From acquisitions to exapansions, the 2024 lawncare and landscaping season has officially begun and companies are making big moves. Schill Grounds Management Schill Grounds Management has acquired Strauser Nature’s Helpers to expand in eastern Pennsylvania and parts of New York and New Jersey. Locally owned and operated by Founder Zech Strauser since 1998, Strauser Nature’s Helpers specializes in landscaping, lawn care, and snow removal. Their commercial clients include multi-family complexes, retail, hospitality, government, student housing, and resort properties. They are located in the Poco ..read more

Editor’s Letter The Living Landscape I forget who was presenting the seminar. I only know they were displaying a picture of a standard suburban front yard. A lawn, driveway, a few evergreen shrubs. If I had to describe it I would have called it a little boring, very typical, but low maintenance and neat. The presenter called it “sterile,” but they weren’t describing the aesthetic, they were referring to the actual ecological function — or rather, the lack of it. That idea stuck with me. Previously, I had primarily thought of landscapes in terms of their design style: minimalist and boldl ..read more

By Christine Menapace From the February 2024 Issue A Timeline Of Accomplishments Nate Bahler Owner & Founder Green Meadow Lawn Care Ellington, CT 1. When, why, and how did you start your business? I started the business with my cousin, Tom Gerber, in 2007 when we were both still in high school. I was 16 and he was 14. Both of us were looking for after-school work and Tom’s father offered us a job mowing the lawn at his office complex. From there we thought, “Well, we both need to stay busy after school. Why don’t we start mowing the lawns of friends and family?” I remembe ..read more

Spartan Mowers recently revealed upgrades to all 2024 models and the addition of three brand-new units. The Shield, Defender, and RZ-HD Blackout are new for 2024. “For the last year, we’ve been focused on bringing new models to market that better suit the wants and needs of our customers,” said John Swanson, general manager at Intimidator Group. “We’re excited to release three new machines that will do just that by expanding our lineup with two entry-level mowers and a new take on one of our bestsellers.” Spartan Mowers RZ-HD Blackout Scheduled for release later in the Spring, the Shield and D ..read more

From the February 2024 Issue of Design-Build   From trenchers to compact track loaders and excavators, this assortment of design-build equipment will help your professional lawn care and landscaping services team get the job done. Volvo CE ECR40 The 4-ton ECR40 from Volvo CE provides increased operator comfort, 10% more fuel efficiency, better stability, and easier maintenance. The ECR40 excavator has a conventional upper carriage design and a short swing radius to allow for work in more confined spaces. Slim corner pillars and wide, flat glass areas provide outstanding visibi ..read more

Scythe Robotics has launched a newly expanded headquarters and manufacturing facility in Boulder County, CO, for manufacture of its all electric, fully autonomous Scythe M.52 commercial mower. More than double the size of its original manufacturing facility, the 28,000-square-foot facility marks a pivotal step in Scythe’s continued growth. “The opening of our state-of-the-art robotics facility accelerates our ability to deliver high-quality, game-changing machines to our customers for the upcoming mowing season.” — Jack Morrison, Co-Founder/CEO, Scythe Robotics Scythe will build and deploy mor ..read more

From the February 2024 Issue   This collection of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers will help keep your clients’ lawns green, healthy, and pest and weed free. Envu Acclaim® Accelerate Envu is launching a new line of herbicides, primarily for cool-season turf. Starting this Spring, lawn care operators will have even more options and expert solutions to improve their treatment programs. Acclaim® Accelerate will provide enhanced crabgrass and summer broadleaf weed control. It will also be labeled for foxtail, torpedograss, clovers, English daisy, black medic, wild violet, and mor ..read more

With the first day of Spring approaching, Sod Solutions offers a refresher on lawn care maintenance. 1. Mow lawns at proper heights. The timing for the first mow of the Spring widely varies depending on the area you service. Grasses come out of dormancy differently depending on the environment and temperatures your area encounters. Generally speaking, however, mid-March is about the time to begin the regimen for Spring green-ups and mowing. It’s important to note that the first mow of the Spring shouldn’t take place while warm season grass is dormant. Mowing heights vary for each grass type, b ..read more

 Sponsored By   In the ever-evolving world of landscaping, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for success. This is why Sunday, a trusted name in lawn care, is excited to announce the release of their groundbreaking lawn care product line tailored specifically for landscaping professionals. With a focus on providing eco-friendly, effective, and easy-to-use solutions, Sunday’s new Pro offering is set to transform the way professionals care for lawns across the country. Sunday’s Trusted Legacy Sunday’s lawn care products have already won the hearts of hundreds of thousands of homeow ..read more

The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) has opened registration for two new Field Trip events. Each event offers landscape industry professionals a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes at top companies. The first will be at Landscape Workshop in Birmingham, AL, June 11-12 and the second at Sebert Landscape in Chicago, IL, September 17-18, 2024. Each event, moderated by industry expert Marty Grunder of The Grow Group, provides attendees with insights into successful landscape operations, innovative practices, and valuable peer learning opportunities. “These Fi ..read more