From Flight To Plight: Creating Monarch-Friendly Landscapes

By Christine Menapace

A monarch gathering nectar from autumn chrysanthemums (Photo: Christine Menapace)

As the dangers to monarch populations gain more notoriety, landscapers may see an uptick in clients wanting “butterfly-friendly” plantings and less pesticides in their landscapes. The news on this beautiful, fragile insect isn’t good, but luckily awareness is spreading.

Eastern monarchs, which migrate from southern Canada to central Mexico each fall, actually showed an increase of 144% over last year’s count (its highest in over a decade), but experts are only cautiously optimistic due an overall decline over the past two decades. “This reprieve from bad news on monarchs is thank-you from the butterflies to all the people who planted native milkweeds and switched to organic corn and soy products,” comments Tierra Curry, a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity, which is based in Tucson, AZ. “But one good weather year won’t save the monarch in the long run…”

News on the other coast, however, is dire for the Western monarch. This year’s California overwintering population was less than 0.5% of its historical size, and has declined by 86% compared to 2017, according to preliminary data released from the Xerces Society, located in Portland, OR. Overall, they report, the western monarch population is just .6% of what it was in the 1980s.

While weather conditions and other factors play a role in survival, most experts point to the use of insecticides and loss of habitat as key factors of decline. As a result, conservation organizations are encouraging residents, businesses, and municipalities to incorporate butterfly-friendly plantings in their landscapes. While many attractive flowering perennials provide much needed nectar to fuel the monarch’s long journeys, milkweed is the only plant that monarchs will lay their eggs on.

Milkweed: Sourcing The Right Variety

With over 100 different varieties of milkweed, it’s best to plant those native to your business region. Tropical milkweed, for instance, can cause problems with a protozoan parasite of monarchs called Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (or OE) when introduced in a temperate area where it does not die back in winter. Typically, when native milkweed dies back after blooming, the parasite dies along with it. In this way, each summer’s monarch population feeds on fresh, parasite-free foliage. But with tropical milkweed, the OE levels can build up to dangerous levels for monarchs when it lives through the winter.

To find the right variety of milkweed, check out the Milkweed Market at monarchwatch.org. MonarchWatch only ships plants to the eco-region from which the seeds originated. Free milkweed is available for large scale restoration projects or plugs can be purchased in unmixed flats of 32 plants for $74 including shipping. (Texas and Oklahoma plants come in flats of 50 and cost $93.50) Don’t need a whole flat? There’s also a helpful list of Milkweed Market Vendors throughout the country.

The Xerces Society is also a source for finding milkweed. It’s redoubling its efforts in initiatives like Project Milkweed and the Milkweed Seed Finder. In collaboration with the native seed industry, the USDA-NRCS Plant Materials Program, and community partners, Xerces is producing new sources of seed in areas of the monarch’s breeding range where milkweed has not been reliably available: California, the Great Basin, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Florida. Check out their Milkweed Seed Finder Map of nurseries at http://xerces.org/milkweed-seed-finder/.

Establishing Milkweed & Nectar Plants

Unfortunately, milkweed can be notoriously hard to transplant. One way to establish it is through fall seeding. Sow seeds directly into a mulched bed in the fall and they should germinate by spring. If seeds need to be stored for any time, keep them in an airtight container in a dry and cool environment. (Seeds of milkweed from northern areas will require cold stratification.) If possible, start seeds indoors if you have grow lights or a greenhouse and plant after the last frost. (For full recommendations on seed starting, see https://monarchlab.org/biology-and-research/monarch-rearing/finding-collecting-and-growing-milkweed/ or https://monarchwatch.org/milkweed/prop.htm)

Beyond milkweed, landscapers can incorporate plants that provide nectar for monarchs, bees and hummingbirds, and serve as host plants for eggs of other butterflies. These plants prefer full sun and variety is key. Ensure plants are not treated with systemic insecticides or any other pesticides and continue to keep the garden area free of insecticides, herbicides and fungicides. While the list of pollinator friendly plants is long, Monarch Watch considers the following the “must haves” since they are easy to find and grow:
Asters * Bronze fennel * Butterfly weed * Pearly everlasting * Spicebush * Wild blue indigo * Wild senna * Blueberry * Candytuft * Chives * Eastern red columbine * Foxglove beardtongue * Lilac * Lyreleaf sage * Pincushion flower * Pinks (Sweet William) * Wild blue phlox * Wild petunia * Anise Hyssop * Blue Mistflower * Blue vervain * Borage * Butterfly bush * Cardinalflower * Joe-Pye weed * Lantana * Mexican sunflower * Mountainmint * New York ironweed * Purple coneflower * Salvia ‘indigo spires’ * Spotted beebalm * Texas sage * Wild bergamot * Zinnia * Chrysanthemums * New England aster * Sedum. (For plants suitable for Texas, see the Texas Plant List on monarchwatch.org.)

Additional elements that can be added to the garden which will attract butterflies include: places that provide shelter from wind and rain; dark stones or tiles for warming up; and wet, sandy, or muddy spots to imbibe salts and other nutrients.

Menapace is a professional freelance writer and editor with over 25 years of experience in publishing, journalism, copywriting, and marketing.

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Rotochopper Grinder Training

Rotochopper manufactures grinding equipment that creates new opportunities for wood waste and other low grade materials, transforming it into things like colored landscape mulch, animal bedding, biomass fuels, and compost with “Perfect In One Pass” simplicity. The company takes it a step further by providing grinder training.

Rotochopper owners and operators gathered at Rotochopper’s manufacturing facility in St. Martin, MN for grinder training the last two weeks of February. The customer service department hosts Rotochopper University annually for companies that have purchased Rotochopper grinders during the past year.

The two-day class includes a manufacturing facility tour, equipment operation best practice training, a hands-on demonstration, and plenty of networking opportunities allowing machine owners to learn from each other as well. This year the education focused on ‘how to properly feed your grinder’, ‘how to perform preventative maintenance’, and ‘how to troubleshoot’. The hands-on demonstration showed attendees how to install the main rotor bearings on a Rotochopper grinder. The company manufactures diesel horizontal grinders that combine precision grinding with the portability of rubber tires, crawler tracks, or both, and electric grinders that add the uptime and simplicity of electric power to “Perfect In One Pass” grinding technology.

Rotochopper offered two grinder training session options, with over 50 students from 32 companies across the U.S. and Canada attending. “Being at Rotochopper University this year has been really interesting, I really enjoyed being able to come to the Rotochopper factory to see and meet the people that are behind the machines that we are operating on a regular basis. Anyone that operates a Rotochopper would benefit from coming here to see exactly how much care and time are put into building these machines. It really was a wonderful experience,” said Jason Fenley, AKA Tree Removal, Buford, GA.

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Spring Garden and Lawn Maintenance

The weather in early spring is notoriously unpredictable in the Northeast. Sunny one day, a cold rain the next, even a last-gasp snow shower is not a rare occurrence. But for home gardeners, early spring is the perfect time to “get in the dirt” and tackle their garden and lawn maintenance activities.

Here are the top spring garden and lawn maintenance tips as your yard wakes up for the upcoming growing season:

Clean Up Lawns and Garden Beds

Over the winter months, yards become filled with broken sticks, wet leaves and even litter trapped under the winter snow. March is the time to clear out all that debris from your garden and lawn areas and take away any dead grass to prevent smothering the coming new growth.

Prune Any Damaged Branches

If your trees or shrubs have branches damaged from the winter, now is the time to prune them back to live stems. During your March garden and lawn maintenance, inspect trees and shrubs and prune any broken branches using a hand pruner or a handsaw for branches larger than ½ inch in diameter. For fruit trees, make certain that you finish pruning before the buds swell. Roses can also be pruned now.

Fertilize with the Proper Product

The month of March is the time to think about fertilizer as part of your garden and lawn maintenance activities, especially if your turf is lacking dark green color or is thin. During the winter months, grass and plantings have been missing out on essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and iron. So for strong roots and healthy new growth, you can apply a light, slow-release or organic type fertilizer that won’t burn your lawn. An easy application of fertilizer this time of year will really get your lawn off to a good start. Consult with a landscape professional for assistance in choosing the best types of fertilizer.

Be Aware of Aggressive Weeds

Although March brings new growth to your garden, it also brings lots of weeds. Now is the time to start pulling out weeds, or cultivating them out while the weeds are still young. If you let weeds go to seed, you can be in for a real fight later. Crabgrass and other aggressive weeds typically invade your lawn at the start of warm weather. Crabgrass begins to germinate when the soil temperature reaches 58 degrees Fahrenheit, and this weed can take over quickly. During your maintenance activities, you can apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent these aggressive weeds from invasion.

Inspect for Signs of Insects and Pests

As the weather gets warmer, look out for overwintering insects, such as boxelder bugs and Asian lady beetles, and other outdoor pests emerging into your lawn and garden. These pests love to prey on fresh, new growth. In March, talk to a landscape professional about proper pest control and an Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM)that focuses on organic lawn care.

Don’t Forget to Take Care of Your Mower

Finally, if you do your own mowing, March maintenance should include your lawn mower. Taking care of this tool early in the season is critical. Dull mower blades tear up the grass, so make sure they’re sharpened ahead of time. And if your mower needs to be serviced, do it now and beat the rush of other gardeners later in the season.

Whether you require assistance with your spring garden and lawn maintenance or you need season-long care, Borst Landscape and Design has the professionals, expertise and services to fit all your landscaping needs in Northern New Jersey. Contact Borst here.

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Bagged To Bulk

By Erich Oelschlegel, ASM

Our company, Suburban Snow Plow, has always been a snow-only family company. My father bought a used Jeep in 1973 that came with a plow. He began plowing on the side; and apparently, the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree. When we’re not plowing, my siblings and I are telecom project managers, school teachers, web designers, students and stay-at-home moms.

 

 

As seasonal workers, we relied on bagged salt, which is the usual starting point for most snow removal companies. As a product upsell, bagged salt is fairly profitable and initial costs are low, especially for servicing residential properties. Tailgate-mounted spreaders are reasonably inexpensive and also provide sufficient capacity to service larger lots, although refilling may be required midway. Bag counting provides an easy way to calculate and monitor salt usage. Storing and handling is a breeze, requiring only a forklift to load, unload and move materials around.

However, there have been growing pains. When we started using brine, the mixer took up half of the garage. When we outgrew the other half, bagged salt pallets had to get stacked against the fence line. In the 2017-2018 season, our property count grew by 50 percent without much growth in available equipment. Routes got noticeably longer and trucks started coming back mid-shift for a second pallet of salt. Nationwide shortages threatened availability, not to mention long lead times from order to delivery. Clearly, bagged salt could only scale so much and would not be able to keep up with demand.

Bagged salt: Bulk bags can be made easily with a filler stand (TOP). This can allow you to save costs and still have the convenience of bagged salt. (Photos: Suburban Snow Plow)

As the business grew into commercial properties and larger lots, bulk salt began to look very appealing. However, this next step required careful thought and consideration in addition to some steep initial costs. A number of hurdles stood in our way. We weren’t able to store large quantities of salt. We needed a dedicated yard to store and handle bulk salt, something that was hard to come by (or cost prohibitive) given our urban customer base. We would also need new equipment.

Bulk salt is a long-term investment. While the price of bulk salt is attractive (at about a third of the cost of bagged), the infrastructure required and other overhead costs are daunting. In fact, some companies may not see an instant return on investment. Here are some things to consider before making the switch.

Storage

Bagged salt on pallets can be stored just about anywhere as long as a forklift can get to it. Stacking pallets effectively doubles your storage density without sacrificing ground area. Plus, its packaging provides weatherization from the elements. A tarp and some bungees are all it takes for additional protection.

Storing bulk salt requires a larger yard accessible to dump trucks and effective containment to shield the product from the elements. Finding good access — at a reasonable price and appropriately zoned — may prove to be the biggest challenge.

SHOULD YOU MAKE THE JUMP?
As snow and ice management companies grow, it makes sense to move away from bagged products to bulk salt. Consider the following if you think you’re ready to make the move.

Material Handling

Adding bulk salt to your operation also means adding heavy equipment. While a forklift is sufficient to move pallets of bagged salt, a bucket loader is a must-have for bulk. Skid steers are good all-around workhorses for the job, but they may take longer to load larger trucks.

Bulk bags can also substitute for bagged at the pallet level if you currently use tailgate spreaders. Loading these is a cinch with a filler stand and a skid steer with bucket attachment. However, you’ll want to make sure your bulk bags and forklift are rated for the weight you’re loading, as it’s easy to overfill.

Smaller form options are also possible, e.g., trash cans, or even five-gallon buckets or sand bags. However, every stage of material handling requires additional labor, and finding that sweet spot is crucial. Specialized bagging machines are available but come with upfront costs. A full transition to bulk may not ever occur, and it may actually make more sense to stick with commercial bagged salt in some cases.

Resupply

Due to the packaging, bagged salt is usually purchased in less than truckload (LTL) quantities. This is great for companies without a large yard but may require a more frequent resupply.

With bulk salt, minimum purchase requirements are a factor. Be prepared to handle large quantities at a time and to keep a clean and well-managed yard. While it’s easy to rearrange pallets of bagged salt after delivery (e.g., from roadside into the yard), bulk should be dumped once. Also, you may be sitting on a large pile of unused salt when the season ends, so keep a watchful eye on your stock levels.

Medium-Duty Truck: When you are ready to make the move to bulk salt, consider the investment you make in trucks that will allow you to carry more product, resulting in fewer resupply runs.

Application

Bagged salt is optimal for low-volume application using gravity-fed walk-behinds and tailgate spreaders. These types typically have lower capacities and smaller diameters than what bulk requires and tend to clog easily.

Bulk is better applied using bulk spreaders, which are typically force-fed via augers or by conveyor. Moreover, their larger capacities enable them to be operated longer before refilling. While bulk spreaders exist for light-duty trucks, a medium-duty truck can carry more salt, with fewer reloadings, resulting in greater efficiency. Cab-over designs are optimal since a short wheelbase allows for a tight turning radius.

Routing

While bagged is still good for diverse routes with smaller properties and residential customers, bulk lends itself better to large commercial lots and roadways. For many of us without municipal contracts, adding a medium-duty truck to an otherwise light-duty fleet presents additional risks. However, a “salt only” route that supplements or even fully replaces salting tasks on other plow routes may be a viable option.

Conclusion

Not long ago, salting a property was an upsell, an added service. Nowadays, it’s a job requirement and plays an integral part in overall operations. Making the switch from bagged to bulk isn’t an easy or inexpensive process; but with some careful planning and execution, it can make a huge difference.

Erich Oelschlegel, ASM, runs a website design consultancy and serves as technology manager at Suburban Snow Plow in Philadelphia. Email him at erich.oelschlegel@suburbansnowplow.com.

This article was featured in the Snow & Ice Management Association’s Snow Business annual Ice Management issue. Read the whole issue here.

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KOHLER Electronic Throttle Body Engines

KOHLER® has integrated an Electronic Throttle Body into additional models within the company’s Command PRO® EFI engine lineup. This performance-enhancing technology electronically controls air intake to optimize an engine’s power and load response. When combined with KOHLER’s closed-loop EFI system, benefits delivered through the updated engines are numerous for commercial users, including quicker and easier starting, enhanced fuel efficiency, and faster response in challenging operating conditions.

KOHLER’s Electronic Throttle Body was initially introduced in 2017 when it was engineered into the company’s 999cc engine for commercial zero-turn radius (ZTR) lawn mowers. Today, the technology is being added to the 694cc and 747cc KOHLER Command PRO EFI models, which are suitable for welders and a variety of other utility equipment commonly used in the industrial and turf markets.

“These newly enhanced models—with our Electronic Throttle Body—represent the next generation of KOHLER’s closed-looped EFI engine family,” said Eric Raquet, product manager for KOHLER Engines. “KOHLER pioneered the use of closed-loop EFI in the commercial turf category more than 20 years ago and we’re proud that we have continued to enhance and extend our EFI offering. We anticipate these new engines continuing to deliver real-world benefits to professional users around the world who demand only the best from their gasoline-powered equipment.”

The basic mechanics of KOHLER’s EFI technology include a closed-loop system that utilizes an oxygen sensor in the engine’s muffler, which continuously monitors the amount of fuel injected. If the fuel mixture strays from an ideal level, the sensor triggers adjustments to the amount of fuel injected into the system. Because EFI systems replace carburetors, carburetor-related issues and repairs are eliminated—including the buildup of damaging residue and carburetor corrosion that can occur when using ethanol-blended gasoline.

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Story Of A Landscape: Retrofitting A Senior Living Facility

Crane, Drains Make for a Challenging Courtyard Project

Wayne, NJ-based Monello Landscape Industries LLC does everything from private homes to large commercial projects, but the company has become a virtuoso for one very specific type of client — senior living facilities. Its jobs invariably win recognition from Hardscape North America, and 2018 was no exception as its CareOne Courtyard here took honorable mention in the category of Combination of hardscape products – commercial.

Rendering of new courtyard design at CareOne at King James senior living facility in Atlantic Highlands, NJ.

Often these jobs are retrofits, and many times are further complicated by being renovations of enclosed courtyards, meaning access for demolition and construction is via crane. In both cases, this project for the CareOne at King James facility in Atlantic Highlands wasn’t the exception.

However, company owner Joe Monello and his crew are so experienced that they’re able to fit the desired amenities into a variety of changing spaces while uniformly guaranteeing work at the site will be completed in 60 days.

Even so, the Atlantic Highlands project presented some challenges for the company. A major one was correcting some drainage problems that meant tearing out some interior concrete.

“This building looked like it may have been a combination of several things: a hotel, and possibly a church,” he says. “The architecture was very strange. Years ago, nursing homes did basically the bare minimum of landscaping. There was a lot of green lawn area and a perimeter walkway around the space and that was it for the courtyards.”

In doing the redesign, Monello says he recognized today’s residents are more active. Standard amenities include a full ADA- (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant outdoor kitchen and bar that also incorporates a serving table; several ADA-compliant bistro tables with umbrellas; an outdoor television and audio system, and; in this courtyard, two urn-like water features to provide both visual and auditory stimulation.

“We also put in two pergola structures for shade with Sunbrella® covers,” says Monello. “The outdoor lighting is done for both ambiance and safety and we do seat walls that serve as accent walls for additional seating for family members or residents.”

In a further effort to keep residents busy, Monello also designed and installed a sensory garden which produces herbs used in the facility’s kitchen.

“It’s a raised area – ADA-compliant – where they can do their own gardening,” Monello explains. “The herbs are grown by the residents and cut and clipped by the culinary department.”

Much of the horizontal surface of the courtyard is done in pavers, and Monello also incorporates a CareOne LLC logo into the paver work.

“We put in a paver surface that’s completely smooth where there’s any kind of wheelchair activity,” he says. “We make sure to use only smooth pavers, and then we put accent pavers with more texture toward the perimeter so if someone has vision problems and they hit the bumps they know they’re going toward the edges of the patio.”

Among the suppliers for the project were Techo-Bloc Inc., and EP Henry Corp. Techo-Bloc provided the pavers for the horizontal surfaces and the blocks for the accent/seating walls. Monello says the cultured stone veneer for the bar and kitchen areas is offered by EP Henry. The countertops and bistro tables are granite.

One item Monello tries to stay away from in his designs is shade trees, although the softscape for this project is fully irrigated.

“Trees can be problematic for the building with the roots lifting the pavers and the leaves getting into the gutters,” he observes. “There’s also the general mess trees can make. We only install small, ornamental trees and very few of them. We get our shade from the umbrellas with the bistro tables and the pergolas with their shade covers.”

Monello was particularly mindful about drainage with this project as a situation arose of which he was initially unaware that led the company to do a little work indoors.

“Part of the building had another small courtyard where the drainage was clogged and flooding was going on,” he says. “The courtyard we were working on had a working system that we were able to tie into, but we had to break the floor of the building to attach a new drain system from that old courtyard.”

That portion of the building had to be closed for awhile, but in the end both courtyards were tied into the same drainage system in the middle of the courtyard being renovated which, in turn, tied into the exterior of the building.

Additionally, “We always pitch everything in toward the patio or small catch basins,” Monello says. “In this case we tied everything away from the building toward the middle of the patio, and it worked out well.”

As challenging as that was, Monello says the job’s greatest trial was managing the crane – even though it’s not uncommon for the company to need one on its courtyard jobs.

“Every swing in you have to move material in, and every swing out you have to take material out,” he observes. “We’re very thoughtful in our planning to make sure that happens because every swing costs time and money.

“We like to think we have it down to a science,” Monello adds.

Manpower over the course of the project, which involved just under 10,000 square feet of courtyard space, varied from a high of nine men to periods where only a three-man crew would be onsite. He explains the number went higher as the deadline approached.

Monello says his favorite feature for the courtyard portion of the project is the way the kitchen turned out.

“The layout of the kitchen is a nice design for us,” he says. “I also like looking at the patio coming in from the main door leading into the courtyard. You’re looking through the middle of the pergola and your eye is drawn to one of the water features.”

The company also upgraded the landscaping around the exterior of the building with both hardscape and softscape, and he’s particularly pleased with a big water feature Monello Landscape added to the front of the building.

“We’re going to start working it into our design layouts when we can fit it into the budget,” he concludes. “[Hardscape North America] doesn’t have awards for water features, but if they did, this one would be a winner.”

(All photos courtesy Monello Landscape Industries, LLC.)

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Rotary Small Engine Maintenance Kits

Rotary Corporation, supplier of aftermarket outdoor power equipment parts, features maintenance and overhaul kits for lawn mowers and other small engines. These are among more than 300 new items in the company’s 2019 catalog.

Available for many popular brands, including Briggs & Stratton, Kawasaki, and Kohler, Rotary maintenance kits feature up to 10 items. These include an air filter, pre-filter, oil filter, fuel filter, hose clamps, spark plugs, and oil. They are a quick and easy way to keep engines performing at maximum efficiency before, during, and after the season.

Overhaul kits from Rotary are available for a variety of small engines including Briggs & Stratton, Clinton, Kohler, and Tecumseh models. These kits feature all the parts commonly required to rebuild engines, including oil seals, intake and exhaust valves, a gasket set, piston assembly, and connecting rod.

Rotary offers more than 9,500 parts, tools, and accessories for outdoor power equipment. For example:

• Rotary has a complete line of commercial-strength air, fuel, and oil filters for mowers, trimmers, chainsaws, and golf carts. These are designed to protect engines under tough conditions while ensuring maximum efficiency and peak performance.
• Rotary has introduced a variety of belts. Replacements for Exmark, John Deere, Toro, and Scag mowers, plus AYP, MTD, and Murray snow throwers are all available. Nearly 3,000 different belts are offered for outdoor power equipment. These include heavy-duty belts reinforced with high-strength aramid fiber and two-ply construction.… They are engineered to meet rigid operating standards with excellent resistance to heat, oil, and abrasion.

To order the company’s 2019 catalog for servicing dealers and distributors visit rotarycorp.com.

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My Landscape: The Grove At Ole Miss

Featuring 160 trees, this 10-acre area is a daily stop for students and faculty as well as a gathering place for commencement and other special events. Keeping this landscape healthy and attractive is the job of Landscape Services at Ole Miss.

Jeff McManus, CGM, director of landscape services at the University of Mississippi, shares what it takes to keep The Grove vibrant.

By Turf Staff
From the Spring 2019 Issue

Please describe The Grove on The University of Mississippi campus. What are its characteristics and uses?

Designed as a place where students could relax and study, this 10-acre space is a unique area in the center of the campus. In 2004, we inventoried the trees; there are 160 trees, consisting of 50 species. [These include, but are not limited to, American Ash, American Elm, American Holly, Black Gum, Black Jack Oak, Black Oak, Burr Oak, Japanese Magnolia, Red Maple, and Sugar Maple.]

The Grove occupies 10 acres on The University of Mississippi campus. Adjacent is The Circle, a 3.2 acre plot of land also featuring numerous trees. (Photo: The University of Mississippi, Landscape Services)

The turf is tall fescue. Generally, we use a tall fescue blend that can handle the deep shade of The Grove as well as the hot summer heat. Although tall fescue is a cool season grass and does great in the spring and fall, it does a fair job in deep shade if kept moist during the summer. Also, Bermuda grass is used in full sun areas.

The Grove is not flat terrain; there is a slight pitch in the sense that it slopes a bit. This lends itself to a stage area, where commencement is held. Every second Saturday in May, this area is set up with 15,000 folding chairs for that event.

The “claim to fame” for The Grove is tailgating for home football games; this has been since the 1950s. Up until 1991, cars and RVs were allowed in The Grove for tailgating. That year, there was a tremendous rain during a football game, and many vehicles became stuck. The university decided at that time it would no longer let cars or RVs park in the Grove, and it became a pedestrian-only area. That was when the popularity of The Grove really took off. Over the years, tailgating has evolved from bringing in tables and chairs, and escalated to tents set up by vendors. Currently, it’s been estimated that between 20,000 to 60,000 people gather there on these days.

The foot traffic poses a challenge in terms of soil compaction, which threatens tree root health. But The Grove is here for people to enjoy, so we try to make all this work together. One of the things we’ve done to facilitate travel through the area is to paint “emergency lanes” on game day. People can use these lanes to walk from one end of The Grove to another without having to walk through other people’s tents/areas.

How do you maintain the trees in such a well-traveled space?

Compaction is the big challenge with the trees, due to pedestrian traffic, especially during game day when thousands of people gather. Overseeding with the fescue seed and aerification helps to soften the soil. As the seeds grow, they push the soil, which helps the tree roots against compaction. Several times, we have performed vertical mulching, which also aims to loosen soil around roots to encourage growth.

On average, it requires 4,500 pounds of seed to complete the seeding of The Grove. (Photo: The University of Mississippi, Landscape Services)

What is the standard schedule of landscape care for The Grove?

We keep a number of perpetual calendars, one of those being for The Grove. This helps us, so we can master plan. In December and January, we mulch leaves, prune trees, repair damaged turf, and conduct tree replacement. In February through April, tasks are to aerify, overseed, fertilize, start irrigation system, mulch tree rings, start mowing, edge turf, prune trees, and perform tree replacement. In May through August, the team fertilizes turf, mows, edges turf, and the irrigation system is monitored and repaired. In the fall, during September through November, we mulch leaves. After the last home football game of the season, we aerify, overseed, and fertilize the turf.

During football season, on Friday, our department puts out 1,500 to 2,000 cans for trash and recycling. We’ve hired nonprofit organizations (e.g. Baptist Student Union, ROTC) to remove the approximately 70 to 90 tons of waste left by tailgaters after each game.

Ole Miss Landscape Services places 2,500 thirty-five gallon plastic waste cans and approximately 300 recycling bins in The Grove and Circle areas on the day before each home game. (Image: The University of Mississippi, Landscape Services)

Why is synthetic turf used in front of The Grove stage?

The stage in The Grove is a popular spot, and groups seem to gravitate there—cheerleaders practicing or ROTC doing exercises, for instance. We were constantly having to replace the turf there, or roping it off and asking people to move. That has been a great solution for us to install the synthetic turf in front of the stage area.

What else is happening on the Ole Miss landscape?

There is a new $80 million STEM building planned, and the site is about 100 yards from The Grove. The project is on hold, while more money is raised for the building. Rather than keep a construction fence up, we are turning it into green space. We’ve already overseeded it, and we’re trying to get to where we can begin mowing it. Why not let people use the space, while the building is on hold?

To learn more about Landscape Services at The University of Mississippi, visit https://olemiss.edu/depts/landscape/.

Do you have a comment? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below or send an e-mail to the Editor at acosgrove.turf@groupc.com.

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Fly-By-Night Guys Aren’t Taking Your Business

By Jake Hundley
From the Spring 2019 Issue

Does this sound familiar? “Hey John, we won’t be continuing lawn services with you. We’ve found someone that will do it for less than $30. Thank you, you’ve been great!” You probably shut your eyes and shake your head, annoyed, as you read this. I see it all the time. Lawn guys and landscapers getting frustrated in groups and the LawnSite forum that the $25, “fly-by-night” guys are snagging clients and taking away business. And the responses are always the same: You agree to lower prices. You underbid to secure jobs. You relentlessly bid on more projects at lower costs to justify “volume equals profitability.”

But you’re not winning. You can’t come down to $25 per cut because it doesn’t even cover your overhead, and your customers keep telling you about that guy that can take that tree out at half your cost. Do they even realize you’re licensed and insured?

(Photo: Getty Images)

Everything comes down to cost, and no one sees the value and quality you offer. You’re likely second-guessing your pricing whenever you bid on new jobs because these fly-by-night guys keep stealing your clients! But what if I told you they aren’t.

Is your interest piqued? If yes, I’m assuming you’re still figuring out how to deal with this. We have to take a step back and understand that business isn’t a series of sales. It’s a matrix of relationships, and with any relationship, it goes both ways.

You have to qualify your customers just as they have to qualify you. Not all potential customers are going to be ones you want to work with. This is why these guys aren’t stealing your clients. They’re not your clients. At least they’re not the ones you want. In marketing, we call this an audience. A quality audience isn’t on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Let the $25 per cut guys fish here.

Your target audience cares about value and quality more than price. Price comes into play, but your ideal customer understands the relationship between price and quality. And yes, they do exist. The problem could be you’re fishing in the wrong pond, trying to catch minnows when you should go down the road to catch bass. So how do you go about finding these customers?

First, you’ll need to understand who your customers are. I mean the ideal ones, not the ones who will drop you for the neighbor kid. Do some research in the market and see what kind of customer profiles you come up with. They should look something like this: 50/50 Male/Female, Average Income (somewhere in upper middle class), Job Position (Management, Finance, IT, Entrepreneur), Children (2-4), Neighborhood (Newer development), and Lot Size (about 9,000 square feet).

These are not your Craigslist shoppers or Facebook Marketplace browsers. They’re likely not your Nextdoor neighbors or belong to your local swap page. If a lot of customers are dropping you for cheap services, ask yourself if they’re coming from these places. If they’re not, then think about the neighborhoods you’re canvassing with door hangers.

So, the million dollar question is… where do I find these ideal customers?

Well, you already know who they are and roughly where they live. But here’s how to target them. It starts with you. Brand yourself as quality and professional. Don’t use words like, “cheap” or “affordable.” Instead, use “quality” and “professional.” If your sales technique is enticing customers into an “affordable” solution, they expect a low price.

If you have a client or two in an upscale neighborhood (or one that fits your target audience), do a quick 5-around with door hangers. After you finish work on your customer’s yard, go to the direct neighbors of your customer and the three across the street that mirror with door hangers. So yes, even door hangers can be targeted.

Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) seems like a good, affordable option, but the return rate is 1% or less, and you’re limited to specific postal routes, quantities, and postcard sizes. Find a direct mail marketing agency, like Inside the Box Marketing, that can blanket an area, targeting specific customer demographics as granular as: Household Size, Lot Size, Income, Job Title, and New Movers.

And, put technology to work. Focus on optimizing your website for search engines, like Google and Bing, and simplistic usability. 71% of all consumers start their buying journey on search engines, and 74% use them for researching during the consideration stage. The customer that visits your search engine optimized (SEO) site does their own research; they’re looking for a quality lawn care service provider or landscaper to fit their needs. If you don’t optimize for words on your site like “cheap landscaping” or “affordable lawn care,” chances are you won’t get that type of traffic.

Also, utilize Facebook’s hypertargeting. The great thing about social media for a savvy advertiser is the information people are willing to put on there. Learn your target audience, and really target them utilizing Facebook Ads Manager. Target identifying factors, including: Age, Gender, Location, Interests, Job Titles, Groups, and Custom Audiences.

The targeting options are almost limitless. Don’t use a generic worm to catch those basses; use bass jigs.

Lastly, Qualify Your Customers

When a potential customer reaches out, don’t let your first reaction be to close the sale. Treat them as if it’s going to be a partnership. I recently spoke with Rich Blood, owner of Guru Gardens, who’s an expert at qualifying customers in the Lawn Care Juggernaut Facebook group, and he said the way you conduct scheduling and prepayment of deposits does a fairly decent job of eliminating tire kickers. He’ll give them a ballpark estimate based on what was described to him before taking time to go to the customer. He’ll then follow up with what I think is the most brilliant phrasing, “If that fits your budget, I can come out to do a proper assessment.”

You’re frustrated the “fly-by-night” guys are taking your customers, but if I were a betting man, I’d say you’re hesitant to take my advice. But, dropping your price to keep or earn a customer is like a tar pit, the more you fight, the stickier it gets. As long as you market yourself properly and to the right people, it will be business as usual. Except that business will be there to stay, and you’ll be earning a much higher profit margin.

Hundley is CEO of Evergrow Marketing, a digital marketing agency that caters to the landscaping and lawn care industry. The firm creates digital marketing strategies utilizing SEO, SEM, social media, website development, and UX optimization to deliver high quality leads.

Do you have a comment? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below or send an e-mail to the Editor at acosgrove.turf@groupc.com.

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FIFA World Cup 2022 Premium Turfgrass

When the best of the best face off in the next FIFA World Cup, they will do so on the premium turfgrass known as Platinum TE Paspalum. After years of comprehensive testing, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy selected Platinum TE as the playing surface for all stadiums and training sites hosting the November 2022 event in Qatar.

In a joint venture, Aspire Sports Turf and STRI conducted extensive research on which to base their selection. Varieties of seashore paspalum, bermudagrass, and zoysia turfgrasses were tested at multiple sites. Platinum TE Paspalum proved to be the most durable and shade tolerant of the turfgrasses tested, outperforming the other varieties in recovery as well. Establishment and grow-in from stolons were also quicker with the Platinum TE.

Grassing has begun at multiple stadiums and training facilities. To ensure genetic purity and the highest quality, the Platinum TE Paspalum being utilized is licensed and certified plant material from global turfgrass supplier Atlas Turf International. Grassing will continue as the remaining facilities are completed over the next two years.

“For over a decade, Platinum TE Paspalum has performed consistently well for projects in the Middle East,” said Atlas Turf President John Holmes. “It’s not surprising that it was singled out as the top performer and ultimately selected for Qatar 2022. In the testing, Platinum TE exhibited stronger tensile strength, greater ability to grow in low light conditions, and rapid recovery from injury.”

Introduced in 2007 by noted plant scientist Dr. Ron R. Duncan and Turf Ecosystems, Platinum TE Paspalum features characteristics sought out for championship-quality sporting facilities, including athletic fields and golf courses. In addition to the benefits highlighted in the research results, Platinum TE exhibits exceptional density, disease resistance, and superior salt tolerance. With dark green color and striping, Platinum TE delivers attractive fields. Platinum TE is the premium turfgrass of choice at over 150 projects around the world including soccer, baseball, rugby, and football facilities and golf courses at every level of play.

Platinum TE can be closely mowed to heights below 1/8″ and will proliferate in soils irrigated with water containing 5,500 ppm of salt. It spreads quickly during establishment and forms a dense turf which will compete with the presence of weeds when properly maintained. All paspalum selections are sterile and must be propagated by transferring stolons or sod.

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Keep An Eye On Lawn And Tree Disease

By Lindsey Getz
From the Spring 2019 Issue

As a lawn care operator, you’re in the business of producing well-maintained and lush green lawns and landscapes. But the unpredictability of weather and the prevalence of certain diseases (as a result of changing weather and site conditions) can make this challenging to say the least. Even so, having success with turf and tree disease management as an add-on service isn’t exactly an easy feat, either. It often requires taking the time to talk to and educate customers—along with a serious dose of honesty.

Fred Oskanian, owner of Terra Lawn Care Specialists in Collegeville, PA, knows a thing about that. In fact, he’s often competing against the “big national companies” that tend to make hard sales pitches and even use diseases as bait.

Growing on this tree is Armillaria mellea, commonly known as honey fungus. (Photo: Ned Patchett Consulting)

“There is a lot of misinformation out there, and some of it is perpetuated by companies who are willing to use any line to hook new customers,” Oskanian says. “It’s why we have two agronomists on staff, and we make all of our technicians obtain their own licensure. We’ve been out to properties in which the client was told their lawn was dead when in fact it was just dormant.”

Oskanian says that lawn care companies that fail to educate their clients also run the risk of the client assuming they did something wrong, when in fact, the lawn has just been plagued by disease.

“That’s why we’re big on sending one of our two lead technicians over to properties when concerns get called in,” Oskanian says. “That’s one of the benefits of having a company that is local and small enough that we can respond to those concerns and provide education as needed, depending on what’s going on.”

There’s no question that customer education is vital when it comes to understanding disease. Brian Aynardi, northeast manager of university and contract research for PBI-Gordon Corporation, says that it might help to talk to customers about specific diseases that are prevalent in their geographical area, as many lawn diseases occur regionally. For instance, Aynardi says that Dollar Spot, Brown Patch, Leaf Spot, and Pythium Blight are most prevalent in the North whereas in the South, Large Patch and Spring Dead Spot are commonly found.

“It’s also important to recognize that the environment has a major impact on lawn disease,” says Aynardi. “Many diseases require very specific conditions and temperatures to thrive and spread. For that reason, it can be very unpredictable in terms of what any given year might bring.”

Oskanian says that funguses are definitely the company’s primary concern and that he gets a mix of those that are willing to “wait it out” (as some funguses do resolve themselves) and others that are interested in pursuing fungicides. He says that it comes down to an “honest conversation,” not a hard sell approach.

Aynardi suggests that conversations with homeowners about fungicides should help allay their concerns about safety, as he sees this as a point of resistance from some.

“Being able to understand the label and articulate the safety of the product to the customer is a big deal in terms of their willingness to allow for the application of professional products,” says Aynardi.

He continues, “I think there are a lot of people that want to have a nice lawn but have some concerns that need to be addressed. Lawn care operators who are most successful with add-on disease control will be those that can talk to the customer about these concerns.”

Aynardi says that PBI-Gordon recently expanded their fungicide portfolio. The company’s product, Kabuto, is an effective fungicide for Dollar Spot and Spring Dead Spot in turfgrass.

The Surrounding Landscape

Of course, many companies also work with the surrounding landscape and know that trouble with disease is not just limited to the turf. However, when it comes to tree diseases, it can get a bit more complex. Different species of trees are prone to different diseases (which of course vary regionally). Plus, many tree diseases also mimic other problems such as pests or even environmental stressors, says Joshua Malik, founder and owner of Joshua Tree, a professional tree and lawn care company in Stockertown, PA.

The unpredictability of weather in many regions and the prevalence of certain diseases (as a result of changing weather and site conditions) can further complicate disease management efforts. (Photo: PBI-Gordon Corporation)

“When it comes to control methods, the exact recommendations will vary based on the specifics on the disease,” Malik adds. “But the most obvious treatment for tree disease, such as a fungus infection, is the application of a professional grade product. At Joshua Tree, for fungal diseases we use two different professional fungicide products, including a contact control. That’s going to reduce fungal spores immediately. In addition to a contact control, we’ll use a product that gets absorbed over a longer period of time.”

Along with the application of a professional grade product, Malik says that his technicians will also make important “cultural recommendations” that could improve the tree’s overall health. This might include suggestions regarding irrigation, pruning, or even mulching. Oftentimes homeowners don’t even realize how much their own actions are impacting the health of their trees.

Ned Patchett, president and certified arborist from Ned Patchett Consulting, a tree service in Moss Beach, CA, says that they often connect with lawn care companies when it’s determined a tree disease may be caused by an irrigation system that oversprays.

“When you have broadcast irrigation from lawns spraying the trunk of a tree, it can create environmental conditions in which fungus will thrive,” Patchett says. “We often end up working with folks in the turf industry to remedy this.”

Education Is Key

At the end of the day, whether it’s for turf or trees, client education is of critical importance.

“We spend a lot of time talking to our customers and helping them understand what’s going on with their tree,” Malik adds. “Sometimes that includes a hard conversation that their tree cannot be saved. There are certain diseases, such as Thousand Cankers Disease, which have no cure. If the tree has already been aggressively attacked by a disease with no cure, the best course of action may be removal. It comes down to having an honest conversation about what’s best.”

Aynardi agrees.

“No matter what you’re dealing with, I think addressing issues with customers head on—before they bring them up—is the key to success,” he says. “Whether it’s understanding what’s going on with their property or concerns over whether or not a treatment is safe, it’s so important to put clients at ease. The best way to do that is with education.”

Getz is an award winning freelance writer based in Royersford, PA.

Do you have a comment ? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below or send an e-mail to the Editor at acosgrove.turf@groupc.com.

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Husqvarna Intros Next Generation Chainsaws

Chad Gainey, chainsaw artist and member of the H-Team, demonstrates the new Husqvarna 550XP Mark II in Asheville, NC.

This week, Husqvarna has introduced to the North American market five new tree care and forestry chainsaws. This next generation of saws features a redesign to provide outstanding productivity, durability and maneuverability for users. The new line of saws includes two brand new saws in the 70cc class, the company’s lightest professional gas-powered tree care saw ever, as well as two 50cc saws completely redesigned from scratch — launching an entirely new generation of cutting excellence as Husqvarna celebrates its 60th chainsaw anniversary.

To experience these new products firsthand, I travelled to North Carolina where the Husqvarna team provided the opportunity to see the features and operation up close. Along with a group of tree care professionals and equipment dealers, I attended a presentation highlighting the engineering and design intent behind this next generation of chainsaws for tree care and forestry professionals — Husqvarna 572XP®, Husqvarna 565, Husqvarna 550XP Mark II, 545 Mark II, and Husqvarna T525.

Krista Strating, arborist from Ontario, Canada, demonstrates.

As part of the event, attendees were privy to demonstrations by three members of the Husqvarna North America H-Team.

Chad Gainey, a chainsaw artist based in Florida, demonstrated the maneuverability of the 550XP Mark II (and his carving talent) by creating a bear sculpture while our group watched. Chad also carved the 550 wood “signage” seen in the photo further down. To see the breadth of his talents, visit his website here.

Krista Strating, arborist from Ontario, Canada and 2018 International Tree Climbing Championship winner, demonstrated her climbing skills and shared some techniques when she ascended a tree for the event’s attendees. Up in the tree, Strating set to work pruning branches and showcasing the maneuverability of the new Husqvarna T525 chainsaw (more below).

Certified arborist Jeff Perry fells a tree during the Husqvarna event.

Felling a tree was also part of the action with certified arborist, Jeff Perry, inviting the group to watch his chainsaw skills. Perry explained his process to efficiently and safely cut down the tree.

In the hands on opportunities that followed, I tried the two of the new models. In the photo below, I’m cutting with the Husqvarna 550XP Mark II.

Turf magazine editor, Anne Cosgrove, tries out the Husqvarna 550XP Mark II.

The Next Generation Of Husqvarna Chainsaws

The new generation of Husqvarna chainsaws was designed and built from scratch on a completely new platform on the same grounds in Sweden where Husqvarna’s chainsaw history began in 1959. The five new models offer a user-centric design that keeps the forestry and tree care professional in mind. The well-balanced saw body with low gyroscopic forces provides excellent maneuverability and handling, enabling users to work longer without tiring. With an updated version of Autotune, the new saws offer a faster calibration time, while the new engine design increases productivity which in turn minimizes environmental impact.

Husqvarna 572XP® and 565 (70cc)
The Husqvarna 572XP® spearheads this new chainsaw generation by delivering a 12% higher cutting capacity over similarly sized Husqvarna saws, making it an ideal saw for those looking to increase output and productivity. The new engine design offers a wide usable RPM range for peak performance, while its new cooling capacity provides for a longer engine life. The new state-of-the-art filtration system provides longer and better filtration and therefore a healthier engine and optimized performance. Weighing just 14.5 lbs and equipped with a powerful 5.8 hp engine, the 572XP® has a better power-to-weight ratio than any other comparable Husqvarna saw.

The Husqvarna 565 delivers next-generation cutting performance, also in the 70cc class, that lets professionals work faster and more efficiently. It comes equipped with excellent cooling capacity, state-of-the art filtration, AutoTune and Air Injection and offers low vibration. The efficient air injection system filters out 98% of incoming dust to deliver full working days with maintained performance and less wear on the engine.

Husqvarna 565 chainsaw

Husqvarna 550XP Mark II and 545 Mark II (50cc)
The redesign of the new 550XP Mark II and 545 Mark II chainsaws ushers in a new level of cutting capacity, maneuverability and endurance with a 13% higher cooling capacity compared to the previous generation of 50cc chainsaws from Husqvarna.

The Husqvarna 550 XP® Mark II was designed for demanding use in felling, limbing, and bucking operations. The saw delivers maximum power in the 50cc class and was developed to deliver outstanding cutting capacity for handling small and mid-sized trees. Designed for professional forestry and tree care crews, the saw has improved power and a slimmed-down design. A host of features guarantees comfortable and efficient operation. Through a series of internal tests*, Husqvarna has shown that the 550 XP® Mark II provides best-in-class cutting capacity when compared to the closest competitor in the 50cc segment.

The Husqvarna 545 Mark II is a powerful and durable 50cc saw for forestry and tree care professionals looking for endurance in their daily use. It has more power over a wider RPM range compared to the previous model, and its low, slender saw body design makes the chainsaw easy and convenient to handle.

Husqvarna T525 (27cc)

Husqvarna T252 chainsaw

Additionally, Husqvarna launches the Husqvarna T525, designed to be the company’s lightest gas-powered tree care saw for full-time professional use. It includes a powerful, low-emission X-Torq® engine for professional performance, ease of use and safety for all pruning and trimming jobs. This new 27cc saw features a quick release air filter cover that saves time when cleaning or changing the saw’s spark plug or filter. The belt eyelet makes it easy to connect the saw to the climbing harness, and the auto return stop switch means the saw automatically resets to the ON position for easier starting.

* Tests performed by Husqvarna during 2018, in a controlled environment, of an out-of-box Husqvarna 550 XP® Mark II, compared to an out-of-box Stihl MS 261 C-M.

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