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Author: LM Staff

NALP’s 2018-2019 board of directors take office May 1

The National Association of Landscape Professionals’ (NALP) new board of directors took office on May 1 with terms running through April 30, 2019. Jeff Buhler, senior vice president of customer service at Massey Services, will serve as the president of the association. “We have assembled a very talented and committed group of industry professionals to […]

SiteOne acquires 3 Village Nurseries distribution centers

SiteOne Landscape Supply acquired the Village Nurseries Landscape Centers distribution locations in Orange, Huntington Beach and Sacramento, Calif., from TreeTown USA. This acquisition expands SiteOne’s footprint and nursery offering in California. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. “Village Nurseries is a natural fit with SiteOne as they add nursery products to our existing irrigation, […]

BYU wins National Collegiate Landscape Competition

Brigham Young University won the 2018 National Collegiate Landscape Competition, organized by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). The event, held March 14-17 at Alamance Community College in Graham, N.C., included more than 770 students from 61 college teams and two FFA high school teams, who participated in 30 individual and team competitions. Tree […]

LandOpt recognizes top performers at annual meeting

LandOpt contractors met for the annual Principals Meeting and Success Celebration Feb. 27-March 1 in Daytona Beach, Fla. This gathering is held each year to recognize the top performers in the LandOpt Network, and to discuss overarching commitments such as growth, continued success, strategic training, education and coaching. Five awards are presented during the event: The […]

Toro acquires L.T. Rich

The Toro Co. acquired L.T. Rich Products, a manufacturer of commercial zero-turn spreader/sprayers, aerators and snow and ice management equipment. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. L.T. Rich Products, based in Lebanon, Ind., is known for its Z-Spray line of zero-turn, stand-on spreader/sprayers for landscape contractors and grounds professionals. Other products include the Z-Plug […]

Project EverGreen names Clinton, N.C., parks department newest green space contest winner

Project EverGreen, in partnership with Exmark Manufacturing and the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA), named the Parks & Recreation Department of Clinton, N.C., the winner of the “Our Winning Green Spaces” contest. The contest gave municipal parks, recreation and public works departments and nonprofit entities a chance to win an Exmark Lazer Z X-Series mower […]

SafetyWatch: Setting targets

Setting expectations is an important process for a safe and efficient job site. Once you have your goals established, share them with your crew. Make sure everybody knows what’s expected of the crew and of each team member. Get everyone thinking about this target. Aim high—people get more work done when they have a goal. […]

New Jersey company admits fault in trench-collapse deaths of 2 workers

Bednar Landscape Services officials pleaded guilty to criminal charges of failing to properly shore up a trench that caved in, suffocating two laborers, the Daily Record reports. Earlier this month, more than three years after the Boonton, N.J.-based company’s workers Oscar Portillo and Selvin Zelaya were killed, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office filed criminal charges […]

Harvest Group unveils monthly webinar lineup

The Harvest Group released the schedule for its 2018 webinar series. Hosted by members of the Harvest Group—including Bill Arman, Ed Laflamme, Steve Cesare, Ph.D., Fred Haskett, Alison Hoffman and Cindy Code—the webinars will feature easy-to-apply management and growth strategies learned from years managing and growing landscape businesses. Webinars in the series will include: Jan. […]

Caterpillar extends full-machine warranty for compact equipment

Caterpillar has extended its machine standard warranty to 24 months or 2,000 hours for skid-steer loaders, compact track loaders, multiterrain loaders and mini excavators sold in the U.S. and Canada by authorized Cat dealers. Starting Jan. 1, the enhanced warranty terms apply to qualifying new machine purchases. “Our mission is to help customers succeed,” said […]

Photo credit: Rocky Mountain Custom Landscapes

Big Picture: Compact comfort

Location: Vail, Colo. Company: Rocky Mountain Custom Landscapes Photo credit: Rocky Mountain Custom Landscapes The client wanted a summer getaway that incorporated a saltwater pool, water features, lush flower gardens and fresh vegetables to be used for daily cooking. Another goal was to drown out the noise created from the highway. But there were several […]

Illustrations: David Preiss

Step by Step: How to do an effective turf conversion

As droughts continue to plague regions throughout the country, more contractors face the challenge of keeping their clients’ lawns green and healthy while using less water. Landscape watering can account for nearly 30 percent of the average residential water bill, and performing a turf conversion is one way to reduce water use. Turf conversion is […]

TruGreen earns top workplaces, happiest companies accolades

The Commercial Appeal, a newspaper in Memphis, Tenn., named TruGreen one of the city’s Top Workplaces for the fourth consecutive year. The Top Workplaces lists are based on the results of an employee feedback survey administered by Energage, formerly WorkplaceDynamics, a research firm that specializes in organizational health and workplace improvement. “It’s an honor to receive the Top Workplaces […]

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SafetyWatch: Avoid workplace violence

Workplace violence is defined as physical force, an attempt at physical force or a threat of physical force by someone against a worker in a workplace that causes or could cause harm to the worker. Keep in mind, things don’t have to become physical to be considered violent. If you are dealing with an agitated […]

Efficiency Tip: A new way to punch in

Jonathan Orcutt, owner of Driven Landscapes in Norfolk, Mass., has saved at least two hours per week since discovering a cloud-based device that lets employees clock in and out by scanning their fingertips. The scanner, Fingertec’s TA200 Plus, compiles each employee’s hours and automatically generates payroll. Before incorporating the scanner in 2013, Driven Landscapes’ employees […]

Recommender: Mower engines

What mower engines do you recommend and why? David Perry Owner, My Lawn Care Poland, Ohio “All my mowers have Kohler engines. (I’ve) had great luck with them and when needed, have had great warranty/service from dealers. Having the same engines makes maintenance simpler, and it is easier to notice if something is wrong.” Matt […]

Photo Credit: Sue Sotera

Big Picture: A peaceful, passive garden

Location: East Northport, N.Y. Company: Goldberg & Rodler Photo Credit: Sue Sotera The clients envisioned their backyard as a tranquil getaway, but the landscape was in disrepair when the team arrived on site. Undefined expanses of lawn, decaying trees and thick clay soil. Gravel areas, drywells, catch basins and French drains were installed to provide […]

Rain Bird releases 2017-2018 irrigation training schedule

Rain Bird Training Services will host more than 60 irrigation training events throughout the United States from October through May. These classes are open to irrigation professionals at all experience levels, including contractors, distributors, golf course superintendents, designers and architects. All Rain Bird training classes count toward continuing education units from the Irrigation Association (IA). […]

Exmark releases diesel mower, new technology

Exmark launched a commercial diesel mower with a new engine management software at GIE+EXPO in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 18-20. Featured on the company’s new zero-turn ride-on Lazer Z Diesel, Red Technology is designed to give users an increased ability to control mower power and efficiency with defined performance modes, the company said. Controlled from a […]

Super Lawn launches solar-powered charging system

Super Lawn Technologies is unveiling a solar-powered charging system for battery-powered lawn care tools at the GIE+EXPO in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 18-20. “We believe battery powered hand tools will become the No. 1 choice for contractors seeking ways to lower operating costs, reduce harmful emissions and position their company as a leader in their market area,” […]

Toro releases new water management system

The Toro Co. released its new Sentinel Central Control system. The new system allows users to schedule and manage daily operations from a PC or iPhone and iPad using NSN Connect. Program data is stored both at the field controller and within the central computer, so if a computer or master controller goes offline, there is […]

Web Extra: Feedback review template

In his September 2017 column, Phil Harwood offered a look at how we grow careers by providing well-laid-out career paths, professional development and honest feedback along the way. Regular feedback session to review career progress, discuss obstacles and identify support needed is crucial for success. These meetings are an honest conversation between a person and […]

Ariens to offer 21-inch snow thrower

Ariens launched the Professional 21 single-stage snow thrower, a 21-inch compact and durable model for snow-removal professionals. The Professional 21 features a spring-loaded scraper bar that self-adjusts to follow the contours of the ground, a thick paddle that cleans to the surface and optimal handlebar positions for system performance and user comfort. Additionally, the Professional 21 […]

WAC Landscape Lighting releases LED Landscape bollards

WAC Landscape Lighting introduced two new LED Bollards. The LED bollards include the Tower and the Scoop styles, which were designed to illuminate and accent landscapes, walkways, courtyards, pool areas and parking areas. The sleek designed luminaires add beautiful ambient lighting to the property and improve security with increased visibility. IP66-rated and protected against high-pressure water […]

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