Landscape Management articles from March 2004

Landscape Management archives from March 2004

John Van Etten is a deer, er, dear man.(Contributors: business who's who in LM)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... John Van Etten is a deer, er, dear man. When people hear his name, they think of deer. Why? Because a 17-year battle with plant-ravaging deer at Mohonk Mountain House resort in New Paltz, NY made him the foremost expert in deer control. He left...

Ideas you can use now.(On the record: from the boss)
March 1, 2004... I heard so many great ideas these past few weeks that I could hardly wait to start pounding them out for you. To say that I'm juiced would be a gross understatement. Let's start with this season's prospects. They have the potential to be...

The mad hunt to cut costs: many companies spend too much time and money trying to find "magic bullet" systems for saving labor and too little time analyzing their business numbers.
March 1, 2004... It amazes me that so many companies, even good ones, spend so much time and money trying to find "magic bullet" systems for saving labor and so little time analyzing their business numbers and their own business work processes. More...

ALCA park will honor NYC heroes.(New York)(Associated Landscape Contractors of America)
March 1, 2004... NEW YORK -- As summer approaches, you'll be learning more about a fascinating park project that's being spearheaded by the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) and its members. They have designed, submitted plans and are...

Guidelines in lawn care's future?(In the know: news you can use)
March 1, 2004... SAN ANTONIO, TX -- Business, government and environmental groups will gather here March 14-17 to adopt a common set of environmental guidelines for responsible lawn care and landscaping. The conference known as "Environmental Lawn Care and...

MD lawn pros oppose tax bill.(Maryland)(Maryland Green Industry Council)(Maryland Green Industry Council)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... BALTIMORE, MD -- The Green Industry opposes Maryland House Bill 84 that includes landscaping, lawn and grounds care as taxable services. If passed, the measure would result in these service companies passing on a 5% tax to their customers. Also...

Stihl, Inc.(People & companies)(Roger Phelps, promoted to promotional communications manager)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Stihl, Inc. promoted Roger Phelps from sales promotion specialist to Promotional Communications Manager.

Professional Lawn Care Association of America.(People & companies)(April Hobbs, marketing and communication manager)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA) named April Hobbs as its Member Marketing and Communications Manager.

Syngenta.(People & companies)(Syngenta Corp. appointed Steve Stansell as lawn and landscape marketing manager, Bob Froelich and Amy Holm as ornamental sales specialists)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Syngenta appointed Steve Stansell Marketing Manager for lawn and landscape and aquatics, Bob Froelich Ornamental Sales Specialist for the Midwest District, and Amy Holm Ornamental Sales Specialist for the Northeast District.

Simplot Partners.(People & companies)(Lee Simpson, turf sales representative)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Simplot Partners named Lee Simpson Turf Sales Representative for the Central Kentucky, Louisville and Southern Indiana markets.

LESCO, Inc.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... LESCO, Inc. named Bob West Director of Marketing, Chris Paczak category director, combination and control products, Dave Woznicki product manager, combination and control products, Tom Newbould merchandising manager, Adam Shaw product analyst,...

Bayer Environmental Science.(People & companies)(Bryan Gooch, business manager of Insecticides)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Bayer Environmental Science named Bryan Gooch Business Manager--Insecticides.

Vista Professional Outdoor Lighting.(People & companies)(Jerry Ewing, regional field technical specialist, southern California)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Vista Professional Outdoor Lighting named Jerry Ewing as regional field technical specialist for southern California.

Otterbine Barebo.(People & companies)(Rich Daly, Midwest Regional Sales Manager)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Otterbine Barebo appointed Rich Daly as Midwest Regional Sales Manager.

Tech solutions abound at PLCAA forum.(Professional Lawn Care Association of America)
March 1, 2004... BOCA RATON, FL -- With the right technology, a lawn care business can increase its efficiency and make its profits soar. No one knows that better now than the 70-plus attendees of the 2004 Professional Lawn Care Association of America's (PLCAA)...

JDL opens 12 new branches.(Clippings)(John Deere Landscapes)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... MOLINE, IL -- John Deere Landscapes, one of the nation's leading distributors of irrigation, lighting and landscape supplies, has opened 12 new branches across the U.S. The new locations include: Chula Vista, Martinez and Rancho Cordova, CA;...

Rain bird rewards program restarted.(Clippings)(Rain Bird Corp. Contractor Division )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... TUCSON, AZ -- Rain Bird Corp. announced that its Contractor Division has relaunched the Rain Bird Rewards program. Membership in Rain Bird Rewards is open to every professional landscape and irrigation contractor in the United States and...

Husqvarna's '03 sales soar.(Clippings)(Husqvarna Forest and Garden Co.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... CHARLOTTE, NC -- Husqvarna President David Zerfoss credits his company's "Total Source Solution" program taking hold in the dealer market as a major contributor to its 30% sales increase in 2003. The company added more than 50 new products,...

B & S restructures distribution.(Clippings)(Briggs and Stratton Corp. restructured its United States distribution network)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... MILWAUKEE, WI -- Briggs & Stratton recently announced a restructuring of the U.S. distribution network resulting in a consolidation from 16 to 6 central sales and distributors. Those six distributors are: Atlantic Power/Power Equipment Co.,...

T-2-G, Turf-Seed ink supply deal.(Tee-2-Green Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... HUBBARD, OR -- Tee-2-Green Corp. and Turf-Seed, Inc. announced that John Deere has named them as the exclusive supplier of quality grass seed to Golf & Turf One Source.

Plant nutrition company formed.(Clippings)(Plant Science, Inc., new plant nutrition technology for the golf course, specialty turf, sports field and lawn and landscape markets)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... WAUKEGAN, IL -- Precision Laboratories, Inc., announced the formation of Plant Science, Inc., a company offering new plant nutrition technology for the golf course, specialty turf, sports field and lawn and landscape markets. Plant Science will...

Grigg Bros. get new facility.(Clippings)(Grigg Brothers fertilizer products' new facility is for production)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... LOGAN, UT -- A new facility for the production of Grigg Brothers fertilizer products was completed on Jan 15, 2004 here. This 26,000 sq. foot concrete facility is dedicated to the manufacturing of all liquid Grigg Brothers foliar fertilizers...

Kluznik to guide ALCA in '04.(In the know: news you can use)(Associated Landscape Contractors of America named Kurt Kluznik, CCLP, Yardmaster, Inc.'s president for 2004)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... HERNDON, VA -- The Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) recently named Kurt Kluznik, CCLP, Yardmaster, Inc., Painesville, OH, president for 2004. He was sworn into office on February 6 "This industry's best kept secret is the...

Surfin' Turf: ready for some pseudo science?(www.junkscience.com)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Sometimes you just have to scratch your head and wonder where people come up with some of their crazy ideas when they start talking "science." Maybe they read something in a newspaper or magazine or heard about it on a television program. Or...

Advice for a price: the reasons why you can't afford not to pay for professional business coaching.(The Cost Of Success)
March 1, 2004... How much would you invest for advice that could conceivably help you double your net income? Energize your team? Give you more weekends with your family? Allow you to sleep better at night? Is $2,000 too much? How about $1,500? In...

The case for employee incentives: identify and reward those performers who exceed their position's key success drivers.(Employee Management)
March 1, 2004... Getting employees, managers and laborers to do what they should be doing is one thing. The bigger task is to get them to perform at a level consistent or above your company's goals. In recent years, Green Industry companies have recognized...

Pruning with power: this landscape contractor satisfied a commercial client's desire for safety with just the right tool.(Solutions center: real answers to real challenges)(Ken Griffin Inc.,)
March 1, 2004... Ken Griffin, Inc., a full-service landscape company located in Gulf Breeze, FL, values their clients--especially their commercial ones. When a commercial client tells them to jump, they ask, "How high?" The problem: sucker growth So...

Know your customers: customer or prospect profiling is one of the most important tasks a company performs and yet only 25% of landscape companies do it.(Business ideas: advice you can use)
March 1, 2004... Customer or prospect profiling is one of the most important tasks a company performs and yet only 25% of landscape companies have a formal system for acquiring valuable customer data. It's critical to know your customer. Knowing your customers...

Employees = marketers: if the weather keeps us from servicing clients' lawns, use the time to teach your employees the key selling points of your company.(My way: PLCAA reports)(Professional Lawn Care Association of America)
March 1, 2004... The 2004 lawn care season is here, and we're all springing into action. But what are we doing to market our companies' services to ensure business continues to grow through the season? For openers, let's make sure our employees understand that...

Ed Romm: K & D lawn care.(Inside the owner's head: personality profile)
March 1, 2004... Is it true you used to sell cars for a living? Yes. I knew the owner of a dealership, and I took a profiling test with 250 other people. I ended up getting the job because I was one of the top five performers. I didn't understand why I had...

Versatile controller.(Innovations: hot new products)
March 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...

Safety first.(Innovations: hot new products)
March 1, 2004... Shindaiwa announces the availability of three new Shindaiwa-branded safety glasses for Shindaiwa distributors and dealers. Landscapers can choose between three different types of lenses--blue mirror, smoke and clear--with features such as:...

Affordable articulator.(Innovations: hot new products)
March 1, 2004... The new Lastec Model 3372 lightweight articulating 72-in. rotary mower features a 33-hp turbo-charged engine and three 25-in. articulating decks. The list price of $17,000 makes it affordable to a much larger customer base--other 72-in....

Easy start.(Innovations: hot new products)
March 1, 2004... With the new Kawasaki KTR27A string trimmer, half a pull is all it takes. At 26.3cc, it's one of the company's most powerful handheld string trimmers. A new carburetor with a slow idle starter device prevents the blade from running during...

Sharp blades not enough.(From the shop: mower blade maintenance)
March 1, 2004... Rotary mower blades don't cut grass. The sharpest blade can only tear the top off the grass blade. If you inspect a freshly cut blade of grass at about 3X magnification, you can see what has happened. The cut edge is ragged and oozing. The...

Insect control for a new era: the latest findings from researchers developing environmentally sound approaches to pest management.(Pests And Their Treatment)
March 1, 2004... Research focused on turfgrass insect management continues to place a premium on seeking alternative strategies to pest control in the urban landscape. This effort to develop an array of pest management practices is fueled by societal concerns...

Nice job, nematodes: these parasites' effectiveness in fighting soil insect pests is changing their public perception.(Insect Control)
March 1, 2004... Although only a handful of species are parasites of humans, domestic animals, wildlife and plants, all nematodes are regarded as harmful by the general public. However, the use of a group of nematodes to fight soil insect pests is now changing...

Change--the power in it! Owners are making changes in 2004 that they hope will streamline operations and boost the bottom line.
March 1, 2004... 1 What's your strong point? Robert Smart, president of Yard Smart in Olmsted Falls, OH, eliminated the company's irrigation division--which spent a lot of time fixing others' mistakes instead of installing new systems--to focus instead on its...

More owners taking a supporting role.(From the front lines)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... When we asked our panel of owners what changes they planned to make in 2004, a recurring response was to take themselves out of the day-to-day operations and let the employees take center stage. "We have hired good people and have empowered...

Risks and rewards of change.(Driving Your Business)
March 1, 2004... In the spirit of entrepreneurship and growth, this law is true--the greatest risks return the greatest gains. It is likely that, as a business owner, manager, or even head of a household, changing a culture could very likely be one of the...

Growing pains: as the industry matures, owners adapt to succeed.
March 1, 2004... Looking back at the past 10 years, the landscape industry has undergone monumental change, and companies have had to adjust to survive in what has become a highly competitive business. Owners from across the country weighed in on those changes...

Educators tailor curriculum to help students learn the biz.
March 1, 2004... Changes in the landscape industry have forced educators to refine their curriculum to adjust to those changes, which hasn't always been easy considering budget cuts that have become commonplace. Following are four changes educators across the...

Constant changes are imperative.(By the numbers)(Joe Gibbs)
March 1, 2004... Those of you who follow pro football know there's quite a bit of excitement around the Washington Redskins. Joe Gibbs, the last coach to lead the team to a championship, will be returning this fall, 11 years after he left to establish his...

Association spotlight: focus on American Nursery & Landscape Association.
March 1, 2004... Founded in 1876, the American Nursery & Landscape Association has kept pace as the landscape industry has grown from a small group of people growing trees and plants to a thriving, multi-billion dollar industry. The majority of ANLA...

Through the looking glass.(American Nursery and Landscape Association)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Bob Dolibois, executive vice president of the ANLA, gives his perspective on how the landscape industry has changed in the past decade and issues on the industry's horizon: A changing "landscape." "There has been an explosion in the...

PGRs to the rescue: understanding how plant growth regulars can provide maximum benefits will help you save time and money.(Technology: chemical productivity)(plant growth regulators)
March 1, 2004... Consider how much more profitable you could be if you could reduce the time you spend trimming ornamentals or mowing a particular property, especially in the spring? Do you have customers who demand the best-looking lawns in their...

Mulch blowers & equipment.(LM reports: your guide to product research)(buying tips)(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2004... TGMI Hydroseeding and straw blowing are easy with the Aqua Mulcher and Tailgate Mulcher. Aqua Mulcher comes in 500-, 800- and 1,200-gal. sizes, and features paddle agitation and a positive displacement gear pump. Mix thick slurries in less...

Ask the expert.(Technology)
March 1, 2004... Scale back How do you control scale on pachysandra? Affected plants are yellowing, and some plants are thinning out in isolated places. Scales are mostly whitish in color; some are brownish. Scale growth is heavy, and plants are doing...

Post ridge apt. homes: 2003 PGMS grand award winner for condominium, Apartment Complex or Planned Community.(PGMS: award-winning landscape management)(Professional Grounds Management Awards)
March 1, 2004... For Trent Tibbitts, life is about work and family. When he's not working as Landscape Operations Manager at Post Properties' Post Ridge Apartment Homes, he's carting son, Wyatt, 6, and daughter, Sarah, 3, to soccer games and ice skating...

Be a deer control expert: if deer don't pose a problem to your grounds operation now, they soon will. Here are some strategies to fight them off.(Grounds: damage management)
March 1, 2004... With an estimated whitetail deer population of 35 million in our nation, it's no wonder this once secretive dweller of our forests is now an every day part of our landscape. From nearly extinct at the turn of the twentieth century to an almost...

A major score: this Texas-sized renovation involved 75 truckloads of Turfgrass ... and caused a few sleepless nights.(Grounds: athletic turf)
March 1, 2004... When Baylor University called Turfgrass America in the spring of 2003 to replace the fields of its intramural sports complex, the Dallas-based company agreed to do something it normally doesn't do. The university wanted Turfgrass America to act...

Pump up the green.(Products: tools of the trade)
March 1, 2004... Trees looking yellow or suffering from poor leaf growth? Pump up the green with ArborSystems Nutriboosters. One application can relieve symptoms from iron chlorosis and certain deficiencies of iron, manganese, phosphorus and potash. Developed...

Splish splash.(Products: tools of the trade)
March 1, 2004... Air-O-Lator Corp.'s decorative fountains and aerators are proven to enhance the water quality and aesthetics of ponds, lakes and shallow reflection pools. The company's commercial floating aerators, available with 1- to 3-hp motors, are...

On the mat.(Products: tools of the trade)
March 1, 2004... North American Green's Vmax3 composite turf reinforcement mats allow cost-effective turf establishment in extremely high flow drainage channels, on steep slopes, and along shorelines where rock riprap and concrete have been traditionally used....

Kill those mole crickets.(Products: tools of the trade)
March 1, 2004... Agrisel USA Inc.'s CARBAIT 5 is a new tool for fighting turf-destroying mole crickets and more than 120 different pests on lawns, turf and sports fields. Mole crickets feed at night, so CARBAIT 5 should be applied in the early evening. It's...

Clean litter like mad.(Products: tools of the trade)
March 1, 2004... Designed to meet the needs of high volume litter collection, Madvac introduces an increased 80-gal. litter container to the Madvac 101 vehicle. The Madvac 101 vehicle can vacuum up 120 gallons of uncompacted litter through its vacuum compacting...

Be a pond pro.(Products: tools of the trade)
March 1, 2004... Get your water gardening business started off on the right foot with a free "How To Succeed With Water Features" DVD. Avoid jimmy- rigging the components of a pond and learn Aquascape Designs' foolproof 20/20 construction system. Check out the...

A lot at stake.(Products: tools of the trade)
March 1, 2004... Berkshire Products has redesigned their smallest tree anchor, the #3C, for easier driving in hard ground and thicker steel for increased holding power. Berkshire Earthwings is a tree staking system available in three sizes: #3C for trees up to...

Smooth and level.(Products: tools of the trade)
March 1, 2004... Husqvarna has introduced three new brushcutters to its product line: the 343R, the 345Rx and the 345Fx. The 343R features an optimized shaft length and a bevel gear angled at 35 degrees for a smooth and level cut. The handlebar is angled 7...

Dump like a pro.(Products: tools of the trade)
March 1, 2004... Standard Hamilton Co.'s new DUMP-PRO is a dump insert for pickup trucks. This lightweight (under 400 lbs.) unit enables a user to convert their pickup to dump truck in minutes using the Quick Change-Out option. The unit's dump body is...

A cut above.(Products: tools of the trade)
March 1, 2004... RedMax has introduced a new chain saw that combines high power, light weight and low cost. The new G3100, which weighs just 7.8 lbs., is powered by RedMax's 30.1cc engine with its dust-free air intake system. The new saw is offered with a...

Nifty nozzle.(Products: tools of the trade)
March 1, 2004... Full Coverage Irrigation has expanded its line of high uniformity sprinkler nozzles to include a retrofit spreader (close in) nozzle for Rain Bird Model 900 Eagle sprinklers. The FCI Eagle 900 spreader nozzle improves distribution uniformity by...

What's the spread?(Products: tools of the trade)
March 1, 2004... EMAS Attachment Systems' Gal-V is a multi-purpose four-season drop spreader with one-person operation that ensures a non-skid surface. Spread sand, salt or calcium during the winter, or topdress with loam or sand in summer. The Gal-V is hot dip...

Internet ready.(Products: tools of the trade)
March 1, 2004... Rain Master claims it has come up with the industry's first Internet-based irrigation system. The iCentral system allows Rain Master customers using Eagle series controllers to receive instant alerts and connect to real-time weather updates,...

Up the pressure.(Products: tools of the trade)
March 1, 2004... DIG Corp.'s new line of one-in. filters with interchangeable disc and screen elements are designed to be used with discs or screens with a flow range of up to 18 GPM. DIG's one-in. plastic filters are made of high impact plastic with excellent...

Watering made easier.(Products: tools of the trade)
March 1, 2004... Hunter Industries offers a software program that automatically calculates an irrigation system's capacity and working pressure. The Hunter Irrigation System Design Calculator (ISDC) for Windows is available free to all landscape professionals...

Design solutions.(Products: tools of the trade)
March 1, 2004... GlobalCAD announces the release of Land- ARCH 2004, an integrated solution for landscape designers and architects who work with AutoCAD-based software. It includes 2D/3D design libraries, cost estimating and bill of material tools, an...

Events: what, when & where.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
March 1, 2004... March 13-18 ASHS Southern Region Annual Meeting/Tulsa, OK; Sponsored by the American Society for Horticultural Science; 540/552-4085 13-21 Chicago Flower & Garden Show/Chicago, IL; 312/321-5086; www.chicago flower.com 15-17 The...

Statistics: industry trends by the numbers.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... ZERO-TURNS RULE IN '03 The net total for commercial turf care products showed a 4% increase in 2003 model year (9/1/02 thru 8/31/03) with total shipments of 228,032 units. The increase was mostly due to the continued popularity of...