Dot.coms for grounds care
Many green-industry professionals are finding the value of business-to-business e-commerce invaluable, but how exactly is it changing the way they do...
Selling irrigation to residential customers
The first questions any contractor must ask when looking for additional business are, "Who would be interested in my services, and how do I reach them?"...
Facility security: keeping them away
Protective lighting is a smart addition to any facility. Using light to deter intruders is cheaper and more effective than you might think.With so many...
Winterize your equipment
Preparing equipment for winter reduces stress levels, cuts downtime and increases profits when spring rolls around."Pay me now or pay me much more later"...
HOW TO: Light your landscape
Want customers to see your work in a positive light? Follow these steps to enhance your landscape project with lighting.When it comes to installing a...
2000 Salary survey
The median income of respondents to Grounds Maintenance's 2000 Salary Survey was $43,987 - an increase of more than 17 percent compared to 1996.How do...
Ornamental grasses: high visibility, low maintenance
These grasses require little effort, but make a big statement. It's no wonder they're catching on."Try them - you'll like them," I argued six years ago."Well...
Keeping your customers
How can you ensure your customers won't go elsewhere? Here's how to make your company stand out from the pack.If you want to keep a customer, remember...
RESEARCHING MAINTENANCE
Seed calculations I remember seeing a formula that enables you to calculate the pounds of seed needed per 1,000 square feet based on the germination,...
Advertising your services
You know that you offer the best services in town. But how do you let them know?Advertising is really nothing more than communication. It is communication...
Is your course losing its shape?
Golf courses are not static. Changes over time significantly impact design and play.Few golf courses today are the same as they were even 10 years ago...
Traction on turf
Athletic-field managers can make a difference in playing-surface quality.With the introduction of synthetic turf in the 1970s, concern over injuries resulting...
Fertilizers: the stories keep growing
Anecdotes about fertilizers sometimes acquire a life of their own. They can achieve mythic proportions as stories are passed on that relate astonishing...
RESEARCHING MAINTENANCE
Pine tree trimming I am seeing a lot of pine trees with side branches being stub-cut. I assume this is to reduce the weight of the branch. Won't the branches...
Fertilizer Use
According to The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) in Washington, D.C., nitrogenous fertilizer still leads the way in U.S. fertilizer consumption. In 1999, use...
Prescription fertilization: ] for trees
The idea of fertilizing trees to meet specific objectives is taking root.Tree fertilization is a controversial subject. Even the use of the word "feed"...
HOW TO: Get the most out of cultivar evaluations
How are you selecting the cool-season turf-grasses you're about to plant this late summer and early autumn? With only a few appropriate turfgrass species...
Understanding spreaders for large-area applications
Fertilizers and pesticides are often applied in granular form. Understanding the differences in spreader performance and calibration procedures can improve...
Art exhibit focuses on mowing patterns
Any grounds manager who's gone to the trouble to mow a pattern into a client's lawn can appreciate the work that goes into it. Now the rest of the public...
Learning the art of sand-green fertility
Recent advances have put more science into sand-green fertility management. However, there's still no "cookbook" that works for all greens.Sand-based...
Evaluating an outdoor athletic facility
Do you have a problem with your sports field? Here's a form you can use to help find out just what is wrong."What a terrific field!" You've heard it before...
Nitrogen: finding the form that fits
The right choice depends on understanding your needs and knowing which products will meet them.Fertilizers can be confusing. Advertisements frequently...
New trucks for 2001
A preview of exciting options for next year's trucks. "Change" is the operative word for describing what's happening to truck manufacturing. Not only...
Managing athletic fields on a tight budget
As communities all over the country grow, the need for safe athletic fields is greater than ever. As an athletic-field manager, you are responsible for...
Subcontracting: More service can mean more sales
Branching out your services is a growing idea, but is it right for you? It's becoming a common situation: your client is happy with all the services you've...
Find products and services in your area.