Landscape Management articles from October 2002

Landscape Management archives from October 2002

Wrap the season up right! (inside the owner's head).(end of the year issues for managers)
October 1, 2002... Different times of the year bring their own unique challenges. The end of the season is now upon us, and there's a whole new slate of concerns for busy landscape professionals: how to keep as many employees as possible busy and productive,...

Events: what, when & where.(Calendar)
October 1, 2002... October 16-20 ITODA Fall Meeting / St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; 810/229-9405 17-18 Pennsylvania Community Forestry Conference / State College, PA; 814/863-7941 18-22 ASLA Meeting and Expo / San Jose, CA; 202/898-2444 ...

Chicago Park District: 2001 PGMS grand award winner for parks, recreation area or athletic fields. (award-winning landscape management).
October 1, 2002... The Chicago Park District owns, operates and maintains one of the most extensive municipal park systems in the world. It includes 24 miles of shoreline, 7,300 acres of park property, and 250 staffed facilities, including nine of Chicago's...

Hitting the wall: this contractor faced a complex project, but the right retaining wall system made it easy. (Solutions center: design/build).
October 1, 2002... The 35-year-old Skyline Medical Center in Nashville, TN, was long overdue for a facelift. Like many other buildings constructed in the '60s and '70s, it needed some remodeling, a few upgrades and a variety of improvements. So owner- operator...

Going for the gold: American Landscape, Inc. earned the gold with its snow removal efforts at the 2002 Winter Olympics. (Snow Management).
October 1, 2002... On November 26, 2002, Bill Holland woke up in Hell. But it was a lot colder than he expected it to be, and there was no horned devil with a pitchfork in sight. His Hell was Salt Lake City, Utah, home of the 2002 Winter Olympics, which had...

Need help? Head to the GIE. (on the record).
October 1, 2002... So you think that Superman is the guy that has it all. Think again. Superman has no family to speak of. No close relationships or friends to confide in. Work? Forget it. Superman has to spend all of his time flying around trying to solve...

Training: commit to it, keep it simple, don't stop. (Best practices: guidelines to help an industry grow).
October 1, 2002... Training is one of the biggest challenges in our industry. Companies face many hurdles in trying to implement even the most basic training platforms. Perhaps one of the biggest challenges is overcoming the language barrier. Another big...

Profit from long-term: fire ant control. (Fire ant guide).
October 1, 2002... The red imported fire ant (RIFA) is an aggressive and unwelcome guest on southern lawns, sports fields and parks. Besides the unsightly mounds it builds, it can inflict a painful bite. Since its accidental introduction into the United...

A great fit with turf management programs. (Fire ant guide).
October 1, 2002... The key to success with today's new fire ant controls is timing. With Chipco[R] TopChoice[TM] from Chipco Professional Products, a single application can provide up to 95% control of red imported fire ants for up to a full year. Lawn care...

Get in control now. (Fire ant guide).
October 1, 2002... Right now, as fire ants are beginning to actively forage, is the best time to apply Chipco[R] TopChoice[TM] to achieve up to a full year of 95% control of fire ants. That's because during hot and dry weather, worker fire ants burrow deep...

Quick designs that sell: today's design software produces colorful, hi-impact images that appeal to many potential clients. (Design And Imaging Systems).
October 1, 2002... Dean D'Amico owns and operates D & D Landscaping, a 14-year-old design/build company focusing on higher end residential customers on Long Island, NY. About five years ago, he purchased a copy of Design Imaging Group's Designware program....

Dump a lot. (Products: tech center).
October 1, 2002... Fabock Inc.'s Tiger Dump rear dump trailer features a three-yd. capacity and flotation tires. Only one person is needed to operate it. Length is 11 feet, eight inches. Hopper is made of 12-gauge steel. For more information contact Fabcok...

Blanket protection. (Products: tech center).
October 1, 2002... Parksite Earth Fabrics' Turf Defender turf blankets feature UV stabilizers for sunlight resistance, a two-in. hem for extra strength, and an eight-year warranty. Made of woven polypropylene fibers, the blankets help turfgrass by retaining...

The daily grind. (Products: tech center).
October 1, 2002... Vermeer's SC90 (9 hp) and SC130 (13 hp) stump cutters remove stumps up to 3 ft. in diameter in confined locations. The cutter wheel takes two 9/16-in. wrenches to change within minutes. Rubber-mounted handlebar minimizes vibration. For...

Bug off. (Products: tech center).
October 1, 2002... PBI/Gordon's new Atrazol EC insecticide, a new broad spectrum product for the control of insects on shrubs and trees, has an active ingredient called azadirachtin that has anti-feedant, growth regulation, anti-overpositioning and repellent...

Adios, leaves. (Products: tech center).
October 1, 2002... Jrco Inc.'s leaf blade plow attachment for commercial mowers features a 55-in. galvanized steel blade that moves piles of leaves quickly. The blade has flat, stainless steel spring tines and castering guide wheels for more effectiveness. ...

Go the distance. (Products: tech center).
October 1, 2002... Hunter Industries' new I-90 long distance rotor offers up to 96 ft. of coverage. At just 3 1/2 in. in diameter, it delivers 29.8 to 69.4 ggpm between 71 and 96 ft. It also features a new "jar top" body cap that allows easy access to the filter...

Snow job. (Products: tech center).
October 1, 2002... Erskine Attachments offers seven models of front-mount, PTO-driven snow blowers from 54 to 108 in. wide to match tractors from 18 to 150-plus hp. A universal frame mount adjusts to fit most tractors. These frames all share as standard equipment...

Cat-like tread. (Products: tech center).
October 1, 2002... Antonio Carraro's TRX 8400 tractor is a 4,200 lb. unit with 74 hp that travels over turf with a "cat-like" tread when equipped with Nokia high-flotation tires, reducing ground pressure to 6 psi. The TRX also features full reversibility and be...

Throw snow. (Products: tech center).
October 1, 2002... Loegering's five snow blower models have intake widths from 48 in. to 85 in. The newest model, the LSB48, has a throwing distance of up to 30 ft., a 14-in. auger diameter, 24-in. cutting height and weighs 670 lbs. All five blowers' chutes...

Double sharp. (Products: tech center).
October 1, 2002... Little Wonder's double edge gas trimmer is now 20% faster and 10% lighter, with a one in. lower profile for reduced weight and easier handling. Available blade lengths are 24 and 30 in. Machine produces 4,100 cuts per minute. For more...

Tag team stimulants. (Products: tech center).
October 1, 2002... Becker Underwood's BioGain and Canteen work in tandem to treat newly seeded or established turf, sod and landscaping plants. BioGain reduces stress and stimulates root growth through enhanced water and nutrient uptake, and corrects iron...

Grip it good. (Products: tech center).
October 1, 2002... Caterpillar utility grapple buckets and forks for skid-steers come in three widths--60, 66 and 72 in., with a maximum jaw opening on the grapple of 40 in. Grapple forks have jaw opening of 38 in. The nine-tine grapple fork measures 66-in. wide,...

Gobble that grass. (Products: tech center).
October 1, 2002... Wright Mfg. introduces the Turbo 10 Grass Gobbler, a high capacity grass catching system designed to fit all Wright Stander and Sentar models. The Turbo 10's three intake venturis and perforated steel panels function as a simple venturi system,...

Get in shape. (Products: tech center).
October 1, 2002... Pro Industries' new Shape-Trak feature for the BedShaper commercial landscape edgers is engineered so the cutting blade and the machine's drive wheels are in line with each other, allowing the drive wheels and cutting blade to follow the same...

Berkeley pumps perform. (Products: tech center).
October 1, 2002... The Berkeley 6TS submersible pumps feature 304 stainless steel construction that outperforms ordinary fabricated stainless-steel pumps in abrasive conditions. The 6TS Series is designed for six-inch well casings with flow choices from 40 to 360...

Blow-by-blow. (Products: tech center).
October 1, 2002... Shindaiwa's new and improved EB240S handheld blower features a nylon impeller which is lighter in weight compared to the earlier die cast impeller. Overall weight is now 9.2 lbs. There's also a quicker throttle response and faster acceleration...

Control winter weeds: applying herbicides now can ensure vigorous, healthy turf next season. (Warm-Season Turf Management).
October 1, 2002... A year-round climate that's favorable for weed development makes weed control a 12-month problem for turfgrass professionals throughout the southern U.S. In these areas, LCOs must deal with a range of cool-season weeds that many northern...

Software scene: new accounting system lets The Groundskeeper consolidate five payrolls into one, reduce staff and get timely feedback. (Business Management Systems).
October 1, 2002... The Groundskeeper had a problem, but not in how business was going. The thriving company located in Tucson had been recognized by Arizona Business Magazine as the number one landscape company in the state for the last two years, and it had won...

Survey says ... (Statistics: industry trends by the numbers).
October 1, 2002... Q More than one-third of the U.S. is suffering under drought conditions. If you own a lawn care or landscaping company, we'd like to know if drought has made this summer any tougher than usual. 44% Things are about the same as...

Relationships that pay off: count up the dollars-and-cents worth of your long-term clients. You'll be surprised at their value to your operation. (Customer Relationships) (Cover Story).
October 1, 2002... Thirteen years after founding his landscape company, Bill Gordon sat down and started tallying numbers. However, the lean, friendly man with thinning hair and engaging smile wasn't tracking the same score that most landscape business owners...

Next month: what's coming up in November.
October 1, 2002... * Cover story: Look out '03, here we come Still uncertain about what steps to take to prepare for the coming season? We'll tell you * People of the Year We pick the movers and shakers in landscaping, lawn care and grounds...

Items for irrigation. (LM Reports).(Loyet Landscape Maintenance Company)(Directory)
October 1, 2002... Joe Loyet's been around the block once or twice in the landscaping business. As president of the $6 million Loyet Landscape Maintenance company in St. Louis, MO, he's had time to figure out what works for his company. In irrigation, he's...

Sanitors acquires Terrain Systems. (Industry almanac: news you can use).
October 1, 2002... SAN ANTONIO, TX -- Sanitors, Inc., a $100 million-plus company, acquired Terrain Systems, Phoenix, AZ, and Landscape Care, an affiliate of Terrain Systems. Terrain Systems reported 2001 revenue of $14.5 million. The acquisition was made through...

Jacobsen, Bunton equip Universal. (Industry almanac: news you can use).
October 1, 2002... ORLANDO, FL -- Bunton and Jacobsen announced a multi-year agreement with Universal Orlando for use of their commercial lawn care equipment to maintain the grounds at the resort's theme parks.

Kawasaki alters dealer distribution. (Industry almanac: news you can use).
October 1, 2002... IRVINE, CA -- Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., recently announced a shift in the distribution methodology for its power products line-up. The company will now distribute its small engines and lawn care products on a direct basis to its dealer...

Thomas, United Rentals join forces. (Industry almanac: news you can use).
October 1, 2002... MARS HILL, ME -- Thomas Equipment Ltd. and United Rentals have formed an agreement where Thomas will be a strategic supplier to United Rentals for their skid-steer loader needs.

`New' ValleyCrest eyes expansion. (Industry almanac: news you can use).
October 1, 2002... CALABASAS, CA -- Environmental Industries, Inc., the largest landscape company in the U.S., changed its identity to ValleyCrest Companies on Oct. 1. This should create more brand awareness for the company's growing presence in landscape...

Home Depot takes on LESCO brands. (Industry almanac: news you can use).
October 1, 2002... CLEVELAND -- LESCO, Inc., has been chosen as a supplier to the Home Depot Landscape Supply pilot stores opening in August and September. "LESCO branded products are the preferred choice of the lawn care contractor," said Michael P. DiMino,...

Correction.
October 1, 2002... The contact information for Daniels Pull Plow was listed incorrectly in the September issue. For more information on the product, call 847/426-1150 or visit www.danielsplows.com.

Minnesota landscape industry tops $2.1 billion: new survey shows companies expect to grow another 30% to 50% by 2005. (Industry almanac: news you can use).
October 1, 2002... ST. PAUL, MN -- The approximately 3,000 family-owned landscape and nursery companies in Minnesota topped $2.1 billion in sales this past year, reported the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association (MNLA), citing the results of a recently...

Encore Manufacturing. (People & companies).
October 1, 2002... Encore Manufacturing selected Doug Tegtmeier, national sales manager for the company, as secretary/ treasurer of the company's Board of Directors.

Shindaiwa. (People & companies).
October 1, 2002... Shindaiwa named Tom Murphy product manager.

Scotts Company. (People & companies).
October 1, 2002... The Scotts Company appointed Chris Nagel chief financial officer.

LESCO. (People & companies).
October 1, 2002... LESCO added the following people to its executive management team: Bruce K. Thorn, vice president, Logistics and Operations; Steven Cochran, sr. vice president, Marketing and Strategic Sourcing; and Maureen Thompson, vice president, Human...

Hunter Industries. (People & companies).
October 1, 2002... Hunter Industries named Charles Huston executive vice president of sales, Michael Cucchiara vice president of sales for the Americas, Brandon Meadows international vice president of sales for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and Asia,...

HighGrove Partners. (People & companies).
October 1, 2002... HighGrove Partners, formerly Post Landscape Group, appointed Brad Jackson maintenance sales representative, Brett J. Wendel estimator and irrigation manager, and Erik D. Jarkins landscape designer. The company also promoted Pat Whalen to...

Bozzuto Landscaping. (People & companies).
October 1, 2002... Bozzuto Landscaping, Greenbelt, MD, promoted Dean Ratliff and Jeff Lilja to area manager.

Cebeco International Seeds. (People & companies).
October 1, 2002... Cebeco International Seeds added Mike Billman and Denise De Hart to its turf and forage sales and marketing program

New study: healthy lawns prevent runoff: fertilizer necessary for healthy turfgrass. (Industry almanac: news you can use).
October 1, 2002... MADISON, WI -- As water quality continues to be an issue in many parts of the country, a longtime lawn care operator and a University of Wisconsin professor agree that a healthy lawn reduces runoff, which consists of phosphorus-rich soil that...

Champion Tree Project plants 9-11 memorial trees at Pentagon. (Industry almanac: news you can use).
October 1, 2002... Sen. Carl Levin, D-MI, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-MI, Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Menominee, and David Milarch, co-founder of the Champion Tree Project, are combining their efforts to ensure that a publicly-accessible memorial to the victims of the Sept....

Virginia suffers water ban: severe drought prompts governor to halt lawn watering. (Industry almanac: news you can use).
October 1, 2002... RICHMOND, VA -- Virginia Governor Mark R. Warner issued an executive order Aug. 30 banning lawn watering and other water use in much of the state because of a severe drought. In response to an outcry from business owners who warned of big...

You can never learn enough. (business ideas).
October 1, 2002... I was in my 40s and had owned a landscape company for years before I began to appreciate the importance of creating a "learning organization," or a company that purposefully seeks useful knowledge, then incorporates that knowledge into its...