Landscape Management articles from July 2000

Landscape Management archives from July 2000

It was a done deal.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Excuse my naivete with the United States Environmental Protection Agency's pesticide reassessment process. I actually thought that when the Food Quality Protection Act was passed in 1996, the EPA and the specialty pesticides industry would...

events : WHAT, WHEN & WHERE.
July 1, 2000... July 18-21 Turfgrass Producers International Summer Conference and Field Days / Spokane, WA; 800/405-TURF 22-24 International Lawn, Garden and Power Equipment Expo / Louisville, KY; 800/558-8767 24-25 PLCAA Legislative...

No reason to turn back now.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... The genie is out of the bottle and if we use her wisely we'll discover that she'll do wonderful things for us. Her name is biotechnology and she's tantalized us with small proofs that she can help feed the hungry and cure many of our...

Know your boundaries.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Refusing a job because it's not in your area of expertise is professional. It says that you're an expert in what you normally do, but not in that particular task Recent magazine articles on the sale and consumption of smaller landscape...

Plan for your future.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... It's never too late to save -- When people do start thinking about retirement, they think it's too late. But that's not so. You can start your retirement plan any time and have success Retiring in style is virtually everyone's dream. For...

Say goodbye to Dursban : EPA says pesticide poses health risk to children.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Landscape managers will no longer be able to apply the popular pesticide Dursban now that its manufacturer, Dow AgroSciences, has agreed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to voluntarily cancel most in and...

Life after Dursban?(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Now that the EPA has canceled Dursban, the question is, "Is there life after chlorpyrifos?" The answer in many corners is, "Yes." First, remember that you can use Dursban under its current label indefinitely, and the EPA stated in The...

Green Industry responds.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Since the EPA's announcement regarding Dursban, Tom Delaney, executive vice president of PLCAA, has fielded calls from concerned PLCAA members. "Where landscape professionals may have more problems is with commercial accounts or in...

Egarden joins with hardware co-ops.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... RALEIGH, NC -- Egarden.com signed long-term strategic e-commerce agreements with Ace Hardware Corp., Do It Best Corp. and TruServe Corp. with the goal of establishing a strong initial base of buyers of lawn and garden products.

Textron unites E-Z-GO and Turf Care.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... AUGUSTA, GA --In a move aimed at strengthening its position in the golf, turf care and industrial markets, Textron consolidated management of E-Z-GO Textron and Textron Turf Care & Speciality Products into a single organization called Textron...

Shemin Nurseries buys Schumacher's.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... DANBURY, CT --Shemin Nurseries Inc. acquired Schumacher's Wholesale Nursery and Landscaping Supplies, South St. Paul, MN. Shemin, one of the nation's largest wholesale distributors of horticultural products and services, will now be...

Tyler opens Indy delivery operation.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... ELWOOD, IL --Tyler Enterprises opened a full-service 7,200-sq.-ft. warehouse and delivery operation in Indianapolis. The building will serve as a distribution center for Tyler's custom-blended fertilizer products and speciality chemicals.

Wright Mfg. moving to expand.
July 1, 2000... GAITHERSBURG, MD --Wright Manufacturing, Inc., is moving its headquarters to a new building in Frederick, MD, 21 miles north of its present headquarters.

Milliken new distributor for Sybron.(Milliken Turf Products)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... SALEM, VA -- Milliken Turf Products, Spartanburg, SC, recently became Sybron Chemicals' newest distributor for global turf markets.

Echo expands Lake Zurich facility.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... LAKE ZURICH, IL -- Echo Inc. is adding over 155,000 sq. ft. of office and distribution space to its Lake Zurich facility. This is the third expansion at the Lake Zurich facility since the original building was built in 1989.

IGP acquires Vandenburg.(International Garden Products)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... BOSTON, MA -- International Garden Products (IGP), Boston, MA, acquired Vandenburg Bulb Co., Chester, NY. IGP is a grower/supplier of ornamental plants and horticultural specialty products to U.S. garden centers and retailers. Vandenburg is a...

Andersons completes acquisition of Scotts' U.S. turf business.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... MAUMEE, OH -- The Andersons, Inc. has completed its acquisition of The Scotts Company's U.S. Professional Turf business and can now focus on the process of implementation. "We have a plan in some stage of implementation," said Rick...

Weed Man ups the ante.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Look for Weed Man to move into United States markets more quickly than planned, said company executives in an exclusive interview with Landscape Management. The Mississauga, Ontario-based lawn care franchise company, which is the largest in...

Shaner appointed PGMS executive director.(Professional Grounds Management Society)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... BALTIMORE, MD -- The Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) recently named Thomas C. Shaner as its new executive director. The PGMS also announced it has contracted with Joseph E. Shaner Co. (JES), of which Thomas Shaner is...

PLANTHEALTHCARE.COM ONLINE MAGAZINE.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... PLANTHEALTHCARE.COM ONLINE MAGAZINE...subscriptions are now available free through registration online. The magazine provides in-depth information about mycorrhizal fungi, rhizobacteria, biopesticides and water management technologies as well...

PROFESSIONAL TURFGRASS GUIDANCE AND TECHNIQUES.(Review)
July 1, 2000... Professional turfgrass guidance and techniques...can be found in Turfgrass Science and Management, Third Edition by Robert D. Emmons. This book covers the entire spectrum of turfgrass management, including updated information and...

Netafim USA began a facility expansion project that will add 20,000 square feet and new production lines to its existing facility.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Netafim USA began a facility expansion project that will add 20,000 square feet and new production lines to its existing facility. The project is Phase 2 of the company's expansion plans which have involved capital investments of close to $4...

Nature Safe hired Chuck Barber as regional sales manager for the mid-Atlantic and New England.
July 1, 2000... Nature Safe hired Chuck Barber as regional sales manager for the mid-Atlantic and New England states and Ibsen Dow as regional sales manager for the western U.S.

Environmental Industries (EII), the parent company of Environmental Care (ECI), named Richard Sperber president of ECI.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Environmental Industries (EII), the parent company of Environmental Care (ECI), named Richard Sperber president of ECI. Sperber will also continue to serve as senior vice president and chief operating officer of EII.

Simplot Turf and Horticulture.
July 1, 2000... Simplot Turf and Horticulture named Bill Whitacre president.

Bayer Corp. named Dan Carrothers head of marketing for the company's Garden & Professional Care unit.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Bayer Corp. named Dan Carrothers head of marketing for the company's Garden & Professional Care unit. The company also named Phil McNally, Ph.D. field research and development representative for the western U.S. and Chuck Silcox, Ph.D. field...

State of the Industry 2000 - One hot economy.
July 1, 2000... Part 1: Great growth, but for how long? John Wheeler can forecast his landscape maintenance contracts through the year's end, but it's the design/build side that is harder to forecast. The president of Wheeler Landscaping Inc. in...

State of the Industry 2000 - What's your best strategy?(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... It pays to be prepared for any eventuality, say several landscape managers. Here are their ideas: * Landscape maintenance. This can be a constant battle to eke out the profits you need because of low-balling. Try to balance the...

State of the Industry 2000 - How you handle labor.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... That most precious commodity -- labor -- needs extra care, say landscape managers across the country. They were unanimous in naming it their first and most troubling priority. "It's still a problem here in Dallas," reports Larry...

SAFETY IN NUMBERS.(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2000... Workers' comp rates too high? These tips may help you and your crews operate more safely while you cut your insurance costs How much are your workers' compensation claims costing? Keeping your employees safe makes sense -- and saves...

Get out of your employees' way : Turn your training over to your troops and watch them teach you a thing or two about learning together.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Does the conversation in your shop go like this: "I know we should be doing more training, but I just don't have the time to do it on a regular basis." Is this an impossible problem? No. Maybe you shouldn't do it. Why is it that we as...

Paving the way.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... * A four-squared honeycomb structure of high density polyethylene with eight vertical spacing ribs on its upper surface, the PAVE-EL Pedestal System from Envirospec Inc., Buffalo, NY, ensures uniform spacing and elevation of paver stones,...

Westmoor Farm : The 1999 Grand Award Winner of the Professional Grounds Management Society for Residential Site.
July 1, 2000... The Westmoor Farm is a private estate and summer home covering 64 acres with 18 houses, five barns and a greenhouse. A regulation-sized baseball field, 18,000-sq.-ft. ornamental vegetable garden, miniature apple orchard and an acre of manmade...

Better safe than sued.
July 1, 2000... Nobody wants to see a fellow worker or an employee get hurt on the job. But let's face it: safety is given lip service more often than real action during the busy season (and during slack times, too). As an employer, it's your...

An up and down situation : Elevation changes and water-specific plantings made for one tough irrigation project.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Rick Heidvogel and Brian Blaschka regularly install irrigation systems at estates with homes valued from $800,000 to $3 million. The two are partners in The Lakeland Group of Nashotah, WI, specializing in irrigation, lighting and landscape...

ask the expert.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Transplant shock I planted 10 five- to eight-ft. white pines last spring, and all summer I watered them with a drip hose and saw some new growth. By October some of the needles on all of the trees were turning yellow. What should I do?...

No more core cleanup.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... The Grasshopper Company's new Aeravator makes core cleanup a thing of the past and leaves your turf available immediately after use. Its oscillating, forged steel tines penetrate and fracture the soil, and it requires no irrigation prior to...

A real gas.(gas cap for lawn mowing equipment)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... The W.E. gas cap guard, which fits both walk-behind and ZTR/riding mower gas tanks, prevents tampering with or theft of gas. It's also easy to install with ready access for the operator. For more information call 904/761-2427 or visit...

Stop tough weeds.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Manufactured by DOW AgroSciences LLC, Lontrel T&O, a selective post-emergence herbicide, offers superior control of the broadleaf weeds landscape professionals see most -- clover, dandelion, thistle, dollarweed, groundsel and plantain....

Hedge and prune.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Shark Corp.'s YardShark telescopic hedger/pruner combines precision-ground cutting blades with a lightweight handle that changes its length for cutting high tree canopies or reaching into thorny vegetation. With a single-handed flip of a...

Speedy aeration.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... The Ryan Lawnaire is perfect for lawn care professionals and rental equipment operators who require core-type aeration at a high rate of speed. The self-propelled aerator features a 19-in. aerating width and covers up to 21,000 sq. ft. per...

Along the curb.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Borderline Stamp USA's curb machine can extrude low or line voltage lighting directly into the concrete curbing to enhance landscapes at night. Borderline also offers many types of landscape curbs that can be textured in a wide variety of...

Pneumatic seeder.
July 1, 2000... RotaDairon's pneumatically powered, multi-purpose combination soil renovator and seeder uses an air-assisted seed delivery system to save labor and enhance the performance of the unit. Models come in 10- and 13-ft. wide versions. For...

Portable spreader.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... SOLO's new portable spreader can spread ice melters, oil absorbers, sand, fertilizers, and seed and cleaning agents over irregular terrain more conveniently than a wheeled spreader. A built-in agitator and propeller operation eliminates...

Flower/foliage food.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Simplot Turf and Horticulture's APEX Flower and Foliage controlled-release fertilizers come in four different formulations -- 19-5-12, 19-6-12, 18-6-12, and 17-5-11. Featuring Polyon controlled-release coating technology, they provide...

Spray it.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Otterbine's Concept2 line of aerators handle surface spray aeration needs for ponds and lakes: the High Volume2 unit has the highest pumping rate per horsepower of any aerator on the market and provides maximum work with minimum appearance....

Shoot for the sky.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... AquaMaster's Celestial Fountains can produce spray patterns up to 100 ft. in horsepowers from 10 to 25. They feature oversized flotation tires for easy launching, polyethylene, in-water adjustable floats, stainless steel frame with 16-gauge...

Low pressure rotor.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Hunter Industries' I-60 is a low precipitation turf rotor that provides 50 to 66 ft. of irrigation coverage for parks, sports fields and other areas where low water pressure is a concern. It's designed to operate at 40 to 60 psi, doesn't...

Trimming flexibility.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Echo Inc.'s curved shaft hedge clipper has a 7[degrees] bend in the shaft at the gearcase end which allows operators to trim complex shapes while standing comfortably at the base of a tall hedge. A 51-in. shaft allows operators to trim tall...

Pelletized compost.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Now it's a breeze to apply compost with Planet Green's concentrated pelletized compost. These light, clean pellets can be applied with conventional drop or broadcast spreaders. Planet Green's compost offers a consistent 2-2-3 analysis with 6%...

Calibration made easy.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... The PrizeLawn AccuRate Calibrator is designed to make rotary spreader calibration easy, practical and accurate. A materials collection box with an easily removable receptacle pan, it prevents granules from escaping and falling to the ground...

Sharp tools.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Lowell Corp.'s pruners and brush cutters come in three models, two heavy duty brush cutters and one point cut pruner. The Forester models come in two sizes, 27-in. long, 4 5/8 lbs., cutting capacity of 1 1/2-in.; and 34-in., 7 3/4 lbs.,...

Weed control.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Compared to plastic film and laminated landscape fabric, GCI Professional Landscape Fabrics allow air and water to pass through to plant roots, ensuring healthy growth. They're perfect for weed control in container fields and greenhouse...

Rugged trailer.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... ShoreLand'r's trailer boasts a 1,400-lb. capacity. The deck measures 52 in. x 100 in. and is made of 5/8-in. premium grade plywood. Stake pockets along the frame accept 2 in. x 4 in. uprights for side rails or provide convenient tie down...

In the clutch.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... DewEze Mfg. has come out with a clutch pump mounting kit for the 1999-2000 model Ford Super Duty with the 5.4L and 6.8L Triton engines. This new kit incorporates the Ford approval "Spider Mount" in its design, which meets Ford's requirements...

No more weeding.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Fabriscape's 2 oz. spunbond commercial weed stopper fabric stops 95% of weed growth, lets air, water and fertilizer pass through to plant roots, and is permanent when covered from sunlight. As a filter fabric, it protects native soil and silt...

Bye bye nutgrass.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Lawn and Garden Products says that the Nutgrass Nihilator controls yellow nutgrass by killing nutlets instead of burning down just the top of the plant. Apply it with an oil concentrate like Herbicide Helper, which assists in the herbicide...

Sweepin' it all away.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... A broom? Attached to a truck? Believe it, because TrynEx now has the Pro-Broom Truck Mount. Attachable to most brand name snowplows, the broom is built with a 90-in. mainframe constructed of 10-gauge hot-rolled pickled steel. Eight poly brush...

Herbicide enhancer.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Precision Laboratories says its new product, Delux, will enhance the performance of generic glyphosphate and certain postemergence herbicides on hard-to-control weed species. It's a biodegradable activator surfactant and ammonium sulfate...

Easy mower blade removal.(Blade Buster, to remove lawn mower blades)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Aggravating mower blade removal is history thanks to the Blade Buster, which clamps onto the mower deck and locks the blade in a stationary position for safe and easy removal. It works on both push and riding mowers and is made of heavy duty...

Spread the news.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Gandy Company says that its spreader models 36H13FR and 42T16FR are approved for use with PennMulch seed establishment mulch. Independent university tests showed that the spreaders can evenly spread PennMulch, making it even more useful to...

Aquatic herbicide.(Avast! from Griffin L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Avast! from Griffin L.L.C. is a slow-acting aquatic herbicide selectively effective on target species, allowing desirable vegetation to be reestablished without oxygen deprivation or fish kill. Avast! continues to control problem weeds for up...

Take a seat.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Calhoun Mfg.'s Trak replacement vinyl seat covers and cushions for riding mowers, lawn and garden tractors, and farm equipment come in six different sizes and are easy to install. Contact Calhoun at 616/962-0948 / circle no. 276

All-purpose utility vehicle.(Maverick 6x4 truckster from Howard Price Turf Equipment)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Howard Price Turf Equipment says its new Maverick 6x4 truckster with six-wheel independent suspension and 20 hp Honda OHV engine is "tough in backcountry and tender to the turf." The vehicle also features variable speed transmission with...

A chip off the old block.(1890 Drum Bandit chipper)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Bandit's 1890 Drum Bandit chipper features increased throwing velocity while eliminating all blow-back from the infeed spout. The new easy climb spring tension system that is now standard on the 12-in. and 18-in. units provides little down...

Hang tight.(Grippe tools, from Cooper Tools)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Cooper Tools says its Gripple Rope Grip and Gripple Hang-Fast is perfect for bracing shrubs and trees or suspending lighting, sprinklers and heater/blower units. It is available in sizes ranging from 1/16 in. to 1/2 in., and the reusable...

In control.(battery controller from Dig Corp.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Dig Corp.'s battery controller offers waterproof operation, versatile programming, and a digital LCD display. Powered by two nine-volt batteries, it can be mounted to the top of a valve or on the inside wall of a valve box and can be...

Send a signal.(Meteorlite 2000 series potted strobe from Superior Signals)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Superior Signals' Meteorlite 2000 series potted strobe is no disco light, but it is designed for heavy vibration with the electronics epoxy coated to protect against moisture. One model is a 10-joule strobe with 85 quad flashes per minute,...

Titillating tillers.(tillers from New Holland Construction)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... New Holland Construction's new tillers, manufactured by Alitec, are ideal for breaking up clumps, preparing seedbeds, mixing compost into existing soil and tilling home sites prior to landscaping. Bi-directional tine rotation allows the unit...

Fertilization efficiency.(Nutri*Rational Foliars from Emerald Isle Ltd.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Emerald Isle Nutri*Rational Foliars bypass the roots and provide efficient intake of plant nutrients through the leaf tissue by using proprietary chelation methods and advanced technology. Each product provides the most desirable forms of...

Blast those bugs.(Address T & O insecticide from Rohm and Haas Co.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... The Rohm and Haas Co. introduces Address T & O insecticide that controls mole crickets, fire ants, cutworms, army worms and other pests. It's water-soluble and absorbed by turf, tree and shrub roots and foliage. Spot applications also can be...

One of the ten best.(SKB Industries maintains the lawn at the Georgia International Plaza)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... Ever hear of a lawn so well-manicured you could eat off it? Well, grab your knife and fork for Georgia International Plaza since it was recently named one of the ten best lawns in America in the Briggs & Stratton 2000 Top Ten Lawns contest....

LM 2000 State of the Industry survey's top three concerns by size of operation.(Landscape Mangement magazine)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 1, 2000... Less than $100K revenues * Growth management (66.7%) * Labor availability (54.8%) * Financing availability (42.9%) Over $500K revenues * Labor availability (84.8%) * Developing supervisors (78.8%) * Growth management...

Way to go, UMass!(University of Massachusetts' Stockbridge School of Agriculture receives arborists award)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... It always feels good to be first in anything, as the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts can attest after becoming the first academic institution ever to receive the Award of Merit from the National Arborists...

FISH WHERE THEY'RE BITIN'.(employee recruitment might be most successful in areas with high unemployement)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2000... According to The Wall Street Journal, areas with colleges seem to be the easiest places to find work and the hardest areas to recruit. March figures from the Department of Labor list areas with extremely low unemployment: Columbia, MO (1%),...

10 Reasons why I won't work for you.(improving employee retention)
July 1, 2000... Try looking at the world according to your employees. It could save your future When it comes to keeping good people, there's almost nothing you won't do to keep them on your team, right? You're typical if you answered, "I'd do...