Editor’s Letter: Winter Is Coming
Right now there’s a squirrel causing a ruckus outside. Last night I could hear the crickets. It’s that lovely, fleeting time—sandwiched between the heat and humidity of summer (requiring A/C) and the cold of winter—when you can open the windows, enjoy the fresh air, and hear the sounds of nature. So it seems hard to believe that the quiet chaos of snow and ice will be upon some of us soon. But it will. And unless you’re preparing now, you could be left out in the cold. So Turf Editor-in-Chief Anne Cosgrove interviewed Phill Sexton of WIT Advisers and Neal Glatt of Snowfighters Institute to talk about changes impacting the snow industry this year. The result is a discussion of specialized equipment, handling the labor shortage, and chemical runoff concerns. The Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA) also contributes to this Turf edition with tips for employee safety, both seasonally and year-round. It’s an especially important topic for companies who may have an abundance of new-hires.
Naturally, to get that snow and ice work, or any landscape work, you’ve first got to win that bid. And this is where software can help you know your real costs, assess past wins and losses, provide timely estimates, and more. Clearly, bidding is one of the most important aspects of business management, and it’s why things like work-life balance often take a back seat. In an interview with Turf, Chant Singvongsa, owner of Singvongsa Landscaping in Jackson, MN, admits, “I didn’t have a work-life balance for the first 10 years.” Sound familiar? Read how he learned to handle stress and challenges, and even find time to start his own YouTube channel.
One last thought: you’ll notice there’s a ton of product coverage in this edition! Why? Because GIE+EXPO™ is right around the corner—and manufacturers know this is their opportunity to highlight their latest and greatest new products and equipment. As a result, you’ll find lots of introductions and snazzy upgraded features. Enjoy!
Managing Editor, Turf
Turf Fall 2021 Issue | Table of Contents
Six Ways To Improve Job Bids | Increase your success rate when bidding customer jobs utilizing valuable software features.
Work-Life Balancing Act | Build your business by applying lessons learned along the way.
Trends For Snow Contractors To Watch | Equipment, labor, and environment are among the factors impacting the industry as a whole.
Snow Work and Staff Safety | From daily check-ins to season-long strategy, consider these procedures for a smoother snow season.
Fertilizer Tips For Fall | Best practices vary by geography, but several principles apply across the board.
Drainage And Retaining Walls | This landscaping element offers form and function, and water management is key.
My Landscape: Urban Greenery At NYC Hospital | A hospital tower for NYU Langone Health in Manhattan includes 25,000+ square feet of landscaped terrace space.
Get Equipped | GIE+Expo Preview, Snow & Ice, Small Engine & Handheld, and Sprayers/Spreaders/Seed