Learn About Irrigation Fundamentals Online

Rain Bird Services has introduced a new online training course designed specifically for individuals with little or no irrigation experience. The non-manufacturer-specific course, “Rain Bird Basics Online,” covers irrigation fundamentals, including irrigation system adjustments, repairs and operation.

“The green industry is facing many challenges today, including a significant lack of skilled, qualified labor,” said Paul Lierheimer, director of Rain Bird’s Contractor Division. “We listened to our customers and developed Rain Bird Basics Online as a result of their feedback. Other courses may start out at a level that’s simply too advanced for people with very little irrigation knowledge. This introductory course is a convenient, economical way to both train those individuals and provide a solid base for future irrigation education.”

Rain Bird Basics Online is a video-based, 12-module course that shows crews performing the most common irrigation system repairs and adjustments in the field. Instructors with a minimum of 20 years of experience demonstrate tasks like evaluating a system, repairing pipe breaks and adjusting sprays and rotors. Demonstrations feature products from top irrigation system manufacturers with no sales pitches for any particular product line or brand. Videos are optimized for mobile viewing, making it easy to watch them on the job site as needed.

In addition to the new Rain Bird Basics online course, Rain Bird Services also offers many other types of training, including free training on Rain Bird products, Irrigation Association certification training, multi-day boot camp training events and even customized, on-site training that’s ideal for medium- and large-sized irrigation contractors, public agencies and irrigation distributors.

“Rain Bird Basics Online is another example of our efforts to provide the industry’s most complete irrigation training solution,” said Robert Pfeil, marketing group manager for Rain Bird Services. “Now, people interested in improving their irrigation knowledge can start out with Rain Bird Basics Online. From there, they could attend our Rain Bird Academy Irrigation Boot Camp classes that provide more hands-on experience in a classroom setting. Next, they can choose to take the Irrigation Association’s Certified Irrigation Technician (CIT) exam that we offer on the last day of our Bootcamps. Our training makes it possible to quickly launch an irrigation career and get right to work.”

Learn more about Rain Bird Basics or any of Rain Bird Services’ many other types of irrigation training, or register for an upcoming course here.

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Rittenhouse Thermal Weed Control

The Ripagreen Thermal Weeding System from M.K. Rittenhouse & Sons Ltd is a high velocity thermal weeder. It uses heat to deliver weed control in urban and rural areas without the need for chemicals, and is comprised of two parts: a thermal weeding lance with trigger gun and a mobile cart.

The high velocity heat generated by the thermal extension lance evaporates moisture in weeds by “thermally shocking” them. This causes weeds to die naturally by exploding their cells. A propane tank (not included) is required.

The thermal weeding extension / lance provides a short, rigid, and directed high velocity fan-shaped flame with accuracy and safety. Heat destroys weeds in one quick pass distributed in a line up to 16″ wide. The lance diffuses adjustable heat from the flame through a nozzle that can swivel 360° for accurate weeding in cluttered areas.

A device on the cart allows the Ripagreen nozzle to be directed without removing the extension. The lance can be disassembled and the nozzle can be placed on the gun for pinpoint accuracy in hard-to-reach areas. In addition, the ergonomic extension allows one user to push the unit with the cart to cover large areas or be carried in complex, isolated areas. Low gas consumption delivers more than six hours of continuous use, mostly due to the “click and start” ignition system.

The Ripagreen Thermal Weeding System features 45kW to 76kW of heating power with an operating pressure of 21 psi to 50 psi and minimum/maximum temperature of 250°F/400°F (at 16″). The weed control product measures 63″ long, consumes 6.4 pounds to 11.5 pounds of gas per hour, and has a maximum noise level of < 85 dbA. A 12′ long gas hose connects to a swivel fitting for a large working radius around the cart. Automatic low-pressure detection shuts off the pressure from the gas tank and a fully adjustable pressure regulator cuts the gas supply in case of system leak.

Modes of use include:

• Push Mode (single user) – treat long straight lines with a 16″ heating width or weed along walls or pavements.
• Pull Mode (single user) – move from one area to the next without carrying or forgetting anything.
• Pull Mode (dual users) – improves efficiency when alternating between travelling and weeding is too frequent.
• Carry Mode (single user) – weed around trees and in narrow, hard-to-reach areas.
• Vehicle Mode (dual users) – driver positions vehicle at the center of various treatable areas while their partner weeds with the lance. Suitable for treating large accessible but scattered areas of abnormally positioned plants.

A mobile carrying cart transports the thermal weeding lance, propane tank, and pipe, along with a water bottle or fire extinguisher (not included). It allows operators to move along narrow areas and navigate between curbs and obstacles. The cart can be adjusted to adapt to each working mode, as well as the user’s size. Further, the handle can be reversed around the steering column to change between pushed and pulled control modes. The cart offers various holders for each device and accessory. The three puncture-proof wheels can be moved back and forth over sandy and difficult terrain. A parking brake can be utilized on one of the wheels to stabilize the cart on a slope.

The Ripagreen Thermal Weeding System has an epoxy painted steel tube frame; stainless steel handle, brake, and nozzle orientation device; and three tiller height settings (33″, 36″, 39″). It measures 31″ x 22″ x 22″ folded and weighs 27.5 pounds.

Ripagreen can be used for weed control in walkways, driveways, pavement, rockeries/alpine gardens, and other areas with difficult terrain. The quality of the flame and safety of the product also makes it suitable for plastic trimming, flame treatment, road surface marking, and melting snow and ice in the winter.

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Prepping Your Bergen County Lawn for Spring

It may be February, but spring is just around the corner. The days are getting longer, and soon the temperatures will be warmer. It’s still quite early to do any lawn care, but thinking ahead will save you time. Once the ground thaws from the winter, you can begin preparing your lawn for spring. Having a sound plan in place will make the process of cleaning up your lawn more efficient and enjoyable. March is the perfect time to start prepping your Bergen County, NJ lawn for spring. The soil may be difficult to work with if it’s muddy and wet; therefore, it’s important to wait until it’s dry before attempting any lawn work.

Prepping your Bergen County, NJ lawn for spring involves cleaning up your lawn after the cold winter weather and applying soil and grass treatments to ensure your lawn is healthy and green.

Cleaning up your Bergen County Lawn for Spring

• Gather up all types of debris that have accumulated over the winter including wet leaves, dead plants, sticks, and limbs. Check branches and shrubs for winter damage and clear out buffer zones between woods and lawn.
• Remove all protective covers and winter mulch from gardens, shrubs, and other areas of your lawn.
• Begin pruning trees and shrubs once the temperatures become comfortable outside. Flower trees should be ignored because of their new growth and buds. Consider hiring a professional to prune tall trees and shrubs, as they are skilled and equipped to handle those types of plants.
• Scour your lawn carefully for mold and fungus. They pose a risk to a healthy lawn, and often hide in small places.
• Test the pH levels (acidity or alkalinity) in your soil every 2 to 3 years to determine which plants to put on your property. New Jersey soil tends to be naturally acidic (pH level less than 7.0). Different plants require different pH levels to thrive.
• Look for hibernating bugs as they will attack and destroy lawns in North Jersey. If you come across any insects, hire a professional to identify the species and eliminate it properly.
• Prevent animals from eating your lawn and gardens by fixing any problems with property fences.
• Transplant trees and shrubs before they bud, when the ground is soft and thawed.
• Do some landscape planning using the USDA plant hardiness zone map. Bergen County, NJ is located in planting zones 6b and 7a. Zone information helps you choose the right plants for your gardens and lawn.

Lawn care for your Bergen County NJ Lawn

• Seed a lawn in spring, but do so by mid-April to avoid hot weather. Ensure that you water the seed regularly. Although seeding new lawns can be done in the spring, it’s preferable to do this in the fall when weed growth is lower.
• Thatch, also called dethatch, the lawn by using a trowel after the lawn has thawed from winter. This removes dead layers of roots and stems found between the grass and soil.
• Aerate your lawn if you notice bare spots, waterlogged areas, or brown spots. Aerating is a process of putting holes in the grass to allow oxygen, nutrients, and moisture to get to the roots.
• Add mulch to create a protective layer on top of the soil, conserving water, suppressing weeds, and protecting plants.Organic mulch includes bark, grass, straw, and leaves, while inorganic compounds include gravel, plastic, and fabric.
• Put your lawn clippings back into your Bergen County, NJ lawn, adding necessary nutrients and organic matter to soil.
• Fertilize the lawn to promote healthy green grass and avoid weeds, but don’t overdo it. Fertilizer provides nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and iron which feed plant roots and encourage new growth. A light, slow-release or organic fertilizer works well on Northern NJ lawns. Check pH to determine which fertilizer suits your needs.
• Apply herbicides that prevent crabgrass and weeds from invading your lawn, preferably in March. Once weeds and crabgrass begin to grow, they can be difficult to control.
• Maintain a healthy lawn by mowing, weeding, pruning, and trimming regularly throughout the spring. Only the top one-third of grass blades should be removed when mowing grass.

Whether you require assistance with spring clean-up, fertilization, plant and shrub treatments, or season long lawn care and maintenance, Borst Landscape and Design has the professionals, expertise and services to fit all your landscaping needs.Call and ask us about our yearly organic lawn fertilization and maintenance programs at (201) 785-9400 or via our website, and we’ll be happy to help you begin prepping and protecting your Bergen County, NJ lawn this spring.

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JLG SmartLoad Telehandlers

SmartLoad Technology from JLG® Industries, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company and global manufacturer of aerial work platforms and telehandlers, is currently available for its 1644 and 1732 (pictured) high capacity telehandlers. It will be available as an option on all JLG models over the next 12 months.

SmartLoad is an advanced bundle of three integrated technologies that work together to increase operator confidence and optimize productivity. This system includes automatic attachment recognition, a load management information system, and a load stability indicator.

The automatic attachment recognition allows a telehandler to identify an attachment and display the appropriate load chart to the operator. The load management information system (LMIS) graphically depicts the location of the load within the load chart and assists the operator in navigating the boundaries of the chart. Finally, the load stability indicator (LSI) works in conjunction with the LMIS to limit operation when a load becomes non-compliant.

“Having access to real-time load data gives operators added confidence on the jobsite,” said John Boehme, JLG senior product manager, telehandlers. “SmartLoad Technology can also save fleet owners from costly repairs that can occur when the machine is overloaded.”

SmartLoad is one of many accessories and attachments available for JLG telehandlers. Other optional technologies include:

• JLG® G5-18A attachments, including side shifting carriage, dual fork positioning carriage, dual bailing tine carriage, coupler mounted lifting hook, coupler mounter auger, and auger bits
• Non-marking tires featuring excellent wear characteristics while providing protection against marking of sensitive areas
• Fork-mounted extendable truss designed for lifting and placing objects around the jobsite, which is ideal for metal building erection, setting wooden trusses, putting up post frame buildings, and other “low rise” applications
• Turf tires for JLG G5-18A telehandlers. Designed to be turf-friendly, these tires provide excellent traction and flotation with minimal ground disturbance, and are ideal for grounds maintenance at sports complexes and golf courses
• Tire handler, which increases productivity by reducing or eliminating the manual labor involved with mounting, removal, or handling—attachment is currently available for JLG 1644 and 1732 high-capacity telehandlers
• Positive air shut off is a suitable system for applications where flammable materials could potentially be drawn into the air intake system, resulting in potential engine damage

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Three Cheers For Pavers In Hardscape Design

Sticker shock may deter a homeowner from choosing pavers for their driveway, patio or pool deck project, but these are most often the better choice for long-term, beautiful results. A hardscape is an extension of the home, and homes are a reflection of those who live within them. The extra effort to research materials and building techniques that last and are easily maintained pays dividends in the end. Realtors would agree that details like extremely durable and attractive pavers make the difference in curb appeal.

Here are three reasons to point out pavers when speaking to clients about hardscaping projects — courtesy of EP Henry, a Woodbury, NJ-based family-owned and operated manufacturer of unit concrete products. The following highlights why pavers are good option for these types of projects.

ColorTech pavers by EP Henry

1. Attractive and flexible. Pavers have an immeasurable advantage over other common paving materials like concrete and asphalt. The range of colors, textures, size, and pattern options give homeowners design advantages that other surface covers cannot offer. Many very closely emulate the look of natural stone. Pavers can be customized to fit any design aesthetic.

2. Extremely durable and weather-damage resistant. Pavers last for decades. Stamped concrete, ordinary concrete, and asphalt begin cracking after the first few winters. Because pavers are a flexible system, they have room to expand with freeze and thaw conditions; the other monolithic surface treatments do not. The design of the pavers help snow and ice melt more quickly and the surface pavers create allows for easy snow removal. Also, if a paver does get damaged, it is easily individually replaced. With pavers, there is no need to demolish an entire hardscape for underground repairs or to install or fix wiring underneath.

3. Guaranteed. Reputable manufacturers offer a structural guarantee on their products. The science behind the design and manufacturing of a good quality product allows for a rock-solid guarantee for the lifetime of the pavers. Few other surface treatments offer that.

Like the old business adage goes, it costs money to save money. While the initial cost and installation of pavers can sometimes pass the price of cheaper options like concrete or asphalt, the quality and easy maintenance of pavers will save time and money in the long run.

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STIHL FC 91 Curved Shaft Edger

The FC 91 from STIHL® is a curved shaft edger that helps add a professionally landscaped look to sidewalks, walkways, and driveways. With its large 710 cc fuel tank and low-emission engine, it delivers 30% longer run times than the FC 90.

A vertical pleated air filter delivers better filtration and STIHL-exclusive IntelliCarb technology provides maximum RPMs when the air filter begins to clog. The curved shaft edger features one touch stop and a simplified starting procedure enabled by the semi-automatic choke lever. A notch on top of the product’s guard helps guide the user, allowing for increased control and helping to create cleaner, more precise cuts. In addition, users can adjust the edger’s depth wheel to the desired cutting depth for precision cuts. A skid plate protects the gearbox during use.

The professional “open” guard design of the 13.2 pound FC 91 curved shaft edger helps minimize clogging, allowing for more efficient cutting. Displacement is 28.4 cc (1.73 cu. in.), engine power is 0.95 kW (1.27 bhp), blade size is 8″, and arbor size is 1″.

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Bartlett Tree Experts Expands To 140 Locations

With the completion of eight acquisitions in the last six months, Bartlett Tree Experts continues to expand its footprint across North America. The company now has over 140 locations worldwide including new offices in Alberta, Canada; the greater Denver, CO area; Northampton, MA; and Santa Monica, CA.

“Growth through acquisition has been a strong path forward for us and enabled us to enter and become established in a number of new geographic regions over the years — the Pacific Northwest and South Florida are two recent examples,” commented Jim Ingram, President and COO of Bartlett Tree Experts. “This method has been so successful because we work hard to ensure the companies we acquire are a good fit in terms of scientific approach to tree care, safety culture and customer service.”

The recent acquisitions have spanned North America with four of the eight allowing the company to enter markets it had not previously served.

In Canada, Bartlett has been providing services since 1997, expanding from one office to eight over the course of 22 years. The acquisition of Tree Frog Tree Care in Alberta, Calgary became the eighth location at the end of 2018.

Following the acquisition of Colorado Treescapes in Littleton, the company is now serving the greater Denver area. With a new foothold in Colorado, the company will look to further expand in the five-state rocky mountain region.

Bartlett has had a presence in Massachusetts since its early years in the 1920s, but the acquisition of C.L. Frank and Company in Northampton, MA marks its first location in the western part of the state. The two companies share a history with both playing a role in establishing the International Shade Tree Conference (the predecessor of the International Society of Arboriculture).

In California, Bartlett has also maintained a strong presence for some time, serving homeowners and business on the west coast over 40 years. The acquisition of Mellinger Tree Service in Santa Monica, CA is the eighth location in the state.

“Here at Bartlett, we understand that people are our greatest asset and that is no different when people join us through an acquisition,” said Ingram. “A strong relationship with the acquired company from the outset is key. These relationships are what help us provide a seamless transition for everyone involved, from the employees to our clients.”

The remaining four acquisitions bolster the company’s customer base in existing operating areas. These include Clean Cutt Tree Service in Wilmington, DE; Pavey Tree in Dwight, Ontario; Weise Choice Tree Services in western Connecticut; and Connecticut Arborists in Monroe, CT.

With corporate offices in Stamford, CT, Bartlett provides species-specific tree care services including pruning, pest and disease management, fertilization and soil management, cabling and bracing, tree lightning protection systems and tree/stump removal as well as tree inventory and management plans.

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Toro Electric Riding Greens Mower

The Toro® Greensmaster® eTriFlex Series is an all-electric riding greens mower. It carries no hydraulic fluid and utilizes all-electric components for traction, steering, lift, and cutting units. These new “EnergySmart” models deliver an operationally friendly design with noise reductions and operational cost savings.

Built upon the Toro TriFlex® platform, the two new all-electric models include the Greensmaster eTriFlex 3360, powered by a Kawasaki® engine/generator and the Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370, powered by a lithium-ion Samsung® battery set.

Replacing all hydraulics with electrical components on the eTriFlex relieves worries of potential hydraulic leaks. It also offers cutting performance with turning radius-dependent reel and traction speed control.

The lower noise levels of this riding greens mower facilitate earlier mowing starts/tee times without disturbance to help the course conform to local noise regulations. The new engine/generator model is quieter than traditional engine powered models, while the lithium-ion powered model is virtually silent during operation.

Cutting performance has also been improved, especially on the perimeter cut, by monitoring each individual reel and traction wheel speed during turns. The individual reel and wheel speed control improves both the aesthetics and playability of the green by reducing the effect known as “Triplex-Ring”. This smart feature standardizes the clip rate of each individual reel to avoid turfgrass thinning on the inside reel during perimeter cutting, and reduces wheel turf scrubbing to improve the appearance of the cleanup cut, which ultimately leads to an increase in operational productivity.

The engine-powered eTriFlex with battery assist technology is up to 20% more fuel efficient. The lithium-ion based battery powered unit also has ample power and is virtually silent during operation.

“Our all-electric riding greens mowers incorporate some very important new features that will revolutionize the future of greens mowing as we know it,” said Helmut Ullrich, senior product marketing manager at Toro. “The result is a much quieter, easier-to-operate, labor saving machine that delivers a best-in-class level of cut quality, consistency, and playability.”

The Greensmaster eTriFlex features automatic slowdown in turns at high transport speeds, auto-brake functionality when the operator dismounts the mower, a foot-operated parking brake, and an optional mowing slowdown setting to help protect the integrity of the collar. The onboard Info-Center provides operators with more control and access to advanced diagnostic information than ever before. This control panel can adjust mowing and reel speeds; calibrate lift, steering, and traction; and engage the “slow-in-turn” feature to reduce damage on the fringe area of the green in turnarounds.

The Greensmaster eTriFlex 3360 engine powered model will be available this summer. The lithium-ion eTriFlex battery powered model is slated to launch in late 2019. All Greensmaster eTriFlex riding greens mower models are compatible with existing TriFlex cutting units and accessories.

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Earthquake’s Victory Rear Tine Tiller

Earthquake®, manufacturer of outdoor power equipment for the rural, residential, and light commercial markets since 1960, announced the re-introduction of the Victory Rear Tine Tiller. It delivers the power of larger tillers in a more compact and controllable size. New for 2019, the Victory is now available to distributors and retailers with a Kohler 196cc engine.

“The Victory is both innovative and proven,” said Noah Marach, project manager, Earthquake, the lawn and garden division of Ardisam, Inc. “With the optional Kohler engine, the Victory offers a great value in the rear tine rototiller category, which makes it a profitable addition to wholesalers’ and retailers’ product lineups.”

The Victory Rear Tine Tiller has a full 16″ tilling width and a tilling depth of up to 10″. The 196cc Kohler engine delivers power to the product’s rear-mounted, counter-rotating (CRT) tines. These rear-mounted tines till stubborn dirt easily.

The Victory features optimal weight distribution and balance, a low center of gravity, and wide tire footprint for ground-hugging stability. The product is so maneuverable it can be operated with one hand; it also offers instant reverse for greater control, even in tight spots. Its non-pneumatic wheels never go flat and give the Victory greater traction and flotation in tilled soil. In addition, forged steel tines and a cast iron transmission with bronze gears offer durability.

The Victory has a fuel capacity of .9 gallons and a tine speed of 216 RPM. It has three height positions, a 13″ wheel diameter, and a 5″ wheel width. The product measures 57.2″ x 20.9″ x 43.7″ and weighs 156 pounds (gross weight).

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Improve Overall Performance With New Turf Fuel MZ-23

Target Specialty Products, a leading provider of turf and ornamental landscaping solutions in the U.S. and Canada, recently launched Turf Fuel MZ-23, a product designed for turf professionals to strengthen plants and turf’s overall performance.

Turf Fuel MZ-23 is today’s answer to severe plant stress. The product was created using a combination of auxin-loaded sea kelp, potassium phosphite, manganese and zinc designed to improve turf’s color, resiliency and overall performance.

“Our Turf Fuel products are developed to serve a specific purpose, provide exceptional performance and a great value to turf professionals,” said Mark Jull, Head of Turf Fuel Products’ Division, at Target Specialty Products.

“Thanks to MZ-23’s innovative and powerful ingredient portfolio, turf will get to new levels of strength and health,” said Steve Loveday, Turf Fuel Nutritional Product Development Manager. “Along with manganese, zinc and phosphite, MZ-23 also contains a high dose of our proprietary root driving sea kelp and nutrient uptake aid which allows for better absorption of ALL nutrients in the spray tank. Better absorption, better color, healthier turf!”

Turf Fuel products are designed to help turf professionals get the most out of their turf even in extremely stressful conditions. The products are built from a foundation of science where proven concepts are fortified with unique and innovative new technologies. This combination creates turf that is conditioned to handle stress effectively and gives the turf care professional an innovative new set of powerful solutions.

Turf Fuel MZ-23 will be distributed through Target Specialty Products, which is continuing to grow throughout North America, expanding its footprint and customer service efforts across the West, Midwest, and East Coast regions.

For additional information on Turf Fuel please visit www.turffuel.com. For additional information on Target Specialty Products, visit www.target-specialty.com.

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PBI-Gordon Introduces Union Fungicide SC

Newly developed Union Fungicide SC from PBI-Gordon Corporation is specifically formulated to provide disease control on golf courses, residential and commercial properties, sod farms, and sports fields. Union is not yet available for sale or distribution. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration for the fungicide is anticipated for mid- to late-2019.

Testing has shown that Union is effective in the preventative and curative treatment of pythium diseases (blight, damping off, root dysfunction, root rot), brown patch, anthracnose, cool-weather brown patch, yellow patch, fairy ring, gray leaf spot, red thread, summer patch and rhizoctonia.

A flowable liquid, Union is a formulation of the active ingredients azoxystrobin and cyazofamid. The dual modes of action in the fungicide features a proprietary combination of chemistry found in FRAC Groups 11 and 21.

Union will be labeled for use on all cool-season and warm-season turfgrasses: Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescues, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, bentgrass, Bermudagrass (common or hybrid), bahiagrass, buffalograss, centipedegrass, kikuyugrass, seashore paspalum, St. Augustinegrass and zoysiagrass.

Other proposed features of Union fungicide include:

• The labeled application rate range is 2.9 to 5.75 fl. oz. per 1,000 feet
• Sold in 2.5 gallon jugs
• No temperature restrictions

New Research Expert At PBI-Gordon

Dr. Eric Reasor
Research Scientist
PBI-Gordon

In other company news, PBI-Gordon announced it has hired Eric Reasor, Ph.D. as research scientist for the southeastern U.S. Based in Dallas, TX, Dr. Reasor will be responsible for coordinating all research protocols, technical assistance to cooperators, and product support for channel partners and end-users in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Reasor holds a Ph.D. in Turfgrass Weed Science from The University of Tennessee, where he conducted research programs for “off-type” grasses in bermudagrass putting greens, participated in extension activities, and managed weed science research programs. He earned his Master of Science in Plant Sciences from The University of Tennessee, and a Bachelor of Science in Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences from Virginia Tech University.

Prior to joining PBI-Gordon, Reasor was assistant professor of Turfgrass Science at Mississippi State University, where he oversaw undergraduate education and recruitment, turfgrass breeding and cultivar development, and plant growth regulator research.

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In 2018, Conserva Irrigation Grows Franchise Network

Conserva Irrigation, a national outdoor irrigation company founded on the concept of water conservation, has announced a successful 2018 campaign with a total of 45 new franchise agreements signed throughout the year and nine territory expansions from existing franchisees. To further fuel the brand’s national footprint and community impact, Conserva Irrigation expanded into target markets including Texas, Florida, Louisiana, California, Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Michigan, Georgia, Kansas, and New Jersey. The company began offering franchise opportunities in 2017.

Photo: Conserva Irrigation

“Our team couldn’t have asked for a better year. Alongside our franchisees, technicians and partners, Conserva Irrigation was able to surpass expectations. The accomplishments achieved throughout 2018 reflect everyone’s hard work and commitment to our brand and services,” said Russ Jundt, founder of Conserva Irrigation. “As we jump into 2019, we remain devoted to pursuing new opportunities with entrepreneurs that believe in Conserva’s mission to make groundbreaking strides in water conservation efforts nationwide.”

Conserva Irrigation services homeowners and business owners to reduce water consumption through its use of a proprietary irrigation auditing system and Toro water-efficient products.

In other company news, Conserva Irrigation’s partnership with the Target Corporation continued in 2018. The Irrigation Association awarded Conserva and Target the 2018 Vanguard Award, which was created to honor an innovative project in the irrigation industry. Since partnering with more than 320 Target properties, Conserva’s services have saved the leading retailer over 36 million gallons of water.

Operating underneath the Outdoor Living Brands umbrella, Conserva Irrigation and remains the only environmentally responsible irrigation company with a franchise business model focused on providing repair and maintenance practices for commercial and residential sprinkler systems. Conserva was founded in 2010 by Russ Jundt, who became disturbed by the tremendous amount of water wasted by the typical irrigation system. As a solution to this problem, Jundt developed a proprietary process to audit irrigation systems — the “System Efficiency Score” — to rate the water efficiency of a system based on a numerical scale. This systemized approach allows homeowners to understand how much water their sprinkler systems are wasting, as well as what improvements to make in order to reduce water consumption and lower water bills.

“Water conservation has been and will continue to be at the heart of everything we do at Conserva. With growing concerns over our planet’s water supply, we feel it’s our duty to do everything we can to eliminate runoff and reduce water waste resulting from sprinkler systems,” said Jundt.

Conserva Irrigation is seeking single- and multi-unit operators with a range of experience levels, as well as those looking for add-on or conversion business opportunities. Potential franchisee candidates should be willing to invest between $43,550 and $80,250. Incentives are also available for veterans, multi-territory agreements and those with existing businesses or are an employee of an existing franchisee.

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Toro Contest Winner Gets Backstage Pass to Super Bowl LIII

By Amy Byrnes

What’s the biggest challenge preparing an NFL football field for the Super Bowl? According to Auburn University junior Wilson Morgan — who scored a backstage pass to last Sunday’s game thanks to the Toro Super Bowl Sports Turf Training Program competition — it’s not the weather or getting the end zone paint to look just right.

“It’s the half time show, for sure,” he said on Tuesday, after spending a week in Atlanta preparing for the Los Angeles Rams-New England Patriots matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which opened two years ago after a $1.5 billion renovation. Morgan was the winner of this year’s Toro competition, which earned him a trip to Super Bowl LIII to work with the grounds crew preparing the field for the big game at the stadium. In 2002, Toro created the competition to give emerging sports turf professionals hands-on experience maintaining one of the highest quality and safest playing surfaces in the world and learning from top professionals in the field.

(From l to r) Head Super Bowl groundskeeper George Toma; Wilson Morgan; and Boyd Montgomery, regional business manager, The Toro Company.

By the time Maroon 5 took the stage for the Super Bowl halftime show, Morgan – who’s majoring in turf management – had already seen the band’s performance “five or six times.” That’s because in the week leading up to Sunday night’s game, performers held full-blown rehearsals, which included pyrotechnics, dancers, and trucking the heavy M-shaped stage onto the field each day.

“Those stages were super heavy,” said Morgan. “We ended up spending a lot of the week maintaining the field before and after each rehearsal.”

Morgan worked with the field crew to clean up any trash left behind once the stage had been cleared, and pushing big magnets over the synthetic turf field to pick up any screws or metal objects that might have dropped from the stage. The weight from the heavy halftime staging also created depressions in the field, which the crew evened out by using a device that helped measure the field’s hardness and ensure even compaction. Even the patterns the crew brushed into the field each morning needed to be groomed back into place every five yards after the stage’s wheels created their own designs moving on and off the field each day.

The Alabama native said he would be interested to see how a natural grass field would withstand the rigors of the Super Bowl, and pointed out that it would be the case next year, when Super Bowl LIV is held on the sod at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. It also happens to be where Morgan spent last summer working as a grounds crew intern.

He arrived in Atlanta on the Sunday before the Super Bowl, just in time for the National Weather Service to issue a winter storm warning, which kept the grounds crew focused on keeping the practice fields protected from potential sleet and rain. Morgan said the team worked all day to pull a giant tarp over Georgia Tech’s practice field — where the Patriots held their pre-game practices — and another day to clear the protective covering from the field.

Last-minute preparations kicked into high gear once the halftime stage left the field Saturday afternoon as the grounds crew broke into groups to give a final coat of paint to logos, lines and numbers on the field. “The field was really in perfect condition all week,” Morgan said, adding that most of the 28-member grounds crew had been hard at work preparing for the Super Bowl game since early January.

Wilson Morgan outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Photo: Jeff Etheridge)

“They really are a super crew,” he said of the team made up of the Mercedes-Benz grounds crew along with seasoned NFL turf management veterans who lend their expertise to the Super Bowl grounds crew team each year. “It was just a beautiful flow, everyone working together and if an issue came up, it was dealt with quickly.”

Even though he’d spent time working in the stadium all week and watching performers like Big Boi and Travis Scott get ready for the halftime show, Morgan said that watching the stadium fill on Sunday night was “crazy” — especially the celebrities he got to see up close while standing on the sidelines. He mentioned Jamie Foxx and Kevin Hart, Walter Payton Man of the Year winner Chris Long of the Eagles, and UFC star Conor McGregor. Minutes before he took to the stage under bursts of red pyrotechnics, Adam Levine hid out in the shed where a bunch of the grounds crew team had assembled to watch the game on a live feed. “He seemed busy,” Morgan joked when asked if Levine said anything to them.

When he got back to school late Monday, Morgan said he started looking at Twitter and couldn’t believe all the negative tweets he saw, calling the game “boring”

“I thought it was a great game,” he said. “We were glued to the TV.”

Now that it’s over, he said he’s just so grateful for the experience and opportunity that Toro game him. “I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

Byrnes is a freelance journalist. You can read more of her work at amybyrnes.com.

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What’s Hot This Year? Top Five Landscape Trends For 2019

What do pergolas, pink, and metals  have in common? They all make an appearance on the National Association of Landscape Professionals’ (NALP) official list of the top lawn and landscape trends of 2019. Drawing upon the expertise of the industry’s 1 million landscape, lawn care, irrigation and tree care professionals, NALP annually predicts trends that will influence the design and maintenance of backyards across America.

“Homeowners yearn for beautiful outdoor spaces without the hassle of upkeep. With the rise of multifunctional landscape design and automated processes, consumers can spend more time enjoying their landscapes than ever before,” said Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs, NALP. “This year’s trends reflect current lifestyle preferences as well as innovations happening in the industry that are transforming landscapes across the country.”

The following five trends will influence outdoor spaces this year, according to NALP:

1. Two-in-one landscape design. Functional elements are no longer a perk, but rather a necessity in today’s landscapes, as consumers desire stunning outdoor features that have been cleverly designed to serve a dual tactical purpose. An edible vertical garden on a trellis that acts as a privacy fence, a retaining wall that includes built-in seating for entertaining, and colorful garden beds that divide properties all combine function and style.
2. Automated lawn and landscape maintenance. The latest technology and equipment allow tasks to be more streamlined and environmentally efficient than ever before. Robotic lawn mowers continue to rise in popularity among both homeowners and landscape professionals, and programmable irrigation systems and advanced lighting and electrical systems are a few ways outdoor spaces are becoming extensions of today’s smart homes. Homeowners relish knowing that these technological advancements afford them with more time to relax and enjoy their outdoor spaces.
3. Pergolas. A staple of landscape design for years, pergolas constructed of wood or composite material are now becoming more sophisticated with major upgrades, including rolldown windows, space heaters, lighting and sound systems. When paired with a luxury kitchen, seating area or fire feature, pergolas can become the iconic structure for outdoor sanctuaries.
4. Pretty pink. Pops of coral and blush are anticipated to add a more feminine touch to landscapes this year. With Living Coral named the Color of the Year by Pantone, a leading provider of color systems and an influencer on interior and exterior design, landscape professionals predict that this rich shade of pink could bring fresh blooms of roses, petunias, zinnias and hibiscus to flower beds. Experts also anticipate light blush tones to become “the new neutral” and another option for hardscapes and stone selections.
5. Mesmerizing metals. Whether homeowners want a bold statement or whimsical touch, incorporating metals can bring new dimensions to landscape design. Used for decorative art, water features, or furniture and accessories, creative uses of metals including steel and iron can make for lovely accents or entire focal points.

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Seeder Attachment For Turfco TurnAer XT8 Stand-On Aerator

Turfco, a Minneapolis, MN-based manufacturer of commercial turf care equipment, now offers a new, 30-inch drop seeder attachment for its popular TurnAer XT8 stand-on aerator. The patent-pending attachment allows crews to save time by requiring just one pass to both aerify and seed sports fields or turf.

“At this time when productivity is king, the new attachment allows landscapers to easily add a new service for customers and increase revenue, while actually decreasing time spent on individual yards,” said Scott Kinkead, executive vice president of Turfco. “Previously, this was a two-part process that required operators to go over yards twice to aerate and seed. Now, operators can get it done all at once.”

Turfco introduces seeder attachment for its TurnAer XT8 Stand-On Aerator

The seeder attachment mounts directly to the front of the TurnAer XT8 and has a 30-inch seeding width that matches the aerating width, eliminating wasted seed. The attachment is fully integrated with the machine, including controls to adjust the drop rate. The attachment holds up to 65 pounds of seed and includes a window so operators can easily see when it’s time for a refill.

The TurnAer XT8 was introduced in late 2016 and has become the aerator of choice for turf professionals for these following features.

• Auto-depth control that ensures consistent tine depth throughout use
• Zero-turn agility
• 30-inch aerating width that can still fit through a 48” gate
• Unique design protects drive chains, stopping aeration debris from getting in chains
• Sealed, self-aligning bearings and zero grease zerks
• A 22-horsepower engine from Briggs & Stratton with a cyclonic air cleaner
• Operator-focused standing platform that reduces vibration and shock for reduced fatigue and increased comfort

The XT8 and 30-inch drop seeder attachment are on sale immediately through Turfco Direct, which ships orders directly to customers. Turfco Direct offers contractors one-on-one customer support, 24-hour online purchases for equipment and parts, and guaranteed next-day air orders.

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Lawn Service Firm In MD Supports Local Fire Company

For the 10th year, Grosh’s Lawn Service of Clear Spring, MD has continued its annual sponsorship of the Michael L. Reid Volunteer of the Year Award. Reid, who joined the Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Company in November 1979 has dedicated nearly 40 years  to the fire company and the Clear Spring community.

Karen Grosh (left) Jacob T. Altman (center) Tom Grosh (right)

Along with his wife, Karen, Tom Grosh, founder and owner of Grosh’s Lawn Service, had a desire to honor Reid for his dedication to the fire company and the community overall. They decided to name an award in his honor and to each year select a firefighter who goes above the call of duty as Reid has demonstrated in his years of service.

This year’s recipient of the Michael L. Reid Volunteer of the Year Award is Jacob T Altman. Grosh’s Lawn Service presents the selected firefighter a trophy and a check for $250. The annual awards banquet was held on January 26, 2019.

 

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Seven Steps To Reducing Your Salt Use

Not ready or can’t make a big investment in equipment that can help you reduce your company’s salt usage? It’s OK to start small and to grow and invest as you’re able – even the most basic steps can result in big gains.

1. YOU HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE

Examine your current operations to identify areas of weakness or opportunities for improvement in material inventory and tracking, product types, application rates, calibration processes, etc. This could take awhile to identify and correct, so be patient! A hastily implemented plan can result in failure or unrealistic and unrealized expectations.

2. BABY STEPS

They say: “Go big or go home!” But that may not be the best rallying cry when it comes to wholesale changes in your salt management program. Consider clients who might be receptive to experimentation with application rates, alternative products, etc. Once you have success on one site, expand your horizons.

3. EXPAND YOUR PRODUCT TOOLBOX

Consider treated products that can be used in colder temperatures and when dealing with longer-duration storms can generally allow you to use less. If treated salt is cost prohibitive, consider purchasing a liquid product to prewet your salt stockpile. Take it a step further by adding a system to your spreaders to prewet salt at the spinner.

4. GET YOUR FEET WET

Research anti-icing as a prestorm tool to reduce bonding of snow and ice. Do your homework and test and train before starting with liquids. Again, start small. Sidewalks are a great place to start with a smaller investment. Learn how to make your own brine or investigate the best products on the market that fit your needs.

5. GO OVER THE EDGE

Invest in plows and pushers that offer a cleaner scrape to reduce material use.

 

6. TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Investing in software, technology, and systems (including brine making systems and combination spreaders) that will streamline applications, tracking and documentation of material applications.

7. GO BACK TO SQUARE ONE

Achieve constant improvement by returning to the first step to evaluate each process you’ve implemented and track its success or whether changes need made. Documentation and tracking are essential for successfully evaluating your program and how your team is implementing it.

This article was featured in the Snow & Ice Management Association’s SB In Focus issue focused on transitioning from a residential to commercial snow company. Read the whole issue, sponsored by Buyers Products, here.

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Passion For Turf Management Scores Auburn Student Trip To Super Bowl

By Amy Byrnes

Unlike most fans heading to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta this Sunday to see if Tom Brady can pull off another Super Bowl win, Wilson Morgan won’t be focused on the action on the field. Instead, the Auburn University junior will be watching how the field withstands football’s biggest game of the year.

Wilson Morgan, a turf management major at Auburn University, landed a trip to Super Bowl LIII to help prepare the field for the big game in Atlanta on February 3, 2019. (Photo: Auburn University)

The Huntsville, AL native was the grand prize winner in this year’s Toro Super Bowl Sports Turf Training competition, which earned him a a trip to Super Bowl LIII to work with the grounds crew preparing the field for the big game. Morgan will spend the week leading up to the Rams and Patriots faceoff learning from the tops in the field of turf management all about synthetic field maintenance, lining, logo painting, irrigation maintenance, field preparation for media day, halftime prep, and clean-up.

Morgan, 21, is a turf management major at Auburn who says he’s known since high school that taking care of playing fields would be a career that would let him combine all of his passions. “I got some crazy looks back then,” he laughs.

It was during a greenhouse management class in the 10th grade that Morgan came across a copy of the teacher’s SportsTurf magazine, a publication of the Sports Turf Managers Association, and was struck while leafing through it by all the “serious” equipment he saw on the pages that were used to maintain sports fields. “That’s when I realized that caring for sports fields was a significant industry,” he says. “I had no idea people took care of sports fields for a living.”

An avid outdoorsman even then — he loves fishing and hunting and played football during high school — Morgan says it was then that he locked onto the idea of majoring in turf management in college. “There was no changing my mind,” he says, adding that Auburn’s Turfgrass Management Program, within its School of Agriculture, was the perfect fit to meet his goals. While his official major is Crop, Soil and Environmental Science, the turfgrass management program has offered a wide opportunity to learn how to care for a variety of field conditions and sports and tackles everything from irrigation to plant biology and weed management.

He’s been a part of Auburn’s grounds crew caring for the university’s sports fields, including Jordan-Hare Stadium — home of Tigers football — which boasts a Bermuda Grass surface and holds 70,000 fans, which becomes Alabama’s fifth-largest city on game days.

Last summer, Morgan scored an internship working on the grounds crew for the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium, where he got his first taste of caring for an NFL team’s artificial turf and the opportunity to work side-by-side with fellow crew members who were part of the Super Bowl grounds crew.

“I started there the day after they’d had a huge concert and left the week after the first preseason game,” Morgan told The Season, Auburn University’s College of Agriculture magazine. “One thing I learned there was that managing the playing field is a full-time, year-round job.”

In 2002, Toro created the competition to give emerging sports turf professionals hands-on experience maintaining one of the highest quality and safest playing surfaces in the world and learning from top professionals in the field. Applicants — who are required to  be enrolled in at least the second year of a two-year turf program, or in at least the junior year of a four-year turf program — completed an application as well as an essay detailing their professional goals. Toro equipment and representatives have been involved in preparing the stadium and practice fields for the Super Bowl for over 50 years.

Morgan, who arrived in Atlanta a week before the February 3 game, says he’s looking forward to the experience of working with an artificial playing surface, as opposed to Auburn’s natural grass football field. “I’m also really excited to meet the crew, who are legends in the sports turf management industry.”

This summer, Morgan will expand his range of field-type expertise when he takes up residence as an intern for the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team. “That will give me experience in college sports, the NFL, and Major League Baseball,” he tells The Season. “Plus, I’ve only worked with warm-season turf, but the Phillies play on Kentucky bluegrass, so then I’d have experience managing a cool-season grass.

As for the future, Morgan says he’s conflicted about which direction he’d like to move in: baseball versus football and college versus professional sports fields. But for now, he’s focused on this once-in-a-lifetime Super Bowl experience. “This is an amazing opportunity to learn from the best of the best,” he says.

Byrnes is a freelance journalist. You can read more of her work at amybyrnes.com.

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