Landscape Management articles from May 2005

Landscape Management archives from May 2005

Success a student at a time.
May 1, 2005... If Tom Morgan were a baseball player he'd be in a rookie league. As an educator, however, he's Major League, a home run hitter. It's all a matter of numbers really. Tom is the horticulture instructor at the Polaris Career Center. The...

Numbers ... but lots more.
May 1, 2005... It's always disturbed me to see managers and owners managing production solely by the numbers. Numbers are good, but they're only part of the story. If over-managed, they become junk. For example, companies report expected hours instead of...

Project Evergreen reaching out.(In the Know: NEWS YOU CAN USE)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... NEW PRAGUE, MN -- Project EverGreen is planning several high-visibility community service/public relations campaign initiatives this year. Its goal remains to promote to consumers the benefits of well-maintained lawns, landscapes and sports...

Hustler 'Mows for Victory'.(In the Know: NEWS YOU CAN USE)
May 1, 2005... HESSTON, KS -- Hustler Turf Equipment is driving a SuperZ lawnmower custom painted to resemble Richard Petty's #43 Dodge NASCAR race car across America to raise money for the Victory Junction Gang Camp. Petty himself joined the "Mow for Victory...

Bayer's Armada registered for lawn care.(In the Know: NEWS YOU CAN USE)
May 1, 2005... MONTVALE, NJ -- Bayer Environmental Science's Armada 50WP, is a fungicide designed for residential and commercial lawn care. The company expects to make it available sometime this month. State registrations are underway for Armada, which...

BASF embraces "chemical" tag.(In the Know: NEWS YOU CAN USE)
May 1, 2005... Hans W. Reiners makes no apology for the word "chemical" being used in his company's name. "Let's face it: We're a chemical company," said Reiners, president of the BASF Group's Agricultural Products Division. "If nobody stands up for it...

Davey breaks out grounds division.(CLIPPINGS)
May 1, 2005... KENT, OH -- The Davey Tree Expert Company reports that its Grounds Management (CGM) division has become its own stand- alone service line and is being renamed Commercial Landscape Services (CLS). George Gaumer was promoted to vice president and...

Luse, Hanson buy back Arteka.(David Luse)(Stewart Hanson)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- David Luse and Stewart Hanson purchased Arteka from ValleyCrest Landscape Development. Luse originally bought Arteka in 1990 and Hanson became its president in 1991. In 1998 they took it public, along with six other...

Compass launches 'Driven By Results'.(CLIPPINGS)
May 1, 2005... CHESAPEAKE CITY, MD -- Compass System, Inc. will take its latest training program, "Driven By Results," across the country. The program covers leadership, first business steps, communication, advertising, training and more. For more information...

Grounds Control Inc. gets big honor.(CLIPPINGS)
May 1, 2005... PHOENIX, AZ -- Grounds Control, Inc., was voted the number one landscape services company in Arizona by the Arizona Business Magazine. The honor is determined through a poll of the magazine's readers. Grounds Control is a subsidiary company of...

Phoenix takes off with post patents.(In the Know: NEWS YOU CAN USE)
May 1, 2005... VALDOSTA, GA -- There's a new kid on the block supplying products to the Green and Aquatic Industries. Well, to be honest, Owen Towne, who has been a part of the Green Industry for the past 15-plus years, is admittedly not so new. But the...

Two great Bay area work places.(CLIPPINGS)
May 1, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco and East Bay Business Times recently selected Gachina Landscape Management and Gardener's Guild as being among the Top 100 Places to Work in the San Francisco Bay area. The selections were announced following...

Shemin Nurseries reaches big 50th.(CLIPPINGS)
May 1, 2005... DANBURY, CT -- Shemin Nurseries, Inc. is celebrating its 50th year in business. Founded by Emanuel "Manny" Shemin in 1955, the company now operates 30 landscape supply centers in the East and Midwest.

Total Landscape gets bigger digs.(CLIPPINGS)
May 1, 2005... ST. LOUIS, MO -- Total Landscape, Inc relocated to a new, expanded facility at 5320 Lemay Ferry Road in south St. Louis County, MO.

Horizon joins PrimeraTurf.(CLIPPINGS)
May 1, 2005... PHOENIX, AZ -- Horizon, professional supplier of landscape and turf products, is a new member of PrimeraTurf, a purchasing cooperative for independently owned companies primarily engaged in distribution and resale of products in the Green...

EPA OKs Monsanto weed control.(CLIPPINGS)
May 1, 2005... ST. LOUIS -- The US EPA recently registered Certainty turf herbicide from Monsanto Co. The product controls purple and yellow nutsedge, green kyllinga and other weeds. The product can be used in most warm-season turf grasses and is labeled for...

Polaris Industries.(People & companies)
May 1, 2005... Polaris Industries appointed Bennett Morgan president and COO.

Steve Faber is the branch manager for Ruppert Nurseries' new Atlanta Landscape Management branch.(People & companies)
May 1, 2005... Steve Faber (above, left) is the branch manager for Ruppert Nurseries' new Atlanta Landscape Management branch, and Ty Trent (right) manager for the branch in Chantilly, VA.

Turf-Seed, Inc.(People & companies)
May 1, 2005... Turf-Seed, Inc. appointed new members to its board of directors. Bill Rose is chairman, Agostino Gaude international director, Crystal Fricker marketing director, Ed Rose production director, Cara Tuggle forage and operations director and...

Shindaiwa.(People & companies)(appointments)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Shindaiwa appointed Jon Ferguson (above, left) vice president of financial and management services, Mike Nichols (right) vice president of marketing and business development, and Tom Gile supply chain manager. The company also promoted Jay...

MACTEC Engineering & Consulting.(People & companies)
May 1, 2005... Ron Huffman, AICP, ASLA, was named senior principal landscape architect at MACTEC Engineering & Consulting.

Redexim Charterhouse.(People & companies)
May 1, 2005... Redexim Charterhouse promoted Paul Hollis executive vice president of its North American operations, named Lawn & Golf Supply its Distributor of the Year, and honored Malvese Equipment's Craig Scheidler its Salesman of the Year, and Wilfred...

Novozymes.(People & companies)
May 1, 2005... Novozymes hired Todd Settle as sales manager, Robert Bauwens as national account manager and Mark Fields as account manager for Roots Plant Care. The company hired John Hunt as Northeast account sales manager, Scott Inman as field development...

Florikan E.S.A.(People & companies)
May 1, 2005... Florikan E.S.A. (Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture) promoted John Donegan to technical fertilizer sales manager.

Profile Products.(People & companies)
May 1, 2005... Profile Products hired Michael Chase as manager of the company's Market Development Division, Michael Schupp as a regional sales manager covering Texas to Florida and Rob Yoakum as a technical support associate for the company's Soils Solutions...

Irrigation Association President David Zoldoske was named vice chair of a California task force to improve the efficiency of water use in urban landscapes.(People & companies)
May 1, 2005... Irrigation Association President David Zoldoske was named vice chair of a California task force to improve the efficiency of water use in urban landscapes.

The American Nursery and Landscape Association's Director of Legislative Relations John Meredith and Director of Operations Warren Quinn recently earned certified association executive status.(People & companies)
May 1, 2005... The American Nursery and Landscape Association's Director of Legislative Relations John Meredith and Director of Operations Warren Quinn recently earned certified association executive status.

Toro school teaches business.
May 1, 2005... SOUTH BEND, IN -- Toro Irrigation says its 4-day "business school" was so successful that it's planning another. It took place on the campus at Notre Dame University here and focused on business topics such as hiring, job estimating, cash flow,...

Navigate the maze: whether you're starting out or needing a push, resources and mentors can guide you in the right direction.
May 1, 2005... It's a lonely job to start and develop your own business. Many of us end up re-inventing the wheel while we wonder how other people learned how to start, finance, organize, sell, manage and grow their businesses. Keep in mind, it's not just new...

Safety training--be imaginative: be lively, have some fun, use check lists and keep your safety message fresh to reduce accidents.
May 1, 2005... At James Martin Associates in Vernon Hills, IL, a crew member "demonstrates" personal protective equipment (PPE) by putting his back brace on backward and wearing his safety glasses on the top of his head. The demonstration gets some laughs....

Aeration a can't-miss add-on: get your customers on an aeration program and watch your profits rise.
May 1, 2005... Turf professionals seeking another profitable service to offer clients should consider turf aeration. That's the report we get from Green Industry professionals such as Kenny Dickey, founder and president of K&K Lawn Service Inc. of Burlington,...

Easy ridin'.(Innovations: HOT NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... 1 Easy ridin' Exmark's E-Z Rider dedicated stand-on helps lawn care professionals maximize the productivity of their Exmark walk- behind mowers. The company's exclusive QuickMount system allows the operator to easily attach and detach the...

Mole money, mole money.(Innovations: HOT NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... 2 Mole money, mole money Are moles ruining customers' lawns? Do you think clients will pay you handsomely to get rid of them? You bet they will. Bell Laboratories, Inc. tested its new Talpirid mole bait for three years at sites throughout...

Split that brick.(Innovations: HOT NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... 3 Split that brick If you're doing a lot of brick or paver work, check out the simple and inexpensive Brick Buster from Bon Tool Co. The unit is portable, affordable and dependable to provide fast and cost-effective on-the-job cutting of...

The Jetsons' mower.(Innovations: HOT NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... 4 The Jetson's mower Self-Guided Systems promises the "world's first zero turn robotic mower" designed for landscape professionals, the Hybrid Z 38. The operator sets up reflectors around the perimeter of the lawn, then walks around any...

A special partnership with Briggs & Stratton commercial power.
May 1, 2005... Need an owners or parts manual? Many engine and equipment manufacturers have Web sites that offer free information including these manuals in a PDF version that you can print, as well as service center and dealer locators for local parts or...

Hey, keep it clean.(From the Shop: PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE)
May 1, 2005... S-h-h-h, be quiet. Do not disturb. Let sleeping dogs lie. No, I am not referring to tiptoeing around a large grizzly bear. I'm referring to the attitude a lot of otherwise knowledgeable technicians have about hydraulic systems. I hear cries of...

Tech tools you can afford.
May 1, 2005... Technology guys get all types of questions. I get my fair share. The one I get most is, "What technology would you recommend?" Here are some tips that you can use in your business today. Some great values are out there for low-cost...

What's new in May at the Green Industry Hub: Landscape Plans & Scales.
May 1, 2005... Encourage your employees to sign up today at the Green Industry Hub: www.greenindustryhub.com. Try it as a free subscriber, or join as a Premium subscriber to this online community focused on education, information sharing and industry...

Turf disease management: follow these cultural and chemical guidelines for healthier and more attractive residential and commercial lawns.
May 1, 2005... Turfgrass diseases can be difficult to manage. The pathogens (most are fungi) are microscopic and generally present in all soils. Almost all turfgrasses to some degree are susceptible to pathogens. Conducive environmental conditions allow...

Online marketing boosts leads.(Solutions Center: REAL ANSWERS TO REAL CHALLENGES)
May 1, 2005... While consumers have traditionally turned to the Yellow Pages to find landscape contractors, the use of these types of print directories is projected to decrease by approximately 20% over the next four years, says The Kelsey Group, a Princeton,...

Sprayers & spreaders.(LM Reports: YOUR GUIDE TO PRODUCT RESEARCH)
May 1, 2005... Smithco The Smithco Spray Star 1000 low-profile sprayer offers exclusive hydrostatic drive that eliminates problems of mechanical drive problems, delivering power throughout every speed range. Turning radius allows maneuverability around...

Post Harbour Place: 2004 PGMS grand award winner for condominiums.(PGMS: AWARD-WINNING LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT)(Professional Grounds Maintenance Association )
May 1, 2005... Talk about coming home to a nice place. Residents of Tampa, FL's, Post Harbour Place Apartment Homes can relax after work in the tropical oasis surrounding the complex located on the outskirts of the city. Florida's year-round growing season...

Don't break the bank: 8 great tips to get more funds when you get to budget time.
May 1, 2005... Having sufficient funds to maintain the grounds for a public or private institution is a huge challenge. You may have more control over your budget than you realize. You may not have to settle for a simple increase to match inflation rates, or...

Map to success.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
May 1, 2005... Need some new and accurate neighborhood maps for your route techs? Check out the new Rand McNally self-service mapping tool at http://customview.randmcnally.com/cvm. Users can prepare a customized map of a specific area, such as a neighborhood...

Fire ant training.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
May 1, 2005... Bayer Environmental Science's latest training video highlights the company's TopChoice fire ant control. The 30-minute training video educates lawn care and pest management professionals on red imported fire ant biology and control, proper...

Get hitched[C].(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
May 1, 2005... The new Hitch Spotter's magnetic base attaches to the vehicle's tongue. As you back up, just watch your rearview mirror to line up your tow vehicle with the item being towed for easy hitching the first try. The telescoping aluminum tube is...

Installation DVDs.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
May 1, 2005... Versa-Lok's instructional DVDs explain installation of the company's Standard and Mosaic retaining wall systems in English and Spanish. The Base Course DVDs explain the tools and materials necessary for construction, and take the viewer through...

Next generation.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
May 1, 2005... Honda Power Equipment's all-new HRC commercial mower series includes the self-propelled, hydrostatic drive HRC216HXA and the push-type HRC216PDA. Highlights include a dome-shaped deck design; offset twin-blade MicroCut System (the only...

Really big boom!(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
May 1, 2005... With a full 30-ft. spraying swath, Forestry Supplier's 25-gallon ATV Sprayer with Wide Swath Boomless Nozzle is ideal for spraying mosquitoes, ditches, parks and yards. Features include a 3.8 GPM, 12V diaphragm demand style pump; adjustable...

Sibling rivalry[C].(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
May 1, 2005... The compact deck of Wright Manufacturing's new 52-in. Sentar Sport is a little bigger than its 36-in. sibling, but it is as agile, the company says. Sentar Sport 52 works sitting down or standing up, and it cuts bigger swaths. Cut height can be...

MVP of the blades.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
May 1, 2005... The Toro Company offers specially priced six-blade MVP (Maintenance, Value and Performance) Packs for its commercial- grade, zero-turn-radius riding and mid-sized walk-behind mowers. The MVP Packs offer landscape contractors a ready supply of...

Contemporary solid brass light.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
May 1, 2005... Evergreen Outdoor's Model B102 12-volt uplight is solid brass and features a trim, contemporary profile with a 5 1/2-in. shroud and a 2 3/8-in. diameter. The fixture is offered in a choice of finishes: antique brass, antique bronze, antique...

Control the flow.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
May 1, 2005... The Rain Bird Jar Top Valve (JTV) line makes installation faster and less costly with new male x male and male x barb configurations that eliminate the need for adapters. The one-piece, threaded bonnet design can be twisted off to easily access...

Events: what, when & where.(RESOURCES)(Calendar)
May 1, 2005... June 8-11 SIMA Snow & Ice Symposium / Louisville, KY; 814/835-3577; www.sima.org 15-18 ANLA Retail Roadshow / Minneapolis, MN; 202/789-2900; www.anla.org 21 Cornell Field Day / Ithaca, NY; 607/255-1792;...

Statistics: industry trends by the numbers.(RESOURCES)
May 1, 2005... ARE WE GROWING OR NOT? Commercial lawn service increased for 46 percent of companies, while 46.5 percent said their business remained the same, not counting acquisitions. Nationwide, 7.4 percent of the commercial turf care companies said...