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Author: LM Staff

LM Staff

LM Staff

Landscape Management's staff brings together collective experience in journalism, research, writing, and editing. Our team stays tapped into the pulse of the industry, covering a wide range topics with a commitment to delivering compelling stories and high-quality content.

SafetyWatch: List of hedge trimming hazards

The list of hazards in this photo includes, but is not limited to: Lack of hearing protection; Lack of eye protection; and Improper equipment positioning. What did we miss? We invite you—as employers and workers in the landscape industry—to share your expertise. Email your responses to LM Editor Marisa Palmieri (mpalmieri@northcoastmedia.net). We’ll publish your responses […]

What attachment is essential to your business and why?

Alex Fransen President, Fransen Group Louisville, Ky. “Augers are huge for us because of the amount of trees and plant material we install. Excavators are great for our hardscape guys because they can dig out for a new patio or retaining wall. Snow pusher boxes are great for effectively and efficiently clearing parking lots of […]

SafetyWatch: Identifying fueling hazards

This photo was staged to show several safety hazards or dangerous work habits. How many can you identify? Click here for a list of potential hazards. Click here for downloadable versions of our November SafetyWatch. Ed. Note: Thanks to Schill Grounds Management in North Ridgeville, Ohio, for participating in our SafetyWatch photo shoots. Schill and Landscape […]

Belgard donates $100,000 to the USO

Belgard raised $100,000 as part of its Welcome Home giving initiative to support transitioning troop programs at the USO, a nonprofit organization that supports American service members. “We knew we had lofty goals in trying to raise this amount by Veterans Day, but we were confident our employees, customers and stakeholders shared our commitment to […]

Cat, Torc Robotics launch remote control system

Torc Robotics and Caterpillar launched the RemoteTask remote control system for Cat D Series skid-steer and multiterrain and compact track loaders. The RemoteTask system enables operators to control the machines from outside the cab—as far away as 1,000 ft. The remote control interface is designed to closely mimic in-cab machine controls, creating an easy operator transition from […]

Dolibois to keynote Green & Growin’ 16

During Green & Growin’ 16, keynote speaker Bob Dolibois will share how horticulture in the U.S. became an industry with a larger economic impact than Hollywood. “Bob’s perspective, particularly regarding what lies ahead, is a must-hear for our industry,” said Corey Connors, executive vice president of the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association. “We’re honored […]

Stihl releases 5.5-lb. blower

  Stihl released the BGA 100 handheld blower, the lightest in the Stihl line at 5.5 lbs. Operating at 56 dB(A), it’s also the quietest. This blower is part of the Stihl Battery KombiSystem, which means no gas, no cord and no exhaust emissions. Instead of an on-board battery, the BGA 100 uses a Stihl […]

Landscape Workshop adds Nashville location

Landscape Workshop, a full-service grounds management company based in Alabama, acquired Chemscape’s commercial landscaping division, based in Nashville, Tenn. Terms were not disclosed. Landscape Workshop ranked No. 71 on the 2015 LM150 list of the largest landscape companies with more than $20 million in 2014 revenue. By expanding operations to Nashville, the company says it […]

Spring-Green unveils new headquarters

Spring-Green, a national lawn care franchise, unveiled its new headquarters in Naperville, Ill., Nov. 24. “The need to expand was part of our growth plan, but now that it is here we can take a moment to celebrate this accomplishment,” said James Young, president of Spring-Green. Located one mile from its national support center campus […]

NE Grows releases new career video

New England Grows debuts a new video, “Finding Your Place in the Green Industry,” featuring green industry professionals, from students to experienced veterans, sharing what they enjoy about their careers in commercial horticulture. The video will serve as a cornerstone for the trade show’s Future Leaders program, which brings together hundreds of students from across […]

PlantLink and Green IQ team up on new water-saving technology

PlantLink, a wireless soil monitoring system by Oso Technologies, and GreenIQ Smart Garden Hub, an internet-connected irrigation controller, partnered at the Irrigation Show to provide a water solution for landscapers and contractors. PlantLink sensors relay the moisture needs according to plant type and real-time conditions to GreenIQ, which connects to a controlled irrigation system. GreenIQ […]

Web Extra: A Montecito Landscape checklist

In the November 2015 issue of LM, contributor Emily Schappacher details how Montecito Landscape finds success with checklists crated by co-owner Lisa Cullen. Here’s an example of one the company’s documents for download: Job Completion Checklist (Word doc) Cullen derived the checklist approach from her days as a management consultant and catering manager. She says they […]

Ruppert Landscape wins the 2016 Future 50 award

Ruppert Landscape, a family- and employee-owned business located in Laytonsville, Md., was named one of the 2016 Future 50 award winners. The awards program recognizes the region’s 50 fastest-growing mid-sized companies and 10 small Emerging Growth companies who have experienced outsized growth based on a combined three-year average of revenue and employee growth. “The quality of our […]

Cat releases new mini hydraulic excavator

The new Cat 307E2 expands the mini hydraulic excavator machine range to include an additional machine for the seven to eight metric ton weight class. The 50.3-hp Cat C2.4 turbo engine and the high-definition hydraulic system offer superior performance and overall operational effectiveness, the company said. The cab includes an air suspension seat, retractable seat […]

NALP partners with Cornell University

The National Association of Landscape Professionals has partnered with Cornell’s Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management to provide the education for the Leaders Forum in Los Cabos, Mexico, Feb. 25-27. The education sessions will be developed and led by award-winning management lecturer Risa Mish and Associate Dean for Executive Education Allan Filipowicz. Attendees will […]

NALP creates new advisory councils

The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) has created advisory councils made up of member volunteers to help guide the association’s direction and programs. The new advisory councils join the Supplier Advisory Council that was launched last year. The new advisory councils include the: Education Advisory Council; Membership Advisory Council; Public Affairs Advisory Council; and […]

National Collegiate Landscape Competition returns to Mississippi State for its 40th anniversary

The National Collegiate Landscape Competition will take place March 16-19 at Mississippi State University. The event has grown from its beginnings as a friendly competition between the Mississippi State, Ohio State and Michigan State University horticulture programs to become the signature recruiting and career building event in the landscape industry, according to the National Association […]

The Andersons’ DG products certified as organic in California

The Andersons’ Humic DG and Black Gypsum DG are now certified as an Organic Input Material in California. These products already carry Organic Materials Review Institute listings for organic use. Humic DG and Black Gypsum DG are humic acid based, soil-applied amendment solutions designed to enhance soil microbial activity and increase the uptake of applied […]

photo: LandCare

Landscape vehicles: Which do you use and why?

Joseph Machcinski Owner, Pangea Gardenscapes Olalla, Wash. “I run a 2015 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road with a 2014 Eagle 6×10 landscape utility trailer. The truck allows me to operate in tight quarters and it’s economical. The trailer holds all my tools.” Rob Barber VP of Operations, LandCare, Frederick, Md. “LandCare opts for the Ford F-450 Crew Cab with a […]

photo: Nick Minas

Step by Step: How to sharpen mower blades

Smart operators know that to get an even, clean cut every time, they need to keep their mower blades sharpened. Start by referencing your equipment’s owner’s manual, and review the manufacturer’s recommendations on how to check, replace, sharpen and balance blades. Make sure you have all needed personal protective equipment (PPE). You should wear gloves […]

Efficiency tip: Meet smarter

Craig McBryde, owner of Greenville, S.C.-based McBryde Landscape, recognized daily meetings with his entire staff were unproductive. His company does mostly commercial maintenance work and brings in $1.3 million per year. “We were wasting people’s time having these big meetings in the morning because so much of what was discussed didn’t pertain to each individual crew,” […]

Stihl recalls select gas-powered products

Stihl recalled certain gas-powered edgers, trimmer/brushcutters, pole pruners and KombiMotors. Authorized Stihl dealers in the U.S. sold these products from November 2014 through September 2015. In select units the tank vent may not be fully inserted in the fuel tank, allowing fuel to leak. This creates a risk of fire, although Stihl has received no […]

Morbark unveils gas-powered track stump grinder

Morbark unveiled the new, lightweight Morbark MXG50 track stump grinder. The new model is part of Morbark’s re-engineered line of stump grinders. The Morbark MXG50 track stump grinder is equipped with a 35-hp Kohler gasoline engine and features a 50-in. boom arc swing, a maximum cutting height of 21 1/2 in. and a maximum cutting […]

November 2015: Editorial Advisory Board

What one key performance indicator do you recommend companies track for success? Landscape Professionals Richard Bare Arbor-Nomics Turf Norcross, Ga. “We track our production numbers every day in all branches. That is our key performance indicator. Then we see how they stack up to our budget.” Bill Bemus Bemus Landscape San Clemente, Calif. Chris Joyce […]

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