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Loftness Adds Lightweight Mulching Head For Compact Excavators
Jessica Schwartz
Counteracting Summer Stress On Ornamentals
August is a tough month for many ornamentals, and it’s getting worse. Record breaking heat and drought conditions are putting the health of landscape plantings at risk more than ever before. Once stressed, plants become more susceptible to a host of other pests and diseases, which can be costly or troublesome to abate. Here are perspectives on recognizing and addressing summer plant stress from experts in three different states: Dr. Sharon Douglas from The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station; Mike Hrivnak, head agronomist with Canopy Lawn Care in Cary, NC; and Peyton Ellas, owner of Quercus Landscape Design in Springville, CA. Why Can It Be Hard To Tell If A Plant Stressed? Douglas: Symptoms of drought manifest in different ways depending on the plant species and the severity of the water deficit. One important aspect of drought is that the symptoms are often not evident in the top of the tree or shrub until some time after the event has occurred—even as much as one to two years later! Hrivnak: Often you may not realize some plant varieties are experiencing heat or drought stress until it’s too late. Why? Because when many bushes or shrubs are desiccated, they still look green. The gardenia is a good example. It appears to hold its color well, even if it has received too much sun or too little water. However, as soon as it’s watered, it begins to turn brown and wilt. Ellas: Most signs are not apparent immediately; rather, it may take a ...
Made In America
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Turf has refined its “Made In America” coverage to focus on what a handful of companies—both large and small—did over the past few months to help manage this uncertain time for their employees, their communities, the world, and their customers. These companies represent just a small fraction of the countless many who went above and beyond to ease burdens, feed families, protect healthcare workers, and keep people employed. No one will deny that many tough issues remain. But what’s more American than coming together in strength to meet new challenges and face the future? John Deere In China, during the early days of the outbreak, John Deere dealers and customers jumped into action to help build two new hospitals in less than two weeks. By March 10, just as COVID began truly accelerating in the U.S., Deere reps contacted local organizations to understand the virus’ impact in its communities. Ten days later, the Deere Foundation announced a two-for-one employee donation match to food banks and American Red Cross chapters. Deere also waived copays, coinsurance, and deductibles for employee COVID testing. And Deere Financial encouraged its lease customers to contact them regarding COVID-related financial hardships. In late March, Deere supported the local Iowa and Illinois hospital system (home to numerous Deere facilities) by donating protective eyewear to doctors and nurses. With PPE supplies running low, Doug Cropper, CEO of Genesis Health System, reached out to Deere and Karl Kane, manager, Deere Enterprise Facilities Engineering Services, ...
