

AWARD WINNING PROJECTS

BEST USE OF COLOR

SPONSOR: LOWE’S GREENHOUSE

AWARD OF HONOR

Blooming Designs

A Four Seasons Garden in Richfield

AWARD OF MERIT

The Pattie Group

A Private Residence in Hudson

THE 26th ANNUAL LANDSCAPE OHIO! AWARDS

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Each year, the OLA makes available scholarship monies for selected students who are interested in pursuing horticulture in college. Those eligible recipients/applicants include high school seniors who are enrolled in a horticulture program, as well as college students currently studying horticulture. For a full list of requirements, or to enter, visit www. ohiolandscapers.org/scholarships

GABRIELLE FERNANDEZ

$2,000 SCHOLARSHIP

Gabby is described as a topperforming student. She holds a 4.0 at Cuyahoga Community College’s Plant Science and Landscape Technology Program. She has placed very well in the NCLC competition with 5th in 3D CAD and 15th in Interior Plant ID.

AIDAN HACKNEY

$3,500 SCHOLARSHIP

Aidan graduated from Cornerstone Christian Academy, where he took several honors classes and held a 3.62 GPA. He works at Chic-fil-A, runs his own lawn moving service, and coaches baseball. Aiden has found his passion in Turfgrass Management and wishes to attend Ohio State ATI to study there.

OWEN FORCHIONE

$2,000 SCHOLARSHIP

Owen grew up in his family’s landscape business and studied Landscape Design & Management at Columbus State Community College. where he is on the Dean’s List. He placed 2nd in the Hardscape Competition at NCLC in 2022 and competed in the Hardscape North America Installer Championship.

THANK YOU TO THIS YEAR’S CATEGORY SPONSORS

EVENT

SPONSORSHIP

SPONSORSHIP

SPONSORSHIP/EXHIBIT OPPORTUNITIES

AG-PRO COMPANIES

INFORMATION

BAKER VEHICLE SYSTEMS

TO REGISTER CALL THE OLA OFFICE

It’s Back! The OLA is happy to announce the return of our Annual Snow & Ice Management Clinic! Our Snow & Ice Management Clinic is a can’t miss event for anyone in, or thinking about being in the snow and ice business. Designed for both business owners and employees, the clinic will include group discussions and great information from snow and ice industry experts.

BOTSON INSURANCE GROUP

440.717.0002

BURNS JCB OF OHIO

EVENT INFORMATION

CLASSIC AUTO GROUP

AUGUST 23, 2023

8:30AM - 2:00PM

KRYSTOWSKI TRACTOR

LOCATION

Sponsorship/Exhibit opportunities are available to ALL Green Industry suppliers, including non snow and ice related businesses. All Sponsorship/Exhibit opportunities include:

• Your choice of exhibit size. (Subject to availability. See below for more details.)

• Your company name displayed on signage at the event.

ST. MICHAEL’S WOODSIDE 5025 EAST MILL ROAD

LEPPO RENTS/BOBCAT

• Your company logo, linked to your company’s website, on all email communications promoting the event.

• Your company logo, linked to your company’s website, on the Snow & Ice Clinic landing page of our industry website.

OHIO CAT

O’REILLY EQUIPMENT

BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, OH 44147

SIMA

AGENDA

• Your company will be recognized at the event and will have the opportunity to pass out marketing materials to attendees.

• A complimentary copy of the event attendee list, including attendee’s company name, contact person, mailing address & phone number.

BOOTH/EXHIBIT SIZES

SOUTHEASTERN EQUIPMENT

8:30AM - 9:00AM

REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST

VERMEER MIDATLANTIC WINTER EQUIPMENT

9:00AM - 9:45AM

INTRODUCTION / STATE OF SNOW & ICE LEGISLATION

9:45AM - 12:00PM

PRESENTATION & TRADE SHOW

12:00PM - 12:45PM

LUNCH & TRADE SHOW

12:45PM

VENDOR MOVE OUT

Booths will be sold on a first-come, first serve basis, once last year’s sponsors have had the opportunity to renew. Exhibitors may set up their booths beginning July 25 at 7:00am. and have until 8:15am to complete set-up. All exhibit spaces will be located outdoors on pavement and should be interactive for attendees. Booths will need to be vacated by 2:00pm.

OPTION #1 10 x 10 BOOTH

OLA Member - $400 Non Member - $600

Includes:

• 10 x 10 Exhibit Space

• 2 Exhibitor passes

• Breakfast and Lunch

OPTION #2 20 x 30 BOOTH

OLA Member - $500 Non Member - $700

Includes:

• 20 x 30 Exhibit Space

• 3 Exhibitor passes

• Breakfast and Lunch

OPTION #3

30x40 or 20x60 BOOTH

OLA Member - $600 Non Member - $800

Includes:

• 30 x 40 or 20 x 60 Exhibit Space

• 3 Exhibitor passes

• Breakfast and Lunch

PLEASE NOTE: 10 x 10 booths are for TABLETOP DISPLAYS ONLY. Absolutely no equipment will be permited in a 10 x 10 booth. 20 x 60 booths will be created by combining (2) 20 x 30 booths. The same can be done for extra 30 x 40 booths.

SNOW BUSINESS SUCCESS

Whether you’re an owner, operations manager, laborer, or anyone in between, the OLA’s Annual Snow and Ice Mangement Clinic is a can’t miss event for any company focused on improving how they handle the “white side” of their business. This year’s focus will be on Solving Winter Labor Issues, What a Weather Service Can Offer Your Business & The State of Snow & Ice Legislation.

GUEST SPEAKERS

Kevin Gilbride, Accredited Snow Contractors Association (ASCA)

Kevin Gilbride started in the snow industry in 1996 as part of the team that launched what is today Snow Magazine. As Executive Director of the ASCA, Kevin is committed to helping drive our industry to new levels, and getting the outside world to recognize both the professionalism that exists in the industry and the unfairness that the outside world places on your business.

Brian Ivey, NEO Weather

As owner of NEO Weather, Brian is all about helping others by providing a unique and detailed look at the weather forecast, as impact based weather consulting can help outdoor businesses save massive amounts of time and money.

Kevin Mahon, Director of Snow and Ice Management at Penn Outdoor Services

Kevin is passionate about developing a strong and healthy snow program for the benefit of his clients, community, employees, company and industry. He deploys storm-specific strategies for the best snow and ice management company in their market while remaining focused on industry leading service. Kevin will be discussing the utilization of subcontractors, seasonal labor, and how to motivate your full-time employees through the winter months.

MINI TRADE SHOW

Visit industry vendors to see what’s new with displayed snow & ice equipment and products.

EVENT INFORMATION

AUGUST 23, 2023

8:30AM - 2:00PM

LOCATION

ST. MICHAEL’S WOODSIDE 5025 EAST MILL ROAD BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, OH 44147

AGENDA

8:30AM - 9:00AM

REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST

9:00AM - 9:45AM

INTRODUCTION / STATE OF SNOW & ICE LEGISLATION

9:45AM - 12:00PM

PRESENTATION & TRADE SHOW

12:00PM - 12:45PM

LUNCH & TRADE SHOW

12:45PM- 2:00PM

JIM FUNAI, PhD

Cuyahoga Community College

SHELLEY FUNAI, LIC

Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

ARALIA CORDATA SPIKENARD

Inspiration for trying new plants can come from many sources. Shelley discovered this month’s plant growing in a bed during one of our many visits to the botanical gardens. And now, every day that we walk in our front door, we are lucky enough to pass by it, because we were able to purchase it at the end of the NGLCO Field Day years ago.

Nestled behind the broad leaves of Hosta ‘Paul’s Glory’, fronted by Astilbe ‘Fireberry’, with a splash of Asarum europaeum, European Ginger, we designed a beautiful planting combination. The Astible and Spikenard mirror leaf shapes and textures, while the Hosta and Ginger provide a broad-leaved contrast to that feathery pairing. Bloom times are in perfect succession, offering months of beauty and interest – a true design masterpiece!

Ok… so, maybe we should be a bit more forthcoming when it comes to this “design masterpiece.”

Plants entering our landscape are purchased for two reasons. 1) They are awesome, and 2) We need that! Where exactly it will be planted is pretty far down the list, and usually requires us keeping the plant in our holding area for a few weeks while we walk the garden trying to fit it in somewhere. Truth be told, the combination mentioned above just kinda happened… and then we madeup the fancy sounding description to hide our plant obsession!

Had you fooled, right?

Plants with golden foliage can brighten up a drab green garden patch. Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’ is no exception.

In all honesty, we love discovering new plants and getting to know them, especially those that are new to us! A big part of the fun is watching them over the years, observing the different ways in which they can add beauty to our landscape.

It was a similar love of plant discovery that brought this plant to our industry. A great plant explorer named Barry Yinger, who has dedicated his life to exploring Asian nations for worthy introductions to our industry, first visited Japan in 1974. Learning Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Thai to help him explore the rural countryside in search of great plant introductions, he has helped bring hardy Camellias from North Korea, as well as a great number of Asian Asarums and one of our favorite vines, Schizophragma hydrangeoides ‘Moonlight,’ from Japan. Barry discovered Aralia cordata

‘Sun King’ at a Japanese nursery and brought it back for all of us to enjoy. In an interview with Horticulture Magazine, in May of 2007, Barry admits that one of his biggest struggles has been getting our industry to realize the many great plants available from this region of the world.

That said, this month we are donating to the cause – helping him in his mission – by suggesting you to try Aralia cordata

‘Sun King’ in one of your gardens this year. While this plant is related to our native Aralia spinose, Devil’s Walking Stick, it is much smaller in habit and less spiky, or intimidating. It is closer to being a Japanese version of our native Aralia racemose, American Spikewood, which many readers may not be familiar with either.

We love the Sun King Spikenard for its mastery of the part shade. While this plant needs several hours of sunlight to pull the best color out of the leaves, when the shade comes, these leaves glow a brilliant bright golden-chartreuse color, reminding us of Spirea ‘Gold Mound,’ with contrasting red-brown stems. Growing to a compact size of 3 feet by 3 feet, this plant can be very useful in a massing, or as an accent plant. While this plant can be left to grow each year, and may eventually reach closer to 5 feet, it may be just as easy to cut back each year like a perennial, in effort to produce the densest habit.

continued on page 30

continued from page 29

About the time you are reading this, this plant should be in full bloom, with spikes of white flowers held in clusters, just like last month’s plant which is a cousin in the Araliaceae family! These flowers too will soon be followed by tiny purple-black fruits. And, while the flowers and fruit add to the ornamental beauty of this small shrub, we feel the best way to use it is as a bright foliage accent in the shrub and perennial border.

We have found this plant to be pretty tough once established, requiring no care, unless cutting back for more density and size control. Pest and disease issues are minimal, provided you do not plant it in an overly dense soil that is constantly saturated. The straight species of Aralia cordata is native to Japan and can be found growing on well-drained slopes in bright light.

It really is amazing the vast amount of plants that we have available in our line of work, yet how easy is it to keep using the same pallet that we have become accustom to. This is why plants like Spirea ‘Gold Mound,’ and many others, are

so popular. Easy to propagate, easy to handle, easy to plant, and easy to maintain is the name of the game. With that in mind, there are a great number of other plants which fit that bill, IF we are willing to learn about them and put them in the right place with the proper planting techniques.

Give this gorgeous Aralia a shot in your next part-shade landscape planting. Try pairing with some Hostas and Astible, perhaps sprinkling in some Ferns and a Spirea too, to help keep your new plant anxiety at a minimum. You’ll love the combination, and more importantly, your client will appreciate the unique touch.

Jim Funai, PhD, is full-time faculty at Cuyahoga Community College, a NALP accredited associate of applied science in hoticulture degree program. He has 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.

Aralia ‘Sun King’ is truly one of the most amazing new perennial introductions in the last decade! With a few hours of sun, the foliage remains bright gold through the summer.

EVENT INFORMATION

COURSE INFO

JULY 11, 2023

WILLOWAY NURSERIES

6981 SCIOTO DARBY RD, HILLIARD, OH 43026

JULY 13, 2023

DAVIS TREE FARM & NURSERY

6126 NEFF RD. VALLEY CITY, OH 44280

AGENDA

8:30AM - 9:00AM

REGISTRATION / BREAKFAST

9:00AM - 3:00 PM

CLINIC

LUNCH INCLUDED

COST

OLA MEMBERS

NON MEMBERS

This Plant ID Clinic is a hands-on training opportunity for you and your crews that will cover the basics of Plant ID for plants typically used in Ohio. Plants covered include perennials, groundcovers, ornamental grasses, as well as trees and shrubs - both evergreen and deciduous.

Those who should attend are plant installation staff, maintenance staff, garden center staff, foreman, and anyone studying to take the Landscape Industry Certified Technician’s Test.

GENERAL INFORMATION: This seminar is hands-on training with live plant material. Attendees will need their own notepad and pen, and will need to dress appropriately for outdoor practical training.

Knaup Willoway Nurseries,

Nursery

Marie

Jason

Staff Willoway Nurseries, Inc.

Sponsored & Hosted by

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023

2122 WILLIAMS RD, WOOSTER, OH 44691

PLANT HEALTHCARE DAY

Plant Healthcare (PHC) services are a great way to enhance your landscape business by providing higher quality service to clients, opening additional revenue streams and giving your company an advantage over the competition. Designed for both business owners and employees, this clinic will focus on live demonstrations of proper planting techniques and how to determine what to do when elements - such as pests and diseases - take their toll on your plant material. Attendees will have access to a wide range of plant material including trees, shrubs, perennials..

EVENT TOPICS

Pre-Conference tour of Secrest Arboretum

• Led by Arboretum Curator, Jason Veil

Classroom Learning Sessions

• Introduction to Plant Healthcare (Integrated pest management vs. Plant Healthcare)

• Scientific focus: Beech leaf disease & other diseases/pest to be on the lookout for.

Outdoor Learning Sessions

• Root Collar Health & Air Spading

• Proper Tree Planting

• Pest vs. Disease Identification

• Right Plant, Right Place: Choosing the Correct Site for Plants.

the day of the course. If, for any reason, the course is cancelled, enrollees will be notified, and fees refunded in full. Register early as class size is limited and will sell out quickly.

2023 PLANT HEALTHCARE DAY / REGISTRATION CLOSES 09/06/23

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

5 Ways to Strengthen Your Sales Team

Your sales team works hard to bring in quality clients who can provide meaningful cash flow to your company. Just like how you invest in new trucks and equipment for your field staff to operate successfully, don’t forget to evaluate how you can come alongside and aid your sales team’s efforts.

CREATE A DEMO AREA

If a picture is worth a thousand words, can you imagine how helpful it is to convey your landscape design/build capabilities with a demo area? Having a showcase space at your headquarters allows you to display different styles, materials and layouts of outdoor living spaces.

“It introduces a layer of trust and allows clients before they commit to a project to see what we are capable of building,” says Cara Doyle, vice president of Summit Hardscaping. “It has become the ultimate referral of sorts. Clients recognize that even though their project may be completely different, they can trust that it will be well built.”

While building these spaces is a significant investment of time and money, the ROI is considerable. Companies who have built these spaces not only see an increase in projects but also are able to use these areas for team-building activities.

DEVELOP A LEAD QUALIFICATION PROCESS

Another way to help your sales team is to develop a strong lead qualification process. Rebecca Snow, a landscape designer with Bella Terra Landscapes & Garden Center estimates they have cut at least 40 percent of their wasted lead time since they started qualifying prospects better over the phone in 2019.

Create a playbook your team can go through and ask the same questions for consistency. Determine the client’s needs, budget, authority, timeline and positioning with your company. You can have clients answer these questions online in a form, or you could have the receptionist handle qualification so your sales team is only working with customers who are already a good fit.

“You can learn everything right at the beginning before you invest any of that time or effort, but we don’t,” says Neal

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Glatt, managing partner of GrowTheBench. “People don’t ask, ‘What’s your budget?’ People don’t know how and when they’re going to make a decision. They don’t ask those qualifying questions upfront.”

• Prioritize workplace flexibility. Workers prefer jobs that provide more flexibility over those that offer more vacation days. To the extent possible, give workers a say in their schedule, work conditions, work organization, work location, and work tasks.

• Match tasks to abilities. Use self-paced work, selfdirected rest breaks, and less repetitive tasks.

CREATE SALES SCORECARDS

It’s hard for your sales employees to know where they need to improve and where they are succeeding if you aren’t tracking their key performance indicators. Sales scorecards hold your sales reps accountable, and identifies top performers and areas where your sales process can improve.

• Avoid prolonged, sedentary work. Prolonged, sedentary work is bad for workers at every age. Consider sit/stand workstations and walking workstations for workers who traditionally sit all day. Provide onsite physical activity opportunities or connections to low-cost community based options.

• Provide health promotion and lifestyle interventions including physical activity, healthy meal options, tobacco cessation assistance, risk factor reduction and screenings, coaching, and onsite medical care. Accommodate medical self-care in the workplace and time away for health visits.

• Invest in training and building worker skills and competencies at all age levels. Help older employees adapt to new technologies, often a concern for employers and older workers.

• Proactively manage reasonable accommodations and the return-to-work process after illness or injury absences.

Scorecards can also help with the gamification of the sales team and drive healthy competition. They should encourage behaviors that drive more sales, such as making more calls or improving the qualification process. With sales scorecards, sales reps can easily see where they need to improve, and it provides clear-cut goals in their day-to-day.

• Manage hazards. Including noise, slip/trip hazards, and physical hazards – conditions that can challenge an aging workforce more.

• Provide and design ergo-friendly work environments. Workstations, tools, floor surfaces, adjustable seating, better illumination where needed, and screens and surfaces with less glare.

• Require aging workforce management skills training for supervisors. Include a focus on the most effective ways to manage a multi-generational workplace.

Don’t forget to set goals, as these metrics won’t mean much without context. To determine goals for individual sales reps, work backward with the quota you’re wanting them to reach and what steps they have to take to hit that quota.

• Utilize teams and teamwork strategies for agingassociated problem solving. Workers closest to the problem are often best equipped to find the fix.

continued on page 36

This article first appeared on the The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) website, located at www.cdc.gov/niosh. NIOSH’s mission is to develop new knowledge in the field of occupational safety and health and to transfer that knowledge into practice. Their vision: Safer, Healthier Workers.

continued from page 35

COACH THEM

If you have sales scorecards, analyze them on a weekly basis as they provide specific coaching opportunities.

Not all of your salespeople are going to be rockstars from day one, but this doesn’t mean they can’t be. Taking the time to invest in them and coach them along can significantly boost their abilities.

If a rep has strong first appointment numbers but their closing ratio is low, they might be failing to meet with the decision-makers who can close the sale. Or they could be failing to establish the level of trust a decision-maker needs to sign the contract. Both of these cases call for coaching to reduce these types of issues.

Have one-on-ones to review their performance and discuss the individual’s goals, where they can improve and how they can take their performance to the next level. Celebrate their wins and have them set new goals for the upcoming week.

INVEST IN ESTIMATING SOFTWARE

If your sales staff are responsible for project estimating as well as closing on projects, you need to take advantage of the various

types of technology available to overcome bottlenecks that can occur in the process.

Estimating can be time-consuming if your employees still have to go out to sites to measure properties. There are a number of automated property measurement options out there, including SiteRecon, RealGreen’s Measurement Assistant and Go iLawn. Meanwhile, takeoff tools can aid in determining how much of each material is needed to complete a landscape job.

Other all-in-one estimating software can not only generate estimates but provide proposal templates with custom designs. This can help your sales team get accurate, professional proposals out faster and allows them to focus on the next potential lead.

This article was posted to the the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) webblog, located at https://blog.landscapeprofessionals.org, by content manager Jill Odom. The National Association of Landscape Professionals offers you access to the best professionals and experts in the business along with education and programs to help grow and increase profits, improve operations and safety, and set your company apart from the competition.

HOW TO COMBAT SUMMER DORMANCY

Dormancy is a defense mechanism nature has developed to help plants survive tough, stressful conditions. It’s pretty hard to completely avoid dormancy during the dog days of summer, but there are things you can do to help lessen its impact on your client’s turf.

Visually inspect the lawn. Look for grass leaves and stems that have turned browned, as this means the crowns and buds have stopped growing. A brown and crispy appearance likely means summer dormancy.

It’s important to catch it early. Grasses will usually return to a healthy state when the temperature drops and adequate moisture returns—if they were properly cared for during the dormancy period. If not, they’ll likely die and never recover.

“Grasses such as Bluegrass can typically withstand about six weeks of dormancy before they suffer drought damage,” says Chris Lemcke of Weed Man. “However, many lawns have Annual Bluegrass mixed in. In this case, the lawn can suffer

drought damage in a very short period of dormancy. Plus, other factors can accelerate things, such as secondary heat off of buildings or fences. Homes with south-facing slopes almost always suffer drought damage in only a few weeks of dormancy.”

REACTING TO SUMMER DORMANCY

Lawns that go dormant should be left dormant until cooler weather comes along. “Trying to bring the lawn back out of dormancy by putting lots of water on it can be very stressful to the turf,” Lemcke points out. “It is turf’s natural response to go into dormancy until it gets cooler.”

Occasionally adding water will help fight damage, but don’t overdo it.

continued on page 40

While there are U.S. companies suffering from labor shortages, there are non-immigrants available to come work and fill those vacant positions. If you are a business professional experiencing labor shortages; we want to hear from you. Call today and learn how our Employment Based Visa services can help your company.

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I RECOMMEND THIS COMPANY WITH HIGH REGARDS.”

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I AM VERY THANKFUL TO JO FOR BEING ABLE TO EXPLAIN AND WALK US THRU THE H2A PROCESS. SHE HANDLED EVERY STEP OF THE PROCESS FOR US, I THINK WE ONLY NEEDED TO SIGN AND COVER COST. I HAVE SAVED A TON SINCE ENTERING THE PROGRAM, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.

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continued from page 38

HELPING CLIENTS CONTROL SUMMER DORMANCY BEFORE IT HAPPENS

Watering is an important step to managing summer dormancy before it even sets in. Lemcke says early morning watering is the best approach. “This helps avoid disease,” he explains. “The water will not lay stagnant in the grass overnight, which allows diseases to travel into the plant’s system. Plus, early morning watering allows for less water loss due to evaporation, as compared to watering during the middle of the day.”

Watering should be done deeply once or twice a week, according to Lemcke. Watering lightly every day, as many people do, is actually not the best strategy. “The best rule of thumb is 1.5 inches a week, when needed,” Lemcke says. “If there is an irrigation system that doesn’t have a rain sensor, watering one or two times a week for an hour each time is about right, in most cases.

Fertilizing responsibly is another important control tool. “Proper fertilization helps keep the lawn healthy, allowing grass to survive extended periods of drought and recover faster,” Lemcke says.

Controlled – or slow-release fertilizers – are an increasingly popular product. They gradually release nutrients bit by bit over time, which is a more effective, ecologically responsible method of feeding turn, many Green Industry Pros argue.

Mowing is the final consideration. Many professional lawn mowing contractors raise their mowing height. This allows for deeper root development than when mowing short. Grass also dries out a lot slower when it’s longer.

“For Bluegrass and Tall Fescue, we recommend mowing the turf as high as possible, which means 3-4 inches during the hottest time of the year,” Lemcke points out. “All of the southern grasses grow the fastest during hot weather, so normal mowing heights would be fine.”

This article was written by Monique Allen and appeared at turfmgazine.com Allen is the CEO of TheGardenContinuum.com, an award-winning, multiple sevenfigure landscape company in Medfield, MA. She’s the founder of the Life-Scape Method and author of the book STOP Landscaping, START Life-Scaping. She has dedicated her career to spreading awareness about sustainable landcare while working tirelessly as an educator, landscape business coach, and industry advocate.

SUMMER IS UPON US

With the start of summer upon us, it is wonderful to see warmer temperatures and sunnier days ahead. With summer, we offer several opportunities for education, networking, and fun!

PLANT I.D. CLINICS

First up this summer are our popular Plant I.D. Clinics, held in Hilliard and Valley City on July 11 and 13, respectively. We are happy to be back at full capacity with the number of attendees we can accommodate, but are still expecting these classes to sell out, so do not delay! These classes are a great opportunity for you or your staff to learn more about plant material. Learn what different varieties look like and what types of conditions they thrive in while touring the nursery in small groups to see, touch, and smell plant material. A helpful handout goes home with each attendee as a reference and to allow them to continue their learning experience.

MEMBER MEET-UPS

Don’t forget we have Networking Groups for Women in Landscape and Green Industry Professionals. While our Professional’s Group met in June, our Women in Landscape group will meet July 19 at Suds MacGuire’s in Berea, Ohio. If you have suggestions for future meet-up locations or activities, please contact us at info@ohiolandscapers.org.

OLA SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC

It is time to round-up your golf team and plan for a great 18 holes of golf with plenty of food, fun, and friends at the OLA Scholarship Golf Classic, thanks to our Sponsors. The Classic is scheduled for Thursday, August 3rd. The Classic will be held in Columbia Station at the Mallard Creek Golf Club.

As always, there will be many fun games and raffles. The Winking Lizard will return as the caterer for lunch and dinner because of the rave reviews we continue to receive about the

SANDY MUNLEY Executive Director / OLA

2022 Plant I.D. Clinic at Davis Tree Farm & Nursery

2022 Women in Landscape Meet-up at Old River Tap & Social.

Lizard! Lunch will include fresh grilled hamburgers and pulled pork sandwiches. Dinner will still be an All-U-Can-Eat buffet of BBQ chicken and ribs, served with all the fixings you would expect at a barbeque. Yum! If you do not golf, you can purchase a dinner ticket and join us for an early dinner. (If coming for dinner, plan to arrive by 3:00 pm.)

Please show your support of our scholarships by golfing, sponsoring a tee and/or donating a door prize (valued at $25 or more). OLA staff will be happy to purchase gift cards on your behalf so that you don’t have to leave the comfort of your office – just send us a check, call in your credit card number, or ask us to invoice you for sponsoring a tee, or door prize. (Golf registration must be paid at the time the reservation is made.) There is an option to do this online as well by visiting www. ohiolandscapers.org/golf-outing.

Another way to support OLA Scholarships and enjoy the entire day is to be a volunteer at the event. We need people to help with registration, contests, pavilion set-up, take down, etc. Please give us a call in the OLA office for details on volunteering.

The OLA Scholarship Golf Classic is always a huge event, for a great cause, where everyone has fun! Whether you are a golf hack or a pro, it is the place to be on August 3rd!

OLA SNOW & ICE MANAGEMENT CLINIC

Finally, just as we’re beginning to enjoy summer - I’m going to talk about snow. It’s the time of year to begin planning for your winter season and to start making those purchasing decisions for new equipment. This year’s OLA Snow and Ice Management Clinic is planned for August 23rd at Woodside Event Center in Broadview Heights. The committee has lined up some very interesting topics to cover, and of course, we have great support from our supplier members who will be on hand with equipment for you to see at the trade show portion of the event!

I look forward to seeing you at our summer events!

2022 OLA Scholarship Golf Classic at Mallard Creek.