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The National Association of Landscape Professionals Foundation is excited to announce its new partnership with STIHL Inc. for the expansion of the Foundation’s online learning experience Landscape Design Empire on the Roblox platform.

With sponsorship from STIHL Inc., the Landscape Design Empire launched an updated version on November 22, introducing a host of new features and gameplay elements, including a virtual STIHL dealership, on-avatar items, landscaping equipment, tools, and vehicles, along with interactive quests and mini-games that showcase STIHL’s industry-leading equipment. The update also includes new landscape jobs and plant options. 

This latest update is part of the Foundation’s larger mission to engage younger generations and promote career paths in landscaping and lawn care. Since launching in March, the game has attracted over 57,000 unique players, with 70% of users aged 12 and under, a testament to its appeal among younger audiences.

“Our goal with Landscape Design Empire has always been to connect young people with the world of landscaping in a way that’s fun, educational, and inspiring,” said Jenn Myers, Executive Director of the NALP Foundation. “With STIHL’s support, we’re able to expand the game’s offerings, creating a more immersive and hands-on experience. This partnership is a tremendous step forward in our mission to build awareness and excitement around careers in this field.”

Roger Phelps of STIHL shared, “STIHL is thrilled to partner with the NALP Foundation on this groundbreaking project. For more than 20 years STIHL has supported the development of the next generation of landscape professional through NALP’s National Collegiate Landscape Competition. Through Landscape Design Empire, we are helping the profession connect with young people even earlier and in a way that inspires creativity, teamwork, and a deeper understanding of the landscape profession.  We’re proud to support the NALP Foundation in building another bridge to the future of our industry.”

The NALP Foundation continues to seek partnerships with organizations interested in supporting the game’s development and expanding the reach of Landscape Design Empire. Future opportunities for sponsors will allow players to experience branded content, special events, and additional interactive features that showcase different facets of the landscape industry.

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While the No. 1 seed Mississippi State Women’s Soccer team gears up to take on Washington in this weekend’s second round of the NCAA tournament, another team also has worked hard all season, ensuring the field is ready for these pivotal moments.

Be on the lookout for more from the Mississippi State athletic field maintenance team in the June 2025 Issue of Turf!

Check out the video below to see what the MSU grounds crew has been doing to ensure all players are safe and ready to compete.

Click here for a recent Turf post: The Next Generation of Lawn Care: Landscape and Sports Field Maintenance.

Learn more about MSU’s golf and sports turf management program at https://www.pss.msstate.edu/students/gstm/php.

Visit MSU Women’s Soccer online at https://hailstate.com/sports/womens-soccer.

Winter weather can be unpredictable, but with the right equipment and attachments, you can stay ahead of the storm. This quiz will test your knowledge of snow management and safety features designed to tackle cold weather conditions.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, take this quiz to see how well you know the tools of the trade and how to use them effectively for winter challenges.

Some aerators are built with integrated broadcast seeders, enabling aeration and overseeding to be performed simultaneously. (Image: Z Turf Equipment)

By Jamie Ware
From the October 2024 Issue

With fall upon us across the country, it’s time to turn our attention from mowing to cleanup and maintenance to prepare turf for the winter to come. As the days grow shorter, it’s often one of the busiest times of the year, so it pays to have your cleanup and maintenance process dialed. Then, you can make the most of this brief but profitable season.

For contractors looking to expand beyond mowing and cleanup, here’s a guide to potential services to recommend to clients this fall.

Dethatching

While a thick, lush lawn is the goal, too much thatch can kill a lawn. For lawns with more than a half-inch thatch layer, dethatching uses tines or blades to reduce the thatch layer. This allows the remaining turf to have more access to air and water, which will help lead to an overall healthier lawn.

It’s important to choose the right time of year to dethatch a lawn based on the turf type. Fall and spring are typically good times to dethatch cool season turf varieties, while spring dethatching tends to work better for warm season turf.

(Photo: Adobe Stock/stenkovlad)

Dethatching should be done while the lawn is actively growing, not heat stressed or dormant. The turf should also be relatively cool and dry when dethatching takes place. While homeowners will often use a thick-bladed dethatching rake, most contractors use dedicated dethatchers or will dethatch as a part of the overseeding process (discussed below).

Aeration

Soil compaction can prevent a lawn from reaching its full beauty, as the compacted soil blocks vital air, water and nutrients from reaching the roots of the turf. Aeration helps lawns thrive by relieving compaction that can occur from heavy foot traffic, kids playing, or simply due to the composition of the soil itself.

Regardless of turf type, most lawns can benefit from annual core aeration. The practice of pulling plugs of soil up from the ground relieves compaction in the soil. Like dethatching, aeration helps break down an excessive thatch layer, but aeration takes the benefit even deeper by letting air, water and nutrients easily reach all the way down to the root zone of the turf. Not only is this good for overall lawn health on its own, but aeration can also increase the effectiveness of a subsequent fertilizer or overseeding application.

As a general rule of thumb, aeration can typically be performed in the fall on most cool season turf types, while spring or early summer is best for warm season turf. The turf should be actively growing and not dormant when you aerate.

Aeration equipment falls into one of two categories — core or spike — which refer to the type of tines they drive into the ground. Core aerators have rows of hollow tines that are driven into the ground to remove plugs from the soil. The plugs are then expelled onto the lawn.

Spike aerators are typically less expensive and aerate by simply driving spikes into the grass. This is generally considered less effective, as they don’t go as deep, and they can further compact soil because they aren’t removing cores from the ground.

While there are a wide range of aerator options, stand-on aerators are the most popular option among landscape professionals. Their productivity, ease-of-use and portability make them the most productive, profitable option.

Overseeding

For lawns that aren’t thriving or have bare spots, overseeding can considerably improve the density of the turf. As mentioned above, overseeding can be done after dethatching or aeration to get seed closer to the soil. Since seed-to-soil contact is essential for successful seed germination, this is a very good thing. 

In Summary

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, give your business the upper hand by providing the additional lawn care services your customers want and need. Aeration, dethatching and overseeding tend to be some of the more profitable services too, so it’s a win-win situation. We’ve just scratched the surface on each of these topics, but there are plenty of resources online that can help you learn more.

Resources

University of Nebraska, Lincoln Turfgrass Sciences

Crop Science Society of America

Jamie Ware is a product manager for Z Turf Equipment and Exmark. With more than a decade of green industry experience, Jamie is responsible for distilling the feedback and needs of Z Turf Equipment customers and developing lawn care equipment that meets their needs.

Do you have a comment? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below, or send an e-mail to the Managing Editor at jessica@groupc.com.

Oldcastle APG, a CRH Company, has acquired a controlling interest in Yardzen, the leading online landscape design and build platform. The addition of Yardzen enhances Oldcastle APG’s existing design capabilities and strengthens its commitment to utilizing innovative digital technologies that bring solutions together for customers to Live Well Outside.

“At Oldcastle APG, we are continually looking for ways to improve our customer experience and offer innovative solutions that connect a strong portfolio of outdoor living products,” said Tim Ortman, President, Oldcastle APG. “Having partnered with the company last year, we are excited for this next chapter with Yardzen, a fellow innovator and digital pioneer, as we look to expand our digital footprint and provide even more resources to designers, contractors and homeowners seeking premium outdoor living solutions.”

Founded in 2018 by Allison Messner and Adam Messner, Yardzen has pioneered a new approach to outdoor renovation through technology that simplifies the process for homeowners and contractors, alike. The revolutionary digital landscape design and build platform enables homeowners to learn more about their options and easily secure custom designs, augmenting Oldcastle APG’s suite of digital design solutions for decking, hardscapes, fencing, and more.

“This is an accelerator for our company’s growth, and we are excited to see what Yardzen’s future holds with Oldcastle APG,” said Allison Messner, who will continue to lead Yardzen as CEO. “We look forward to helping even more outdoor professionals and homeowners bring their visions to life.”

Facilitated by CRH’s venture capital unit, this investment is another key step in the Group’s strategy to leverage the latest digital technologies and provide a complete collection of outdoor living solutions and services to customers across North America.

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Photo Credit: Oldcastle APG/Yardzen

Progressive Insurance® has announced the launch of its newest safety feature, Accident Response, to afford customers peace of mind and connect them with emergency or tow services should the unexpected happen on the road.

Countrywide access to the feature comes as the winter season approaches, creating additional hazards on the road for much of the country. According to the Federal Highway Administration, 70% of roads in the United States are in snowy areas prone to conditions that reduce vehicle maneuverability and increase the risk of a crash. Furthermore, more than 116,800 people are injured in vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy or icy pavement annually with nearly 76,000 people getting injured in vehicle crashes during snowfall or sleet (FHWA).

With driver safety and innovation at the heart of Progressive’s offerings, Accident Response provides personal auto customers using the Progressive app with an added layer of protection. The optional feature within the app uses phone sensors to detect when a customer may have been in a major accident. If a crash is detected, Progressive will reach out to the driver to see if help is needed. The driver can then quickly and easily request emergency services or a tow truck through the app or with a live agent. If they don’t respond, and the accident appears severe, emergency services will be dispatched to the crash location. If tow or emergency services are requested, Progressive will automatically submit a claim on the customer’s behalf.

“Progressive has always put safety at the forefront of our services, creating new innovations with the needs of our customers in mind,” said Jim Haas, Progressive Business Leader for Personal Lines Telematics. “Accident Response offers Progressive customers peace of mind by connecting them with the help they need after an accident and quickly starting the process to get them back on the road.”

Accident Response is an optional feature within the Progressive app. There is no charge for downloading the app or using the Accident Response feature. The cost for provided services such as ambulance or tow are subject to the coverage purchased under a customer’s personal auto policy.

*Accident Response is not available in California and is not available in all situations.

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Compiled by Turf Staff
From the October 2024 Issue

From mowers to concrete pavers, here’s a selection of professional lawn care and landscaping products that were on display at the Equip Exposition held this past October at the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC) in Louisville, Kentucky. Next year’s Equip Expo will take place October 21-24, 2025.

EGO LMX5300SP

EGO’s first walk behind mower targeting landscaping professionals is the new LMX5300SP Commercial 22” Aluminum Deck Lawn Mower. The battery-powered LMX5300SP features a 1,600W motor—230cc gas equivalent—that delivers 14’-pounds of torque for best-in-class power, gas or cordless. Featuring Peak Power™ technology, which combines the power of two EGO 56V ARC Lithium™ batteries, the LMX5300SP delivers up to 120 minutes of runtime. It has a durable cast aluminum deck with dual height adjustment points across eight settings. Other features include an IPX5 weather rating, an LED user interface, and 2.5-bushel grass bagger.

Takeuchi TCR50-2 Crawler Dumper

Weighing 14,440 lbs. with a 118HP engine, Takeuchi’s TCR50-2 crawler dumper offers a 65° dumping angle and 8,157 lb. maximum load weight. It allows operators to carry up to 2.7 cubic yards of material while rotating and dumping it in a single cycle. The TCR50-2’s ability to rotate its dump bed 180° reduces the need to constantly reposition and deterioration of its tracks. The operator’s station features a 5.7” multi-information color display with standard 180° rearview camera, hydraulic joystick controls, adjustable suspension seat, AC, and radio with USB functionality. Hydraulic pilot controls deliver smooth operation for travel and dump body functions. Takeuchi’s Fleet Management (TFM) telematics system is standard on the TCR50-2.

John Deere Z380R Electric ZTrak™ Zero-Turn Mower

The newest addition to the lineup of John Deere residential zero-turn mowers, the Z380R Electric ZTrak™ builds on the success of the Z370R Electric ZTrak™ and is designed to provide customers with even greater performance and enhanced convenience. The Z380R Electric ZTrak™ is equipped with dual lithium-ion batteries that provide a longer runtime, allowing it to mow up to 3.5 acres on a single charge, depending on the conditions. This model also features advanced MulchControl™ technology as an optional upgrade, which helps reduce grass clippings and delivers a cleaner, healthier lawn. In addition, its robust design includes large front and side frame rails, contributing to the mower’s durability and performance. The Z380R Electric eliminates the need for gas, oil changes, filters, and belts, making upkeep easier and reducing the time spent on maintenance. This allows operators to get to work faster and stay up and running longer.

Ignite Attachments Angle Broom

Ignite Attachments has added to its growing lineup of direct-to-you products with a new angle broom attachment for skid steers and compact track loaders. The attachment’s revolutionary 22.5” operating height offers the best sightlines on the market for safer, more efficient operation. Features such as a fully reversible drum with individually replaceable polycarbonate bristle wafers, zinc-coated pins and drum carrier components and a motor-protecting guard make for industry-leading dependability and fast ROI. The angle broom is available in working widths of 72” or 84” with a manual or hydraulic angling option and universal harness, making it a versatile and budget-conscious option for landscapers, snow removal and construction professionals, government and municipal organizations, and even homeowners.

Greene County Fertilizer Hydr8 MRG™

Hydr8 MRG (Moisture Retaining Granular) from Greene County Fertilizer is a soil surfactant and wetting agent engineered to enrich soil biology, capture, and distribute water more evenly, enhance nutrient absorption, optimize soil structure, and promote the well-being of plants. Enriched with a blend of soil-stimulating ingredients, this product offers versatile benefits throughout the entire growing season. Whether you are preparing turf for fall dormancy, alleviating stress during challenging summer periods, or kick-starting nutrient mineralization in the spring, Hydr8 MRG is a reliable solution.

525V-42 Zero-Turn Mower

The 525V-42 from Grasshopper Mowers is one of the fastest, most economical out-front mowers in its class. Its out-front design allows the deck to float independently from the tractor, hugging every curve and contour of the ground for the smoothest cut possible. Featuring a 25-hp Briggs & Stratton CXi V-Twin engine and True ZeroTurn™ maneuverability, the 525V is loaded with power and performance. The low-profile 42” deck is ideal for reaching under low-hanging obstacles, and the narrow cutting width allows it to fit through tight gates. The 525V is equipped with the PowerFold® Electric Deck Lift which raises the deck to a near-vertical position for space-saving storage and easier blade maintenance. When paired with the PowerVac™ Collection System, this mower transforms into a powerful, maneuverable piece of grass-catching, leaf-collecting equipment.

Altoz XP 610 RDi

The new XP 610 RDi from Altoz is based on the proven XP HD platform, featuring a rear discharge deck to deliver a quality cut. Strategically placed internal baffles lift grass and disperse it efficiently and evenly to the rear of the mower, ensuring debris stays off walkways, driveways, and roads. The XP 610 RDi is powered by Kawasaki’s 29.5 HP 852 cc FX EFI engine. It features Electronic Fuel-Injection for easy starting and increased fuel efficiency. Paired with the responsive Hydro-Gear ZT-4400 hydrostatic transmission, the XP RDi model can reach up to 11MPH. The XP’s 14-gallon gas capacity allows for extended mowing time. Operator comfort starts with the 12-way adjustability of the high-back suspension seat with armrests. Standard flat-free front tires eliminate downtime. The rugged TorqFlex front suspension ensures a smooth ride, reducing operator fatigue.

Vanguard 300

The Vanguard 300 is ideal for a diverse range of applications, including high-pressure pumps and pressure washers, generators and hydraulic power packs, wood splitters and chippers, leaf vacuums and blowers, concrete trowels, saws, trenchers and more. It offers many optimizations, including advanced starting, extended maintenance intervals and improved cold-weather starting. The engine’s mechanical compression release and choke are optimized for improved cold-weather starting down to 0°F. Operators will benefit from reliable starting and smooth-running operation over a wide range of loads thanks to the optimized carburetor. The Vanguard 300 engine features exclusive TransportGuard® technology with a3-in-1 control lever that integrates a single-action fuel and ignition shut-off switch to prevent the mixing of fuel and oil during transport. The 300’s Cyclonic Air Filtration doubles equipment air-filter replacement intervals to 600 hours, helping to cut down on maintenance and improve equipment uptime. The innovative self-cleaning technology is designed to catch more debris and keep particles moving.

KIOTI SL750 Skid Steer Loader

Designed to lift, push and power through rigorous demands, the SL750 from KIOTI boasts a 10.8’ height-to-hinge pin and vertical lift path. Operators can easily load and unload materials into taller trucks and dumpers. Field-tested and proven across a range of applications, the 74HP KIOTI diesel engine delivers consistent power and reliability, providing added confidence when tackling tough jobs. The hydraulic pilot joystick controls offer ultimate maneuverability, delivering superior “featherability” and finite control. The SL750 features a wide cabin, available with a standard open-station design or optional enclosed cab with AC/heating for added comfort. The standard roll-up-style door allows for easy entrance and exit.

M18 FUEL™ Short Pole Hedge Trimmer

The M18 FUEL™ Short Pole Hedge Trimmer provides the power to cut 1” branches, has a lightweight design for quick shaping, and more maneuverability for clean cuts. It features 20” double sided blades for faster, more aggressive cutting in addition to a balanced design. The Short Pole Hedge Trimmer includes a tip guard to prevent damage to the blade and surrounding work area and grip & bail handle grip for optimal hand placement and increased comfort.

Papyrus™ by Belgard

Papyrus concrete pavers are the newest texture of Belgard’s modular paver line. It is a three-piece system that effortlessly blends with Origins™ stone textured pavers, Dimensions™ smooth face pavers, and other regionally available modular systems. It provides more design flexibility and creativity, making it simple to mix and match pavers to suit any clients’ style and vision, while also reducing costs, waste, and installation timing. Two trend-forward color options of Papyrus are offered nationally – Scandina Grey and Sepia.

STIHL AZA 760

Launching in Spring 2025, the STIHL AZA 760 battery-powered mower offers optimal power and professional-grade performance. The AZA 700 series is available with either a 48”, 52”, or 60” deck. The mower can cover up to 21 acres on a single charge. Powered by a cutting-edge 24 kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery, the AZA 760 offers significant savings on fuel and maintenance, while delivering up to 8 hours of run time. Its 60” cutting deck covers expansive areas quickly and can reach 14 MPH. Three blade speeds help ensure precise, powerful cuts, providing a superior mowing experience that matches the job at hand. The AZA 760 features LTE connectivity, GPS, and color touchscreen, giving professionals real-time data and control. Users can easily switch between stand-on and walk-behind modes for versatile performance across different tasks.

Read more Get Equipped features here.

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Think you know how long a commercial zero-turn mower should last and how to keep it running smoothly? Test your knowledge of mower lifespan and maintenance best practices with this quick quiz.