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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.

Spreading the wealth in the landscape industry

By Tom Crain With the rise of chemical use and lush suburban landscapes, the 1950s facilitated the creation of the perfect lawn. By the 1960s and 1970s, that concept was a blossoming American obsession and the job of spreading plant food, lime and seed had become a necessity. Since then, spreading and spraying via dusters, […]

Jacobs’ Journal: What we don’t need to learn from Steve Jobs

By Daniel G. Jacobs Walter Isaacson’s recent biography of Steve Jobs, the demanding former head of Apple, apparently doubles as a management guide for many executives. Some have even donned the deceased executive’s trademark black turtleneck sweater. I’m all for learning from others. I’ve had a number of bosses over the years, some good and […]

DeMore’s Innovative Design Inc.

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The Aerial Tool Bin for aerial platforms, scissors and boom lifts is designed to keep hand tools and supplies organized and within a worker’s reach. The portable, triangular-shaped organizer attaches to square or rounded 90° corners of platform railings, where it is secured with two OSHA-compliant locking bolts. Constructed from reinforced, non-conductive, UV-protected orange polypropylene, […]

photo: www.midlandhardware.com

Cleveland Tubing Inc. Flexible T/Y fitting

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As part of the complete drainage solution system from FLEX-Drain, this new Flexible T/Y fitting recently won the Best New Specialty Product award at the national Irrigation Show. Like the rest of this system that’s designed to be flexible, expandable, durable and portable, the new T/Y fitting increases efficiency, by eliminating the need for rigid […]

Create (and carry) an emergency repair kit

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By: Andrew Greess Spray equipment breakdowns can wreak havoc on your schedule, have an impact on your customers and hurt company profitability. Yet with a little planning, some downtime can be avoided. Here is one simple tip: Keep easy-to-replace parts in each truck so that minor repairs can be completed in the field. A repair in […]

Avoid hose reel problems with these ‘real’ hose tips

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By: Andrew Greess These simple tips can reduce equipment problems, missed stops and unnecessary repair expenses. Swivel: The swivel on the side of your hose reel allows the drum to turn when rolling and unrolling the hose. The swivel contains rubber o-rings that are exposed to heavy use, chemical exposure and temperature extremes. The o-rings will wear […]

Pan American Seed

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Pan American Seed’s new Vinca Jams ‘N Jellies Blackberry (Catharanthus Rosea) features a deep purple with a white eye. In some settings, this summer accent plant’s flower petals appear almost black. This 2012 All-America Selections winner is easy to grow, with excellent tolerance to drought and heat. Mature plants will reach 10 to 14 in. […]

April is National Lawn Care Month

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As part of National Lawn Care Month this April, Project EverGreen is reminding residents of the overwhelming benefits green spaces have on their surroundings. “There are a lot of environmental, lifestyle and economic benefits offered by well-maintained green spaces that the public might not necessarily associate with a manicured yard or park,” said Cindy Code, […]

A system isn’t ‘smart’ if its fundamentals are not sound

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By: Jeffrey Knight It is incredible how far technology has advanced in the irrigation industry. There are soil moisture sensors that will tell you when the “plant available water” is depleted to an unacceptable level, just like the sensors in your vehicle’s gas tank. Flow sensors will alert you when you have a broken main or […]

Logo: Synthetic Turf Council

STC meeting breaks attendance records

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By: Rick Doyle, Synthetic Turf Council From March 5 – 7, 2012, the place to be in Las Vegas was the Synthetic Turf Council’s Spring Membership Meeting. The event attracted a record attendance of 238 representing 138 companies located throughout the world, including manufacturers, suppliers, installers, landscape architects and engineers, testing labs, and maintenance equipment and service […]

LEED 2012 Progresses

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Standards to promote sustainable design influence landscape design and installation.   The LEED 2012 third public comment period was open March 1-20, which marks the start of the LEED 2012 program delivery process. According to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), this third draft of the rating system is focused on providing a globally applicable, simple-to-use, technically […]

ICPI Launches Courses for Concrete Paver Installers

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Attendees will learn specialty applications such as raised and multi-level patios, fireplaces, fire pits, grills, outdoor kitchens, pool decks and permeable interlocking concrete pavement.   The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) has announced the newest course for concrete paver contractors who specialize in installing advanced segmental concrete pavement systems in the residential market. The Residential Paver Technician […]

Prunus x yedoensis ‘Yoshino’ Japanese Flowering Cherry Tree

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In honor of the 100th anniversary of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, we are featuring one of the varieties that made the tree a symbol of the District of Columbia. The Yoshino Cherry tree grows quickly, reaching heights of 20 ft. or more. Its branching habit is upright to horizontal, which makes it well suited to planting […]

A Cut Above: John Catapano

By Tom Crain Western Horticultural Services, Houston, TX, makes safety job No. 1. It has been recognized as a leader in the annual Safety Recognition Awards Program sponsored by the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) for maintaining a consistent accident-free and “no days lost” work record for its crews. “We stress safety every day,” says owner […]

2012 California spring trials preview

By Jamie J. Gooch When Glenn Goldsmith opened his greenhouse to show off his new varieties to customers in 1967, he could not have predicted it would start the ball rolling on what would become the California Spring Trials. Visitors who preregister for the trials can make their way from Gilroy, CA (where the Goldsmith […]

Photo: Blue Thumb Distributing Inc.

Blue Thumb Distributing Inc.

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Also known as the “Muck Buster,” the Matala Pond Vac II vacuum easily removes algae, sludge, dead plants, leaves and even small pebbles up to 3/8-in. in diameter. The 2-hp motor is built with high-quality, German-made components. In suction tests, Matala Pond Vac II is four times more powerful than its competition with a suction […]

Dealing with customers in the landscape business

By Heather Taylor The recently made popular phrase “one-percenters” comes with the implication that the most affluent Americans and their lifestyles are worlds apart from most other Americans. Does the same philosophy apply to their service expectations? While lawn care and landscaping clients with home values passing the million-dollar mark might have more zeroes at […]

The best way to build landscape businesses

By Tom Crain There’s no argument, times have changed in the landscaping industry. Take customer composition. We’ve all heard “The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer” — not to mention the fact that the middle class is cutting back on its discretionary spending at an accelerated pace. A recent study conducted […]

Project EverGreen announces new president, 2012 board of directors

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NEW PRAGUE, MN — Project EverGreen has a new president of its board of directors for the first time since 2010. The nonprofit’s board of directors recently ushered in its officers, executive committee and board of directors for 2012. Mike Sisti, of Weed Man USA, will lead Project EverGreen’s board as its new president and Norman Goldenberg, with The […]

First projects certified by SITES national rating system for sustainable landscapes

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Three projects certified for sustainable design, construction and maintenance.   The Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) has announced the first three projects to be certified by what it says is the nation’s most comprehensive system for rating the sustainable design, construction and maintenance of built landscapes. The corporate headquarters of an international manufacturing company, a new university green […]

Vibrant Cities and Urban Forests report available

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Report promotes urban forestry and natural resource stewardship nationwide.   The Vibrant Cities & Urban Forests report was officially released at the Partners in Community Forestry Conference in a joint breakout session with New York Restoration Project, the U.S. Forest Service, Sustainable Urban Forests Coalition and the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council. Vibrant Cities and Urban Forests: A National Call to Action […]

John Deere marks the company’s 175th anniversary

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Company plans anniversary events throughout the year.   In 2012, Deere & Company marks the 175th anniversary of its existence, which began when company founder John Deere successfully manufactured and marketed the self-scouring plow in 1837. “John Deere revolutionized agriculture and he made farming in the tough soil of the U.S. Midwest a productive and profitable venture,” said Samuel R. […]

Maximize customer reviews to grow your landscaping business

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By: Lee Gientke For or most landscapers, the Internet is game-changing. It used to be, and in many cases, still is that landscapers lived and died based upon face-to-face estimates and referrals from existing clients. Given the increasing prevalence of the Internet in peoples’ lives, whether on their desktop computers or on their phones, even the […]

Landscape renovation leads to casual outdoor rooms

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Designed by Don Fiore Company, Lake Bluff, IL. Designed by: Don Fiore Company, Lake Bluff, IL Soon after purchasing a late ’70s brick colonial house on 1.5 acres of dense brushwood, the homeowners set about planning a series of new casual living spaces, both indoors and out, to create a friendly, fresh-air lifestyle for their active […]

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