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Industry roundup: Tobroco introduces Giant D337T X-TRA

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Photo: Tobroco Machines

Along with the standard Giant D337T, Tobroco Machines says this model will now be available in the X-TRA version as well. The company says that the D337T X-TRA will have a lower front frame and thus a lower center of gravity, which they say will result in excellence on the attachments and stability of the machine.

Featuring a tipping load of 2.054 kg in comparison with 1.450 kg for the standard model, the D337T X-TRA’s new wheel loader has a 33 hp, 3-cylinder Kubota diesel engine. The company says it is also equipped with a hydraulic pump from Bosch Rexroth for smooth and powerful driving characteristics.

Measured with earth buckets, the service weight of the machine is 2.200 kg, and the lifting height is 2.45 m. The pendulum joint between the front and back frame, like all Giant machines, is completely maintenance free, the company says.

Driven by a hydrostatic four-wheel drive, the D337T X-TRA has automotive control and automatic differential lock on both axles. This, the company says, gives the machine a maximum driving speed of 18 km/h.

To meet European regulations, the X-TRA model is standardly equipped with a ROPS/FOPS safety roof and safety doors. Optional extras available for this model include a safety roof deluxe, foldable safety roof or cabin.

This machine can be delivered in a Heavy Duty (HD) version, and it will be equipped with a bigger hydraulic pump. The company says that a great advantage of this option is the extra tractive force in its second gear.

Eterra releases excavator brush mower

Photo: Eterra Attachments

Eterra Attachments recently released their excavator brush mower, which the company says can quickly adjust to sudden changes in terrain, directions and material types.

Since it is a flail style mower, the company says it can clear brush from roadsides, driveways, fields and ditches, and these multi-use mowers are as tough as they are versatile, Eterra says.

The EX-30 can fit excavators and backhoes from 7,500 lbs to 14,000 lbs; the EX-40 from 9,000 lbs to 20,000 lbs; and the EX-50 from 17,000 lbs to 25,000 lbs.

Featuring cutting capacities ranging from 4-inch to 8-inch material, depending on attachment size, and a swing weight light enough to cut in all directions and inches without fear of tipping, the company says these attachments boast superior cutting power and efficiency for mini excavator operators.

Eterra says that this machine also has a superior balanced shaft and 2 lb blades powered by a quality Permco USA motor, and the company says it upholds its commitment to using systems that have proven to be strong and reliable in a wide variety of working conditions.

Ewing reopening store in Burlington, Washington

Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply has reopened its store in Burlington, Washington.

“Ewing is the only dedicated irrigation and landscape supplier in Skagit County,” said Dan McDonald, Ewing Burlington store manager. “Contractors will be able to supply their projects without having to travel into the high traffic areas of Everett or Bellingham. With our better selection and more advanced product knowledge, we will be able to serve all their project needs.”

The store is located at 555 East George Hopper Rd., and it will stock irrigation and turf supplies, hardscape products, outdoor living products, sports fields and golf products, holiday lighting products and more.

Along with serving landscape, irrigation and lighting contractors, the Burlington location will also serve nursery and agronomic professionals in the North Sound area, which includes Whatcom, North Snohomish, Skagit, Island and San Juan counties.

Photo: Ewing


Product roundup: Eterra introduces 74-inch Typhoon Brush Cutter

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Eterra Attachments Typhoon Brush Cutter

Photo: Eterra

Last year Eterra Attachments debuted its 60-inch Typhoon Brush Cutter and this year it adds the 74-inch model.

The new attachment has been designed with heavy-duty machines in mind and needs 32-50 GPM of hydraulic flow at up to 5,000 PSI.

With the gate closed, this brush cutter can handle up to 4-inch material while with the gate open and removed the machine can handle 12-inch material. According to Eterra, the Typhoon 74 is constructed of high-strength structural steel and is double reinforced at stress points.

The machine features a T1 grade steel blade holder and two blades.

“If you’re looking to take full advantage of your powerful skid steer or compact track loader, the Typhoon 74 is an extreme brush cutter that is up to the challenge,” Eterra says.

For more product information, click here.

Mirimichi Green expands CarbonizPN product line

Mirimichi Green, a manufacturer of sustainable landscape products, has added to its CarbonizPN product line with the CarbonizPN DJ Fine Grade.

Photo: Mirimichi Green

The powder-like soil amendment is 50 percent USDA certified biochar and 50 percent organic compost, making it more refined that the CarbonizPN Soil Enhancer.

According to Mirimichi Green, CarbonizPN DJ Fine Grade is ideal for topdressing, aerification and blending in sand mixes. The soil amendment can help increase nutrient uptake, root development and residual value while need for fertilizer input and irrigation will decrease.

CarbonizPN DJ Fine Grade is available now at Mirimichi Green distributors in 40 lb. bags and 1 yard super sacks. For more information on the product, click here.

Temporary fencing fix offered with One Step Fencing

One Step Fencing will debut its new temporary fencing kit at the 2017 GIE+EXPO in Louisville, Kentucky, Oct. 18-20.

Photo: One Step Fencing

The One Step Fencing kit requires no tools and its manufacturer says it can be installed in minutes. Prior to this invention, temporary fences often called for hammering posts into the ground that could break. The kit utilizes powder-coated metal posts with a step-into-place anchor that allows the user to push the post into the ground with their foot.

The plastic netting is held in place with a “Y” notch at the top of each post and holds it there until it’s time to take down.

Each kit comes with 16 metal posts, 50 feet of plastic netting and plastic ties to secure the middle and bottom of the netting to the posts. The kit is completely reusable from job to job, coming with a storage bag to protect the pieces until its next use.

One Step Fencing will be at booth #29053 near the New Products Showcase at GIE+EXPO. For more information, click here.

Daisy Rain Garden System introduces Sprinkler Pot

Family-owned and operated Daisy Rain Garden Systems will be making its debut at GIE+EXPO this year with its Sprinkler Pot.

Photo: Daisy Rain Garden Systems

According to the company, the Sprinkler Pot is the only flower pot with an integrated sprinkler. The Sprinkler Pot has two models. The “Flower and Vegetable” model has a fully adjustable spray and the “Rose and Shrub” with a subsoil soaker designed for center planting.

It can be used in combination and up to 25 of the pots can be daisy-chained from a single water source. The 7 gallon pots were created to simplify the task of watering plants and doesn’t require the constant maintenance of traditional drip systems.

The Sprinkler Pots can be attached to a common garden hose or integrated into the existing irrigation system. A live demo will be held during GIE at booth #8235. Dealer and installer opportunities plus territories are now available. For more information, click here.

Preventing fall turf diseases is mainly a balancing act for landscapers

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small patch of dead grassWhile your customers may think fall is the time things start winding down and they no longer need your lawn care expertise, their yards are still susceptible to a number of turf diseases.

Adam Armit, a senior sales executive with Park West, based in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, shares some of his advice on fighting turf diseases and having a good defense.

Most turf diseases are fungal and fall is prime time for many different strains of fungi that love warm weather and wet soil to appear. Armit says that in Southern California if irrigation and fertilizer applications are not scheduled correctly, various rust outbreaks are common as well as dollar spot.

“In many other parts of the country that experience more rain, the issue can be outbreaks of stripe smut, red thread, powdery mildew and leaf spot, among others,” Armit said.

According to Armit, most turf diseases occur when there is an excessive environmental condition whether it be wet soil with high nitrogen, or an absence of nitrogen.

“For any disease to break out, three things are needed: a susceptible host, a pathogen (sometimes a pathogen in sufficient numbers) and the proper environment to foster the disease,” he says. “Landscapers have limited control over the host and can plant cultivars of disease-resistant turf. The pathogens are all around and will never be totally eliminated. The obvious solution is to focus on creating environments suitable for lush turf performance, while reducing the likelihood of fostering turf diseases.”

Fostering a healthy turf includes proper irrigation, fertilization, aeration, dethatching and mowing.

“It’s all too easy to let diseases pop up when we get too busy, take our eyes off the ball or let our agronomic plan break down,” Armit said.

Because there are three things needed for a disease to break out, turf disease management often uses a three-pronged approach. Armit advises selecting a turf species that has a good resistance if there is a particular disease that is prevalent in that area.

Next is making sure that the turf is healthy and is not fostering an environment for the disease.

“If it’s a constant battle with a disease that loves wet conditions, change the irrigation cycling or increase soil drying by reducing thatch, aerating or even mowing a bit shorter,” Armit said. “Take a few soil samples to see whether fertilizers are being over or under applied or if the pH level is not allowing the fertilizers to be efficiently used by the turf.”

After this step is spraying fungicides, as a majority are contact in nature and are broad spectrum. This works best on leaf blade diseases. Systemic products are more specific and are why it is important to identify which particular turf disease you are dealing with.

When it comes to recognizing what sort of fungal disease you’ve encountered, some of the factors that can help you narrow it down are the season, the soil and environment. Sometimes simply observing which cultural practices are wrong can remedy the situation and bring the disease under control, but other diseases need to be treated with the proper fungicides.

Since sometimes poor irrigation coverage or pest issues can be mistaken for turf disease, Armit advises getting close and pulling a few blades of grass.

“If the issue is on the individual plants, use magnification to see if there are lesions, stripes, dust or threadlike structures,” he said. “If lesions are circular, small and tarnished with a dark brown or purple boarder, it is usually leaf spots, whereas red, yellow to tan blotches may indicate blight. Pustules of brick red to orange that wipe off easy are generally rusts.”

Armit recommends using the NC State TurfFiles disease identification database, which can be accessed on a smartphone and lists the diseases by the turf type they are found on and the month of year and then goes into the list of symptoms.

When it comes to best defensive practices, Armit warns against applying too much nitrogen in the fall or too late in the season as these can result in various turf diseases.

“Balance and timing are the keys to doing an appropriate fall feeding for the climate and soil,” he said. “Soil sampling is an important way to ensure correct rates are being used. Soil samples are inexpensive and usually save money as many landscapers tend to over apply nitrogen.”

Yet there is no true silver bullet to fighting turf disease. Only a comprehensive turf disease plan will help keep things under control, otherwise “solving” one problem will only cause another appear in its place as some diseases thrive when there is excess of nitrogen while others appear when it is lacking.

“Many landscapers fly blind and throw water, fertilizer or spray at every problem,” Armit said. “This usually leads to excessive costs for the property owner and the landscaper alike. Take soil and/or tissue samples, keep a log of the diseases and the conditions and times it occurs, and visit the local agricultural extension office to learn about the common disease management strategies in the area. By adhering to a solid turf management schedule, many diseases can be controlled.”

Just like Goldilocks, healthy turf doesn’t want to be over or underwater nor over fertilized or under fertilized. It needs things to be just right.

“Balance is key,” Armit said.

Enhancing urban sustainability with green roofs and walls

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green roofs and green walls on living complexGreen roofs and walls are changing the face of modern urban landscapes. They are popping up across the globe like mushrooms after a heavy rain in the fall. But, not everyone is quick to embrace this trend, failing to realize that green surfaces are much more than an aesthetically pleasing tweak. They give us a chance to utilize the natural functions of plants and make a positive change in urban and suburban environments. This is a path we need to take in order to deal with the staggering air pollution levels and other environmental problems that are already greatly present.

Roof over our head

A green roof is any roof that is partially or completely covered with vegetation, typically planted on top of a waterproof membrane. It can also include a whole system of root barriers, drainage, greywater treatment, and irrigation. So, green roofs are not just about making buildings greener in a literal sense. They also improve the performance and longevity of roofs, acting as insulating blankets and regulating temperature. It is estimated that an average three-story building can save up to 25 percent in the summertime energy costs.

What is more, with their amazing absorbing properties, they decrease the stormwater runoff by 40-60 percent and thus decrease the amount of it that flows into sewers. Another great benefit is that green roofs mitigate the air pollution and the urban heat island effect. They trap particulate matter, conduct photosynthesis, and capture gases. Hence, the outdoor air quality is improved and there are fewer polluting byproducts.

This is not all, as green roofs can also integrate green technologies, such as photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors. And finally, with opportunities for food production and urban agriculture, the biodiversity in cities is increased. It is even possible for green roofs to provide habitat for wildlife. This could be a way to decrease the devastating impact of urbanization on nature and ensure a better and greener life for everyone on the planet.

Bring your walls to life

As for green walls, the term refers to any form of a vegetated wall surface. This broad concept encompasses three major categories: living walls, retaining living walls, and green facades. Living walls are comprised of pre-vegetated panels, modules, bags, or planted blankets that are adjoined to a structural wall or frame. On the other hand, retaining living walls are home to vegetation and act as a support for the urban slopes. Finally, green facades are systems of climbing plants, vines, or groundcovers that form a supporting structure.

Considering this variety, each installation of a green wall is unique, just like their specifics of technical performances. What they have in common is the sustainability. Namely, a high-grade green wall provides most of the benefits of green roofs due to its natural cooling properties – but with a few additional perks. These paragons of sustainability are also used to bring life to abandoned and derelict spaces. And apart from reducing the indoor temperatures by as much as 10 degrees, they also lower the effects of sound reflection.

Furthermore, strategically-placed green walls can substantially improve the indoor air quality and circulation, effectively dealing with volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Finally, note that decreased temperature fluctuations work miracles in terms of protecting the building’s structure. As an extra insulating layer, the walls lower the impact of temperature on organic construction materials in the façade. Likewise, the masonry and exterior finishes are shielded from UV radiation and rain damage. This is another way in which green walls add to the sustainability of buildings.

Into the greener future

Green roofs and walls are the next great frontier of urban design and innovation. These landscaped building surfaces are signs of hope in the polluted and dirty concrete jungles that we call home. They bring forth significant economic benefits via thermal insulation and lower utility bills. Besides that, they naturally filter water and air. This is something that not only keeps the heat island effects in check, but it also preserves the health and well-being of humans and plants the seeds of a better world for the future generations.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was written by Derek Lotts, project manager for Open Source. 

Conserva Irrigation looks to be national brand via franchises

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sprinkler system watering plants

Photo: Thangaraj Kumaravel/Flickr

Russ Jundt had a background in finance, but that didn’t stop him from wanting to make a difference in the green industry.

In 2010, Jundt and fellow founder Tom Olson, created Conserva Irrigation to remedy the wasteful use of water in the landscape.

“It’s a niche and being on the water conservation side, we’re filling a void,” Jundt said.

Right now, the company has 32 territories across the country, but it expects to have 400 by 2025. Jundt says that through collaborating and cooperating, Conserva will be a part of something bigger since there has never been a national player in irrigation.

Conserva has partnered with Toro and SiteOne Landscape Supply, allowing it to provide competitive pricing as well as leads on new customers for its franchises.

The company is actively seeking new franchisees and Jundt says it is his goal for it to be as much of a plug and play system as possible.

“We help them with accounting, websites, anything and everything for running a business,” he said.

According to Conserva, there are 45 million residential irrigation systems that it can serve and by using smart irrigation technology, homeowners can reduce their water usage by up to 60 percent.

Jundt says that the right people for the franchise are solid, honest, hardworking and want to be in the business.

“I want people who want to do something special,” he said.

For Jundt, Conserva Irrigation is far more than an irrigation company.

“We’re changing the way that we’re watering the world,” he said. “We’re giving the earth back to our kids better than we found it.”

Conserva Irrigation is built to generate recurring revenue for franchisees with a year-round cycle for retaining clients. This includes free inspections, mandatory PVB/RPZ testing, rebate incentives, system upgrades, winterization and seasonal packages.

The company is able to help homeowners improve their conservation methods with its System Efficiency Score (SES) which audits the efficiency of their existing system and proposes system upgrades.

“We’re bringing professionalism back in the industry,” Jundt said. “Consumers are calling us because they want lush, green landscapes.”

For more information about Conserva Irrigation, click here.

Industry roundup: Orbit Irrigation Products names new president

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Stuart Eyring

Stuart Eyring

The board of directors has chosen Stuart Eyring to be the president of Orbit Irrigation Products as KC Ericksen retired from the role yesterday.

Ericksen will continue to serve on Pro-Mark Inc.’s board of directors, the holding company of Orbit and Hydro-Rain. Eyring will continue to serve as president of Hydro-Rain as well, a position he has been in since 2006.

Eyring was previously the Chief Operation Officer of Orbit at the time of his appointment as president. Orbit hired Eyring back in 2005 as executive vice president of product development and marketing and became COO in 2014.

He helped drive growth with product innovations such as the B-hyve Wi-Fi smart sprinkler timers for residential and commercial customers. It allows remote management of irrigation systems with smartphones or Amazon’s Alexa.

Eyring previously spent over a decade with the Ford Motor Company as member of the marketing leadership team where he served throughout the world, including the U.S., Asia and South America. He has an MBA from the Wharton School and a Bachelor of Science in finance and Japanese from Brigham Young University.

“Orbit is well positioned for future success with an incredible product portfolio, a remarkable network of partner relationships and an innovative engine that is second to none,” Eyring said. “I look forward to continuing both Orbit’s and Hydro-Rain’s traditions of product and business innovation and extending our global influence in conservation through the application of smart technologies.”

Orbit’s former president, Ericksen, had led the company since 1985 and helped expand the business to five continents and 40 countries.

“There are not adequate words to express our appreciation for all that KC has done to make Orbit a known and respected company throughout the world,” said David Beck, chairman of Pro-Mark’s board of directors. “The board is highly confident in the abilities of Stuart and the leadership team to accelerate the company’s momentum and begin writing the next exciting chapter of the Orbit story.”

Bayer appoints new head of marketing for Environmental Science North America

Burgess Perry has been named the head of marketing for Environmental Science North America, a business unit of the Crop Science division of Bayer.

Perry will be responsible for leading marketing initiatives in the United States and Canada, focusing on the markets it serves including turf & ornamentals, vegetation management, professional pest management and vector control.

Burgess Perry

Burgess Perry

He previously was the director of marketing excellence for crop protection and seeds in North America. He has served Bayer for more than 27 years and has worked across regional and global teams to identify customer insights.

“Successful marketing strategies come from truly understanding the needs of our customers,” Perry said. “I’m energized to be taking on this role as we continue to enhance the ways we connect with and serve our customers as part of the Bayer mission of Science For A Better Life. These insights inform the decisions that will shape the future of the industries we serve.”

Prior to Bayer, Perry worked for Aventis and Rhone-Poulenc Ag Company. He earned his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University and also has a MBA from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

“Burgess joins the Environmental Science team with exceptional marketing experience and industry expertise,” said Mark Schneid, head of Environmental Science North America. “He will play a critical role in sharpening our focus on the evolving needs of our customers so that we can continue to deliver the kinds of solutions and information they need to excel in their jobs. With his leadership, we will advance the best-in-class solutions and partnerships our customers have come to expect from Bayer.”

Go Green Synthetic Lawn Solutions announces commitment to sustainability

The artificial turf manufacturer, Go Green Synthetic Lawn Solutions, is conducting a major shift in its focus to create more sustainable and environmentally friendly products.

The first example of this shift is the integration of a soy-based backing system of its artificial grass products. Universal Textile Technologies, which invented BioCel, is providing Go Green with a backing system that provides a better option for consumers.

Platinum HeatMaxx 65 with BioCel synthetic lawn solution

Platinum HeatMaxx 65 with BioCel
Photo: Go Green Synthetic Lawn Solutions

The BioCel system uses plant-based polyols from natural oils to replace a majority of the petroleum-based polymers normally used. This helps reduce the usage of foreign fossil fuels while replacing them with polyols from soybeans.

“As the synthetic turf industry continues to grow as the needs expand, we want to look at our options closely and make the right decisions,” said Michelle Balicki, vice president of sales and marketing for Go Green. “Utilizing BioCel technology means we not only lower our carbon footprint, but we offer a better value to our customers as well.”

Some of the other benefits of the system include better turf bind, improved moisture barrier, lower VOC’s and overall extended life of the turf.

“The benefits were compelling to us from a performance standpoint, but because we can offer a better system without an increased cost to the consumer, this was an easy choice for us,” said Kim Gordon, director of operations for Go Green.

News roundup: Husqvarna acquires Atlas Copco’s Light Compaction and Concrete Equipment business

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atlas copco in action

The Atlas Copco LT6005 and LT5005 rammers feature a slimmer design than previous models, allowing contractors to easily work in tight areas, such as trenches.

The Construction Division of the Husqvarna Group has signed an agreement to acquire the Light Compaction and Concrete Equipment business from Atlas Copco.

“Atlas Copco’s Light Compaction & Concrete Equipment business fits well into Husqvarna Construction’s strategy for expanding deeper into the market segment of concrete surfaces and floors,” said Kai Wärn, president and CEO of Husqvarna Group. “This step will further reinforce our leadership position in this segment and complement the recent acquisitions. Strategically, the build-up of the area also supports our overall ambition of growing the Construction Division’s share in the Husqvarna Group.”

Atlas Copco Light Compaction & Concrete Equipment is a part of Atlas Copco Power Technique, which had annual sales of $68.3 million in 2016. The acquisition includes product lines, operations and R&D in Bulgaria.

“We are known for creating innovative, integrated customer-centric solutions with a focus on customer productivity,” said Henric Andersson, president of Husqvarna Construction. “Atlas Copco’s light compaction and concrete product lines are logical expansions of our current product range within concrete surfaces & floors. It will allow us to support our customers’ business through the entire concrete floor creation process.”

More details will be announced closer to the finalization that is expected to happen during the first quarter of 2018. The acquisition is still subject to approval from competition authorities.

First half of H-2B cap reached

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the cap for the first half of the available H-2B visas has been reached.

The 66,000 available visas are split between the fiscal year and the 33,000 cap available for the first half of the fiscal year was reached on Dec. 15, USCIS announced on Dec. 21.

According to the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), aside from extremely limited exceptions, petitioners who contacted the USCIS for workers with a start date after Dec. 15 and before April 1, will not get their H-2B workers.

The announcement that the cap has been met comes almost a month earlier than the first half of the cap was reached last year.

NALP believes that many companies could be shut out of the second half cap as well, which starts April 1.

The organization and its H-2B Workforce Coalition is working to stress the urgent need for the 2018 H-2B cap relief to members of Congress.

“With the news that fully half of the available visas are already gone, we have an additional argument to support our cause,” NALP said. “We are also in constant dialogue about the importance of H-2B program reform that permanent cap-relief.”

BrightView-maintained campuses presented with water efficiency award

Oracle’s two campuses were presented with the overall award for efficient water use.

The Silicon Valley Water Conservation Awards Coalition recognizes the best of the best in water use efficiency and selected Oracle as the role model among businesses as BrightView helped it save 91 million gallons of potable water in one year, a savings of $573,000.

BrightView maintains the landscape at Oracle’s World Headquarters in Redwood City, California, and its Santa Clara campus. The landscaping company installed HydroPoint WeatherTRAK smart controllers to the irrigation system, reducing water consumption by 29 percent. It took three months to convert more than 50 conventional controllers to smart controllers.

“We take the plant type, sprinkler type, slope and soil type and combine them into a formula to determine the water needs for each zone,” said Brandon De Young, vice president general manager at BrightView. “The controllers also alert us of any issues from the last water cycle.”

Aside from the controllers, BrightView also planted California native plants that required less water and changed the irrigation to drip and high-efficient matched precipitation rate nozzles.

Oracle has decided to have smart irrigation products install at all of their locations in California.

“It has been great working with Oracle and HydroPoint to support Oracle’s long-term goal of making their campuses more sustainable,” De Young said. “We all take pride in this achievement of being recognized and look forward to continuing this journey with them.”

Remind clients that plants still need water even in the winter

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Photo: Pexels

During the winter, it can be tempting to want to stay indoors until springtime returns. However, customers should be reminded of the importance of winter watering during this chilly season.

While water usage in broadleaf trees drops during this season, it never completely stops and evergreen trees transpire more water in the winter, making them more prone to winter drying.

Just like how your skin dries out during the low-humidity conditions of winter, plant roots also run the risk of drying out. The damage happens most often during warm, dry windy days and the side of tree facing the wind faces the most damage.

Even when it does snow, it takes an average of 10 inches of snow to equal one inch of rain. Newly planted shrubs, trees younger than five years, and certain herbaceous perennials are particularly in need of winter watering. Windy locations will require more watering as plant material dries out faster.

Woody plants with shallow root systems such as dogwoods, willows, European white and paper birches are sensitive to drought injury and require supplemental watering during extended dry periods. Newly established lawns are also susceptible to winter damage.

Provide the following guidelines to homeowners who are wanting to know about winter watering.

Only water when the temperatures are above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Apply the water during the middle of the day to allow the water to soak in before the temperatures drop below freezing.

Timberline Landscaping, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, advises cycling and soaking where the water is turned on for a period of time and then turned off to allow the moisture to soak into the soil.

“This lessens waste-water due to run-off and is especially important when the ground is frozen,” Timberline Landscaping said.

The soil should be soaked to a depth of at least 6 to 8 inches. According to the Colorado State University State Extension, newly planted shrubs should receive 5 gallons of water two times per month. Small established shrubs (those under 3 feet tall) need 5 gallons monthly while large established shrubs (more than 6 tall) require 18 gallons a month during dry winters.

As for how often the landscape should be watered, it depends on the type of plants, soil and weather but a soaking every two or four weeks should be enough. If they are uncertain if the soil needs more water, tell them to use a moisture meter or screw driver to probe the soil. If it is dry, soak it with the aforementioned guidelines.

When it comes to the method of watering, it depends on where they are located if automatic sprinklers should be used. Advise your customer to check with their system contractor first if you don’t handle the irrigation side of things.

If the system has already been winterized for the season, then it should not be turned back on and the plants should be watered with a soaking hose or a sprinkler. Caution the homeowner to remove the hose from the faucet to drain completely after the water has been applied to prevent damage from freezing temperatures.


Planting between the lines: Utilizing space between pavers

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When you take a look at pavers in a landscape, sometimes you may see there are plants present in the gaps between them.

This is done for a number of reasons, whether that be to improve drainage or just add a bit more green to the hardscape. But whatever the reason, it does give you the chance to bring in a few new design elements to your customer’s area, such as flowers, fragrances and more.

Adding plants in between pavers can help soften hard lines and add a lush, living element to the hardscape’s design, so keep the following tips in mind when exploring filler plant options and designs.

Plant types

When it comes to adding in plants to a hardscape, always keep in mind the amount of foot traffic that will be coming through the designated area. Carefully consider the plant choices and the maintenance that will accompany them to help avoid falls, trips and other safety issues.

Take a look at plants that are low-growing or be willing to frequently visit the site to keep these plants trimmed back, especially if they are planted on walkways, paths and stairs. Be sure that any pathways that feature these plants and will be used are well-lit at night.

The height should range from basically flat to about 2 inches tall; anything taller can become a tripping hazard, and it can cause the pavers to look like they are sinking or drowning.

Generally speaking, the larger the scale of the paver, the taller the filler plants should be.

As for foliage, the ground cover should be vigorous but not invasive, and it should be dense to help smother any weeds that may be competing with plants and keeping the space from being easily accessible.

Whatever plants are chosen to go between pavers, they need to be hardy, tough and durable. They need to be able to stand the occasional amount of foot traffic without being trampled to death, and they also need to require as little maintenance as possible.

On the subject of mixing in well with the overall design of the hardscape, naturally, they all need to blend together. The plants need to be able to meet the needs of foliage texture, color and form, and they should also complement the colors and textures already present in the area.

What to plant

The number of plants that can work for this type of project are numerous, but there are a few simple ones you can start with.

For areas that see full sunlight, creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) has been called one of the best options for ground covers and filling projects. This herb is petite, comes in multiple varieties, is fragrant and is also attractively colored.

In areas that only receive partial sunlight, chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is a popular option. This perennial is fluffy and gives off a meadow-like appearance. Boasting small, white daisy flowers, the plant will grow above the surrounding grass and give a delicate color pop. The potential downside to chamomile is that it will require moderate watering, and it will need to be trimmed after it flowers.

Shady areas can benefit from mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus), especially if your customers enjoy the thick, dark green carpet it produces year-round. This grass type can fit with almost any design or any kind of surrounding plants, and it is very versatile.

For more suggestions on which plants to use in different areas of the hardscape, click here.

Preparing the soil

Once your customers have decided they want to begin filling in spaces between pavers, it’s good to know how to treat the soil in those areas.

For places with stepping stones, walkways and flagstone patios, the pavers are often set on soil that’s compacted, has a compacted base or are on several inches of sand, which you know isn’t always the best for planting.

If you want your customer’s ground cover to be a success, you’ll have to give the plants enough loose, nutrient-rich soil between the pavers. This will preferably be at least 6 inches deep to allow roots to grow and the gaps should be at least 2 inches wide.

If you decide to plant from flats, it’s recommended that they are cut apart into 2-to-3-inch-wide pieces. Be sure that these pieces contain several plants and the roots, and space these pieces 6 to 9 inches apart in the area.

Any bare spots that are around should be covered with either light soil or compost that can help retain moisture until the plants begin to fill in the space.

After they are in the soil, the plants will need to be irrigated. This can be done by either running an in-line drip between the pavers, lining the path with micro-sprayers or just adjusting nearby sprinklers to cover the plants.

Different projects

There are many different design options your customers can choose from, and each style will allow you the freedom to get creative with plant choice, placement and more.

While the most obvious choice is to place plants in between stepping stones on walkways, there are more options at your fingertips.

For customers wanting to integrate plants into stairs, consider adding in succulents along the soil between each step to add a pop of color and draw visitors up and onto their next destination.

Since succulents thrive in sunlight, they will appreciate concrete steps that can reflect heat. If you see the succulents are beginning to develop offsets or tall stalks that can get in the way of foot traffic, just cut them and reroot the offsets.

For more design ideas, click here.

CTA Architects, The LiRo Group repair Irish Hunger Memorial in Manhattan

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mock solution to irish memorial

One of the solutions employed to waterproof the monument was encapsulating its entire cantilevered concrete slab in the Kemper waterproofing membrane.
Photo: Edward Menashy

The Irish Hunger Memorial in Manhattan may not be the first landmark that comes to mind when you think of things to visit in New York City, but thanks to the work of CTA Architects and The LiRo Group, along with others, this monument has been restored to its intended appearance.

irish hunger memorial renovation

Battery Park City Authority, CTA Architects, construction manager The LiRo Group, contractor Nicholson & Galloway and landscape consultant SiteWorks have completed the $5.3 million renovations and waterproofing of the Irish Hunger Memorial.
Photo: Edward Menashy

The Memorial was created as a contemplative space to honor the Great Irish Hunger and Migration of 1845-1852 and to encourage visitors to consider worldwide hunger issues in the present day as well.

Designed by renowned sculptor and public artist Brian Tolle, the monument was opened in 2002 and is located on the corner of Vesey Street and North End Avenue, in the Battery Park City section of downtown Manhattan.

The monument is on a half-acre site and overlooks the Hudson River. Visitors are transported to winding paths through an Irish landscape, filled with native Irish plants and stones imported from each of Ireland’s 32 counties. Along the way, individuals encounter an authentic Irish Famine-era stone cottage that was donated by Tolle’s extended family the Slack of Attymass from County Mayo.

The cottage was dismantled and brought over from Ireland and rebuilt within the hillside of the Memorial. After passing through the cottage, visitors will reach a viewing point that is elevated 25 feet above street level that includes a vista of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

The meadows, cottage and pathways are all cantilevered over a layered base of glass and polished fossil-bed limestone from County Kilkenny, Ireland. Text relating to the Famine and current hunger issues are listed on the glass panels and wrap around the monument and lead into the passageway to the cottage.

The problem

mineral surfacing system

The architects found a mineral surfacing system approved by Kemper that matched the finish of the concrete slab and incorporated it into the membrane. It completely hides the waterproofing, maintaining visual consistency with the original slab.
Photo: Edward Menashy

Not long after the Memorial was first opened to the public, the Battery Park City Authority (BPCA) noticed cracking and leaking from the cantilevered slab where the cottage and the landscaping were.

It was soon found that the leaks were infiltrating the electrical space underneath the monument where the glass display case panels and lights were located. An attempt to waterproof a portion of the Memorial was ineffective, and the leaks caused efflorescence staining on the glass panels and discolored the cantilevered slab. The skirt of the slab and some of the limestone base panels were stained as well.

BPCA turned to CTA, which suggested a comprehensive solution that would solve the leaks and keep the Memorial impervious to weather for many years.

“Our team recommended carefully removing the landscaping surrounding field-stone masonry walls and portions of the cottage, removing the previously applied and ineffective waterproofing system, performing limited slab repairs and patching, reconfiguration of and reinforcement of the concealed core walls and substrates, then installing a waterproofing membrane and then assembling the elements of the monument back together,” said Frank Scanlon, CTA’s associate and project manager for the Memorial.

The solution

After Tolle approved the technical solutions, work began in August 2016.

“At the start of the renovation, the project team performed a photographic survey of every inch of every element of the Memorial,” said Frank S. Franco, LiRo vice president and senior project manager. “All elements, including every single stone, were numbered and then removed, cataloged and stored in containers on site during the renovation. This ensured that the team put each piece back in its correct place and position.”

The soil was stripped from the site and saved for reuse while 2,000 square feet of reinforced, cold-applied, liquid Kemper 2K PUR system was applied all over exposed core walls and substrates.

Part of the plan was to encapsulate the edges of the slab in the waterproof membrane for additional protection, but Tolle expressed concern since this would be visible.

“So we found a mineral surfacing system approved by Kemper that matched the finish on the concrete slab and we incorporated it into the membrane,” said Pericle Gheorghias, CTA’s senior technical designer on the project. “It completely hides the waterproofing maintaining visual consistency with the original slab.”

CTA also added a custom masonry anchoring system for the fieldstone-and-rubble wall that was installed over a sturdy concrete masonry unit core. The system was incorporated to keep the irregularly shaped stones in place within the fieldstone wall. Minor masonry restoration was also carried out on the cottage.

The true challenge of the project was ensuring the meadow could function as a field with its own living ecosystem while being located on top of a waterproof concrete slab.

current state of irish memorial

Photo: Edward Menashy

CTA worked closely with landscape consultant and architect SiteWorks to document the existing plant material that had to be contract grown. The square footage of the planted area is 7,200 square feet and the original planting consisted of 90,000 plugs of native grasses and 52 different types of plants.

SiteWorks conducted a topographic survey to document the furrows and its existing conditions survey included points taken every three feet. This was crucial for creating a base for the soil profiles and irrigation layout.

“Many of us on the project have strong ties to Ireland, making this much more than basic renovation work to us,” said Daniel J. Allen, principal at CTA. “We were painstaking in our repairs in order to keep the artist’s vision intact.”

The team worked to ensure the existing soils could be reused and were kept off-site and when the soils became homogeneous over time, organic matter was added to make up the top layer. The plants, which are all native to Ireland, were also grown off-site and replanted once the renovation was completed.

“We recommended that the plants begin growing early in the construction phase, as it would take a minimum of one year for them to grow to the point that they are viable,” said James Dudley, a SiteWorks senior project manager.

The plant life included 19 varieties of herbaceous annuals and perennials; 18 types of grasses, rushes and sedges; eight varieties of dwarf shrubs and wood plants; and six Clematis vitalba vines.

“The Memorial’s irrigation system was designed to address both the site’s slope and the use of fast-draining soils,” said Paul Ersboll, LiRo senior design manager. “It comprises a combination of rotor spray heads that irrigate the upper and middle furrow, and dripperline tubing that irrigates the slope-edge plantings. As the edge planters are on a steep slope, the team added jute netting on top of the drainage layer and wrapped it to contain the soil layers until the new plant material is established.”

The renovation cost $5.3 million and CTA worked along with contractor Nicholson & Galloway, Inc. and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (M/E/P) engineer Collado Engineering, P.C. and structural engineer GACE Consulting Engineers to see the project completed.

“The Irish Hunger Memorial was first dedicated over 15 years ago; it has now re-opened to stand for coming generations as a place of reflection and remembrance,” said the Battery Park City Authority. “And just as America has long welcomed immigrants from Ireland and beyond, we’re pleased to once again welcome Battery Park visitors to experience this poignant tribute to the unbreakable human spirit.”

irish memorial path

The 96′ x 170′ Memorial winds through a rural Irish landscape, with paths carved into a hill thickly lined with native Irish plants and stones imported from each of Ireland’s 32 counties.
Photo: Edward Menashy

Turfgrass tips to prep customers’ lawns for the summer

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close up Photo of Yard stick stuck in a lawn that is showing to measure 24cm in height

Photo: Grass Seed USA

While the approaching summer time will coax more homeowners outdoors with warmer temperatures and longer days, it is important to take advantage of the remaining springtime to prep your clients’ yard for summer stressors.

Turfgrass is resilient and can take a beating but increased temperatures and high foot traffic can make even the hardiest lawn deteriorate if the proper care and precautions are not applied.

While these steps may sound like a broken record to you, you cannot assume your client knows better unless you educate them. This is especially important if you don’t handle their lawn care maintenance.

Mowing

Whether you’re working with cool-season grasses or warm-season grasses, mowing at the tall end of the mowing height can help improve the lawn’s wear tolerance. This allows for more leaf tissue to endure compaction and protects the growing point of the plant.

“I’d start rolling into that now in preparation for the summer,” said Geoff Rinehart with the University of Maryland.

Another important element to keep in mind when it comes to mowing is having sharp blades.

“Especially when we get into the summer, things start to dry out,” Rinehart said. “The grass blades become a little bit tougher to clip. They’ve got less water content in them. Those mower blades can really dull out by midsummer so being able to sharpen the mower blades and avoid fraying the end of the leaf is important.”

This can help prevent diseases that tend to gain entry via frayed grass blades. Sharp blades also result is a much cleaner, neater cut in general. Rinehart adds that cleaning the mower decks out will help the blades spin better.

Watering

While lawns are often portrayed as water-guzzling plots of land that must be irrigated on a daily basis, experts agree turfgrass actually does better when watered deeply and infrequently.

“Sometimes folks will get into where they have their irrigation set for a couple minutes every day and the water really doesn’t move very far into the root zone,” Rinehart said. “It just gets caught up in that upper layer and it’s not getting water down to the roots that are deeper that could better sustain that deeper root system.”

Most cool-season grasses can thrive on about 1 inch of water, with rainfall, per week during the summer and more drought-tolerant grasses need even less. By getting water to the roots that are deeper, there is a better chance of sustaining them over the summer.

Frequent irrigation can also lead to promoting certain turfgrass diseases if the blades are often left wet.

As for why the idea that grass needs frequent watering has been so perpetual, Rinehart believes it’s because of people’s natural tendency is to worry or overmanage. Watering every day also prevents the lawn from having a chance to dry out. This inhibits the amount of air space in the soil.

“The average person doesn’t have a really good understanding of our soil needing air space and not liking it saturated all the time,” Rinehart said. “If it’s saturated all the time, you’re encouraging certain disease pathogens.”

Fertilizing

For cool-season grasses, it is not advisable to fertilize in the summertime, but if applied at the proper time, they can help with stress tolerance.

“With cool-season grasses, you want to time that spring fertilization so it’s after the flush of growth but before things get hot,” Rinehart said. “If you fertilize too late and it starts to get hot, you can actually stimulate brown patch disease within cool-season grasses.”

Rinehart advises opting for slow-release fertilizer because fast-release fertilizer is more likely to cause brown patch.

Meanwhile, mid-spring through summer is the optimal time to fertilize for warm-season grasses like Bermuda grass, zoysiagrass, St. Augustine grass and centipedegrass. This should be started after the turf has completed its spring greening.

Heavy nitrogen fertilization can have a negative effect by causing an excess of spring shoot production and in turn reducing root formation. Weak root systems will become apparent in hot dry summers. If your client wants early-season color, foliar applications of iron can provide greening without an increase in shoot growth. However, this tends to be short-lived.

Best grasses for high traffic areas

Like most things in life, there is no one perfect option but everything has its tradeoffs. For example, Rinehart says that perennial ryegrass has the top wear tolerance, but it doesn’t have very good recuperative capacity because it is a bunch type grass and it is more prone to disease.

Kentucky bluegrass tends to be the cool-season choice for high-traffic, high-performance situations because it has the capacity to recover, yet doesn’t have as much wear tolerance as ryegrass does.

Yet both of these types of grasses are not recommended for residential homes in transition zones, as they are prone to diseases. Growing a warm-season grass for the summer and overseeding with a cool-season grass in the winter can be a solution in this situation.

Meanwhile, warm-season grasses like Bermuda grass boast of a high-traffic tolerance but will struggle to recover if it does get worn out. The same can be said for zoysiagrass. Bahiagrass and centipedegrass, which both spread by stolons, are vulnerable to damage and do not recover well.

Landscapers give their time and talent at Renewal & Remembrance

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landscaper aerating Arlington National Cemetery

Crews aerated various lots in need at Arlington National Cemetery.
Photo: Jill Odom

Landscapers gathered in Washington D.C. once more on July 15-17 for the National Association of Landscape Professionals’ (NALP) 22nd annual Renewal & Remembrance event.

One of the iconic events the organization hosts in the year, approximately 400 members of the green industry and their families gathered at Arlington National Cemetery to serve.

Projects varied from applying lime and phosphorus to certain lots, aerating, installing irrigation systems and more. The organization also worked in the Soldier’s and Airmen’s Home Cemetery for the second year.

Photo of landscapers removing a poorly constructed retaining wall

One of the landscaping projects required the removal and replacement of a poorly constructed retaining wall.
Photo: Jill Odom

Volunteers also had the opportunity to handle three different landscaping projects, including replacing a retaining wall and tree work.

According to Renewal & Remembrance chairman, John Eggleston, around 80 percent of the participants are individuals returning from previously serving.

While the day of service may pass in a blur, NALP begins working with Arlington National Cemetery in January to determine what tasks they’ll do that year and plan accordingly.

This year the opening ceremony was held at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial because the traditional location at the amphitheater was under construction. Workers both young and old gathered to hear Colonel Jerry Farnsworth, chief of staff for the Army National Military Cemeteries, Jeff Buhler, NALP president, and Priscilla E. Quakenbush, retired Lieutenant Colonel for the United States Army Nurse Corps.

Farnsworth thanked the landscapers for their contribution and Buhler challenged the workers to take a moment during the day and pause.

“Life’s biggest moments can be missed if you don’t pause and reflect,” Buhler said.

Quakenbush shared the benefits green spaces have on injured soldiers and the meanings of the coins often seen placed on headstones.

After the dedication led by Tom Shotbarger, with Shotzbarger, Inc., a swath of neon vests bunched together for a group photo before scattering like ants to their various assignments.

Photo of landscaper volunteer push mowing the grass around the tombs of Arlington Cemetery

Employees from various Ruppert Landscape branches volunteered at this year’s Renewal & Remembrance.
Photo: Jill Odom

The sun had only risen slightly in the sky, but the temperature was already causing team members to sweat as the high heat index remained a point of concern throughout the day.

While some landscapers brought their employees to participate like YardApes and Ruppert Landscape, others brought their families.

Children of landscapers were able to do their part during the Children’s Program, where they learned about caisson horses, and Roger Phelps, corporate communications manager for Stihl, shared with them the history of the USS Maine.

Over 200 people died during the sinking and Phelps shared the power and importance of remembering the fallen, including those whose identities are unknown.

“They were somebody’s son, somebody’s husband or somebody’s brother, but they served with honor,” Phelps said.

Photo of two female children volunteers feeding peppermints to a Caisson Horse

Kids had the opportunity to feed peppermints to the caisson horses.
Photo: Jill Odom

The kids planted annuals near the USS Maine Memorial and left bouquets of flowers at the grave markers of unknown soldiers from the tragedy.

One example of a landscaper who has been serving Renewal & Remembrance for years is Miles Kuperus Jr., CEO of Farmside Landscape & Design, based in Sussex, New Jersey. Not only does Kuperus volunteer, but his entire family serves as well.

His wife, Lisa, believes they have been coming for at least 15 years, as her youngest son, Wesley was just a baby during their first time attending.

The Kuperuses started attending Renewal & Remembrance when Farmside Landscape & Design joined NALP, which was known as PLANET at the time, just trying to get an understanding for the event.

photo of bouquet left by children at the tomb of the 7 unknown victims of the USS Maine

Children left bouquets for unknown victims of the USS Maine.
Photo: Jill Odom

There was no Children’s Program back then, but this changed shortly after with Lisa Kuperus taking the lead to help run this portion of the event. As the Kuperus children grew older, each found their own reason for why they continue to participate.

“A lot of my siblings are now older, so we don’t have time in our schedule, but we make time because it has such a high value of importance to us, and it’s just something we value and we love and we love meeting new people,” said Racheal Kuperus, who is 22 years old and the third oldest in the family. “We love seeing old faces and our community here.”

Racheal started out planting annuals as a participant of the Children’s Program, and as she has grown up, she has taken on leadership roles with the program alongside her mother.

“I just really picked it up because I love sharing the knowledge of plants and everything and I just love kids,” she said. “I’m going into teaching, so being able to continue in the kids’ program, I love it. I love seeing the kids learning and that’s why I’m here at the Children’s Program. (I’m) amazed that these children are here so young and exposed to something so raw, and honestly, it’s beautiful to see.”

Racheal’s older sister, Anna Marie, who is 24, started out helping collect trash with her father and transitioned over to the Children’s Program a couple years ago. Despite living and working in Michigan now, Anna Marie still makes a point to return for Renewal & Remembrance.

4 children sitting on the ground under a tree being instructed by Racheal Kuperus on how to construct their bouquets

Racheal Kuperus instructs the children on how to construct their bouquets.
Photo: Jill Odom

She enjoys seeing the progress over the years as Arlington continually grows to trust the organization more and allows them to do more complex projects.

“Ultimately, it comes back down to serving and volunteering for all those who gave much more so that’s really what it comes down to, but it’s really cool to see other people and see it through their eyes for the first time because that’s how we were the first time when we first started,” Anna Marie said.

Wesley, who is 15 and the youngest, also enjoys seeing the progress NALP has made over the years. He helps out by cleaning up trash that is left over from the volunteer work, such as liming.

“I’ve been here a long time and I can remember where it was in the beginning, and I see projects from the past to the future now and it looks so nice and that’s why I think it’s good,” he said.

Richard, who is 20 and the second youngest in the family, worked as a co-champion with his eldest brother Miles Kuperus III this year on sustainability and hydration. The goal was to leave no trace behind and to ensure the cemetery looks cleaner when they leave it. They also want to recycle as much as possible, with last year having a 90 percent recycling rate.

“We want to get to that 100,” Richard said. “That’s what sustainability is all about. We’re in the green industry. We want to be green and recycling as much as possible.”

Richard is currently involved in the family business and going to school for a degree related to the green industry.

“Every year, I always look forward to coming back and stepping up to more leadership roles,” Richard said. “It’s all about giving back. That’s the main reason. This is what I know, this is what I love, and for those who have given everything, this is the best that I can do in return.”

Photo of Arlington Cemetery

For more pictures of Renewal & Remembrance, check out NALP’s Flickr page here.
Photo: Jill Odom

Happily ever after: What you need to know about outdoor wedding preparation

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Photo of white folding chairs arranged for a an outside wedding with green topiary balls hanging on the outside chairs that align the aisle which is covered with white rose petals

Photo: Pixabay

Summer is one of the most popular seasons for nuptials, and customers might already have or will soon begin to ask you whether or not your landscaping company offers outdoor wedding preparation.

If this isn’t currently a service you offer but you’ve considered diving into it, take a look at some of the ideas and options you’ll need to keep in mind when determining what all you’ll be able to offer. Whether you strictly provide design ideas, strictly construction and installation or design and installation, having a plan in action ahead of time and understanding the intricacies of wedding planning and preparation can help the process go more smoothly.

Planning

Whether your company is only providing designs for a wedding or another outdoor event, only doing the installation work or will be performing it all, it’s important to begin the process with a well-thought-out plan.

Taking time to meet with the couple and wedding planner will help you and your team get a better sense of the space you’ll be working with, the amount of work ahead of you, what you will and won’t need to add to the space and more along those lines.

Be sure to see the site for yourself before making any kind of plans or promises to the couple, as photos of the space could be outdated or unreliable with scaling and sizing, and verbal descriptions can be equally as off the mark.

According to Arlene Pond, landscape designer with J. Montgomery Designs in Alamo, California, the planning process can be a bit different depending on your company’s role in the process.

For projects that will only involve softscaping, such as adding in plant material, pots, beds and more, the planning process is more simplistic. For this, she says, landscapers will typically only need to see the site, have a basic sketch of what the couple wants for the layout, then order the necessary plants. When said plants arrive, Pond says that typically, everyday landscaping tools will be used for the installation process. She also stresses the importance of checking to see whether or not irrigation will need to be installed and used throughout the event, as well as any water fixtures that will require refilling and electricity.

For projects where hardscaping is required, Pond says the process gets a little more complex. These types of projects, she says, require planning, drawing up sketches and designs, obtaining construction documents, being aware of what type of lighting will be used, the installation process, taking bids and more.

Preparation

For companies doing both the planning and installation work, there are a few details to keep in mind when looking at the space.

First of all, be sure to look closely at the grass and surrounding grounds. If the grass could use a little watering, fertilizing and mowing, don’t hesitate to jump in and start preparing. Take stock of any weeds or patchy areas in need of tender love and care, and try to begin the reseeding process in enough time to let those areas fill back in before the big day.

Likewise, be on the lookout for ant beds and other pests that could potentially put a damper on the outdoor festivities.

Applying pesticides in a timely and safe manner can help keep creepy crawlies from making an unwelcomed appearance on the couple’s big day and finding ways to add in candles and plants that ward off insects can be a creative way to add to the decorations while also providing functionality.

After reviewing the site, sit down and talk to the couple and the wedding planner about the theme and color schemes of the event. When preparing the designs, don’t be afraid to incorporate their ideas into the overall design to make a more cohesive look.

For most outdoor events, lighting will be a major focal point, especially if the shindig runs over into the evening hours. With the simple addition of some artful lighting throughout the venue, the area can go from an afternoon wedding to the serenely lit place for a reception.

Adding in a few artful light displays can create a completely different environment for your clients and their guests, and it can also act as a more aesthetically pleasing way of beckoning visitors to explore and wander when they have a spare moment or two during the festivities.

If there are concrete areas or patios that will be used, be sure that these are cleaned properly before the big day. If your customers have always wanted to add in a patio to their yard but never really saw a need for it until now, consider adding in a new patio or outdoor kitchen to the space while you’re in the preparation process. This can give guests more seating and an area to relax in during the rehearsal dinner, reception or another type of party.

Along with these details, Pond recommends taking stock of just how big or small the event will be.

“I think the main thing (you need to do) to be successful is to really think about how many people are going to be in that space and how functional it’s going to be for hosting a wedding,” Pond said.

Product roundup: Knikmops offers compact loaders as an alternative to skid steers

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Knikmops Elite KM100

Low cost of ownership makes the Knikmops Elite KM100 series a good fit for landscaping companies.
Photo: Knikmops

The Texas-based importer and distributor Miniloaders.com (formerly Compactgiant) has begun distribution of a new mini-loader from Knikmops.

The Belgian manufacturer offers the KM100 Intrepid series with two different models, the Intrepid KM100 has the standard boom while the Intrepid KM100 Tele has a telescoping boom. The standard boom reaches 80 inches and the telescopic reaches 108 inches.

The machines both weigh 2,300 pounds and run on 25-horsepower Kubota engines. They have a top travel speed of 11 mph. Both units use a universal attachment plate with manual locking.

According to Knikmops, the Intrepid KM100 machines use less fuel, have a longer tire life and are easy to enter and exit compared to a skid steer. The telescopic version is $36,000 and the standard boom version is $33,000.

For more information, click here.

Echo introduces new trimmer series

Echo says that its new X Series SRM-3020 offers top engine and cutting performance for professional landscapers and right-of-way crews.

The SRM-3020 trimmer, SRM-3020T high torque trimmer and SRM-3020U brushcutter were designed with heavy weeds and thick grass in mind, making them ideal for maintaining spaces such as overgrown areas, parks, preserves and ditches.

The hand-held equipment features a 1.8-horsepower two stroke engine and 20-inch cutting swath. According to Echo, this is a 17 percent larger swath and provides double digit improvement in cutting torque compared to competitors.

“The introduction of the SRM-3020 once again demonstrates Echo’s commitment to providing the best quality and highest durability products for professional users,” said Wayne Thomsen, vice president – marketing and after market, Echo Incorporated. “In a league of its own with category leading engine performance, the SRM-3020 sets a new industry benchmark.”

The gear ratio for the standard trimmer and brushcutter is 1.62:1 and the high torque trimmer has a 2.07:1 gear ratio. Each model features the Speed-Feed 450 trimmer head and comes with a 2-year commercial/5-year consumer warranty.

Spiio releases second-generation wireless sensor

Spiio has introduced the SP-110 to enable a new data dimension for smart irrigation in the green industry.

Spiio SP-110

Photo: Spiio

The new wireless sensor will help landscapers, horticulturists and others in the green industry use smart irrigation to maintain their projects and make better decisions on water usage.

Approximately 70 percent of the water used around the world is for irrigation, and about 60 percent of that water is lost due to evapotranspiration or inefficient watering methods, yet with better data this can be improved.

“Access to more data will not only help us immediately save water in commercial greenscaping, but over time boost the landscape architect’s possibilities when it comes to greening our future data-driven and sustainable super-cities,” said Martin Dal, CEO and co-founder of Spiio.

The SP-110 features four sensors: soil moisture, temperature, light and nutrients. It has the highest possible IP grading (IP69K) making it particularly durable. It has a battery life of five to six years.

The sensor combines with various smart controllers on the market allowing for full automation.

Joe Zazzera, founder of Plant Solutions in Arizona, has used the sensors to help improve his biophilic designs in office buildings.

“There’s nothing more discouraging than trying to connect people with poorly installed or maintained living walls,” Zazzera said. “Using Spiio sensors has enabled us to monitor our living walls remotely 24/7. Having this technology enhances our maintenance skills and fulfills our mission, creating happier, healthier building occupants.”

Steel Green Manufacturing to build zero-turn sprayer and spreaders

Startup Steel Green has announced it will begin operation is Lebanon, Indiana, manufacturing equipment for the professional lawn care industry.

Steelgreen Manufacturing logoThe company was founded by Scot Jones, Matt Smith, Michael Floyd, Craig Conyer and Brent Mills, all previous employees of the Z-Spray manufacturers, L.T. Rich Products, Inc.

Jones was a parts manager for the last 15 years and has also worked in the parts departments for Ag-Chem Equipment Company and Big A Equipment.

Smith has over a decade of experience in sales and retail management and will serve as sales manager for Steel Green Manufacturing. Floyd, inventory control manager at Steel Green Manufacturing, has worked eight years in various departments including parts and service, shipping and receiving and warranty.

Conyer will bring over 20 years of experience to his new position as production manager for the company. He is certified in Panasonic Robotic Welding and Autodesk Inventor CAD.

Mills has been in the industry since 1987 and spent the last 10 years performing tech support on zero-turn sprayer spreader machines.

“With over 100 years of combined experience in the landscape equipment industry, our team understands the needs of landscape contractors and grounds professionals, and we’re proud to build equipment with them in mind,” Jones said.

Lawn care: Fall turfgrass diseases to watch for

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Rust disease on Kentucky bluegrass

Rust is a fall disease of Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass, infecting turf that is slow-growing from limited irrigation and/or nitrogen.
Photo: Bayer

It is officially the fall season and with it comes homeowner beliefs that there’s nothing left to do in the yard.

Yet after the stress of summer, your client’s turfgrass is more vulnerable than ever to certain fall lawn diseases, so it’s your job to educate them on the need to keep up the good fight and continue to prioritize proper lawn care.

 “Maximizing plant health year-round is critical for minimizing diseases in lawns all season long,” says Zac Reicher, Ph.D., Bayer Green Solutions Team specialist.

Common diseases to look for

For the most part, cool-season grasses don’t have to deal with many diseases in the fall, according to Reicher. One of the few diseases that can be common in early fall is rust.

Rust is a fungal disease that appears as yellowish-orange powder on grass blades. Low fertility and low water availability can slow down turf growth, allowing rust to appear. Excess rain can deplete available nitrogen making rust more likely in cool-season turf.

“It is most common on Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass with dry weather and poor growing conditions,” says Jamie Breuinger, technical leader for Corteva Agriscience, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont, Turf & Ornamental division. “Although the disease is mostly cosmetic, homeowners can be annoyed with the yellow/orange pustules that can leave a distinct orange color on your shoes. To address this issue, it is recommended to increase the growth of the turfgrass through fertilization and irrigation.”

Another fungal disease cool-season grasses can experience in the fall is necrotic ring spot. This disease is characterized by ring-shaped patches of dead or dying turf. These patches may at times coalesce, or they may stand out as individual dead rings. It is most commonly found in Kentucky bluegrass.

Environmental conditions for necrotic ring spot vary with it being more severe in some locations during spring and fall, while in other regions it only appears in midsummer.

It tends to be more problematic in lawns with significant thatch or poor soil structure, according to Reicher.

Large patch of rust disease on grass

Large patch affects almost all warm-season grasses, including St. Augustine in this picture, with infection in the fall well before symptoms are usually seen in the spring.
Photo: Bayer

As for warm-season grasses, fall lawn diseases are far more problematic as they are entering the slower growth period from the fall to the spring.

Some of the diseases that are commonly spotted are large patch and take-all root rot.

Large patch features circular patches that turn yellow, then reddish brown, brown or straw-colored as the grass dies. According to Matt Giese, technical services manager at Syngenta, large patch can develop on zoysiagrass during wet, cool fall weather.

Take-all root rot causes brown dead spots in turfgrass and early symptoms are patches of turf appearing yellowish green. If left unchecked, it will result in severe thinning of the grass.

“Last year, Hurricanes Harvey and Irma caused tremendous problems with take-all root rot in warm-season lawns, but we have been lucky in 2018 with no major outbreaks in warm-season turf to date,” Reicher says.

Last but not least is dollar spot, which is prevalent in the fall and affects both warm- and cool-season grasses. Dollar spot is recognizable by tiny yellow spots on individual blades and as the grass dies, straw-colored spots 2 to 3 inches in diameter begin to appear in the lawn.

This disease can become widespread if summer conditions were harsh and supplemental fertilizer was not applied, according to Giese.

Dealing with ID difficulties

When it comes to identifying some of these fall lawn diseases, it can be challenging. Reicher says necrotic ring spot is the hardest to ID in cool-season turf, as it can be mistaken for drought damage, white grubs or fairy ring.

“Necrotic ring spot is a root-infecting disease that does not produce above ground mycelium or lesions on turf leaves, but it does produce characteristic frog-eye patterns in the turf with thin or dying rings up to three feet in diameter with healthy turf in the center,” he says.

Because turf diseases may not match their textbook appearance, Giese advises enlisting the help of your local turf disease diagnostic clinic to help identify the issue.

Sometimes it can also be hard to determine if the aesthetic issues your customer’s lawn faces are the result of a fungus or just poor cultural practices.

“Diseases or other biotic problems will typically form irregular patterns that may follow shade, traffic or soil wetness patterns,” Reicher says. “Conversely, man-made problems like inconsistencies in application or improper irrigation will be in more regular patterns and may be in straight lines depending on the cause.”

Giese adds that diseases typically show foliar patterns of necrosis, and moisture stress symptoms appear consistent and evenly brown.

Best practices

In order to reduce the risk of fall lawn diseases, there are a number of best maintenance practices landscapers can follow.

Most, but not all, diseases in turf are a reflection of previous maintenance, both long- and short-term,” Reicher says. “Rust is a classic example of a disease attacking almost exclusively under-fertilized Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass lawns.”

A majority of the cultural practices are pretty straightforward, including mowing frequently enough at the highest recommended height for different grasses. Reicher says to avoid removing more than 1/3 of the leaf blade at a time.

Another important factor is monitoring irrigation and avoiding overwatering.

“All lawn diseases are favored by moisture extremes (too wet or too dry), so it is important to monitor irrigation distribution and regularly adjusting irrigation frequency and volume throughout the year,” Reicher says.

Matt Giese

Matt Giese
Photo: Syngenta

As you go into fall, there may be turf loss from various summer stresses like drought, heat, disease, traffic or insects. Applying the proper amount of fertilizer can promote recovery.

“Lawn care professionals need to think of fall as a time for turf renewal for cool-season grasses,” Breuninger says. “Fertilization at this time will help to stimulate growth and turf recovery. For management of Kentucky bluegrass, aeration or raking out the dead debris will help healthy turf spread into damaged areas. As a good rule of thumb, if there is more than 50 percent thinning of the turfgrass, reseeding may be needed.”

Speaking of dead debris, managing thatch and maximizing sunlight and air movement are two other important maintenance practices to follow.

“Established turfgrass builds up thatch over time and creates perfect breeding grounds for diseases,” Giese says. “Aerification, de-thatching or power raking can help reduce environments conducive to disease.

As for what to do when there is a lawn disease already present, Giese says treating turfgrass depends on the disease present.

“Foliar diseases are easier to control because fungicides can directly contact the pathogen on the plant’s surface,” he says. “Applying at first detection can be effective. However, soil-borne diseases require a preventive approach since fungicides need to absorb into plants long before symptoms show for optimum control. Curative fungicide applications to soil-borne diseases are generally not effective.”

When dealing with large patch or take-all root rot in warm-season grasses, Reicher suggests applying fungicides like Armada preventatively for effective control.


Foliage: What to be aware of when planting trees in the winter

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trees on siteone trailer

Photo: SiteOne

Winter can be a slow time for business, especially if you don’t offer snow removal or Christmas lighting services, but there are still ways to keep your employees busy.

While your sales and design teams can plan out the jobs for the upcoming new year, your installation crews may be looking for something to do.

Depending on the area you are located in, you can actually get a head start on next spring by planting trees as long as the ground is not frozen. George Wolf, SiteOne’s senior director of category management, says any species can be planted in late winter as long as it is appropriate for the USDA zone you’re working in.

He does warn that late winter planting isn’t exactly the ideal time, but it is doable.

“I don’t see a true cultural benefit to planting in late winter in terms of blooming, establishing roots or increased survivability,” Wolf says. “Only real benefit I can see is that a landscaper could level out peak labor demands by planting trees prior to the spring season kicking in. There is no horticultural benefit that I am aware of to be gained from planting in late winter.”

Issues to be aware of

If client or labor needs cause you to need to start planting trees in late winter, here are some of the issues you need to be prepared for and may prevent you from starting at all.

1. Availability of stock

Wolf says that container stock or trees that have been harvested and burlapped during the fall digging season are ideal for late winter planting.

“Planting trees in the winter would be similar to being ‘mulched in’ at a nursery yard or grower for protection from the winter elements,” he says.

siteone workers

Photo: SiteOne

The problem that might occur, depending on your location, is if the nursery has already winterized their operations. If the plants are already mulched in for the season, you might not be able to start installing in the winter, even if you wanted to.

Wolf also says you should determine if what you are planting is fresh or tired stock from the prior season.

“Not all product leafs out in spring, so what is your course of action if the tree does not leaf out?” Wolf says. “If you wait until spring, you can think about using trees of a greater caliper, such as SiteOne specimen trees, to give you a jump on the season.”

2. Frozen soil

If the ground is frozen, digging will be nearly impossible and the tree will likely suffer from reduced root growth and eventual tree decline.

Wolf adds that frozen soil will prove challenging to get a good mixture of soil and soil amendments mixed in the planting hole between the native soil and the root ball.

3. Winter threats

Just like how summer has a number of stressors, winter comes with its own set of factors that can prove challenging for trees just getting settled in. These include late winter storms, the ground freezing again and bark splitting just to name a few.

Winter burn, or desiccation, can happen when evergreens lose considerable amounts of moisture through their leaves due to strong winds or sunlight while the roots are frozen, preventing the plant from replacing the lost water.

Sun scald tends to appear on the south or southwest side of a tree during the late winter and early spring. Direct sun can heat the bark enough that the tissue becomes active and breaks dormancy, but freezing temperatures at night kill the active tissue.

One of the most obvious causes of winter damage to plants is snow and ice. Heavy snow and ice can cause tree branches to bend and break.

Newly planted trees and shrubs can allow cold air to penetrate the root zone if cracks in the soil are not properly filled. Mulch and leaf litter tend to keep the soil insulated and prevent the temperature from fluctuating in the winter.

4. Irrigation

While you might not think of winter as a dry time, but it can be a challenge for trees to get the moisture that they need. Wolf says this is more of an issue when planting evergreens in late winter.

“Deciduous trees are dormant in the winter and require very little water,” he says. “Evergreen trees keep their needles and leaves and as a result have a much greater need for moisture. If there is a late freeze or the ground is still partially frozen, it makes it much more difficult for an evergreen tree to get the moisture it needs to support the needles or leaves.”

He also notes it’s important to have irrigation in place for when the tree does break dormancy.

One thing to make clear to clients who may be wanting a tree planted early for spring blossoms is that many transplanted trees or containerized trees do not bloom heavily the first year of planting.

“This is primarily a result of the tree using its energy to establish roots to provide moisture and nutrients for the plant during the upcoming summer season, so in many cases rooting takes priority over blooms and flowers,” Wolf says.

Industry roundup: Carhartt launches Carhartt Company Gear program

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Photo: Carhartt

Carhartt recently announced it will launch its Carhartt Company Gear program on Jan. 16. With the new Carhartt Company Gear service model, the company says its 130-year-old brand will provide a wide range of businesses with its familiar, rugged, durable products.

Along with its most popular styles, Carhartt says businesses across various trades and sectors will also have access to the new Rugged Professionals Series, which they say will give uniformed associates a sharp, professional appearance.

“With the launch of Carhartt Company Gear, our brand now offers one of the most comprehensive and innovative workwear solutions in the marketplace,” says Andi Donovan, senior vice president of Carhartt Company Gear. “The reorganization of our service program will allow Carhartt to accommodate customers’ workwear demands whether they need pants for a crew of 20 or need to outfit an entire operation. So far, the reaction from the market has been very positive.”

To service customers in search of customized workwear programs, Carhartt says it set out to expand its well-known consumer collection of industrial products to fit the uniform needs of businesses.

With the launch of Carhartt Company Gear, the company says the brand also introduced its Rugged Professionals Series. The company says this product collection comes in nine styles and features rugged flex and stain breaker technologies, along with wrinkle resistance and superior colorfastness to maintain a professional look after dozens of washes.

The Rugged Professionals Series includes button-up shirts, work pants and shorts and a baseball cap, and Carhartt says it will be available in a complete array of sizes to accommodate both men and women.

The company says the Carhartt Company Gear will also include products under every category of industry and specialty from standard uniforms to more specific clothing requirements, such as flame resistant and high visibility gear designed to comply with federal and state employee safety standards.

Natural Paving USA introduces new firepits

Photo: Natural Paver USA

Natural Paving USA recently revealed their newest offering: firepits. The company says these natural stone firepits are pre-made, hand-cut and come in simple-to-assemble kits.

The company says they are a perfect complement to any outdoor living area and blend perfectly with the company’s natural stone pavers. These firepits are available in the colors lakeland and promenade, measure 36 ½” across and inside diameter and stand 17” tall.

FLOMEC introduces ultrasonic flowmeter

The FLOMEC team at Great Plains Industries, Inc., recently introduced the FLOMEC QS200 insertion ultrasonic flowmeter for commercial irrigation applications. The company says the QS200 provides an accurate reading of liquid flow rate and accumulated flow.

“The irrigation market has shifted to the need to measure flow, especially in low flow situations like drip irrigation,” says Kevin Symens, director of sales at GPI. “The QS200 was designed to do just that.”

FLOMEC says the QS200 has no moving parts and utilizes ultrasonic technology to measure flow instead of simply sensing it. The company says the QS200 provides high accuracy and extended leak detection down to 0.1 fps.

The company adds that it measures flow rates five times lower than current flow sensors on the market, as low as 0.22 GPM and is compatible with most common name brand irrigation controllers. Additionally, FLOMEC says it offers LED indication of power and flow activity and retrofits into data industrial PVC tees.

“Current flow sensors in the industry cannot read low flows required in many irrigation applications,” says Edwin Fetzer, QS200 lead engineer. “Even at their lowest detectable flows, the accuracy is extremely poor, basically making them flow switches. This dramatically limits the ability of finding leaking valves or other irrigation system leaks.”

Green & Growin’ 19 kicking off soon

Green & Growin’ 19 will kick off on Monday, Jan. 14, in Greensboro, North Carolina. The event has been around for more than a decade and includes some of the biggest names in the green industry.

Attendees are able to share trends, new products, inspiration and services with professionals from the plant nursery, irrigation, landscape and horticulture industry from across the nation. In 2018, it was reported that the event attracted more than 4,500 participants from 38 states plus Canada and Australia.

The educational portion of the event takes place at the Sheraton Greensboro at Four Seasons Hotel Jan. 14-16. Attendees can choose from more than fifty classes that provide CEU credit toward state and national accreditations and licensure in eight disciplines. Specialty classes and certifications are offered both Monday and Tuesday featuring a range of CEU credit classes interspersed over both days.

Attendees can choose from a range of educational programs providing continuing education credits. Attendees will see those required for a Pesticide or Landscape Contractor License along with programs such as “Planting Pollinators for Well-being,” “Drones for Landscapers and Nurseries” and “Art and Horticulture Collide: The World of Living Walls.”

On Tuesday, Bryce Lane, famed horticulturist and host of two-time Emmy award winning show, “In the Garden with Bryce Lane,” will be a popular highlight speaking on “In Pursuit of Excellence: Cultivating Leadership in Your Organization.”

Ron Rosenberg, nationally recognized expert on marketing and customer service, presents “Outrageous Marketing: How to Dominate Your Market Niche!” and promises a highly entertaining program.

The Marketplace exhibition, Jan. 17-18, at the Greensboro Coliseum, runs from 7:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. each day. Attendees will enjoy 167,000 square feet of exhibit space complete with greenery and plants. They can place orders, see new products, assess services and meet industry professionals. The 2018 event attracted more than 400 exhibitors in plant, shrub, tree and turf businesses. To register for Green & Growin’ 19, click here.

ARA releases new strategic plan

The American Rental Association (ARA) has released a new industry-wide strategic plan that they say will drive program initiatives over the next three years. ARA says this is the first revision to its strategic plan in more than a decade.

The ARA board of directors met for a two-day session led by a professional facilitator to discuss common issues within the industry and discover common themes in which an action plan could be developed around.

“As the industry continues to grow and change, so do the needs of the members we serve,” says Tony Conant, ARA CEO. “After nearly two years of research and compiling data, the five key areas where the association can make a significant impact have been identified for inclusion in the strategic plan.”

ARA says the result is a simple, straightforward plan that communicates with clarity the purpose, focus areas and values that will drive ARA into the future:

  • Education: Position ARA as the primary source for education and training in the equipment and event rental industry.
  • Industry workforce: Raise awareness of careers in rental and ensure a qualified and sustainable workforce for rental business owners.
  • Technology: Encourage rental business owners to effectively use technology to increase operational performance.
  • Market intelligence: Provide industry metrics, forecasting resources and market intelligence tools for the industry.
  • Consumer awareness:Promote the value proposition of equipment and event rental so that consumers think of rental first.

“ARA’s volunteer leadership changes each year and without a multi-year strategy, the direction of the association and its priorities could change frequently,” says ARA president Kevin Hoffman. “This consistent plan allows staff to advance the priorities set by the membership through board representation. I’m extremely pleased with the outcome and to have worked with bright and talented individuals to establish a plan that will carry the association forward.”

“Operationally, the association is doing very well,” says Conant. “The ARA Show continues to be a success, membership is growing and our publications division leads the market. However, these are five major focus areas in which the association can make a significant impact toward the long-term success of the equipment and event rental industry.”

Landscape and irrigation contractors given 2018 Mighty Oak award

Eight irrigation and lawn and landscape companies across the U.S. and Canada were awarded the Jeffrey Scott 2018 Mighty Oak, which is based on their performance as a business leader and outstanding achievements made by their companies.

These awards were announced at Scott’s recent Leader’s Edge peer group meetings held across the USA and Canada, and criteria for this award are as follows:

  • Serving as a positive example to others in the profession.
  • Working with the highest levels of integrity, ethics and accountability.
  • Achieving significant growth benchmarks.
  • Contributing to the advancement of the landscape industry.
  • Engaging in continual personal and professional development.

Honorees are chosen from the international participants in the Leader’s Edge peer groups for landscape business owners run by Scott.

The 2018 winners are as follows:

  • Richard Wynia and his firm Landart in Ontario, Canada.
  • Chris Cotoia and his firm Executive Landscaping in Dennis, Massachusetts.
  • Trevor Lively and his firm BlueJay Irrigation in Ontario, Canada.
  • Dave Wright and his Wright Landscape Services in Ontario, Canada.
  • Darin Brockelbank and his firm Metrogreenscape in Charlotte, North Carolina.
  • Martin Silverman and his firm Martin John Company in Libertyville, Illinois.
  • Pam Dooley and her firm Plants Creative Landscapes in Decatur, Georgia.
  • Tim Stevens and his firm F&B Landscaping in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

How to make the most out of the webinars you attend

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shared work space

Photo: Pexels

When time is money, webinars might seem like the last thing you think you need to be spending your time on.

Yet they can provide valuable information for crews, owners and business managers. These are learning opportunities that do not require any costly travel and some can even count for continuing education credits. The key is selecting the right webinars to attend.

Depending on what services you offer, and your target client base can direct you to sources of good webinars. For example, the Irrigation Association and RainBird offer a number of webinars related to irrigation if this is an area where you are trying to increase your skills or knowledge base.

Many webinars are free, but even if they are not, they can be well worth the cost to attend as successful industry professionals are providing valuable information. Also, webinars leave room for a question and answer segment, which is a perfect time to get some important questions answered or get feedback from others.

However, it’s important to avoid one key mistake many landscape professionals make while attending the webinar is continuing to do work.

It’s very tempting to sit at a desk and continue to work while half listening in on a webinar. However, half listening is like doing a job half way.

If you’re going to invest time into a webinar, make sure to really invest your time.

Here are a few tips from the Harvard Business Review on how participants can maximize their webinar experience:

  • Choose webinars carefully. Time is limited and not all webinars are created equal. When selecting which webinars to attend, consider how much value each will provide for particular projects with which you’re involved.
  • Watch the webinar with a group. Not only does this practice make employees more likely to attend and pay attention during webinars, but it also signals the importance of the topic and the value that the organization’s leadership places on professional development.
  • Take and distribute notes. Taking notes helps participants pay attention. Distributing them to relevant colleagues is not only helpful for those who weren’t able to attend the session, but it also gives the note-taker recognition as someone who has learned and synthesized the material presented during the webinar.
  • Use the webinar to network. When presenters and other registrants distribute their contact information, don’t be shy about following up with questions or ideas. It’s perfectly acceptable to use the shared experience of the webinar to present queries on other topics, too.
  • Ask questions. Take advantage of technologies that allow you to ask questions of presenters, following up in an email if your question doesn’t get asked or answered. In addition, talking to colleagues about questions or themes that emerged from the webinar can be an important piece of understanding the information and making it work for your organization.

Upcoming webinars

Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, at 1:30

How Apprenticeships Can Change the Face of Employee Recruitment

This webinar will be presented by Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). This webinar will introduce landscapers to the Landscape Management Apprenticeship Program which is registered by the Department of Labor and sponsored by NALP.

Henriksen will cover how the program works, what the curriculum looks like, how to get started and how it will help with the current workforce shortage. This webinar is free. Click here to register.

Thursday, March 7 & 28, 2019, at 1 p.m. ET

Contractor Conversation Series

This is a two-part webinar series hosted by Jeffrey Scott that features four industry veterans discussing their strategies for success in 2019. Mike Rorie, CEO of GroundSystems in Ohio and Chris Senske, CEO of Senske Lawn & Tree Care, Washington will speak during the first webinar on March 7.

Jim McCutcheon, president of High Grove Partners in Georgia and Will Pereira, aa branch manager with BrightView in Colorado will speak during the second webinar on March 28.

Attendees will learn how to overcome employee challenges, pricing issues, and training obstacles. These webinars are free. Click here to register.

Friday, March 29, 2019 2-3 p.m. ET

Pumps in Irrigation

This webinar will cover the potential electrical hazards you could be exposed to during the operation, maintenance, inspection and testing of center pivot systems.

It will touch on how the human body responds to electrical current in wet or damp areas, electrical hazards commonly identified around center pivot irrigation systems, how to identify suspect equipment installations, potentially unsafe conditions and hazardous conditions around center pivot irrigation systems and safety practices and equipment needed to work safely.

This webinar is worth one CEU in the Tier 1 – Irrigation Training category. Click here to register.

If for whatever reason you cannot clear your schedule to watch webinars live, take advantage of the multiple organizations that keep archives of their previous webinars. Some may still charge you to watch these old webinars, but others like the ones on the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association’s site are free to view.

BrightView helps revitalize Independence National Historical Park

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Independence National Historic Park undergoing landscaping renovation

Photo: BrightView

Independence National Historic Park (INHP) is getting some much-deserved TLC courtesy of BrightView Landscapes this spring.

Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the park is one of over 400 places within the National Park Service (NPS) and is considered the birthplace of the nation.

“The buildings of INHP are authentic and unique places of national and international importance,” says Gina Gilliam, a public affairs officer with NPS. “Here, people can connect with the stories of the founding of the United States and its early growth, against many odds, to be the most powerful country in the world. The centerpiece is Independence Hall where both the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the United States Constitution (1787) were debated and signed.”

Liberty Bell

Photo: Pixabay

INHP is also home to other National Historic Landmark buildings and sites, as well as the famous Liberty Bell, which was one of the many historical artifacts highlighted in the movie National Treasure. The number of visitors annually has ranged from over 4.3 million to nearly 5.1 million.

“One of the goals of the NPS at INHP is to have the grounds be as beautiful as the buildings are important,” Gilliam says. “BrightView offered to assist the NPS in a major rehabilitation of the grounds of a highly visible area of INHP, allowing NPS staff to focus on other parts of the park in pursuit of that goal.”

BrightView is headquartered in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, and is donating landscape rehabilitation work to the park. Crews got started working this week and the project is expected to finish at the end of April.

“We’d like to thank the National Park Service for the privilege of working on this historic site and for helping to improve the experience for everyone visiting Independence National Historical Park,” says Andrew Masterman, president and CEO of BrightView. “BrightView is a national company, but Philadelphia is our home. INHP is a source of pride for everyone living in this community and for those who travel here from around the world to experience the history of America’s independence.”

The rehabilitation work includes the replacement of sod in the park’s most frequented area, Block One of Independence Mall, which has the Liberty Bell Center on South Sixth Street and Independence Hall on Chestnut Street.

“When the lawn is not growing grass and the soil is densely compacted, a big intervention is obvious,” Gilliam says. “The decision to remove the lawn entirely was based upon tests of the chemical composition of the soil. Tests showed that the soil was contaminated with salt from snow melting compounds and chlorine from the municipal water supply.”

Along with the sod replacement, BrightView will also work to repair or replace the irrigation system for Block One.

“The lawn rehabilitation will involve replacing much of the subsoil, to the degree that the existing irrigation system will be disturbed and need to be extensively redone,” Gilliam says. “We will have the opportunity to make sure the system is as effective and efficient as it can be through improved technology as well. The system needs a spring tune-up every year after the winter season when it is turned off and it inevitably suffers damage from freezes, mud and trauma to the heads annually.”

Other work BrightView volunteered to handle includes improving the gardens and hardscape along South Independence Mall East, improving the beds surrounding the Liberty Bell Center and providing arbor care for trees along the east and west sides of Block One.

BrightView has committed to maintaining the Block One landscape for a full year at no cost.

Independence National Historic Park ground view

Photo: BrightView

“We are sincerely grateful to BrightView for this much needed in-kind donation,” says Cindy MacLeod, park superintendent. “This landscaping project in front of Independence Hall – a World Heritage Site and the birthplace of our nation – will beautify the park for our millions of visitors to enjoy as they move through the grounds and make their connections with history. We truly appreciate Independence Historical Trust for facilitating the relationship between INHP and BrightView.”

This isn’t the first historic landscape BrightView has worked on, as the company has installed new sod at the National Mall in Washington D.C. in 2011, and it currently maintains the landscapes at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia and Green-Wood Cemetery, a National Historic Landmark in Brooklyn, New York.

Gilliam says the NPS doesn’t see working with historic sites as a challenge in negative terms.

“We appreciate the special skills required to work on the maintenance and preservation of historic structures, and we take pride in caring for the grounds that provide a welcoming space for millions of people each year without the intrusion of commercial advertising or activity,” she says. “We enjoy telling the stories of our founding history and connecting them to people’s lives today in meaningful ways, and we appreciate hearing stories from visitors about their connections and stories that haven’t been heard as much.”

Tiny gardens: Making the most of your customer’s space

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In the past, it was a common occurrence to have customers who wanted the biggest and most impressive lawns around. While it’s still true that they want their spaces to stop traffic, having a larger lawn has become a less popular option, as more customers are living in smaller homes and spaces.

Tiny gardens, while smaller than a traditional garden, have many benefits that come with them that customers might not think of initially. With larger scale gardens come a higher price tag for maintenance and larger applications of water to maintain a lush, green look. With a tiny garden, customers can still have the appeal and enjoyment of a garden without the larger hassle.

Take a look at a few reasons why your customers might ultimately love having a tiny garden if they are questioning the concept and how it will play out in their available space.

Your own green space

For customers just taking the leap into the world of gardens, starting off with a tiny garden could be a great step. Instead of immediately going all out and investing in a huge garden space, dipping a toe into the water and testing it out with a tiny garden could prove ideal.

Along with providing beginners with a less hectic way of starting out with gardening, having a tiny garden in a space located in an urban area can help customers make the most of the space they have available.

Talk to them about taking advantage of this space to create a beautiful and inviting green space that will allow them the opportunity to grow anything from flowers to vegetables, all in one smaller space.

Don’t forget that adding in grasses and other ground covers can create a lush, carpeted space to allow customers the chance to sit and relax after a hard day, and to help add more height to the space, consider the use of climbing plants and vertical gardens.

Vertical gardens can showcase narrow trees, arbors, climbing vines and more, and they will definitely show off height change without taking up a lot of ground space. If your customers live in a particularly small area, having multiple vertical gardens scattered around the landscape could be the ideal solution. Keep in mind that irrigation will be necessary for vertical gardens, and it’s important to establish a watering schedule from the beginning, as gravity may cause plants to fall out of the wall as the soil dries.

Personalize it

Regardless of how your customers plan to use the space, tiny gardens can really be used for anything, whether as a relaxing oasis or an adventurous little jungle.

Tiny gardens not only offer a size space that easier to maintain and keep up with, but they also offer a more intimate setting for getaways and rendezvous.

If the space is big enough to add in one or two comfortable lounging chairs, take advantage of this and create a more intimate space for your customers to enjoy, whether alone or with their loved ones.

Even if the space isn’t necessarily large, having a smaller patio lined with greenery and beautiful pops of colorful flowers can make the space feel like a secret garden where they can escape the trials and tribulations of their day.

If your customers really want to lean into the secret garden escape aspect, talk to them about adding in some taller trellises, raised beds, hanging leaves or potted plants that could help create a canopy of green all around them.

Even though the space is literally smaller, that doesn’t mean it will actually feel small once customers begin using it. Having the right type, amount and placement of plants in the area can really make the space look more spacious when placed perfectly in the garden.

To create a space that’s lush and jungle-like, layer different plant types to create more height and depth in the space. Incorporate climbing plants to draw the eyes upward while filling the bottom spaces with plants that have dense, larger leaves to have a more grounded look towards the footpaths, and bring in perennials to fill in the bed spaces to help create interest all throughout the year.

Since customers will more than likely be saving money by not having to put in as much maintenance and water care into their tiny garden, that could mean they would have a little money left over if they wanted to splurge on some higher quality materials for decorating.

If customers want to invest in some stepping stones to lead the way throughout the area or even have a small pond or water feature installed, it could be feasible for them.

No matter how your customer wants to use the space, be sure to let him/her know that it’s all about personalizing the space to fit his/her needs. Allow customers the opportunity to be creative and show off their individual taste with plant, furniture and water feature options.

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