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Author: Lauren Dowdle

money. Image: iStock.com/ivandan

Profitable snow and ice purchases

Snow and ice removal is a completely different beast from the rest of a landscape contractor’s services. It demands a quick turnaround in tough conditions, requiring companies to have reliable equipment at the ready—because a snowstorm waits for no one. Beyond being up for the job, the equipment also has to work for the business […]

Photos: Ben Bowen; ©istock.com/AndreyKrav

Backstory: Ben Bowen

Ben Bowen Landscape Designer & Manager Ross NW Watergardens Portland, Ore. Education Home-school Portland, Ore. Class of 1996 “My family moved to Portland when I was 17. Rather than start fresh in a new school, I finished out high school using a correspondence course.” Work Experience 1992-1996 Summer Laborer Bowen’s Inc. Phoenix, Ariz. “I worked […]

(Photo: Merit Service Solutions)

Battery boon: Breaking down the benefits of battery-powered equipment

Electric equipment continues to prove its place in the landscape industry. Batteries last longer, equipment is lighter and more operators see these machines as comparable to gas. Landscape contractors share the benefits, setbacks and trends for battery-powered equipment. Making the switch With 90 percent of his equipment being electric, Ron Rose—owner of EQ Grounds in […]

illustrations: David Preiss

How to ID turf insects

A brown or abnormal area of turf can mean a few things, including the presence of turf insects. To figure out if that’s what’s causing a lawn’s problems—and if so, what type of insect is present—lawn care operators (LCOs) have to do a little digging. Common pests and insects include ants, beetles, predatory true bugs, […]

Photo:Landscape Lighting Pro of Utah

What to know before purchasing landscape lighting or irrigation products

Landscape lighting and irrigation services have some differences. Electricity and water don’t exactly mix. But contractors who offer these services have a few things in common: They both want to provide customers with the best coverage while conserving resources. That hasn’t changed, although the products for these services have evolved. Both are becoming more efficient […]

Backstory: Kirk Brown

Kirk Brown Owner, Outdoor Splendor Limerick, Pa. Education Owen J. Roberts High School Pottstown, Pa. Class of 2010 “My high school’s horticulture class taught me skills that have been useful day to day in my business. The class confirmed my early belief that I wanted to pursue the green industry.” Work Experience 2008-2008 Intern, Hallman […]

Backstory: Chase Mullin

Chase Mullin President, Mullin Landscape Associates St. Rose, La. Education Destrehan High School Destrehan, La. Class of 2002 “I actually did mow grass in high school. I’ve always been a very hard worker.” Auburn University Auburn, Ala. Fall 2002 University of New Orleans New Orleans, La. 2003-2005 “New Orleans is one of the places if […]

Latest in rotor tech

Labor and efficiency drive rotor technology trends. Pop-up, open- and closed-case, multistream and mini. There are a variety of rotor types, styles and brands for irrigation professionals to choose from—and those options continue to improve to best meet their needs. Irrigation suppliers and contractors break down the product trends, updates and what to expect with […]

Photo: Rain Bird

How to get the most out of new irrigation design software

What’s new with irrigation design software and how contractors are using it. Landscape design software has proven to be a valuable tool for contractors, giving them a way to show clients what their projects will look like once installed. But with irrigation design programs, it’s more about the calculations, parts, water flow, pipe layouts and […]

illustrations: David Preiss

How to ID turf diseases

When the ‘disease triangle’ is present in a lawn, problems can crop up. Turf disease isn’t only an unsightly nuisance for homeowners. It can also be extremely damaging for lawns if not treated properly. For a disease to cause a problem, three components—referred to as the disease triangle—must first exist: a host, a pathogen and […]

Photo: Polaris

A look at the many uses of UTVs

How UTVs and attachments are changing the job site. Ready for work or play, utility vehicles (UTVs) are gaining traction as landscapers find more applications for them on the job site. These machines are now starting to fill voids in some landscapers’ fleets—and not just on the commercial side. Helping to make them an attractive, […]

Photo: Total Lanscape Care

How LCOs can best budget for, reduce callbacks

How to limit lawn care return visits. As surely as weeds grow, there will be callbacks. But figuring out exactly how much a callback costs your company—and the best ways to prevent them—isn’t as clear. “A lot of (lawn care operators) don’t budget for callbacks, so when there is one, that’s a hit to their […]

Photo: CATERPILLAR

What to know before purchasing compact construction equipment

Landscape contractors share their approaches to purchasing compact construction equipment and attachments. When a job calls for some heavy lifting or digging, it’s time to crank up the compact equipment and connect the attachments. But before landscape contractors can dig into their next projects, they’ve got to make sure they have the right machines for […]

Photos: Pro Landscape by Drafix Software; ©istock.com/Tatomm; Green Planet Landscaping & Pools

Companies take their software use to the next level

How (and why) smart landscape pros are getting the most from business and design software. It’s hard to imagine a time without current technology—when there weren’t apps or programs to create designs, make estimates or manage client services. When combined with solid business practices, software can help expand team capabilities and grow sales. There are […]

Photo: SiteOne Supply

Buying power: A closer look at the landscaper-distributor relationship

Incentives and industry insights strengthen landscaper-distributor relationships. There’s no shortage of ways to source landscape supplies nowadays. But where and how you buy has almost become as important as what you’re purchasing. That’s one reason why many landscape contractors have come to increasingly rely on their distributors. Distributors have responded by focusing on becoming a […]

Analyzing the battery debate

Is battery-powered handheld equipment on trend to overtake gas products? The vote is still out for some pros on whether battery-powered equipment will become the norm in the green industry over gas. What’s clear, though, is this option is gaining ground with contractors and their clients. According to Husqvarna’s 2016 Green Spaces Survey, of the […]

photo: ©istock.com/redmal

How to identify and adjust key irrigation parameters for efficiency

Finding the right balance between lowering a site’s water usage and maintaining a large plant palette isn’t a one-and-done job. Gone are the days of the “set it and forget it” mindset when it comes to landscape water management—especially with water for urban landscapes becoming more limited. Instead, take an active approach by using irrigation […]

photo: Hunter Industries

Environmental pressures drive sprayhead trends

How and why sprayheads are becoming more efficient. “If it’s not broken, why fix it?” may be the mantra for many landscape and irrigation contractors, but the industry and many clients are changing. Water conservation is a top priority across the country, so it’s important for professionals to update their practices to meet new standards and […]

Photos: Ruppert Landscape, Spring Meadow Nursery

Growing concern

How landscape contractors can combat plant shortages. 
 After years of struggling during the economic downturn, the landscape industry has gradually made a comeback. But, not every aspect has returned to its prerecession level. Plant shortages in the past few years have affected companies across the country. They’ve caused landscapers to spend more time finding, […]

Amazon opportunity

The Internet retailing giant now offers professionals services. 
Here’s how it could affect the landscape industry. Consumers want everything to be instant, hence the success of on-demand services like Uber and GrubHub. Now, using a car service or ordering food delivery is just a click away on a mobile device or computer. This trend of […]

Revved up

Commercial mower engines become more efficient and advanced. Fuel prices may be down from last year, but fuel efficiency is still a top concern for landscape maintenance professionals. Fuel savings coupled with technological advances are powering the commercial mower engine market, experts say—and there are no signs of it slowing down. Ease of use The […]

Tweaks and combos

Regulations and lack of new chemistry are driving changes to insecticide product offerings. After a few slow years without major changes, the insecticide market is starting to experience an overhaul to meet new government requirements. But these guidelines aren’t the only changes lawn care operators (LCOs) are seeing. Here are trends, concerns and what’s to […]

Two-wire irrigation systems

Why two-wire irrigation systems are growing in popularity. It takes awhile for landscape contractors to trust new types of irrigation technology, so traditional ones have prevailed. In the past five to 10 years, two-wire systems have steadily become a contender in the irrigation industry. “Traditionally wired systems had been proven, and two-wire didn’t start to […]

Client relations: Straight talk

Three LM150 contractors share their customer relations efforts. Client relationships will make or break a company, landscape professionals agree. So it’s important to listen, be proactive and meet expectations. Three professionals from the LM150 list share how they’ve grown their businesses by focusing on client communication. Landscape Workshop Birmingham, Ala. To get a real sense […]

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