What is the scope of your work?
Our work is always challenging due to the great variety of environments we work with. We look after 102 parks, 85-plus miles of maintained road right of ways, golf courses, recreation centers, athletic fields, and many other parks-related facilities. From a horticultural standpoint, the bulk of our operations is focused on landscape maintenance...
What is the business of BlueTarp Financial?
We help companies grow and protect their business with credit management for their commercial customers. We offer fast, predictable cash flow, full-service billing and collections, risk protection and online tools for you and your customers. You can customize your credit program to fit your business, such as choosing how often you get paid...
So, what are some trends in the green industry? One big one I’d say these days is change. Change is inevitable—even in a down-home industry like horticulture. I’m lucky enough to be able to draw on several generations of experiences in the nursery business to gain perspective on how quickly things can change.
In the late ‘60s and early ‘70s,...
A common question from customers, both retail and landscape contractors, is “Why are trees so expensive?” On the surface, it is a difficult question to answer, because most of us in the industry think trees are too cheap! From acorn to sellable size, an oak tree can take eight years to grow. When calculating the associated labor, water, and...
Scaling from dissolved and suspended solids in irrigation water reduces the efficiency of greenhouse irrigation systems. Water deposits and biofilms inside pipes reduce water flow and often clog irrigation emitters (Fig.1). These biofilms are best described as a slimy buildup of bacteria and fungi on surfaces. Biofilms are common problems on greenhouse plants, plant racks, walls, floors, and cooling...
As owners of nurseries, we all have certain requirements to operate our business—land, water, financial resources, etc. We plan for these and acquire them as necessary in order to function.
One important element we all need now, and in the future, is a constant, reliable source of skilled and motivated labor. This topic has been at the forefront of my...
In its 38th year of business, Jared’s Nursery has customers who are the third generation in their families to come through the garden center doors. It is not uncommon for staff to hear stories from customers about how they shopped there with their parents and grandparents when they were children.
While they no doubt came during the spring to buy...
From Pinnacol Assurance
Colorado workers’ compensation laws were passed in 1915, but many business owners are unaware of the regulations that are unique to our state. While many workers’ comp laws are similar across state lines, it’s helpful to have an understanding of the regulations and benefit eligibility. Here are five little-known facts about our state’s rules and regulations:
1) There’s...
PEOPLE – OUR GREATEST RESOURCE
By Leon Cerna, SPHR, President, HR Advantage Group
We all experience change. This time of year, kids are returning to school and the weather is beginning to cool down. Just as you adjust to the season personally, by buying new school clothes and resetting sleeping habits, it’s important to understand what you may need to do...
How long have you been growing trees?
We started our family business kind of as a fluke. Back in 1999, a man asked us if we could grow 300 aspens, and if so, he’d buy them. Having the land and water available, we said, “Sure, why not?” Well, we kept our end of the deal, but he didn’t — we were stuck...
