Pro Landscaper USA South March/April 2022

MARCH/APRIL 2022

Roswell, Georgia | March 24, 2022 DESIGN + BUILD + MAINTAIN RESTORATION & REGENERATION

HISTORY CHANGE

THE BIG SWITCH

NOT A JOB BUT A CAREER

Combining applied ecology and landscape contracting

Sustaining a Gulf island economically and environmentally

Company fully transitions to battery-powered equipment

A landscaper’s advice after 50 years in the industry

WELCOME

Everillo EverColor® Carex brighten a snowy Pennsylvania garden and a winter display in Domino Park, New York.

Everillo EverColor® Carex at the Raleigh City Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Everest EverColor® Carex mixed container.

Everillo EverColor® Carex in the living wall at Bentley Motors in London.

EverColor® – EverGreen – EverVersatile – EveryWhere EverColor® Carex are the world’s most successful evergreen sedge.You’ll be hard pressed to find a more versatile plant in the landscape. They can be used as a groundcover, in solo or mixed containers, in living walls, roof gardens, edges and as an accent plant.

solid and variegated leaf colors on a mounded habit.

For more information, visit ConceptPlants.com or EverColorPlants.com.

There are eight varieties to choose from including Evercream, Everest, Everillo, Everlime, Everlite, Everoro, Eversheen and Everglow, providing a wide range of 2

Pro Landscaper USA South March/April 2022

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WELCOME

W E LC O M E N

early every time we meet a new professional working in the green industry, they tell us a similar story about a love for the outdoors that inspired their career. They had a desire to work with their hands, build something new or connect with nature. Now, they get to share that love with others by creating new green spaces in urban environments, prolonging the life of an existing green space or even restoring a suffering ecosystem. A landscaper has the incredible opportunity to make lasting impacts on the world around them and then inspire others to do the same. Too often, though, the expectations of the industry become a roadblock. An aesthetic plant takes precedence over a plant that would naturally grow. A green lawn becomes prioritized over a city’s water supply. If a landscaper loses touch with their roots, they can become an enemy to the world they love. This is why the Pro Landscaper team often uses the stories we tell and information we share to turn attention to the environment and its needs.

We believe business goals and sustainable goals do not have to compete, but can actually combine and improve outdoor work.

Just as industry work improves when the different sectors work together.

Sustainability can happen in millions of ways.

People can use things like tools, materials, locations and education to promote sustainable practices. It starts with the mindset, though. Seeing the need for environmental protection and restoration— and understanding a landscaper’s ability to

hurt or help. Keith Bowers is a landscape architect who leads a team of outdoor experts who want to regenerate ecosystems that have been damaged or lost. He explains how people in the outdoor industry can help in this issue’s Let’s Hear it From. Then, we profile a New Jersey company that is transitioning toward only using battery-powered landscape equipment, native plant species and organic turf systems. The owner explains the process it has taken to get to this point. We also share three projects that positively impact the environment and offer aesthetic benefits to clients. We also showcase a few tools or techniques that can help landscape companies incorporate sustainable practices into their business.

Pro Landscaper USA has one main goal with this issue: share ideas that can improve business, while restoring or protecting natural ecosystems. Many of the professionals we spoke with come from different educational backgrounds, professional positions and even locations, but each of their unique stories contribute to that goal.

This month makes a milestone for Pro Landscaper USA! We are hosting our first in-person event, Futurescape! This will be the first Futurescape held in the United States.

We want you to get involved in the panel discussions, meet industry leaders and learn about fantastic products and services at the EXPO. Check out page 12 for the schedule of events. Join us in Roswell, Georgia, on March 24, 2022.

Aimee, Mary Kate & Angelique Angelique Robb Managing Director angelique.robb@eljays44.com Mary Kate Carson Production Editor marykate.carson@eljays44.com Aimee Almaguer Advertising Coordinator aimee.almaguer@eljays44.com

Angelique

BEAVER CREEK RESTORATION BY BIOHABITATS, INC

COVERING: TEXAS, OKLAHOMA, LOUISIANA, ARKANSAS, MISSISSIPPI, TENNESSEE, ALABAMA, GEORGIA, FLORIDA, NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, VIRGINIA AND KENTUCKY

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Pro Landscaper USA South March/April 2022

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CONTENTS

17

INSPIRE 26

INFORM 08 10 12 14 15 16 17 22

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News Big stories circulating through the industry Agenda Incorporating sustainable practices into outdoor work

30 32 39

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Historic Change GMC Network Atlanta, GA Back Yard Blend Edenscapes Lafayette, LA Prioritizing Patients Mullin Landscape New Orleans, LA Edging Options

FutureScape Schedule for the event

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Sustainable Leadership Deborah Cole Deborah Cole Connections

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Self Sustaining Brooke Inzerella Horticare Landscape

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Look Who’s Talking FutureScape Speakers

45 48

Let’s Hear it From Keith Bowers BioHabitats Company Profile Richard A. McCoy Richard A. McCoy Horticulture

Pro Landscaper USA South March/April 2022

NURTURE

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Partnership with a Purpose ASI Landscape Management Tampa, FL Solutions We Love Power Planter alterNative Choosing the right plant for the right place Simplifying Fertilizers Greene County Fertilizer Co.

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CONTENTS

MARCH/APRIL 2022 E D U C AT E 55 56 58

Using Permaculture for a Sustainable Future Lori Hawkins Preparing for Transition Chenmark Battery Breakdown Explaining benefits and lifespans of different battery types

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30 66

PEOPLE

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62 65 66

Irrigation Irritation Weathermatic Sowing Seeds Randy Bigbee Little Interviews Getting to know the people in our industry

Pro Landscaper USA South March/April 2022

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WELCOME

CONTR IB U TOR S DEBORAH COLE

BROOKE INZERELLA

As the founder and president of a commercial landscape firm with multiple locations throughout Texas, Deborah Cole has learned the importance of a people-centric leadership and communication. She now devotes herself full time to speaking, writing and consulting with a heavy dose of visual storytelling (photography) included.

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WWW.DEBORAHCOLECONNECTIONS.COM

Brooke Inzerella is a licensed landscape horticulturist and owner of Horticare Landscape Company in Louisiana. As one of the area’s leading landscape companies, Horticare is known for superior service, swimming pools, landscaping and outdoor living spaces.

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lori hawkins

JOHN perry

Lori Hawkins, RLA, ASLA, is owner and principal of Hawkins Landscape Architecture. With over 30 years of experience, she specializes in high-end residential landscape architecture and offers 3D landscape design to allow customers to a unique view of their landscape before installation.

John Perry is the owner and founder of Greene County Fertilizer Co. in Greensboro, Georgia. Greene County manufactures liquid nutritional products for soil amending, liquid fertilizers for lawns, trees and plants and provides a variety of chemical solutions for any-sized business.

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WWW.GREENECOUNTYFERT.COM

WWW.HAWKINSLA.COM

Jamie Storrs

Jeremy Berros

Jamie Storrs is the marketing director at Chenmark, a holding company in the landscape and lawn care industry that owns and operates landscape firms from Maine to Cape Cod.

Jeremy Berros is the Battery Tools Director at Pellenc America. His role is to provide professional solutions to the U.S. market for landscapers, cities, growers and service companies. Pellenc America is the leader in professional battery solutions for the Landscaping and AG Industries.

WWW.CHENMARK.COM

CONTACT ELJAYS44 LLC 323 Polk St. Lafayette, LA 70501 Managing Director Angelique Robb angelique.robb@eljays44.com (337) 852-6318 Production Editor Mary Kate Carson marykate.carson@eljays44.com (903) 283-0513 Printed by Allen Press Inc. www.allenpress.com Published by ©Eljays44 LLC

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WWW.HORTICARELANDSCAPE.COM

Pro Landscaper USA South March/April 2022

P58 Designer Caitlyn Wallace Subeditor Erin Z. Bass Pro Landscaper is a trademark of Eljays44 Ltd. 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1903 777 570 eljays44.com

WWW.PELLENCUS.COM

Pro Landscaper USA South is published six times a year and distributed to 5,000 qualified members of the green industry. Postmaster: Send address changes to 323 Polk St., Lafayette, LA 70501. Pro Landscaper USA South verifies information as much as possible. The views expressed by editorial contributors and the products advertised herein are not necessarily endorsements of the publishers. Reproduction of any part of this magazine is strictly forbidden.

UK Directors Jamie Wilkinson jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com Jim Wilkinson jim.wilkinson@eljays44.com Cover image:FutureScape 2022

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WELCOME • THE

PROS OF BEING A PRO •

ONE-STOP SHOPPING For contractors, a single visit to SiteOne® Landscape Supply is all it takes to keep work moving. With branches in reach of every job site and a full selection of major brands, there’s no easier way to get the products you need. Combine that with advice from our team of trusted experts, and you can quickly get in, get out, and get on to the next job.

It's one more reason the industry's top pros choose SiteOne.

SiteOne.com

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Irrigation I Lighting I Turf & Landscape Maintenance I Nursery Pro Landscaper USA South March/April 2022 Golf Course Maintenance I Hardscape I Pest Control

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INFORM

INDUSTRY

CELEBRATING LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS

NEWS

T

EASING BAT TERYPOWERED VEHICLE CHARGING

T

he first wireless, in-road charging system in the United States is under way in Michigan, bringing a breakthrough in the development and implementation of electric vehicles. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the contract to begin building the road in the Detroit area. She says the in-road charging system is the next piece to the puzzle for sustainability. Electronic development and research company Electreon will lead the design, evaluation, iteration, testing and implementation of the pilot program. They intend for the one-mile stretch of road to be operational by 2023. www.electreon.com

he Black Landscape Architects Network (BlackLAN) honored two landscape architecture students with the Edward Lyons Pryce Scholarship. Maurice A. Gaston, master’s of Architecture and master’s of Landscape Architecture + Urbanism Dual Program at the Illinois Institute of Technology, and Jaylaan Pough, bachelor’s of Landscape Architecture at Penn State, both received the inaugural award. The honor of Edward Lyons Pryce goes to people who embody his similar qualities, including multi-talented designers, makers and educators who strive to make a positive impact on people and places. BlackLAN asks the landscape community to join them in recognizing the talents and accomplishments of both young architects. www.blacklanetwork.org

BIOHABITATS EXPANDS NORTHEAST OPERATIONS

B

iohabitats opened another office in the northeast highlands and coastal bioregion in Glastonbury, Connecticut. The new office offers applied ecology services to restore biodiversity, adapt to climate change, sustain fresh water and address environmental injustices. The office is led by fisheries/water resources engineer and dam removal expert Laura Wildman. She says she is passionate about protecting and restoring ecosystems and has applied that passion in New England streams, rivers and floodplains for more than 30 years through dam removal and fish passage projects. The team working in the new office will represent a range of specialties, including ecological planners, designers and scientists. www.biohabitats.com/wp-content/uploads/BiohabitatsBrochure_NEHC.pdf

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Pro Landscaper USA South March/April 2022

Maurice A. Gaston LAURA WILDMAN

REDHORSE BEND

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INFORM

NALP PLANS NEW ANNUAL EVENT

T

he National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) will allow its members to help plan their new annual conference, ELEVATE. Formerly known as LANDSCAPES and GIE, the show will happen at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Conference Center in Orlando, Florida. To plan the event, the NALP took submissions about sessions from its members. They wanted to know what challenges lawn care and landscape companies face and sought contributions of new ideas, solutions and innovations for those issues. The submissions will be discussed at ELEVATE on September 18-21, 2022. John Deere, Caterpillar and Bayer are all partners of the event. www.landscapeprofessionals.org

ENTREPRENEUR GRANT OPPORTUNITY

J

obber will give out 25 grants to small business entrepreneurs in the home service industry. The home service management software hopes to help strengthen small groups across the U.S. and Canada in industries like lawn care, plumbing, residential cleaning and painting. Each winner will be picked based on service, leadership, community support and business acumen.

The winners can get grants ranging from $2,500 to $15,000. The total amount given out will be $150,000. Jobber will take applications and recommendations for finalists through May 26. Winners will be announced in August 2022. www.JobberGrants.com.

LABOR FORCE SURPRISES RESEARCHERS

O

micron did not impact the labor force in the United States quite as expected. According to the Department of Labor, the private nonfarm economy added 467,000 jobs, despite a wave of the COVID-19 variant.

Researchers expected to lose 301,000 jobs in January alone. The manufacturing industry did struggle, slowing significantly compared to late 2021 numbers. Overall, representatives with the Bureau of Labor Statistics say the employment figures are showing substantial improvements. www.adpemploymentreport.com

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REVIEWING HEAT PROTECTION REGULATIONS

F

ederal researchers are considering new heat safety rules to protect outdoor workers from harsh summers. Heat is the deadliest weather-related threat, and workers in construction and agriculture are most at risk.

Severe heat can cause stroke or death, or create challenges to existing health issues like asthma, kidney failure and heart disease. It is why the federal group, OSHA, is considering a new set of rules for heat-specific workplaces, hoping to establish clearer operating standards for employers. They are researching injury and illness prevention and gathering feedback from business owners and their employees. OSHA published their findings in the Federal Register. They are still seeking details on a number of topics though, like education, training, job tasks, geographic locations and company sizes. At this point, the standard heat protection enforcement policies have not changed. www.osha.gov/heat-exposure

Pro Landscaper USA South March/April 2022

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INFORM

AGENDA

WHAT ARE EASY OR EFFECTIVE WAYS TO ADD SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES TO OUTDOOR WORK? Connor Zielinski PRESIDENT OF IRRI DESIGN STUDIO ORLANDO, FLORIDA As professional irrigation designers, we implement water conservation practices through our designs by staying up to date with water conserving irrigation methods, such as drip line tubing, point source emitters and multi-stream nozzles with rain and moisture-sensing devices.

In addition, we provide run time schedules to assure sites are not overwatering.

Jillian Jordan AUTHOR AND HOST AT THE FOREST WE BUILD DALLAS, TEXAS Using natural solutions, sourcing locally and planting native are surefire ways to be sustainable, while also adding functionality to a landscape. Living walls, bioswales and floating gardens for bioremediation are great features that utilize green and blue infrastructure concepts that control stormwater runoff, boost habitat and contribute beauty to design.

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Pro Landscaper USA South March/April 2022

Joel Northrup CEO AT DEEP LAWN AUSTIN, TEXAS Exciting new technologies are emerging in the lawn care and landscaping space, helping companies to be more environmentally friendly. EV-powered lawn equipment is now becoming cost-effective and widespread. There is a significant business case for sustainable solutions with reduced petroleum usage and reduced equipment maintenance. New machine learning and geospatial software technology is allowing companies to automatically calculate lawn measurements without having to visit the property. Service e-commerce storefront software allows clients to purchase services and pay without having to send payments via the postal service. Geospatial software for landscaping and lawn care companies offers automated lawn measurement tools, nearly eliminating unnecessary customer visits. Salespeople no longer consume non-renewable resources driving to properties to measure lawns and provide customer quotes. Lawn boundary software helps autonomous mowers navigate a property. Our service storefronts allow clients to pay for services online, reducing the carbon footprint required to complete payment transactions and receive quotes. These technological innovations and others greatly reduce CO2 emissions and allow companies to quickly scale their operations in an eco-friendly manner.

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INFORM

Kimberly Miller

James Ciamillo

Allison Messner

PRINCIPAL PLANNER FOR RESILIENCE AT HALFF ASSOCIATES

CO-OWNER OF LANDSCAPE PROS

CO-FOUNDER & CEO AT YARDZEN

FORT WORTH, TEXAS

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

Previously a challenge for growth as a company has been oversight on leadership and lack of management. We really dove down into that and hired the right staff to sustain our growth. In Fort Myers, we have an absolute influx of snowbirds, which has really changed our business mindset. We are focusing on developing our team in leadership to help us maintain growth and sustainability. We are also investing in equipment. For example, we bought a MT100 Mini Track Loader that has changed our dynamic on irrigation and smaller landscape jobs. That is an example of how having the right tools can emphasize smart and sustainable work.

We created an initiative called the “American Rewilding Project.” It means restoring wildness to the space around you and planting plants that are going to thrive—plants that are native, climate-adapted and that attract birds, bees and butterflies. The American Rewilding Project holds us accountable to include climate-adapted plants in every design. We also partner with a lot of companies using strict sustainability guidelines. One of our close partners builds decks with only recycled ocean plastic. It is a process that, admittedly, can be expensive, labor intensive, and resource intensive, but it is worthwhile. Taking ocean plastic or other plastic pieces that would otherwise end up in a landfill and making something beautiful, functional and successful for the landscape. There’s solutions like that out there; it just takes a little effort to find them.

Wise use of resources is key to sustainability in outdoor work. An excess of fertilizer and pesticides can create runoff that affects water quality and aquatic life both in the immediate area and miles downstream. Whenever possible, you can also enhance sustainability by using biodegradable materials that minimize waste and cleaning up all unused debris after a project is due. Finally, creating sustainable conditions to protect human health protects those providing the labor from excessive heat, dehydration and natural hazards.

Billy Otteman DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AT SCY THE ROBOTICS AUSTIN, TEXAS One of the best ways to incorporate sustainable practices into landscape work is through electric equipment. Top of mind for the industry today, the environmental benefits of electric tools are many, including zero emissions, significantly less noise and lower energy usage overall. It also creates a healthier work environment for the crew.

The transition to electric equipment can be a significant investment so it’s not the easiest way to increase sustainability, but it’s among the most impactful. Beyond that, partnership with clients can also create positive change. Understanding their sustainability goals, the outdoor environment they’re looking to cultivate on their property and the practices they’ve already developed can make your work on their property more sustainable and strengthen your relationship with them through shared objectives.

COMING UP: WHY IS DIVERSITY IMPORTANT FOR THE INDUSTRY?

E-MAIL OUR EDITOR MARY KATE CARSON AT MARYKATE.CARSON@EL JAYS44.COM TO BE INCLUDED IN OUR NEXT ISSUE.

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www.south.futurescapeusa.com

Event Schedule Main Stage 8:00

Registration Opens and Welcome Speech

9:00

Sustainability: A Greener Future

10:15

Robotics and the Next Steps Sponsored by Greenzie

Our industry talks about sustainable materials, practices and equipment . What does sustainability mean to these industry leaders? In the full cycle – from landscape design through to maintenance for years to come, how can we take steps to achieve a united greener future?

Some are afraid robotics will take our jobs, others can’t wait to let them work. How will robotics in landscaping change the way we design, build, and maintain outdoor spaces?

Lunch Bag lunch and food trucks on site

12:00

Using Marketing and Automation to Attract, Prequalify and Nurture the Best Leads Sponsored

by Lawnline Marketing Create more time for your sales team and increase their closing rate using a proven marketing strategy with automation. Once implemented, you’ll generate more leads that are higher-quality, educated about your services, trust that you’re the professional, and are ready to get started.

1:15

Designing the Workforce of Tomorrow Sponsored by Landscape Hub

2:30

Making Time for Technology Sponsored by Gravely

Our industry has always needed more people – until COVID created unprecedented demand for our services – and now we are struggling to cope. How can the workforce of tomorrow be created today?

Can we develop the industry in a way that attracts the right people?

Embracing change is not easy but it is essential for to succeed in today’s market. Our industry has more and more technology available for companies to implement – but what do you need today and how to successfully take steps to make room for this in your business.

4:00

Industry Collaboration: Eliminating the Divisions to Multiply Success Sponsored by Pro LandScaper USA South Why should landscape architects and growers collaborate more often? How maintenance companies can teach design + build companies a thing or two and vice versa? Learning about others’ perspectives can open us to a step change in quality.

Educational and Demonstrations: Creating Healthy Spaces by Renson Power Up Your Planting by Power Planter SiteOne Portfolio Nursery Collection by SiteOne Landscape Design System: Unleash the Potential

by The Placemakers Academy

Sponsors

Get your free ticket for this one-day event!

March 24, 2022 | Roswell, Georgia

INFORM

DEBORAH COLE THE CASE FOR SUSTAINABLE LEADERSHIP

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ho better than the owners, managers and supervisors in our green industry to adopt the philosophy of sustainable leadership? Guidance of a company with this intention is much more than merely concern for environmental impact. And the benefits and outcomes are so much more valuable to a greater number of individuals.

We tend to think of “no harm done” to global resources when we consider sustainability; however, sustainable leadership also takes into consideration the human factor in how we operate our businesses. How do we protect our most valued resource: our people? The guidance, care and development of our colleagues and staff utilizing basic principles of sustainable leadership will set us apart from organizations who operate without. Our workforce is a sacred trust that must not be ignored.

Sustainable leadership is a process of influence that provides direction, alignment and commitment—and aims to address social, environmental and economic issues in order to create a better world. Leadership is not merely a position. It is a ”process of influence” that usually involves a group of people working together to build a company’s shared vision for change, coordinate their activities and encourage personal commitment toward collective success throughout the entire organization.

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Pro Landscaper USA South March/April 2022

Sustainable leaders deliver outcomes that maximize value across the “triple P bottom line” (people and profit as well as planet) to ensure future generations have the same opportunities that we want for all to currently enjoy.

Sustainable leadership is just.

Decisions made must be to benefit the whole of the organization, not just the few at the top. This is a part of the culture as well as a vital part of decision making by the leaders.

Sustainable leadership matters.

As sustainable leaders, we must engage our workforce intellectually and emotionally as well as physically. Sustainable leadership means building a rock-solid culture that is lived and embodied within every facet of the business.

Sustainable leadership is resourceful.

Leaders are thrifty without being cheap.

Sustainable leadership systems provide intrinsic rewards and extrinsic incentives that attract and retain the best and brightest of the leadership pool.

Sustainability means enduring leadership.

As leaders, we must plan for our successors well ahead of the need. We need to identify and train future leaders so that when the time comes, the culture is firmly cemented in the DNA of the new people in charge. New leaders are not left with changing gears or directions.

The intent, goals and culture of the organization are unshakable.

Sustainable leadership promotes diversity.

Sustainable leadership recognizes and cultivates many kinds of excellence and embraces the value that differences bring to the organization. Excellence is achieved when many are heard and many are involved.

Sustainable leadership spreads.

A thoughtful leader spreads the education and training to make everyone a responsible leader within the realm of their own workspace. A sustainable leader guides and mentors to allow those in his/her care to grow into a place of trust and responsibility so that everyone in the organization feels that the company is a place that can be trusted and that the leadership can be trusted.

Sustainable leadership pays dividends throughout the company now and in the next generations of leaders.

ABOUT DEBORAH COLE Deborah Cole is the founder of a commercial landscape firm with multiple locations throughout Texas. She now devotes herself full-time to speaking, writing and consulting. deborahcoleconnections.com

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INFORM

BROOKE INZERELLA SELF SUSTAINING BROOKE INZERELLA ON TESTING TACTICS TO CONSERVE ENERGY AND RENEW TEAM MOTIVATION

S

ustainability. I’ve been thinking about this word quite a bit lately.

The definition of sustainability is “the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level and the avoidance of the depletion of resources in order to maintain balance.” As a professional landscaper, I know what this connotes in terms of the outdoor spaces we design and install. We are always striving to improve in this area, as are most of my professional peers. We understand our roles in creating and maintaining outdoor environments, and we want to be good stewards of the environment. From utilizing more native plants in our designs, designing with an intention to conserve water resources and reducing our use of chemicals and fertilizers, we are always moving in the sustainable landscaping direction. This magazine issue will touch on many of these.

But lately, the idea of “ sustainability” feels like something else to me. The past two years have challenged me in ways that I never could have predicted, and I’ve recently been thinking a lot about how to keep myself sustained so I can continue to be an effective leader for my company. As an owner, how can I manage to sustain a high level of energy and focus during extremely busy and shifting times? How can I continue to inspire confidence and a vision for the future when there are more pressing day-to-day tasks than there are hours in the day to handle? How do I handle the really pressing issues of the

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moment, like delivery delays, labor shortages and erratic materials pricing, when we are busier than ever—and not throw my hands up in defeat? I started this New Year with a renewed focus on replenishing what was becoming depleted in me. I knew it was not sustainable to continue working 12–14 hours every day. And I know, because I’ve witnessed it firsthand, that when I am focused and energized, my leadership team is inspired and energized as well. They, in turn, are better equipped to manage and lead their teams to greater productivity, efficiency and job satisfaction.

One new habit I’ve recently started to help me restore some balance to my crazy work schedule is scheduling short spurts of time on my calendar to do nothing! A few times a week, I turn off my phone for 15 minutes and just be still and silent. Deep breathing helps, too. As crazy as it seems, these small breaks really help me reset. I’ve also really taken a critical look at the tasks I manage and am trying to be very diligent about delegating

responsibilities to others. This one has been especially hard for me because I’m a hands-on worker—I like doing the thing myself. I’m sure this is true for most entrepreneurs. But as my wife continues to point out to me, I have a great team that wants us to succeed, and they’re up to whatever challenge I throw their way. It’s unfair of me not to.

Lastly, a renewed focus on regularly scheduled team, leadership, safety and production meetings has helped restore balance. I had paused some of these during Covid to be respectful of social distancing, but it is eye-opening how effective these meetings are in communicating vision, values, strategy and core beliefs, and how consistently doing so makes everyone better.

So, here’s to a year of renewed balance and replenished resources so that Horticare Landscapes + Pools can be sustainable for many, many years to come.

ABOUT BROOKE INZERELLA Brooke Inzerella is a licensed landscape horticulturist and owner of Horticare Landscape Company in Lafayette, Louisiana.

www.horticarelandscape.com

Pro Landscaper USA South

March/April 2022 15

Look Who’s Talking at

PAM DOOLEY

BROOKE INZERELLA

JUD GRIGGS

Owner of Plants Creative Landscapes

Owner of Horticare Landscape Company

Head Harvester at Harvest Business Consulting Group

Shaping the Future of USA Landscaping

MARC ELLIOT

MICHAEL MAYBERRY

CEO of GoMaterials

CTO of Level Green Landscaping

DAN MABE

CHARLES BRIAN QUINN

ERIC KING

CINDY CODE

JIM McCUTCHEON

Co-Founder & CEO of Greenzie

Co-Owner of King Landscaping

Executive Director of Project EverGreen

Chief Executive Officer at HighGrove Partners

Owner of American Green Zone Alliance

CASEY CHILDS

WAYNE KREIFELS

BILLY OTTEMAN

JEFF WRALEY

JEFF McMANUS

Business Development Manager at Ariens Co

Head of Sales at Robin AutoPilot

Director of Marketing at Scythe Robotics

Founder of Groundwork

Founder of The Jeff McManus Group

TONY RICKETTS

MARY KAY WOODWORTH

JEFFREY SCOTT

JOE LANGTON

JOHN VLAY

Founder & Team Leader at LawnLine Marketing

Executive Director of the Georgia Urban Agriculture Council

Owner of Jeffrey Scott Consulting

President of Langton Group

CEO of Graze Mowing

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INFORM

Let ’s Hear it From

KEITH BOWERS BIOHABITATS, INC HEALING NATIVE LANDSCAPES THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED OR DESTROYED

T

he vast majority of landscapers are driven by a passion for the outdoors and a desire to help people connect to nature. Their careers began because they enjoy being outside, working with their hands or seeing things grow. Due to the ornamental trends of constructed landscapes, though, a landscaper’s core values and goals are thwarted. Spaces that are designed, built and maintained for aesthetic purposes can strip away or degrade the ecology that exists within a landscape.

This not only stops native plant and animal species from surviving and thriving, it can

impact the services ecosystems provide to people—like filtering polluted water and air, storing carbon, providing spaces for recreation or restoring habitat for the pollinators we need for agriculture. A nationwide ecological consulting firm is pushing to reverse the decline of natural ecosystems by taking sustainability and conservation efforts one step further. They are focusing on ecological restoration.

Biohabitats is an ecological restoration, conservation planning and regenerative design firm. A landscape architect launched

the company in 1982 by combining applied ecology with landscape contracting. He wanted society to see that land development didn’t need to go hand-in-hand with environmental destruction.

“The whole landscape industry is grown up around ornamental landscaping for homes, buildings, parks and streetscapes. It wasn’t really geared from an ecological perspective.

We are flipping that on its head,” says Biohabitats Founder and President Keith Bowers. “You can do something that is aesthetically pleasing and, more importantly,

BEAVER CREEK POST RESTORATION

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Pro Landscaper USA South March/April 2022 17

INFORM

good for the natural ecosystem.”

Keith found his passion while working along the Chesapeake Bay in the 1970s. The area faced decline for years because of unchecked development within the watershed, pollution and overharvesting of shellfish and marine organisms. He learned from a mentor, Dr. Edgar Garbisch, founder of the nonprofit organization Environmental Concern, who wanted to restore the coastal marshes in decline throughout the bay. Dr. Garbisch’s work made a lifelong impact on Keith.

“Instead of focusing on just horticulture or conventional landscape contracting and design, I decided to approach things from an ecological perspective,” Keith says.

TO PROTECT THE LANDSCAPE AND TEACH OTHERS TO DO THE SAME KELLY CREEK RESTORATION PROJECT

ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION PROJECT OF EUCLID CREEK

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As he studied landscape architecture at West Virginia University, Keith searched for ways to integrate industry practices with various scientific sectors like botany, soil science, geo-morphology and plant ecology. He says today, this collaboration is needed more than ever. Species are rapidly disappearing because of fragmented landscapes and loss of habitat. In fact, scientists say we are entering the sixth great mass extinction of life on Earth. This rapid loss of species is estimated to be between 1,000 and 10,000 times higher than the natural extinction rate.

Many scientists argue the impact of habitat fragmentation is more concerning than that of climate change. They recognize, though, the two are intricately interconnected. Keith’s answer: landscapers.

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AS AN INDUSTRY, WE MUST ADVOCATE FOR ACTIONS THAT RESTORE AND REGENERATE NATIVE ECOSYSTEMS Keith suggests things like planting native plants, rather than ornamental plant species, never using invasive plants, switching to organic pesticides and fertilizers and reducing or eliminating irrigation.

“Pesticides have a huge impact on our water systems, insect populations and pollinators,” he explains.

Irrigation can damage our natural water system. Keith says ornamental plants typically use too much water, depleting groundwater supplies. Plus, moving, heating, cooling and treating water adds to the industry’s carbon footprint. Instead, landscapes should be designed and managed to minimize and, whenever possible, eliminate irrigation.

“In a lot of cases, we don’t need landscapes to be managed so intensely. Maybe instead of a manicured park, we can combine elements to support and reconnect wildlife habitat,” Keith suggests. “We can even put up signs that educate the public on how these plants provide critical homes for butterflies, amphibians and small mammals to enjoy. We don’t have to choose between a park strictly designed for people or a park that is good for the environment. We can do both.”

The key, he says, is for landscapers to guide clients away from harmful products and trends by educating them on the benefits of natural ecosystems. He suggests following the 80/20 rule. Dedicate 20 percent of a landscape to people and the remaining 80 percent as a native, ecologically-based landscape. This is just as possible in urban areas as it is in more rural landscapes.

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Biohabitats’ offices are organized based on bioregions: areas defined by shared ecological and cultural characteristics. With bioregion offices throughout North America, Biohabitats’ interdisciplinary team represents a variety of specialties. Those include ecologists, biologists, geomorphologists, landscape architects, water resource engineers, geographic information systems analysts, CAD technicians and construction personnel. Biohabitats is involved in about 200 projects throughout the world at any given time. The team works closely to learn from each other’s disciplines and collaborate on regional and national levels.

When Biohabitats launched 40 years ago, the nation had recently passed the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts, in addition to many state and local environmental laws. Recognizing the

RESTORING OYSTER BEDS

decline in the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland leaders also passed the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Act, which requires jurisdictions adjacent to the bay to plan ways to protect its water quality and habitat. Biohabitats found itself at the right place at the right time and helped many of these jurisdictions comply with these regulations. Soon after, the Society for Ecological Restoration was formed. Keith served on the board and two terms as its chair in the early 2000s. Then, in July of 2021, The United Nations issued a rallying cry to massively scale up restoration efforts across the globe, declaring the next 10 years to be the “Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.” Due to these initiatives and legislation, many of Biohabitats’ projects are government-driven, involving local jurisdictions, cities, states and even federal agencies like the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“For example, a town might have two miles

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of impacted river they want restored.

Biohabitats will work with the town to assess, design and implement natural and naturebased approaches to restore the river, which often includes measures to improve fish habitat, reduce downstream flooding and the community,” says Keith.

Using ecology as a foundation, the company is also helping many cities develop resiliency plans that focus on a regenerative future.

Recently, Biohabitats worked with the city of Atlanta to develop an Urban Ecology Framework and with the cities of Baltimore and Kansas City on green network initiatives.

These plans not only address issues like climate change and biodiversity; they provide guidance on developing sustainable housing, transportation and infrastructure.

“We look at ways to provide ecosystem services like heat islands, water quality and carbon sequestration,” says Keith. “We also looked at environmental justice issues and what restorative actions are needed to address these issues and instill equity with future planning initiatives. We hosted multiple community engagement events to determine what people wanted to see from an urban ecology perspective.”

About a third of the firm’s projects involve non-government entities like universities, sustainable land development groups and nonprofits like The Nature Conservancy.

Within the last year, Keith’s team found ways to improve communities in many areas of life, including economic, social and educational,

all by applying ecological principles to the landscape. Biohabitats hopes to build a world where people and the full community of life can thrive alongside the ecosystems they depend on. It is a goal that takes collaboration, though. The team wants to spread their message throughout the outdoor industry and eventually inspire a new way of designing, building and maintaining healthy, ecologically robust and resilient landscapes.

C O N TA C T Biohabitats Tel: (800) 220–0919 biohabitats.com

1 Students floating wetlands 2 Restoring Barataria Preserve in Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve 3 Katie and Mike overseeing a construction project All photos are by ©Biohabitats, INC

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YOU HANDLE THE

BUSINESS

WE’LL HANDLE THE

MARKETING High growth for multi-million dollar lawn care and landscape companies.

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For Consultations, Visit or Call https://lawnline.marketing (813) 944-3400 Pro Landscaper USA South March/April 2022 21

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COMPANY PROFILE

M COY HORTICULTURE C

NEW JERSEY GROUP COMMITS TO SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

S

ustainable tools, techniques, materials and designs are all things that can quickly become overwhelming. Dozens of questions swarm through a business leader’s mind as they commit to running a more eco-friendly company. Things like: Where to begin? How much will it cost? Which changes are necessary and which are not? These questions make the effort to be more sustainable a daunting task. It can be done, though.

Richard McCoy proves it.

Richard is a leader in ecological horticultural practices on the east coast of the United States. He manages Richard A. McCoy Horticultural Services, a landscaping design,

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building and maintenance firm based in Ringoes, New Jersey. The company is dedicated to organic and ecologically mindful systems, using battery-powered equipment, avoiding synthetic chemicals, managing turf systems organically and using native plant species materials almost exclusively.

Richard’s work has been shared by the Smithsonian Institute’s Archives of American Gardens. Among his many titles, Richard is an advisor and practitioner council member for national organizations the Organic Landscape Association, and Non-Toxic Communities and is a member of Rutgers University’s Organic Land Care Working Group and a cocontributor to the Rutgers Organic Land Care Best Management Practices Manual. Just last

year, the American Green Zone Alliance selected Richard as the Northeast Regional Director. The team also became the first American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) Certified Service Pro Company in New Jersey last year and was named the 2021 Horticultural Professional of the Year by the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association. The company’s success all began with a simple approach—plant the appropriate plant properly in the right location and mulch correctly. Then, a healthy landscape will flourish, without harmful chemicals.

Richard launched his outdoor career about 30 years ago. He worked as an arborist first, then on a landscape contracting team. He calls

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both roles “conventional,” because he used things like non-native plants and synthetic chemicals. He launched his own business in 1995, with the goal to focus on proper plant placement and a plant’s cultural needs. This goal took shape over the years until 2005, when the company fully transitioned to an organic, ecological means of operating.

transition to all electric tools: battery-powered string trimmers, blowers and lawn mowers, to name a few These benefit the environment and the crew or clients. They aren’t exposed to harmful emissions, and depending on the tool there is little to no distracting noise.

These are all habits Richard expects to see pay off in the future.

Richard says. “They say they’re not strong enough, you can’t charge them quickly, they don’t work. People have done things a certain way for so long that they don’t want to change.

They’d rather stick with what they know. Back when we first started doing turf organically, there was a lot of pushback and I was skeptical of it at first, too. Here we are now.”

“The reason why we did it was, I knew our landscapes were struggling and I wanted to find out why. I wanted to find how we could stop this cycle of pesticide use, and a lot of it comes down to the familiar term, right plant, right place,” says Richard.

“Moving forward, especially in 2022, there is going to be a push for electric equipment,” he says. “Likely driven by municipalities and homeowners, the whole idea of a greater ecological view of the landscape is going to be pushed further. From 2022 onward ... I think that’s really where the whole industry is headed.”

Richard learned and developed his ecological ideas through books, experimentation and experts in the field. He’s taken courses and certifications from groups like the Organic Landscape Association and AGZA. His team members all have their Rutgers Organic Land Care Certificate and/or received accreditation through NOFA’s Organic Land Care Programs.

Richard has developed a community and a network of people through those programs and groups. All are like-minded and support each other’s efforts to focus on protecting and embracing nature. He says two books— Bringing Nature Home and Nature’s Best Hope—have been pivotal in how he and his team do things. Both are by Dr. Douglass Tallamy, a University of Delaware entomologist

YOU’RE NOT GOING TO FIX A LANDSCAPE PROBLEM BY APPLYING PESTICIDE; YOU’RE GOING TO PUT A BAND AID ON IT

Several New Jersey municipalities have already required outdoor workers to use electric equipment. They are following in the steps of states like California and New York, which are either considering rules on gas-powered tools or banning them completely.

“People are skeptical of electric tools,”

He adds that current landscape practices are taking a square peg and trying to fit it into a round hole.

“Instead of trying to force a plant into a location where it’s not suited, select the plant culture to match or adapt to a certain cultural location on a property,” he says. “That essentially fixes the landscape problem. Don’t try using that bag, box or bottle ... that’s not going to solve it. That is the cultural impact of us trying to fix problems. It is the cliche of doing the same thing over and over again and looking for a different result.”

McCoy Horticulture uses organic and 25b EPA minimum risk exempt products. They follow the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) standards and Rutgers Organic Land Care Best Management Practices Manual recommendations. They carefully monitor the soil’s health, being sure it is full of vital microorganisms that provide nutrients for plants . The team recently began the

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who has found in his studies that during evolutionary periods, the native plants we use serve as hosts to native beneficial insects that make an ecosystem thrive. Using non-native plant materials has pulled those insects out of the landscapes and made ecosystems begin to break down.

LANDSCAPERS SHOULD BE THE ONES WHO ARE THE LOUDEST VOICES ADVOCATING FOR STRONG ECOSYSTEMS AND AN IMPROVED ENVIRONMENT “Landscapes that are installed and maintained conventionally are no better, ecologically speaking, than a painting of a landscape,” Richard explains. “They do not have that ecological impact that a native planted landscape would have. That is the basis of what we’re trying to educate

homeowners and landscape contractors on.

The conventional versus the new modern way of thinking of looking at landscapes.”

The modern way is catching on. Richard says his crew of six people service about 45 residential clients on a regular basis, and all support their focus on ecology and green infrastructure. The team talks to clients about getting outside and getting into their landscapes, suggesting construction that will be good for the ecosystem and also look nice.

Clients constantly tell stories of the life that begins to flourish outside their home. They talk about rabbits and butterflies, green grass and vibrant plants, non-toxic and safe play spaces for their kids.

The American Green Zone Alliance has been instrumental in the educational component of McCoy Horticulture’s business transition.

Several tools they’ve used to support their goals are MeanGreen commercial mowers 33-inch walk-behinds and 48-inch standing mowers. Husqvarna push mowers and many hand tools from string trimmers, chain saws and telescoping pruners. Trailers with solar panels to charge small batteries throughout the day have also been integral.

Richard says. “I mean, most people who are in the green industry do it because they love the outdoors; they want to be a part of that, and they want to see that grow. It turns out they’re having some of the most detrimental practices, and they might not even realize it.

We’ve just gotten so far away from what our core should be. We really need to understand and begin to reair the damage we’ve done to our environment during the past 60 years Instead of just continuing with the same, we need to fix it.”

C O N TA C T McCoy Horticulture Ringoes, New Jersey Tel: (866) 622 – 6995 mccoyfinegardens.com

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PRIORITIZING PATIENTS

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INSIDE INSPIRE THIS MONTH PAGE 26 GMC NETWORK: HISTORIC CHANGE, PAGE 30 EDENSCAPES: BACK YARD BLEND, PAGE 32 MULLIN LANDSCAPE: PRIORITIZING PATIENTS

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PROJECT D E TA I L S Cost $16.5 million Build Time 30+ years Size 10 acres

HISTORIC CHANGE goodwyn mills cawood BUILDING FOR SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCY

STOREFRONT RENDERING

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S

ea level is the highest it has been in 100,000 years. Uncertainty makes it tough for us to fully understand or even believe this reality, but the proof is there. The effects are already noticeable, and the impact is spreading rapidly. Water is slowly overtaking the coasts of the United States, and our beaches are eroding away. Powerful storm surges hit coastal communities relentlessly for several months each year, leaving overwhelming devastation behind. The rise of sea levels threatens the entire planet, and the global community must respond together. We need experts who can lead this response. Scientists, policymakers, journalists—to name a few.

Among the most critical group of leaders, though, are those working closest to nature.

People with knowledge of the earth and the way it grows. The outdoor professionals.

One of the first areas of the United States to feel the impact of high sea levels is the string of barrier islands in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Within that group is the community of Dauphin Island, a historic Alabama town just south of Mobile. One thousand two hundred people live on the six square miles of Dauphin Island, mostly on the northern side, where large sand dunes help protect property from storm surges. For years, only boats could reach the island. Neighbors knew each other well, and they lived a simple life together. Tourism began to boom in 1929, when the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo launched. Fishing enthusiasts visited from miles away with hopes of getting on the water and harpooning an enormous creature from the deep. Then, in 1954, leaders in the state

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INSPIRE built a bridge to help more visitors access the beauty and charm of the small community.

People built vacation homes on the small slivers of land along the island’s west side, and growth continued over a span of decades.

As the island grew, so did weather and economic challenges.

“At times, the western part of the island is almost completely cut off. It is just a couple feet above sea elevation, and when you get the wave action that a barrier island gets, you can imagine that a lot goes underwater and is inaccessible. This has gotten worse during the last few decades, and now even small storms have a major impact,” says Adam Martin, a landscape architect and urban designer in Mobile. “When that part of the island gets cut off, all the revenue that could have been made from rental homes and lodging tax is gone.”

Millions of dollars have been spent on disaster recovery efforts following various storms. Leaders in Dauphin Island began brainstorming solutions to this decades ago, but their plans were set in motion after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. They called that the “final trigger.”

“It literally split the island into two halves,” says Adam. “The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had to get involved to try to reengineer the connection. This made them realize the need for a safer, physical area for a town center that would provide improved and more stable revenue generation.”

In 2007, leaders decided to relocate the city’s economic hub to Aloe Bay, an area on the northern side of the island that is less impacted by storms. The Aloe Bay Town Center project will create a small, mixed-use area with commercial fishing, eco-tourism activities, housing and retail space. The project will unfold in three phases. The first centers on conceptual planning, the second on cost analysis, engineering and construction permitting, then the third will be the actual building process. Dauphin Island town leaders chose Adam and his team to spearhead phase one following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. Adam works with Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC), one of the largest architecture and engineering firms in the southeast. The firm is made up of specialists with a wide range of expertise, including architecture, urban planning, engineering, environmental science and economic development. The group started developing a comprehensive

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ALOE BAY ILLUSTRATIVE PLAN

master plan to improve the island’s sustainability and economic resilience. In 2019, federal groups offered more than $16.5 million dollars of assistance funds to Dauphin Island, through programs like the RESTORE Act. This allowed a GMC-led team, including Dover Kohl and Partners along with Randall Gross Economic Development,to finalize the initial phase of the project, a 200-page master plan that will be a road map for the next 10 to 20 years of work. They released the plan in August of 2021, and it was adopted by the town in 2022.

“It was a long process,” says Adam. “Because it is a publicly-funded project, we took in a lot of public input. We started with an outdoor

event to kick things off in June of 2020. We had to be somewhat creative because of the pandemic, but we wanted to let everyone know what we are doing and why the project is important.”

Weeks of data gathering and meetings followed this initial launch. Designers and planners wanted to discuss ideas with the public, stakeholders and residents. GMC held several virtual charrettes. They sent researchers to meet with people one on one.

They made educational materials like films and brochures. They even helped remote islanders access the internet and taught the older population how to use Zoom and other online tools. Hundreds of people engaged in

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urban design perspective, how to activate the site at the ground level so it can match the activity on the higher level. The ground plane level needs to be more functional to protect from flooding. We decided to incorporate environmental sustainability techniques that support low impact developments. Things like permeable paving and bio infiltration. Maybe even rainwater harvesting. This will help in the development process, the aesthetic and improve the ecology of the entire space.”

ALOE BAY YARD RENDERING

MAIN STREET RENDERING

the effort, giving their opinions and sharing what they hoped to see come of their beloved town.

“The biggest challenge that residents struggled with was the balance between, what is the right amount of and the right kind of development?” says Adam. “And rightfully so! This town has a lot of history, and they don’t want to lose who they are. We had a lot of discussions about allowing a little change to happen. I think people started to realize they can’t do nothing. They need a place for people who visit the island, and they need a place for the residents to build a sustainable and resilient economy. It is a balancing act.”

MARINA RENDERING

PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING

Through weeks of meetings and brainstorming, developers created the schematics for a working waterfront in Aloe Bay. It will be a mixed-use town center with a wide range of activities like commercial fishing, retail space and ecotourism sites.

There will be new spots for lodging, a network of boardwalks, docks for larger charter boats and areas for watching wildlife like birds and marine life. These features, and the many others outlined in the plan, are all designed to attract visitors while not burdening the town residents. They will also be designed to fit the style of the island. Adam says this presented new challenges that most urban projects don’t run into.

“There’s a community character to the island architecturally,” he explains. “The building typology has been elevated above the floodplain because of all the water issues.

We must think about, especially from an

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The project will really come to life during the beginning infrastructure design and engineering phases. This will involve streetscapes and public access amenities like boardwalks and seawalls. A team of four or five people will likely work on these elements continuously during the next year or two. Implementing all the ideas outlined in the master plan, though, could take up to 30 years. Adam says it will be a long process, but he is hopeful for what is to come.

“We want this to improve the lives of everyone on the island and those who will visit in the future,” he adds. “We live right next door; we spend a lot of time on Dauphin Island.

We want to bring our kids and grandkids one day. We want it to still be around. The answer revolves around sustainability. Building sustainably and resiliently so the town can bounce back when there’s a storm. Building a resilient economy so when something happens to the west end they have a town center where people can still go. It excites me, and I think it is beginning to excite people on the island too.”

The Aloe Bay Town Center Master Plan will help preserve the island’s history, character and ecosystem, while boosting its economic opportunities and building resilience. This project exemplifies the partnership between sustainability and economic resiliency, showing how the two complement and strengthen each other. They each help communities and businesses develop a strong foundation and the promise for a future.

C O N TA CT GMC Network Atlanta, Georgia www.gmcnetwork.com

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D

iversity is a unique feature of southern landscapes. Areas of the south are formal, modern, western, tropical, or even a combination of each. Landscapes can embody any of these themes, depending on the taste of the owner, community, designer and maintenance teams.

No matter what style is chosen, each can still flow with the existing ecosystem. The crew who built a Louisiana back yard creatively wove several landscape styles together to build a sustainable, lasting outdoor space.

“air knifing,” which is when teams use a large compressor and air gun to blow out trenches in the soil, then fill those spaces with compost. With this, they avoid cutting any roots. Chap calls it an excellent solution for compacted soils, which you usually have under large oaks. They managed to establish a drainage system that wasn’t in place before.

Edenscapes Landscape and Horticulture is a design, build and maintenance firm in Lafayette, Louisiana. They took on this project when a friend of the owner, Chap Gary, approached them with a simple request.

“The owners, John and Becky Williams, said, ‘We want to work with somebody that can take the time and put in the details. We want them to do what needs to be done, the right way,’” says Chap.

The team rose to the challenge. They focused on dozens of tiny details to build this unique space, beginning with pieces that aren’t even seen above ground.

“The final elevations of the land had not been done yet, so we had to determine elevations for drains,” says Chap. “Some looked like they were going to be sticking up out of the ground, some were going to be underground. We had to be sure that once the project and final grades were done, it all made sense.”

Above ground, they laid rock features with thousands of small and colorful pebbles. The design is intended to look like a river, and rocks even spill out of the beds in some spots to mimic a river bed. They also laid thick slabs, each a different size and shape.

“The homeowner, Becky, didn’t want it to look too perfect,” says Chap. “The stones range from three to six inches thick, and we used irregularly shaped slabs for the walkways and 18-inch deep x 3–4-foot wide rectangular slabs for steps and landings. It was a pretty neat feature.”

There is a “spa deck” with a hot tub and fixtures and sculptures scattered in different locations for accent points. The yard is surrounded by a wooden fence that was designed by the landscape architect and installed by LA. Craftsmen, the general contractor who did the house remodel and built the fence and structures. In one section, panels all move in different directions, creating another unique focal point.

“The homeowners let us get distracted by the details. They wanted everything to be custom and wanted us to take the time to be sure it all worked together,” says Chap.

The yard’s focal point made the grading process lengthy. A central oak tree, which stands strong and tall, has deep roots snaking through the dirt, so Chap and his team had to work drains around the roots, instead of cutting them. They used a process called

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A separate landscape architecture firm made plans for the garden, then Chap and the local carpentry team worked to bring the bones of the plan to fruition. The homeowners also helped by picking out the accents and placing them throughout the yard. Chap and Becky spent lots of time at wholesaler stores,

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choosing the pieces that would bring the yard together.

“There were a lot of people working together,” says Chap. “It is neat, though, because you end up with this combination of things that no other yard will ever have. No other yard will ever be a combination of their tastes and mine, working together.”

IT’S A MELTING POT OF IDEAS The unique combination of ideas created a fusion of landscape trends that represent all types of southern landscaping. In just this project, there are timbers and structures to give a French countryside aesthetic. There are also metal elements that give a more industrial look. Then there is natural stone to create a cottage feel. Chap says this is one of the best parts of Lafayette. Each accent can be mixed in and still match the natural landscape already in place.

“Typically, as an artist, if something has a particular style, you’re trying to accentuate that style in the same way,” he says. “Because of where we live geographically, so many styles work together. It’s a unique challenge to make it work and not feel confusing, but it can be a great combination.”

The combination is sustainable as well. The gravel allows water to absorb into the ground instead of being forced into the drainage system. Native flowers attract bees and other insects, and there is a foundation for what will be an understory tree canopy. This will provide homes for birds and other wildlife.The homeowners also wanted a vegetable garden so they could eat from their yard. It took about three and a half weeks for the four-man crew to bring all these elements together, but now John and Becky can maintain the yard themselves.

THEY LIVE IN THEIR OUTDOOR SPACE JUST AS MUCH AS THEY DO INSIDE 32

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PRIORITIZING PATIENTS Mullin CREATING A PEACEFUL SPACE AROUND A SOUTHERN CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

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ach landscape is different. Every small detail reflects the unique creativity and tastes of the designers, builders, maintainers, growers and clients. Dozens of vibrant colors can be featured in a blooming flower bed, intricate patterns and designs paved onto sidewalks or patios, even thousands of trees spread across many acres of property. No matter the feature, though, every outdoor space has a shared purpose to provide a better human experience.

When Chase Mullin and his team started work on Children’s Hospital New Orleans, experience was one of their first priorities.

They started working at the site nearly a decade ago. Then, in 2017, they became an integral piece of the hospital’s largest expansion project in its history. The $300 million investment redesigned infrastructure, technology and landscapes across the campus, which is well over 20 acres. The project added a 28-room cardiac intensive care unit, 12-operating rooms, 45-emergency rooms, an extended cancer center and

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PROJECT D E TA I L S Cost $1.1 million Build Time 10 months Size 5 acres

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space for updated medical equipment for MRIs and CT scans. New outdoor areas featured improved family housing units, playgrounds, gardens and green spaces.

Developers set the project in motion in 2017.

It didn’t wrap up until three years later, though, due to the complexity of the plans, pandemic challenges, material shortages, staffing issues and other factors facing the construction industry as a whole. In all, it took roughly 1,500 working days to complete the entire process. Mullin started the landscape overhaul in 2021. A separate group planned the architecture, and Mullin teams brought those plans to fruition.

“It was challenging to execute a project of this magnitude in the post-covid world,” says Chase.

“It took extra work and a lot of collaboration with the landscape architect on the project.

Luckily, we have a great relationship with their team and it was a lot of fun to work on this.”

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The scope of the landscape work involved site grading, planting, turf installation, drainage updates, fencing, outdoor furnishing replacement and laying an expansive interlocking concrete paver sidewalk network. The team paved 20,000 square feet of highly detailed walkways to connect the various hospital buildings. The unique designs supported the overall purpose of the hospital’s outdoor space—to enhance the patient experience.

“In any hospital, but especially a children’s hospital, we have to pay a lot of attention to patients and their families,” explains Chase.

“We do anything we can to respect the families going in and out of the hospital and the challenges they are facing.”

Children’s Hospital New Orleans is one of several healthcare facilities that Mullin provides service to. Crews who work on these sites are trained to respond as people move

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through the property. They offer a “white glove experience,” meaning they work to be aware of people around them and minimize the disruption to their lives. This includes things like turning off machines when a pedestrian is around and walking away if people need space to think, pray or even just take a breath.

“We are the front line,” says Chase. “Our crews and our work are the first part of the experience for our clients and their customers. We are one of the first things they come into contact with.”

Chase says the outdoor spaces at a hospital offer many things to patients, especially those dealing with life-altering events inside.

Separation, distraction, clarity, even peace, can all be found through a little fresh air, a nice breeze and a shady tree.

“My family and I spent time at a different hospital in the area several years ago,” says

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Chase. “During those few days, I’d go on many walks or sit on little benches set near lush foliage. Getting out of the hospital and being in a little nature, especially in an urban area like uptown New Orleans, makes you feel like you’re somewhere else. Instead of white walls and beeps, there are trees, shrubs and grass.

It’s comforting.”

His family also went through a similar experience at Children’s Hospital New Orleans years before its expansion. When Chase was a teenager he had a major surgery and stayed in the hospital for about a week The staff at the hospital saved his life, and he says this project will help them save many more.

“It gave me chills to be a part of this,” Chase says. “Knowing that this monumental expansion would really have a positive impact for all the patients and their families.

Especially because I was one of those

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INSPIRE

patients; my family was one of those families.

It makes it all the more meaningful.”

The project wrapped up as the team planted roughly 100 specimen trees and more than 10,000 shrubs. They also installed about 2,500 cubic yards of new soil. Chase says these new plantings are needed in urban spaces like uptown New Orleans and will have a positive impact on the local environment—and hospital patients—for years to come.

ABOUT MULLIN Mullin is a comprehensive landscape design + build and maintenance firm that offers a wide range of professional landscape services from landscape architecture and site planning to comprehensive landscape construction and landscape maintenance. For Mullin, exceptional service starts with passion.

It’s an indecipherable and inherent desire to not just do, but to do with the discipline and drive to do more, time and time again. It’s this consistency, this cycle of exceptional service, that sets their team apart. As true landscape consultants, Mullin’s job is not just to design, build and maintain. It’s to follow through on that promise with the highest level of professionalism and reliability to create transformational results. Every job. Every time.

Tel: (504) 275– 6617 mullinlandscape.com

PA R T N E R S & S U P P L I E R S Pavers Wausau Tile wausautile.com Irrigation Keeling keelingcompany.net Plantings Setting Sun Patios Bold Springs, Green Forest Nursery, Cherry Lake

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INSPIRE

OLY-OLA EDGINGS “The Edging Experts” has produced commercialgrade, 100 percent recycled paver restraint, landscape edging and specialty edging products since 1978.

Constructed of strong, durable, flexible 100% recycled materials, Oly-Ola’s 12 different restraint/edging styles include: • “L”-shaped paver restraints in a range of heights • Round-top and low-profile landscape edgings • 6" and 4" high “L”-shaped restraints for green roof, permeable paver and aggregate stone installations Made in the USA, Oly-Ola’s edgings have a robust and comprehensive product guarantee. Customers can expect hassle-free shipping and products being sold exclusively through independent landscape supply or garden centers, landscape contractors and landscape architects. www.olyola.com

COLMET® PATENT PENDING STEEL EDGING Colmet® continues to innovate when it comes to steel landscape edging—65 years after its first patent was filed. With new Seamless Lock technology, Colmet’s new steel edging offers easy installation, sturdier stakes that don’t pop up and a flush front. Connect all your edging and form the bed all at one time before driving it into the ground.

Coming this spring to retailers and distributors in eight foot and 10 foot lengths. Available in 14 gauge to 1/8-inch thicknesses and powder coated for extra durability. www.colmet.com

EDGING OPTIONS STANDART PARK Introducing our new and improved steel edging system. The system interlocks with a seamless attachment hinge, making it an invisible connection within the system. Perfectly designed for structural intergration around your home and garden. Even more perfect for your installation with our Geo Ground Grid, Hexpave Grid or Easypave Grid, to hold all of your gravel right into place.

Designed with the highest end 316 Stainless Steel, to never rust or corrode over time. Comes with three mounting spikes per unit ordered. Each unit is three feet in length. www.standartpark-usa.com

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VERTEDGE

FORTRESS

VertEdge was designed with over 35 years of knowledge in the flooring and artificial grass industry behind this revolutionary multi-use system. It will provide a safer, stronger and smarter perimeter finish to an artificial lawn installation. There is nothing else in production worldwide that is similar to VertEdge in its design or application.

Introduces a revolutionary system for holding permeable paver systems (PICP) together. It allows the use of Steve’s original industry standard spiked edge restraints with steel spikes anchor or his new Geo-Tension grid anchoring system StrypRAIL or BOTH! This commercial and residential project tested and proven system provides the most secure edge restraint in the paver industry. Paver industry focus on providing BMPs (Best Management Practices) for permeable pavers help grow market share and acceptance as Fortress leads the way to build the pavements properly. www.fortressedging.com

It can be cut to curve around sidewalks or stones while still letting water through.

When installed correctly with the Exposed Ramp install method it is ADA compliant. If you are looking for a sleek, hidden and crowned appearance, we recommend our Covered Tucked method. Either way 100 percent of your perimeter is secured with no exposed nails. www.vertedge.com

Pro Landscaper USA South March/April 2022 39

DISCOVER THE WORLD OF

WATER FEATURES

v EXPLORE OUR FULL LINE OF FOUNTAIN, WATERFALL & WATER GARDEN EQUIPMENT AT

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N U RT U R E

SIMPLIFYING

FERTILIZERS

P50

INSIDE NURTURE THIS MONTH PAGE 42 ASI LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT: PARTNERSHIP WITH A PURPOSE, PAGE 45 POWER PLANTER: SOLUTIONS WE LOVE, PAGE 48 ALTERNATIVE, PAGE 50 GREENE COUNTY FERTILIZER CO: SIMPLIFYING FERTILIZERS

INSPIRE NURTURE

PARTNERSHIP WITH A

PURPOSE ASI landscape management PARTNERSHIPS ARE A PRIORITY

E

ach morning, school bells ring out to summon hundreds of young men to class at the Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida. Their footsteps tap across the campus grounds as they walk by historic buildings, handmade statues and strong bronze gates. The school campus is one of 50 Jesuit high schools in the United States. Each is rooted in Catholic tradition, dedicated not just to education, but helping students develop spiritual connections and seek a higher purpose in life.

“Everything from the minute you pull in the gate for the school to their classrooms, football fields, weight rooms. Anything at the school is always top-notch. The school has been around since 1890 and it’s a staple in our community,” says Joe Chiellini, the founder and CEO of Ameriscape Services Landscape Management.

Joe is a long-time Tampa resident who began landscaping as a part-time job. He worked with the Hillsborough County Fire Department

for 30 years, reaching a captain ranking just before retiring a few years ago. On his days off, he maintained residential lawns with a business that he managed from his pickup bed. During the course of several decades, Joe and a business partner managed to grow ASI into a $15 million operation that now functions in four central Florida counties with roughly 200 employees. Joe also runs a subsidiary full tree service company, AmeriTree Inc., along with the Tampa Bay franchise for Weed-Man lawn service providers.

Jesuit uses a high standard of excellence to maintain its legacy and expects its campus to reflect that. This is why the school’s leader, Rev. Richard Hermes, personally selected the group who maintains the grounds. ASI Landscape Management in Tampa is responsible for the sharp grass lawns, full garden beds and vibrant colors spotted all over Jesuit. Team members begin each week on campus, updating the landscaping long before anyone arrives. The polished grounds welcome students and staff members to school. In addition to horticultural services, the team manages irrigation and enhancement projects—anything it takes to support the long Jesuit tradition of excellence.

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Many organizations have celebrated the company’s work with industry honors and awards, including the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Joe is also a member of the Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association, as well as many local community groups. He believes this is a reason the Jesuit school leadership picked ASI to manage the campus’s outdoor spaces.

ASI property, the KPMG Headquarters in Orlando. Large commercial mowers are monitoring the company’s campus weekly, powered by on-site satellite charging stations.

Joe invested in Sytche Robotics’ mowers as they were being developed several years ago.

He says despite the uncertainties surrounding automated equipment, he wanted to be on the forefront of the innovation.

“They like who we are and what we are,” says Joe. “We’re homegrown. My kids are going to go to school there one day. It’s a Catholic institution. I’m Catholic. I think it is very unique that such a prestigious property would say, ‘We’ve used national companies and we’re done doing that.’”

“You gotta be talking about it. Whether we like it or not, things are moving this way, and if you want to be talking to big clients, you need to start having conversations about this,” he says.

“Take somebody like KPMG. They are all about this, jumping all in with two feet. They are flying in clients from all over the world visiting their property, and they want them to see tools that are quiet, efficient and attractive.”

Joe says it is a little too soon to tell the biggest difference between gas-powered and battery-powered equipment from a productivity standpoint. He says they function fairly similarly. He does appreciate how the smaller “Roomba-style” mowers are constantly working, and keep the grass from becoming thick or unruly. He noticed

Partnership is a core value for ASI, and that is embodied at Jesuit. Teams from both groups work together to decide how to care for the grounds. ASI project managers and members of Jesuit’s maintenance staff even evaluate this during weekly campus walkthroughs.

Apart from standard care, ASI teams are often on campus to prepare for various events involving current or prospective students and their parents, or alumni. Dances, galas, games, performances—ASI is hard at work before each one. They also pay close attention to the campus chapel, which is one of the oldest campus features. Old trees, including a 40-foot-tall oak tree, have been landscaped with new plant materials. Several other updates and enhancements have been made to keep the historic site a place of spiritual connection and worship.

COURTYARD

IT IS REALLY COOL TO BE A PART OF A PLACE AND A LANDSCAPE THAT IS BUILT FOR MEMORIES AND GROWTH While the campus is rooted in tradition, it isn’t stuck in the past. Joe plans on bringing new technology to campus to improve ASI’s efficiency and quality of care. Things like robotic mowers and battery-powered tools will be on campus in the coming months.

Equipment trials recently started at another

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NURTURE INSPIRE

one difference almost immediately, though, that has been a major improvement for his staff.

“Labor is the biggest issue we are all having,” he says. “With this, we can make a five-man crew a four-man crew. It has opened doors for me, my staff and potential employees. I think we can use this to attract a kid out of college or high school. Many have so much knowledge about technology. They may not want to hold a weed eater or run a lawnmower all day. Telling them they are going to be running a robot, though, that is a different animal.”

ASI is still making operational decisions for the installation of robotic mowers on Jesuit’s campus. They have to decide things like the mower sizes and ability to work on smaller lawns. They are also brainstorming ways to make the mowers unique to the school, like adding the school’s colors or logos to the machines. The possibilities are almost endless.

C O N TA C T ASI Landscape Management Tel: (813) 948 – 3938 www.asilandscapemgt.com

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SOLUTIONS WE

LOVE POWER PLANTER’S ALL-AMERICAN AUGER

B

efore I moved back to the states and started Pro Landscaper USA South, I had my own landscaping company in Scotland. I learned many valuable skills by running my own business, including hard, manual labor. While I found the work gratifying, I came to appreciate the tools and machinery to help me get the job done more efficiently.

I grew up in southern Louisiana and wasn’t used to the soil in Scotland. It was rocky and filled with sediment. It took a lot of muscle to dig holes in the ground. Now, I’m back in Louisiana,

LAURA BOISSONNAULT TESTING OUT POWER PLANTER’S AUGER

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NURTURE

and I’m finding the soil here has its own set of challenges. Louisiana’s soil is very hard and compacted. The soil also has a lot of clay, which makes it dense and difficult to dig. I absolutely love plants, and if it weren’t for Louisiana’s soil as my main obstacle, I would be planting a lot more in my garden.

I recently received a tool from one of the magazine’s clients, Power Planter, to try out. Some women get excited for jewelry, but I get excited about power tools—especially ones that make planting easier!

When I used Power Planter in my own garden, I was amazed at the auger’s strength. I also liked the ability to slow down or speed up.

This tool is a solution to many landscaping challenges, helping us to work smarter, not harder. The Power Planter protects my back while I easily get plants I love into the ground.

It eliminates hours of bending over, heavy lifting and mindless repetition.

I sent Power Planter to one of our magazine contributors Brooke Inzerella, who owns a residential and commercial landscaping business here in Louisiana. Brooke agreed that the tool is a game-changer.

POWER PLANTER PROVIDES A SYSTEM WHERE THREE GUYS CAN PUT IN 100 PLANTS IN TWENTY MINUTES, INSTEAD OF A FULL DAY

“It’s lightweight, has a long battery life, and the brushless motor’s torque is quite amazing,” Aaron said. “I ran several different scenarios testing each auger bit. I found in my first test for torque, we used the two-gallon auger bit in aggregate compacted soil. This product is a beast—we just had to make sure and have a strong brace and a good handle on it. On another test, I was able to install eight, two-gallon plants in ten minutes.”

Power Planter’s history also impressed me. The design is 30 years in the making, developed by an Illinois farmer hoping to ease and speed up his workflow. It worked so well that people across the region wanted one, and he launched an auger business in the late 1980s. In 2015, when the farmer was 85-years-old, his grandson decided to expand operations. He made Power Planter available online, and it began quickly selling nationwide. Still made in the USA, Power Planter has shipped all over the world, including to Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

Power Planter representatives say ease-of-use and efficiency is a top priority, but safety is also key. The tools have built-in safety clutches in case of emergencies and electric batteries to keep toxic fumes away from users.

One Power Planter customer purchased the kit after an accident left him unable to use a traditional shovel. He said the physics of the auger is a perfect solution.

ABOUT POWER PLANTER Power Planter offers multiple packages with different attachments and accessories, including a partnership with DeWalt. We think you’ll love it as much as we do.

Happy spring planting! www.powerplanter.com

“You can adjust to different size plants and use them across all types of terrain. Because of the design, it doesn’t have the recoil that I’ve experienced with other drill-auger combinations,” said Brooke.

Aaron Crenshaw, operations manager for landscape construction with Eden Scapes, also tried the auger and shared his feedback.

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WE TAKE A LOOK AT AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE DRAKE’S ELM

AlterNATIVE choice

ULMUS CRASSIFOLIA, CEDAR ELM

Invasive plant

ULMUS PARVIFOLIA, DRAKE’S ELM

• Prolific re-seeder • Fast grower with shallow roots • Not stable for high winds

Benefits This hardy elm is adaptable, from dry upland sites to moist river flats. Cedar elm also grows in a variety of soil conditions from clay to sandy soil types. This elm tolerates most acidic and slightly alkaline soils. Cedar elm can grow on shallow and rocky sites. Cedar elm is also less susceptible to Dutch Elm Disease compared to other native elms.

Design Cedar elm maintains a straight trunk throughout its lifetime, producing a columnar growth form. Even when placed in full sun far from other trees, the straight growth form is maintained with a narrow canopy. This narrow canopy results from a tight branching pattern. This tree is suitable also in close proximity plantings with other trees as desired.

Leaves are glossy green in spring and summer and golden yellow to bronze in the fall. This elm produces seeds in late summer to fall. Cedar elm is one of the few native elms to produce seeds on a similar seasonal schedule with Drake’s or Chinese elm. Along with mature, gray, scaly bark, cedar elms also display a light brown corkwood as wings on young branches for added effect.

BARK DETA IL

LEAF SIZE

NEWL Y PLAN TED CEDA R ELM

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Pro Landscaper USA South March/April 2022

Cedar elm is planted readily on developed urban sites, along busy sidewalks and roadways, thriving where other trees often perish.

Cedar elm is also successfully marketed as a popular plant choice for American bonsai, due to its small leaf size and manageable growth.

CORK WOOD AS WINGS

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NURTURE ADVERTORIAL

BUILT FOR THE LANDSCAPE

NOT THE LANDFILL PLASTIC BOTTLES RECYCLED AS LANDSCAPE MATERIALS

M

ore than 1 billion old plastic water bottles are transforming outdoor spaces across the nation through a premier brand of lawn and garden products. Master Mark uses recycled plastics to create clean, crisp edges to lawns, gardens, flower beds and walkways. The durable, affordable, and sustainable outdoor materials include decking, grid accent lattice, and interlocking tile.

The idea for Master Mark began more than 50 years ago. Don and Eva Reum launched the group in Avon, Minnesota, in 1966, using the name Avon Plastics, then eventually grew to a larger manufacturing facility in the 1970s and 80s. Now the company ships worldwide under several brands, including Master Mark and Master Gardener.

As they expanded, the team sought more reliable material sources. This lead them to a partnership with the Minnesotta Pollution Control Agency in 1984, and they launched the first recycling facility of its kind in North America.

COTTAGE FENCE

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CHAINLOCK

MASTER MARK AWARDED UNEP AWARD The United Nations has recognized and celebrated Master Mark’s commitment to sustainability. They awarded Master Mark the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) award in 1992.

EDGING WITH STEEL ANCHOR

THE MANUFACTURER DOUBLE​S AS A RECYCLING FACILITY THAT SORTS, GRINDS, WASHES AND DRIES USED PLASTICS The innovative model benefits the community around the sites as much as it does consumers. Master Mark was even recognized and celebrated by the United Nations environmental leadership in 1992.

A holistic and sustainable approach to business has always been a top priority for the company’s leaders. As Master Mark grows, they are continuing to grow their product line, innovate improved materials, and reduce landfill impact. Master Mark is sold in many major retail stores, online and with wholesale landscape companies.

MASTER MARK PRODUCT LINES • • • •

Armadillo Decking Grid Axcents Lattice Master Mark Lawn Quix Interlocking Tile • TurboClip

C O N TA CT Master Mark Tel: (320) 243 – 7318 mastermark.com

Pro Landscaper USA South March/April 2022 49

NURTURE NURTURE

SIMPLIFYING

FERTILIZER greene county fertilizer FINDING THE RIGHT FORMULA FOR YOUR NEEDS

I

n landscaping, fertilizer or fertilization can sometimes seem like a daunting task. How do you know what to apply? What fertilizer will give the plants the best benefit? How often should you apply?

Does a label have to specifically name the tree shrub or flower you’re applying to? With these questions in mind, it’s important to start with the basics and then make choices based on your business, your landscape and your individual needs. Let’s jump in and cover the nutrients first.

For the most part, we will be using a fertilizer with a balanced blend of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and these are represented as the three numbers on the front of the bag or bottle. You may see this with different percentages, however, for this article we will focus on the simplest, balanced blend, a 10–10–10. Quite simply, this means that there is 10 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphorus and 10 percent potassium inside the bag. This is going to be your standard balanced fertilizer blend that you will see used the most often with annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs. Each of these nutrients are going to be found in the least supply or, in other words, are going to be the most utilized by a plant or tree to get the most growth and vigor. Generally speaking, fertilizing two times per year on trees or flowerbeds is enough to give a good, healthy boost to those landscaped areas, but getting on a program of every six to eight weeks will create the optimum result.

How much fertilizer do you need to apply?

As a general rule of thumb, it’s good to apply about one pound of each nutrient per thousand square feet of surface area in the course of a growing season. Now, there are special circumstances where some plants or soils may require more or less of one particular nutrient. This would be one of those instances where soil testing would come in handy. Oftentimes, following a general application guideline with a balanced fertilizer will give your plants and trees a well-deserved boost in growth and vigor. There is some very simple math when using something like a

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balanced 10–10–10 fertilizer. In a 50-pound bag of fertilizer, there would be five pounds of each nutrient available. The math on that is quite simple: 10 percent of 50 equals five pounds. On a single application, this bag would cover 10,000 square feet at half a pound of each nutrient per thousand square feet. This is about the maximum I would recommend on any single feeding. You will get the most benefit to your plant by doing this one time in the spring and one time in the fall.

Is there a difference between using granular or liquid fertilizer?

The nutrients in a liquid fertilizer are the same as in a granular fertilizer. There is the potential for different uptake via the foliage, but the same general rules will apply. Oftentimes, the choice between liquid or granular only comes down to the equipment that is on hand and the ease of application for the applicator.

How would we apply fertilizer to a flowerbed?

Here’s where a little bit of math comes in handy, and if you are running a program where you are servicing customers on a regular basis, it would be good to have this information on file in whatever customer software program you have. Measure the length and width of a flowerbed and multiply them to get the square footage. This is all you need to calculate how many pounds of material will need to be applied to cover the entire area. If you have a flowerbed that is 20 feet wide by five feet deep, you will have 100 feet of area in which to apply fertilizer. Almost every bag of fertilizer will have a chart or a guide on the bag that will tell you spreader

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NURTURE

settings to give you a certain amount of material per thousand square feet. Most of the hard work is done for you. I would recommend using a belly spreader for doing flowerbed applications, as it will get your technician or applicator above the plants and allow better visibility of where the material is going.

When fertilizing trees, follow the same application rate if you are doing a topical feeding. It is often recommended to use deep root or tree stakes for tree fertilizing, but doing a surface application will benefit the tree as well. Calculate the square footage by measuring one end of the canopy to the other and multiply by 3.14. Or, set your spreader to the 1/2-pound per thousand application rate and apply under the canopy.

Do my plants need to be listed on the fertilizer label?

If the fertilizer being applied does not contain any chemicals, such as weed controls, insecticides or any other control product, the fertilizer will be safe to apply to all plants or trees. Fertilizer is fertilizer and as long as you are meeting the nutritional needs of the plant, you will have great success.

using the best management practices of your state. Be sure to follow the licensing laws and, above all, DO NOT OVERAPPLY! Take your time and you will see the results of your hard work.

ABOUT JOHN PERRY John Perry is the owner and founder of Greene County Fertilizer Co. in Greensboro, Georgia.

Greene County manufactures liquid nutritional products for soil amending, liquid fertilizers for lawns, trees and plants and provides a variety of chemical solutions for any-sized business.

Tel: (855) 606 – 3378 www.greenecountyfert.com

Be sure to read the labels and apply materials

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March/April 2022 51

E D U C AT E

USING PERMACULTURE FOR A

SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

P55

I N S I D E E D U CATE TH I S M ON TH PAGE 5 5 LORI HAWKINS : US ING PE RMACULTU RE FOR A S U STA IN AB LE FUTURE, PAGE 5 6 CHE NMARK: PRE PARING FOR TRA N S ITION , PAG E 5 8 J E R E M Y B E R R O S : B AT T E R Y B R E A K D O W N

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EDUCATE

A

s Americans, we tend to be known mostly as consumers. Having a completely self-sufficient lifestyle, responsibly utilizing the Earth’s resources to produce our own food seemed to be second nature to past generations.

Currently, there is a renewed interest in returning to these past principles. Efficiently using our resources to create a harvest without waste or damage to the land is the basis of the practice of permaculture.

The term “permaculture” was defined in 1978 by Bill Mollison as: "The conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive systems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of the landscape with people providing their food, energy, shelter, and other material and nonmaterial needs in a sustainable way."

The principles of permaculture are very common sense and exciting for the eco-responsible gardener. Let's explore them further: Observe and Interact with the land For landscape architects, this step is known as the “site analysis.” It is the practice of observing the site for natural systems, patterns, sun, wind, water, wildlife and naturally occurring plants.

These observations allow the designer to utilize these patterns for efficient and sustainable use of the site.

USING PERMACULTURE FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

BY LORI HAWKINS such as swales and earthen berms, water can be directed to its intended location. Wind can be used to run a water pump, or the sun can create a growing environment in a cold frame or greenhouse.

Produce no waste Using our valuable resources creatively and in multiple applications will naturally create the least amount of waste. Kitchen scraps to the compost pile become fertile soil. Fertile soil becomes the garden for the nourishment of humans and animals. Repurposing useful household items for garden or other uses prevents our landfills from being inundated and meets an immediate need.

Catch and store energy Permaculture utilizes a “closed-loop system,” where the site’s ecosystem is naturally able to provide all it needs while also providing its own energy. For example, crops can be grown with captured and diverted water, which in turn feeds the animals and humans. Then, fertilizer provided through animal manure is captured and put back into the system, and the process begins again.

Integrate rather than segregate This principle encourages symbiotic relationships between the elements of the site where they support each other. For example, farm animals such as ducks and chickens can not only ultimately become food, but also help manage pests. Sheep keep vegetation mowed, and goats can be used to clear weeds. The manure of these animals can be used in compost to help fertilize the garden, which will turn into food for the animals and humans on the farm.

Use and value renewable resources and services Using renewable forms of energy creates a sustainable system. For example, the use and conservation of water is extremely important in a permaculture garden. Using manmade solutions,

Use and value diversity Utilizing diversity reduces vulnerability to threats for the organisms on the site. Natural ecosystems are more resilient because the right plants, grown together, will thrive and enrich each other. They do this by attracting pollinators and repelling pests, in

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addition to enriching the soil, providing nutrients, shade or support.

Use edges and value the marginal This principle encourages the efficient and sustainable use of areas previously overlooked due to challenging terrain, soil, etc. For example, natural stone on the site could be harvested and used to create raised beds on a sloped area. Beds could be filled with compost created on-site to compensate for less fertile planting soil.

Creatively respond to change It is an ever-evolving process. This principle will allow for responsible change due to further observations and revelations on the garden and its environment.

Permaculture practices can allow for better use of your land’s resources and create a bountiful harvest while reducing waste for years to come! A wealth of information is available on the USDA’s website at www.nal.usda.gov/legacy/afsic/permaculture.

A B O U T L O R I H AW K I N S Lori Hawkins, RLA, ASLA, has been a registered landscape architect for over 30 years. She is registered in both North Carolina and South Carolina and has her own private practice in the Greensboro area.

You can follow her on Instagram @3Dlandscapearchitect or check out her website at www.hawkinsla.com for more information.

Pro Landscaper USA South March/April 2022 55

EDUCATE

PREPARING FOR

TRANSITION W

hy do so many small business owners wait until it’s too late to plan for succession and transition?

According to a recent survey, 96 percent of small business owners agree that it’s important to have an exit plan, yet 58 percent of those same owners have no transition or succession plan in place. To compound this issue, many owners have the majority of their net worth tied up in their business. With no clear retirement/transition/succession plan, owners are all too often forced to be reactive when it comes time to exit, which risks a suboptimal outcome for them, their families, their employees and for the company legacy that they’ve worked so hard to build over the years.

BY JAMIE STORRS

5 Tips forFOR preparing for transition 5 TIPS PREPARING FOR TRANSITION Get your books in order The better you understand your financial and operational data, the more likely you are to succeed. If you are organized and disciplined about collection and control, the information your company generates can tell you where to invest, where to look for mistakes and how to correct them and where you can and should be spending your time as a leader.

Understand cost & value In any business, profit isn’t just a measure of success for a certain period; it also represents capital that can be reinvested to finance future growth and expansion. Every additional dollar in expenses has a significant opportunity cost, and it is important that your company receives good value for every dollar spent. The bottom line: prioritize saving, but don’t be cheap.

It should come as no surprise that those who start planning for transition early on tend to be the best prepared when it comes to retirement. The problem is, as a small business owner can relate, it’s all too easy to kick a project down to the off season to-do list, especially when it seems years or even decades away. The issue here is that even when a transition may feel as if it is in the distant future, you never know when a sudden illness, life-changing event or global pandemic can advance that timeline from years away to months or weeks.

With all this in mind, the time to start planning for transition is now, so we’ve laid out five steps you can take today to set yourself up for the best possible transition outcome in the future.

Thus prioritizing your family, staff and your goals, including a well-earned retirement.

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bullet. Instead, it’s about believing that success in small business is the sum of many small decisions made well, every day. As Admiral William McRaven has said, “If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right.”

Focus on the full employee experience Employees are the most important part of any business. Therefore, it is essential for every successful company to have a defined strategy and approach for every aspect of the employee experience. This includes addressing a new candidate, onboarding and training and reviews and incentives. Every step is an opportunity to differentiate your company from the competition and to keep your employees from going to work for them.

Make mistakes, then fix them Make mistakes, own them, correct them and share what you’ve learned. Like it or not, we all make mistakes, but it's the ability to turn these into a learning opportunity for you and your team, instead of just rejecting them, that can make a lasting difference.

A B O U T J A M I E STO R R S Jamie Storrs is the marketing director at Chenmark, a holding company in the landscape and lawn care industry that owns and operates landscape firms from Maine to Cape Cod. Sweat the small stuff One of our core values is to chase better, but this doesn’t mean pursuing some sort of silver

Tel: (207) 221– 2176 www.chenmark.com

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100 YEARS SERVING YOU Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply has provided green industry contractors with the products and services that offer value to their businesses.

From exceptional blue counter customer service to online account services and rewards programs like the ProAdvantage Program, lean on Ewing for all your green industry business needs.

EwingIrrigation.com |

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BATTERY

BREAKDOWN HISTORY OF RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES

Jeremy berros Jeremy Berros is the Battery Tools Director at Pellenc America. His role is to provide professional solutions to the U.S. market for landscapers, cities, growers and service companies. Pellenc America is the leader in professional battery solutions for the Landscaping and AG Industries.

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The first use of rechargeable battery technology was about 30 years ago. At the time, rechargeable batteries had some disadvantages, such as weight, low power and low charging cycles. The memory effect mostly damaged the cells and led to a significantly shorter battery life. At the end of the ‘90s, the lithium ion technology became widespread, mainly in digital cameras and laptops. However, this was not an easy task for larger tools. The interconnection between cells required to form a powerful rechargeable battery was a challenge for manufacturers.

Lithium ion batteries require extremely precise cell management. In order for a lithium ion battery pack to work for a long time, its cells must be finely balanced. The

UNDERSTANDING LITHIUM ION BATTERIES AND HOW THEY CAN IMPROVE BUSINESS

difference between the maximum voltage of the highest cell and the minimum voltage of the lowest cell from professional manufacturers must be less than 0.01 volts.

In 2004, these problems were solved with the “LiXion” pruning shears by Pellenc. That was the first tool in the world to be powered by a portable lithium ion battery. For landscapers, municipalities and construction, the technology was introduced for the first time in 2008. The solution gained momentum, especially from health-conscious users who no longer wanted to inhale exhaust fumes from gas tools. This was particularly true for hedge trimmers due to the short distance between the exhaust and the face of the user.

ADVANTAGES OF BATTERY TOOLS

Many gardeners who have been used to working with gas tools were initially skeptical about the battery solutions, with preconceived ideas on power, runtime or work in the rain.

Users asked at that time about the main

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reasons why they decided to buy rechargeable devices said it was "because of complaints from residents about the noise." The health factor plays a role, too. Often, users are no longer willing to breathe in the exhaust fumes from combustion engines 15 inches from their noses. Quieter, battery-powered tools also allow users to work earlier in the day than their gas counterparts. Today, all manufacturers present calculations on how economical accumulator devices are compared to 2-stroke—even those who have their core business with combustion engines.

In the professional sector, two basic systems have prevailed: one with an integrated battery in the tool and one with a separate battery on the back. Both have their justifications and advantages in different fields of application.

Plug-in systems are designed for shorter operating times, less setup time and lower performance. Backpack systems are designed for long runtimes and intensive powerdemanding work. But even within this backpack solution, there are major differences that can be difficult to recognize at first glance.

THE BASICS OF THE LITHIUM ION BATTERY

Lithium ion cell and batteries The main advantage of lithium ion cells is that they can be charged without memory effect.

There are countless lithium ion cells with different properties and major differences between the number of charge cycles and the power that a cell can deliver. A rechargeable battery consists of several cells—usually 18650—that are interconnected. Cells connected in series increase voltage, while cells connected in parallel create a higher current output.

Operating voltage The voltage of the battery is given in volts. The operating voltage is not the output power of the battery, which depends on the current that a battery can deliver. Higher voltages use less current flow, meaning they can deliver the same power with less heat generation.

This is a benefit because heat takes energy.

Even a cooling system takes energy storage, reducing the runtime of the tools.

Capacity This is specified in watt-hours (Wh). The higher

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this value, the longer a tool can be used. As a rule of thumb, a hedge trimmer consumes 500 Wh to cut for one day. The indication of the capacity of the battery in ampere-hour (Ah) is less meaningful. It depends on the operating voltage of the battery.

Maximum output power For all tools with combustion engines, the power is specified in kilowatts (kW), previously in horsepower. In battery tools, this power specification is typically missing. There are a wide range of power outputs in rechargeable batteries, which also influences the power of the tools. The higher the value, the more powerful tools can be operated by one battery.

Charge cycle The number of charge cycles indicates how many times a battery can be fully charged before it has less than 80 percent of its original storage capacity. However, a charge does not necessarily correspond to a charging cycle. For example, if a battery is only charged up to 50 percent, this corresponds to only half a charge cycle. Only after a second charge of 50 percent, a full charge is reached and thus one cycle is consumed. Charging cycles for lithium ion batteries vary greatly. The standard lithiummagnesium batteries have about 500 charging cycles. There are professional manufacturers that specify "at least 1,300 charging cycles." A serious difference!

USABLE ENERGY

The usable energy of a rechargeable battery is the amount that a lithium ion battery can provide over the course of its life. All charges are added together, and it is assumed that they are also fully used for work. This is calculated from two factors: the storage capacity of the battery and the number of charging cycles. For example, a battery with a storage capacity of 1,527 Wh and is specified with 1,300 charge cycles has a usable energy value of about 2,000,000 Wh. Economy of the battery As already mentioned above, a battery hedge trimmer consumes approximately 500 Wh of energy in one day. Consequently, this means that a back battery with a capacity of 1,000 Wh can do this job with a full charge for two days.

For the same task, a combustion engine would certainly consume 0.8 gallon of fuel. With an

average price per gallon of $4, this gives $8 of gas cost equivalent to 1,000 Wh. Considering 1,000 charging cycles, this would be the equivalent of $8,000. If the same battery had only 500 charging cycles, this would correspond to a fuel savings of only $4,000. The economy would be halved. Not to forget of course the electricity costs per charge. At about $0.11/kWh on average and considering 1,000 charging cycles, this corresponds to approximately $110 charging cost over the lifetime of the battery.

Work in any weather conditions The IP classification determines if a battery can be used in the rain, and manufacturers explain what tools work in the rain. The specification of the rechargeable battery does not automatically transfer to the tool.

Charging infrastructure Each charger requires a certain amount of power from the network. Plug-in battery systems are generally equipped with chargers that can supply the battery with a lot of energy in a short time. They pull a lot of current from the network.

The situation is different with backpacks, where batteries slowly charge. Charging cabinets hold up to 10 batteries to allow time-controlled charge management.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

The energy density of lithium ion cells will continue to increase, making batteries smaller and even more powerful. This will lead to a greater variety of tools that will, in turn, become more and more powerful. Newly developed charging concepts will allow batteries to be charged more efficiently, and diagnostic systems will help to better plan the service life of the tools.

With new regulations, bans from cities and battery solution democratization, the lithium ion battery is a technology that will mark the end of the 2-stroke for landscapers and cities for portable tools.

C O N TA CT Jeremy Berros Tel: (707) 484 – 5996 j.berros@pellencus.com

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AMERICA

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PELLENC designs and manufactures durable, robust tools, motors, and batteries for professional use. For over 10 years, landscape contractors from all around the globe have put their trust in Pellenc’s professional battery-powered tools. Find out more information visit south.prolandscaperusa.com our website at pellencus.com!

P EO P L E

IRRIGATION

IRRITATION

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I N S I D E P E O P L E TH I S M ON TH PAGE 6 2 WE ATHE RMATIC: IRRIGATION IRRITATION , PAG E 6 5 R A N D Y B IG B EE: S O WIN G S E E DS , PAGE 6 6 LITTLE INTE RV IE W S

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IRRIGATION I R R I TATION

he average landscape maintenance contractor manages 150 irrigation systems for clients. Some teams manage over 1,000. This is especially common in 8-plus month growing season markets, like the South. In most cases, irrigation controllers are scattered on properties across town and crews monitor them by driving to each individual system.

This time-consuming task quickly weighs on a busy team. The systems also suffer when controllers aren’t adjusted to factors like rain, temperature and time of year. Above all though, this design wastes a lot of water. In just one year, the water wasted at an average commercial property is the same amount that would provide clean drinking water to 200 families in a developing country. A Texasbased company wants to end this habit and create a new standard for irrigation.

Save Water. Give Life. This is the purpose behind Weathermatic, a worldwide provider of automated water management solutions.

The company manufactures irrigation control tools, like weather sensors, sprays and nozzles, and smart control systems that can be managed from any location. Weathermatic has installed more than 750,000 systems across 85 countries, in total saving 20 billion gallons of water. The company has been a key player in the irrigation industry since it launched 75 years ago. It developed tools like the first reverse flow valve, MPR spray nozzle, commercially available electric controller and soil moisture sensors for irrigation.

“Our goal probably started more as a purist— we want to help fight the world water crisis. Our initial proposition was to say to a landscape owner, ‘The cost of water is skyrocketing across the U.S. as more infrastructure issues happen. We are a water management company with an answer,” says Weathermatic’s President Lex Mason.

weathermatic SMART IRRIGATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORMS WATER USAGE TECHNIQUES

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Smart irrigation control systems use wifi and cellular technology to allow one person in one location to manage numerous irrigation systems. Remote teams can now communicate with actual controller boxes from anywhere. These types of systems save water and an enormous amount of time. Now, landscaping teams can avoid the traditional technique of visiting multiple sites a day to adjust multiple systems on that site.

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“To many people, water savings is great. It also solves a more personal problem though,” says Lex. “The fact that they can’t find enough irrigation technicians and their small team is tied up with these minute tasks. I mean, we’re in 2021 and people are being sent across town to push a button and turn a dial on a plastic box on the side of the building? It’s crazy.”

n Le x Maso

This is another, and in some cases more motivating, benefit of smart irrigation systems, and why they are being utilized in more commercial and residential spaces each day.

The environmental benefits are immense. Lex says the cost and labor savings are the icing on the cake though.

“The running joke is people call it ‘irrigation irritation.’ If we can solve a small irritating aspect of irrigation, we can help elevate the professionalism of the landscape industry.

It makes the service better. It makes the work better. It improves personal earnings.

It even helps attract top talent because they aren’t having to worry about those frustrating manual tasks,” says Lex.

THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE Time, cost and labor are all saved from this sustainability-based idea. Smart irrigation can even save human lives. The Weathermatic team has helped 25,000 people in 76 communities throughout the world with partnerships with non-profit foundations.

Sustainably focused techniques are not only solutions to climate and conservation challenges. They have unlimited potential to improve our businesses, our communities and our people.

C O N TA CT Lex Mason Weathermatic Tel: (888) 484 –3776

www.weathermatic.com

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Manage Labor & Water “We saved $12,000 in labor on one seasonal color change!”

Chris Lee, Earthworks

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See how Earthworks and other Premier Partners are solving BOTH labor and water challenges for their clients.

Scan the QR code with your mobile device to watch now.

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SOWING SEEDS RECENT RETIREE REFLECTS ON MORE THAN 50 YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY

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he mountain is tall and the path is steep, but we have already come a long way. Many of the more seasoned landscapers say they have seen the industry take long strides toward sustainable, ecologicallybased ways of operating. This is due to the commitment from hundreds of business leaders, researchers, information sharers and professionals who want to build a better world for tomorrow.

“The use of native plants, planting things in the right location, saving water and educating clients are all things that have really improved in the last 20 to 30 years,” says Randy Bigbee.

The lifelong landscaper retired at the end of 2021.

Randy worked in the landscape industry for more than 50 years. As a Texas native, he spent the majority of his time in the Houston area, where he also grew up and went to school. Randy’s final role was an enhancement estimator with Westco Grounds Maintenance in Houston. He worked there for 15 years. His team focused on landscapes that began developing problems after their initial completion. Things like trees growing too close to buildings or grass dying due to a lack of irrigation.

Randy held many titles during his career,

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though, including horticulturist, business owner, nursery sales and management and landscape designer. His long career stemmed from a love of life and people.

“I wanted to dig in the dirt and plant things, just to watch it grow,” he says. “Take a tiny little seed and see how it takes shape, each a bit different than the other one. It is the process of bringing new life into the world.”

He sowed seeds in the ground and sowed seeds in people. In fact, Randy says the most rewarding part of landscaping is how it can completely transform lives. He says outdoor jobs can offer second chances to many people struggling to find a place in other industries.

Building or maintaining a living landscape can be therapeutic, satisfying and encouraging.

study it and really learn about it. Always read to study your profession. There are so many books that people in the industry have written on business and growing. Read the books, read the trade magazines. Pick up ideas and tips from your peers and use them to improve your work.”

Randy and his Westco team worked on dozens of sites throughout Houston. One he remembers fondly is the rose garden at the George Bush Library. His team says, while they are thankful for the contributions Randy made to the company, they’re mostly thankful for his friendship, leadership and commitment to serving others.

“I’ve seen people who are really down and trying to get back on their feet. We can help,” he says. “When they do something really good and know they’ve done hard work, then are praised for that, it makes a big difference. A lot of employers are slow to hire people with maybe more troubled pasts, but we can give them a start and a chance, and I think that that means a lot.”

Randy offers advice to those following in his footsteps. He says the key to success is to make your job a career.

“If it’s just a job, you will go home and forget about it,” he says. “But you can make a career enjoyable. If it’s enjoyable, you’re going to

Randy bigbee

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PEOPLE

THE LITTLE INTERVIEW

PRO LANDSCAPER ASKS QUICK-FIRE QUESTIONS TO GAIN A SMALL INSIGHT INTO THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE UP OUR INDUSTRY. TO TAKE PART, EMAIL MARYKATE.CARSON@ ELJAYS44.COM

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D AV I D B A C H E

BRANDY HALL

SALES DIRECTOR, GARDEN INDUSTRIES LLC LOXAHATCHEE, FLORIDA

FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR, SHADES OF GREEN PERMACULTURE DECATUR, GEORGIA

gardenind.com

shadesofgreenpermaculture.com

Other than the U.S., which country’s landscape inspires you the most?

I absolutely love the cottage garden style you see all over the United Kingdom.

They do more with small parcels of land than you’d think was possible. It makes no sense according to typical design theory, but there are so many beautiful residential landscapes. And Kew Gardens is the most lovely, tranquil place.

What inspired you to get into the industry?

My parents owned an ornamental plant nursery in the ‘80s and ‘90s, and I saw them poisoned from overexposure to toxic pesticides and herbicides.

The one person in the industry you’d love to meet?

I have been so fortunate to have met lots of great people in the business. If I could go back in time, I’d love to meet Roberto Burle Marx. There’s not a week that his name doesn’t come up in my office.

What would you blow your budget on?

Oysters every day!

One thing that you think would make the industry better?

As an industry, we would be best served by attracting more young people into the business. I see us getting older and rarely see anyone under 30 walking into the nursery.

What advice do you have for those starting out in the industry?

Be willing to put yourself out there and learn from your mistakes.

Newest gardening trend in your opinion?

I love that consumers are planting more and more for pollinators and wildlife, and doing so with much more environmental awareness.

If you weren’t in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing?

I’d run a flower farm and bed and breakfast.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?

Being a woman in a maledominated industry.

Best piece of trivia you know?

It takes 1,000 years to build one inch of topsoil in a forest through natural processes.

Best invention in recent years?

We just got an Instapot. Holy moly.

Game changer.

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G R E G G D ’A N T O N I O

R YA N A N D E R S

JOHN AMAROSA

HORTICULTURIST & SALES SPECIALIST, SELF-EMPLOYED MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA

OWNER, ARBORFLORA INC. TREE & SHRUB CARE GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA

GENERAL MANAGER, PINE LAKE NURSERY AND LANDSCAPES TAMPA BAY, FLORIDA

linkedin.com/in/gregg-d-antonio-68437580/

arborflora.com

pinelakenurseryinc.com

Newest gardening trend in your opinion?

Edible/medicinal landscape design and xeriscaping.

What inspired you to get into the industry?

My mentor Brandon Brown. I was in my freshman year of college and had no clue what I wanted to do for a career. He took me for a ridealong one day. We watched a crew climb trees in the morning, we ate lunch with a client and then we went and played golf with other clients in the afternoon. He told me if I went to college for urban forestry, I could come back and have that day for the rest of my career!

What would you blow your budget on?

My wife and kids. I have a buddy that always says, “Spend your money on experiences, not things.” He is onto something, and that has really been in my head the last few years.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?

Being younger than my peers. One thing I learned from that was age doesn’t dictate maturity.

What advice do you have for those starting out in the industry?

Get a job in the part of the industry that you enjoy and learn as much as you can from everyone! There are so many facets of the industry that there is something for everyone.

Best piece of trivia you know?

An avocado is actually a large berry.

Role model as a child?

My grandfather If you weren’t in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing?

Writing movies and daytrading One thing that you think would make the industry better?

Better technology and to get more people interested and involved.

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If you weren’t in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing?

I’m a co-owner/investor in a local brewery here in Greenville. Brewing is so interesting and has so much opportunity. I would probably be more hands on with that business.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?

My company is fairly new, so I would say my biggest challenge has been transitioning from infancy stage to adolescence stage. Building those processes where I can scale my business larger and larger.

Who would play you in a movie of your life?

Henry Cavill

Other than the U.S., which country’s landscape inspires you the most?

I really enjoy warm climates and the beach and water. The Caribbean is incredible with its tropical landscapes, water views and mountains. I have been to several countries, but always really enjoy Jamaica.

It probably also has to do with the people and vibe in that country. But the Caribbean in general has resort landscapes that are mind blowing.

One thing that you think would make the industry better?

Increased professionalism. I think our industry is constantly under attack by companies and individuals that cut corners, have little training and are not in it for the right reasons. I think increased licensing and training requirements would improve our industry as a whole.

Your most used saying or cliché?

Greenside up!

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