Landscape Management articles from March 2001

Landscape Management archives from March 2001

Separated at birth?
March 1, 2001... Even though Rob Diaz looks like Emeril Lagasse, he doesn't claim to have any great culinary talents. He spends his time cooking up landscapes. In fact, his Las Vegas, NV-based company recently won first place from the Southern Nevada Water...

And the winner is...
March 1, 2001... We received many crazy on-the-job stories in response to our January golf shirt giveaway, including one about accidentally digging up human remains and another about an irate customer who, when told the weed on her lawn was knotweed, responded,...

The wood deck alternative.(EverNew vinyl deck)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2001... CertainTeed Outdoor Living Products' EverNew vinyl deck is the low maintenance, durable alternative to a wood deck. It never needs to be sanded, stained, or painted, and it installs directly on the joists. Vinyl planks are light, easy to...

Boost plant health and yield.(natural, organic fertilizers)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2001... Agreaux Organics now offers their natural and organic fertilizers to commercial growers, nurseries and landscapers. The fertilizers come in pelletized or crumbled form, in 20 lb. bags which cover 1,000 sq. ft. each. The 6-2-4 natural fertilizer...

Plant and mulch.(D and G Products' Tree Mantis and Mulch Mantis attachments)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2001... D & G Products' Tree Mantis and Mulch Mantis attachments for commercial front mowers let landscape professionals do more with less. With the Tree Mantis, one person can plant trees or shrubs with a ball or bucket ranging from 9- to 24-in. A...

A blanket of protection.(APEX Wulkap)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2001... Simplot Turf and Horticulture's new APEX Wulkap is an all wool pellet containing no manures or compost and designed for weed prevention, soil media amendment and moisture retention. It turns into a wool "blanket" that reduces plant stress up to...

Fuel catalyst.(Advanced Power Systems International)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2001... Advanced Power Systems International's (APSI) Fitch Fuel Catalyst is a pre-combustion fuel treatment device that improves the combustion of diesel, gasoline (2 and 4-stroke), kerosene, even JP-8 jet fuel. To install in outdoor power...

Powerful pickin' up.(LB Power Pickup Broom attachment)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2001... The LB Power Pickup Broom attachment from M-B Companies allows equipment operators to use skid steer or articulated loaders for street sweeping. The front-mounted pickup broom comes with sweeper, bucket and quick-attach mounting hardware. A...

Improved sprinkler performance.(NIBCO XeriTron lawn sprinkler system)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2001... NIBCO says its new electronic control device, XeriTron, improves lawn sprinkler system performance while saving homeowners water and money. Easily connected to an existing sprinkler system's controller, the XeriTron unit sends a series of...

No danger here.(Environmental Products)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Environmental Products' hazardous material storage buildings comply to building, environmental and safety codes and feature advanced coating technology, oversized containment sump, modular, interlocking wall panels, stainless steel interior...

Sharp stuff.(STIHL pole pruners)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2001... STIHL pole pruners feature adjustable pole length, bark cutter and hook to keep the blade in the cut, and a revolving arm for precise cutting. Other sharp hand tools can be found in STIHL's new Precision Series Hand Tools product line. For...

Safe storage.(Safety Storage Inc.'s shelving)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2001... Safety Storage Inc.'s shelving, available in flat or spill containment styles, provides convenient storage and handling of bottles, buckets, bags and boxes of dry and liquid chemicals. Separation walls can keep incompatible materials apart....

Get a load of this.(Karl Schaeff and Co.'s new SCL 515 compact wheel loader)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2001... Karl Schaeff & Co. says its new SCL 515 compact wheel loader is an alternative to skid steers because it saves fuel, is more comfortable and doesn't tear up the ground. It weighs 7,400 lbs. and has an operating load of 2,260 lbs., tipping load...

Cruisin' around.(Grounds Cruiser utility vehicle)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Snapper's new Grounds Cruiser utility vehicle features a 9.5-hp Kawasaki OHV engine with full pressure lubrication, an automatic torque converter tranmission and a land speed of 0-18 mph. Rack and pinion steering on a 78-in. wheel base with...

Custom flatbeds.(Winkel Manufacturing)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2001... Winkel Mfg. Has a variety of custom flatbeds to fit two, three and five ton trucks. Features include heavy duty rear hitch, side boards of 14 ga. Smooth formed steel with 1.5-in. x 3-in. rectangular tubing stakes, side stake pockets,...

Prune with power.(Power Pruners)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2001... Echo Inc.'s Power Pruners feature 25.4cc Echo engines and telescoping shafts and optional extensions allowing operators to trim branches up to 22 ft. high. A new Oregon Intenz side-access chain tensioning bar ensures proper bar positioning. ...

Tame terrain.(BCS brush mower attachment)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2001... The BCS brush mower attachment for the BCS tiller mows down tall weeds along fences, in drainage ditches and on steep hillsides. Tractor-style tires allow it to go anywhere, and 1/4-in. thick flails feature a swinging tip design that speeds...

Strengthen soil.(Actino-Iron biological soil additive)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2001... Natural Industries says its Actino-Iron biological soil additive creates an optimum environment for plants to grow and thrive. Composed of humates and naturally chelated iron and inoculated with a beneficial organism called Streptomyces lydicus...

Feed your turf.(organic-based 15-3-8 coarse turf food)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2001... ROOTSinc. says its organic-based 15-3-8 coarse turf food keeps lawns beautiful because it has 15% nitrogen (90% of which is slow release) to provide nutrition and the long-term environmental benefits of the organic base. It can be safely used...

Tough enough.(WFB ourdoor lighting bollard)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2001... Quality Lighting's WFB outdoor lighting bollard combines an aesthetic design with heavy-duty housing and lens construction. Its broad, columnar body has a sealed, domed head that deflects vandalism. The top third of the head is solid metal and...

Less is more with zero-turns.(Dixon Industries Corp.)
March 1, 2001... Speed. Power. Cutting quality. Durability. Balance. Comfort. Accessibility to maintenance. These are all of the things landscape professionals look for in a zero-turn mower. Manufacturers know what their commercial customers want, and they're...

Ask the expert.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Ailing spruce What can I do to improve the health of one of my customer's evergreens? -- MI The following factors can lead to a spruce being in bad health: * Improper planting -- too deep or too high * Excess moisture...

Hardscape made easy.(Stow Manufacturing Co.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Oly-Ola Sales says its Super-Edg landscape edging product provides a nearly invisible landscape edging border and can be used to form and contain creatively shaped logos and patterns. It's constructed of black vinyl, and its 6-in. depth...

Increase your customers' satisfaction : Guarantees and complimentary re-treats are just some of the ways lawn care pros can make customers smile more.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Customer satisfaction is key in the lawn care industry. While not all lawn care professionals offer written guarantees for their services, most will re-treat at no charge or at least repair damaged areas. Depending on the region of the...

Clean sweep.(M-B Company Incorporated of Wisconsin)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... The M-B Companies' hydraulic drive SHL angle broom has a hitch so it can connect to the Jacobsen HR-9016 turbo wide-area and the HR-5111 rotary mowers. Capable of snow sweeping, pavement clearing, grass thatching and leaf raking, brush speed...

Stop those suckers.(Monterey Chemical Company Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Want to stop suckers and sprouts that come up from the base of trees in spring? Monterey Chemical Company says its Sucker Stopper Concentrate can do just that. Just mix with water and spray at the base of trees when suckers appear in spring or...

Super sprinkler.(Hunter Industries)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Hunter Industries' new Pro-Spray sprinkler features a factory-installed directional flush cap with a "pull-up ring" which prevents spraying onto walkways and buildings during system flushing. Once lines are flushed, a self-sealing flapper...

Clean engines.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Kohler's air cleaners for Command and Command Pro 18- to 25-hp engines are lightweight, compact and easy to install. A swirl design collects/ejects trapped dust. The main filter has 1,398 sq. ft. of effective area. An eight micron inner filter...

HEADS-UP APPLICATION.
March 1, 2001... It's usually your fault when a herbicide fails to control a weed. A better understanding of herbicides and weeds will help you Contrary to popular opinion, it's rare for a herbicide to fail to control a weed that it's supposed to control....

Motoring along.(Briggs and Stratton Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Briggs & Stratton's new Etek electric motor system, a combination DC motor and electronic controller, is designed to power golf cars and other electric-power utility vehicles. The motor is 50% smaller and over 20 lbs. lighter than others,...

Back to the grind.(Bernhard and Co.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Bernhard and Company's Rota-Master blade grinder features an automatic infeed with auto cut-off which can be left to complete the grinding cycle alone. Features include a quality balancer and automatic traverse with easily adjusted travel...

Chain gang.(Husqvarna Forest and Garden Co.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Husqvarna's clamshell packaging for chains as well as bar and chain combinations allows retailer and consumers to match their needs with their specific product at a glance. Listed on the packaging are easy-to-read "fit-up" specs matching Oregon...

Drip drip.(National-Spencer Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... National Spencer Inc.'s new non-drip nozzles offer a new way to track different fluids and offer automatic closure to reduce leakage. They are color-coded, and fully compatible with the entire line of Zee Line lubrication equipment. For more...

Paint job.(Morgan Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Morgan Corporation has a new custom spray paint for repair jobs and touch-up applications. The paint is an exact match for OEM paint used on Morgan truck bodies. An over spray leveler is used as a finish product to smooth and even out paint...

Mower parts.(Ariens Co.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Stens Power Equipment Parts, a subsidiary of Ariens Co., has a 2001 catalog out that features a large selection of drive, rider and pushmower parts. Included are replacement universal throttle controls, shift and clutch cables for Honda,...

Air apparent.(Northern Tool and Equipment Co.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Northern Tool and Equipment Co.'s new line of professional grade NorthStar air compressors include three gas units as well as two electric models ranging in price from $599 to $1,469. Air compressors are manufactured with long-life cast iron...

Shelter Gardens : A 2000 Grand Award Winner of the Professional Grounds Management Society for Industrial or Office Park.(Shelter Life Insurance Co.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Just because it's an insurance company doesn't mean Shelter Insurance of Columbia, MO, doesn't deserve nice landscaping. It's surprising that any of the employees come back from lunch, with all there is to look at and enjoy: a Vietnam Veterans...

KC's "Trial Hill" is the ultimate mower test.(Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Mowing is pretty much all the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department does in the spring and summer. In landscape technician Dave Stark's district alone, there are 1,500 acres of fields and lawns to cut. "We're out there mowing 12 hours a...

Green Space : Greg Mitchell.
March 1, 2001... Owner, Turf Surgeons Irrigation Services, Fort Worth, TX, and President of ALIRT (Editor's note: Green Space is a new feature that provides a candid profile of an irrigation contractor. By reading it, you will learn about the contractor's...

SMOOTH RUNNING.
March 1, 2001... Three seasoned landscape contractors talk about how they use equipment maintenance products to keep their operations running smoothly Landscape operations wouldn't be complete without today's selection of maintenance products required to...

A real seal.(Safety Tire Seal Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Safety Tire Seal Corporation offers the Safety Seal, a self-vulcanizing external repair kit that needs no cement or vulcanizing fluids to make a permanent repair to tubeless tires used on turf equipment such as mowers, skid-steers, tractors,...

Chock full o' parts.(Industrial Specialties Manufacturing Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Industrial Specialties Manufacturing Inc.'s new 230-page catalog describes its selection of fittings, tubing, mufflers, manifolds, valves, filters and accessories in a range of sizes. Products are available in materials such as brass, stainless...

Eliminating 'Team Busters' before they affect your crew.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... It's a mid-summer Monday morning in Grassville. You've just completed your regular, small company team meeting, made assignments and recognized top performers. At this week's meeting, you tried to emphasize your belief that if your company...

Tyler Enterprises expanded its product marketing efforts.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Tyler Enterprises expanded its product marketing efforts into municipal and independent athletic fields and grounds. Brian McGuffin was hired to head the effort. It also opened a full-service warehouse and delivery operation in Indianapolis, IN...

Netafim USA was awarded the 2000 Excellence in Business Award.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Netafim USA was awarded the 2000 Excellence in Business Award in the manufacturing category of a contest sponsored by The Fresno Bee.

Researcher identifies perennials tolerant to salt.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... WOOSTER, OH -- For the first time, a researcher has come up with a list of perennial species that are more salt tolerant than others. Now, landscape professionals looking to beautify sidewalks, driveways and roadways subjected to heavy de-icing...

Videos and literature for the green industry.(American National Standards Institute)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... FIND A BRIGHT IDEA... in HADCO's "At a Glance" brochure, which provides an overview of the company's landscape lighting fixtures and allows lighting specifiers to make easy comparisons for specific illumination requirements. To obtain a copy,...

All in the family?(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Only 3 in 10 family businesses survive the transition from the first to the second generation. Only 1 in 10 of these businesses survive the transition to the third generation. --Steve Naito, AOI Business Viewpoint (January/February...

John Deere's 4700 compact utility tractor.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... John Deere's 4700 compact utility tractor was honored with an AE50 award by Resource Engineering & Technology for a Sustainable World. AE50 awards are given each year to honor companies that release the best new products engineered for...

Laws target bio-tech vandals.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... RICHMOND, VA -- Two state lawmakers here have proposed harsher penalities for those convicted of vandalizing agricultural research projects, reports the Mid-Atlantic Grower. The legislators are sponsoring the action in the wake of raids on...

Find those plants.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Plant searchers, rejoice! Now, not only can you browse through 215,000+ plants, post items to buy, auction items to sell, and check out events and industry news, you can list information about your company along with your complete catalog...

Plant bacteria may infect humans.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... NEW YORK -- A soil bacterium that causes tumors on plants may be able to insert its tumor-causing DNA into human cells, reports Reuters Health. The bacterium, called Agrobacterium tumefaciens, has a little piece of DNA that can insert itself...

Is your crew size on target?(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Crew size is the kind of issue that's maybe "too close for comfort" -- or at least too close to get the attention it deserves. It's so obviously important that perhaps we look right past it. Landscape Management knows at least two...

Learn to communicate.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Many grounds managers across the country tell me how difficult it is to get their point across to their supervisors. Some even feel they must constantly justify their position or their department. For the most part, grounds managers are a...

EII acquires Fullbach.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... CALABASAS, CA -- Environmental Industries, Inc. acquired Fullbach Landscape Services, Inc., a $10 million landscape maintenance company headquartered in Louisville, KY with branches in Illinois, Missouri and Michigan. Fullbach will operate...

Bayer acquires Compass.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... KANSAS CITY, MO -- Bayer Professional Care acquired Compass fungicide (trifloxystrobin) from Novartis. The Bayer group now holds all patents, marketing authorizations, trademarks worldwide, and production and formulation expertise for the...

Profile acquires Wood Recycling.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... BUFFALO GROVE, IL -- Profile Products LLC acquired the hydraulic mulch business of Wood Recycling, Inc., manufacturer of Re-Fiber and Hydroblanket brand products.

Toro nabs Disney.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL -- The Toro Company became the official turf and irrigation company of Walt Disney World Resort. The agreement is an extension and expansion of a previous pact with Disney, and applies to most Walt Disney World properties.

Wal-Mart to carry Snapper.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... McDONOUGH, GA -- As the result of declining numbers of OPE dealers and the growing popularity of home center stores and mass merchants, Snapper has reached an agreement with Wal-Mart to sell several models of mowers in Wal-Mart stores. Snapper...

Time to raise the H-2B cap?(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2001... WASHINGTON D.C. -- If your company relies on the H-2B temporary worker program, here's a tip -- always get your workers certified as early as possible. Here's why. Last year, U.S. demand for H-2B workers exceeded the cap. The program...

What an awful way to go : Fire ants lose their heads over new bio-treatment.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... AUSTIN, TX -- A tiny imported fly no larger than the head of a pin may be the key to controlling the imported fire ant, a serious turf pest in the South. The phorid fly, a natural predator of the fire ant, hovers over its victim and...

Welcome to our wild and wacky world.(Jonathan P. Ward; ServiceMaster Co.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Mr. Jonathan P. Ward, congratulations on your selection as the president and chief executive officer of ServiceMaster (NYSE: SVM). Welcome to the services business, particularly to the Green Industry. We think you'll find that the Green...

L.R. Nelson Corp. appointed Douglas Ramsdale vice president.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... L.R. Nelson Corp. appointed Douglas Ramsdale vice president, international and managing director of its wholly owned European subsidiary, Nelson, BV.

Exmark Mfg. promoted Dan Dorn.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Exmark Mfg. promoted Dan Dorn to product marketing manager.

Green2go.com named Robert Shoelson.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Green2go.com named Robert Shoelson merchandise manager for the web site's green products.

Otterbine Barebo appointed Chris Barebo president.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Otterbine Barebo appointed Chris Barebo president. Harmony Products, Chesapeake, VA, named Gregory R. Moore northeast regional sales manager.

Stens Power Equipment appointed Terry Deneau.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Stens Power Equipment appointed Terry Deneau territory manager and Lee Boehm to oversee management at Stens' seven distribution centers throughout the U.S. Craig Smith was promoted to market development manager.

Environmental Care.(Scott O'Donnell)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Environmental Care, the landscape maintenance company of Environmental Industries, hired Scott O'Donnell as a member of its national accounts team.

Yanmar Diesel America announced the certification.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Yanmar Diesel America announced the certification of its compact air-cooled diesel engines by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Cebeco International Seeds.(Eric Schmidt)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Cebeco International Seeds retained the services of Eric Schmidt, with Schmidt Services, LLC, as southwest regional representative.

They don't know you.(landscape's stakeholders.")(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... I like to call them "landscape's stakeholders." They're the interest groups who can make or break this industry, yet many don't have a very good picture of the services you provide, the expertise you apply in your work or the value you bring....

Events : WHAT, WHEN & WHERE.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... March 14-18 Nat'l Arborist Assoc. Winter Management Meeting / Ft. Myers, FL; 603/673-3311 23-25 Capital District Garden & Flower Show / Troy, NY; 518/356-6410 26-28 Building With Trees National Conference Nebraska City, NE;...