Landscape Management articles from February 2003

Landscape Management archives from February 2003

Seasonals deserve basic dignities, too. (on the record).(seasonal laborers)
February 1, 2003... I don't want to live in the same neighborhood with a house lodging 26 seasonal laborers. You probably don't either. Authorities removed the men from a single house in a Midwestern city this past July 31, said newspaper reports there. They...

Family first, business second. (inside the owner's head).
February 1, 2003... Mark and Jennifer Clark are starting their third year as owners of Clark Landscape Group, Inc. They're also expecting their third child in April. Mark says that 2003 will be challenging. That goes for the landscape business, too. Clark...

Everyone should be selling. (my way).
February 1, 2003... Start the 2003 lawn care season by involving everybody in your operation in sales. This includes technicians and the person answering the telephone. No, you don't have to provide every employee with a script to memorize or drill them on...

Deere acquires The Treehouse. (Clippings).
February 1, 2003... ALPHARETTA, GA -- John Deere Landscapes (www.johndeerelandscapes.com) purchased all 10 locations of The Treehouse, a major Florida distributor of trees and nursery stock. John Deere Landscapes now has 40 branches in Florida and more than 250...

The Pattie Group expands. (Clippings).
February 1, 2003... RUSSELL, OH -- The Pattie Group's 35th year in business will see the addition of a third location. Long a fixture in northeastern Ohio, the award-winning company announced that it's opening a location in Avon, OH, to better serve Cleveland's...

Aquascape Designs in retail. (Clippings).
February 1, 2003... BATAVIA, IL -- Aquascape Designs, Inc. (www.aquascapedesigns.com) purchased Water Creations, Inc., Des Moines, IA, which manufactures the NurseryPro line of pond equipment sold to consumers through retail outlets.

Tragedy and recovery at PNC. (Industry almanac: news you can use).(PNC Park)(Pittsburgh Pirates )
February 1, 2003... SAN ANTONIO, TX -- Keep everything in perspective. When talented young grounds pro Luke Yoder looks back on the 2002 season, that's the lesson he'll remember. Yoder, head groundskeeper for the Pittsburgh Pirates at new PNC Park, was one of...

NY group builds united front. (Industry almanac: news you can use).(New York Alliance for Environmental Concerns )
February 1, 2003... The New York Alliance for Environmental Concerns (NYAFEC) is a new organization representing the Green Industry in the ongoing legislative and regulatory tug-of-war for reasonable pesticide laws in the Empire State. NYAFEC is gearing up to...

STMA honors best fields. (Industry almanac: news you can use).(Sports Turf Managers Association)
February 1, 2003... SAN ANTONIO, TX -- The Sports Turf Managers Association honored its "Best Field" winners for 2002 at its annual conference here in mid-January. They were: [C] College/University Baseball Field of the Year: Raymond H. "Hap" Spuhler...

Bobcat Company.
February 1, 2003... Bobcat Company named Mike Ryan President. He succeeds Jim Sharp, who recently became president of Ingersoll-Rand's construction equipment business.

FMC Corp.
February 1, 2003... FMC Corp. hired Dr. John Long as Product Development Manager for its Specialty Products Business (SPB) and Felicia Boone as Assistant Product Manager. The company promoted Amy Gabrielian to Marketing and Software Solutions Business Manager and...

The Green Industry Expo Board.
February 1, 2003... The Green Industry Expo Board announced its 2003 slate of officers and directors at its November meeting in Nashville, TN. Serving for the 2003 term are: President Ken Taylor (PGMS), Husqvarna Forest & Garden Company, Charlotte, NC; Vice...

Leadership Jam tour kicks off with a `whoop!' (Industry almanac: news you can use).
February 1, 2003... St. Augustine, FL -- Everyone heard it, but only about 35 people knew what it was. A loud noise that shook the World Golf Village Renaissance Resort on the morning of Jan. 28, 2003. It was first heard at around 5:30 a.m., when the CAT scan...

Statistics: industry trends by the numbers.
February 1, 2003... HOUSING PERMITS AUTHORIZED * Period United Northeast Midwest South West States Dec. 2001 1,702 170 369 767 396 Dec. 2002 1,880 173 405 851 451 % Change ...

Nurture growth: growing your business is good, as long as it's the right kind of growth at the right time, done the right way. (Operations Management).
February 1, 2003... Many entrepreneurs think they have to grow the sales of their company to be successful. I've fallen into that trap as well. We entrepreneurs conclude that if we grow the gross sales of the company, we'll automatically make more money. I've...

H2-B training strategies: respect and fair treatment is key to getting the most out of international employees. (Labor Management).
February 1, 2003... As most landscape professionals know, hiring foreign-born laborers is often crucial to a company's ability to grow, or even just survive. Landscape companies, especially larger ones, frequently hire foreign-born laborers for seasonal...

Seed ... finally! Advances in turfgrass breeding provide an option beyond sod or sprigs for establishing bermudagrass. (Turfgrass Management).
February 1, 2003... Think of establishing bermudagrass on a commercial property or repairing a bermudagrass sports field and the question typically asked is, "Sod or sprigs?" Now there's a third option--seed. The latest generation of high-quality...

Make profits flow with drip: as the water conservation issue grows, drip irrigation becomes a viable profit center. (Water Management).
February 1, 2003... Water conservation is a reality to many Americans. City, state and federal government officials are addressing how to handle the future of our water supply, and the irrigation and landscape industry is catching the brunt of the fallout. ...

The Breakers: 2002 PGMS grand award winner for hotel, motel or resort. (award-winning landscape management).
February 1, 2003... Grab a frosty beverage, sit back, and think of The Breakers. Located in Palm Beach, FL, on the Atlantic Ocean, the place just makes people want to relax. Well, at least the non-hired help. The Golf & Grounds staff doesn't really have time...

Save big bucks on tractor fuel. (LM Reports).
February 1, 2003... Tractor prices today are reasonable. But the operating costs can bite. A simple strategy will reduce fuel costs by 27%. It doesn't come in a bottle and requires no bolt-on equipment. Simply have workers run the tractor at a high engine...

Phosphorus fact & fiction: guidelines for the responsible use of a valuable nutrient that's now in legislators' crosshairs. (Turfgrass Nutrition).
February 1, 2003... Classification of phosphorus as a primary plant nutrient is well deserved. Energy-rich phosphate bonds are what fuel the metabolic machinery of plant cells. A limiting supply of the nutrient invariably slows growth of all the turfgrass plant's...

In with the new: this business owner relies upon professionals to buy and sell his vehicles for him. (solutions center: fleet management).
February 1, 2003... Jeff Corcorran doesn't have time to deal with every aspect of his business. The president/owner of Landscape Management Services in Houston directs a company that manages more than 100 commercial and residential accounts. Its 85 employees...

Water wonder. (Products: tech center).
February 1, 2003... Aquamaster Fountains & Aerators introduces AquaAir, which provides any aquatic environment with superior aeration, circulation and destratification without disturbing the natural aquatic landscape. Sizes range up to 1 hp, with one to six dual...

Total turbo. (Products: tech center).
February 1, 2003... Kawasaki's Twin TurboBlade is a rotary attachment for the Kawasaki KBL23A and KBL26A string trimmers. The rotary blades work like scissors to deliver precise cuts and prevent clogging. Also, cut grass isn't scattered. It's also low maintenance...

Keep on walkin'. (Products: tech center).
February 1, 2003... Jacobsen hydrostatic walk-behind mowers come with either a 15-, 17- or 21-hp Kawasaki engine. Deck sizes range from 36 to 61 in., either full-floating or fixed. Other features include Z-Control loop handles, 10-gauge steel decking, quick...

Situation handled. (Products: tech center).
February 1, 2003... Honda's new HHT31S handheld trimmer features a 1.5-hp, 360-degree inclinable GX31 mini four-stroke engine known for its low noise level, low vibration level and ease of starting. Because of the engine's strong low-end torque characteristics,...

On the edge. (Products: tech center).
February 1, 2003... Little Wonder's new Xtra edger combines the maneuverability of a stick edger and the power of a wheeled edger. At 16 lbs., it's ideal for edging in confined areas. Other features include six-position height adjustment for precise cutting depth,...

Green it up. (Products: tech center).
February 1, 2003... ROOTSinc introduces two new 100% chelated liquid irons, neither of which, the company claims, stains cement or other surfaces. LawnPlex is made up of 6% iron, 6% sulfur, and 4% nitrogen for fast green-up. LongGreen has 7% iron, 1% chelated...

Stimulating. (Products: tech center).
February 1, 2003... Myconate, developed by researchers at Michigan State University, stimulates colonization of plant roots by beneficial mycorrhizal fungi, greatly enhancing uptake of nutrients and water. Because Myconate stimulates colonization by naturally...

Bag it. (Products: tech center).
February 1, 2003... Textron Golf, Turf & Specialty Products now has two fully mounted PTO-driven Professional Lawn Vacuum Systems available for selected Bob-Cat and Bunton zero-turn riding mowers. The Pro 7 Vac features a 7 cu. ft. plastic container, and the Pro...

Super seeder. (Products: tech center).
February 1, 2003... The new BlueBird S22 seeder's ground driven agitator distributes seed over 22 in. of turf, a 20% increase over the previous model. It features seven preset height adjustments in 1/4-in. increments and either a 5.5-hp Briggs & Stratton or a...

Spray day. (Products: tech center).(backpack sprayers)
February 1, 2003... Echo's MS-100 manual backpack sprayer is designed with an enclosed piston and diaphragm pump capable of producing up to 150 psi. The 20-in. brass wand and adjustable nozzle deliver an even and highly controlled spray ranging from a wide angle...

Control freak. (Products: tech center).
February 1, 2003... The ET2000 controller from Calsense can be operated as a powerful stand-alone controller with full water management capabilities or in conjunction with a PC to provide field information vital to central control. It has a large display and...

Simplify irrigation. (Products: tech center).
February 1, 2003... With the Hunter Irrigation Management and Monitoring System (IMMS), automatic irrigation sites can be programmed for functions that would typically be handled directly at each site's controller. Use a single computer miles away from the...

Mowin' maniac. (Products: tech center).
February 1, 2003... Woods Equipment Company has two new models in its line of M-Series zero-radius riding mowers: the M1950K, with a 19-hp Kawasaki engine, and the M2760 with a 27-hp Kohler engine. The M1950K is for maneuvering in tight areas. The M2760 can handle...

On the spot. (Products: tech center).
February 1, 2003... Dakota Peat & Equipment's Greenwave portable syringing unit features a metered Dosamatic Advantage injector with flow rates from 0.25 gpm to 30 gpm, making it ideal for syringing or other spot chemical treatments. The 100-ft., 1-in. hose stores...

Protect those plants. (Products: tech center).
February 1, 2003... Nemasys from Becker Underwood protects plants from fungus gnat (bradysia species) larvae, which can cause devastating damage by attacking roots. The company claims that it's easy to apply, completely safe to use, and isn't EPA regulated because...

Tech protection. (Products: tech center).
February 1, 2003... NSN, The Toro Company's technical support network for irrigation central control system customers, is now shipping Toro central controller computers pre-loaded with Microsoft Windows XP and Phoenix FirstWare cME solution as a first-of-its-kind...

Blow it away. (Products: tech center).
February 1, 2003... Husqvarna's 155Bt backpack blower features 183 mph maximum air velocity to make short work of leaves and grass clippings. The trigger throttle is conveniently located on the tube, and a padded harness with load-reducing hipbelt offers operator...

Growth: five proven steps to build upon. (Best practices: guidelines to help an industry grow).
February 1, 2003... In the landscape maintenance business, whether it's commercial or residential, good work and good customer service will lead to many growth opportunities. The business will receive plenty of growth opportunities from happy customers' referrals,...

Start your season! For Chapel Valley Landscape Co., planning, preparation, communication and follow-up drive a successful spring.
February 1, 2003... 1 Ensure the return of your work force. "We put a lot of time and effort into building and training our employees, and their return year after year is critical for our success. Sharing this with them on an individual and personal level lets...

Create a culture of encouragement.
February 1, 2003... Employers use many methods to attract future leaders to the green industry, but many say the first, and most important, step is creating an atmosphere that will allow those leaders to learn and thrive. Without a clear vision and an energized...

What does a leader look like? (Running LAPS).
February 1, 2003... "I need people that will lead." You can hear that statement from about every landscape business owner, general manager, foreman and supervisor. Everyone is looking for the individual that will step up and take the responsibility to make...

From the ground up: since coming to the United States from Cuba, Juan Carlos Vila has done "Whatever it Takes" to achieve the American dream.
February 1, 2003... Juan Carlos Vila left Cuba in 1980 with his family and little else. Once he arrived in the United States, it didn't take long for Vila to begin realizing his American dream. With little money and a language barrier to overcome, Vila found...

ALCA offers win-win situation.(Associated Landscape Contractors of America )
February 1, 2003... Seeking a way to build your leadership skills? Honing those skills while giving back and making a difference can be achieved by participating in industry associations such as the Associated Landscape Contractors of America. "There is no...

Vision, mission & values. (By the numbers).
February 1, 2003... Husqvarna is pleased to sponsor the ALCA Leadership Advancement Program. To thrive in today's economy, those of us working in the green industry must further develop our leadership skills and adopt winning attitudes. The ultimate goal, of...