Author: Abby Hart

Abby Hart

Abby Hart

Abby Hart is the former senior editor of Landscape Management. A native Clevelander, she spent 10 years in Chicago, where she was operations manager of a global hospitality consultancy. She also worked as managing editor of Illumine, a health and wellness magazine; and a marketing specialist for B2B publications. Abby has a degree in journalism from Boston University’s College of Communication.

Technician spraying tree (Photo: Virginia Green Lawn Care)

How Virginia Green Lawn Care is in growth mode

A look at how Virginia Green Lawn Care, a company in Richmond, Va., is scaling to grow its business with several strategic moves.

The Grow Group talks COVID-19 federal aid; Grunder Landscaping Co. reopens

Marty Grunder, president and CEO of Grunder Landscaping Co. (GLC) and The Grow Group began part two of his webinar, “Don’t Panic — Plan! Practical Tips and Tactics for Responding to the Coronavirus and Keeping Your Business on Course,” with a big announcement. “Due in large part through the advocacy of the National Association of […]

How Blades of Green has changed its approach during COVID-19

“We’re doing better than some and worse than others, but I’d say we’re doing better than most, so we’ll take it,” says Brad Leahy, vice president of Blades of Green in Edgewater, Md. When LM reached Leahy on March 26, he reported that Blades of Green is completing its work as scheduled and hired its […]

Landscape Development shares COVID-19 management strategies

“Welcome to the curse of living in interesting times,” began Gary Horton’s letter to his company on March 13. The CEO of Landscape Development Inc. (LDI) personally writes everyone in the company every other day, and the company’s HR director and COO are also communicating often with employees to offer reassurance and information about COVID-19 […]

NALP offers COVID-19 resources for green industry professionals

“Frenetic” is how NALP’s Andrew Bray describes the pace of his days since the green industry began to respond to COVID-19. The vice president of government relations for the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) had a particularly hectic hour prior to joining his NALP colleague Lisa Stryker, vice president, communications and marketing, in speaking with […]

Water feature (Photo: Atlantic Water Gardens)

The emotional impact of landscape lighting and water features

There’s more to a striking landscape design than carefully selected plants and hardscape materials. Water features and lighting can enhance a design with minimal effort and maintenance. “Lighting is one of the biggest profit sectors of the green industry — there’s not a lot of overhead in it,” says Tommy Johnson, Ohio Valley Great Lakes […]

Man using Ditch Witch trencher (Photo: Ditch Witch)

Digging into trencher safety

Take advantage of certified training. “Proper equipment training is one of the best ways to extend the lifetime of your machine, and more importantly, keep operators and crews safe,” says Brian Grim, Ditch Witch product training and development manager. He recommends opportunities for education through associations, certified training through equipment manufacturers and online walk-behind trencher […]

Operator on Kubota mower (Photo: Kubota)

Mow money: 3 maintenance companies explain how they’ve overcome the labor problem

and

Mowing and maintenance can be a consistent service offering for landscape companies, but consistency might not equal profitability considering the labor shortage — 71,000 unfilled full-time positions in 2017, according to data from the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Too much work and not enough people to do it can wreak havoc on a company’s […]

A think tank for solving landscape’s labor shortage

For the second year, the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) gathered landscape professionals together for a forum on the industry’s labor shortage. Company representatives came to Alexandria, Va., to hear presentations on finding and keeping employees in the worst labor market ever, how similar industries such as plumbing and home construction are attracting talent, […]

Sights and soundbites from SiteOne University Cleveland

SiteOne Landscape Supply’s SiteOne University program is growing — the 2020 slate is the biggest so far, with 34 events in the east and 14 events in the west. At SiteOne University Cleveland, held on Feb. 12, in Westlake, Ohio, 200 Ohio landscape professionals attended the daylong event and joined a variety of presentations from […]

Spreader applying fertilizer (Photo: SiteOne Landscape Supply)

How to get the most out of controlled-release fertilizers

“Being in a semitropical climate, we’re privy to every insect and every disease there is,” says Lynn Tootle, managing partner of Gro-Masters in Savannah, Ga., and Charleston, S.C. With high disease and pest pressure, controlled-release fertilizers have been a useful product in Tootle’s arsenal. “We use controlled-release (fertilizers) in the heat of the summer, so […]

Custom stone and brick fireplace (Photo: Joel Hordyk, Cameron Street Photography)

Hardscape Solutions: A perfect match

Company: Plants Creative Landscapes Location: Atlanta The homeowners discussed investing in a second home, a retreat outside of the city to provide opportunity for connection and relaxation. However, upon meeting with the Plants Creative Landscapes team, they soon realized they could have the retreat they desired within their own backyard. The outdoor spaces were designed […]

Man spraying using Exmark spreader/sprayer (Photo: Hoffman's Lawn & Fertilization)

How the use of spreader/sprayers help users maximize business

Five years ago, Andrew Hoffman, owner of Hoffman’s Lawn & Fertilization, got tired of using a push spreader and a spray reel on lawns in his hometown of Delaware, Ohio. Two years earlier, he moved his business from Ohio from Salt Lake City. “In Salt Lake City, you could get away with a hose reel […]

Skid-steer loader (Photo: Takeuchi US)

The scoop on skid-steers

When it comes to landscape construction equipment, contractors look to get the most out of their machines, making skid-steer loaders (SSLs) a popular purchase. Skid-steers are a common choice for flat terrain and hard surface applications, including landscaping, site preparation, earthmoving and demolition, according to Lee Padgett, product manager at Takeuchi US. “As more and […]

Battery-powered chainsaw (Photo: Cartwright Landscaping)

Saws that get the job done

Landscape construction contractors need powerful tools that can handle a variety of cutting jobs. Jeff Cartwright, owner of Cartwright Landscaping, based in Henrico, Va., has a few saws that he considers vital parts of his construction arsenal. Cartwright Landscaping does 50 percent design and installation work, mostly high-end residential, as well as maintenance and irrigation. […]

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