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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.

AAS, PPA team up on herbaceous perennial trial

All-America Selections (AAS) and Perennial Plant Association (PPA) are conducting an herbaceous perennial trial. “National perennial trials are important for both the industry and the consumer,” said Leslie Halleck, southern regional director at PPA. “Rather than have both organizations (PPA and AAS) develop competing perennial trail programs, it seemed the perfect solution was to team […]

2,4-D Research Portal up and running

In celebration of its 70th anniversary, Industry Task Force II on 2,4-D Research Data unveiled the 2,4-D Research Portal. The portal is designed to meet the needs of researchers in government, academia and the green industry, acting as a source for peer-reviewed publications and regulatory decisions on 2,4-D. Multitudes of research studies have been conducted in […]

Peer group seeks members

A peer group focused on turf and ornamental care companies seeks five companies to join its ranks. The group is managed by Dan Gordon, a CPA and owner of Turfbooks, an accounting and financial consulting firm for companies in the landscape and lawn care industry. “We run several of these groups, which we find are […]

LEAF Scholarship applications due by April 15

The California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) is accepting applications for the 2015 Landscape Educational Advancement Foundation (LEAF) Scholarship awards online through April 15. Since 1972, the CLCA has offered scholarships to college and university students majoring in landscape-related programs. In 1988, LEAF was formed to carry on the tradition of awarding financial aid to deserving […]

Web Extra: Strathmore’s zero-emission crews in motion

Featured in “Leveling the playing field,” Montreal-based Strathmore Landscape added two zero-emission teams to its maintenance division in 2011 to satisfy more environmentally conscious customers looking to become LEED certified. The two-man crews drive electric trucks equipped with all nongas handheld products and electric mowers. “We’re in Canada, so the environmental push is a bit stronger […]

3 advantages of mobile payments

As landscape professionals start fulfilling their spring contracts, Kristen Gramigna shed light on the importance of the tools that support your customer experience and internal operations, namely mobile payments. To that end, the chief marketing officer for BluePay, a credit card processing firm, provided three advantages mobile payments can offer landscape business owners. They are […]

Davey Tree acquires Nature First

The Davey Tree Expert Co. made its sixth acquisition in the last year, purchasing Nature First, a tree care company near Santa Cruz, Calif. Terms were not disclosed. Nature First has approximately a dozen employees providing tree pruning and removal, planting, diagnosis and garden renovation to its clients in the San Jose/Santa Cruz area. Dick […]

SIMA stages peer groups with Phil Harwood

The Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA) is forming a set of peer groups, facilitated by Phil Harwood, CEO of Pro-Motion Consulting and LM columnist. “SIMA’s involvement in forming peer groups is to help you focus on your snow and ice business,” said Martin Tirado, executive director of SIMA. “Peer group participants can get into […]

HRI offers $20K in scholarships

The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) is accepting scholarship applications for the 2015-2016 school year through May 31. The scholarships are made possible by seven HRI endowment funds for students seeking a lifelong career in horticulture. Scholarships available in 2015 include: The Timothy S. and Palmer W. Bigelow Jr. Scholarship ($3,000); The Usrey Family Scholarship ($1,000); […]

M&I Landscapes joins LandOpt Contractor Network

Columbus, Ohio-based M&I Landscapes acquired LandOpt license rights for its territory on the northeast side of the city, becoming the fourth Powered by LandOpt Contractor in the state and the second in the Central Ohio region. A full-service landscape company, M&I Landscapes specializes in residential and commercial design/build, maintenance and lawn care. Principal Phil Drake purchased […]

Ahmed Hassan heads up project for sick child

Ahmed Hassan and Duane Draughon joined forces with the Mystic Force Foundation to bring a special project to fruition in Miami Springs, Fla., April 10‐12. The project is a safe, outdoor play space for 2‐year‐old Daniella Collazo, who has stage III neuroblastoma, a form of childhood cancer. For immunocompromised children like Collazo dirt and grass are […]

BioSafe hires new product engineer

BioSafe Systems hired a new team member to focus on product development, including vendor relations. Melissa Carserino comes to BioSafe from Chemtura Corp., where she worked as a technical sales service engineer and product and market analyst. In her new role, Carserino will work to engineer and develop new products for BioSafe’s agriculture, horticulture and […]

Ruppert Landscape names new estimator

Ruppert Landscape welcomed Luke Alexander as the estimator for its national landscape construction division. “Luke’s appetite for knowledge, boundless energy and desire to succeed will carry him far in his position as estimator,” said Bob Jones, president of the landscape construction division. “He also has a lot of value to add to the division with his […]

Walpole Outdoors partners with East Coast retailers, dealers

Walpole Outdoors, headquartered in Walpole, Mass., joined forces with three retail and dealer partners along the East Coast. The partners include DiSabatino Landscaping, a landscape design firm located in Wilmington, Del.; Merrifield Garden Center, a Merrifield, Va.-based garden center; and Gingerich Construction, a custom home building and remodeling company located in Wildwood, Fla. “These new […]

PBI-Gordon to distribute Kabuto Fungicide SC

Under a new distribution partnership with Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha (ISK), PBI-Gordon Corp. will distribute Kabuto Fungicide SC in the United States, pending approval of registration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A liquid formulation of the active ingredient isofetamid, Kabuto has proven in research trials to provide preventative and curative Dollar Spot control. PBI-Gordon also […]

HydroPoint launches ‘Outsmarting the Drought’ webinar

In response to California Governor Jerry Brown’s executive order mandating statewide water reductions, HydroPoint Data Systems is hosting a new webinar series addressing how municipalities and communities can comply to the new laws and ongoing drought concerns with smart water management technology. The series, titled “Outsmarting the Drought,” kicks off 12 p.m. PST April 9 with guest […]

California now under mandatory, statewide water restrictions

April 1, California Governor Jerry Brown instituted the state’s first-ever mandatory water restrictions, NPR reports. The announcement comes as California is entering its fourth year of drought and as the Sierra Nevada saw its lowest snowpack level on record. The statewide mandate calls for reductions in water use by 25 percent for California cities and […]

OSHA fines Bednar Landscape $77K for trench collapse

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed a $77,000 penalty to Bednar Landscape Services, located in Boonton, N.J., as repercussions for a trench cave-in that killed two workers, Oscar Portillo and Selvin Zelaya. OSHA initiated an inspection of the incidence on Oct. 1. The day of the incident, Portillo and […]

Web Extra: McKay’s quarterly marketing calendar worksheet

McKay Landscape Lighting in Omaha, Neb., focuses marketing and branding efforts on three areas: strategic partners, existing customers and new customers. To stay organized, owner Jerry McKay and his team use a quarterly marketing calendar to map out a big-picture look of what they’re going to do, when and how for the entire year. He […]

PLANET AEF welcomes 4 new ambassadors

The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) named the newest ambassadors of the PLANET Academic Excellence Foundation (PLANET AEF). The ambassadors reached such a status by pledging $25,000 to the foundation, which awards scholarships to students enrolled in landscape contracting and/or horticulture programs at two-year or four-year colleges and universities. They include: •           Mike Hommel, Designs by Sundown, […]

RTP expands to Twin Cities

Redexim Turf Products (RTP) opened a new factory store in the Twin Cities region of Minnesota. The expansion will be led Redexim management and spearheaded by Troy von Holdt, who brings more than 15 years of experience in the golf and sports turf industry. Von Holdt has worked at both the local dealer level as […]

SWAT releases sprinkler nozzle protocol for public comment

Smart Water Application Technologies (SWAT) released version 3.2 of the Spray Head Sprinkler Nozzles Performance Characteristics for public comment. Feedback is due April 1. The testing protocol is intended for nozzles that are used in pop-up spray sprinkler bodies and can include both spray and multi-stream, multi-trajectory rotating nozzles. The protocol evaluates nozzle performance based on […]

Principles of Turfgrass Management course now offered online

The Principles of Turfgrass Management certification program now is available as an online course—the international turf program allows companies to earn the Landscape Industry Certified Lawn Care Manager credential. Previously, the course only was offered as a print-based self-study. The online course allows students to receive access to the web-based course and materials, which include […]

Dan Ariens recognized for commitment to STEM

Dan Ariens, CEO and chairman of Ariens Co., received the 2015 National STEM Education Partner of the Year Award from the Wisconsin Technology & Engineering Education Association (WTEA) and the International Technology & Engineering Education Association (ITEEA). The award was presented during the ITEEA annual convention held in Milwaukee. “I’m especially proud of this award because […]

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