The Growing Concern May 2017 by Sandy Munley

Growing Concern

The

MAY 2 0 1 7

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

OLA Education Series: Plant I.D July 14, 2017 / Davis Tree Farm & Nursery PAGE 23

OLA Scholarship Golf Classic August 3, 2017 / Registration is now open! PAGE 7

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PR ES I DEN T’S COLUM N

CATHY SERAFIN

ASLA, RLA

Suncrest Gardens

CAN MONEY BUY HAPPINESS? As we look at the award-winning, finely-detailed projects featured on the pages of Landscape Ohio! Magazine this month, it brings to mind an article I read online earlier this year. The Wall Street Journal published in their Journal Reports: Wealth Management a great article by Mr. Blackman titled: “Can Money Buy You Happiness?” When I first read it, I thought about it from a personal point of view – how my husband and I, and our family, view the concept of money buying happiness. Now, as I gaze at the fabulous projects on those pages in Ohio Magazine, I look at the revelation of this article as it regards our customers and their financial investments in their homes and places of business. Without further ado, I will announce that much to my approval, my conclusion after reading the article is that the answer to the question “Can Money Buy You Happiness?” is a resounding YES! There are several factors that qualify the affirmative answer. The article has a headline that summarizes my belief in money bringing us happiness. “Experiences Are Worth More Than You Think” – simply stated, yes they are. Money funding a family vacation when our children are young, sharing new experiences and places with them,

does buy a lasting kind of happiness. The bonding of the family and the memories that will live on for many years to come are priceless. Professor Howell from Brooklyn College conducted numerous studies and interviews and found that “life experiences give us more lasting pleasure than material things, and yet people still often deny themselves experiences and prioritize buying material goods.” Even more, he “found that when people looked back at their purchases, they realized that experiences actually provided better value.” continued on page 6 The Growing Concern | May 2017 | 3

TAB LE OF CON TEN TS M AY 2 0 1 7 WWW. OH I OLA N D SCA P E R S. OR G OH I O’ S P R OF E SSI ON A L G REEN I N D U ST R Y A SSOCI AT I O N OHIO LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION 9240 Broadview Road Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147 Phone: 440.717.0002, or 1.800.335.6521 Fax: 440.717.0004 Web: www.ohiolandscapers.org and www.myohiolandscape.com EDITOR Rick Doll, Jr. REGULAR WRITERS Michael J. Donnellan, King Financial, Inc. Jim Funai, LIC, Cuyahoga Community College Shelly Funai, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens Sandy Munley, Ohio Landscape Association Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, Bobbie’s Green Thumb Cathy Serafin, ASLA, RLA, Suncrest Gardens 2017 Landscape Ohio! award submission from Suncrest Gardens, for their residential maintenance work on a private residence in Lakewood, Ohio.

FEATURES

3 8 12 17 25 29 32 33 34

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Can Money Buy Happiness?

PERENNIAL FOCUS

Ajuga: Bugleweed

FISCAL FITNESS

ETFS For Tactical Exposure

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.

FOR SAFETY SAKE

OFFICERS President Cathy Serafin, ASLA, RLA

PLANT OF THE MONTH

President – Elect Marie McConnell

Communications & Events Manager Rick Doll, Jr.

FEATURE ARTICLE

Treasurer Adam Capiccioni

Membership Coordinator Noreen Schraitle

Roll-over Dangers of Riding Lawn Mowers Vaccinium Species: Blueberries and Friends How to Build a More Self-Sufficient Team

DIRECTIONS ADVERTISING INDEX WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

4 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

Immediate Past President Bryan Taynor DIRECTORS Brian Maurer, LIC Domenic Lauria Doug Ellis James Funai, LIC Michael T. Ahern, LIC Steve Moore

OLA STAFF Executive Director Sandy Munley

C AL ENDAR OF EVENTS U P CO M I N G O L A MEETINGS , EDUC ATION SE MI N A R S, A ND O TH ER GREEN INDUS TR Y EVE N T S

JULY

SEPTEMBER

REGISTRATION DEADLINES

JULY 14, 2017 PLANT I.D. CLINIC

SEPTEMBER 20, 2017 MEETING – NE Ohio

MAY 19, 2017 (DEADLINE) EVENT – JULY 19 WRITTEN TEST

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 Zone 6 in Ohio. Many of the plants that will be covered are on the plant list for the Landscape Industry Certified Technician’s Test. Hosted & sponsored by Davis Tree Farm & Nursery. See page 23 for more info.

Joins us for a Landscape Facility Tour of Brian-Kyles Landscapes of Distinction, located in Lorain, Ohio. For more info call the OLA Office.

2:30pm @ Ohio State ATI, Wooster 1328 Dover Rd, Wooster, OH 44691

OCTOBER OCTOBER 12, 2017 (TENTATIVE) MEETING – Central Ohio Subject matter and location TBD. For more info call the OLA Office at 1-800-335-6521.

AUGUST

NOVEMBER

AUGUST 3, 2017 OLA SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC

NOVEMBER 16, 2017 MEETING – NE Ohio

Join us at Mallard Creek Golf Club in Columbia Station for the OLA Scholarship Golf Classic! Proceeds from this event benefit our OLA Scholarship Fund. Our golf outing was created to help generate funding for our scholarship program, targeting qualified students interested in a vocation within the green industry. Registration opens in spring/summer of 2017. Call the OLA at 800-335-6521 for sponsorship opportunities.

MAY 19, 2017 (DEADLINE) EVENT – JULY 20 WRITTEN TEST Day Long @ Ohio State ATI, Wooster 1328 Dover Rd, Wooster, OH 44691

MAY 19, 2017 (DEADLINE) EVENT – JULY 20 HANDS-ON TEST Day Long @ Ohio State ATI, Wooster 1328 Dover Rd, Wooster, OH 44691 For more information about upcoming test dates, see page 24, or call the OLA Office at 1-800-335-6521.

Millennials – This is the first time we have had four generations working together: Veterans, Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, and Millennials. Hear from a Millennial how we can all thrive together! Presented by Steve Benzschawel, Generational Consulting, LLC, Madison, WI. Held at St. Michael’s Woodside, Broadview Hts., Ohio. For more info call the OLA Office at 1-800-335-6521.

AUGUST 14, 2017 SNOW & ICE MANAGEMENT CLINIC Held at St. Michael’s Woodside in Broadview Hts. Ohio. For more info call the OLA Office at 1-800-335-6521. The Growing Concern | May 2017 | 5

PR ES I DEN T’S COLUM N continued from page 3

Experiences to me are worth the money spent. I have always loved to travel. With every trip I take, every place I visit, the variety of people I meet, I always learn something that becomes a part of my personal or business arsenal of knowledge. My husband and I are part of a travel group of (five) couples. Each year, one of us is responsible for coming up with our yearly vacation spot, and then making most of the arrangements for housing and entertainment. Our planning is always budget minded and approved by the group. We have had the pleasure of enjoying (eight) of these vacations thus far, and I can tell you that the money spent for the experiences, memories, and the lifetime friendships has been well worth the cost of the trip. Money has definitely contributed to our happiness – both in that moment and well into the future. Even the anticipation and planning in the months before the trip is part of the excitement of the journey. In a recent paper called, “Waiting for Merlot,” Prof. Gilovich found that “people waiting for an event were generally excited, whereas waiting for material things seemed to have an impatient quality.”

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Experiences, although they often come at some cost, “tend to meet more of our underlying psychological needs,” says Prof. Gilovich. When we share with others, whether family or friends, the experience gives us a greater sense of connection. While we are forming that connection, the experiences are contributing and forming “a bigger part of our sense of identity.” As the professor states, “if you’ve climbed in the Himalayas, that’s something you’ll always remember and talk about, long after all your favorite gadgets have gone to the landfill.” As landscape professionals, we can facilitate worthwhile experiences for our customers in both their homes and their businesses. Yes, the money they spend on the creative designs we produce for them can buy happiness – right at home, or in their workplace. They can enjoy these experiences daily, leisurely, without waiting for the planned get-away or vacation. The spaces we visualize and build for our customers gives them an opportunity to enjoy their homes to the fullest. Our professionals take empty or wasted exterior areas and turn them into beautiful havens for rest, relaxation, entertainment or intimacy. Ah, the power of great landscape and hardscape products and designs. As we move into May, I’d like to suggest that those of you who were not able to attend this year’s Awards Gala pick up the May issue of Cleveland Magazine, on newstands now. In it you will find a copy of this year’s Landscape Ohio! Magazine, a consumer publication dedicated to promoting OLA members and their work. Then, feast your eyes on the innovative, surprising, fun, amazing projects submitted by our membership right here in the great State of Ohio! I am so proud of the suppliers, contractors and supporting cast who contributed in their own way to these finished products. Congratulations on a great body of work and thanks for creating these wonderful projects and for sharing them through your award submission.

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Mr. Blackman is the author of The Wall Street Journal article and is a writer in Crete. He can be reached at reports@wsj.com.

•

Professor Thomas Gilovich is a professor of psychology at Cornell University and has conducted extensive research in social psychology.

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6 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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Professor Ronald Howell is a professor in the English department at Brooklyn College NY and is a veteran journalist, now teaching journalism.

August 3, 2017

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Acct. No. ________________________________________________________________________________________ Exp. Date_______ Name on Card ________________________________________________ Signature ___________________________________________ Billing Address + Zipcode for Card ___________________________________________________ Last Three Digits on Signature Line___________ Make checks payable and send to: Ohio Landscape Association, 9240 Broadview Rd, Broadview Hts., OH 44147 Register online, by phone, mail, or fax: Phone 440-717-0002 or 1-800-335-6521 • Fax 440-717-0004 • www.ohiolandscapers.org

PEREN N I AL FOCUS

BOBBIE SCHWARTZ, FAPLD Bobbie’s Green Thumb From mid to late spring, ‘Chocolate Chip’ sports short spikes of light blue flowers, standing upright above the low, spreading foliage. The effect is stunning when planted en masse.

AJUGA BUGLEWEED

In the quest for exciting new perennials, many designers forget about some of the mainstays of the landscape, notably groundcovers. One of the most versatile is Ajuga. It thrives in sun or partial shade, in well-drained soil with average to dry conditions, spreads at a reasonable rate, and is easy to dig and transplant if it takes more space than desired. Ajuga reptans is the species to which most of the cultivars on the market belong. It has small, rounded, green leaves that only grow a few inches high and four inch blueish-purple spikes that appear in May. However, there are so many interesting cultivars that the species is rarely used unless plain green is being used as contrast to variegated or colored foliage.

On the other hand, the purple-leafed and almost black cultivars, such as ‘Chocolate Chip’, ‘Mahogany’, and ‘Black Scallop’ love full sun. Additionally, their leaves are a bit larger and glossy and because of their size, cover the ground more quickly with the exception of ‘Chocolate Chip’ which spreads slowly.

My favorite for many years has been ‘Burgundy Glow’ with its cream, rose, and gray-green variegation. It fits well into the color scheme that many clients request: blue, pink, white, and purple. I find that it prefers partial shade, sometimes scorching in afternoon sun. A newer cultivar, ‘Dixie Chip’, has more pale pink and white.

I’ve recently become acquainted with another cultivar, ‘Golden Glow,’ that really lights up the shade. The leaves are sage green with creamy yellow edges. In cool weather, rose tones also color the foliage.

8 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

continued on page 11

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PEREN N I AL FOCUS

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continued from page 8 Ajuga is extremely hardy (zones 3-9) and very low maintenance. Deer and other animals leave it unscathed. A large expanse of this groundcover is spectacular in May when it is in bloom. Because of its stoloniferous nature, it is quite useful in preventing erosion on slopes. If planted as a bed edging, be sure to trench the bed to prevent the Ajuga from spreading into the lawn.

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). She currently

Regardless of color scheme, I’m sure you can find a cultivar of Bugleweed that will be perfect for one of your sites.

serves as chair of the ONLA Plant Selection Committee.

The Growing Concern | May 2017 | 11

FI SCAL FI TN ESS

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ETFS FOR TACTICAL EXPOSURE Some investors adjust asset allocations only for periodic rebalancing, but others see opportunities in the market and want to take tactical advantage of them. For the second group, exchange-traded funds can be ideal. While ETFs donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t eliminate market risk, their broader-based portfolios can mitigate company and sector risk. Constructing a well-balanced portfolio takes time, tools, and discipline in order to implement a plan that will meet your goals. Exchange-traded funds are usually low cost, transparent, liquid, and easy to trade. In addition, they allow you the ability to set automatic stop losses as a function of managing risk and have greater flexibility than a traditional mutual fund. After you determine your goals, time horizons and risk tolerances the next step in this process of constructing your portfolio is selecting core holdings that will be the foundation from which you can ultimately expand upon. These core positions will give you broad-based exposure and directional bias in the market to keep pace with rising stock prices.

12 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

However, a core position will only take you so far. Ultimately getting exposure to specific sectors or tactical trading ideas will shape your portfolio to your specific investment preference. Tactical positions represent a sector, industry group, or special situation that you want to take advantage of. Oftentimes these positions start out as short-term trades that can turn into long-term investment themes. They give you a measure of overweight exposure towards a certain area of the market that you feel is offering excellent potential for capital appreciation. Investors can actively shift holdings to take advantage of new trends or capitalize on an innovative strategy when the timing is right. continued on page 15

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More concentrated positions (fewer underlying companies) will likely have more volatility than a traditional sector or broad-based core ETF. Smaller position sizes in industry specific ETFs might be prudent.

COUNTRY OR REGION-SPECIFIC As the name suggests, investors can select specific countries or regions to invest to hedge against their U.S. holdings. Be aware of small countries where the holdings could be dominated by one or two names. Also, as with any ETF, make sure there is enough liquidity, or trading volume, in these specific shares.

NON-CORRELATED ASSET CLASSES Another advanced way to add tactical exposure to your portfolio is through the use of non-correlated asset classes such as currencies, commodities, or even inverse positions. These give you the benefit of diversification in securities that will likely move in a different direction than traditional stocks or bonds. Oftentimes these positions can be used to pair risk with another holding such as international equities, gold, oil, or a broad-based commodity fund. Commodities have been underperforming for years now, but have also seen periods of exceptional growth. There are hundreds of different ways that investors can use tactical ETF positions in their portfolio to enhance their returns, play defense, or take advantage of short-term opportunities. The key is being able to structure your holdings to achieve your goals while keeping an eye on managing risk. As always, consult with your financial advisor for information specific to your individual situation. The Growing Concern | May 2017 | 15

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FOR SAFETY SAKE

ROLL-OVER DANGERS OF RIDING MOWERS Workers operating riding mowers face serious safety issues. Their employers need to make sure that the equipment in use is designed and maintained with safety in mind. The employers must make sure that workers are trained to avoid hazardous surroundings. Finally, the employers must ensure that mowing operations are performed safely.

INCIDENTS

ENSURING EQUIPMENT SAFETY

On August 30, 2004, a groundskeeper at a mission in Santa Barbara, California, was mowing near the top edge of a retaining wall when his riding mower hit a rock and went over the ledge. The mower fell three feet and landed on top of the groundskeeper, killing him instantly.

Use and maintain all available safety equipment. Pay particular attention to the following points: • Some riding mowers are designed by their manufacturer to be equipped with a roll-over protective structure (ROPS). The ROPS can either be standard or optional equipment. • If the mower a worker will be using does not have a ROPS, look for unused bolt holes or brackets near the seat or frame to see if the mower should be equipped with a ROPS. Do not operate any mower that was intended to be equipped with a ROPS without its ROPS in place. In many cases, retrofit kits are available. Contact the manufacturer to see if there is a kit for the mower you will be using. • Mowers with a ROPS should also be equipped with a seat belt.

On May 7, 2012, a groundskeeper for the National Park Service (NPS) was mowing alongside the Blue Ridge Parkway at an overlook near Asheville, North Carolina. He was operating a zero-radius-turn riding mower that was equipped with a roll-over protective structure. As he maneuvered his mower behind a trash can in a narrow section of the terrain, his mower went over an embankment and fell at least 100 feet, killing the worker.

•

continued on page 18 The Growing Concern | May 2017 | 17

FOR SAFETY SAKE continued from page 17

• Where vertical clearance does not allow for a ROPS to be in

• •

•

the raised (active) position, the ROPS may be temporarily placed in the lowered (inactive) position. Also, workers should not wear a seat belt while operating a riding mower with the ROPS in the lowered position. Return the ROPS to the raised position as soon as the riding mower is in an area where the vertical clearance allows its use and reconnect the seat belt. Equip riding mowers with an operator presence control system that shuts off the blades when the operator dismounts the machine or rises out of the seat. Equip riding mowers with interlocks that ensure that the engine cannot start while the mower is in gear or if the blade is engaged. Inspect mowers to ensure that operator presence systems and all safety features are always in place and operable. Keep riding mowers in good working order, and inspect them periodically for an insecurely or incorrectly attached ROPS or seat belt. Mower operators should use a standard checklist to do a general inspection of the equipment before use. For example, the checklist should include checking the tire pressure and checking for missing or damaged guards, etc. Experienced service personnel should inspect riding mowers for the necessary safety features and overall maintenance at least annually. Only qualified personnel should service and repair riding mowers.

While it is essential to have the proper safety equipment in place on riding mowers, you should think of that step as just the beginning of your safety program.

SAMPLE: SLOPE INDICATOR

18 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

DETERMINING SAFETY OF SURROUNDINGS Employers should be familiar with the conditions of the terrain on which their mowers are being used. They should ensure that their workers take the following precautions: • Do not operate mowers on slopes that exceed the angle limits specified by the manufacturer. Look for a label on the mower. • When the manufacturer’s instructions do not specify the angle limits for operating on sloped surfaces, evaluate the terrain and slope conditions to ensure that the mower is operated in a safe manner. Avoid mowing on slopes with an angle of over 15 degrees if there is no information available. • Use a slope indicator, also known as a clinometer, if you need one. Used to determine slope angles, clinometers are devices that attach to equipment; applications for mobile devices; or printable versions that can be downloaded online. • Always remove the key when you are leaving a mower unattended, but never leave mowers unattended on a slope. After turning off a mower, the rider/operator should set the brake, remove the key and wait to make sure that all the moving parts have stopped before leaving. Do not operate mowers in areas where the drive wheels are within five feet, as measured from the outside wheel edge, of the unprotected edges of retaining walls, embankments, levees, ditches, culverts, or similar locations that present an overturn or rollover hazard. Use a string trimmer or a push mower instead. • When it is necessary to operate riding mowers near ponds, creeks, reservoirs, canals, sloughs, lakes, golf course water hazards and similar bodies of water, evaluate the terrain and any slope conditions. Establish a safety zone to ensure that the mower is operated at a safe distance from such hazards.

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continued on page 20 The Growing Concern | May 2017 | 19

FOR SAFETY SAKE continued from page 19

4. Never place the mower in motion until a worker is ready. Putting the mower in gear unintentionally could make it jerk forward without warning. 5. Never mount or dismount a mower while it is running, as there may be enough space for an operator’s toes to pass under the mower housing and be struck by the blade. Perform proper shutdown procedures before dismounting. 6. Never stop or start a riding mower suddenly when it is going uphill or downhill. Avoid all sudden starts, stops, or turns. In addition, agility and quickness do not ensure invincibility. The mower involved in the North Carolina incident, for example, was a zero-radius-turn mower. Finally, the safe operation of a riding mower is similar to the safe operation of a motor vehicle – drive defensively and expect the unexpected. Employers should train workers to operate the mower as if there were no roll-over protective structure (ROPS) in place. A protective structure is not unlimited in its ability to protect the operator, as indicated by the incident in North Carolina described previously.

20 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

Retraining and evaluation are necessary to ensure that workers maintain their competency to operate a riding mower safely. Provide refresher training to workers when: • An operator has been observed operating a mower in an unsafe manner. • An operator has suffered an injury or been involved in a near-miss incident. • An operator receives a new job assignment that includes operating a mower or machinery with which the operator is unfamiliar. • An operator receives a new job assignment that includes mowing on terrain or surfaces that present hazards unfamiliar to the operator.

This information was provided via the United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration pages, located at https://www. osha.gov. For more information, visit https://www.osha.gov/dsg/riding_mowers/

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PL ANT OF THOLA E M ON TH EDUCATION SERIES

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Those who should attend are plant installation staff, maintenance staff, garden center staff, foremen, 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. Continental breakfast and lunch are included. Register early as class size is limited and will sell out quickly. Register online at www.ohiolandscapers.org/education/plantid.html

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24 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH

JIM FUNAI, LIC Cuyahoga Community College

SHELLEY FUNAI, LIC Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens Blueberries are a good fruit crop for home gardens since they require little space and have minimal spray requirements

VACCINIUM SPECIES BLUEBERRIES AND FRIENDS

A trip to Ikea always results in several things. The first is a new light fixture that you can neither pronounce (see klöuggenflöuger) nor find an appropriate place for in your house. The second is a culinary exploration of strange Swedish canned foods, along with giant signs for meatballs, with the obligatory asterisk stating that each meatball is indeed, “not that big.” You may also notice, among the ever enticing pickled fish jars, a collection of foods with the word Lingon on the label – accompanied by a picture of a bright red fruit. Lingon, in fact, is the Swedish word for a member of the genus Vaccinium, which most of us know as blueberries and cranberries. There are many species in this genus, with a few reaching commercial fruit production levels of popularity. And with widespread habitat covering most of the northern hemisphere, we are bound to hear a number of interesting common names from around the world including; blueberry, cranberry, lingonberry, bilberry, huckleberry, sparkleberry, rabbiteye, deerberry, cowberry, partridgeberry, and one of our favorites – whortleberry!

For our focus here, we’ll stick with some of the plants that most certainly should be in your design toolbox for deployment in the right conditions. Unlike some plants that we see nearly everywhere in every landscape, the landscape worthy blueberries are more selective of growing conditions. As members of the 14th largest flowering plant family of Ericaceae (species numbers), they prefer... continued on page 26 The Growing Concern | May 2017 | 25

PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH continued from page 25

...acidic soils exclusively, typically well drained but not dry, and high levels of organic materials in the soil. Also known as the Heath family, landscape worthy cousins include Arctostaphylos (bear-berry), Enkianthus (red-vein), Erica (heaths and heathers), Kalmia (mountain laurel), Leucothoe (dog-hobble), Oxydendrum (sourwood), Pieris (Andromeda), and one of the most famous, Rhododendron (and azalea). You may have heard of this trend people call “edible landscaping.” This, like the word sustainability, is thrown around a lot in recent times, as though they are new ideas and are major paradigm shifts taking the landscape industry by storm. While we’d like to think that the majority of us have always considered the environmental impact our landscapes have (using the information available at the time), perhaps there is no harm in letting people use new buzzwords to get excited about what we love doing. With a decent number of plants that can serve both ornamental and edible niches, Vaccinium is a real standout. We’ll divide into three major groups of landscape plants, highbush blueberry, lowbush blueberry, and cranberry. First let’s talk in generalities about these three groups. Each starts the season with delicate white or pink flowers born along a terminal branch hanging down like little bells in a row. Following the spring flower set they all get a tasty edible fruit in later months of summer and rock out the end of the season with some of the most brilliant fall color one could ask for. Truly, if you are not familiar with the oranges, yellows, and fire reds of blueberry fall color, you are spending far too much time with burning bush. Seriously, step away from the burning bush. The three groups will also be happy in full sun (make sure that soil doesn’t dry out) to part shade. Many will grow in more shade but will open up and start to look too leggy for the landscape.

much attention given to ornamental properties. If your ultimate goal is a crazy crop of fruit, these are your ticket to blueberry mountains. A potential downside exists that most blueberries require a vigilant picker to stay ahead of the birds or netting placed over the plant to give a shot at beating the birds to the punch. While you are at work, the birds are busy cleaning your plant of delicious fruit. Netting the plants is easy but certainly something to consider for the discerning client. You will likely want several different cultivars for cross pollination, which we’ll discuss in a moment. Lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium) are also natives to our region, as the name alludes, and grow much shorter, typically under 2 feet, with many obtaining groundcover status. We have five V. angustfolium ‘North Sky’ plants at home that have formed a beautiful mass about 18” tall and covering a 6’ wide section of bed. These plants are loaded with small but tasty fruits every summer and the fall color catches your eye immediately, even with a 100’ view from the kitchen window. ‘Ruby Carpet’ is a 6” tall groundcover form with small but mighty fruits and will tolerate a drier soil than most and displays a beautiful deep red fall color. A number of hybridized species exist worth a look as well including ‘Ornablue’ (V. corymbosum x pallidum) that is reported to be a natural cross that maintains great fruit set but holds a dense 3 foot rounded shape. A newer hybrid called ‘Pink Lemonade’ is a true show stopper for the landscape with a pink toned flower in spring, bright pink “blueberries” in midsummer, crazy shades of yellow to orange fall color and bright red winter stems.

Highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) are a native plant to this region and typically reach heights of 5 to 8 feet. You can find some large native stands around many of the bogs of Portage and Summit County where ice age remnant kettle bogs maintain very acidic growing conditions. For a great weekend adventure look up Cooperrider bog in Kent, 45 acres of pure awesome dinosaur looking habitat filled with highbush blueberries, tamarak, gray birch, and tons of carnivorous sundew and pitcher plants.

The third group of plants to consider is Vaccinium macrocarpon, the cranberries. You can find a nice patch of native cranberry at the Cooperrider Bog and if timed in later summer you can see the large red fruits (macro – large, carp – fruit) held across the groundcover mat of no more than 10” tall. This plant prefers a high level of organics which means bust open the peat moss and go crazy with it. Their soil must stay moist year round for good ornamental features as well as good fruit production. The neat thing with the landscape cranberries is that they are an evergreen groundcover, staying low and spreading into their assigned area without being aggressive in nature.

Highbush blueberries will produce the most abundant crops of fruits as many have been selected for that very trait without as

Now, a quick word about cross pollination. You will find most plant tags recommend that you plant several varieties to obtain

26 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH

the best fruit set. This is a common feature of angiosperms (flowering plants) that are pollinated by insects to preserve greater genetic diversity in the species. Some cultivars have been developed to be more self-fertile, but it is wise to try to pick at least two different cultivars of the same species when possible to increase fruit set. If your goal is an ornamental plant that happens to get edible fruit, then donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry so much. Hopefully you find the right landscape to add some of these great native plants and become familiar with the great ornamental features of these plants that also throw in some delicious fruit as a bonus. Jim Funai is full-time faculty at Cuyahoga Community College, a NALP accredited associate of applied science in hoticulture degree program offering many paths to higher education in the green industry. He is pursuing a PhD in Landscape Engineering and Forestry and is a Licensed Arborist. Shelley Funai is Grounds Manager at Stan Hywett Hall and Gardens in Akron, Ohio, which offers a historic estate designed by Warren H. Manning and a beautiful manor house museum. She is Landscape Industry Certified in Ornamental Plant Care. Both are graduates of The Ohio State University. Contact Jim and Shelley via email at hortsquad@gmail.com.

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F EATURE ARTI CLE

HOW TO BUILD A MORE SELF-SUFFICIENT TEAM by David Gallagher / LandOpt Director of Success Originally published in the April 2017 issue of Green Industry Pros.

A lot of managers come to me with complaints about their team members not being able to figure out solutions for themselves. They feel like they’re always being pestered with questions. So I ask them, “Who trained the employees not to think? Who is giving them the answers?” That person is probably the one looking back in the mirror at you. Establishing new habits will take time, and you have to be willing to accept that people are going to make mistakes as they begin to take the initiative. But you can build a stronger team that can lead to a more successful business. I advise managers to focus on three areas.

INTERNAL MEETINGS Meetings should be about 30 to 60 minutes long to maintain focus and productivity.

The most important internal meetings are weekly or biweekly, one-on-one meetings with direct reports. These meetings can eliminate the discomfort of sharing in front of a group and build a rapport to gain insight into an employee’s reality. This plan-and-review meeting should mostly be a listening exercise for the leader, although it also is an opportunity to ask questions and lay out action plans for overcoming challenges. Be sure to highlight successes, too. continued on page 30 The Growing Concern | May 2017 | 29

F EATURE ARTI CLE continued from page 29 Department meetings are for a specific operational unit, such as maintenance, project, administration and new sales. The goal is to limit the audience to make the discussions relevant to those who are attending, so you need to dial in the messages and topics covered. You shouldn’t have meetings just to have meetings. Quarterly and annual meetings are an opportunity to engage with your entire team, and should be held just after the quarter has closed or prior to year’s end. Take a look at where you are and where you are going. Provide an evaluation of success, such as reviewing how sales performance compared to plan, and offer recognition. Finally, outline upcoming plans.

pricing. You should understand what your system provides and what you are monitoring. If your problem is understanding costs, then don’t buy one that just measures sales. But to effectively evaluate your business and its performance, you should be looking at all components of sales, including leads, calls and agreements. You need to pay attention specifically to why proposals were lost. Price isn’t the answer. Also, so much data can make you crazy if you try to respond to every instance. The key is to use these tools to represent trends, or averages, and manage to the trends that you see.

MANAGING WITH DATA

COACHING

Managing with data rather than managing with emotion is important to the success of your business. You shouldn’t be making decisions based on a feeling alone.

The most complicated part of managing your team is coaching. Coaching, which is focusing on the performance of an individual on a one-to-one basis, is more of an art than a science.

There are many tools for managing data. A customer relationship management system (CRM) can be used for sales management, operations management, customer engagement and even for

30 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

For a select few, it’s an innate ability. For most of us, we have to learn how to do it through practice and observing

others practicing it. In a good coaching relationship, true mutual understanding is sought between both parties, mutual agreements on goals are set, performance is encouraged, and feedback is provided. As part of good business practices, you should define the roles in your organization. Then determine if people are in roles that suit them. A behavioral assessment tool can help you determine who is wired to do that job from a personality standpoint. For example, someone who likes routine would not make a good project person, which requires creativity. However, they would make an excellent candidate for maintenance work, which is structured and repetitive. Here is what you should keep in mind in your role as a coach: • Credibility • Communication • Confidence • Cooperation • Commitment • Consistency • Caring But the foundation for good coaching is trustworthiness. To lead others effectively, managers must be able to do their jobs well and show strong character. Businessman and author Stephen Covey uses the metaphor of an emotional bank account, with interactions between people being deposits that build and repair relationships, and withdrawals that lessen trust. Coaching requires you to see things from another person’s perspective. Rather than imposing your understanding and beliefs on them, you have to use their understanding and beliefs to encourage them to take a particular action. And consistency is key. You are looking for incremental change over a period of time. It takes a person doing something 21 times for it to become a habit. We have the tendency to want to see change in a short time period. Focusing on meetings, data and coaching as a manager will help you mold your team into a group that can ask themselves the questions and determine solutions that will propel your business forward. Originally published in the April 2017 issue of Green Industry Pros. Visit greenindustrypros.com for more information. The Growing Concern | May 2017 | 31

D I RECTI ON S

SANDY MUNLEY

Executive Director The Ohio Landscape Association

YOUR VOICE COUNTS Our political system frustrates most of us. But when you look around the world and stop to think about it, we are very, very fortunate. We have a government run by the people, for the people. Many countries are run by dictators who are only concerned with themselves and a few chosen ones. As Americans, we have the right, and I would argue the obligation, to vote, to speak to our legislators, to help a candidate get elected, etc. It surprises me how few people take the time to get involved. The more people get involved, the better our system works. During a very good presentation on the political process, I once heard that if you are not actively involved in the political process, then you are simply a victim – a victim of whatever laws may be passed that could adversely affect you. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like being a victim. Don’t be a victim of other people’s choices. Be an advocate for yourself, your company, and our profession! Wikipedia defines advocacy as, “an activity by an individual or group which aims to influence decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions.” I have traveled the Statehouse and to Washington, DC countless times with a handful of members each time to advocate on behalf of our members and our landscape and nursery industry. We have spoken to senators, congressmen and congresswomen, and their staff. Most times, they are very

gracious and glad to hear from us. They all count the number of times someone reaches out to them regarding legislation. And because they want to be re-elected, they typically want to listen. The more people they hear from that feel the way you do about a specific issue, the more influence you have on their vote. In February, OLA was part of Ohio’s Green Industry Advocacy Day. Just prior to Advocacy Day, we learned that the new budget that Governor Kasich had sent to Ohio’s legislature for review included a sales tax on landscape design. We don’t feel that we need another tax imposed on our clients, so that was one of the talking points discussed in meetings with our legislators. Domenic Lauria, Cathy Serafin, and Bryan Taynor met with Representative Christina Roegner’s office. As a direct result of their meeting, Rep. Christina Roegner has introduced an amendment on our behalf which would, if adopted, delete the landscape design tax as proposed in HB 49. That is why YOU need to be involved. Your voice DOES make a difference. That is why you need to learn who your elected officials are and why you need to build a relationship with them. You need to speak up because some of the issues our industry is facing have large groups of activists who oppose the very things you need to run a successful landscape and continued on page 34

32 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

ADVERTI SI N G I N D E X

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

continued from page 32 lawn care business, nursery, or garden center. Be an advocate for your industry! Clearly, this is just the start of the process and there is no guarantee the proposed tax will be removed, but without that visit on Advocacy Day it definitely would not have been removed.

H2B UPDATE You may think that H2B does not affect you if you do not use the program, but it does. Without a healthy, usable H2B Visa Program with an appropriate number of available visas, there will be an even greater labor shortage. This affects everyone in the green industry and all of the green industry suppliers. If you run a landscape company, you will have a more difficult time finding workers which will make it more expensive to staff your company and harder to grow your company. If you are a supplier, you will not be able to sell as many products and services to landscape companies that are struggling to staff their companies. So, I ask you all to support the following federal legislation by reaching out to your legislators: H.R.2004 – Strengthen Employment And Seasonal Opportunities Now (SEASON) Act. This House Bill was introduced by Ohio’s Representative Steve Chabot. It has 9 co-sponsors including Rep. Bob Gibbs. S.792 – Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2017. This Senate Bill was introduced by North Carolina’s Senator Thom Tillis. It has 11 co-sponsors. Neither Sherrod Brown or Rob Portman has co-sponsored this bill. These bills offer relief to the cap of 66,000 visas allowed in the entire United States per year and some relief from some of the newer restrictions placed on the program. Please make no mistake, the OLA firmly believes that everyone should hire Americans first – and the regulations of the program ensure that happens. The program is expensive and cumbersome to navigate. It is used only as a last measure when enough American workers cannot be found. It is not cheap labor – in fact, most companies (depending on locations) have to pay a minimum starting wage of around $13.00 per hour for an inexperienced worker, plus thousands of dollars in fees. These workers work about 9 months and go back home to their country of origin (usually, but not exclusively, Mexico) to be with their families. While they are here, they are supporting our economy by paying rent, buying groceries, and paying taxes – just like the rest of us. So again, I urge you to be an advocate for the green industry!

34 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

The Ohio Landscape Association is delighted to welcome the following new members to the association:

REGULAR MEMBERS ASAP Mow & Snow, LLC 4527 Westway PO Box 6941 Toledo, OH 43612 (567) 249-6588 Gerald Whitehead Dean’s Landscaping PO Box 933 846 US Rte. 68, South Xenia, OH 45385 (937) 999-6363 Joe Dean Dycus Greenhouse 8120 Boomershine Rd. Germantown, OH 45327 (937) 361-0552 Mike Dycus Greenway Environmental, LLC 22380 Lakeland Blvd. Euclid, OH 44132 (440) 497-5050 Nick DiCillo Land & Site Contractor Services, LLC PO Box 815 Chagrin Falls, OH 44022 (440) 552-1190 Chris Marsh Nason Landscaping, Inc. 4039 Hart Rd. Richfield, OH 44286 (330) 659-0093 Chris Najsztup Yard Solutions Plus 14549 Mayfield Rd. Huntsburg, OH 44046 (440) 487-9780 Luke Chuha

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Greenius by LS Training 2026 Oxford St., E London, Ontario N5V 2Z8 (877) 482-2323, Ext. 108 Arden Urbano

9240 Broadview Road Broadview Hts., OH 44147-2517

05/17

ENTER TODAY ENTER TODAY

THANKS TO THIS YEAR’S 20TH ANNUAL AWARDS PROGRAM SPONSORS EVENT SPONSORS

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Encouraging Professional Standards and Promoting the Green Industry