Two days ago I started working on a nice multi-family site. This happens often as landscape maintenance contracts change hands for various reasons and new companies take over in the new year.
But this particular site is special. Very special, because it insists on the presence of a Red Seal Journeyman horticulturist! And this is a big deal. It’s definitely a great way to start 2020.
Client magic
When clients insist on the presence of a Red Seal journeyman, you know they are knowledgeable and their pockets are deep. That makes the boss happy. (For the journeyman it’s a nice challenge.)
It also makes me happy because now I know I will get to work on a nice site and there will be time to do things right. Landscape maintenance can resemble the California-style mow-blow-go action. You do some work and hurry off to your other sites; your lunch break is in the truck, etc.
Rhododendrons
Let’s just take one example: Rhododendrons. Time-stressed workers machine gun them with power shears. There is no time to gently pinch off spent blooms or hand prune them for shape.
The resulting look is messy because Rhododendrons aren’t designed for power-shearing. You are left with sticks pointing out and often they turn brown and require hand pruning anyway.
Pinching off spent flowers can be time-consuming but it means the plant won’t be wasting precious resources on seed production. It’s better if it grows nicely.
New regime
Now, imagine spending the full day on one site and having the time to hand snip shrubs. Or to do tree work slowly, carefully selecting branches for pruning and leaving the rest for subsequent seasons. That’s magic for this Red Seal journeyman.
I know it will be a challenge but it also means that this whole journey makes sense. 2020 is my twenty-first season in landscaping and I’m still learning. I also find that having my ISA arborist certification calms many clients down. Poor tree work upsets clients. Some refuse to let you touch their trees unless you’re ISA certified.
Apprentices
This new site should also inspire all future and current apprentices in landscape horticulture. We have several on staff and often they work with me. Now they will know that some sites specifically request Red Seal workers, which means bosses will be eager to hire them and pay them more. All of a sudden, it makes sense to go to school every winter and work with Vas for the remainder of the season.
And it’s not just academic. The clients actually expect you to pull off great quality work and to have answers to their questions. Why not accept this challenge?
Yes, it can be stressful when your boss quizzes you on a native plant in front of strata council members. The whole thing is on-the-spot, unrehearsed, and it feels good when I pass.
This usually happens after my boss Googles my answer on his phone. No more lies about Himalayan poppies. Now I need solid answers.
I passed on the native Pacific Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) but I didn’t know Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’; for the record, neither did the owner!
This leads us to another important point. Learning never stops. Passing the Red Seal trade exam is awesome because it tests your knowledge and your experience. But it’s not the end. You have to keep learning.
Conclusion
It’s exciting to see multi-family sites investing extra into having Red Seal horticulturists on site. It means that the whole program is working. Beautiful sites get great service, the workers have more fun and feel challenged. Hopefully, they are also better paid.
And all apprentices now know that it makes sense to go to school for six weeks every winter; and apprentice in the field under a gentle soul like me.
This is a huge deal and I hope it becomes a trend. 2020 is starting to look fantastic already.
Happy New Year!
