When it comes to helping your clients create the outdoor room of their dreams, consider customization, layout and design, amenities, and added value you can offer homeowners through financing options.
By Luke Frank
If you believe irrigation consultants just know sprinkler systems, you’re way off the mark. The American Society of Irrigation Consultants (ASIC) has spent the past 40-plus years training and supporting irrigation professionals in the industry in emerging water codes and regulations, water resource development and quality, turf management, soil science, chemistry, agronomy, horticulture, business development, marketing -- you get the idea.
We caught up with Jeff Bruce, ASIC immediate past president, and principal of Jeffrey L. Bruce & Company (JLB) in North Kansas City, MO. Bruce founded JLB in 1986, and has rocketed to the top of the sports turf industry since, completing about 600 professional and NCAA sports complexes in the past 10 years alone, including Yankee Stadium, Notre Dame Athletic Complex, and INVESCO Field.
We asked Bruce what’s trending in sports turf irrigation. His vision of the future might surprise you -- it did us.
The general belief is that homeowners in particular don't know how to use their irrigation controllers well enough to change their watering schedules as needed. Or, they simply forget to do so. Water agencies believe that if customers switch out their current nozzles for low-precip versions, they'll use less water -- even if they never touch their controllers. This is certainly true. However, it's a strategy that relies more on behavioral modification than education, and can still result in inefficient water use.
Knowing which social media platform to focus your efforts on can be a daunting task. Once you get comfortable with one platform, the next big thing in social media pops up. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogs are all platforms that can provide important connections to current and future customers. Realistically, you may not have the resources to adequately manage all four platforms at the same time. In fact, focusing on one platform and building upon that may be the best way to take a slow and steady approach.
Although turfgrasses contain only trace amounts of boron (B), chlorine (Cl), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn), these eight micronutrients are essential for plant growth and survival. When it comes to turfgrass nutrition, essential micronutrients deserve attention and should not be overlooked.
Now more than ever, a basic understanding of color temperature as an indicator of hue is critical to creating beautiful landscape lighting designs. With new lighting technologies available, understanding color temperature to ensure use of compatible shades of color throughout a landscape lighting design is quickly becoming a must.
The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) with the Brick Industry Association and National Concrete Masonry Association announced the 5th Annual HNA Hardscape Project Award winners. From 114 entries, 20 winners were chosen. Entries were judged on project intent, design, quality of construction and craftsmanship, compatibility with related construction materials and systems, construction innovation, detailing and overall design excellence. The following photo essay provides an overview of the award winning projects.
Safety issues or incidences can be devastating to a company, and injuries can literally put you out of business. Workers’ Comp rates can increase your operating costs, and, if not addressed, can ruin your company. Knowing your Experience Modification Rate (EMR) -- a number used by insurance companies to gauge both past cost of injuries and future chances of risk -- is a must in today’s competitive business environment. Reducing your EMR can reduce your operating expense because insurance carriers use this rating to establish your Workers’ Comp rates. Get your EMR down below 1, and your insurance rates will be reduced.
Spring is a time for turf managers to focus on control of summer annual weeds such as crabgrass and goosegrass. These species complete their life cycle in 1 year, germinating from seed in spring, growing throughout summer, and finally setting seed in fall. If left uncontrolled, both crabgrass and goosegrass can reduce the aesthetic and functional quality of warm- and cool-season turf.
Regulatory requirements governing fuel economy, emissions and safety have turned today’s work trucks into rolling computers. At the same time, pressure to reduce operating costs has led manufacturers to add even more electronics to vehicles and truck equipment to improve operational efficiency. The net impact of these technological advancements is that fleet managers need to re-think every aspect of how they design, maintain and manage their fleets.