Safety On The Job: Six Steps To Adopting A Culture Of Safety
Turf Editors
Employees Enjoy Great Outdoors
The effects of COVID-19 on workplace trends has shined a spotlight on outdoor spaces. As employees return to their offices across the country, landscape contractors have found opportunities to serve commercial clients by creating or improving outdoor areas for both employees and visitors at a business. Here are ideas to consider. Britt Wood, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), shares insights. As businesses welcome back employees and customers against the backdrop of COVID-19, it’s important to make people feel safe and ensure that workplaces are inviting. One way for property owners and businesses to achieve this is to take advantage of the site their building occupies and transform outdoor areas into occupant-friendly spaces. “If you can create some sort of outdoor amenity, I think that’s going to be one of those things that will really change the re-entry process,” says Gib Durden, vice president of business development for HighGrove Partners, LLC, a landscape maintenance, design-build, and water management service company based in Austell, GA. “That’s probably the biggest thing is just being able to utilize the property you have and have some area where people can congregate six feet away, but outside.” Choosing The Right Spot. If an outdoor area has to be created from scratch, take the time to consider the three site elements of shade, grading, and drainage first. “Every office or site has a potential spot for an outdoor space,” Durden says. “Look for somewhere on the property that already has ...
Employees Enjoy Great Outdoors
The effects of COVID-19 on workplace trends has shined a spotlight on outdoor spaces. As employees return to their offices across the country, landscape contractors have found opportunities to serve commercial clients by creating or improving outdoor areas for both employees and visitors at a business. Here are ideas to consider. Britt Wood, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), shares insights. As businesses welcome back employees and customers against the backdrop of COVID-19, it’s important to make people feel safe and ensure that workplaces are inviting. One way for property owners and businesses to achieve this is to take advantage of the site their building occupies and transform outdoor areas into occupant-friendly spaces. “If you can create some sort of outdoor amenity, I think that’s going to be one of those things that will really change the re-entry process,” says Gib Durden, vice president of business development for HighGrove Partners, LLC, a landscape maintenance, design-build, and water management service company based in Austell, GA. “That’s probably the biggest thing is just being able to utilize the property you have and have some area where people can congregate six feet away, but outside.” Choosing The Right Spot. If an outdoor area has to be created from scratch, take the time to consider the three site elements of shade, grading, and drainage first. “Every office or site has a potential spot for an outdoor space,” Durden says. “Look for somewhere on the property that already has ...
Irrigation System Start-Up
Getting an irrigation system ready for the spring season should be built into your year just as a routine physical would. It’s a quick check-up to make sure everything is ready and functioning correctly. By scheduling spring irrigation start-ups, you can connect with customers proactively, provide added value to your services, and receive potential new referrals. By doing proper start-up and full system testing, you’ll be able to diagnose the system’s condition, check for winter damage, and optimize efficiency. Timing System Start-up In cold climates, perform irrigation starts-ups when the soil on-site has thawed to a depth of 1′. It’s also important to be aware of upcoming temperatures. You don’t want to start up the system and then hit more freezing temperatures. You run the risk of bursting pipes or damaging other parts of the system. Conversely, don’t wait too long. Once the weather warms and the spring season is underway, your crews could run out of time to review and check the irrigation system. In warmer climates, you can perform an annual irrigation start-up at the beginning of spring to fix leaks and other issues. In areas with milder winters, you can start check-ups a bit earlier. Perform The System Check-up When starting the irrigation system for the first time after winter, you want to inspect each part. There are four main areas: check the controller; check the sprinkler heads; check the valves; and run the system. Before getting started, if the system is winterized you need to recharge ...
Irrigation System Start-Up
Getting an irrigation system ready for the spring season should be built into your year just as a routine physical would. It’s a quick check-up to make sure everything is ready and functioning correctly. By scheduling spring irrigation start-ups, you can connect with customers proactively, provide added value to your services, and receive potential new referrals. By doing proper start-up and full system testing, you’ll be able to diagnose the system’s condition, check for winter damage, and optimize efficiency. Timing System Start-up In cold climates, perform irrigation starts-ups when the soil on-site has thawed to a depth of 1′. It’s also important to be aware of upcoming temperatures. You don’t want to start up the system and then hit more freezing temperatures. You run the risk of bursting pipes or damaging other parts of the system. Conversely, don’t wait too long. Once the weather warms and the spring season is underway, your crews could run out of time to review and check the irrigation system. In warmer climates, you can perform an annual irrigation start-up at the beginning of spring to fix leaks and other issues. In areas with milder winters, you can start check-ups a bit earlier. Perform The System Check-up When starting the irrigation system for the first time after winter, you want to inspect each part. There are four main areas: check the controller; check the sprinkler heads; check the valves; and run the system. Before getting started, if the system is winterized you need to recharge ...
Get Equipped: Pesticides And Fertilizers
Take a look at this assortment of pesticides and fertilizers that can improve and add value to your professional lawn care and landscaping services. Pesticides Fiesta® Turf Weed Killer From Neudorff Fiesta® Turf Weed Killer is a selective, broadleaf weed killer that leaves turf healthy and weed-free. It is used for post-emergent broadleaf weed control, as well as pre-emergent smooth crabgrass control. With active ingredient Iron HEDTA (26.52%), Fiesta produces visible same-day results even in cool weather. The product works in temperatures between 50°F-85°F, and one gallon will treat up to 10,000 sq.ft. For post-emergent broadleaf weed control, users mix 5 fl.oz. in one gallon of water. For broadcast application, users apply mixed solution at a rate of five to 10 gallons per 1,000 sq.ft. For target application, users should spray weeds to point of runoff. Repeat treatment in 3-4 weeks for best results. Using Fiesta for pre-emergent control of smooth crabgrass calls for users to begin application when soil temperatures reach 50°F-55°F. Users mix 5 fl.oz. of product in one gallon of water, and then apply five to 10 gallons of spray solution per 1,000 sq.ft. depending on weed pressure. For best results, reapply after 3-6 weeks. Vexis Herbicide From PBI-Gordon Vexis Herbicide™ Granular from PBI-Gordon Corporation is formulated to provide targeted, post-emergent control of sedges and kyllinga species, including purple and yellow nutsedge, cockscomb, and false green kyllinga. The granular formulation helps reduce off-target drift and volatility. For use on residential and commercial sites, sports facilities, and golf course ...
Get Equipped: Pesticides And Fertilizers
Take a look at this assortment of pesticides and fertilizers that can improve and add value to your professional lawn care and landscaping services. Pesticides Fiesta® Turf Weed Killer From Neudorff Fiesta® Turf Weed Killer is a selective, broadleaf weed killer that leaves turf healthy and weed-free. It is used for post-emergent broadleaf weed control, as well as pre-emergent smooth crabgrass control. With active ingredient Iron HEDTA (26.52%), Fiesta produces visible same-day results even in cool weather. The product works in temperatures between 50°F-85°F, and one gallon will treat up to 10,000 sq.ft. For post-emergent broadleaf weed control, users mix 5 fl.oz. in one gallon of water. For broadcast application, users apply mixed solution at a rate of five to 10 gallons per 1,000 sq.ft. For target application, users should spray weeds to point of runoff. Repeat treatment in 3-4 weeks for best results. Using Fiesta for pre-emergent control of smooth crabgrass calls for users to begin application when soil temperatures reach 50°F-55°F. Users mix 5 fl.oz. of product in one gallon of water, and then apply five to 10 gallons of spray solution per 1,000 sq.ft. depending on weed pressure. For best results, reapply after 3-6 weeks. Vexis Herbicide From PBI-Gordon Vexis Herbicide™ Granular from PBI-Gordon Corporation is formulated to provide targeted, post-emergent control of sedges and kyllinga species, including purple and yellow nutsedge, cockscomb, and false green kyllinga. The granular formulation helps reduce off-target drift and volatility. For use on residential and commercial sites, sports facilities, and golf course ...
From Soil Report To Solution
Previously, Bill Urbanowicz, chief agronomist at Spectrum Analytic, Inc., demystified the numbers in a soil test report. In this article, he breaks down those numbers into real-world fertilizer selection and application. (Spectrum Analytic, is not able to recommend specific fertilizers brands, since they vary by area.) Prior to making fertilizer and lime applications, the amount of area to be fertilized must be calculated so the correct amount of nutrients is applied to the soil. Google Maps can be used to get a somewhat accurate area. Or Spectrum’s website library has a paper containing a variety of lawn sizes and shapes a landscaper may encounter when calculating area. What’s In A Grade? As most know, fertilizer is identified by the percent of each nutrient contained in the product. While each fertilizer might contain any combination of up to 13 nutrients, the majority have a three number identification referring to the major nutrients: Nitrogen (N), phosphate (P2O5), and potash (K2O) in that order. P2O5 is the fertilizer form of Phosphorus (P), and K2O is the fertilizer form of Potassium (K). These three numbers are called the fertilizer analysis or “Grade.” Fertilizer products that contain some amount of all three major nutrients are often called “complete” fertilizers. Soil test nutrient recommendations are made in the same units (N, P2O5 and K2O). But once you have those recommendations, you need to determine how much fertilizer will supply those nutrient amounts. This requires some basic arithmetic, presented in Formula #1. For example, if the recommendation ...
From Soil Report To Solution
Previously, Bill Urbanowicz, chief agronomist at Spectrum Analytic, Inc., demystified the numbers in a soil test report. In this article, he breaks down those numbers into real-world fertilizer selection and application. (Spectrum Analytic, is not able to recommend specific fertilizers brands, since they vary by area.) Prior to making fertilizer and lime applications, the amount of area to be fertilized must be calculated so the correct amount of nutrients is applied to the soil. Google Maps can be used to get a somewhat accurate area. Or Spectrum’s website library has a paper containing a variety of lawn sizes and shapes a landscaper may encounter when calculating area. What’s In A Grade? As most know, fertilizer is identified by the percent of each nutrient contained in the product. While each fertilizer might contain any combination of up to 13 nutrients, the majority have a three number identification referring to the major nutrients: Nitrogen (N), phosphate (P2O5), and potash (K2O) in that order. P2O5 is the fertilizer form of Phosphorus (P), and K2O is the fertilizer form of Potassium (K). These three numbers are called the fertilizer analysis or “Grade.” Fertilizer products that contain some amount of all three major nutrients are often called “complete” fertilizers. Soil test nutrient recommendations are made in the same units (N, P2O5 and K2O). But once you have those recommendations, you need to determine how much fertilizer will supply those nutrient amounts. This requires some basic arithmetic, presented in Formula #1. For example, if the recommendation ...
Three Tree Diseases To Watch
Tree diseases continue to be a problem throughout the country causing harm and threatening otherwise healthy trees. The Davey Tree Expert Company’s Diagnostic Laboratory identified the top three most common diseases they diagnosed over the course of 2020. These top three diseases affect the appearance of a variety of trees from conifers to deciduous, and, if combined with other factors, can be deadly for a tree. Keep a close eye on these diseases in your area because they can be anywhere, and they aren’t going away in 2021. Rhizosphaera Needle Cast. The number one most common disease of 2020 and the most problematic of the three diseases, Rhizosphaera Needle Cast is a fungal disease that can be found affecting conifer trees across North America. Spruce trees are the most susceptible to this disease, as well as fir, pine, and hemlock species. Alone, Rhizosphaera Needle Cast will most likely not kill a tree after one season—but in combination with other elements, it can be a contributing factor that results in tree death or decline. There are simple visual symptoms one can look for that help determine if a tree has Rhizosphaera Needle Cast without a diagnosis from a lab. These include excessive needle drop, thinning of the canopy (especially from the bottom up), and a purple to dark brown color of the inner needles. Fortunately, there is a treatment for Rhizosphaera Needle Cast. Since it’s a fungal disease, a fungicide application can be used as a preventive to reduce infection ...
Three Tree Diseases To Watch
Tree diseases continue to be a problem throughout the country causing harm and threatening otherwise healthy trees. The Davey Tree Expert Company’s Diagnostic Laboratory identified the top three most common diseases they diagnosed over the course of 2020. These top three diseases affect the appearance of a variety of trees from conifers to deciduous, and, if combined with other factors, can be deadly for a tree. Keep a close eye on these diseases in your area because they can be anywhere, and they aren’t going away in 2021. Rhizosphaera Needle Cast. The number one most common disease of 2020 and the most problematic of the three diseases, Rhizosphaera Needle Cast is a fungal disease that can be found affecting conifer trees across North America. Spruce trees are the most susceptible to this disease, as well as fir, pine, and hemlock species. Alone, Rhizosphaera Needle Cast will most likely not kill a tree after one season—but in combination with other elements, it can be a contributing factor that results in tree death or decline. There are simple visual symptoms one can look for that help determine if a tree has Rhizosphaera Needle Cast without a diagnosis from a lab. These include excessive needle drop, thinning of the canopy (especially from the bottom up), and a purple to dark brown color of the inner needles. Fortunately, there is a treatment for Rhizosphaera Needle Cast. Since it’s a fungal disease, a fungicide application can be used as a preventive to reduce infection ...
