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Author: Abby Hart

Abby Hart

Abby Hart

Abby Hart is the former senior editor of Landscape Management. A native Clevelander, she spent 10 years in Chicago, where she was operations manager of a global hospitality consultancy. She also worked as managing editor of Illumine, a health and wellness magazine; and a marketing specialist for B2B publications. Abby has a degree in journalism from Boston University’s College of Communication.

Man spraying using Exmark spreader/sprayer (Photo: Hoffman's Lawn & Fertilization)

How the use of spreader/sprayers help users maximize business

Five years ago, Andrew Hoffman, owner of Hoffman’s Lawn & Fertilization, got tired of using a push spreader and a spray reel on lawns in his hometown of Delaware, Ohio. Two years earlier, he moved his business from Ohio from Salt Lake City. “In Salt Lake City, you could get away with a hose reel […]

Skid-steer loader (Photo: Takeuchi US)

The scoop on skid-steers

When it comes to landscape construction equipment, contractors look to get the most out of their machines, making skid-steer loaders (SSLs) a popular purchase. Skid-steers are a common choice for flat terrain and hard surface applications, including landscaping, site preparation, earthmoving and demolition, according to Lee Padgett, product manager at Takeuchi US. “As more and […]

Battery-powered chainsaw (Photo: Cartwright Landscaping)

Saws that get the job done

Landscape construction contractors need powerful tools that can handle a variety of cutting jobs. Jeff Cartwright, owner of Cartwright Landscaping, based in Henrico, Va., has a few saws that he considers vital parts of his construction arsenal. Cartwright Landscaping does 50 percent design and installation work, mostly high-end residential, as well as maintenance and irrigation. […]

Sportsplex tennis courts (Photo: Brian Koribanick)

Hardscape Solutions: Creating a stellar sportsplex

The photos and story behind Landscape Techniques tackled a project involving a sportsplex in their clients’ neighbors’ old property.

DBI project (Photo: Ian Adams Photography)

Hardscape Solutions: Updated but timeless

Location: Cleveland Heights, Ohio Company: Exscape Designs The design intent was to create an updated landscape and entertainment area that reflected the traditional architecture of this 1920s-era home. Exscape helped create a new driveway layout, which meandered down the middle of the left-side lot, integrating the double lot into a cohesive whole and working around […]

The Todd’s Services leadership team. From left to right, Jeff Walz, Doug Murphy, Josh Robinson, Sherry LaButte-Birk, Kurt LaButte, Mark Becker and Kevin Birk. (Photo: Todd's Services)

One landscape company’s climb back to the top

Todd and Kurt LaButte, like many in the landscape industry, started young with a couple of push mowers, mowing neighbors’ lawns. Todd, being the older of the LaButte brothers (he was No. 5 of eight children, and Kurt was the youngest), named the company Todd’s Services. “We started in 1979, my brother and I,” Kurt […]

Photo: Vectorworks

Design software: What’s new and what’s next

How design software is helping contractors and designers sell work, and a look at what’s next for landscape design technology

Photo: JCB North America

How to use compact, mini excavators to get the job done

Mini but mighty: Landscape contractors are making use of compact and mini excavators in a variety of new applications

Photo: NeSmith Landscapes

11 best practices for maintaining construction equipment

A well-oiled machine: Experts share their best practices for construction equipment maintenance.

Photo: Marshall Evan Photography

Hardscape Solutions: Dilapidated to delightful

The Dawes Arboretum’s Zand Education Center landscaping and patio was upgraded to award-winning status during a project by Hidden Creek Landscaping

Landmark Square project (Photo: Landmark Square)

The Big One: Making a mark

Location: Stamford, Conn. Company: Eastern Land Management Landmark Square consists of an elevated, multitier seven-building office, retail, dining and theater complex — all situated over a four-story parking structure. Eastern Land Management (ELM) has been maintaining the property for the last 20 years. It maintains Landmark Square year-round, providing maintenance, snow and ice removal and […]

The Broadmoor resort in Colorado Springs (Photo: Stephanie Early)

LM150: Exploring the possibilities

A look at the initiatives and clients that have helped boost Timberline Landscaping to $15.6 million in revenue and No. 128 on the LM150 list.

Husqvarna string trimmer (Photo: Husqvarna)

Brand U: Staying ahead of the curve

A Virginia company, Surrounds Landscape Architecture & Construction, looks to the future with Husqvarna handheld equipment.

Mower image (Photo: iStock.com/danymages)

Getting mowers ready to mow

Preventive maintenance is the key to keeping your mowers in good condition. Two experts discuss the items they stress for their maintenance checks.

Millennium Park (Photo: Scott Stewart, Millennium Park Foundation)

The Big One: Park perfection

The details (and images) behind Chicago area Christy Webber Landscapes’ maintenance work on Millennium Park in downtown Chicago.

Front view of house (Photo: James Martin Associates)

The Big One: A tranquil retreat

Location: Libertyville, Ill. Company: James Martin Associates This property’s landscape was originally designed and built by James Martin Associates, and created a restful environment where guests could view the water feature, flowers and outdoor elements from a variety of vantage points. After the design/build project was completed, the company’s maintenance team took over the upkeep […]

John Deere mower (Photo: John Deere)

Brand U: A Deere relationship

Ivan Giraldo, president of Clean Scapes, prides himself on the reputation of his company. Four years ago, when it came time to replace some of his company’s mower fleet, the 30-year veteran of the green industry turned to another name that represented a solid tradition: John Deere. “It’s a well-recognized brand with a lot of […]

Horse pasture (Photo: iStock.com/Bear2016)

Pasture perfect: Maintaining a horse farm

Sometimes a good idea can come out of nowhere. For Scott Hartmann, owner of Scott’s Lawn Care (SLC) in Maple Plain, Minn., an idea for a new maintenance service came where he wasn’t expecting it — on a horse farm. Hartmann recalls that 10 years ago, his company was taking care of the turf areas […]

Photo: Marshall Evan Photography

Work to do: Tackling the industry’s labor shortage

How companies, manufacturers and industry pros are tackling landscaping’s labor shortage.

Photo: The Fockele Garden Co.

The Big One: Peace of mind

The Northeast Georgia Health System regional medical centers include gardens that provide places of hope and healing for visitors and patients.

Photo: Stihl

Tackling spring cleanups, busy season prep

Spring into action: How two companies handle their spring cleanups and prepare for a busy season ahead

Photo: Husqvarna

Get handheld equipment geared up for spring

Tips from handheld equipment experts on starting off the spring season right

Lush Lawn truck (Photo: Lush Lawn)

Keep on trucking: Maintaining lawn care fleets

Trucks are a major expense for lawn care operators, and many begin each day ensuring their investments are well cared for. Jason Zielesch, production manager for Lush Lawn in Grand Blanc, Mich., says before technicians leave the lot, the company requires they complete what it calls a “three-minute 360.” The three-minute 360 is a full […]

Dallisgrass (Photo: PBI-Gordon)

Defeat dallisgrass

A grassy weed that produces many seeds and grows in thick, unsightly clumps in turf, dallisgrass can be tricky to deal with in the warmer months. Read on for ways to spot and eradicate this turfgrass problem. Know your enemy Perennial, warm-season, grassy weed; Grows in thick clumps; Tends to grow more aggressively in open, […]

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