33 minute read
2020 Landscape Achievement Awards
Feature Story American Beauty Landscape Wins Two NJLCA Landscape Achievement Awards of Excellence and the Judges Choice Award
American Beauty Landscape of Paramus, NJ has won two Awards of Excellence and the Judges Choice Award for their IHA Field Project entered in the 2020 NJLCA Landscape Achievement Awards.
American Beauty Landscape entered the IHA Field Project in the Landscaping Installation: School and Landscape Installation: Lighting categories and won the Award of Excellence in both categories. The judges also chose this project for the Judges' Choice Award for 2020.
The objective of this project, designed by Jeff Carpenter in collaboration with Edward Clark, LA, was to provide ADA compliant access from the parking lot to the field viewing platform, as well as safe pedestrian access from the exiting elevated paver entry court entrance to the athletic field down the slope. This site is heavily sloped and sits in two municipalities. Material was sourced so the newly installed walkways would seemlessly integrate with existing paver entry court. The project timeline was continualy managed to provide minimal distruption to the schools's academic and athletic activities.
American Beauty Landscape Design is a family run landscape contracting firm established in 1973. The company started as a lawn maintenance company, based in Paramus NJ, working out of a one-car garage using only Sensation push lawn mowers and hand held trimmers.
The business grew steadily by offering owner supervised crews and by utilizing new techniques and state-ofthe-art equipment. Before
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The company was incorporated in 1985 and became known as American Beauty Landscape Design Inc. They are still based in Paramus, NJ and continue to offer owner-supervised crews. Amazingly, the company still uses the original old home phone number from 1973!
Greg Carpenter continues on as the sole owner of American Beauty now, since Jeff passed away in March of 2020. However, Greg and Jeff worked side by side to make this project a reality and their craftsmanship shows.
For more information, visit americanbeautylandscape.com.
Siciliano Landscape, located in Red Bank, New Jersey has won four Awards of Excellence in the NJLCA’s 2020 Landscape Achievement Awards.
Landscape Maintenance: Residential
The first award went to their "Buena Vista Residence" site, supervised by Julie Soleil. This site has been a client since 2015 and Siciliano is in charge of all maintenance.
The next award was for their "Navesink River Road Residence" site, supervised by Daniel Fleming. This project was installed (and won an award for installation) in 2018 by Siciliano and has been maintained by them since then.
Landscape Installation with Pool: $250,000-$500,000
The "East River Road Residence" project was designed by Alan Tufts. Siciliano was hired to design a new driveway and parking court, pool and deck, patios, walkways, full landscape and lighting. Access at this site was difficult, as the property is very narrow. Further, it borders on a river, so there were DEP issues.
Landscape Installation with Pool: Over $500,000
The "Club Way Residence", also designed by Alan Tufts, required an entire property makeover for a single family home. The project scope included a pool cabana, pool, outdoor kitchen, patios, walkways, landscape and lighting. The site had a very high water table with poor drainage. They also encountered buried stumps from when the builder had originally cleared the lot.
Siciliano Landscape Company was started over 80 years ago, by the current President, Karen Siciliano’s grandfather, who tended to the formal gardens of Rumson, NJ estates in 1935. Their company tagline is “Corners are the only things we don’t cut” and it represents not just what people expect of Siciliano, but what they expect of themselves. Siciliano Landscape Company is a certified WBE owned and controlled company.
For more information, visit www.sicilianolandscape.com.
Sponzilli Landscape Group of Fairfield, NJ has won two Awards of Excellence and an Award of Merit for projects entered in the 2020 NJLCA Landscape Achievement Awards.
Landscape Installation without Pool: Over $100,000
Sponzilli won an Award of Excellence in this category for the “Lieberman Residence” project.
The client wanted a larger area to entertain outside. They wanted to make use of what is considered the side yard because of the way the home was built on the lot. Because of the elevation of the living room to the exterior was a 3' difference, they started with a series of patios and connected the new space with a stepper walkway. They also added a new set of steps, a raised spa, an 18' long outdoor kitchen and a pergola for shade.
Landscape Installation with Pool: Over $500,000
Sponzilli's second Award of Excellence was for the "Hu Residence" project. This was a 2.5 year master plan and execution. The lower patio area has a gas burning fire pit that is 8' in diameter. There are 2 sets of steps to the pool deck and a set of stairs leading to the grand lawn above. The side yard is beautifully dressed with evergreen hedges and hydrangeas. The front of the property has oversized piers and walls with a trex-cladded gate. The driveway has a 45 degree Belgian block curb that makes its way up the driveway and around the driveway courtyards. There are patterns on the Belgian block inlays with a combination of asphalt. The entire property was fenced with a split rail and chain link fence.
Sponzilli Landscape also won an Award of Merit for the “Rubenstein Residence” project. See pages 18-23.
Sponzilli Landscape Group is headed by founder Richard Sponzilli and his two sons, Jason and Daniel. Richard began Sponzilli Landscape over 40 years ago and has created a reputation for outstanding quality and service. They strive, throughout all of their interactions, to be positive and progressive experts in their field and community.
For more information, visit www.sponzilli.com.
Wicklow & Laurano Landscape Contractors Wins Two NJLCA Landscape Achievement Awards of Excellence
Wicklow and Laurano Landscape Contractors, located in Flanders, New Jersey has won two Awards of Excellence in the NJLCA’s 2020 Landscape Achievement Awards.
Landscape Installation: Condo/Townhouse/Apartment
Wicklow and Laurano won an Award of Excellence in this category for the “Hoboken Courtyard” project, designed by Edward Clark, LA.
The unique rooftop courtyard incorporates raised paver walkways and patios, retaining walls, turf lawn, outdoor kitchen and sleek furnishings. They designed the landscape to accommodate users for play, entertaining and relaxation. The site is above a parking garage, so Wicklow and Laurano installed a pedestal paver system for all walks and patios. They designed masonry raised planter beds to shape the design of spaces. The hardscape palette are hues of grey, while the planting palette is simple pops of color. Plantings included liriope, gingko trees, carpet roses and hydrangeas.
Landscape Installation without Pool: Over $100,000
Wicklow and Laurano's second Award of Excellence was for the "Mendham Estate" project, also designed by Edward Clark. The clients wanted to showcase the French Colonial architecture of the home and surrounding landscape with new plantings, hardscape and lighting. Key areas enhanced included the pond courtyard, pool patio, front foundation, and gate entry. Plant material included arborvitae, hydrangea, formal boxwood hedges, aegastachium, allium and carpet rose for seasonal interest. They replaced all existing hardscape around the pond and pool with precast stepping stones and porcelain pavers. They installed uplights, downlights and pathlights to make the estate really shine.
Wicklow and Laurano, LLC is a full service, high-end, residential and commercial landscape firm. They specialize in the management and implementation of all aspects of each project ranging from site development, custom masonry, hardscaping and plantings, as well as property maintenance.
For more information, visit www.wicklowandlaurano.com.
Castle Point Landscape Design of Basking Ridge, NJ has won an Award of Excellence and Award of Distinction for projects entered in the 2020 NJLCA Landscape Achievement Awards.
Castle Point won the Award of Excellence in Landscape Installation without Pool: $50,000-$100,000 for the “Bonilla Overhaul” project. The project was designed by Steve Graul.
The scope of this project included the removal of an old deck with stairs, the creation of a new raised patio with integrated herb garden planter / wall, installation of a paver driveway with multiple inlays / borders, front and side walkways, Belgian block curbing, brick stoop with custom curved treads, grill island designed to fit in a very tight area, grading, drainage, entire lawn reestablishment and planting design and installation.
The client's handicapped/elderly parents required spreading out the vertical grade over several areas and ensuring there was ample lighting for all stairs. After deck removal, Castle Point found a hidden basement window and dryer vent / hose bib that had to be moved. They then had to replace the missing bricks to match a 70-year-old house. Castle Point also won an Award of Distinction for the “Whispering Woods Outdoor Transformation” project. See pages 18-23.
Castle Point Landscape Design traces its roots to 1989. Starting the business when he was just 11 years old, owner Steve Graul channeled his love for the great outdoors into a successful enterprise. Originally called Steve’s Landscaping, the business was renamed Castle Point Landscape Design in honor of Steve’s college alma mater. Before
Cedarwood Landscaping, Inc., located in Mendham, New Jersey has won an Award of Excellence, in the NJLCA’s 2020 Landscape Achievement Awards for their “Tree Tops” project in the Landscape Installation without Pool: Over $100,000 category. The project was designed by J. Scott Mortensen.
Residing in lower Manhattan, their client desired a country home and landscape suitable for outdoor, relaxed weekend entertaining, with only a request to minimize formality and accent the old-world craftsmanship of the 1916 carriage house and its surrounding stone walls.
During excavation, Cedarwood discovered areas of "buried" infrastructure including abandoned water and electric lines, drainage lines and small underground vaults from a previous greenhouse operation.
Scott Mortensen started Cedarwood Landscaping in 1984 with one goal: to provide the highest quality service, care, and attention in the landscape industry. For more than 35 years, the team at Cedarwood Landscaping have been achieving that goal, designing, building, and maintaining great gardens for great people throughout northwest New Jersey and beyond. For more information, visit www.cedarwoodlandscaping.com.
CLC Landscape Design, located in Ringwood, New Jersey has won an Award of Excellence, in the NJLCA’s 2020 Landscape Achievement Awards for their “Franklin Lakes: Relax in Style" project in the Landscape Installation with Pool: $100,000-250,000 category.
For this project, designed by Frank Thropp, the client wanted to redesign their backyard to include a pool and BBQ area. Upon meeting, CLC also discovered they wanted a pergola, fire feature and water feature. After receiving a variance, they were able to install a patio with a swim spa, a pergola next to a wood burning fireplace, an outdoor kitchen and a fire pit area, all surrounded by beautiful plantings. Unfortunately because of setback issues, they weren't able to include the water feature, but the clients were thrilled with their new landscape.
Since its inception over 40 years ago, CLC Landscape Design has been a leader in design/build landscaping by blending classic design concepts with cutting-edge design ideas. In addition, they consistently incorporate into their landscapes new-and-improved plant varieties, hardscape materials and installation techniques. With a vast knowledge of landscape design concepts and material options, they tailor each of their landscapes to meet the unique style of each of their clients.
For more information, visit www.CLCDesign.com.
Exclusive Stoneworks of Lyndhurst, NJ has won an Award of Excellence and two Awards of Distinction for projects entered in the 2020 NJLCA Landscape Achievement Awards.
Landscape Installation without Pool: Up to $25,000
Exclusive won an Award of Excellence in this category for the “DeMarco Patio” project. The project was designed by Rich Andreu.
The project was built for a very good friend who wanted an L-shaped patio. "We have been friends for over 20 years so I flat out told him 'No! Let me show you what we're capable of,'" says Andreu. Rich sent him the design and his friend asked if he could start the next day. Rich said they had a lot of fun and built the patio in three days from start to finish!
Exclusive Stoneworks also won two Awards of Distinction for the “Renna Residence” and "Verling Poolscape" projects. See pages 18-23.
For over a decade, Exclusive Stoneworks has taken pride in bringing unparalleled professionalism and high quality craftsmanship to an affordable budget. Their team of highly skilled, well-trained and highly motivated craftsman have proven themselves repeatedly, as well as work together to provide a well-coordinated and stress-free professional service to their clients.
For more information, visit www.exclusivestoneworks.com.
Farmside Landscape & Design of Sussex, NJ has won an Award of Excellence, an Award of Distinction and an Award of Merit for projects entered in the 2020 NJLCA Landscape Achievement Awards.
Landscape Installation without Pool: $50,000 - $100,000
Farmside won an Award of Excellence in this category for the “Lakeside Retreat” project, designed by Miles Kuperus, II.
This client wanted more patio space and privacy, with access to the front yard and a built-in grill. The property was extremely tight to get equipment and materials in 7.5' wide access with no street access. The project scope included drainage and grading, retaining walls, irrigation, patios and walkways and installation of plant material.
Farmside also won an Award of Distinction for the “Fireside Retreat” and an Award of Merit for the “Elegant Villa” projects. See pages 18-23.
Farmside Landscape & Design, Inc. has specialized in landscape design and construction for over 25 years. The company President, Miles Kuperus grew up and worked on the dairy farm where their shop is located. From 1985-1989 Miles attended Landscape Architecture courses and in 1985, Farmside purchased its first truck, a gray Ford F100, and using helpers on an “as needed basis”, they installed basic plantings, walls and walks while Miles attended classes.
Farmside was incorporated in 1989. Lisa joined staff with Miles in 1990 and as co-owner in 1999. During the 1992 season, in response to one customer’s needs, they opened a maintenance division. In 1999 they added a new division to include a Tree and Shrub Plant Health Care Program. Farmside as a ‘Full Service Landscape Contractor’ has currently expanded to serving over 200 accounts annually with a maintenance crew, detail crew, Turf Management crew, Plant Health Care crew, and Design/Build/Installation crew.
For more information, visit www.farmside.com.
Monello Landscape Industries Wins NJLCA Landscape Achievement Award of Excellence & People's Choice Award
Monello Landscape Industries, located in Wayne, New Jersey has won an Award of Excellence in the NJLCA’s 2020 Landscape Achievement Awards for their “Lackawanna Station” project in the Landscape Installation: Commercial/Industrial category. This project also won the "People's Choice Award" via a FaceBook voting contest.
The project, designed by Joe Monello and Jarret Bernard, consisted of twin courtyard installations on the third floor space on top of parking garages. The two courtyards feature louvered pergolas, 9 custom kitchen areas, bistro tables, custom fire features, custom bar tables, custom faux plantings and lighting. All material had to be craned into the courtyard over six stories. Pavers were installed using a pedestal system.
Monello Landscape Industries also won two Awards of Distinction for their “Heydt Residence” project and an Award of Merit for their "Lui Residence" project. See pages 18-23.
Joe Monello established Monello Landscape Industries, LLC over 25 years ago. Monello Landscape specializes in residential and commercial landscaping projects in New Jersey and out of state projects, such as Massachusetts. Their projects come in all shapes and sizes. From retaining walls, to outdoor kitchens, fire pits, snow and ice management, commercial site work, and other beautiful hardscape designs.
For more information, visit www.monellolandscape.com.
Feature Story Todé, The Artistry of Landscape Wins NJLCA Landscape Achievement Award of Excellence
Todé, the Artistry of Landscape of Midland Park, NJ has won an Award of Excellence and an Award of Distinction for projects entered in the 2020 NJLCA Landscape Achievement Awards.
Landscape Maintenance: Commercial/Industrial
Todé won an Award of Excellence in this category for the “Hackensack Meridian Health” project, which is supervised by Mario Gomez.
Todé has maintained the properties of Hackensack Meridian Health for 15 years, focused on a turf fertilization program, along with extensive bed maintenance. The project includes multiple areas of seasonal flower changeouts along with detailed pruning, edging of beds and mulching.
Todé, the Artistry of Landscape also won an Award of Distinction for the “Glen Rock Hardscape" project. See pages 18-22.
Michael B. Todé is President of Todé Landscape Contractors, Inc., a full-service landscape company in North Jersey area for over 20 years. Mike holds a BS degree from West Virginia University, an AAS degree in Horticulture from Bergen Community College and is a Certified Landscape Technician. Mike’s passion for landscaping and horticulture comes through in all of his designs and work as he strives to take a client’s ideas and create a landscape design that is executed with superior craftsmanship and ingenuity.
For more information, visit www.todelandscape.com.
And the Award Goes to...
Maintenance: Condo/Townhouse
This site is a large condo complex in northern Hoboken. It is Yellow Wagon's second year maintaining the grounds. Services include spring cleanup, weekly maintenance, bi-weekly fall maintenance, shrub pruning twice a year, aeration/seeding, spring tulips and summer, fall and winter annual displays. Mulch is blown by a partner company, but Yellow Wagon visits afterwards to clean edges and ensure quality.
Award of Merit - Yellow Wagon Landscaping
This site is a large apartment building in the heart of Jersey City with a 5th floor rooftop garden. Services include spring cleanup, quality control on mulch blowing, weekly maintenance, shrub pruning two times a year, perennial maintenance, fall seeding and spring, summer, fall and winter annuals and bulbs.
Maintenance: Residential
Landscape Installation: Commercial/Industrial
Award of Merit - Farmside Landscape and Design
Project: Elegant Villa
This property has extensive beds with shrubs, grasses and perennials. Farmside performs weekly bed detailing of weeding and pruning, as well as lawn maintenance and holding crisp lines and edges. Extensive annual plantings add to the wonderful color of the beds.
Award of Distinction - Scenic Landscaping
Project: Station Village at Avenel Designer: Rick Zimmer & Mitch Knapp Scenic's client was developing new residential luxury buildings and they were brought in during the early stages to enhance the entry way to help sales with the units. Since it was brand new, Scenic was there to help make it enticing from the road for potential residents. Throughout other phases, they worked with landscaping the townhomes, the communal spaces, created lawn areas for people to enjoy, benches and landscaping around the amenities building. Scenic also landscaped along the train station for the community. The Avenel Performing Arts Center was new to the community, which they also did the plantings around, as well as seasonal planters to keep it look inviting and clean.
Award of Merit - Yellow Wagon Landscaping, LLC
The goal of this project was to reimagine the community's pool area to be functional, safe and aesthetically pleasing for residents and enable the property to compete with newer facilities in the area. The existing pool/ coping was to be retained and design had to coordinate with replacement of the Hudson River sea wall and contaminated site remediation work completed by others. Site features included built-in gas BBQs, louvered pergolas, outdoor shower, lighting, infrared heaters, lawn and plantings, Trex partitions and more.
Project: Yang Residence Designer: Andrew Lala
The goal of this project was to anchor the exposed side foundation of this corner property with a lush and colorful landscape while creating a planting for the main entrance that balanced the scale of the impressive front facade. Yellow Wagon incorporated the client's love of hydrangeas with other flowering and shade-tolerant perennials for a layered, meandering feel that carries the eye along the property. Enlarging the planting beds and adding stone steppers created a sense of entrance and separation.
Landscape Installation: Lighting
Project: Heydt Residence Lighting Designer: Joe Monello and Dave Pilaar This project consisted of landscape lighting for the pool, water feature, hot tub, plantings and walkways throughout the landscape. Conduits were difficult to trench at this home due to the all rock sub-base and large rock outcropping.
Award of Merit - Vander Sluys Landscape Development, LLC
Project: Ganchi Residence
Vander Sluys renovated the existing landscaping by this poolside, but more importantly removed all trees in the yard to create a nice planting, patio and a much larger grass area for the children to play. They used the existing oversized checker board and connected it via a step slope bath to a sitting area for the clients to enjoy and watch the children play. Beneath the grass was crushed stone and an excess of filter fabric that had to be removed prior prep and planting of the flower beds. The property is also extremely wet and Vander Sluys had to pitch the new portion of the landscape to existing drain boxes.
Project: Glen Rock Hardscape Designer: Michael B. Todé
The goal of this project was to construct a masonry outdoor kitchen, gas firepit, pondless waterfall, paver patio, screen planting, low voltage lighting and a sod lawn area. The client had decided to add the gas firepit after the kitchen was completed, which caused Todé to enlarge the patio area and change grades to work with the added features.
Award of Merit - Yellow Wagon Landscaping, LLC
The goal of this project was to create spaces and scenes throughout the landscape through the use of plant material, structures, natural and man-made materials. The plant material was chosen for a multi-season blooming sequence and its suitability for the sunlight and soil conditions present. A breakfast nook was created on the front porch by utilizing an Emerald Green Arborvitae privacy screen. The long term success of the landscape was in mind throughout the project.
Project: Whispering Woods Outdoor Transformation Designer: Steve Graul
Project scope included the creation of an outdoor living patio with a custom-designed outdoor kitchen. Outdoor kitchen was designed not only for a Lynx grill and sideburner and a Big Green Egg charcoal grill/ smoker, but also to incorporate multiple bar tops and footrests for family socializing while cooking. Sink island wetbar was located/designed to allow for bar seating even when raining! A wood plank style paver was used in the firepit area with templated bluestone caps and vents designed to increase airflow and help with drafting. Low voltage lighting and natural bluestone stairs were also part of this project.
Award of Distinction - Exclusive Stoneworks
Project: Renna Residence Designer: Rich Andreu
Exclusive Stoneworks was tasked with creating an outdoor living area that flowed from the front right into the backyard. The client wanted a nice-sized BBQ to fit his cooking needs and an area to relax even when the temperatures drop. The main focus was the driveway and front path, which needed to be replaced. The septic system was very close by, so they had to design around it. There was no natural gas supply to tap into, so the BBQ and firepit run on propane tanks.
Project: Fireside Retreat Designer: Miles Kuperus II
This client wanted to enlarge their outdoor living space and have an outdoor fireplace installed. They also requested a privacy buffer off the street and wanted all-natural stone products installed. A large hemlock had to be transplanted and a patio and walls were installed. The family is now able to dine and relax all on one patio. So pleased with the project, the client requested all team members that worked on the project be on site the last day of construction to have a celebratory lunch for a job well done!
Project: Gourmos Residence Designer: Andrew Lala
Yellow Wagon's goal was to capture the client's appreciation of feng shui in a Zen-inspired landscape offering professional outdoor cooking capabilities and a one-of-a-kind combination water and fire feature. The front yard planting design balances the large facade and generous existing paving with neat, yet naturalistic masses, while preserving existing specimens. Features a custom continuous 8' wide LED-lit waterfall and gas fire strip in the same cabinet as the Lynx appliances. Layout was done according to feng shui principles.
Award of Distinction - Scenic Landscaping
Project: Garden Property - Morristown, NJ Designer: Matt Jones This site was mostly a blank slate when Scenic was tasked with connecting an existing tennis court to the home's back patio. The expansive yard was a slope that they had to dig into to create a layered patio experience with walkways, a fire pit seating area, stairs, garden spaces and an upper pavilion seating area. Since the home was Old Georgian style, they did not want there to be too much structure in the planting design. Cherry trees, hydrangea, roses, grasses, Russian sage and low perennials bring in various colors and textures through the seasons.
Award of Merit - Sponzilli Landscape Group
Project: Rubenstein Residence
This client wanted a natural large patio to dine, cook and entertain that connected, but were separate within themselves. Sponzilli provided them with a low-key fire pit area, a dining area, a bar/outdoor kitchen area and a covered area beneath a pergola. The patio is organically shaped and they differentiated the individual spaces with different paving materials. The lawn area was graded and sodded. The perimeter of the property was planted with several deciduous and evergreen trees. They also installed a brown PVC fence to enclose the property.
Landscape Bodies Dump Bodies Utility Bodies Crane Bodies Chipper Bodies Stake Bodies
Snowplows Salt Spreaders Brine Systems Hooklifts Liftgates Service Cranes
Award of Distinction - Exclusive Stoneworks
Project: Verling Poolscape Designer: Rich Andreu
This project was a small backyard in Rutherford that needed some "wow factor". The family has two young boys and they wanted to be able to swim in their own backyard. This project wasn't just for the kids, however. The adults wanted a resort-like atmosphere for when the kids went to bed. When the sun goes down, the backyard is colorful and cozy. In order to get the square footage needed for the patio, they had to remove 3/4 of the driveway up to the garage to get it approved by the zoning board!
Representing the first phase of this project, Monello created a custom design featuring a fiberglass pool with a unique waterfall that has custom cut, notched boulders hanging over the pool edge into water. The project also features a very unique rock ledge that frames a natural and beautiful backdrop to the landscape. During construction, Monello hit the rock shelf and hammered 16' depth to get the pool installed. 100% of the pool had to be hammered out!
Award of Merit - BluSol Pools
Project: Wayne Backyard Paradise Designer: Greg Imhoff It doesn't look like it, but this was a multi-phase project; first year starting with the installation of the upper patio, fireplace and outdoor kitchen. The second year followed with the installation of the pool/spa, lower patio, retaining walls and grading of the property. BluSol designed the backyard to work and flow in unison with the grade difference, while also making sure it didn't feel like there was a large set of stairs between the upper and lower patios.
Award of Merit - Monello Landscape Industries
The scope of this project included a custom gunite pool featuring a glass tiled drip wall and a glass tiled hot tub. It included a custom one-of-a-kind trex deck with curved and circular design, custom patio, walls and stairs featuring unique curves and circles. There was a large grade change on the property, therefore several retaining walls were required to stabilize the landscape. The project also included lush plantings, a Mexican black rock and bamboo shade garden and landscape lighting.
GET READY: Big Changes & Improvements Are Coming to the NJ Pesticide Application Process!
To streamline the pesticide exam process, a new online Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam Registration (PACER) system has been created and is available for your use immediately. Rutgers University, in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP), spent more than a year planning, coding and developing the PACER system and website to replace the time-intensive paper application process, improving the user experience.
How the new system benefits YOU:
• Online Access: Web-based PACER application is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. • No More Snail Mail: Upload your support documents online and eliminate the time and expense required to mail them. • Quick Review Turnaround: Your application will be reviewed within 48 business hours and you will be notified of any problems or concerns with your documentation promptly via email. • Immediate Exam Scheduling: Once in-person exams resume, YOU choose your exam date and location when you register; no more waiting to hear which of your exam date and time choices were available. • Fast Exam Results: See your exam grades within 7 business days of exam completion. • More Exam Locations: Due to COVID-19, all exams are currently being offered online. When these restrictions are lifted, online exams will continue and in-person exams will resume. For in-person exams, new facilities will be added around the state to give you more options for added convenience. • More Exam Times: Online exams are available 24/7. Inperson exams will be administered weekdays, evenings and on Saturdays to better accommodate your schedule. • Manage Others’ Exams: Are you responsible for your organization’s employees? Now you can easily track and manage exam applications and scheduling for multiple people in PACER! Set up an account in PAC-
ER then provide us with the information listed below so we can upgrade your account to Business Manager. Send information to: pacer@njaes.rutgers.edu. (A pesticide applicator certification license number is required to establish a Business Manager account). • Business Manager Name • Business Manager Email Address • Company Name • Company Address • Company Business License # • Support: Responsive, courteous help desk support is available Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm.
Fees - $115 per each Category exam and the Core exam; $50 for the Private licensing exam*
• Pay online via credit card or e-check, with no extra surcharge • Purchase Orders will also be accepted via upload • *This fee covers the costs to sustain hosting and maintenance of the PACER system as well as the dedicated professional application review, customer support, and exam proctoring and administration.
We recommend using a laptop or personal computer to complete your registration in the PACER system. The online pesticide applicator certification exams will be offered in Canvas (a learning management system) and they can only be accessed with a laptop or personal computer.
Please add (or whitelist) notifications@instructure.com, pacer@njaes.rutgers.edu and support@schoolpay.com to your email address book to prevent pertinent emails from going to your spam folder. If you are not sure how to do that, visit https:// clean.email/how-to-whitelist-an-email for instructions.
The PACER system and exams are administered by the Office of Continuing Professional Education (OCPE), part of Rutgers Cooperative Extension at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers University. Your user experience is paramount to Rutgers OCPE and we invite you to provide feedback after you have used the new PACER system for your next exam. Visit PACER today!
Turf Talk
This magazine issue has a saving theme. Let’s talk about some ways to save as we roll into 2021. How do you deal with your clippings if you don’t mulch your clippings or let them fly? You can still reduce your cost by controlling the height of the grass. Most applicators use a heavy dose of fertilizer in the late Fall. Totally unnecessary, but don’t get me started. Here is a novel concept; just think James Bond 0-0-7. You can buy most of your favorite pre-emergent in a 0-0-7 formulation – Pre-M, Dimension both offer a 0-0-7 formulation. If you use these pre-emergents and apply Lime at the same time, you will have a green lawn with 50% less top growth. How much will that save you? If you are mulching your clippings, half the top growth should be music to your ears. How much better will your lawns look?
Also, your timing is everything. Don’t put the preemergent down with the clean-up; apply it to every lawn at the same time, a month to a month-and-a-half later. Especially if you use Dimension, you can push the envelope on timing. Because Dimension is a pre/post emergent crab grass control, you can apply it at the tail end of scheduled applications. How does this save you money? Well, all your lawns will grow at the same rate, at the same time. We generally cut for the first time in late April. I cut and apply chemicals at the same time. This saves time and it also allows for many people on a site, just in case the place is a mess from the neighbor who never does his clean up until the 4th of July.
We also spend more time on the first cut. The cleanups are done and most of the mulch is done. By making sure the extra work is completed, you can be assured that when the cut crew comes around again, they will be doing just that, cutting. We cut our lawns with 4 employees, we do our clean ups and mulch with 12 employees. By putting all our efforts into the cleanup and mulch, we can put that part of spring behind us. We also have our trim crews begin doing small landscape jobs that would not require a full construction crew. This keeps us ahead of the customers’ needs and it also changes up the work for the employees, keeping them out of a rut of doing the same thing all year long.
Good Luck and Keep Growing!
Greg Carpenter, CLT is co-owner of American Beauty Landscape since 1982. He attended the SUNY Farmingdale Turfgrass Program and is a Director of the NJLCA. Greg also serves on the Rutgers Turfgrass Advisory Board and the Bergen Community College Horticultural Advisory Board. Al D. Landscape, Tree and Garden Supply Stop www.aldlandscapingandtree.com..............................................................64
Aquarius Supply www.aquariussupply.com..............................................................................4
Association Master Trust www.amt-nj.com.........................................................................................58
Bergen Brick Stone and Tile www.bergenbrick.com................................................................................63
Cambridge Pavers www.cambridgepavers.com.........................................................................6
Cliffside Body Corp www.cliffsidebody.com...............................................................................22
Downes Forest Products www.downesforestproducts.com...............................................................50
Foley, Inc www.foleyinc.com.......................................................................................44
Matera’s Nursery 201-493-8288...................................................................................................2
Oakland Marine & Equipment 201-337-7741.................................................................................................36
South Camden Iron Works www.hometownvinyl.com..........................................................................26
Spring Meadow Nursery/Proven Winners www.springmeadownursery.com..............................................................30
Steve Rich Environmental Contractors www.soil-testing.steve-rich.com................................................................57
SynLawn www.synlawnnj.com...................................................................................24
