Want to keep up with the latest news in lawn care and landscaping? Check back every Thursday for a quick recap of recent happenings in the green industry.
RYAN Turf to Launch National Aerate Your Lawn Day
National Aerate Your Lawn Day is being launched by RYAN Turf as a way to help landscape professionals educate property owners on the value and benefit of aeration. The event will take place on Saturday, September 16, during the ideal time of year for lawn care professionals to encourage customers to aerate.
Industry Merger Creates SC Green Industry Association
The South Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association and the South Carolina Landscape and Turfgrass Association have merged into one new organization named the SC Green Industry Association. For more than two years, the boards of directors have been working together to make the merger as seamless as possible and help bring a higher level of quality and value to their members. The merger officially took place on June 30, 2017 and the newly named SC Green Industry Association’s website was launched on July 31, 2017.
Davey Tree Adds 170-Acre Property to its Ohio Campus
The Davey Tree Expert Company purchased 170 acres of land, the former site of a closed golf course, across from its 35-acre corporate campus here in northeast Ohio. The purchased property is to be known as the Davey East Campus and could also include additional office space for the company’s corporate functions. “A major part of our goal is to establish a science and learning center on the property and expand our capacity for technical research and specialized training,” said Davey Chairman Karl Warnke. “In addition, the property offers a variety of areas for showcasing many of Davey’s diverse services, whether they be wetland management in the riparian that abuts the Cuyahoga River, our golf course maintenance expertise, or the core tree services we provide. We intend to make this property a unique showplace for our rich history, extensive capabilities and future direction.”
SiteOne Acquires South Coast Supply
SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc. has announced the acquisition of South Coast Supply. Started in 1981, South Coast Supply has two locations serving the Orange County, California market. South Coast Supply is a leader in the distribution of hardscape, natural stone and related products to landscape professionals. The acquisition of South Coast Supply expands SiteOne’s hardscape offering and footprint in Orange County.
Bill Law Joins Ruppert Landscape as Facility Manager
Ruppert Landscape recently hired Bill Law as facility manager in the company’s corporate office. Law will be responsible for the maintenance and repair of all Ruppert Landscape owned and leased facilities. Law brings more than 30 years of experience in residential and commercial remodeling and restoration. For the past 11 years, he ran a successful design and remodeling company. He is a returning to Ruppert, having worked for Ruppert Brothers Construction more than 20 years ago.
TurfMutt Offers Dog-Friendly Backyard Landscaping Tips
National Dog Day is Saturday, Aug. 26. In honor of this holiday, Lucky the TurfMutt, a rescue dog himself and the official spokesdog of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute environmental education program, encourages pet parents to reevaluate their family yard to ensure it’s appropriate for their furry friends. Here are TurfMutt’s top five tips:
- Consider your dog’s needs in terms of water (including a water fountain or splash pool?), a perimeter running path or a place to dig, such as a sand pit. Jot down everything your dog needs from your family yard, then you map out your landscaping accordingly.
- Keep your pet safe with a secure fence.
- Include turfgrass that offers your pet a soft, cool spot to lie down, even during the hottest conditions. It also creates a comfortable backyard playground, and provides a place to take care of business – just be sure to clean up regularly.
- Select the right balance of grass, flower plants, trees and shrubs for beauty but also to help support biodiversity. Select appropriate landscaping for the areas you’ve identified in your yard. Around walking paths, for instance, you’ll want to include sturdy, yet soft foliage that can stand up to puppy and people traffic without scratching. Use elevated boxes and patio planters for more delicate flowering plants.
- Avoid toxic plants. Some plants and shrubs are poisonous to dogs. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has a list of toxic plants that you should refer to when shopping for your family yard.
Kawaski Adds Parts Distribution From UPS In Southeast
The Engines Division of Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. is once again expanding its relationship with UPS Supply Chain Solutions and adding a full service warehouse in Florida to stock and ship parts to authorized dealers in the region. The UPS facility that is joining Kawasaki’s broadened distribution network is located in Jacksonville and it will be providing enhanced support for dealers in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. Measuring approximately 15,000-square feet, the unit will be fully operational by the middle of August.
Ewing Announces Strategic Transitions To Support Locations, Employees
Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply recently implemented five strategic transitions to provide greater and more focused support to its stores in 200 locations and employees. These transitions include re-defining and aligning Ewing’s geographic divisions, focusing on employee development and customer education with the creation of the Talent Resources department, merging several shared financial services into one department, combining sales and marketing teams and strengthening its focus on business development.
Judge Overturns Montgomery County, Maryland, Pesticide Ban
On Thursday, Aug. 3, in Montgomery County, Maryland, Circuit Judge Terrence McGann ruled in favor of the professional landscape community and struck down the countywide ban of commercial pesticide application on public and private lawns, gardens, and ornamental sites, reports Paul Mendelsohn of the National Association of Landscape Professionals.
In October 2015 the Montgomery County Council voted 6-3 to restrict the use of pesticides on both county-owned and private property. In addition to eliminating the use of pesticides on private lawns beginning on January 1, 2018, the bill limited pesticide use on public and private playgrounds, mulched recreation areas and children’s facilities such as child care centers. The ban on county-owned property and parks was supposed to have gone into effect on July 1.
In a 14-page opinion explaining his ruling, McGann found that “by generally banning the use of registered pesticides, the Ordinance prohibits and frustrates activity that is intended to be permitted by state law, which conflicts with, and is thus, preempted by state law.”
Ewing Hires Names Jeff Lanahan as Executive Vice President
Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply announced Jeff Lanahan as the executive vice president of business development. In this new role, Lanahan will participate in strategy development and execution for the company’s continued growth and expansion. Lanahan previously served as COO at Pioneer Sand Company. Prior to that, he led the John Deere Landscapes Division as senior vice president for 14 years, also held leadership roles at Century Rain Aid for six years, leaving as the executive vice president.
Irrigation Association now offering classes & CIT Exam in Spanish
The learning and certification opportunities at the 2017 Irrigation Show and Education Conference in Orlando, Florida, have expanded. Along with more than 25 agriculture, turf-landscape and business classes and 11 certification exams that will take your industry expertise to the next level, the IA is now offering selected opportunities in Spanish. A Drip Irrigation Components and Installation for Landscapes class and the Landscape Irrigation Technician class will be offered in Spanish during the Irrigation Show. A Spanish version of the certified irrigation technician exam will also be offered.
Houzz Design & Architecture Scholarship Call for Entries
Houzz Inc. has announced the call for entries for Houzz Scholarships, a program that supports the next generation of residential design and architecture pros: students studying architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture. Houzz will award four $2,500 scholarships in the categories of ‘Women in Architecture’, ‘Sustainable Design,’ ‘Residential Interior Design’ and ‘Residential Construction Management’. Houzz awards these scholarships biannually in the spring and fall, and is now accepting applications for spring 2018. The deadline for the spring 2018 scholarships is December 15, 2017.
ASLA Launches Diversity SuperSummit Report and Online Resources
The American Society of Landscape Architects has launched its ASLA Diversity SuperSummit 2017 Report, which highlights strategies and action items to increase diversity in the landscape architecture profession. The takeaways in the report will serve as accountability for ASLA and as an actionable guide for the Society’s newly created career discovery and diversity position for the upcoming year. In 2013, ASLA had its first Diversity Summit with the goal of developing a deeper understanding of why landscape architecture is failing to attract a more diverse profile. Five years later, the 2017 Diversity SuperSummit brought the largest group of attendees to date, with 23 returning and six new participants, at the ASLA Center for Landscape Architecture in Washington, D.C. In addition to the SuperSummit Report, ASLA has also launched the Diversity Summit webpage.
Read last week’s industry news roundup: CASE Dealer Donates Heavy Equipment to Team Rubicon