2017 posts – Sticks & Stones

A season of faith’s perfection

The title is a reference to the movie “Finding Forrester” starring Sean Connery. I find myself drawn to this movie lately, maybe because once again I am writing, maybe because I enjoyed watching the Astros win the World Series. Or just maybe it is a combination of both of these things and many more.

Each season in the nursery and landscape industry presents unique challenges, much like those in a baseball season. The weather, plant shortages, players on the disabled list, fuel costs, or not having the home field advantage in the Series. There is always something interesting happening, inspiring us to keep moving. Having that drive to move forward is what separates the champions from everyone else.

This season has been different than the others, just like the season the Astros had. For the first time in many years we have had to make adjustments as our staff has evolved. Staff members have moved on with opportunities in their lives to pursue new and exciting possibilities. We also made trades to pick up late season players to add to our roster that we are counting on taking us to our own series. Clint Rasch came to us this April, bringing with him over 30 years of industry experience, moving quickly to develop the commercial landscape market for us. This October we brought to our team Jeanne Mogielski and Amanda Igrisan, two talented sales people, who have years of industry experience from the landscape side as well as the grower/distributor side.

This season has also brought a lot of successes. We have had the pleasure of watching some of our younger players develop and take on new roles here at the Plant and Hardscape Center. Having that next generation learn from our veteran members is something that I treasure. Our yard operations team leaders Rigo and Dave took some very green prospects and turned Steve, Adam, and Tom into some of the best yard operations people we have had in several years. Luke Joerin has moved from our yard operations staff, to our yard sales staff, and next year he will be learning from our most experienced sales person, Bill Ten Eyck. A bit like Carlos Beltran, Bill will be teaching his replacement during his final year before retirement. Having champions like this willing to impart their years of knowledge to others is just part of what makes Christensen’s, Christensen’s.

As our season closes, I want to thank you, because you also make Christensen’s what it is. Without wonderful customers like you, we would not be who we are today. Thank you. And please remember to have fun this holiday season!!

Let us help you embrace the new

By Evan-Amos - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14517499

I am a child of the eighties, growing up with "hair bands" like Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe, shredded jeans and yellow kitchen appliances. The invention of the VCR was amazing, and everyone had a Walkman. I even had multi-colored striped shag carpeting in my basement! That’s where I would play my Atari while drinking Yoo-hoo.

There are many things I like to reminisce about that now seem totally ridiculous. They say what goes around comes around, and what once was old is new again - but I believe some things should stay in the past. So... I have been amazed at how many orders for the “old stuff” keep coming in!

Now some of these older products have been around for a long, long time. They are simple to install, reasonably priced and readily available. Many companies make these products their “go to” choice. But as times change, so do customer preferences. Cost and durability is still important, but today's customer wants to hear about cutting edge, stylish, eco-friendly products.

On trend right now are the larger formatted paving stones, and most of our vendors have several varieties and styles to choose from. These types of pavers install much faster than your traditional smaller-stoned styles. Finding a reliable source should not be an issue and the cost will not be unreasonable.

Speaking of new and shiny, when was the last time you installed a halogen light bulb for a path light or flood? The days of needing a transformer the size of a Chevette have long since passed. You would be amazed at how many lights you can put on a 200 watt transformer and still have room for expansion - if you use LEDs. The most common complaint I hear about LEDs is the price of a bulb. Well, you are correct, they do cost more than incandescent bulbs. But consider this: the average size of a 900 watt transformer is the size of a 24pk of Coke, and will run you upwards of $450. A 200 watt transformer is the size of a box of tissues and is more like $100. Then factor in how much the homeowner will save in electricity and the choice is clear.

Many of us at Christensen’s are still children at heart. We like the “new” and get excited to learn what, when, how, and why they do what they do. We got guys that love new trees and shrubs, we got the Cap’n who gets exuberant over a light fixture, and I love to play with concrete Legos. We can help you become familiar with what’s trending, and be comfortable with the new. Let us collectively share our excitement with you to inspire you in new directions.

Finding and retaining good employees

We all know that finding and keeping good employees can be challenging. Jobs are easy to find right now and anyone that wants to work most likely already is working. I wish that I had a magic solution for you; but I don’t.

Recruiters, trade magazines, internet services, craigslist and word of mouth seem to be the standard methods of reaching out to find new employees. The people I have spoken with, that have the most success staffing their business, are using all of these methods; consistently and constantly.

“But isn’t it expensive hiring through a head hunter?” I’ve asked them. The answer is; what is the best use of your time? And how much is that worth? Good recruiters provide services to the process that streamline it for you: searching, qualifying, background checks, and others that all add value. I don’t believe this is always the best way to go, but for a certain level of employee that needs a specific skill set, it can be a great option.

Running "help wanted" ads in magazines, on internet job sites, and craigslist can generate activity, but not always produce results. Candidates call and schedule interviews but never show up. You wish the candidates that do show up hadn’t. The candidate that you do hire is not what you expected at all, and not in a good way. This is where patience comes in; you will need to sift through many candidates, but eventually the right person will come along.

Much easier than all of that is retaining your good employees.

Yes, I said easier. I have heard the stories of key people leaving suddenly, even whole crews leaving at one time. I know that other companies are offering more for your people to come work for them. It’s almost the end of the season and layoffs are coming; how do you know your people will come back in the spring?

I have found that retaining good people comes down to a few important factors; treat them fairly and honestly, allow them to earn a living wage, and offer opportunity for advancement. Not one of these is any more important than the other.

Honesty and fairness allows a person to feel good about who they work for and where they work. No one wants to feel poorly about the way they or others are treated, or the way that their employer conducts business. People in these types of situations usually dread going to work each day and eventually will seek out change.

The ability to earn a living wage is not all about money. Employees need to be able to meet the basic needs of themselves and their families. Expecting them to stay at a job that doesn’t support them is foolish. I have been surprised to hear from a contractor “My crew left me for less than $1/hour; I would have paid them that!” Well... why weren’t you? If your people are worth more to you than you are paying them, you should increase their pay or risk losing them, because they will be worth more to someone else that is willing to pay them.

Game day is a lot of fun around here!

The opportunity for advancement does not necessarily mean a promotion. In any growing business, there is expansion and new opportunities within to learn and grow; even at a personal level. Staying at a job that offers nothing but doing the same thing with no opportunity to grow and achieve more is not very attractive to most people. Keeping your business growing and challenging your employees to keep up and grow with it will keep them engaged and excited to work.

It’s difficult to find good people and demanding to hold on to the people you have; the labor market is tight and it doesn’t look like it will get better any time soon. It’s a challenge we all face and is compounded by how busy we all are these days. So, if you know any good people looking for a job, please send them my way! No, really, we’re hiring; good pay, benefits, and great people!

Late season projects

I received a phone call recently that I was not expecting quite yet. They wanted to know if was going to push snow for them again this year. Ouch! Where has this year gone? Didn’t we just have a hot and humid week in the 90’s? I was out on the lake swimming! We still have eight more weeks. Wait a minute, eight weeks? Ouch again!

Many contractors run the clock out towards the end of the season, trying to get as much done as possible before the snow flies. Some years it pays off, some years - not so much. While the brick could care less how cold it is, a lot of your accessories might. So if you are going to place that bet this year, let me give you some insider information to help increase your odds.

The paver adhesive that we sell at our Hardscape store can be used on a wet surface, as well as when it's below freezing. Keep in mind that it will take longer to fully dry and cure. Be careful not to have too much water on the surface, such as puddles on the pieces you are gluing. The water will freeze and expand, leaving a gap that more water can enter and repeat this process. If this occurs, your wall will have a nice wavy appearance, and will guarantee you a future failure.

Polymeric sweeping sands have advanced over the years, making them easier to use with less hazing concerns. But they still need time to dry. The colder the weather, the longer the dry time will be. If you choose not to install sand in your joints, you may want to cover the area with a tarp for the winter. This will prevent water and snow from entering and freezing inside the exposed unfilled joints.

Sealers also need time to dry, but are pickier about temperature. It was once recommended to let a patio set for a year before applying sealer.

The idea was to let the efflorescent salts work their way out of the brick, and not having them become trapped inside by the sealer.

The water-based sealers we carry are breathable, meaning you can apply them right after installation; when it is at least 45 degrees or warmer for several days.

One of the most crucial components of a cold-weather install are your laborers. It’s very hard to make a straight cut when you’re shivering. The cold will definitely decrease productivity, and quite possibly your workmanship.

Typically the last job you do in a season will be the least profitable, most problematic and depending on the weather, the longest to complete. However, if you have to get it done and Mother Nature is giving you grief, give us a call at the Hardscape Center to see how we can help you.

Diversification is key to success!

If you’re reading this, chances are you are involved as a contractor in the Green Industry, whether it’s with plants, pavers, ponds, designs, lighting, or maintenance.

The big question is: Do you do only one aspect of the industry, or do you do many? During my tenure here at Christensen’s, I’ve seen companies come and go, often because they would only focus on one area. Times have changed, and big, easy planting jobs don’t come around as often as they used to - and there’s a lot of competition out there, more than ever since the mid 90’s.

This is where diversification comes in, and chances are that you’ve already been doing it.

An easy one is adding landscape lighting to your planting or hardscaping jobs. If you missed my two-part video on how to install lighting, you can catch up here. Keep in mind that you don’t have to sell a whole new job - lighting is the perfect second-stage enhancement for an earlier project.

Lighting aside, let’s try something different.

When trees, shrubs, and perennials get planted early in the season, many contractors apply fertilizers or soil amendments. How about promoting a fall fertilization program?

Fall is an excellent time to fertilize, even better than planting time. Established plants benefit as well, so don’t overlook customers from previous seasons. Mix in some granular organic fertilizers, such as the Tone series or Florikote slow release blends, and work it into the soil before it freezes. It’s a low-impact job your crew can manage in between fall cleanups.

Everyone knows about pavers, but some feel that they wouldn’t know how or where to begin. DID YOU KNOW: During the winter months and in the early spring, paver supply manufacturers such as Unilock and Rosetta hold how-to instructional seminars? Another handy piece of information: The “Lords of Legos” at the Christensen’s Hardscape Center are always ready to help you with a project.

Have you ever done a pond or water feature? I haven’t either, but I’ve always wanted to. This is another area where many folks don’t know how or where to begin. Like paver manufacturers, pond supply companies like Easy Pro offer seminars and on-site installation courses to help you, wait for it… “get your feet wet”.

If a full-bore pond isn’t right for your customer, consider installing a fountain or waterfall, which we carry a variety of. These are less time consuming, pumps run off of a standard 3-prong outlet, and the impact of such a focal point will definitely create a buzz amongst the neighbors. And seeing as you’re already in the subdivision, chances are you’ll pick up those jobs, and you can keep moving down the street. Not bad!

I have one more tidbit to keep in mind. I look at the Green Industry as a large fraternity/sorority. What does this mean? It’s always a good business tactic to keep up with your contacts and networking, because chances are you will come across another company that specializes in a field that you may be new to, or that you could subcontract on a project if you don’t have the time available on the work schedule.

Here are some examples:
Customer: “Can you do this?”
Contractor: “No, but I know a guy that can!”.

Or

Contractor 1: “My skid loader just tanked on a weeklong project!”
Contractor 2: “I can lend you mine for $XYZ a day so you can finish”.

We all battle the elements and obstacles associated with this industry, and everyone needs a little help from time to time. Knowing “a guy” that can fill the void when we’re in a pinch can make all the difference.

These are some suggestions of ways you can diversify your business, and there is still time to put them in motion yet this season. We want to see you succeed and grow your company year after year and are here to help you out as much as we can along the way.

Get all your material in one shot

Not so many years ago, if you wanted to supply your project with plants, pavers, wall materials and bulk goods, it required trips to several locations to complete a job. Times have changed! Our current inventory includes six different types of mulch, slag, 2 NS sand, 21AA limestone, 6A Limestone for permeable paver applications, and pea stone.

We also carry prime compost and screened topsoil that we store in dedicated, covered bins. Why do we do this? We can keep nearly 160 cubic yards of soil dry so it is ready to go when you need it. Combine that with our extensive plant material, paver, and wall block inventory, we can supply your entire project.

Bulk materials can be picked up or delivered via Christensen’s Hardscape Center for a small portion of what it might cost to pick it up with your truck. If you need large quantities, we will can deliver “Direct” train loads to your yard or Job site.

It’s 92 degrees in Plymouth as I’m writing this. It’s hard to believe that there are only a few months to go in 2017. It will get cold, the weather will turn, and the days will get shorter. Being able to source all of your materials at one location just might save the time you need to be able to wrap up those jobs at the end of the season.

Some of you may know me, but for many of you, I am a new face. I moved to Michigan after College almost 30 years ago. I have worked in the Green Industry as a contractor for most of those years. So, although this is the first time for me to stand on this side of the counter, I have probably been involved with a project similar to the one you’re working on. If you have any questions or have a difficult site, please ask, I am ready to help.

Fall Hazard tree lists explained

It’s fall; it’s planting season for trees and evergreens. This time of the year breathes new business, new opportunities, and new money into the landscape industry.

Spring tree supplies have been exhausted in many varieties. So only what is left, is grown in a pot, or can be dug in the fall will be available. Here’s the bad news. The list of tree varieties that can NOT be dug is very long!

Unlike the spring there is a shorter recovery time for trees as soil temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Root reestablishment and elongation cease. This is significant because a tree loses about 75 to 80 percent of its root mass when dug. One source stated that only 2 to 8 percent of the root survives harvesting. This is extremely significant for evergreens and for trees especially as caliper increases. It’s all about moisture! From the moment a tree is dug until it is planted and prepared for its first long winter, moisture is the most important factor.

Desiccation is a killer.

Factors that lead to desiccation or moisture loss are key to which trees are traditionally fall-dug and those that become part of the "fall hazard" lists:

1. Thin-barked Trees

Gleditsia (Honeylocust) is on most nurseries’ hazard lists. If you have handled locusts you know that you can damage its paper-thin bark without any effort (this is strike one for this Genus).

Acer rubrum (Red Maple) also has a thin bark but is regularly dug in the fall because of its very fibrous root system, but usually in smaller caliper. I have seen maples with serious tip dieback after harder winters and for calipers over 3”. Betula (Birch) as well has thin bark - and has at least two more strikes against it.

2. Harvest Time

Spring or fall trees are usually dormant or breaking dormancy when they are dug. We usually think of full dormancy occurring when a tree’s leaves fall off or as trees have set their buds for the next season. These don’t necessarily happen at the same time. We regularly have tree varieties such as Amelanchier, Acer, Malus (Crabapple), Ginkgo, and Tilia (Linden) fall-dug and shipped with some leaves attached but their buds for the new year are set.

Gleditsia are among the first trees to lose their leaves but this does not help (see below). Quercus (Oak) may set their buds but have leaves that hang on very late in the season and in some cases only release in the late winter or early spring. As such they are considered not to be fully dormant until it is too to dig them.

3. Coarse Roots

If you have never handled bare-root stock this may not mean much to you. Acer, Tilia, and Malus to start have very fibrous root systems and dig very well in the fall. Malus actually seem better with fall digging than spring. One assumes their root systems have begun to recover. Gledtisia (again) have few, large, and very coarse root systems.

Many nut-bearing trees such as Quercus have fewer, tap roots. These types of root systems offer little support to the whole tree for moisture. Many of the these tree types do not die but result in varying types of dieback or thinning. Gleditsia will have tip dieback as well as random branch death from the trunk. Quercus will often have severe branch dieback, resprouting only off the main trunk; a very unsightly recovery usually requiring replacement. Betula despite have a fairly fibrous root system has very shallow roots susceptible to drying out and supports a very heavy branch system. Top dieback and branch death usually occur; these trees will take several seasons to recover.

Trees such as Quercus and others can be dug if they have been spring root-pruned in preparation for a fall harvesting. Many nurseries are not that proactive.

Harvesting practices have changed and advanced through the years but the industry is cautious and conservative. Be aware of fall hazard lists. They may save you much grief and even more money. The good news is that the selection of pot-grown trees is increasing every season.

Christensen's Plant Center Fall Hazard list

Oh deer!

Whitetail deer are beautiful animals. It's surprising to see how successful they are in urban and suburban areas.

You'd better drive with caution, too, especially around dusk and dawn. And where there is one, there are usually others, so watch for deer number two or three to dart across the road. Car crashes are never good for anyone involved.

As nice as it is to see them up close, they come for one thing, to eat our landscapes. We have no one to blame but ourselves for invading their space.

So what can we do to protect our investment? Start by putting the gun down, your neighbor might complain about the holes in their garage.

There is a list of plants that are deer resistant in our new mobile app, but if you already have everything planted or can’t find the same look you want and need to plant those edible deer plants, there are products on the market you can apply to keep the deer out or limit the damage.

Christensen’s carries a couple of products that have been tested over the past 10+ years and have produced good results.

Deer Scram by Epic is a fine granular that is applied as a perimeter defense. This all natural, organic product is easy to use and does not have an offensive odor. The product will last 3-5 weeks before you need to reapply and it works year round. It has the added benefit of being a mild fertilizer.

Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit Repellent is applied directly on the plants. It has an odor and taste the animals detest. This product will last 2-4 weeks depending on weather. The rain will dilute it quickly and it must be reapplied often.

Sometimes a physical barrier is required, so we also carry Deer Fence. It comes in a 7’ x 100’ roll and can be used to protect a large area.

How to install landscape lighting

Outdoor accent lighting is one of the simplest ways to boost a landscape project from good to GREAT. Whether you are working with an all-new design or enhancing an established landscape, adding low-voltage lighting has a lot going for it.

We carry quality fixtures in a range of finishes to complement any style. Don't overlook using lighting in hardscape projects, too. How about path lighting integrated right into a paver walk? From deck lights to well lights, path lights to wall washes - there is a lighting solution for pretty much any situation.

I've made a short video to show you just how easy it is to work with today's modern lighting products. Take a few minutes to watch - I think you'll be inspired to give outdoor lighting a place in your future designs.

A Hydrangea with fall color? You bet!

Landscapers, what flowering shrub has been exploding in popularity for the last few years, with new varieties hitting the market every few months? What's the plant that your customers request most often - and is versatile enough to use in many situations, is easy care, a reliable bloomer, and comes in different colors?

I'm betting you're thinking HYDRANGEA.

Hydrangea have been extremely popular in the past few seasons, and our biggest sellers are the ‘Endless Summer’ series, 'Annabelle', and ‘Limelight’. The primary focus on hydrangea has always been the showy flowers.

Depending on the variety, they can be pink, blue, white or even green. The pointed panicles of the PG types are dramatically attractive as they age.

Now, fall is just around the corner. It brings a change of season and a chance to enjoy another important landscape feature – fall leaf color, which hydrangea are not known for having.

One of the best flowering shrubs for fall color is the Oakleaf Hydrangea. They will have a stunning maroon to burgundy red fall color. Slow to turn in fall, color improves with each frost. Showy flowers and exfoliating bark make this a plant with year-round interest. The cultivars ‘Alice’ and ‘Ruby Slippers’ are some of our most popular varieties. The dwarf cultivars such as ‘Munchkin’ and ‘Pee Wee’ are slowly gaining in popularity too.

Consider adding Oakleaf Hydrangea to your next installation. They will provide important landscape interest all season long. By trying something different, your project will stand out from the others.

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Archive

1. Thin-barked Trees

2. Harvest Time

3. Coarse Roots