Landscape Management articles from April 2004

Landscape Management archives from April 2004

Lawn guidelines approach.(On the record: from the boss)
April 1, 2004... The "Environmental Guidelines for Responsible Lawn Care and Landscaping" is no page-turner, but its 28 pages will become extremely important to all of us in the Green Industry. Give yourself 10 minutes or perhaps a few minutes more to read this...

Manage wages; lift margins: managers and supervisors above the crew level are only justified if they're able to use their intellect and experience to manage your costs.(Best practices: raising the bar)
April 1, 2004... An often overlooked way to improve margins is to actively manage the average hourly wage of your crews. How does this work? It's not that difficult. In fact, I've prepared a chart (below) that you may find helpful. At a selling price of...

Great meetings: here's one model.(In the know: news you can use)
April 1, 2004... Meetings. How many of us really look forward to meetings? OK, it's pretty much unanimous. Ugh. But most of us would also agree we need to meet. The challenge then is to plan and run meetings that don't waste time. The operative word here is...

Jammers show creative side.(In the know: news you can use)(landscape managers training workshop )
April 1, 2004... INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- If there had been a way to capture the creative energy of the 200 or so landscape managers into a power grid, you could have lit up a city the size of Dayton, OH. That was the number of participants in the four '04...

Correction on clopyralid use.(clippings )(Correction Notice)
April 1, 2004... The EPA has not set any stop sell or stop use date for products containing clopyralid as originally printed in a story in the February issue. Post-emergence herbicides containing clopyralid can continue being used according to directions on the...

ASIC Conference set for May 1-4.(clippings)(American Society of Irrigation Consultants)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... NEWPORT BEACH, CA -- The American Society of Irrigation Consultants (ASIC) is holding its conference here May 1-4. This year's program, crafted by ASIC's Southern California Chapter headed by Steve Hohl of Water Concern, features several days...

Davey acquires three companies.(clippings)(Davey Tree Expert Company acquires Pagura Landscape, Meltons Tree Service and Sean McCarthy Tree Care)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... KENT, OH -- The Davey Tree Expert Company continued its expansion initiative with the acquisitions of Pagura Landscape, Columbus, OH; Melton's Tree Service, Bettendorf, IA; and Sean McCarthy Tree Care Service, Richmond, VA. Davey acquisitions...

West Coast Turf.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... West Coast Turf promoted John Marman to regional sales manager for Southern California and Southern Nevada.

BASF Professional Pest Control.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... BASF Professional Pest Control hired Michael Toce as Western Regional Sales Manager.

Syngenta.(People & companies)(Turf & Ornamental)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Syngenta appointed Scott Trbovich to its Turf & Ornamental sales team representing Michigan.

Green Earth Landscaping & Design.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Green Earth Landscaping & Design appointed Michael Hartman landscape designer & project estimator.

Aquatrols.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Aquatrols named Vic Swann Director of Sales. Swann will oversee all sales-related activities in the North American Turf, Soilless Media, and Agricultural markets.

Swingle Tree & Lawn Care.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Swingle Tree & Lawn Care hired Jodi Johnson as commercial sales coordinator.

The Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA).(People & companies)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) named Donna Vignocchi to its Board of Directors. Vignocchi is Vice President of ILT Vignocchi, Wauconda.

The Capital Contractor Consortium.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Capital Contractor Consortium named Chris Davitt (above left) to its Board of Advisors. Davitt is president of Ruppert Nurseries, Laytonsville, MD.

Hunter Industries.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Hunter Industries hired Susan Cronin-Haines (above center) as the sales manager--accounts for southern California.

John Deere Landscapes.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... John Deere Landscapes named Ryan Hanley (above right) to the new position of account manager for the Direct Sales Division.

Husqvarna.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Husqvarna appointed Iskit Howard to serve as the company's director of e-business.

Aquascape Designs/NurseryPro.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Aquascape Designs/ NurseryPro appointed Dave Sherwood territory sales rep in Florida.

Exmark Manufacturing.(People & companies)(Roberts Supply Inc. appoints)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Exmark Manufacturing named Roberts Supply Inc., Winter Park, FL, as its 2003 "Distributor of the Year." In addition, Roberts Supply Territory Manager Terry Gibson was named Southeast region "Salesman of the Year."

Shindaiwa.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Shindaiwa added Rod Harms as Product Manager for professional chain saws and Charles Caubet as Marketing Services Manager.

U.S. Lawns.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... U.S. Lawns President Kenneth L. Hutcheson, Orlando, FL, recently earned the CFE (Certified Franchise Executive) designation. Hutcheson joined U.S. Lawns in 1995. U.S. Lawns numbers 125 franchises in 26 states.

Surfin' turf.(In the know: news you can use)
April 1, 2004... 24-7 info Michael P. DiMino, President and CEO of LESCO, admits an overhaul of the company's Web site was long overdue. But the wait was worth it as landscape and lawn care professionals can now access product and technical information...

PBI Gordon omission.(In the know: news you can use)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... An article dealing with weed control in cool-season turf in the Feb. '04 issue of LM neglected to mention the following fine products from PBI Gordon (www.pbigordon.com): For post-emergent weed grass control: Trimec Plus, an exclusive...

Make 'mow' money: 10 tips from seasoned landscape maintenance contractors that will put you on the path to mowing profits.(Mowing Tips)(Cover Story)
April 1, 2004... Mowing isn't rocket science--you fire up a mower and go. But making money at mowing might qualify. Why? Because you can't just eyeball a job site, quote a price and send your guys out scrambling every which direction to fulfill the contract....

Selling safety en espanol: OSHA is serious about reducing injuries for seasonal Green Industry workers; you should be, too.(Training Strategies)
April 1, 2004... Five years ago, The Bruce Company, a Middleton, WI-based landscape contractor, saw the handwriting on the wall. The company, which had been witnessing a steady increase in its Hispanic work force, made a bold move: It created a new management...

Profit with garden maintenance: little investment and high customer satisfaction make this add-on service a win-win situation.(An Income Advantage)
April 1, 2004... Like most businesses, the Green Industry expanded in the mid to late nineties, then reduced, laid off and tightened over the last few years. With the booming economy in the last decade of the twentieth century, we, like many others, thought the...

Hard lessons in the tree business: this lawn care operator tells of the mistakes he made in his foray into the tree care business.(Tree Care Focus)
April 1, 2004... The year is 1998. You own a successful lawn, tree and shrub care company. You've got 10 to 15 trucks that go out every day. Your techs treat thousands of properties annually. You've got a customer service staff to die for, a top-notch marketing...

Having a ball: well, not exactly, but moving a record-sized rootball didn't get away from this Davey crew.(Tree Care Focus)
April 1, 2004... In his entire 27 years spent moving trees, Harvey Binkney has never seen a rootball quite as big as the one excavated in Auburndale, FL. In fact, he's pretty sure that it's the largest area of square footage to have ever been lifted from the...

Make time to hire the best: many owners don't look to recruit and hire truly talented people because they feel they cost too much and can't afford them.(Business ideas: advice you can use)
April 1, 2004... I ask my clients: "What's the biggest challenge facing your company in the next 12 months?" And they almost always respond, "Finding and keeping good people." When I hear this, I ask them how many hours of the week they devote to solving the...

Nick DiBenedetto & Manny DeSouza: [C] ND Landscaping, Inc.(Inside the owner's head: personality profile)(Interview)(Interview)
April 1, 2004... Nick DiBenedetto and Manny DeSouza co-own ND Landscaping, a $4.1 million full-service landscape company located in Topsfield, MA. The company performs residential design/build and maintenance services as well as snow removal for commercial...

Merry mowing.(Innovations: hot new products)
April 1, 2004... Swisher's zero-turn mower with 50-in. deck features a 22-hp Briggs and Stratton Intek OHV engine and infinite cutting height adjustment from 1.5 in. to 3.5 in. The features include an electric clutch, mid-mount mowing deck for smoother cut,...

Mow anywhere.(Innovations: hot new products)
April 1, 2004... The versatile all terrain mower from DewEze, the ATM-72LC, has a new look to complement changes to this hillside mower. The new hood and cowling design allows easier access for maintenance and service. The 30-hp diesel engine powers hydraulic...

Hot on the trail.(Innovations: hot new products)
April 1, 2004... John Deere's new Trail Buck 650 EXT utility ATV is a perfect fit for grounds managers with lots to do. It features a 644cc 4-Tec Rotax engine, polyethylene cargo box that's spring assisted and tilting with fold down gate, and continuous...

Electric avenue.(Innovations: hot new products)
April 1, 2004... The Toro Company announces the introduction of its first electric product, the Toro Workman e2050 utility vehicle. Based on the Toro Workman mid-duty 1100/2100/2110 platform, the Workman e2050 offers exceptional performance and versatility for...

Not just a lot of hot air: incorrect tire pressure can affect traction, tire wear and the quality of your cut.(From the shop: preventive maintenance)
April 1, 2004... What about air? It's in our tires and all around us. Good ol' reliable air. We often ignore the simple, reliable things. Tire pressure leads the list. You occasionally look at the trailer, truck or mower tires. Sure, they look okay. But...

Insect control ... to a degree: what landscape-damaging insects fear that you'll find out about using simple temperature calculations to keep them under control.(Pest Management)
April 1, 2004... The great diversity of ornamental plants, each with its own complement of insect pests, creates a logistical challenge for planning and implementing a successful pest management program in ornamental landscapes. Insecticide applications...

Irrigating with reclaimed water: even with a host of unique challenges, it still might be the best option you have.(A Growing Trend)
April 1, 2004... Using reclaimed water to irrigate large landscaped areas has become a necessity for many property owners. Why? Because the use of potable water and groundwater for irrigating large turf and landscape areas has been all but eliminated in the...

Nix grubs now: treating for grubs when they're small protects clients' properties from damage all season.(Damage Prevention)(pest control services)
April 1, 2004... Lawn care professionals throughout the eastern United States are on the lookout for grubs. Increases in temperature and humidity mean keeping a careful eye on homeowners' lawns. Before grubs can feed on roots and destroy turf, though, they...

Skid-steers & loaders.(LM reports: your guide to product research)
April 1, 2004... Caterpillar [eth] Two new backhoes for Cat skid steer loaders feature digging depth to 9 ft. 6 in. The BH30 and BH30w have 180-degree boom swing. Frame allows units to be shifted left or right of center, making it easy to work next to...

Ask the expert.(Technology)
April 1, 2004... Alternatives to 2,4-D Some of our customers want us to provide a 2,4-D free lawn weed control program. We've used Confront herbicide in the past, but because of the problem with clopyralid in Confront, we can't use it. What other products...

Abbott Park: 2003 PGMS Grand Award Winner for Industrial or Office Park.(PGMS: award-winning landscape management)
April 1, 2004... Dave Spittlemeister, grounds foreman for Abbott Laboratories in Abbott Park, IL, remembers a simpler time in his 26 years working for Abbott Laboratories. It was the time before the building of an on-site child care facility, Early Discoveries....

How to win a Green Star Award: tips on how to bring home a Grand or Honor Award at the PGMS' annual Green Star competition.(Awards & Recognition)(Professional Grounds Management Society)
April 1, 2004... One of the greatest things a grounds manager can accomplish is win a Grand or Honor award from the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS). Some appreciate being recognized by their peers for their professionalism. Others appreciate...

Green Star Professional Grounds Management Awards 2004: we're searching for the country's best-maintained landscapes--32nd Annual Green Star Professional Grounds Management Awards.(Awards & Recognition)
April 1, 2004... You're invited to enter the Green Star Professional Grounds Management Awards, co-sponsored by Landscape Management magazine and the Professional Grounds Management Society. This annual program recognizes excellence in landscape management...

New nozzles.(Products: tools of the trade)
April 1, 2004... Rain Bird announces the availability of new Matched Precipitation Rate (MPR) nozzles for its 5000/5000 Plus rotors. Designed for simple adjustment between various radii from 25 to 35 ft., they eliminate the need for fixed arc patterns, which...

Mondo Gondo.(Products: tools of the trade)
April 1, 2004... The Land Pride Gondo 4x4 is an extreme utility vehicle that can carry 2,200 lbs. of payload over rough terrain at up to 17 mph. It features center articulating power steering and a pivoting interactive frame to hug terrain and achieve maximum...

Be professional.(Products: tools of the trade)
April 1, 2004... Green Touch organizer racks for open and enclosed trailers are made from high strength steel and coated in a thick layer of vinyl. The vinyl layer provides a firmer grip on your tools and will prevent them from moving or grinding against the...

Show your teeth.(Products: tools of the trade)
April 1, 2004... Standard Golf Company is expanding to serve the landscape market with a versatile line of Magnum maintenance tools including rakes, lutes, rollers, forks and planters. A straight-tooth maintenance rake comes in 24-, 30-, 36- and 42-in. widths....

Versatile controller.(Products: tools of the trade)
April 1, 2004... Hunter Industries has expanded its line of modular controllers with the introduction of the Pro-C with a new 15-station capability. The Pro-C can now be customized from 3 to 6, 9, 12 or 15 stations with the addition of expansion modules. The...

Guard your grass.(Products: tools of the trade)
April 1, 2004... LESCO's new Lifeguard herbicide containing the active ingredient dithiopyr offers lawn care pros pre-emergent and very early post-emergent control of crabgrass and other annual grasses and broadleaf weeds in established turf. It also so...

Powerful and user-friendly.(Products: tools of the trade)
April 1, 2004... Echo's 33.4cc top-handle CS-341 chain saw delivers the speed and safety necessary with an operator-friendly design, reports the company. Engineered for optimal performance, the chain saw features a Slope Advance Ignition System that matches the...

Cut splitting time in half.(Products: tools of the trade)
April 1, 2004... The TW-5 log splitter by Timberwolf delivers 25 tons of force in a 10-second cycle time. With an 11-hp Honda OHV GX engine, the log splitter features auto-cycle valves that complete a full splitting cycle, has extra large baffled hydraulic...

Short work of tall branches.(Products: tools of the trade)
April 1, 2004... The Shindaiwa P230 pole pruner is designed to trim hard-to-reach branches. It's powered by the company's 22.5cc engine and a 1.1-hp power head that delivers consistent cutting speed and power. It weighs 12.1 lbs. and has an overall length of...

Field work.(Products: tools of the trade)
April 1, 2004... Country Home Products' DR field and brush mower features a 22- to 30-in. mower deck mounted on the front of a 2-wheeled frame and 17-hp engine. With attachments such as a 30-in.-wide snow thrower; a 42-in.-wide, 11-gauge steel snow blade; and...

Time to conserve.(Products: tools of the trade)
April 1, 2004... Aqua Conserve introduces the "Ultimo" series of ET irrigation controllers. Expandable from 16 to 66 stations, the Ultimo automatically self-adjusts watering run-times and days based upon the weather. Features include: flow sense capability,...

A drop in the tank.(Products: tools of the trade)
April 1, 2004... Magnum Group of California has developed a new catalyst in solid pellet form that improves the performance of outdoor power equipment. Simply drop the pellet into the tank of a 2- or 4-stroke engine and leave it there for the life of the...

Low emissions engine.(Products: tools of the trade)
April 1, 2004... Designed with an 83-in. boom that detaches for storing and transporting, the John Deere extended reach pole saw cuts branches up to 12 ft. above the ground and up to 8 in. in diameter. It now has a new low-emission Commercial M-Series engine....

Grind those stumps.(Products: tools of the trade)
April 1, 2004... Model SG-26 SmoothCut PTO-powered stump grinders from Worksaver cut from 18 in. above ground to 10 in. below with a swing arc of 45 degrees and a maximum horizontal cut of 28 in. or 33 in. Features include replaceable carbide-tipped bolt-in...

Lightweight chain saw.(Products: tools of the trade)
April 1, 2004... Equipped with the Low Vibe antivibration system that separates the handles of the chain saw from the engine with spiral springs of steel, the 338XPT Husqvarna chain saw has a 2.3-hp engine and weighs 7.7 lbs. The air injection system removes up...

Tractor factor.(Products: tools of the trade)
April 1, 2004... Allmand Bros. new 8435 HST four-wheel drive compact utility tractor is powered by a 36-hp Mitsubishi S4L2 diesel engine and features a synchro-shuttle shift transmission, allowing easy forward and reverse operation. Multiple gear ranges manage...

Time to inoculate.(Products: tools of the trade)
April 1, 2004... BioOrganics, Inc. has announced a reformulated and improved version of its Landscaper mycorrhizal inoculants. The new Landscape Inoculant product contains additional types of both endo- and ecto-type spores, which now number 15 in total....

Events: what, when & where.(Resources)(Calendar)
April 1, 2004... April 25-28 North American Snow Conference / Lexington, KY; Sponsored by the American Public Works Association; 816/472-6100; www.apwa.net 30-1 TOCA Conference / Seattle, WA; 952/758-6340; www.toca.org May 1-4 ASIC Annual...

Statistics: industry trends by the numbers.(Resources)(Illustration)
April 1, 2004... FUEL PRICES--HIGHER YET? If you think the price of gasoline and diesel fuel is high now, wait until the peak driving season in summer, says the AAA, which is predicting even higher prices. Do you need any other reason to tighten up...