Thanks Steve for submitting this article for The Lawn Blog.  You can check out Steve’s site over at StartaLawnMowingBusiness.com

Successful marketing is not the only thing that leads to success in the lawn care business. You can have all the customer accounts in the world yet if you can’t service them efficiently you probably won’t be in business for long.

Some lawn care business owners are extremely productive throughout their working day and ensure that their crews are as well. Others find that they don’t get much done and can’t service the volume of accounts that they need to in order to earn good money. Its all about making the most of your resources to get jobs done quickly while still providing quality work.

One of the biggest time wasters for lawn business operators is driving time. Every minute that you are out on the road is one less minute that you are in the yards of your clients making money.

Successful lawn mowing business owners pay attention to route planning. By keeping drive time to a minimum you can service more accounts in a day and you can save money on fuel expenses.

The purpose of this article is to provide some tips on how you can develop routes and schedules that allow you to minimize travel time and therefore run a more profitable business. Small businesses will not see much benefit in route planning but as a business grows in size there are some huge productivity gains to be made by employing the right strategies and keeping routes tight.

Develop Tight Routes

The first step is to try to develop routes that are compact. If you do marketing that is targeted to households in a specific area you will find that your clients should be fairly close by. Be selective in deciding which jobs you want to take on. If a client is too far away from your area of operations then you may decide to decline that job.

Ideally you will be able to develop routes that feature multiple clients on the same street. This is ideal as you can cut your drive time down to nothing if you schedule these jobs one after the other. If you are servicing neighbors you may even be able to eliminate ‘unloading’ and ‘loading’ time as well.

Once you have a few accounts in one street, push hard to get more. Hit the street with a heavy direct marketing campaign and offer people in the street discounts for referring their neighbors. Imagine being able to turn up at one street and spend half a day there doing lawns without having to get back into your truck at all.

Consider buying, selling or swapping accounts with other lawn care businesses. You may be able to acquire accounts that are centrally located within your area and get rid of some that are on the periphery.

Route Planning

Get a good understanding of your route by using a map. Place a pin in the map for each account that you have. This could be done on your computer with specialized software if you prefer.

Remember that there are five days in a week so you basically want to divide your area into five smaller areas that can be covered easily on a daily basis. If you have two crews going out then naturally you would divide your area into ten compact zones.

There are several software packages that can assist with route planning such as ‘Microsoft Streets and Trips’. Such a package will allow you to plan out routes that minimize drive time and fuel consumption. A GPS can help you to get from one place to another but once you know the area in question you are better off making your own judgments. You will quickly learn the fastest way to get from point A to point B.

Get an understanding of traffic flows in your area so that you can aim to be mowing lawns during rush hour periods. Aim to do your driving during quiet periods throughout the day so that you can get between jobs quickly without wasting time sitting in traffic.

If you are to become truly productive as a lawn care business owner and maximize your profits you need to understand the impact that route planning can have on your business. There are some huge productivity gains to be had if you go about this process correctly.

Steve Sutherland
StartaLawnMowingBusiness.com

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–Annual meeting to take place June 20-22 in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Alexandria, Va. – February 28, 2012 – The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) today announced that it will commemorate its 60^thanniversary at this year’s Annual Meeting to be held June 20-22 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Changes to the OPEI Annual Meeting agenda reflect the Association’s increasing commitment to broader member participation and engagement. To attend the meeting or sponsor an event function, contact Marla Popkin at mpopkin@opei.org.

OPEI is also pleased to announce the addition of an Associate Member to OPEI’s Board of Directors.  An Associate Member Recognition Luncheon has been scheduled in conjunction with the Annual Meeting.

“Adding an Associate Member to the OPEI Board recognizes their importance within our organization,” said Kris Kiser, President and CEO of OPEI.  “Associate members play an instrumental role in our success, and we want their engagement at this leadership level.”

Further, beginning in 2013, OPEI’s Annual Meeting will include the participation of all working committees (handheld, ground supported, market services, legal and other task groups) who will report progress and committee activities back to the attendees.

“OPEI’s strength is in its membership.  That’s why we are committed to more fully engage members and harness our resources and expertise so that we can act quickly and effectively on behalf of the industry,” added Kiser.

Headlining this year’s meeting will be Nick Bilton, currently the lead technology writer/reporter for The New York Times’ Bits blog and a reporter for the daily paper.  Bilton’s newest book, I Live in the Future & Here’s How It Works, examines how technology is shaping our brains and our lives. His presentation will focus on the future of technology trends, and how this evolution affects our day-to-day lives, both at home and at work.

About OPEI’s 60^th Anniversary

OPEI was founded in 1952 when eleven mower manufacturers charter a national nonprofit trade association called The Lawn Mower Institute, changing its name to the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute in 1960.   Since then, OPEI launched the industry’s first U.S. industry exposition in 1984, having since merged with the PLANET Green Industry Expo (GIE) and Hardscape North America to form the largest green industry show.  In 2001, OPEI absorbs the membership of PPEMA (the Portable Power Equipment Manufacturers Association).  After 60 years, OPEI has evolved to be the international voice for the industry, and represents the outdoor power equipment, small engine, generator and utility vehicles industries.   More complete OPEI Timeline below.

About OPEI

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) is an international trade association representing more than 84 engine and engine equipment manufacturers and suppliers worldwide. OPEI is a recognized Standards Development Organization for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and active internationally through the International Standards Organization (ISO) in the development of safety standards. For more information, visitwww.OPEI.org.

OPEI Timeline

1952   Eleven mower manufacturers charter a national nonprofit trade association called The Lawn Mower Institute.

1953   The organization creates a monthly statistical reporting program for members, which continues to this day.

1956   Engine manufacturers were invited to participate in the organization.

1960   The trade association’s name was changed to the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute.

1960   The American Standards Association publishes the first safety standard for power lawn mowers.

1961   OPEI creates the first safety seal and makes it available to members.

1962   OPEI becomes an associate member of the American Standards Institute.

1969   OPEI approves the independent 3rd party voluntary testing for mowers.

1984   OPEI launches the industry’s first U.S. trade show, the International Lawn, Garden and Power Equipment Exposition.

2001 OPEI absorbs the membership of the Portable Power Equipment Manufacturers Association (PPEMA).

2007   The PLANET Green Industry Expo (GIE) merges with the International Lawn, Garden and Power Equipment Exposition, creating the first Green Industry and Equipment Expo.

2007 OPEI embarks on a new path, taking on a public policy role as legislative and regulatory initiatives become increasingly intertwined.
2009 OPEI debuts TurfMutt, a free science-based educational curriculum offering classroom resources for fostering an appreciation of the environment and green spaces through investigation, activities and experiments.

2010 TurfMutt expands nationally in concert with Discovery Education, a division of Discovery Communications.
2010 As part of Engine Products Group, OPEI files legal challenge to EPA’s partial waiver for E15.

2010   Hardscape North America (HNA) co-locates its trade show to coincide with the GIE+EXPO in the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.

2011 OPEI begins to strengthen its core competency in ANSI standards, adding staff and broadening scope.

By Lou Manfredini, Ace Hardware’s Home Expert

If you have an avid gardener in your life, you already know just how much they love flowers. So, this Valentine’s Day instead of giving flowers, help the one you love grow some of their own. Here are my gift recommendations to help keep your love and garden growing!

Digz® Leather Palm Garden Gloves – Garden lovers enjoy taking care of their flowers, herbs and plants so a great pair of quality gloves will go a long way when it comes to working in the garden. I really like the Digz® line of women’s leather palm gloves. Not only are they comfortable and strong, they’re nice looking too. At a price point of $55, they are more expensive than basic garden gloves but will last year after year and be a thoughtful addition to Valentine’s Day flowers this year!

Havahart Spray Away Animal Deterrent – Nothing will frustrate your Valentine more than critters eating up all their hard work in the garden. The Havahart Spray Away Animal Deterrent is a motion-activated water repellent that will keep a watchful eye on your garden when you can’t. If something crosses its path it will shower them with a spray of water and send them on their way. Safe, all natural and effective, this product costs around $70. Your Valentine will thank you over and over again!

Hummingbird Feeder – Another great gift idea for the gardener in your life is a hummingbird feeder, which will draw in beautiful hummingbirds and can create a picturesque garden scene in almost every part of the country. Simply hang the feeder near a window and enjoy. The feeders typically cost around $20 and will leave your Valentine, and the hummingbirds, singing with joy.

Mantis® Four-Cycle Gas Powered Tiller – One of my favorite garden tools is the Mantis® Four-Cycle Gas Powered Tiller. With a ton of power, it can fit inside your flowerbeds and cultivate the soil quickly and easily. It is going to be the go-to power tool this spring and your special someone will be thanking the garden gods for many springs to come! At a price point of $450, the Mantis® Tiller is the ultimate “I Love You” this Valentine’s Day.

For more product tips and advice to help you turn your lawn and garden to-do list into a to-done list, head to your neighborhood Ace Hardware store or visit www.acehardware.com.

Alexandria, Va. – January 27, 2012 – The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) today announced that it has issued a Stewardship Plan for Outdoor Power Equipment to comply with the requirements of the British Columbia Ministry of Environment’s (MoE) Recycling Regulation.

To prepare for implementation in July 2012, outdoor power equipment manufacturers must immediately begin reporting estimates of their electrical-powered OPE delivered to Canada overall.

For a review of the current Stewardship Plan for Outdoor Power Equipment, go to: http://www.opei.org/library-documents/about-opei/OPEIStewardshipProgramOctoberFinal.pdf

For a list of common questions and answers, visit: http://opei.org/news/detail.dot?id=22466

Says Kris Kiser, President and CEO of OPEI, “We’ve been working hard to make this new government mandate as fair and non-onerous as possible for our members and non-members.  To that end, we’ve  selected a non-profit Canadian recycling and recovery vendor  to help streamline this process for manufacturers.”

Background

The British Columbia Recycling Regulation mandating manufacturer responsibility for product recovery and recycling includes outdoor power equipment.  On behalf of its members, OPEI submitted a Stewardship Plan for Outdoor Power Equipment on October 1, 2011 to the British Columbia Ministry of Environment for their consideration.  The development of this plan began in March of last year with the participation of the Canadian Task Force (CTF), consisting of 14 OPEI member company representatives, along with consulting support specific to this type of activity in Canada.

OPEI has selected Product Care Association (PCA) as the Canadian recycling and recovery project vendor.  PCA is a not-for-profit industry association that manages product stewardship programs for household hazardous and special waste on behalf of its members across Canada. PCA programs help protect the environment by diverting leftover and end of life products from landfills, waterways, and sewers.  PCA provides consumers with a collection system network for the products it manages.  The collected products are then reused or recycled where possible.

What do Manufacturers Need to Do?

A requirement of the regulations is to report Recovery Rates for each product category to the Regulation.  This Recovery Rate will be calculated as the percentage of product recycled compared to the product introduced into the market place.  This data must be collected periodically and reported to the Ministry of Environment annually as required by law.
1.      OPE manufacturers should contact OPEI to get a product summary spreadsheet.  Only one worksheet per company is required.
2.      Manufacturers will need to report estimates on Canadian sales of electrical-powered equipment by January 31, 2012 to Hargrove & Associates.
3.      Hargrove & Associates will also need the name, email and phone number of the company representative who will be the official contact for data.    Monthly data will be collected after this initial submittal of requested information.
4.       Companies that do not  participate in the OPEI Stewardship Plan for electric outdoor power equipment will have to interact directly with the Ministry of Environment to provide a compliant recycling program.

Further information can be found at the URLs above, by contacting OPEI at 703-549-7600 or by emailing Gerry Coons at gcoons@opei.org or Kristen Reamy at kristen@opei.org.

Hargrove & Associates is an independent third party contractor that properly manages sensitive information to protect the interests of the individual companies reporting this information.
About OPEI

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) is an international trade association representing more than 80 engine and equipment manufacturers worldwide in the utility, forestry, landscape, and lawn and garden industry. OPEI is a recognized Standards Development Organization for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and active internationally through the International Standards Organization (ISO) in the development of safety standards. For more information, visit www.OPEI.org.

Complying with the British Columbia Ministry of Environment’s (MoE)

Recycling Regulation

Questions and Answers

Q:  Who must participate in the Stewardship Program?

A: The language in the regulation states that the “Producer” must participate.  In the regulation the “Producer” is defined as anyone from the OEM manufacturer through the distribution channel to the retailer that sells the product to the consumer.

It does not include component suppliers.

Q:  Why must we report sales of equipment?

A:  There have been changes in the Canadian government recycling requirements for electric products shipped to British Columbia, Canada.   OPEI, with the Canadian Taskforce of member representatives, is working to ensure its members fulfill the Producer requirements under Part 2 of the BC Ministry of Environment’s Recycling Regulation.

The information reporting is for number of units, not $.  Initially, this will be used to complete the details of the Stewardship Plan with regard to setting the environmental handling fees and budget planning.  It will also be used to report weights for calculating recycling recovery rates over time.
Q:  What information do you need reported?

A: An Excel form is available that asks companies to fill out information on retail outlets and distribution channels shipping or selling product in British Columbia.

Only one worksheet should be submitted per company and only for electrical-driven products.

Companies will be submitting sales estimates for each category of product sold in British Columbia, or Canada as a whole.

As the program continues, sales (shipments) into Canada will be reported monthly and used to calculate recycling recovery rates for the program.

Q: What if we only have Canadian sales, not broken out by province?

A:  We have agreement in our plan to represent British Columbia sales as a percentage of all Canadian sales; this being 13 percent for British Columbia.

Q: How will the recovery rates be determined? Why must recovery rates be determined?

A:  A requirement of the regulations is to report Recovery Rates of product subject to the Regulation.  This Recovery Rate will be calculated as the percentage of product recycled compared to the product introduced into the market place.

The estimates of recoverable OPE are relatively small compared to other stewardship programs. The OPEI-CTF estimates that approximately 30,000 electric-powered OPEs are retired every year in British Columbia, or approximately 150 to 200 tonnes.

Q:  How will the recovery rates be determined?

A: Data will be collected and reported to the Product Care Association (PCA) by the steel recycling companies as to the amount of outdoor power equipment collected for recycling.  The amount of product introduced into the market will be reported monthly to PCA.  PCA will use this data to calculate the recycling rates.

Q:  What about fuel powered products?

A: The Stewardship Plan requires a two-year study of fuel (gas) powered products to analyze the level of existing recycling rates and the potential for these products to be disposed in landfills.  This study will commence in 2013.

Results of this fuel-powered products study will be used to determine if any regulatory action is warranted for these products.

Further information on fuel-powered products will be communicated at a later time.

Q:  Will an Environmental Handling Fee (EHF) be imposed on fuel-powered products?

A: It is not the intent of the Stewardship Plan to impose an EHF on fuel-powered products.  The EHF will be collected on electric products only.

Q:  Who will collect the EHF?

A: The EHF will be collected by the retailers at the point of sale to the consumer.  The EHF will show on the sales ticket as a separate item.

The EHF applies to all battery and corded outdoor power equipment.

Q:  Why should we provide a list of Retailers, Dealers, Distributors, etc?

A: The Retailers, Dealers and Distributors have a responsibility to charge, recover and submit the EHF to the Program.  To protect our Retailers, Dealers and Distributors and to insure they operate properly within the regulatory requirements, we must communicate to them the information they require to comply with the requirements of the program.  This includes having the proper rate structure for the EHF and insuring they properly implement and submit these.

Alexandria, Va. – January 24, 2012 – This year’s winter season may be off to an uneven start, but winter storms and other natural disasters and emergencies can take homeowners by surprise anytime.  The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), an association representing outdoor power equipment, utility vehicle and engine manufacturers and suppliers, recommends that homeowners have certain equipment on hand to cope with unexpected weather or public health emergencies.

First aid emergency kits and general preparedness kits for power outages and flu outbreaks are commonplace. But, OPEI’s Kris Kiser, President and CEO, recommends that homeowners “make sure they have a basic assortment of outdoor power or utility equipment on hand to stay safe and self-sufficient during an emergency.”

The equipment checklist below helps homeowners assess their preparedness for an unexpected weather event or other emergency – and offers some safety tips:

1. Pole saws or pruners can help clear away dead or damaged limbs near your home or on your driveway. Make sure you always keep a firm footing on the ground when using such equipment. Do not use a ladder, and stay away from electrical conductors.
2. A chain saw can help clear away trees and more massive limbs, but first read and understand the instruction manual and ensure equipment is in good condition. Do not work around power lines, since they can be the biggest threat to safety.
3. Power generators can keep the lights on, refrigerators running and water flowing in an emergency.  Do not operate power generators, however, in enclosed areas. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can become concentrated in enclosed areas and cause serious injury or death.
4. Snow throwers/snow blowers come in handy for significant snow events and are easier than shoveling for those who have medical conditions.  Be sure to read your operator’s manual and dress warmly to guard against exposure.
5. Chippers and shredders help ease the physical hardship of post-storm cleanup.  Keep bystanders, pets, and children at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop the machine if anyone enters the area.
6. Utility vehicles may seem like a luxury, but if you are in storm-prone areas of the country, they can be an important piece of equipment to help move branches, haul sandbags or maneuver through areas inaccessible to other vehicles.

Editors’ Notes: Consumers may find a list of safety tips for outdoor power equipment athttp://www.opei.org/education/safety/.  For a gallery of equipment photos, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/75023139@N03/

About OPEI

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) is an international trade association representing more than 80 engine and equipment manufacturers worldwide in the utility, forestry, landscape, and lawn and garden industry. OPEI is a recognized Standards Development Organization for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and active internationally through the International Standards Organization (ISO) in the development of safety standards. For more information, visit www.OPEI.org.

Some of the Simplest Ideas Make the Greatest Products

Hello, I’m the creator of a new lawn product called “Sprinkler Buddy”. As a lawn care professional, it’s only fitting that I have been blessed with one of the simplest ideas yet and most effective lawn sprinkler head indicator/guard found on the market today.

Since the invention of the underground sprinkler system, we have dealt with accidental damage to our sprinkler heads caused from the lawn mower tires, etc… during routine lawn maintenance.

The Sprinkler Buddy idea came to me out of a necessity. I realized the only way I was going to be able to avoid running sprinkler heads over with my heavy commercial mower tires, etc…was to know exactly where the sprinkler heads were. I had to be able to see them as I approached them on my mower. That is exactly what the Sprinkler Buddy does; it keeps the sprinkler heads visible. By doing so, this allows homeowners and lawn care professionals that work around sprinkler heads the time they need to see and avoid them by either mowing around them or straddling them with the mower tires. Once both the sprinkler head and the Sprinkler Buddy have both been installed properly, one can mow right over them without running them over with the mower tires because now they are visible.

The patented insert design of the Sprinkler Buddy, combined with the flexible material which is used in making this product is what makes this such an effective product. With all the different sprinkler head manufactures and different models each manufacture makes, it has been impossible to get an indicator/guard that fits them all perfectly.

Until Now!

The Sprinkler Buddy allows the user to determine the perfect fit unlike all other similar products found on the market today. Others similar products have a fixed or predetermined insert which claim that it’s a one size fits all. That’s like saying an adult’s coat sized XXL is a one size fits all since a child can put it on as well.

The Sprinkler Buddy is the only product that allows the user to obtain the fit they need when, where, and how they need it in four easy steps: Measure, Cut, Insert, and Install.

To learn more about the Sprinkler Buddy, visit us @ http://www.sprinklerbuddy.com

Contact us via e-mail at our website as well if you should have any further questions.

I would also like to thank this blog for allowing RyRo, Inc. to be a guest and share our new product “Sprinkler Buddy” with its viewers.

Thank You!

Leo D. Gauthier, III, Pres.

Stepping on a carpet of fresh green grass, not everybody notices how beautiful a lawn is and can be; yet a poorly maintained lawn will easily invite criticisms and annoyance. When the grass is too high, walking will be hard and pests will be invited in. Accidents can happen, especially when there are kids who always come out and play. When the grass loses its green, the garden is stripped of lush and gives off an atmosphere of drought and melancholy.

Yet a beautiful and well-maintained lawn gives a color of life to any garden. You can walk in anytime you need some peaceful time to think. Kids have a soft carpet of grass to run and play on. You have a good and fresh place to exercise, play, do yoga, have a picnic or simply sit or lie down—there, out in the open, under the fluffy clouds or the twinkling stars.

For all its worth, keeping a well-maintained lawn is important, not just for the joy, comfort and beauty that it brings, but also for safety. Here are some tips to get you started:

Feeding your lawn

The balanced diet

There are different types of lawn food and fertilizers: organic, chemical, liquid and dry. Whatever you choose, just remember to keep the perfect balance of the N:P:K ratio. Check the lawn food label. Nitrogen (N) makes the leaves glow green, Phosphorous (P) strengthens the roots and makes them grow deep and have a good grip of the ground, and Potassium (K) makes the grass more resistant to diseases and drought. Choose a fertilizer that enhances growth in all three areas. A good pick is an “all rounder” with 11N, 4P and 8K.

Remember the balance. Too much nitrogen will make the soil more acidic and earthworms, which aid in making your soil healthy, will leave or die. If you opt to use sulphate of ammonia, make sure to give your lawn organic fertilizer in the next feeding.

How to feed your lawn

1. Aerate the soil if it is too compacted. Use a garden fork to create space for better fertilizer and water penetration.
2. Remove weeds, especially those with large leaves. They will compete with your grass for nutrients. Patch holes with lawn dressing or sand. If weeds are too hard to remove, use lawn food with herbicide. Make sure to choose one that won’t kill your grass too.
3. Plan your route to make sure you don’t miss or double fertilizer application in an area. You can either divide your lawn into rows or quarters. Use strings or the hose as guide.
4. Use a spreader for powdered or granular fertilizer. Plastic pots with drainage holes make good alternatives.
5. Water properly. Depending on the fertilizer you use, you have to water your lawn either before or after the application of food. Always follow instructions.

Preparing for season changes

Especially in areas with four seasons, extreme weather conditions can affect the health of your lawn. Summers can be too hot and winters can be too cold for them to withstand. For that, it is best to “feed” your lawn during friendlier seasons.

Nourish your lawn during spring to prepare for summer. Choose organic lawn food with natural products such as seaweed, animal manure, fish and rock minerals. These will make your lawn more resistant to diseases, drought, patchiness, moss and weeds. There are also granular fertilizers and lawn food that are slow release, which means that they release nutrients slowly to allow the lawn to survive through the drier and warmer months.

You can also feed them fertilizer that is higher in Nitrogen (N) during spring, when leaf growth is at its best. In autumn, you can feed food with more Potassium (K) to toughen the roots in preparation for winter.

Lawn Maintenance

1. Remove thatch. Thatch refers to a layer of dead grass that collects on top of the soil and prevent moisture and air from reaching the roots. If you walk through your lawn and feel something spongy, it’s probably a thatch buildup. Remove it with a de-thatcher or scarifier.

2. Aerate your soil. Lawns where people often walk on or where cars are usually parked are prone to having compacted soil. Soil pores are clogged and water, food and air can’t get in. Use tools such as garden forks to loosen the soil again. Some hire corers for bigger lawns. Do this at least once a year.

3. Keep dressing your lawn. Over time, there can be bald or damaged parts on your lawn. Use sandy loam or soil mix to patch them up.

4. Always check your soil’s acidity with a pH kit. The ideal acidity is around 6-6.5. The pH meter measures 1-14, 1 being most acidic. Apply treatments as necessary.

5. Mow your lawn properly and regularly. The frequency depends on the rate of your lawn’s growth. Just remember not to remove more than 1/3 of its height. Choose quality lawn mowers and make sure all lawn mower parts are properly installed. Always keep the blades high to avoid scalping the grass.

6. Water properly. Check with your local water authority for policies and restrictions in your area. You can use a hose, sprinkler system or watering can, depending on the size of your lawn and area regulations.

Becoming an expert at lawn maintenance takes time, effort, experience and passion. Even beginners and moderate gardeners like you can eventually become experts as long as you keep learning, even from your own mistakes. The accumulated lessons from your experiences in maintaining and caring for your lawn will eventually shape a good gardener out of you. And with your growth as a gardener is the growth of your lawn with flaunting health and beauty.

Author Bio:

Penelope Carrington is a Marketing Consultant for J. Thomas, a leading supplier in lawn mower parts, gardening tools, and landscaping materials.

Another Good Read Organic Lawn Care – Naturally

This article will be a good primer for anyone that wants to propagate plants over the winter…in fact winter propagation is one of the best times for woody plants.  Are you a business that wants to double their stock?  A savvy homeowner that wants to maintain their frugal ways?  Or are you just bored and need something to do over the winter?  Then keep on reading.

Hardwood Cuttings are by far the best way to start most deciduous plants; althea (rose of sharon), chaenomeles (quince), crepe myrtle, currant, fig, forsythia, gooseberry, grape, honeysuckle, ligustrum (privet), mulberry, multiflora rose, philadelphus (mock orange), pomegranate, spiraea and wisteria.

The first step of the process is to find a healthy host / stock plant that you can multiply and multiply and multiply and eventually take over the world….muhahahaha!  Ahem, anyways, it is very important to find a healthy host plant free from disease, insects, or any other ailing problems.  We are going to need a healthy gene pool here.

Choose your cuttings after the leaves have fallen and all of the energy has been stored in the plant.  Say away from old wood and frail new wood.  You want something in the middle, good and sturdy.  Harvest 6-12 good stalks taking note of the top and the bottom.  Easy way to keep track is to cut the tops at an angle and the bottoms flat.  Make sure to use sharp clean pruners and not to crush the cuts.  When you have your harvest material tie them together (jute twine will work) making sure the bottoms are all even with each other.

Now there are two options here…depends on your climate.

Our winters are cool like dat (not much snow if any, but a definite season change)

The most important part of this method of propagation is to create calluses development.  To do this, dig a hole 12-to-18 inches deep in sandy or well-drained soil in a sunny location and place the bundles of hardwood cuttings into this pit. Place them top end down, so that the bases of the cuttings are about four inches below the soil surface. This promotes root initiation at the cuttings base and inhibits bud formation at the top. Fill in the pit, leaving a shallow basin over the ends of the cutting to channel water and keep the cuttings moist (important).

Our winters are so cold my pug needs to wear booties (too much snow and too cold to care about anything or anyone)

In area’s with severely cold winters, wrap the cuttings in moist burlap and store them in a cellar or cold frame at 32-to-40F. After winter storage, when you see that there is callus formation, lift the bundles and wash and untie them. (Protect cuttings with moist burlap so that the callus tissue does not dry). Then, set the callused cuttings (top end up) directly in a propagation bed or container so that half or two to three buds of each cutting are above the soil surface. Firm the soil around the cuttings and water to eliminate air pockets and assure good contact between the cuttings and the soil.

In warm winter climates, callus may develop in four to eight weeks. In fact, some species won’t need to be stored to develop callus. Cut leafless stems of rose, abelia, bridal wreath, privet and other plants into 8-to-10-inch lengths and set them directly in the propagation bed or container.

So there ya go, just a taste of what you can try out.  Tell us your propagation stories (legal ones) and how they worked out for you.  Did you find this article useful?  Please comment.

Source – Richard Murphy (me) and some information from Joe Freeman as I couldn’t have written it any better.

Here are a few courses that I have heard about and have taken (landscape Ontario).  Please list any continuing education courses you have taken or can refer for others.

Rutgers Landscape and Grounds Maintenance Courses

Rutgers has a FREE Pest identification webinar coming up that you can register for here.  Course date is December 20, 2011 1:30pm – 2:30pm EST.

http://www.cpe.rutgers.edu/programs/landscape.html (New Jersey)

Ryerson University Landscape Design

The Certificate in Landscape Design is a widely recognized and unique program located in the heart of Toronto, one of Canada’s premier cities. The program delivers fundamental courses in landscape design with emphasis on design, design process, plant materials, horticulture, graphics as a language, construction, landscape ecology, history, and more. Courses are delivered through interactive lectures and enhanced with valuable local field trips.

http://ce-online.ryerson.ca/ce/default.aspx?id=2593 (ON, Canada)

Landscape Ontario Seminars

There are plenty of career opportunities in the field of horticulture. Landscape Ontario has worked closely with the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU), to provide education at the high school, college and university levels that give individuals the skills they need for a successful career in the industry.

http://www.horttrades.com/seminars/ (ON, Canada) (ON, Canada)

Garden Design School

Garden Design School was founded in the UK in 2002, and is recognized there as one of the top training schools in landscape design. In 2009, Garden Design School opened its doors at Boylston, MA to bring its highly successful landscape design career training program to the USA

http://www.gardendesignschool.com/