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Author: Lauren Dowdle

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 […]

Photo: Green Scene Landscape Group

Designs of the times

What’s new with landscape design software. To land new projects, landscape professionals want to pull out all of the stops—from providing timely estimates to designs that wow. One tool that can help in the process is landscape design software. Here are trends, new features, what’s coming and how the industry is adapting to design software. […]

Staying current

Revised irrigation best practices focus on sustainability, technology and communication. The irrigation industry is constantly evolving, whether it’s with the release of new equipment or sustainable practices. To provide updated information for landscape irrigation contractors’ changing needs, the Irrigation Association (IA) and American Society of Irrigation Consultants (ASIC) released a new version of their Landscape […]

PHOTO: Dow AgroSciences

Killer trends: Postemergent combinations

Combination products continue to be the future of turf herbicides. When it comes to turf herbicide product selection, lawn care applicators have noticed some changes—and it’s not just limited to lack of new active ingredients. There have been fewer products coming to the market in the past five to 10 years, says Rodney St. John, […]

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