As many turf and ornamental pesticide active ingredients have gone off patent, LCOs have more choices when it comes to product selection. How do you decide whether to use a patented or off-patent pesticide product? 1. Consider profitability. Most lawn care companies operate on slim margins and are affected by factors outside their operational control—such as the weather or how... read more
A landscape firm’s large garden serves its staff and the community. Gachina Landscape Management in Menlo Park, Calif., has practiced sustainable gardening as part of some of its maintenance contracts for nearly a decade. It naturally parlayed those skills into its own project: a large garden area it calls The Farm. The Farm, launched in January 2014, is located about... read more
LOCATION: Behind a local TV station’s studios COMPANY: Southview Design, Inver Grove Heights, Minn. THE DETAILS: For 31 years, this TV station’s “Back Yard” has hosted interviews, weather reports, cooking and gardening segments and more. But the space had seen better days. It was time for an upgrade. The station shared two design concepts on-air for viewers to vote on.... read more
At TBG Landscape in Whitby, Ontario, the management staff knows open communication is essential to the company’s success. The primarily design/build company had $17.2 million in 2014 annual revenue. As such, at the end of every work day all foremen send an email to President Mark Bradley called the Daily Four. It includes the following information: • The crew’s three... read more
Whether a client’s tree is showing signs of distress or you’re taking a proactive approach, contractors need to be on the lookout for invasive insects. Drought or heat stress can make trees more susceptible to insects that can severely damage or kill them, so it’s important to catch damage early. Some of the most harmful pests are emerald ash borers,... read more
Technology helps streamline the irrigation division of Echo Systems, resulting in a better use of technicians’ time and better looking client properties. “I can be 30 miles from a site and tell you pretty much everything that has happened with the client’s irrigation system in about a minute,” says Josh White. The head of business development for Echo Systems in... read more
