September is here! One of the best times of the year is upon us, at least in my opinion. It is a great time to be working outside with a little chill in the mornings and a great sunny warmth in the afternoons. It is one of the great things about working in this industry! However, like we always say, we are never happy with the weather. Drought conditions across much of the state and country has lawns and plants feeling the burn. Mother Nature can be cruel, from a soaking wet spring to a dry as bones fall, it has not made this year easy by any stretch. It is the love-hate relationship we all have with working in the great outdoors.
For those of us with maintenance crews, it means having to get creative to keep crews working while the grass slows down. Maybe it’s picking up some enhancement jobs, or prepping equipment for the fall and winter, or maybe it’s just catching a breather before the big push in the fall to get leaves cleaned up. Mother Nature does not make it easy on us, but we have to look at these conditions as opportunities and challenges, and not just as problems. Although, I can
certainly commiserate with the best of them! Sometimes we need a little challenge to push us through and come out the other side better than before.
These drought conditions have leaves dropping and the anxiety starts to rise up as we all start to really feel that the end of the green season is coming near. Lawns to get in, projects to get completed, and snow prep are all full speed ahead. This time of year is great to re ect on the past accomplishments of the year so far, as well as what you need to do to nish o the season strong.
The OLA still has so much going on this time of year as well between facility tours, educational classes, and networking events. The board also has a lot going on between strategic planning, 2026 board preparation, and the Great Lakes Conference.
For those of you that do not know, one landscape association from each state, as well as Ontario, get together once a year to discuss our association’s various challenges and help each
continued on page 6
OHIO’S PROFESSIONAL GREEN INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
OHIO LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION
9240 Broadview Road
Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147
Phone: 440.717.0002
Toll Free: 1.800.335.6521
Web: www.ohiolandscapers.org and www.myohiolandscape.com
REGULAR WRITERS
Michael J. Donnellan, M3 Wealth Management
Jim Funai, PhD, Cuyahoga Community College
Shelley Funai, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
Ryan Drake, J.F.D. Landscapes, Inc.
Patty Lampert, Ohio Landscape Association
Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, Bobbie’s Green umb
ADVERTISING INFORMATION
Submission deadline: 10th of the month, prior to the month of magazine publication. For advertising and ad specs, please call 440.717.0002, and ask for Patty Lampert.
DISCLAIMER
e Ohio Landscape Association, its board of directors, sta and the editor of e Growing Concern neither endorse any product(s) or attests to the validity of any statements made about products mentioned in this, past or subsequent issues of this publication. Similarly, the opinions expressed in e Growing Concern are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Ohio Landscape Association.
OFFICERS
President
Ryan Drake
President – Elect
Brandon Barker
Treasurer
Matt Malone
Immediate Past President
Cameron Maneri
DIRECTORS
Je rey Ardo
Jason Deuble, LIC, OCNT
Amy Gatoo
Gil Kupetz
Tom Rieder, LIC
OLA STAFF
Executive Director
Patty Lampert
Membership Coordinator
Melissa Roberts
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
UPCOMING OLA MEETINGS, EDUCATION SEMINARS & EVENTS
OCTOBER
2025
OCTOBER 29
CENTRAL OHIO OLA FACILITY
TOUR & NETWORKING:
OTTAWA LANDSCAPES
After graduating from e Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Horticulture, Rob set out to nd a career in the landscape construction eld. Rob landed with the premier rm Hidden Creek Landscaping, where he spent over 10 years learning all aspects of the business from estimation to installation, to his nal role of managing the construction division for the company.
See page 7.
NOVEMBER 2025
NOVEMBER 4 AND 13
OLA SALES CLINIC
LOCATION:
MP SOLUTIONS
TRAINING FACILITY,
6060 Rockside Woods Blvd., Suite 105, Independence, OH 44131
DATE & TIME:
November 4 and 13, 2025
NOVEMBER 2025 cont...
NOVEMBER 19
OLA’S ANNUAL MEETING
LOCATION:
ST. MICHAEL’S WOODSIDE, 5025 East Mill Road, Broadview Heights, OH 44147
DATE & TIME:
November 19, 2025
6:00-9:00 pm
GUEST SPEAKER:
Rich iebaud, EVP of Sales from LeanScaper Rich will talk about AI and how the green industry can use it to their advantage. Will also discuss using AI to increase pro ts while not losing touch with your customers.
DATE TBA
PLANT HEALTHCARE CLINIC
LOCATION:
SECREST ARBORETUM, 2122 Williams Road, Wooster, OH 44691
TIME: 8:30 am-3:15 pm
Welcome New Members:
The Ohio Landscape is delighted to welcome our new members:
NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBERS:
JULIA PENTECOST
Green Living by Design 117 E. Galbraith Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45216 513-708-0754
CHRIS APFELSTADT
Light Up Columbus 7455 Daron Ct., Unit 300, Plain City, OH 43064 614-832-3139
other to get better. It is a great opportunity to network, share ideas, and come away with some great initiatives for our associations. The tricky part is guring out which ideas are the best to take action on now. We left this year’s conference with a lot of great ideas for fun events, various improvements we can make, as well as great connections we can use to make the OLA better.
As a board we are constantly working and strategizing on how we can make the Ohio Landscape Association the best it possibly can be for you, our members. It is a huge team e ort to keep the OLA moving forward and excelling, and we are so appreciative of all the volunteers that help make all of our outstanding events happen, and all of our great sponsors that support us to bring you the very best. Nothing happens without our great OLA sta of Patty Lampert, Executive
Director and Melissa Roberts, Membership Coordinator making it all happen. Make sure to drop them a thank you at any of our events!
Remember, this is your association, and if you want to see your business get better or our industry make impactful changes, I would encourage you to get involved at whatever level you can. Whether it is volunteering to help set up for the golf outing, or suggesting a speaker or topic for an evening meeting, or a great idea for a fun networking event, every little bit helps.
Thank you all for being a part of our great association and our industry. The world is a safer, healthier, and prettier place thanks to all of us landscaping day in and day out!
OLA EVENING MEETING
EVENT INFORMATION
DATE & LOCATION
OCTOBER 29, 2025
OTTAWA LANDSCAPES
2673 SCIOTO PARKWAY COLUMBUS, OH 43221
TIMING:
REGISTRATION
5:00PM to 5:30PM
PRESENTATION/TOUR
5:30PM to 6:00PM
NETWORKING/HORS D’OEUVRES
6:00 PM-7:00 PM
COST:
MEMBERS NO COST
NON-MEMBERS CALL PATTY AT 440-717-0002
REGISTER TO ATTEND BY:
OCTOBER 20TH, 2025
SPACE IS LIMITED TO 50
CENTRAL OHIO OLA FACILITY TOUR & NETWORKING:
Ottawa Landscapes
Rob Booher, Owner
After graduating from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in andsca e orticulture Rob set out to nd a career in the landscape construction eld Rob landed ith the remier rm Hidden Creek Landscaping, where he spent over 10 years learning all aspects of the business from estimation to installation to his nal role o managing the construction division for the company.
It is because of this knowledge and experience that he ultimately decided to take the leap and begin his own design build company focusing on quality builds and true client satisfaction. Rob works tirelessly to ensure that every vision of his clients becomes a reality and a space they can enjoy for years with their family.
At Ottawa Landscapes, we take immense pride in delivering exceptional service and stunning landscape designs that surpass your expectations. With years of e erience our team is dedicated to creating outdoor s aces that re ect our unique style and perfectly complement your lifestyle.
From concept to completion, Ottawa Landscapes is your trusted partner in turning your outdoor dreams into a reality. Our attention to detail, dedication to excellence, and focus on customer satisfaction set us apart in the industry.
HOSTED BY
Rob Booher, Owner
PERSICARIA KNOTWEED
Persicaria is not grown in most Ohio nurseries but should be because it can be invaluable if the correct species and site are matched. ere is a great deal of confusion taxonomically; it was Polygonum and Fallopia but now most of the species are Persicaria. Knotweeds have a bad reputation because some really are weedy and invasive but Europeans have been using them in ornamental gardens for years.
e best known is probably Persicaria amplexicaulis (Mountain Fleece ower) which is native to the Himalayas but you don’t need high elevation for success. Hardy to zone 4, it grows approximately three to ve feet tall, depending
BOBBIE SCHWARTZ, FAPLD
Bobbie’s Green umb
on the amount of sun, moisture and cultivar. Most cultivars sport red spikes from mid-summer until frost. e best of them is ‘Firetail’. Although not invasive, the clump does enlarge over time so plant it where it will not encroach on other plants. A new England nursery says that it is a favorite of honeybees. ere are some other cultivars that are a deeper red, salmon red or even a pink (that one is shorter but harder to nd). Bloom time is August to October.
Beware of Persicaria microcephala ‘Red Dragon’ and Persicaria virginiana ‘Painter’s Palette’ unless you have an area that needs an aggressive groundcover.
continued on page 10
Persicaria amplexicaule ‘Firetail’ and dill used as color echo with an unusual metal sculpture in a Maryland garden.
PERENNIAL FOCUS
continued from page 8
Not needing as much space is Persicaria bistorta (Snakeweed) – who thought up this common name? Supposedly it’s because the thick, contorted, and often S-shaped rootstock resembles a creeping snake and the Latin word bistorta means twice twisted. I have been growing the cultivar ‘Superba’ for six years and am very happy with it in spite of the fact that it was only supposed to grow two feet high but is four feet high. It was also supposed to bloom from April to June but it started blooming in August and is still in bloom. One plant is now two feet wide (the area is irrigated). Its ower spikes are pink. is species is touted as a clumper. I do wonder
if I received a wrongly labeled plant because Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Rosea’ looks a lot like what I have. e photos I’ve seen online of P.b. ‘Superba’ in bloom are a paler and shorter pink than what I have.
Happily, all Persicaria are deer resistant. Everything I’ve read says just give them semi-shade and moisture, but the one I am growing faces south although it is shaded from late afternoon sun by the hydrangea behind it. Have I convinced you yet?
Persicaria amplexicaule ‘Firetail’ surrounding a backyard ornamental pond full of pickerel weed.
Persicaria bistorta ‘Superba’ in front of Hydrangea arborescens ssp. Radiata in my front garden.
MICHAEL J. DONNELLAN M3 Wealth Management
FINANCIAL CHECKLIST FOR SPOUSES
Handling a household’s nancial a airs is another one of those tasks that usually falls to one spouse or the other. Of course, there are some couples who are equally engaged in the process of budgeting, bill-paying, saving, and investing. But in many families, those jobs are the exclusive domain of just one partner.
Within households, most couples divide and conquer. Maybe you do the laundry and your spouse always handles the trash. Or perhaps one is control of all things yard-related, but the other always does the grocery shopping.
e key risk you run in single-handedly managing your family’s nancial a airs, however, is that you could leave your spouse out of the loop. If something were to happen to you, would he or she know how to manage the family nest egg? And even if you expect that your spouse will have to turn to a nancial advisor for help when you’re gone, would he or she even know where to look for advice?
WHOM TO CONTACT
Your rst step in leaving your spouse well prepared is to draw up a list of your important nancial contacts: nancial planners, insurance agents, accountants, and attorneys. Include their names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, and also provide a brief overview of what they’ve helped you with.
continued on page 14
continued from page 12
WHERE TO FIND EVERYTHING
Even if you’re not an investment junkie, you’re probably holding a number of di erent accounts scattered across several di erent nancial-service providers. You may have it all straight in your head, but it could seem like a confusing mess to your spouse. Try to streamline your investment accounts as much as you possibly can. Your partner will have a far easier time managing the family nest egg if something should happen to you.
In addition to streamlining your portfolio, it also makes sense to develop a ling system that makes sense to both of you. Start by creating a folder—either paper or electronic— for each separate account, and be judicious about what papers you store in each. (Stash: Brokerage and mutual fund statements, along with trade con rmations. Trash: Annual reports, prospectuses, and marketing literature.)
Once you’ve done that, create a master directory, listing all of your accounts and account numbers (don’t forget lifeinsurance policies), the names and phone numbers of any individuals you deal with at various nancial institutions, and any websites, apps and passwords you need to gain access to your accounts. Store this information in an ultrasafe place, such as a safety-deposit box or in a password-protected le on your computer and let your spouse know that it’s there.
BENEFICIARIES
Make sure your accounts have bene ciaries listed. Retirement accounts such as IRAs, Roth IRAs, 401(k)s, SEP-IRAs, Simple Plans, 403(b)s, 45 Deferred Compensation Plans, etc. require bene ciaries to be listed. We have been advising clients to get bank accounts, homes and brokerage accounts registered as Transfer on Death or Payable on Death. is allows assets to transfer quickly and easily to the heirs while avoiding probate. Trusts may play an important part in an overall nancial plan but are not always the answer for the average investor.
HOW YOU ARE DOING
Even if you don’t inform your spouse of every investment decision you make, you should take time periodically to give him or her the big-picture view of where your nances stand. How much do you have overall, and how much of that is liquid (that is, in cash or in securities that you could easily convert to cash)? Are you on track to meet your shared goals or do you need to increase your savings rate? Deciding how much to spend each month and how much to save and invest is a basic decision for every household and both partners should be involved.
WHICH ASSETS TO TAP FIRST
Some of your assets can be tapped at any time, while others may carry penalties and tax costs if your spouse withdraws the money prematurely. To prevent your spouse from making a serious and costly mistake, it pays to clearly delineate which of your assets are liquid and which are not. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to keep at least six months’ worth of living expenses in highly liquid securities, such as money market funds, CDs, or money market alternatives. If you’re retired and drawing upon your portfolio for living expenses, maybe aim for two-to-three years’ worth of living expenses in highly liquid accounts.
WHERE TO GO FOR HELP
If you’ve been an investment do-it-yourselfer but expect that your spouse will have to seek outside help in managing your nancial a airs after you’ve gone, it can’t hurt to lay the groundwork for that possibility. Scout around for nancial planners who share your investing philosophy and have served clients with needs similar to yours.
Scenarios illustrated are hypothetical in nature, results may vary. Investing is subject to risk which may involve loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
e M3 Wealth Management O ce does not provide legal or tax advice. Consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your speci c situation. e information herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice.
Michael J. Donnellan specializes in stock selection and retirement planning. Feel free to contact him with any questions or comments at the M3 Wealth Management O ce at 17601 W. 130th Street – Suite 1 in North Royalton, Ohio. (440) 652-6370 donnellan@m3wealthmanagement.com
BUREAU OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION – SAFETY INTERVENTION GRANT
e Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) reopened the Safety Intervention Grant (SIG) on July 1, 2025 and is accepting new applications. is is great news for employers who are looking for funding to purchase equipment to help reduce or eliminate workplace injuries or illnesses. All applicants must submit a new application as previous ones will not carry over. Additionally, applicants are required to obtain three vendor quotes or one quote with a sole source justi cation for the proposed intervention.
e SIG is available to any Ohio private or public employer covered by the State Insurance Fund. Recipients are eligible for a 3-1 matching grant, up to a maximum grant award of $40,000 for each three-year eligibility cycle. As an example, the program will give your organization $3 for every $1 you contribute. Employers must work with an assigned BWC grant coordinator throughout the process and will be required to submit a one-year case study, one year after the implementation date for the intervention.
e BWC’s website contains a timeline of events and detailed information on program requirements, including:
• What to know before you apply
• SIG eligibility requirements
• After you apply
• Reporting and documentation requirements
• Application timeline
Visit the BWC’s SIG website here: Safety Intervention Grant
Employers should contact the BWC prior to purchasing any equipment, however, the BWC has come up with a list of “Fast Track Grants”. Fast Track Grants are those in which the task(s) are high risk, and it is highly likely the intervention will have a signi cant impact on eliminating injuries in the future. Some of the “Fast Track Grant Equipment” includes:
continued on page 18
continued from page 16
• Bathing systems
• Conduit bending equipment
• Floor cleaning equipment
• Fume extractors for welding
• Lift gates
• Lift tables
• Patient lifting devices
• Shrink wrap equipment
Keep in mind there is equipment that is not covered by the SIG Program. e complete list can be found here Unapproved Items for the SIG Program. Some of the items include:
• Anti-fatigue mats
• Automated external de brillators (AED’s)
• Certain food industry items
• Equipment intended to meet minimum OSHA requirements
• Passive safety/security devices
• PPE, back belts and wrist splints
• Sitting and/or standing workstation equipment
• Training and training simulators
• Vehicle lifts
In addition to the SIG, employers can also apply for other Safety Grant Programs such as:
• Body Armor Grant
• Fire ghter Exposure to Environmental Elements Grants Program
• School Safety and Security Grant (SSSG)
• Workplace Wellness Grant Program
All of the grant programs can be found at https://info. bwc.ohio.gov/for-employers/safety-services/safety-grants/ safety-grants. e BWC allows for employers to participate in the SIG program concurrently with any combination of BWC’s Safety Grant Programs, which is great news! If you decide to apply, you will need to arrange for a BWC safety eld consultant (safety consultant, ergonomist or industrial hygienist) to assist with the grant application. To start, you can:
• Request a meeting with your safety eld consultant by lling out the Online Request Form, or
• Call 1-800-644-6292 and request a consultation.
So, if you are looking to improve safety in your workplace and reduce injuries and illnesses, take advantage of this great opportunity from the state of Ohio!
CEPHALOTAXUS
PLUM YEW
JIM FUNAI, PhD
Cuyahoga Community College
SHELLEY FUNAI, LIC
Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
Are you dealing with boxwood (Buxus) issues in the landscape? Too many deer to even consider the value of a yew (Taxus)? We may have a climate resilient answer for you today as you read about the impressive Japanese plum yew! is plant could pass for a direct sibling of regular yew by its looks, it has many properties that make it far superior!
While the most common name (Japanese plum yew) suggests this plant only comes from Japan, in truth it is found in much of East Asia in several species. China is home to C. fortuneii and C. oliveri, Japan claims C. harringtonia, and Korea hosts C. koreana all of which are suited for use in Ohio. Vietnam and Laos host C. mannii which can also be found in the middle elevations of the Himalayas. Across the species in the Genus one thread that holds true is they prefer shade of a tall canopy in moist/well-drained forest soils.
Like all plants that have entered Western trade, Cephalotaxus has a storied history in the plant trade of the 19th and 20th centuries. e most common trade species, C. haringtonii, is also the rst to be introduced to trade. e rst species described in Western literature showed up in the 1820s by Philipp Franz von Siebold, a German botanist working for the Dutch East India Company in Japan. Siebold introduced
a ton of plants we use to this day including many hydrangeas, hosta, and “Japanese” maples.
In 1891, Philippe Édouard Léon Van Tieghem, a French botanist with far too long of a name, o cially separated Cephalotaxus from the more common genus Taxus, based on reproductive di erences. We’ll discuss this when we talk about the fruit of this plant and how it di ers from the little red fruits you are used to on Taxus.
e name is a bit odd in origin with the Greek kephalē (“head”) + taxis (“arrangement/order”) supposedly in reference to the clustered arrangement of “fruit” on the plants. Perhaps someone thought they look like little bald heads grouped together, but the common name is much better as they look just like little purple plums at the ends of the branches. We love the bright red fruits of yew (Taxus)
but perhaps even more neat are these little plums on the plum yew. Just like yew, the eshy aril surrounding the seed is supposedly edible (don’t eat them – the hard seed has some toxic properties if eaten). ere is, however, some very promising research showing that an alkaloid found in the seed (cephalotaxine) is showing strong anti-cancer properties and may make this plant even more important to humans than the ornamental beauty it brings.
Since we’ve been highlighting climate change resilient plants, this one hit the radar based on several important factors. As our summers warm up, especially our September into October time frame, it is important to note that Cephalotaxus is more heat tolerant than regular Taxus. Once established, we nd that plum yew is strikingly drought resistant, which has become the normal state of the state in late summer. We do have to check winter hardiness, but every Cephalotaxus on the market is hardy to at least Zone 5, making them suitable for all of Ohio. While boxwood are under constant assault (blight, boxtree moth, leafminer, psyllid, mites) [Side note – because we plant too many of them in the landscape] and true yew is
useless in locations with deer – the plum yews are here to help ll the void.
ese plants look just like a yew, and can take heavy shearing just like yew and boxwood. ey are just as beautiful if left to grow into their natural forms and will thrive in shaded locations in the garden. You can enjoy the past adaptability of boxwood and yew with a virtually deer and other pest-free alternative here!
ere are a number of great cultivars available to utilize across your landscape designs, including:
C. harringtonia ‘Fastigiata’ – standing at 10 to 15 feet tall and about one-third as wide, this columnar/upright shrub has dense, evergreen foliage making a striking accent in the shade.
C. harringtonia ‘Prostrata’ – under three feet tall and spreading up to 10 feet, this makes a perfect alternative for Taxus ‘Everlow’ for the groundcover e ect across slopes, mass plantings under trees, etc.
continued on page 22
continued from page 21
C. harringtonia ‘Duke Gardens’ – we’ve found this in nearly every botanical garden within their zone and with good reason. ese are very dense, mounding to maybe four feet tall and a bit more in width. is is an all around solid alternative for boxwood in the landscape and will not disappoint.
C. harringtonia var. drupaceae – very hard to nd, we WISH the nurseries would start producing this more as it grows to a 15 to 20 foot tall (slightly less in width) evergreen shrub perfect for larger scale plantings as a beautiful evergreen backdrop. With the obsession from breeders to make smaller and smaller plants, we need some larger plants that can bring scale back to our landscapes.
C. koreana – also far to rare in trade, this super cold hardy species says low and wide and makes a stunning ground cover in shaded sites. In mass, this is one of the most beautiful ground cover evergreens we’ve ever seen.
We’d love to see more landscapes adopt this underutilized evergreen and help add diversity and beauty to our gardens across the state!
• Screened Topsoil (Stored in a hoop house on site.)
• Granite & Sandstone Boulders
From 8” to 12’+ priced per ton and per piece on request.
1’-2’ granite and 2’-3’ granite available, presorted, for immediate pick up.
• Mixed Boulders (Available for immediate pick up.)
• Washed Gravel, Concrete & Mason Sand.
• Crushed Gravel & Limestone products available.
THE CULTURE BLUEPRINT: HOW TO DESIGN AND BUILD A GREAT PLACE TO WORK
By Jill Odom, senior content manager for the National Association of Landscape Professionals
It’s no secret that company culture is one of the main ways landscape businesses can retain their team members long term. However, how you go about creating a desirable company culture is often more mysterious as there is no single practice that makes somewhere a great place to work.
“Culture isn’t a one-and-done,” says Katelyn Milanes, director of culture and employee engagement for Fisk Lawnscapes. “It’s built in the small moments, the big wins, and yes… even the boring stu .”
Milanes and owner Ben Fisk will cover how thriving culture is built, maintained, and shaped during their session, “ e Culture Blueprint: How to Design and Build a Great Place to Work” on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 9 a.m. at ELEVATE (https://www.landscapeprofessionals.org/elevate).
“ is isn’t just another HR talk — we’re diving into the real stu that makes businesses thrive,” Milanes says. “Whether you’re a business owner, supervisor, landscape pro, supplier, or nursery team member, this session is packed with realworld insights you can actually use.”
Common Misconceptions
Often, people assume that company culture is simply the perks, like a team lunch or trendy o ce spaces.
“While those things are important for shaping the employee experience, an organization’s culture is much deeper,” Milanes says. “Culture is designed to in uence employee behavior, decision making, and even how con ict is handled.”
It’s also common to presume that culture just happens on its own. Milanes says that great cultures do not happen organically. ey are intentionally designed and de ned.
“In a fast-paced, labor-intensive industry like ours, great culture requires the same level of planning, investment, and attention as any high-quality landscape design,” she says.
e rst step to building a strong company culture is hiring the right people. Milanes says they will teach attendees how to spot the traits that scream “perfect culture t” before someone even walks through the door.
“Maintaining a strong organizational culture strategy starts with ne-tuning your ideal candidate pro le and hiring for culture ts,” Milanes says.
A good culture doesn’t create itself, and it is also never nished. As your team grows, your culture must evolve as well.
“ e best cultures are shaped by employee feedback, led with humility, and strengthened by alignment between what the company says and what it actually does,” Milanes says. “When you get that right, culture becomes a competitive advantage and a reason people choose to stay.”
Culture You Can Actually Use
Culture is often a buzzword without much meaning behind it. Milanes and Fisk will provide ready-to-try tips to build a workplace environment that people want to be part of.
“At its core, a great culture helps team members feel seen, heard, and valued,” Milanes says. “It fosters con dence and safety so that people can speak up and take risks at work. It also sets high expectations for employee behavior with accountability and healthy support built in. e goal for an exceptional company culture is that individuals and teams can grow, develop, and succeed together.”
Milanes says while moral boosters like free snacks are great, meaningful employee impact is about how people are treated, how decisions are made, and how connected employees feel to a shared mission and to each other.
She says at Fisk Lawnscapes, their mission and core values serve as a roadmap for employee behavior and are at the heart of every strategic decision.
“Our core values shape how we hire, how we train, how we lead crews, and even how we part ways with someone when it’s not a t,” she says. “ ey’re the standard we come back to when things get hard, and they give our people a sense of consistency, no matter what’s happening around them.”
A thriving culture prioritizes connection, employee engagement & professional development.
Keeping the Vibe Alive
A common debate is whether the owner or the HR director should own the company culture. At Fisk, they view every team member as either a culture builder or a culture detractor.
“Whether they realize it or not, their daily attitude, behavior, and consistency shape the tone of the team, the jobsite, and the entire organization,” Milanes says.
While the owners should model the core values and hold people accountable, it is a team e ort to create an excellent company culture. Also, having a dedicated role like Milanes’s enables you to create initiatives that focus on employee professional development, recognition and connection.
Company culture is a mixture of many elements, but taking the time to celebrate everything and being there in the mundane moments makes a major di erence.
Milanes says they ensure the celebration of professional milestones, personal wins, birthdays, weddings, and new babies comes across as sincere by being speci c, timely, and personal.
“Instead of a vague ‘good job,’ we try to recognize exactly what a team member did and why it mattered with frequent shout outs in our communication app,” Milanes says. “Recognition goes a long way in building trust and engagement. When celebration becomes more than a gesture, it fuels retention, engagement, and pride in your work.”
Don’t get caught up in only doing big events. It is your daily habits and behind-the-scenes consistency that shape how people feel and perform at work.
“We prioritize listening to our people,” Milanes says. “Regular manager check-ins, team surveys, or even simple feedback loops in the eld go a long way. When people feel heard and see action based on their input, trust grows.”
Having regular performance reviews, professional development opportunities and clear growth tracks all help employees see a future with the company.
“ ese are intentional and strategic ways to keep your best culture-builders engaged, invested, and growing with you,” Milanes says.
Looking to develop a workplace people don’t want to leave? Register for ELEVATE (https://www.landscapeprofessionals.org/ elevate) and we’ll see you in Phoenix, Arizona!
Want to learn more? Join NALP for exclusive training, mentoring, and resources to grow yourlandscaping business.
PATTY LAMPERT Executive Director / OLA
EXCITING NEWS FROM THE OLA
Membership Renewals have been sent to all of our members, and we ank You for all of your support. You give us the ability to continue Educating, Advocating, and Elevating the Green Industry. Without your help, this would be impossible to accomplish. We are so grateful and want to know how we can help your company build stronger connections within our community. We value your input and are excited to connect with you!
Central Ohio Facility Tour & Networking at Ottawa Landscapes on October 29th at 5:00 pm. Rob Booher, owner of Ottawa Landscapes, takes immense pride in delivering exceptional service and stunning landscape designs that surpass clients’ expectations. Rob set out to nd a career in the landscape construction eld and spent over 10 years at Hidden Creek Landscaping. He learned all aspects of the business and managed the construction division of the company. Registration is limited to 50.
e OLA Annual Meeting and Presentation of Board of Directors will be on November 19th at St. Michael’s Woodside. e results of the election will be announced, and 2 new board members will be announced. You’ll be able to network with our Board Members, Milestone Members, and also meet Rich iebaud, from LeanScaper, as he discusses How AI Transforms Ordinary Teams into Elite Performers.
Additional events being planned are Plant Healthcare, Sales & Leadership Training, Dormant Pruning, and the Landscape Ohio! Awards. Presentations from Scythe and Ed Hanson, President Landscape Ontario, are scheduled for Central Ohio. Stay tuned for upcoming details and registration links.
OLA Committees provide a fantastic opportunity to connect with your peers, help the OLA, and to strengthen relationships to help grow your business. We encourage you to participate in one of the committees listed on the right and thank you for making a di erence in the OLA.
