The Landscape Contractor magazine December 2019 Digital Edition

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December 2019

CONTENTS Excellence In Landscape Awards Project

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FOCUS: What do contractors do over winter? Winter Dreams 10 Members share their off-season plans Impact Conference 2019 Record attendance drives this October event

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New Committee Chair Profile Debbie McGuire — Membership Committee

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iLandscape 2020 26 Music-Fun-Prizes-Food — What’s not to love? Seasonal Weather Forecast 32 A peek ahead at winter

EN ESPAÑOL

iLandscape 2020 Show Highlights Music-Fun-Prizes-Food — What’s not to love?

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ILCA Annual Party and Membership Meeting A new venue turns heads, peaks crowd

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Turf Committee Update 46 Be a part of the solution Business Update 50 When to apply the golden handcuffs

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Member Profile 56 Profits Plus Revisiting Your Plant Palette Solidago

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On the cover... Photo courtesy of Mark Dwyer, Rotary Botanical Garden. The Landscape Contractor December 2019

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CONTENTS

DEPARTMENTS ILCA Calendar From Where I Stand President’s Message New Members Classified Ads Advertisers Index Photo Credits

ILCA Awards Committee Rick Reuland Profits Plus Kathy Freeland

Calendar 4 5 7 54 58 61

JANUARY

January 29-30-31, 2020 iLandscape Schaumburg Convention Center +Schaumburg

1,8-9 26-30, 38-46 56 62

FEBRUARY

The official publication of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA), The Landscape Contractor is dedicated to educating, advising and informing members of this industry and furthering the goals of the Association. The Landscape Contractor carries news and features relating to landscape contracting, maintenance, design and allied interests. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited material and reserves the right to edit any article or advertisement submitted for publication. Publication reserves right to refuse advertising not in keeping with goals of Association. WWW.ilca.net

February 13, 2020 Young Professionals Event Aquascape St. Charles

Volume 60, Number 12. The Landscape Contractor (ISSN # 0194-7257, USPS # 476-490) is published monthly for $75.00 per year by the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, 2625 Butterfield Road, Ste. 104S, Oak Brook, IL 60523. Periodicals postage paid at Oak Brook, IL and additional mailing offices. Printed in USA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Landscape Contractor, 2625 Butterfield Road, Ste 104S, Oak Brook, IL 60523. DISPLAY ADVERTISING SALES: Association Publishing Partners, Inc., Ph. (630) 637-8632 Fax (630) 637-8629 email: rmgi@comcast.net CLASSIFIED ADS, CIRCULATION AND SUBSCRIPTION: ILCA (630) 472-2851 Fax (630) 472-3150 PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL OFFICE: Rick Reuland, rmgi@comcast.net, Naperville, IL 60540 Ph. (630) 637-8632

February 27 & 28, 2020 Foremanship Training Fox Run Golf Links Elk Grove Village

PRODUCT DISCLAIMER: The Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, its Board of Directors, the Magazine Committee, ILCA Staff, The Landscape Contractor and its staff, neither endorse any products nor attest to the validity of any statements made about products

ILCA Staff

Magazine Staff

Executive Director Scott Grams (630) 472-2851 sgrams@ilca.net

Rick Reuland Publisher/Advertising Sales (630) 637-8632 rmgi@comcast.net

Education Manager AnneMarie Drufke adrufke@ilca.net

Debbie Rauen Advertising Sales (817-501-2403) debbie.landscapecontractor@ yahoo.com

Events Manager Terre Houte thoute@ilca.net Office Manager Alycia Nagy anagy@ilca.net

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March 11-12, 2020 Field Staff Skills Training NIU Naperville

Senior Writer

treethyme@aol.com Patrice Peltier

Feature Writer patpeltier@charter.net

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Feature Writer

2625 Butterfield Road Ste. 104S Oak Brook, IL 60523 (630) 472-2851 • Fax (630) 472-3150

March 4, 2020 Women’s Networking Group Spring Event Chicago Botanic Garden Glencoe

Becke Davis

Membership & Marketing Manager Marissa Stubler mstubler@ilca.net

ILCA

MARCH

March 24, 2020 Hardscape Illinois NIU Naperville

Meta Levin

meta.levin@comcast.net Nina Koziol Feature Writer

n.koziol@att.net Heather Prince

Follow—

Feature Writer

princeht@sbcglobal.net @ILCAlandscape

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The Landscape Contractor December 2019

facebook.com/illinoislandscapecontractorsassociation

From Where I Stand — The first time I ever saw an Office Dog was, natu-

rally, in the offices of a tech company. ILCA staff did software training about 6 years ago at a company in Joliet. It was one of the eclectic, kitschy offices where employees had old movie posters on the walls and toys on their desks. The employees worked in hoodies and drank kombucha. We wandered around these trendy offices like strangers in a strange land. That’s when we saw it. Laying next to our programmer’s desk was a small, scruffy mutt resting peacefully on a dog pillow. The pup raised its head lazily as we entered his “work” space and his pink tongue fell out of his content mouth. The entire ILCA staff just lost it. We dropped to our knees and started scratching, petting, and rubbing this tiny animal. It rolled on its back and made sure it offered up as many square inches of its belly that our eager hands needed. We uttered ridiculous dog expressions like, “Who’s a good boy” or, “Yes, you love scratches, yes you do.” We were four well-dressed professionals crawling all over each other to gain the affection of a dog. The programmer was trying in vain to ask us questions about our project, but we were preoccupied with worshiping this little animal. When we returned to the office that afternoon, the murmurs began. They started as innocent observations. “Wasn’t that dog cute?” “Wasn’t that dog wellbehaved?” Didn’t all those employees look more productive because of that office dog?” Over the years, those grew into unrelated anecdotes disguised as hints, “So, I heard an office dog in Maine pulled twenty employees out of a burning building.” Finally, it was just outright demands, “When are we getting an office dog, you monster!” As working-from-home gained prominence in the American workplace a counterbalance was to be expected. Employees are making peace with the fact that they are always connected to their jobs whether or not they are physically present at work. Emails pop into inboxes at all hours of the night. Employees exchange texts during evening and morning commutes to get a heard start on the next day. Gone are the days when husbands and wives can sit around dinner tables recapping the affairs of the day. “Honey, how was your day?” How do we answer that when our days never end? As work bleeds into life, it is not surprising to see life bleed into work. To coin a phrase, “homing-from-work” has seeped into office culture as much as the alternative. Big tech firms began the concept of allowing for social time and spaces where employees could veg out, play games, sip a cup of cold brew coffee, or stare out the window just as they would from their own kitchen tables. These employee-driven workspaces became the hallmarks of the early 2000s. If employees have to be at work, at least work can feel a little more like home. It was inevitable that homing-from-work would evolve from bringing the spirit of home life into the office to actually bringing in biological creatures. It started with Take your Daughter to Work Day which morphed into Take your Children to Work Day. Along those same lines, Take your Dog to Work Day started in 1999. This was a day created by Pet Sitters International as a way to

encourage pet owners to bring their dogs into the workplace. It was designed to show off our love of animals and to encourage non-dog owners to adopt or rescue a dog. The lasting impact of TYDTWD was not that more dogs got adopted, it was, that in some instances, the dogs never left. Office dogs have been growing in popularity for the past 20 years. When I was growing up (Ok, Boomer) the only office that had a dog was a firehouse. In the past decade, they have soared in popularity. 40% of Millennials say they would be more likely to work in an office that has a dog. I have even seen this trend at ILCA member firms over the years. When I first started at ILCA, some members with fenced-in yards had fierce dogs that I was told not to pet, look at, or show fear around. That has changed. Many nurseries and landscape shops have office dogs plopped on the floor and most seem unimpressed with a visit from the Executive Director. Look, I love dogs. I want dogs to love me. They are like the little brother I never had. I had the world’s greatest dog growing up. That is not an overstatement, this has been objectively proven. My dog was the best and was better than your dog. Just deal with it. With that said, I strongly opposed dogs in the workplace. I felt like any parent trying to explain the responsibilities that come with pet ownership. Someone is going to have to feed it, take care of it, clean up after it, etc. As if those pragmatic warnings are enough to convince a group of dog lovers who just want to rub all the bellies. ILCA has a lot of walk-in visitors from committee and Board members to the UPS man. It just takes one dog allergy or ankle nip before ILCA is looking at legal ramifications. Thankfully, our property manager got to be the bad guy. He reminded all tenants that dogs are forbidden in the building unless accompanied by someone with a disability protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. My staff’s fantasy of having a 4-legged ILCA mascot wa- spayed and neutered right there on the spot. Our shared love of dogs was once again confined to photos, videos, and adorable anecdotes. The office dog controversy ended at ILCA with a whimper. Most ILCA members do not work in steel and glass office buildings run by heartless property management companies. Most own or rent their own spaces where they make the rules and office dogs are a serious consideration. 44% of Americans own a dog. That means that every other employee goes home to a four-legged companion. There would likely be a strong lobby if an office dog was to be proposed. First, a note about service dogs. Service dogs for physical or psychological limitations may not be prohibited in the workplace. If an employee has a dog for blindness, seizures, allergy-detection, or a host of other serious maladies, his service dog must be allowed at work. There is a major caveat to that. To the best of my knowledge, Illinois law does not cover emotional support animals. These dogs have therapeutic benefits, but the conditions they treat are not covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. An employer is not

Working Like Dogs

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

5

From Where I Stand — required to allow an emotional support dog in the workplace. With that said, states are continuing to recognize mental health issues and it would not surprise me if emotional support animals are allowed in Illinois workplaces within the next 10 years. If a business is considering an office dog, it needs to think it through. Employees may look at the business owner with puppy dog eyes, but there are serious liability concerns to take into consideration. For one, even the smartest breed of dog is not going to read the employee handbook. They may bark, growl, or yelp. Dogs rarely use the toilet and it can be demeaning to a professional employee to tell him or her they are on poop patrol. Dogs can chew wires and damage equipment. Further, dogs shed, constantly, and there is a lack of professionalism in having your design-sales staff sit in client meetings looking like yetis. If the office dog is an employee’s dog, that employee should list the company as additionally insured on their personal insurance policy in the case of an accident or attack. That means the business must examine personal liability insurance coverage and determine if that payout would be enough to cover potential injuries. A General Liability policy would cover an office dog owned by the company unless it is noted otherwise, but a dog bite or attack also opens up the employer and pet owner to personal injury liability. Even docile dogs can interrupt a workplace through no fault of their own. 15% of the population has some type of pet allergy and 30% of those with asthma have dander allergies. It can become a miserable work environment overnight for certain workers if a dog is brought into a closed environment. The employer must either make accommodations or structure the physical work environment to minimize contact with the dog. As an employer, the issue of office dogs lies in the gray area between what is prudent and what is awesome. As outlined above, there are a dozen reasons why having a dog in a professional environment is a terrible idea. Insurance companies and lawyers are notoriously careful worry-worts. I am sure they could offer reams of case law and prescient examples of how canines went Cujo and ripped the office apart. But let’s face it, we don’t own dogs because they are practical. We own dogs because they are the closest thing we have to unconditional, perpetual joy machines. A final decision on an office dog will likely require a leap of faith. The best path forward is for a business to quietly examine the risks involved before floating the idea past the employees. It is likely that half of the employees’ tails will wag at the mere suggestion of an office pooch. However, it is the employer’s job to represent all employees especially the ones reticent to speak up out of fear of looking like the neighborhood dog catcher. If the stars align, go get it boy! If not, stick to fish.

Scott Grams November 20, 2019

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The Landscape Contractor December 2019

President’s Message — Caution: The start of safety…!

Winter is coming… a time to celebrate and enjoy the company of family and friends, however it is also the time to increase our measures when traveling and using our vehicles during harsh winter conditions. This past October 27, one of our peers passed away as a result of injuries suffered from being struck by a car when performing his work along the roadway. The driver of the minivan was distracted, his car stormed through the construction barriers to eventually strike and cause the death of Roberto Orozco, owner of Rosco Landscaping, a Hanover Park company. Accidents like this prompt a reaction about the importance of developing a “Culture of Safety” within our companies. Implementation of safe practices contribute to an assurance of well-being of our workers. Even though it seems repetitive, it’s important to take notice of fatigue, frustration, rush, and complacency. These are principally the factors present when human error occurs and then cause accidents. The root price of them can be immense and in some cases the harm is grave. I implore you all to drive with the utmost of caution, being cognizant of your speed, maintaining your attentiveness, and keeping safe distances. Don’t use your phones while driving especially when in construction zones. I hope that 2019 has been prosperous and most importantly one without accidents that we would regret. The economic indications are good and the outlook appears promising for 2020. We all hope that it really is. It is my primary desire that you all have happy and safe December celebrations whether it be with your company, friends, and or family. Happy and Safe Celebrations!

President

Jose Garcia Natural Creations Landscaping, Inc. (815) 724-0991 info@naturalcreationslandscaping.com

Vice-President

Donna Vignocchi Zych ILT Vignocchi, Inc. (847) 487-5200 dvignocchi@iltvignocchi.com

Secretary-Treasurer

Scott McAdam, Jr. McAdam Landscaping, Inc. (708) 771-2299 Scottjr@mcadamlandscape.com

Immediate Past President Tom Lupfer Lupfer Landscaping (708) 352-2765 tom@lupferlandscaping.com

Directors

Eric Adams Russo Power Equipment (847) 233-7811 eadams@russopower.com Jennifer Fick Wilson Nurseries and Landscape Supply (847) 683-3700 jennf@wilsonnurseries.com

Sincerely, José M. Garcia, President of ILCA

Allan Jeziorski Hartman Landscape (708) 403-8433 allan@hartmanlandscape.net

¡¡La precaución: inicio de la SEGURIDAD..!!

Jeff Kramer Kramer Tree Specialists, Inc, (630) 293-5444 jwkramer@kramertree.com Dean MacMorris Night Light, Inc. (630) 627-1111 dean@nightlightinc.net Kevin Manning K & D Enterprise Landscape Management, Inc. (815) 725-0758 kmanning@kdlandscapeinc.com Ashley Marrin Bret-Mar Landscape Management Group, Inc. (708) 301-8160 ashley@bretmarlandscape.com Mark Utendorf Emerald Lawn Care, Inc. (847) 392-7097 marku@emeraldlawncare.com

www.ilca.net

Se acerca el invierno, tiempo de celebrar y estar a gusto con familiares y amigos, pero también tiempo de extremar precauciones al circular con nuestros vehículos bajo condiciones de nieve y hielo. El pasado 27 de octubre falleció un compañero de nuestra industria y otro resultó herido al ser atropellados cuando realizaban su trabajo a lo largo del camíno : el conductor de una minivan se distrajo, su vehículo invadió la zona de trabajo y atropelló y causó la muerte de Roberto Orozco, propietario de Rosco Landscaping, ubicada en Hanover Park, IL. Accidentes como este nos obligan a reflexionar sobre la importancia de desarrollar una “Cultura de Seguridad” en nuestras empresas, implementando, prácticas que contribuyan a garantizar el bienestar de nuestros trabajadores Aunque suene repetitivo, es preciso recordar que la fatiga, frustración, prisa y exceso de confianza son factores que provocan errores humanos y son la causa principal de los accidentes. El costo derivado de ellos puede ser considerables y en ocasiones los daños son irreparables. Los invito a manejar con la mayor precaución posible, disminuyan su velocidad, manteniéndose alertas y a buena distancia, no usen su teléfono al conducir y mucho menos en zonas en construcción!! Espero que 2019 haya sido un año próspero y más importante sin accidentes que lamentar para todos. Los indicadores económicos son buenos y el panorama se ve favorable para un buen 2020 esperemos que así sea!! Es mi mayor deseo que tengan felices y seguras celebraciones decembrinas en compañía de su familia y amigos. ¡¡Felices y seguras fiestas..!! Cordialmente,

José M. Garcia, Presidente de ILCA The Landscape Contractor December 2019

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Reflections Water Gardens • West Dundee Nektosha Falls

Peace and tranquility are in harmony at this 1.5-acre

waterfall and recreation pond, carefully crafted from the earth at the back of a private estate in Mettawa, Illinois. The home, deep among ancient spruce, is the site of a former Christmas tree farm. Today, the majestic waterfall and pond is a gathering place for the family and a sweet spot for a sip of tea or an afternoon glass of wine. Lovingly, it is called Nektosha Falls. It did not start out this way. A nearly nine-foot slope meandered around an existing mucky and weedy watering hole, ringed with forgotten roads covered with gravel, concrete and topsoil. To fix the steep shoreline and create shelving for deep-water plants, excavation began from the “inside-out” – including grading, elevating and removing debris. Removed soil was used to expand and shape an existing privacy berm. Drainage tiles fed water 24-hours a day, so continuous pumping for a dry work surface was vital. Shorelines were feathered upwards from the pond’s surface to create planting beds, then stabilized in weaker areas with glacial boulders brought in from Northern Wisconsin.

A meandering stream, pool and waterfall were nestled into the pond’s far southeast corner to create dramatic sound and stunning visuals when appreciated from a distance or viewed from the home’s exterior - a near-solid wall of glass. Water was pumped and recirculated from the larger pond, with flow designed to re-enter the stream and pool at the top of the waterfall through four distribution points. A 1,600 square-foot wetland filter, cleaned every two years, traps sediment and nutrients. Water then drops nearly eight feet back to the recreation pond. Nektosha Falls is now home for minnows, bass, bluegills and other aquatic life. It provides a bio-diverse resting place for migrating birds and beneficial insects, and a natural habitat for native perennials and grasses. The owner’s request for a year-round, serene oasis at home – a slice of heaven in which to relax from the stress of work demands – is experienced through hours spent with family swimming, sunning and boating within their own private, tranquil oasis.

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

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What Contractors Do In the Winter —

Winter Dreams

A few thoughts (and ideas) about the landscape business in the “off” months by Nina Koziol

Is winter a down-time for you or your

business? If you’re in the snow-plowing business, probably not. Even if you are, winter is a time to pause and reflect on the past year and think about 2020 and what you might do differently. Perhaps take a short vacation to a sunny, warm beach. Or, all of the above. Here’s a look at what some ILCA members do during the big chill.

Tried and true with a twist

Winter gives the folks at Hursthouse, Inc., in Bolingbrook an opportunity to work on the business rather than in the business. “It’s the season for reviewing processes, new initiatives and refining the business plan,” says Bob Hursthouse. “We review what worked well in the past year and what didn’t. We identify things we should keep doing and activities we should stop.” Winter is also a time to do a book study with the Hursthouse office team. Last winter they read a new release, ‘When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing’ by Daniel Pink. “The discussions about the book gave us a touchstone all season,” Hursthouse said. “Of course we are still working, designing fabulous landscapes, working on equipment and completing our budgeting. We are intentional about our time in the winter as it goes fast. Winter is the season for planning.”

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Something different

In winter, Mark Utendorf of Emerald Lawn Care in Rolling Meadows gets to take his kids to school and perhaps sleep in a little later some days. “We’re evaluating equipment needs, examining what worked and evaluating whether to use different products,” he said. He’s also busy sending out pre-pay letters to clients and winterizing equipment. “We’re hiring and that’s a big piece of our winter efforts. We do a ton of training starting in mid-February and then we’re ready to go the second week of March.” And, if things work out, he’ll take his family to Florida for a week when the kids are off from school.

No time to rest

For landscape architect Pamela Self, of Pamela Self Landscape Architecture, in Barrington, there’s no break come winter. “We work full time all year,” she said. “Fifty percent of our work is nonresidential and those projects aren’t seasonal. You are working through design and budgeting with owner or architect. Next, you have to go through the approval process presenting at zoning board meetings, appearing at review committees, or city council meetings to get those projects approved.“ (continued on page 12)

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

What Contractors Do In the Winter — (continued from page 10) There are construction documents and bidding processes to keep Self and her staff busy, too. “Many of our residential projects are new construction so you are working with the architect as they prepare their plans, which take six months to a year.” Thankfully, some residential clients are savvy enough to call her in the fall so she and her team can design and bid over the winter.

As you might expect

“Unfortunately, my winters are not very exciting, as our snow and ice management operations take precedent over just about everything,” said Scott McAdam, Jr., director of sales and marketing for McAdam Landscaping in Forest Park. “Because of the constant need to be available and responsive, my wife and I do not plan any vacations to be sure that I am available 24/7 throughout the winter season.” When it’s not snowing, McAdam’s focus is on securing sales for the upcoming season and doing strategic planning for the business. “Each winter, we review the previous year and determine what improvements were made, what improvements still need to be made, and how we can optimize our operations

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and efficiencies to best service our clients while also driving greater revenues.” Forecasting also takes place over the winter months so the company has a benchmark to reach its goals for growth. It’s not all work. “Planning is fun—I‘m a nerd for numbers and fortunately my daughter’s birthday is February 5th, so we have that to look forward to.” For landscape architect Dave Frigo of Hitchcock Design Group (HDG) in Naperville, winter is certainly a change from when he first started out years ago with a designbuild-maintain firm. “The winters were dreadfully slow, except when we had to shovel snow in the middle of the night. People didn’t think about design until the robins came back and then they wanted it installed immediately,” Frigo said. “HDG is about the same all year—there are almost no construction site visits, tree tagging at nurseries, and no snow shoveling. We’re getting projects designed and through the various client and municipal approvals, we’re getting permits.” (continued on page 14)

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

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What Contractors Do (continued from page 12) A lot of Frigo’s projects are put out for competitive bid to contractors in winter so that they will be under contract for spring construction. “We’re helping contractors with their product submittals and shop drawing reviews so long lead time items can be ordered early. We also use this slightly less busy time to do our business planning for the new year—looking into our Magic 8 Ball to set goals and budgets for sales and marketing, staffing, purchases and revenue.” Most HDG staff also take a week or two off around the holidays. “They spend time with family, or like me, hibernate.”

A time to think and breathe

For Ashley Marrin of Bret-Mar Landscape in Homer Glen, December to February is a time for reflection. “We discuss what changes we want to make for the next season. We try to get as much done as we can in preparation for the new season so that things run smoothly come March.” During winter, she concentrates on marketing the business. “We get our processes all set and organized and we work on designs and sales for spring as well. There are always those customers thinking ahead who want to be the first install in spring.” Marrin and others at Bret-Mar attend continuing education classes—like iLandscape— during the winter months. “It’s not necessarily down time, it’s just a different routine. (continued on page 16)

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The Landscape Contractor December 2019

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What Contractors Do In the Winter — (continued from page 14) It’s fun to have the change, it breaks up the year a bit.” Team members also try to take vacation. “At the beginning of winter we always think we have so much time to prepare for next season, but really with the holidays the winter just flies by. The important thing for us is to take time to review the year, relax over the holidays, and then we feel energized and look forward to tackling the spring season ahead.”

Parting thoughts

Winter is a time of rest and relaxation, too. “We come into the office four days a week and work a half day on Friday’s from home,” Hursthouse says. “It gives us all a bit of a break from the usual schedule.” If the weather looks bad, they call a snow day and let everyone work from home. “We also have to visit our favorite trade show, iLandscape. We want to learn and see what’s new. It’s also a great place to connect with industry friends.” iLandscape — it’s just around the corner. Register now! http://ilandscapeshow.com

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The Landscape Contractor December 2019

Impact Conference 2019

Record Attendance Drives 2019 Impact Conference By Nina Koziol

A whopping number of landscape con-

tractors, designers, students, nursery staff and others from Illinois and the surrounding states attended ILCA’s Third Annual Impact Conference held at the Chicago Botanic Garden on October 22nd. “We had 275 registered and more coming onsite,” said AnneMarie Drufke, ILCA’s education manager. “We broke a record with the most attendees for this event and a large part of that is because of the national speakers on the program.” Author and designer Claudia West of Phyto Studio kicked off the program with her keynote presentation, “Planting in a Post Wild World.” One of her main points focused on the use of mulch-scaping—using more woodchips than plants. “Most plantings I see are chronically under-vegetated,” West said. Although her firm never promises clients an “instant” landscape, she gave examples of using closely planted plugs of native and nonnative perennials that can quickly fill a bed without the need for excessive mulch. “We sell an adventure—a journey. Your clients’ front turf—you can turn it into an archetypal meadow that can be wild, but neat.”

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Several breakout sessions on soils, trees, permascape, stormwater management, maintenance and eco-friendly gardens were packed with attendees—some with standing room only. Nadia Malarkey of Nadia Malarkey Garden Design in Yellow Springs, Ohio, zeroed in on how to regenerate suburbia, one garden at a time. “There are 45 million acres of lawn and counting. It’s monoculture madness,” Malarkey said. “If you take half the lawns you work on and turn them into biodiverse plantings, we can start to turn things around.” Her first-year plantings get a blanket of leaf mulch and by the second year, the plants typically have filled in the beds. “It’s just nice to keep up with changes that impact sustainability,” said landscape designer Hannah Paulson of Ginkgo Leaf Studio in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. “The keynote was an incredible talk—probably one of the best speakers I’ve seen.” Annamaria León of the Permaculture Chicago Teaching Institute and Homan Grown and horticulturist Ken Williams wowed the audience with urban and suburban examples of permascaping. León showed before-and-after renovations of

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

empty or overgrown lots on Chicago’s west side that were transformed with fruit and shade trees and edible gardens. “Permaculture is all about creating community and abundance,” she said. She pointed to a study that showed a decrease in crime when more trees were present. León, who is married to plantsman Roy Diblik said, “It’s a marriage of perennials and edibles.” Alyssa Schmitt of Stormwater Solutions Engineering talked about the company’s work with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District to develop standards for bioswales, green roofs, rain gardens, native landscapes, porous pavement and much more. One problem Schmitt sees is in the maintenance of bioswales that capture stormwater. “Municipalities sometimes rely on volunteers for maintenance, which doesn’t work,” Schmitt said. “We don’t rely on volunteers to fill potholes so why should they rely on them to work on natural areas? A

bioswale is not just a garden—it’s an extension of the city’s infrastructure—and of maintenance for stormwater management.” Skilled contractors or trained city staff are key to maintenance so the bioswales are not only effective but look good. A tall order, indeed. Planting plans and maintenance for these water-mitigating sites are very important. “We recommend that a site inspection is performed every year. We look at what was planted and what’s left.” Getting buy-in from local residents and businesses is important when planning bioswales and rain gardens. “We engage the immediate community and educate them, otherwise residents view them as weedy.” One popular product for stormwater mitigation is permeable paving. Schmitt cautions that the paving can clog with debris, especially if it’s right next to mulched or mown areas. “Think about where the pavers will be installed and what’s around them and whether salt will be spread on them in winter. If it’s in an urban area, a street sweeper can help remove debris.”

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

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Impact Conference 2019 The word “maintenance” is a branding problem, said Julie Snell of TEND Landscapes. “If I called you a high-maintenance individual, it’s not a compliment. The term is a conceptual roadblock and we need to shift thinking to change perceptions.” She’d like to see the term “environmental steward” used in place of maintenance or something else that raises the value of that service in clients’ eyes. How is value communicated to your clients, she asked. “Don’t call it low-maintenance. It’s ‘appropriatelevel’ maintenance. Include it in your design and budget process.” This was the second Impact conference for Simon Hilarides of Holland, Michigan. Hilarides is the Turf-pro Midwest Territory Manager for Jonathan Green, a purveyor of premium grass seed, lawn and soil foods. “We’re very

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interested in being included in the conversation with sustainable design and looking at how lawns can fit into that. Lawns can help by mitigating heat islands as opposed to having paved surfaces.” And while the focus for many speakers was planting perennials, trees and shrubs, lawns still play an important role for many, if not most, residential clients. “Lawns aren’t going away and they are really useful,” Hilarides said. “We’re looking at seed development and working with plant breeders and universities and we are trying to select cultivars that are more resilient.” Looking for an ILCA educational event to help you and your staff? Visit: https://www.ilca.net/ professional/events

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

Impact Conference 2019

See their work: Claudia West, Phyto Studio: https://phytostudio.com Nadia Malarkey: https://www.nadiamalarkey.com Julia Bunn, The Spirited Gardener: https://www.spiritedgardener.com Annamaria León, Permaculture Chicago Teaching Institute: https://www.permaculturechicago.com Dan Nielson, Biogreen Organics: https://www.biogreenorganic.com Lesley and Bruce Smith, Arborsmith: https://www.thearborsmiths.com Julie Snell, TEND Landscapes: https://tendlandscape.com/people/ Alyssa Schmitt, Stormwater Solutions Engineering: https://www.stormwater-solutions-engineering.com

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The Landscape Contractor December 2019

Special Report —

New Board Member Profile — Debbie McGuire by Meta Levin

Debbie McGuire is an

enthusiastic proponent of ILCA. That is why she is happy to be the new ILCA membership committee chair. “ILCA is an incredible association,” she says. She joined ILCA’s Membership Committee in 2011 and found it a good fit: “I’m a salesperson. The carrot for me is getting more members to join a great association.” Not only is McGuire chairing the Membership Committee, but she also has been involved in other ILCA committees, including the Women’s Networking Group and, last year, The Landscape Contractor magazine editor, Rick Reuland, approached her about joining the Magazine Committee. The Membership Committee is, however, currently the one taking up the most of her time and, not incidentally, is the second most active committee in ILCA, says McGuire. Right now, there are eight members, but McGuire would like to see that increase to 12. All the committee members are busy people and there is a lot to do, she says. “They are wonderful and supportive. They are knowledgeable about the industry, and each one brings something special to the table.” She points to her Membership Committee associate chair, Aaron Zych, as one of the reasons she is optimistic about the committee’s success in meeting its goals. “He is a landscape architect, a certified arborist and vice president of ILT Vignocchi Inc.,” she says. “He brings a creative thought process to the work.” The current focus is on retention. “We’ve been discussing it in meetings,” McGuire says. Ideas include an enhanced member resource page, as well

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as a focus on the value of membership. “The goal is to retain new members and increase membership by at least 10 per-

Debbie McGuire

cent each year.” McGuire has worked at the iLandscape ILCA booth and has noticed that prospective members have one question, “What’s in it for me?” That, she says, is the big question. “Before we would stand in the booth and ask attendees whether or not they were members and then solicit nonmembers for membership.” Now attendees can become members online and the iLandscape booth is more for networking and focused on the show. Most of McGuire’s professional life has been in the insurance industry, something that happened almost by accident. Following the birth of her son, she knew she had to return to work and a friend, who worked for an insurance agency, told her the company needed a receptionist. She applied and got the job. After a little while her boss suggested that she get her Property & Casualty Insurance License and start selling

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

personal home and auto insurance. Following which, she was asked to sell business insurance and later she became licensed to sell life, accident and health (employee benefits) insurance. All the while she was growing her family. A native of Arlington Heights, she began her family young and she now has four children and seven grandchildren, ages three to 14 years, three boys and four girls. The girls love to have sleepovers with their grandmother. Originally, her relationship with ILCA began in 2002 when she was working for Jim Bilinski at American Plantsman Insurance. Both now work together for Crum Halsted Insurance Agency, Inc. She works out of the Geneva and Crystal Lake offices. In whatever spare time she has, she likes to bowl and attend performances at the Lincolnshire Marriott theater with friends. For the last eight years, McGuire has been involved with a small non-profit organization that donates funds to families of children with cancer. She now serves as its vice president. McGuire has one more goal for her tenure as ILCA Membership Committee chair: “I want us to become the committee of the year.”

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iLandscape Preview — Entertainment and More

iLandscape

TM

the illinois + wisconsin Landscape Show

making connections By Meta L. Levin

“Make new friends, but keep the old; one

is silver and the other gold,” or so goes the old camp song. This year the iLandscape committee is exhorting you to make some new friends and reunite with the old. The Experience Committee has lined up some fun ways to do both.

Making Connections

Themed, “Making Connections,” the 2020 iLandscape Show is scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, January 29-31, 2020 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center. There will still be two exhibit halls, and more than 50 education options and, if The Experience Committee has anything to say about it, games, music, raffles and fun.

FUN-FUN-FUN

Walk the show and you will find Eric the Wood Carver on Wednesday and Thursday outside the main entrance. “He was a huge hit five years ago,” says Wesley. Eric’s carvings will be raffled off. There is even a special education raffle with a cash payout for those who attend class. If you are registered for education sessions, you automatically are entered.

Prizes galore

“I am most excited about the different things for attendees to do,” daytime experience chair, Mike Wesley, says. Let’s see, there are “Tailgate Games,” including Giant Pong; a 20-foot extreme Foosball table with room for 20 people to play; several different bands on the main stage, as well as the Ballroom stage. The music includes an acoustic duo and a jazz trio. “The show has been music heavy the last four or five years and the goal this year was to provide other forms of entertainment,” he says.

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Walk the show

In keeping with the “Making Connections” theme, raffle prizes include gift cards from Lettuce Entertain You, Sam & Harry’s Steak House, Binny’s Beverage Depot and Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, not to mention Cubs tickets (box seats, a few rows behind the dugout). “It’s part of people getting together,” says John Algozzini, who oversees planning of the Thursday evening party and has worked on the Experience Committee since the advent of iLandscape. “It gives them a way to get together for dinner” and, in the case of the Cubs tickets, a nice time. Do you remember Pac Man and Ms. Pac Man? They will be available for free play, so brush up on your skills. Pac Man is hungry. He needs to eat those pellets, super pellets and ghosts. (continued on page 28)

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

iLandscape Preview — Entertainment and More While the band takes a break, the committee will be giving away cash and maybe some other things, as well. “It’s a nice networking event,” House says. If you want to party some more, a Thursday evening party will run from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. “It will be partially a carnival atmosphere,” says Algozzini. This is the way it will work: at 4 pm committee members will announce the winners of the iPad on the ballroom stage, followed by the photography contest winners. The raffles begin at 4:15 pm and at 4:30 it’s time to party. Wednesday and Friday the raffle winners will be announced from the main stage. On Thursday from the Ballroom stage. Fueled by more free beer, the Thursday evening party will feature games galore, including Bingo, Tiki Toss, a hook game,

(continued from page 26) In another blast from the past, there will be chair massages available Wednesday and Thursday, something Wesley says were a big hit six years ago. A henna tattoo artist will be plying her trade to those who want to give it a try. Using fresh herbs and spices from a cutting garden, on Wednesday, a mixologist from the Wooden Paddle will make cocktails, offering small samples for tasting and preparing some for sale during the Wednesday night party. Speaking of the Wednesday night party, the Cashbox Kings, a Chicago style Blues band, specializing in 1940s and 1950s music, will start playing between 4:30 and 4:45 pm, as soon as the raffle finishes, and play until 7 pm. The party will feature free beer, and what Wednesday evening party chairperson Katrina House, describes as “tons of food.”

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The Landscape Contractor December 2019

an oversized Rubik’s Cube, Badminton in a Box, Nerf Dart, a Paper airplane flying contest, a giant trike race, jelly beans and Skittles in jars guessing contests. The games will be set up in different stations around the ballroom and there will be cash prizes for the winners of each. Four industry greats will take turns emceeing the event: Bob Hursthouse, Tony LoBello, John Algozzini and Chris Walsh. “We’re trying to get people to enjoy themselves, to create an alternate experience,” says Algozzini. And not, incidentally, to earn some prize money. Cash prizes total $4,000. Prizes are abundant and unique. Win puzzle pieces from artist Kevin Campbell’s puzzle project. Campbell, a Muncie, IN artist, has been working on a gigantic jigsaw puzzle since 1994. It now features nearly a dozen other artists and continues to grow. Component parts exist all over the world, so why not in your living room? “We chose the puzzle piece, because it fit with the connected theme,” says Algozzini. (continued on page 30)

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The Landscape Contractor December 2019

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iLandscape Preview — Entertainment and More

making connections iPix is back

Did you know that there is an iLandscape photography contest? iPix. Put your best photo forward and you just might find it displayed under museum lights in the ballroom all three days. Last year there were 164 entries and they were terrific. “I could not believe how many good photos were submitted,” says Algozzini. It’s an industry wide contest with cash prizes in 10 categories, including black and white photography, fall color, flowers and perennials, night photography, sunrise/sunset, trees, water, wildlife, best pet and a wild card category. Winners in each category get $100. Runners up - $75. The Grand Prize for the best overall photo earns the winner $1,000 and the iPix Reserve Grand Prize for best photo wins $500. Check the iLandscape Show website for details.

All of this is no accident. Each year the committee pays attention to the feedback from iLandscape attendees. “Our approval rating has been between 87 percent and 92 percent,” says Algozzini. “We read every piece of feedback. When people say something is great, we figure out a way to amplify it.” To do this, they dig deep into their own experiences and reach out to others for contacts and recommendations. For instance, a piece by artist, educator and speaker, Mooneen Mourad, will be auctioned off Thursday and Friday, something Algozzini promoted. The committee is excited about this year’s daytime entertainment. “I think it is the best show ever,” says House.

Mooneen Mourad to be used as prizes iPix Grand Prize Winner from 2019.

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The Landscape Contractor December 2019

Seasonal Weather Forecast — Winter 2019-20 by Steve Mirsky

December will feature close to normal temperatures and possibly even slightly above normal. Snowfall will be close to, if not below normal. However, I expect the weather will turn colder during the month of January and snowfall to pick up and average close to normal. February should see cold temperatures as well as above normal snowfall. Snowfall (including what has fallen so far and what may occur in March) will be close to 42 inches which is above the normal of 34. 6 inches. Although snowfall will be a bit above normal, precipitation as a whole should be slightly below normal. Temperatures will average slightly below normal through March.

Admittedly, this forecast is of lower confidence than normal. That is because for the first time in 6 winters there is not going to be an El Nino or La Nina. Although not the “silver-bullet” in long range forecasting, it is the most reliable predicter. Without it, other less predictable factors will come into play in determining the weather this winter.

DECEMBER-MARCH TEMPERATURES

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The Landscape Contractor December 2019

Steve Mirsky is a degreed meteorologist and has been with Weather Command since 1988. Although Steve is interested in almost every aspect of weather, his specialties include consulting for energy companies, winter storms, severe weather and long range forecasting. Disclaimer: This forecast is subject to the inherent limitations of the science of meteorology. While every attempt was made to provide the most accurate forecast possible, it should not be construed as definitive fact. There is a margin of error in all weather forecasting that must be acknowledged and accounted for. This forecast is that of the author and does not necessarily represent Murray and Trettel, Inc./Weather Command.

DECEMBER-MARCH PRECIPITATION

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Enfoque: Sección en Español

iLandscape

TM

the illinois + wisconsin Landscape Show

estableciendo contactos

Por Meta L. Levin

“Haga nuevas amistades, pero conserve las

antiguas; unas son plateadas, las otras, doradas”, o así dice la vieja canción de fogata. Este año el comité de iLandscape lo invita a conocer gente y reunirse con viejas amistades. El Comité de Experiencia tiene listas maneras divertidas de hacer ambas cosas.

Hacer conexiones

Con el tema de “Hacer conexiones,” 2020 iLandscape está programada para realizarse los días miércoles, jueves y viernes, del 29 al 31 de enero de 2020 en el Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center. Habrá dos salones de exposición, más de 70 opciones de educación y, si el Comité de Experiencia tiene voz en el asunto, juegos, música, sorteos y diversión.

DIVERSIÓN Y MÁS DIVERSIÓN

“Me entusiasman más las diferentes actividades disponibles para los asistentes”, afirma Mike Wesley, Presidente de Experiencia Diurna. Veamos, habrá juegos “tailgate”, incluyendo Giant Pong; una mesa de 20 pies para Foosball (futbolín) extremo con espacio para 20 jugadores; varias bandas en el escenario principal y en el Salón de baile. La música incluye un dúo acústico y un trío de jazz. “En los últimos cuatro o cinco años la feria ha tenido música en abundancia y la meta este año es ofrecer otras formas de entretenimiento”, afirma.

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Camine por la feria

Caminando por la feria los días miércoles y jueves se encontrará con Eric el tallador de madera fuera de la entrada principal. “Fue un gran éxito hace cinco años”, asegura Wesley. Se sortearán las esculturas en madera de Eric. Habrá incluso un sorteo especial educativo con un premio en efectivo para los que asistan a clases. Si se inscribe en sesiones educativas, automáticamente participará en el sorteo.

Premios en abundancia

En concordancia con el tema de “Hacer conexiones”, los premios del sorteo incluyen tarjetas de regalo de Lettuce Entertain You, Sam & Harry’s Steak House, Binny’s Beverage Depot y Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, además de boletos para el juego de los Cubs (asientos de palco, unas cuantas hileras detrás del banquillo). “Es parte del deseo de reunir a la gente”, afirma John Algozzini, que supervisa la planificación de la fiesta nocturna el jueves y ha trabajado con el Comité de Experiencia desde los inicios de iLandscape. “Les da la oportunidad de reunirse para cenar” y, en el caso de los boletos para el juego de los Cubs, pasar un buen rato. ¿Se acuerda de Pac Man y Ms. Pac Man? Estarán disponibles para jugar gratis, por lo que es hora de afinar sus habilidades. Pac Man tiene hambre. Necesita comer esos pellets, súper pellets y fantasmas. En otra explosión del pasado, habrá masajes en silla disponibles los días miércoles y jueves, algo que, nos dice Wesley, tuvo mucho éxito hace seis años. Una artista de tatuajes de henna ejercerá su arte para quienes lo

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

De hecho, John Greenlee, con base de operaciones en California, es conocido como “el Hombre Hierba”, por su trabajo en cultivos y diseño de hierbas ornamentales. Es considerado cómo utilizar mejor los árboles y experto en ecología de vegetación cómo muchos están reaccionando herbácea y partidario del diseño a la cantidad de humedad que sustentable. Sus clientes incluyen hemos tenido últimamente. algunos de los nombres más Además de ser coautor de importantes en Silicon Valley, El Libro del Árbol, Warren es el Apple campus y clientes arboricultor y vivericultor y adinerados en todo el país e fue Director de Desarrollo de internacionalmente. Productos para J. Frank Schmidt “Tiene muchos lazos con el and Son Co. Durante su carrera Medio Oeste”, afirma Hartmann. de 40 años se ha asociado Incluyendo trabajar con algunas con científicos, obtentores y hierbas ornamentales de pradera. vivericultores para guiar 87 Es reconocido por usar una paleta nuevos cultivares hacia la de plantas diversificada para producción comercial, incluyendo resolver problemas específicos, incluyendo 37 árboles con marcas registradas o patentados los tipos de condiciones climáticas extremas de su propio trabajo de crianza y selección. que estamos viendo. Según Hartmann, Warren se concentrará El Libro del Árbol de Michael Dirr y en lo que da mejores resultados en el Medio Keith Warren es considerado con frecuencia Oeste. Hablará sobre muchas variedades nuevas, la Biblia de las industrias de la arboricultura incluyendo algunas que proceden del Arboreto y el paisajismo, afirma Hartmann. Los que lo Morton. consultan con frecuencia e incluso aquellos No obstante, no todo es horticultura. El que no lo hacen, tendrán la oportunidad de Comité de Educación de 13 miembros trató de escuchar a Warren en iLandscape. lograr un equilibrio entre horticultura, elementos “Habrá algunas perspectivas nuevas de las sólidos y negocios. “Las personas asisten a que usted no ha oído hablar antes”, asegura las sesiones de negocio”, asegura Hartmann. Hartmann. Ella señala información sobre diversificación, dónde y The Landscape Contractor 35 December 2019

Enfoque: Sección en Español “Hemos tenido muchas sesiones de negocio, administración y ventas – una buena mezcla de ellas”. Para ese fin, el comité identificó y está invitando a algunos conferencistas que además de ser expertos en varios aspectos del mundo de los negocios, tienen experiencia de primera mano en la industria verde. Kristin Scroggin, socia administrativa y capacitadora principal de GenWHY Communication Strategies, se concentrará en la comunicación entre generaciones, cómo dirigir una fuerza laboral multigeneracional y cómo desarrollar y mantener relaciones entre los jóvenes que ingresan en la industria y los que han estado en ella mucho tiempo. “Hay muchas transiciones en nuestra industria”, afirma Hartmann. Durante sus dos presentaciones en iLandscape, Steve Cesare, de Harvest Group, se concentrará en su especialidad, recursos humanos. A los asistentes parece gustarles las presentaciones de Harvester Group, porque todos los conferencistas provienen del

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mundo del paisajismo y la horticultura, asegura Hartmann. Con un PhD en Psicología Industrial/Organizacional, Cesare cuenta con más de 25 años de experiencia en recursos humanos, obtenida, en parte, trabajando como Director de Recursos Humanos de Bemus Landscape en el Sur de California. También ha trabajado en otras industrias. Hartmann está segura de que en iLandscape hay algo para casi todo el mundo. Su comité incluye a Pat Beuscher, Frank Balestri, Mike Blackwell, Andrew Guelter, Alison Hoffman, Andrew Keppel, Becky Kielstrup, Sydney Koonce, Mandy Leifheit, Kevin McGowen, George Murphy, Steve Raczak y Lydia Scott. Dean MacMorris sirve como asesor de la junta del comité.

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

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Event Highlights —

2019 Annual Party & Membership Meeting

by Meta L. Levin

“This place is awesome for mingling and

socializing,” said Rusty Maulding, former ILCA president and partner with Nature’s View in Watseka, IL. He was speaking of Joe’s Live in Rosemont, site of the 2019 ILCA 60th Annual Party and Member Meeting. Maulding, who was reveling in the opportunity to connect with old friends, was one of 375 ILCA members who showed up to honor longtime members, committee members and everyone else who works to make ILCA successful. Association staff turned traditional scheduling on its ear, beginning the event with a brief business meeting, making it more of a party and less of a meeting. That was by design, ILCA Executive Director Scott Grams told the attendees, who already were in party mode when the 5:30 pm meeting began. “We took 65 minutes of content and condensed it down to 30,” he said. Maulding wasn’t the only one who liked the new venue. “I like the openness,” said Tom Kadolph of Cedar Path Nursery, one of the event sponsors. “It’s more centrally located and it has good vibes for those who are into music.” The Joe’s Live location was the biggest draw for many of those at the meeting. Tony LoBello of Mariani Landscape pointed to the central location and easy parking. It was, said Roland VanDenBergh, DeVroomen Garden Products’ US Chief Operating Officer, easy to get to and offered plenty of room for mixing and socializing.

Scott Grams, ILCA Executive Director

José Garcia

Donna Vignocchi Zych ILCA Vice President and Aaron Zych, of the Membership Committee

Debbie McGuire, Membership Chair

ILCA President

But back to meeting at hand

Once Scott Grams introduced ILCA President José M. Garcia of Natural Creations Landscaping, Inc., he quickly gavelled the meeting to order. From there it was a quick ride through many acknowledgments. Debbie McGuire, ILCA Membership Committee Chair paid tribute to a pair of 50-year ILCA members: Shelly’s Landscape Contractors and Vancina Landscaping. Looking out at the crowd, McGuire said “They joined at a time when 375 people in a room was a pipe dream.” McGuire also recognized those who had been 25-year members: Atlas Bobcat, LLC; Christy Webber Landscapes; Hoffie Nursery, Inc.; Natural Creations Landscaping, Inc.; Pedersen Company; Rocks, Etc.; Tunzi & Sons Landscaping, Inc.; Twin Oaks Landscaping; Buck Bros. Inc.; Elevations Landscaping; Fox Landscape LLC; Jasperson Sod Farm; Nelligan’s Landscape & Excavating & Demolition and Noffke Lawn & Landscape, Inc. (continued on page 40)

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The Landscape Contractor December 2019

50 Year Members

Vancina Landscaping, Inc.

Shelly’s Landscape Contractors

Editors note: Please forgive me, but this is one of those times where I feel compelled to enter a word of personal wishes. My greatest congratulations to both Bud and Kevin Vancina for achieving this lofty goal of 50 years as an ILCA member firm. Bud and Kitty formed a very solid foundation, not only for their family, but for ILCA as well. Your contributions are too many to list, but be assured our thanks to you are great. RR

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

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Event Highlights — (continued from page 38)

Committees

Grams also acknowledged work done during the year by the ILCA Board of Directors, staff and the chairs of the 20 committees, as well as all their members. “This is a testament and example as to why this association succeeds,” he said. Attendees applauded the eighth annual Committee of the Year: the Political Action Committee, chaired by Tom Lupfer. All committee members will be recognized on a plaque, hung in the ILCA conference room. ILCA President José Garcia, presented the plaque. “Formed in 2017, the PAC subcommittee has made an immediate impact,” Grams said. Faced with a history of no PAC contributions for many years, the PAC committee decided to change that. “If we were going to be serious political players, we needed better access,” Grams said. Members used a combination of fundraising, raffles, parties, golf outings and other methods of raising money, as well as working with ILCA’s lobbyist to identify influential targets in Springfield who would help advance the association and industry’s agenda. They set a goal to build a $50,000 war chest, which they did in September 2019. They held small in-person meetings with influential lawmakers. Among their successes was the development and passage of HB269, aimed at stronger worker’s compensation enforcement, aided by the legislators who committee members had contacted. The Golf Committee, chaired by Jim Slattery, and the Education Committee, chaired by Kim Hartmann, were the runners up for the honor. Garcia also honored Lupfer as immediate past president. “Tom learned early on that good ideas have consequences,” said Garcia, detailing how when Lupfer asked why ILCA had no sustainable landscaping committee, Grams put him in charge of forming one. After proving his worth, he ended up on the Board of Directors, where he focused on ensuring that ILCA was listening to and reacting (continued on page 42) 40

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

25 Year Members

2019 Committee of the Year —

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

41

Event Highlights — (continued from page 40) to the needs of small business owner members. Lupfer has volunteered in various capacities for ILCA for the last 10 years, but Garcia believes that retiring as the association’s President is not the end of the road for him. “I am sure a few years from now, Tom will see something in the industry worth fixing and it will be impossible for him to walk away,” Garcia said. “Tom will never be the member who lets the industry change him. Instead, he knows it’s more fun and rewarding to try and change the industry first.”

When recognition is due

Once again, Rental Max was the Premier Sponsor of this event. The winner of the 2018-2019 Distinguished Supplier Award, Rental Max has been a strong ILCA supporter for many years. The company was a Golf Outing sponsor, as well as an exhibitor at Summer Field Day and iLandscape. “We are lucky and privileged to be a member of the landscape community,” said John Jeanguenat, Rental Max president. Meanwhile, party goers were posing in hats, oversized sunglasses and other props at the Photo Booth, sponsored by Xylem, Ltd. and Rocks, Etc. National Seed supplied the drink tickets. All those who arrived early received one, entitling them to a free RentalMax Ale, a domestic beer or a soft drink. Other party sponsors included A. Block Marketing, Cedar Path Nursery, Central Turf & Irrigation Supply, Conserv FS, Fiore Nursery & Landscape Supply, Homer Industries, Illinois Brick Company, JM Irrigation, LLC, Lafarge Fox River Stone, LandscapeHub, Martin Implement Sales, Midwest Groundcovers & Midwest Trading, Russo Power, SmithAmundsen LLC and Spring Grove Nursery, Inc.

John Jeanguenat, Rental Max president

An upbeat vibe

Attendees were marking the end of a sometimes rough season, with some notable successes. Kadolph, for instance, was toasting to a “wonderful year” for Cedar Path. “We jumped up and hit the numbers on our 10-year plan,” he said. “We expanded to include Mike Scheitz on our team, becoming more of a multi-state, Midwestern company, rather than just Chicago.” He also pointed to the addition of Mike Cook last year, another seasoned veteran. “I feel like October 2019 was the month that it all came together.”

42

The Cedar Path Nursery crew: l to r: Mike Cook, Mike Kennedy, Mike Scheitz, and the guy who hires Mikes— Tom Kadolph. The Landscape Contractor December 2019

Maulding saw 2019 as the “wackiest year.” A key employee left, then returned. There was lots of rain, followed by too little. Still things went well. For VanDenBergh, however, the season isn’t done. “The cold came early, but there are still some bulbs to be planted.” And for Steve Fiore of Rocco Fiore & Sons, this season was good. “We were busy,” he said. All in all, the season and the party were successful. “This is a wonderful place to party,” Kevin Vancina, of Vancina Landscaping, Inc., said.

Scott Grams reminds attendees, when it comes to members, ILCA is...

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

43

Event Highlights —

44

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

Thank You to all of our Annual Party Sponsors: Premier Sponsor

Photo Booth Sponsors

Drink Ticket Sponsor

Party Sponsors

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

45

Turf Update —

Be a Part of the Solution

By Meta L. Levin

Recently Bob Mann, Director

of State and Local Government Relations for the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), scheduled a field trip for 30 EPA scientists. As he recounted during his presentation to attendees at ILCA’s Turf Education Day (TED), he and his colleagues had spent time meeting and developing relationships with EPA officials who are tasked with regulating the use of pesticides. It was disconcerting to find that, although the officials understood the chemistry, the environmental impact, how to register the product and generate a label, “they don’t understand how it’s used.”

46

So, he invited them to learn in the field, as it were. “Last week in Virginia, we took 30 EPA scientists, all from the office of pesticide program, and taught them about lawn care,” he says. Granted, because of his job, Mann has greater access to officials than the majority of people. The important message here is that he did not sit back and bemoan the situation, he did what he could do about it. You can, too. One of the easiest, but effective, things to do is donate to the ILCA PAC,

says Scott Grams, ILCA Executive Director. “We keep an eye on regulatory issues and monitor changes.” The PAC fund allows ILCA to make discrete donations to key lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Which is, in part, why Mann is a strong believer in becoming involved at the state association level, i.e. ILCA. “Educate yourself,” he says. “Become networked. Peer groups are a boon to any industry.” State associations invest time, money and effort in tackling issues, such as the workforce situation, head on.

Meeting with EPA officials regarding pesticides, Mann realized, “they don’t

understand how it’s used.”

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

“Being isolated is the worst thing you can do,” says Mann. “Your colleagues understand your struggles and they are willing to help people coming along behind them.” He recounts his early days in the landscape industry, when he was intimidated to be in a room in which he knew no one. Only after attending events, introducing himself and making friends, did doors begin to open for him. Mann has formed deep and lasting friendships with the people with whom he has

served on committees. “We’ve gone through stuff together,” he says. Through serving on committees and taking advantage of educational opportunities, he developed a better command of the issues. Through networking, he learned and gradually realized that he had something to contribute. It’s important to have a mentor. Networking can help you find one. That said, Mann points to Grams as someone who “knows the issues, what to say and what not to say.”

Ask almost anyone about the most important issues facing the landscape industry and the labor shortage will come out on top. “People are thinking that this is the new normal,” says Grams. “They are bracing themselves for getting more done with fewer people.” Employers advertise for job openings and get no applications. For Mann, one of the answers is H2B visa reform. “We’re trying to encourage legislators on Capital Hill to put together an H2B (continued on page 48)

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

47

Turf Update — (continued from page 47) reform effort separate from the immigration issue,” he says. H2B visas are intended for non-agricultural temporary workers, in other words, short-term guest workers. To qualify, businesses must be able to show that there are not enough people to fill the demand. In this age of nearly full employment, that is the situation many landscape contractors face. If you have an opinion on the matter, Mann suggests contacting your US representative or Senator. Grams suggests addressing the labor shortage in a different way. “Our number one asset is people,” he says. Doing more with fewer people, as well as keeping the good employees that you already have, is going to take some changes. “It’s all about workplace culture and motivating employees,” he says. It may mean more flexibility and looking at alternative scheduling. “Surrounding yourself with a good team is crucial,” says Grams. Labor, however, accounts for 42 percent to 45 percent of a landscape contractor’s costs. “This is an employee driven marketplace.”

Nearly three years ago NALP did a survey of salaries in the landscape industry. Almost everyone in ILCA is at the top, says Grams, but that survey may be out of date, because of the current employment conditions. Not only that, but some types of jobs that typically draw from the same labor pool, such as manufacturing, are back, he says. Now proposals to raise the minimum wage are “going to be nipping at our heels,” says Grams. On the state level, Grams warns that the Pritzker administration (Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker) is going to be worker friendly, looking for how to give more rights to employees. “They are up front about this,” he says. Therefore, Grams recommends that employers review their HR (human resources) practices. “Make sure you are compliant,” he says. “Make sure it is airtight.” Mann also is suggesting the establishment of apprenticeship training, much like plumbers and electricians. It would lead to some type of licensure, approved by the Department of Labor. “We’re pushing kids into STEM related careers,” he says. “The downside is that

there is not a lot of attraction in jobs that rely on manual labor.” Mann also fears a brain drain from landscape work into the budding cannabis industry. “Cannabis needs people with solid agronomic backgrounds – the same training we rely on,” he says. It’s no secret that the weather has significantly affected the landscape industry. “Landscape contractors did not get as much done, because of the weather,” says Grams. “It constrained growth and shrank margins, because they had to put in so many hours to catch up.” In other words, the weather destroyed what could have been profit. To review, we had an extraordinarily cold winter, with a lot of plant loss, followed by a wet spring and lots of invasive weeds. “The weather caused added losses,” says Grams. This should be a time for landscape contractors to concentrate on what Grams calls, “smarter plant selection.” Look for plants that are hardy, that can withstand extremes of temperature and weather. “The products and tools are out there,” he says. “We have to anticipate that with climate change, we are going to have wetter springs and falls, combined

iLandscape

TM

the illinois + wisconsin Landscape Show

January 29 - 31, 2020 48

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

with much harsher winters. People need to stop thinking that this is an anomaly.” For that reason, landscape contractors might review their warranties. What are you offering your clients? Given weather fluctuations, is your warranty reasonable? Landscape contractors also should take weather variations into account when choosing which jobs to take. Assume that not only will the job not go as perfectly as you think, but that the weather might not cooperate. “There’s a lot of money in the industry,” says Grams. “but the net profit is not what people would like.”

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

49

Business Update —

Why You Should Put Golden Handcuffs on Your Best Employees By Patrick Ungashick

High-performing employ-

ees are often the most valuable asset in most companies. Customers, products, technology, inventory, and many other assets come and go. A company that cannot hold onto its best employees, however, likely cannot grow. Yet ironically, few companies take any formal steps to minimize the risk of losing top employees. Sure, you pay your best employees well, and presumably have a great culture and work environment. But your competitors can offer the same incentives. To truly hold onto your best people, consider tying them to your company with handcuffs made of gold. “Golden handcuffs” is a generic term describing a wide range of programs that share one core purpose—to incentivize top employees to stay with your company for the long term. There are many types of programs:

•

stock options

•

phantom stock

•

stock appreciation rights

•

synthetic equity programs, share bonus plans and more.

“Golden handcuffs” is a generic term describing a wide range of programs that share one core purpose— to incentivize top employees to stay with your company.”

•

50

incentive compensation plans

Making things even more confusing, each of these types of programs have variations in their design and operation. This complexity makes it difficult to approach these programs and select a plan design that best fits the situation. However, learning about golden handcuffs programs is worth the effort. They offer a unique combination of advantages and benefits that can help your company reduce risk, propel growth, and maximize value at exit. Companies that design and imple-

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

ment effective golden handcuff plans can accomplish the following seven important outcomes: 1.

2.

Reduce risk that top employees leave prematurely or unexpectedly. Golden handcuff plans accomplish this by offering a future compensation payout that is partially or completely forfeit if the employee should terminate employment prior to an agreed-upon date (such as retirement age) or an event (such as the sale of the company). To create the desired impact, the potential compensation amount must be significant—typically several times the employee’s current annual income or more. Incent top employees to help create long-term, sustained

3.

4.

company growth. The potential for a future compensation payout orients the employee towards achieving the company’s business goals, especially if the payout amount is tied to long-term company growth. Create incentives for top job candidates to join your company. A golden handcuffs program offered to a desired recruit—in addition to competitive pay and compelling career opportunities—can be the tipping point that convinces that important hire to join your organization. Protect the company against the risk of losing customers, other employees, or trade secrets should an employee who has those relationships and information leave. Golden handcuff plans should include a legal agreement which

5.

commonly includes provisions such as non-compete, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure language wherever possible. Provide a way for business owners to create alignment with non-owner top employees around creating business value prior to exit. Many business owners are understandably concerned about discussing their future exit plans with their top employees who don’t have an equity stake in the company. In those situations, the owner’s future exit is a potential wealth-building event for him or her, but it presents career uncertainty and risk to the non-owner employee. Golden handcuffs plans build a bridge between owner and non-owner top employees, by including those employees in (continued on page 52)

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

51

Business Update — (continued from page 51) a wealth creation opportunity at exit and providing for their career stability. 6. Enhance business value at company exit, particularly upon sale of the business. Your future business buyer will often see greater value in your company if a golden handcuffs plan has been effectively implemented, particularly when the plan includes “stay bonuses” which incent top employees to stay with the company after a sale, typically for one to two years. 7. Thank top employees for their service with the company. Most business owners want to thank high performing employees after they have given years of effective service to the organization. While golden handcuffs plans are primarily intended to incent and reward top employees, they can provide

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The Landscape Contractor December 2019

double-duty by also providing lucrative compensation awards in the future to the very same people you likely will want to acknowledge. Many business owners and advisors assume that a golden handcuffs plan requires sharing actual ownership interest with the employees who will be included in the plan. This not always true. Some programs such as stock options plans include the potential for actual ownership sharing. Other plan types such as phantom stock or executive bonus plans involve compensation and do not share actual equity. Sharing ownership with employees presents significant risks and downsides. Whenever possible, consider a golden handcuffs plan that pays out compensation to the employee rather than shares actual company equity. Business owners and leaders need effective tools to motivate top employ-

ees, retain them for the long term, and drive company growth. Few tools have the potential to address all of these needs simultaneously like a well-designed golden handcuffs program. A little research here can go a long way to securing a bright future for your employees and your company. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Patrick Ungashick is the CEO of NAVIX Consultants, a speaker on executive and business owner exit planning.

Attention Landscape Contractors: Remember to Support ILCA Supporters!

These include:

• Members & Advertisers who supply goods and services • Members who sponsor ILCA programs and events

Where will you find them? • ILCA Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide • The Landscape Contractor magazine advertising • The Landscape Contractor magazine reports of events with sponsor acknowledgments • www.ilca.net member lists – Finding a Landscape Contractor & Suppliers to the Trade

1-815-737-8758

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

53

New Members — CONTRACTORS Arrow Land + Structures 340 S Atkinson Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030 Email: mromani@thearrowshop.com Phone: 847-634-9545 www.thearrowshop.com Seal It Rite Dan Mastrolonardo 5420 Newport Dr. #49 Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Email: dan@sealitrite.com Phone: 847-520-5885 www.sealitrite.com Seal It Rite specializes in power washing, sealing and staining of commercial and residential properties. We have been in business for over 20 years and have an experienced staff that knows how to tackle any job from cleaning siding to stripping failing sealer.

54

Spring-Green Lawn CareRockford Jason Jordan 3111 Sandhutton Ave. Rockford, IL 61109 Email: jjordan@spring-green.net Phone: 815-282-0580

INDIVIDUALS Lauralyn Kimont Email: lkimont@earthlink.net Phone: 630-956-4688 Landscape Designer Lin Drogos Landscape Design Lin Drogos 215 Tiffany Lane Roselle IL 60172 Email: lindrogos@gmail.com Phone: 630-666-4817 LD2: Proving commercial, municipal, residential site design and horticultural consultation within the greater Chicagoland

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

area. General Landscape Design, Rain Garden Design, Village Memorial Design, Community Garden Design.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE OR DESIGN FIRMS Bertrand Landscape Jim Bertrand 24028 S Home Ave. Monee, IL 60449 Email: jimbertrand999@gmail.com Phone: 708-235-2000 BertrandLandscape.com Landscape Architecture Design Build Residential Himsben Design Studio, LLC. Benjamin Himschoot 7710 N Ashland Ave. Unit #3 Chicago, IL 60626 Email: ben@himsbendesign.com Phone: 312-420-7126 www.himsbendesign.com

Himsben Design Studio LLC. is a small collective of designers and landscape architects dedicated to elevating the exterior spaces of our clients in the Chicago area. With over 20 years of experience in design, construction, and landscape architecture, our team delivers world-class design-build services. OUT OF STATE CCL Gardens AAW Inc. D. Bert Saal PO Box 186 Rhinelander, WI 54501 Email: ccl@newnorth.net Phone: 715-360-3991 cclgardens.com Full Service Landscape Company, from seeds to trees and everything in between.

Successful suppliers know— industry leaders read this magazine.

• Sales and marketing statistics show that the single best way to reach buyers is through highlytargeted specialty magazines.

• This award-winning magazine is frequently hailed as the best magazine of its kind. Put your ad message in this very flattering environment.

• The Landscape Contractor has an affordable advertising program for every budget.

For immediate attention CALL Debbie at 817-501-2403 or email — debbie.landscapecontractor@yahoo.com The Landscape Contractor December 2019

55

New Member Profile Snapshot

Profits Plus

119 S. Emerson Street, #331 Mt. Prospect, IL 60056 (847) 220-4640 www.profitsplus.net

by Meta Levin

Mindy Maggio doesn’t wait for things to happen.

The founder and owner of Profits Plus in Mt. Prospect, IL, has done everything from climbing Mt. Kinabalu in Borneo to taking her teenage son and daughter to South Africa, by herself, last year. So, it was in character when she realized that her working life needed a new adventure. After 25 years in the property management and commercial insurance field, in 2018, she sold her interest in the company and launched her career as a profitability consultant. “I started fresh,” she says, pointing to networking and trade shows as the way she got her first clients by offering advice about how to cut rising insurance premiums. Her process begins with an insurance audit, evaluating all polices, coverage and costs. Once done, she approaches insurance brokers for bids. “Clients typically save at least 10 percent, although some have saved more,” she says. Costs for her services are born by the insurance brokers. Maggio also provides clients with a financial assessment to determine where they can “save money and boost profits,” she says. This includes refinancing, energy audits, cell phone service evaluations, selling off used equipment, and property tax appeals. Her first customer was an ILCA member she knew from her property management days. Using her insurance knowledge and working with insurance brokers, she saved the company $30,000. “That’s the advantage of having a knowledgeable independent third party handling the process,” she says. She is proud of the fact that she keeps long term relationships with her clients. “All of them stay in touch,” she says. Although she is not selling insurance, Maggio is licensed in property and casualty insurance, as well as a licensed community association manager. “I work with the brokers, not the carriers,” she says. Remember her first client? While visiting them on site, she saw some old equipment and asked about it. The customer had recently replaced it and wanted to dispose of the old equip56

ment. Maggio took it over and sold it for much more than the client thought he would get. A native of Chicago’s northwest suburbs, Maggio majored in business communication at Western Illinois University. After earning her degree, a friend who was working for a commercial and residential property management company told her about a job opening. It sounded interesting, so she applied and was hired. That was more than 25 years ago. Eventually she began working for an insurance broker. Later, before starting out on her own, she ran a management company with an insurance arm. The mother of two teenagers, she enjoys traveling and, especially, showing them the world. Her daughter, who likes challenges as much as Maggio does, climbed Mt. Kinabalu with her. “We trained for that,” she says. Both children attended trapeze school with her. “I love to do things with my family.” Maggio joined ILCA almost immediately on starting her business. “ILCA has proved to be the best value for me now,” she says. She had a booth at Summer Field Day. “It was so much fun and I got so much out of it.” She will be at iLandscape and the annual meeting, as well. Maggio’s motto is “Never give up.” And she doesn’t.

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

Successful suppliers know— industry leaders read this magazine.

is the Midwest’s premier monthly magazine for the landscape, nursery and green industry. •

•

•

Sales and marketing statistics show that the single best way to reach buyers is through highly-targeted specialty magazines This award-winning magazine is frequently hailed as the best magazine of its kind. Put your message in this flattering environment. The Landscape Contractor has an affordable advertising program for every budget.

For immediate attention CALL Debbie at

817-501-2403 or email —

debbie.landscapecontractor@yahoo.com

Classified Ads HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

Residential Design/Sales

Account Manager

Landscape Architect/Designer

Bruss Landscaping of Wheaton is looking to add another talented landscape professional to our team. We are an award winning firm that has been providing high quality design/ build services to DuPage and eastern Kane counties since 1952. If you are skilled in residential design and sales, have a proven sales record, are self-motivated and focused on exceptional customer service and quality we would like to meet you.

Cut Above Landscaping is actively searching for an Account Manager to service our recurring book of business and achieve gross profit objectives through leadership and management of staff while meeting contractual commitments to customers in a timely, high quality manner.

Stuber Land Design, Inc., a progressive landscape design-build firm has an opening for a Landscape Architect/ Designer in our Tremont, Illinois office. The full time position will include developing design solutions and graphic presentations along with sales presentations to clients. A Landscape Architect/Designer or degreed Horticulturist with strong skills in design as well as technical computer skills would be best suited for this position. The individual will assist with client communication, as well as project installation oversight, and provide expertise to clients and production team.

Requirements: - A 4-year degree in Landscape Design and/ or Architecture - A minimum of 3 years professional work experience with proven sales history - Strong plant and construction knowledge - Driver’s license and good driving record - Professional appearance and demeanor - Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite - Proficiency in Dynascape Ideal candidates will be detail orientated, logical thinking, conscientious, professional and most importantly, maintain a high level of honesty and integrity. Bruss is a relaxed work environment, although seasonally hectic, with competitive salary and commission plus a strong benefit package including vehicle, insurance, 401k, generous vacation allowance and reduced winter hours.

Knowledge of the landscape/green industry, specifically turf and ornamental plantings is ideal. This career opportunity offers a competitive salary, a performance-based bonus program, reimbursed business expenses and other company benefits. To apply for this position, and learn more about job requirements and responsibilities, please forward a resume and cover letter to: Recruiting Director (hr@cutaboveland.com) with “Account Manager” as your email subject Commercial Estimator – Project Manager We are seeking a commercial estimator and project manager join our growing company. Classic Landscape LTD has been a standard in the landscape industry since 1964 and continues to grow each and every year.

Contact Eric Bruss, ebruss@brusslandscaping.com, (630) 665-1600.

Responsibilities: Assist in Estimate/Takeoff for a New Commercial Landscape Project Aid with Project Documents and Submittals

Sales Rep / Goodmark Nursery

Qualifications: General Landscape Knowledge is Beneficial, but is Not Required Organized and Detail-Oriented Basic Computer Skills Needed (QuickBooks, Excel, and Outlook) Strong Communication Skills Able to Flourish in a High Paced Work Environment

The Sales Representative involve servicing existing customers, developing new sales opportunities, and investigating new revenue streams for Goodmark Nurseries LLC. This role will assist other team members in creating marketing and sales opportunities, monitoring accounts receivable, developing new sales tools and administering them. For immediate consideration email your resume to julie.ellinger@acresgroup.com

Email resumes to: hire1@classiclandscapeltd.com

Stuber Land Design, Inc. was established in 1994 and specializes in design-build landscape construction and management. Our company is located in Tremont, IL and serves all of Central Illinois. More information can be found online at www.stuberlanddesign. com This is a key position and an exciting opportunity to work for an award winning designbuild firm looking to the future. Desirable skills •Experience in Dynascape or similar CAD program, Uvision or similar 3D software and Microsoft Office •Good knowledge of annuals, perennials, and woody plants •Strong design creativity, including hardscape design and sales experience •Ability to work independently and be selfmotivated. •Construction experience helpful Interested applicants should email a resume and design samples/portfolio to: info@stuberlanddesign.com

PLEASE NOTE: “HELP WANTED” AD SALES ARE LIMITED TO ILCA MEMBER COMPANIES Submit your ads online at ilca.net or call Alycia Nagy (630) 472-2851

58

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

Lawn Maintenance Manager Wanted Bi-lingual

Landscape Sales and Customer Service

Must have experience in field & office. Scheduling, Quality Control & Human Resources. Salary, Company Vehicle, Health Insurance, Vacation & Sick days. Advancement available. Call 708-799-6228 Ext. 22. Ask for Al.

Administrative – Assistant Project Manager We are seeking an administrative/assistant project manager to join our growing company. Classic Landscape LTD has been a standard in the landscape industry since 1964 and continues to grow each and every year. Responsibilities: Purchasing Landscape/Hardscape Material from Multiple Vendors Aid with Project Documents and Submittals Reviewing Contracts Qualifications: Organized and Detail-Oriented Strong Communication Skills Able to Flourish in a High Paced Work Environment Email application to hire1@classiclandscapeltd.com

Landscape Foreman Bloomington, IL Serenity Creek is looking for an experienced foreman to lead a landscape installation crew. At least 1 year experience as a landscape foreman and 4 years working on a landscape installation crew. Ability to lead and communicate with crew members and upper management. Proven hardscape experience on multiple types of projects. Top foreman pay with benefits included.

HELP WANTED

Join a family operated diverse central Lake County landscape, irrigation and snow company. We are looking for energetic broad thinkers, with a commitment to excellent professional skills and a commitment to safety. This is a Full time job year around. Candidates must have valid drivers license, highly organized, computer/tech skills and at least 5 years in the landscape or construction fields. This job is an estimated 30/70 office & field position. A daily routine of client contacts, crew management, sourcing materials, new leads and excellent follow up is required. Salary is commensurate with qualifications. Vacation, sick time and retirement is available. TGF is an equal opportunity employer. Please send resumes to: tomf@tgfenterprises.com

CLASSIFIED ADS CLOSING DATES & RATES January 2020 issue ads: December 15, 2019 February 2020 issue ads: January 3, 2020 March 2020 issue ads: February 15, 2020 PLEASE NOTE: “HELP WANTED” AD SALES ARE LIMITED TO ILCA MEMBER COMPANIES Magazine Cost is $5 per line Minimum charge $50 Website Cost is $12 per line Minimum charge $120 (About 6 words/line) Submit your ads online at ilca.net or call Alycia Nagy (630) 472-2851

Email resumes to: nate@serenitycreekdesign.com

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

59

Advertisers 1st Choice Equipment ..............................................12

Attention Advertisers:

Alta Equipment .....................................................31 Bartlett Tree Experts ............................................49 Breezy Hill Nursery ................................................53 Cassidy Tire ............................................................21 Compost Supply ......................................................52 Doty Nurseries LLC ...............................................14 D&S Truck Center ................................................52 Fairview Evergreen ................................................49

offers some extraordinary MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES. Just one call opens the door to enhanced sales and marketing success.

Green Glen Nursery ..............................................63 Hinsdale Nurseries, Inc. ........................................28 Homer Industries ...................................................17

Call Debbie to get started! 817-501-2403

Iron Rental .............................................................27 iLandscape ........................................................11, 27 Island Lake Auto Body ............................................55 JKS Ventures .....................................................52 Lafarge Fox River Stone ...........................................54 Longshadow Planters ............................................15 Mariani Plants ..........................................................6 Mariani Plants .........................................................35 Martin Implement ..................................................14 McGinty Bros. ......................................................51 Midwest Groundcovers .......................................2, 22 Midwest Trading ..................................................2, 29 North Shore Truck ..................................................25 Spring Meadow Nursery .......................................13 The Care of Trees ..................................................14 The Landscape Contractor.................................57, 60 The Mulch Center .................................................23

Attention Landscape Contractors: Remember to Support ILCA Supporters!

These include:

• Members & Advertisers who supply goods and services • Members who sponsor ILCA programs and events

Where will you find them? • ILCA Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide • The Landscape Contractor magazine advertising • The Landscape Contractor magazine reports of events with sponsor acknowledgments • www.ilca.net member lists – Finding a Landscape Contractor & Suppliers to the Trade

Turtle Creek Nursery ..............................................49 Unilock, Inc. ...........................................................64

The Landscape Contractor December 2019

61

Revisiting Your Plant Palette — Solidago By Patrice Peltier

Go with goldenrod for great fall color, but do

so with caution, Kathy Freeland told her readers. Freeland particularly recommended Solidago rugosa, because it is not as stoloniferous as some of the other native goldenrods. “This species can be used without fear of it taking over the landscape,” she wrote. At the time, Freeland liked the S. rugosa cultivar ‘Fireworks,’ because it is shorter and more compact than the species, and S. sphacelata ‘Golden Fleece.’ “Please do not be afraid to plant Solidago in landscapes; but be sure to use only the cultivars such as S. ‘Fireworks’ of S. ‘Fleece of Gold’ as they are not invasive plants,” she wrote. Around the same time Chicago Botanic Garden Plant Evaluation Manager Richard Hawke published the results of his Solidago trial. Both cultivars were among the highest-rated goldenrods. Hawke praised ‘Fireworks’ for its yellow flowers borne on curved panicles, creating a fireworks effect. “The shrublike form was ornamental throughout the season, with arching stems, tight crowns and a slowly spreading habit,” he wrote. “The sturdy stems were not pulled down by the extra weight of flowers or overhead irrigation. The fine-textured leaves emerged burgundy in spring and were dark green in summer.” The plant also attracted Monarch butterflies, he noted. Golden Fleece, he said, was distinctive for its the heartshaped basal leaves topped with airy floral sprays. Although he said the floral display was not as impressive as some other goldenrods, it was long lasting. Flowers were produced into late October and sometimes November, according to Hawke. Although Freeland urged an educated approach, she also defended goldenrods. “Goldenrods have been given a hard time for years because it was thought that they caused hay fever and other allergies,” she noted. “There is no truth to that rumor! Ragweed, blooming at the same time, is the culprit, not the Solidago.” “Be sure to site them properly in full sun, as mildew is a problem, and keep watered as long as the leaves remain green,” Freeland cautioned. “The other native plants blooming at the same time, such as Eupatorium, are wonderful companions to goldenrod,” she continued. “Ornamental grasses are at their finest when the Solidago is flowering, as are fall Asters.”

62

Freeland’s employer, Midwest Groundcovers, continues to sell both ‘Fireworks’ and ‘Golden Fleece,’ along with seven native varieties. “Some of the native species are actually a little bit better sellers for us than the cultivars,” says Product Manager Shannon McEnerney. “Solidago flexicaulis is typically the strongest seller, followed by S. speciosa, S. ulmifolia and then ‘Fireworks.’”

Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’

Height: 24-36” Spread: 3-4’ Bloom time: Late August to late September Bloom color: Yellow flowers borne on curved panicles create a fireworks effect Culture: Full sun in medium to wet soils.

Solidago sphacelata ‘Golden Fleece’

Height: 18-24” Spread: 22-38” Bloom time: Late August into late September, sometimes into November Bloom color: Yellow Culture: Full sun in dry to medium moisture. Prefers fertile soils but tolerates poor soil.

Editor’s Note: Honorary Lifetime ILCA Member Kathy Freeland, a certifiable plant geek, was a regular contributor to The Landscape Contractor starting in the late 1990s. She introduced readers to strange and sometimes exotic plants, frequently offering suggestions on how they might be employed in the landscape. In a world of euonymous and impatiens, she offered a path less travelled. Twenty years later, we offer a look back at how some of her recommendations have stood the test of time.

The Landscape Contractor December 2019