You’re familiar with the terms, and you surely have heard them this month: “The busy season.” “The grind.” “Spring pressure.” Do you sense a nerve-wracking undertone from them? A solution to that is productivity—a term the cover story from the January 2004 issue of Landscape Management efficiently expands on. Titled “Productivity tips” by then-Contributor George Witterschein, the story lists 10... read more
To the workers, especially those of younger generations, it’s just a summer job. To the business owner, it’s sometimes seen as an opportunity for those workers to prove themselves in the industry, providing somewhat of a shoo-in into leadership roles later on. The trouble nowadays, among other things, is those younger generations aren’t as interested in working outdoors—this has been hashed... read more
To some, Earth Day might mark an obligation to give back to the environment and community. For the Green Industry, there’s an added layer with the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) Day of Service being held that same day, compelling companies to dedicate one workday to charitable giving. This year, 2,200 Day of Service volunteers completed around 90 projects in 24... read more
The Green Industry is by no means mum on its efforts to attract younger generations to the business, especially in regard to convincing them there is, in fact, rewarding career opportunities here. Look no further than the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) Student Career Days (SCD) that was held last month at Colorado State University. Then there’s that National Landscape Architecture... read more
The government is working against lawns. In fact, it’s assaulting them, Gregg Robertson wrote in a recent government affairs column for Landscape Management. Las Vegas has banned lawns in new developments and is offering cash to residents who tear out their lawns, he reports, and adds Los Angeles has dished out $1.4 million in rebates to homeowners who’ve replaced their... read more
Have you ever looked up the definition of mowing? According to Beth Baikan, Ph.D. of Cornell University, it is the “removal of photosynthetically active tissue that temporarily reduces the food-making process and weakens the plant.” Talk about a scientific mouthful. I favor the layman’s term version that is “cutting grass,” as I’m sure most of you and your customers do,... read more
