Landscape Ontario Magazine - Landscape Ontario

July 2012

Previous Issues

President's Message

Hard work required in tough times

By Phil Charal

Over the past few years, it has become increasingly difficult to predict business cycles.

Feature

This year’s trial gardens feature over 800 roses

By Rodger Tschanz

Horticultural professionals need to mark the date of Aug. 17, for the annual open house at the LO trial gardens.

Windsor Hospice gives back to LO chapter volunteers

By Rob Ellidge

The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County demonstrated its appreciation of the efforts shown by Landscape Ontario’s Windsor Chapter in building the Solidarity Garden at the facility.

Association News

New program helps teach horticulture in Kitchener

Rob Tester of TNT Property Maintenance in Kitchener has set up a program to help local high school students learn about horticulture and environmental stewardship.

Stormwater management workshops planned this summer

The opportunities will include emerging trends in stormwater management such as rain gardens, permeable paving and rainwater harvesting for irrigation purposes.

Designs By The Yard blooms on Annette Street

The retail stretch along Annette Street in Toronto is getting a boost with the opening of Designs By The Yard, an upscale garden design studio and boutique.

Industry Auction at Putzer Nursery

The Growers Group annual fund-raiser is all set for July 19.

Blue Sky Nursery owner makes a difference

For the past four years the owner of Blue Sky Nursery in Beamsville, Alice Klamer, has served on the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Board and sponsored fundraising events.

Western Landscape Services helps students appreciate trees

Western Landscape Services of Elginburg, near Kingston, just launched its fifth annual Plant a Tree, Make our City Cool school program.

Knippel Nursery donates to community groups

Knippel Nursery of Gloucester supports the community through donations of plant material.

Great schedule of summer events

The summer of 2012 promises to deliver more great events for LO members, with lots of golf and baseball tournaments and barbecues.

Expo offers many professional development opportunities

By Kristen McIntyre CHT

It’s July. It’s hot. You are tired and your staff needs motivation. Look no further! Give them something to look forward to – sign up for Expo and get tickets for everyone to Planning for Profit!

Caterpillar offers savings on new machines

Save $250 on your choice of select Cat Work Tool attachments.

Recent member benefit updates

Petro-Canada no longer owns Certigard.

LO member begins new mission in Ecuador

Landscape Ontario member Vince Vetro has added a new title to his resume, that of executive director of The David/Jonathan Project and The Lending Journey.

Awards programs allow members to shine

By Kristen McIntyre CHT

LO’s Award of Excellence program provides an exclusive opportunity for our members to showcase their talents, and allows the association to shine a light on the best of our best.

Volunteer Profile

Jay Rivait covers a lot of ground for Windsor Chapter

Whenever an event happens in the Windsor Chapter, Jay Rivait’s name inevitably pops up.

Urban Tolerant Trees

Kentucky coffeetree is a native of Ontario

By Sean Fox

This species was likely moved into the province by aboriginal peoples, as natural, established populations are found predominantly along human migration and trade routes.

Industry News

Bill to establish one-call centre passes

Bill 8, known as the Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act, 2012, is now law.

Hamilton council requests change to pesticide ban

The City of Hamilton approved a report from its public works committee on June 14.

Ontario well-represented in national recycling event

In Ontario nearly 20 garden centres signed up for the project this year, adding to the national total of 50 participants from eight provinces accepting recycling plastics at their garden centres.

Employers required to post safety poster

The poster summarizes workers’ health and safety rights and responsibilities and the responsibilities of employers and supervisors.

Seasonal workers face new rules for EI

The federal government’s amendments to Employment Insurance will take effect in early 2013.

Banking hours is an Alternative to EI

A strategy to tackle the issue of retaining valued employees in seasonal work is banking hours.

Grow Me Instead project has official launch

The Grow Me Instead Guide highlights a variety of native and non-native plants that do well in gardens and are non-invasive in Ontario.

Rules change on terminating employees

By Michael Thomas

A recent decision issued by the Ontario Court of Appeal appears to have raised the cost of terminating employees.

Agricultural Adaption Program expires March 2014

The current Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP) will expire March 2014.

Many Ontario members travel to snow and ice event in Buffalo

For its 15th anniversary edition, the Snow and Ice Management Association’s (SIMA) Snow and Ice Symposium returned to Buffalo, N.Y.

LO hosts its own snow show

Association sector group to hold conference for snow pros this September.

Prosperity Partners

Be tech savvy or step aside

By Jacki Hart CLP

When I think back to when I started my business in 1991, I realize how much has changed in the way we now do business.

Membership

Customer service

By Helen Hassard

With summer in full swing, I’m sure many of you have had the chance to brush up your customer service skills.

Underground World

Do not assume your MPP knows

By Terry Murphy CLP

What happened three weeks ago was a complete surprise to me.

Public Relations

Healing the Landscape

By Denis Flanagan CLD

Visitors to today’s Sudbury may wonder what happened to the community’s infamous moonscape.

Executive Desk

The family nature of Landscape Ontario

By Tony DiGiovanni CHT

July 2012

Hard work required in tough times

Over the past few years, it has become increasingly difficult to predict business cycles.

This year’s trial gardens feature over 800 roses

Horticultural professionals need to mark the date of Aug. 17, for the annual open house at the LO trial gardens.

Windsor Hospice gives back to LO chapter volunteers

The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County demonstrated its appreciation of the efforts shown by Landscape Ontario’s Windsor Chapter in building the Solidarity Garden at the facility.

New program helps teach horticulture in Kitchener

Rob Tester of TNT Property Maintenance in Kitchener has set up a program to help local high school students learn about horticulture and environmental stewardship.

Stormwater management workshops planned this summer

The opportunities will include emerging trends in stormwater management such as rain gardens, permeable paving and rainwater harvesting for irrigation purposes.

Designs By The Yard blooms on Annette Street

The retail stretch along Annette Street in Toronto is getting a boost with the opening of Designs By The Yard, an upscale garden design studio and boutique.

Industry Auction at Putzer Nursery

The Growers Group annual fund-raiser is all set for July 19.

Blue Sky Nursery owner makes a difference

For the past four years the owner of Blue Sky Nursery in Beamsville, Alice Klamer, has served on the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Board and sponsored fundraising events.

Western Landscape Services helps students appreciate trees

Western Landscape Services of Elginburg, near Kingston, just launched its fifth annual Plant a Tree, Make our City Cool school program.

Knippel Nursery donates to community groups

Knippel Nursery of Gloucester supports the community through donations of plant material.

Great schedule of summer events

The summer of 2012 promises to deliver more great events for LO members, with lots of golf and baseball tournaments and barbecues.

Expo offers many professional development opportunities

It’s July. It’s hot. You are tired and your staff needs motivation. Look no further! Give them something to look forward to – sign up for Expo and get tickets for everyone to Planning for Profit!

Caterpillar offers savings on new machines

Save $250 on your choice of select Cat Work Tool attachments.

Recent member benefit updates

Petro-Canada no longer owns Certigard.

LO member begins new mission in Ecuador

Landscape Ontario member Vince Vetro has added a new title to his resume, that of executive director of The David/Jonathan Project and The Lending Journey.

Awards programs allow members to shine

LO’s Award of Excellence program provides an exclusive opportunity for our members to showcase their talents, and allows the association to shine a light on the best of our best.

Jay Rivait covers a lot of ground for Windsor Chapter

Whenever an event happens in the Windsor Chapter, Jay Rivait’s name inevitably pops up.

Kentucky coffeetree is a native of Ontario

This species was likely moved into the province by aboriginal peoples, as natural, established populations are found predominantly along human migration and trade routes.

Bill to establish one-call centre passes

Bill 8, known as the Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act, 2012, is now law.

Hamilton council requests change to pesticide ban

The City of Hamilton approved a report from its public works committee on June 14.

Ontario well-represented in national recycling event

In Ontario nearly 20 garden centres signed up for the project this year, adding to the national total of 50 participants from eight provinces accepting recycling plastics at their garden centres.

Employers required to post safety poster

The poster summarizes workers’ health and safety rights and responsibilities and the responsibilities of employers and supervisors.

Seasonal workers face new rules for EI

The federal government’s amendments to Employment Insurance will take effect in early 2013.

Banking hours is an Alternative to EI

A strategy to tackle the issue of retaining valued employees in seasonal work is banking hours.

Grow Me Instead project has official launch

The Grow Me Instead Guide highlights a variety of native and non-native plants that do well in gardens and are non-invasive in Ontario.

Rules change on terminating employees

A recent decision issued by the Ontario Court of Appeal appears to have raised the cost of terminating employees.

Agricultural Adaption Program expires March 2014

The current Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP) will expire March 2014.

Many Ontario members travel to snow and ice event in Buffalo

For its 15th anniversary edition, the Snow and Ice Management Association’s (SIMA) Snow and Ice Symposium returned to Buffalo, N.Y.

LO hosts its own snow show

Association sector group to hold conference for snow pros this September.

Be tech savvy or step aside

When I think back to when I started my business in 1991, I realize how much has changed in the way we now do business.

Customer service

With summer in full swing, I’m sure many of you have had the chance to brush up your customer service skills.

Do not assume your MPP knows

What happened three weeks ago was a complete surprise to me.

Healing the Landscape

Visitors to today’s Sudbury may wonder what happened to the community’s infamous moonscape.

The family nature of Landscape Ontario

Landscape Ontario has a distinct family feel to it.