A creeping broadleaf weed identified by its scalloped leaves, square stems and, in some cases, blue-violet flowers, ground ivy is sometimes misidentified as mallow, henbit or purple deadnettle, according to Mike Sisti, golf and lawn care market manager at FMC Corp. It tends to germinate in the spring in cooler areas with high moisture such as the Midwest and Northeast.... read more
Humates and biochars have been around for quite some time, but within the past five to 10 years, lawn care operators (LCOs) have begun to recognize the value they provide in improving soil health and feeding the plant. “There’s a renewed interest because of the regulatory pressure that’s coming down in the industry,” says Jeremy Bigler, landscape channel manager for... read more
When it comes to maintenance of hoses, nozzles, sprayers and reels, there’s no secret formula to keeping your equipment in top form. It boils down simply to time — as in taking the time to follow through on the little things. “Like with any mechanical equipment, maintenance is key,” says Kurt Upham, president of OhDeer in Wayland, Mass. “Don’t neglect... read more
Filing taxes. No one really likes it, but, year after year, it’s an unavoidable task. For landscape business owners, being prepared with the right information and a savvy adviser can lessen the stress of tax season. Dan Gordon, CPA and owner of Turf Books, a green industry accounting and bookkeeping firm based in Newton, N.J., says it’s a good idea... read more
As landscape industry consultants, my team and I are typically engaged for a few reasons. Either clients are having trouble breaking through some growth barrier, not making enough money or just not having any fun. Sometimes all three. At Envisor, we’re always looking for the root cause to these challenges. As we identify the root cause of the problems, we... read more
“Also of concern to the industry, then, is conservation of water and energy, each of which have been in short supply at some time during the last 15 years.” Even though that quote comes from an article in the May 1986 issue of Weeds, Trees and Turf (the former name of LM), it’s a sentiment that’s still echoed by the... read more
