Landscape Management articles from May 2001

Landscape Management archives from May 2001

Events : WHAT, WHEN & WHERE.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... May 2001 19-23 ASIC National Conference / Savannah, GA; 816/472-6100 24 Selecting, Planting, Moving and Managing Ornamental Trees / Yorba Linda, CA; Sponsored by California State University -- San Bernardino; 909/880-5977 June...

We're taking the plunge.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... As business owners and managers, you are attuned to the needs, shifts and opportunities in your marketplace. Your clients may have asked you to provide a new and different service, which may be troubling because it is so different from the...

Let's talk turf with the Feds.(Agriculture Research Service)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Speak out for a new national turfgrass program that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's ARS (Agriculture Research Service) is starting. The program is in the discussion stages. Because turfgrass research always seems to get shunted aside...

Use "Silent Spring" as a tool.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... It wasn't until 1959, just five years before biologist Rachel Carson's death, that her controversial book "Silent Spring" was released to the public. Prior to that time, pesticides were considered benign concoctions derived from naturally...

Let's hear it : YOUR OPINIONS, COMMENTS, & QUOTES.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Sign me up! As always, when I receive my copy of Landscape Management, I read "On the Record" first. I couldn't agree more with the one entitled "They don't know you" in March -- something does need to be done to improve the Green...

Correction.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... A news item in the Industry Almanac section of the April issue stated that Ted Gramer, former president of Green-zebras, is now Chief Executive Officer of Green2go. He is not. Rather, he is the Chief Operating Officer. We regret the error.

June beetles from hell.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... In "Goodbye grubs," in the April issue, the damage in this photo (page 68) was attributed to burrowing green June beetles. Thank goodness, it was actually caused by skunks digging for grubs.

Clarification.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... In the same article, it should be noted that Imidacloprid is really more effective against young grubs, rather than large grubs.

Weed Man ranks high.(Turf Holdings Inc.,)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... SCARBOROUGH, ONTARIO -- More than 2,500 franchisers and related professionals polled in Success magazine's list of top franchises ranked Weed Man number four in the top 200, reports Turf Holdings Inc., parent company of the lawn care...

VW&R, E&E now use Vopak name.(Van Waters and Rogers Inc.)(Ellis and Everard PLC)(Royal Vopak)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... KIRKLAND, WA -- The Van Waters & Rogers (VW&R) and Ellis & Everard (E&E) brands have been consolidated under the Vopak name to reflect the expanding global presence of their Rotterdam-based parent, Royal Vopak, a world leader in oil and...

Bayer Corp has a new name.(Bayer Corp., Professional Care.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... KANSAS CITY, MO -- Bayer Corp. announced that its Garden & Professional Care unit has changed its name to Bayer Corp., Professional Care.

DIG acquires LEIT product line.(ALTEC Irrigation Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... VISTA, CA -- DIG Corp. purchased the LEIT product line from ALTEC Irrigation, Inc. The purchase makes DIG the largest provider of alternative power controllers in the irrigation industry.

Riverdale relocates headquarters.(Riverdale Chemical Co.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... BURR RIDGE, IL -- Riverdale, a subsidiary of international chemical company Nufarm, relocated its corporate headquarters from Glenwood, IL to Burr Ridge, IL and invested $5 million in upgrades to its Chicago Heights, IL manufacturing plant.

Plant bacteria may infect humans.(tumor-causing DNA)(Brief Article)
May 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...

Sipcam buys mefenoxam formula.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... ROSWELL, GA -- Sipcam Agro USA acquired the sales and marketing rights to the emulsifiable concentrate (EC) formulation of mefenoxam fungicide. Most recently marketed by the Uniroyal Chemical Company under their name Quell, Sipcam will...

Wal-Mart to carry Snapper mowers.(Brief Article)
May 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....

Blount acquires Fabtek.(Blount International Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... MONTGOMERY, AL -- Blount International, which manufactures industrial and power equipment among other things, acquired Fabtek, Inc. Fabtek, which had sales of $21 million last year, will now become part of Blount's Industrial and Power...

SRO cuts royalty check for U. of Arizona.(Seed Research of Oregon)(University of Arizona)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... TUCSON, AZ -- Seed Research of Oregon (SRO) representatives delivered a royalty check for $13,507.16 to the University of Arizona's turfgrass research program. The royalty check represented 100,000 lbs. of SR 1020 and Brighton grass seed sold...

2000 GIE in Indy drew 6,000.(Green Industry Conference & Expo)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- The Professional Lawn Care Industry of America (PLCAA) says that more than 6,000 exhibitors and attendees participated in the Green Industry Conference & Expo this past November. These included 340 companies represented on...

Turfco unveils parts Web page.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- Turfco Direct unveiled the lawn care industry's first parts direct page on its Web site, www.turfco.com, which allows for purchases day or night. "It's expensive and time-intensive to send someone to get parts during...

Sonar label changes approved.(aquatic herbicide)(SePro)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... CARMEL, IN -- Recent changes to the Sonar aquatic herbicide label have been reviewed and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and the state of California. The label is available through SePRO at 800/419-7779 or www.sepro.com.

Spectro 90WDG label accepted.(turf and ornamental fungicide)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... DAYTON, NJ -- Cleary's Spectro 90WDG turf and ornamental fungicide has been accepted for use in the state of California. Labeled site uses include golf courses, commercial lawns, sod farms, greenhouses, nurseries, interiorscapes and...

YOU DON'T SAY.(predicted shipments for power lawn and garden equipment)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... * U.S. shipments for power lawn and garden equipment should rise more than 3% annually through 2005, reaching $9.8 billion. Source: The Freedonia Group, Inc.

Landscape Management debuts new Web site.(www.landscapemanagement.net)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... CLEVELAND, OH -- Look for more opportunities to get round-the-clock information on operations management, expert help with technical problems, updates on products, hundreds of Green Industry links and insightful industry news at the new Web...

Mexico's fledgling program trains workers for U.S. Green Industry.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... IRAPUATO, MEXICO -- State government officials here, at the urging of U.S. businessman Jeff West, began training Mexican workers for the U.S. landscape industry. The training prepares workers for the H-2B program that allows U.S. employers...

Here today, consolidated tomorrow.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... In the past two years, several small-, medium- and large-sized companies have merged with or acquired their counterparts. Some of the more notable deals included: * Novartis Agribusiness and Zeneca Agrochemicals combining to form...

6 steps to successfully recruit H-2B workers.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Get temporary work visas. Get an agent or other expert familiar with the H-2B program so you can recruit labor via legal means. Get involved. Don't depend solely on outside sources to recruit for you. Use them to help make an initial...

Surfin' Turf : Weed of the Week.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Okay, so you think you're the King Weedhead. Why don't you find out if you really are by logging on to PBI/Gordon Corporation's WeedAlert.com Web site to play the "Weed of the Week" contest? Each week, the company puts up a new turf weed...

Washington landscape pros face water ban.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... EVERETT, WA -- A plan to inform the public on how to maintain their landscapes despite a potential water shortage might not be enough to save Washington-area landscape professionals from a big economic hit this year. In February, the...

Info Center : Videos and literature for the green industry.(Spectrum Technologies USA Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... See the spectrum... of field measurement devices in Spectrum Technologies' 2001 product catalog, including the new family of WatchDog weather stations. The 24-page catalog features products for weather monitoring, integrated plant management,...

Ferris Industries promoted Phil Wenzel.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Ferris Industries promoted Phil Wenzel to vice president and general manager.

Environmental Industries re-hired David L. Hanson as vice president.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Environmental Industries re-hired David L. Hanson as vice president of operations. He held various positions with Environmental Industries' Environmental Care (ECI) division for over a dozen years.

BASF appointed Charles Austin.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... BASF appointed Charles Austin senior sales specialist for BASF Turf, Ornamental and Pest Control Groups.

Patten Seed Company appointed Joe O'Donnell.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Patten Seed Company appointed Joe O'Donnell vice president of Georgia Super Sod Outlets.

Simplot Partners promoted Craig Shafer.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Simplot Partners promoted Craig Shafer to national accounts manager.

Seed Research of Oregon named Bill Dunn.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Seed Research of Oregon named Bill Dunn vice president.

BUYING EQUIPMENT.(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2001... BUYING EQUIPMENT LM survey respondents who buy: One or more (net) 38% Seeding equipment 13% Large skid-steer loaders 13% Front-end loaders 12% Backhoes 7% Tree planting...

Make annual plantings profitable.
May 1, 2001... Seasonal color can make your firm's reputation soar. Try these installation tricks to make it more profitable too Who says you can't teach an established company, even a 125-year-old one, new tricks in installing seasonal color? Green...

Efficient mowing : Decrease your mowing time while you increase the quality of your customers' properties with more efficient methods.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Almost all lawn and landscape contractors offer mowing. It's boring, time consuming, requires equipment that needs regular maintenance and, toughest of all, is performed by employees that are often hard to come by. Do you need any other...

Five myths of mulched turf.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... In theory, mulching turf sounds great because it reduces waste, increases productivity and recycles nutrients. Still, there are some questions: Is not having to dispose of clippings worth dealing with customer complaints about clumps on their...

Build your team for the big job.
May 1, 2001... Learn how planning and team building provided efficient irrigation to the 8,000-home Ladera Ranch, CA, project Landscape irrigation supervisor Phillip Heald learned one important thing from the Ladera Ranch project, a huge California...

Abbott Park : A 2000 Grand Award Winner of the Professional Grounds Management Society for Industrial or Office Park.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The Abbott Park Grounds Department has its work cut out for it. The staff is not only responsible for Abbott Park, the 481-acre Abbot Laboratories corporate headquarters located in northeastern Illinois, but it also cares for the 45-acre...

Got it, Use it.
May 1, 2001... Three landscape contractors discuss getting the most out of construction and installation equipment Every landscape contractor knows that if his equipment "ain't workin', it ain't makin' money." That's why they look for equipment that's...

Rough and tough : Manufacturers tell about the versatility, toughness and power contractors want in construction/installation equipment.
May 1, 2001... Construction and installation equipment versatility makes it hard for contractors to say "no" when it's time to buy. With so much popularity, manufacturers are introducing new equipment that can handle more add-ons. We went right to the...

CONSTRUCTION WORKERS.(Boss Manufacturing Co.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... All power Allmand Brothers, Inc.'s TLB-220 compact tractor loader backhoe can maneuver in tight areas. It's 3,100 lbs. and features a Robin EH65D air-cooled gasoline engine that generates 20.5 hp at 3,600 rpm. A Kohler 20-hp air-cooled...

Managing diseases : Some fungi actually contribute to turfgrass health. To choose the right fungicide, understand how nature can help you.
May 1, 2001... While there are approximately 25 types of fungi that cause serious turfgrass diseases, many more attack turfgrasses but seldom cause enough damage to be noticed. Why did nature allow the Big 25 fungi to attack our beloved turf? The reason is...

Great ways to spray.(new spraying equipment)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2001... BUBCO 800/474-2532 www.bubco.com The Spraydome 1800, 2000 and 5000, produced by Enviromist Industries and distributed by Bubco, Lodi, CA, give 70-, 90- and 192-in. coverage respectively. Ground speed is 2.5 to 6.2 mph for all three...

Ask the expert.(landscaping questions)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Salty situation I manage turf in the central San Joaquin Valley of California with high levels of salts, chlorides and sodium in the soil. Common bermuda and tall fescue are dominant grasses (in different areas). What are the best seed...

What a joy.(Kawasaki Motors Corp.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Kawasaki's new KRB400B backpack blower features a joy stick throttle with a trigger throttle, fully adjustable throttle lock and engine shutoff switch. Both the KRB400A and KRB400B models feature a 3.2-hp Kawasaki engine with maximum air...

Expanded label.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The Chipco Professional Products group of Aventis E.S. says that its 26GT fungicide can now be used on ornamentals. With its active ingredient iprodione, 26GT controls a broad spectrum of foliar and borne diseases including rhizoctonia and...

Groovy removal.(FFC Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... FFC Inc.'s Snow Push attachment for skid-steers, tractor loader backhoes and wheel loaders is perfect for removing snow, handling wastewater or cleaning up after a flood. The optional pull-back kit allows the operator to pull back from walls,...

Watch the weather.(Spectrum Technologies USA Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Spectrum Technologies' new family of three WatchDog weather stations lets you monitor, document and analyze site-specific growing conditions. The 900ET weather station monitors evapotranspiration and aids in irrigation scheduling by...

Soak that soil.(Cascade Plus soil-wetting agent)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Cascade Plus is a residual soil-wetting agent that uses the basic technology of the original Cascade molecule to provide more consistent, longer lasting water infiltration and performance on localized dry spot. It also offers an improved...

More water distribution.(from Signature Control Systems Thompson 286/287 commercial rotor)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Signature Control Systems' Thompson 286/287 commercial rotor is a plastic rotor that provides more water distribution at a higher pop up than the 186/187 model to clear taller turf- grasses. It offers five uniform-coverage nozzles for a...

Precise mix.(CCI Products EZ 2-Cycler fuel mixer)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... CCI Products says its EZ 2-Cycler dual chamber fueling system mixes 2-cycle oil and gasoline precisely, easily and cleanly. All it takes is setting a dial to meet any equipment maker's specifications in ratios, ounces or milliliters. A...

Twice the power.(Bobcat Co.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Bobcat Company's new SG60 stump grinder attachment is twice as powerful as the previous model. The company says that using a Bobcat 863 high-flow loader as the power source, it can grind a stump 30 in. in diameter to a depth of 10 in. below...

Light up your landscape.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Architectural Landscape Lighting's Focca accent and floodlighting luminaires are perfect for accentuating landscape features, signage, building entryways, gardens and pathways. They feature a streamlined, low scale, conal-shaped lamphead with...

Making the cut.(Kubota Tractor Corp.'s F60 Series)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Kubota Tractor Corp.'s diesel-powered 2- and 4-WD F60 Series front-mount mowers feature horsepowers ranging from 22 to 30. They feature a single-pedal operated hydrostatic transmission and auto-assist 4WD with dual-acting overrunning clutch...

No danger here.(Environmental Products' hazardous substances storage buildings)(Brief Article)
May 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...

On the level.(Glenmac Harley Power Box Rake)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Glenmac, Inc.'s Harley Power Box Rake grades, levels and backfills trenches. The carbide-toothed roller lifts the loose material and directs it back to the trench with the activation of the powered angle and the collecting effect of the...

Safe storage.(from Safety Storage)(Brief Article)
May 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)
May 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...

Cruisin' around.(Snapper Grounds Cruiser)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 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.(from Winkel Manufacturing)(Brief Article)
May 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,...

Improved sprinkler performance.(from NIBCO XeriTron)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 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...

Powerful pickin' up.(from MB LB Power Pickup Broom)(Brief Article)
May 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...

Plant and mulch.(D & G Products)(Brief Article)
May 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...

The wood deck alternative.(Brief Article)
May 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.(with Agreaux Organics fertilizers)(Brief Article)
May 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...

A blanket of protection.(Simplot Turf and Horticulture's APEX Wulkap)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 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...

Fuel catalyst.(from Advanced Power Systems International)(Brief Article)
May 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...

Sharp stuff.(pole pruners from Stihl)(Brief Article)
May 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. ...

A rare event.(Floriade horticultural exhibition occurs once per decade)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Events that don't happen often are special. Why else would millions of people flock to the nearest telescope when Halley's Comet passes by? Floriade, the world horticultural exhibition in the Netherlands, may not exactly be an...

Boots on fire.(describe toughest landscaping job)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Poor John Morano. When two employees didn't clock in one October morning two years ago, he knew he was in trouble. But, instead of packing it in, the owner of Morano Landscaping and Environmental Services in Sellersville, PA, hiked up his...