Invasive iguanas are becoming more widespread in southern Florida and Texas and are also located in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As an invasive species, they not only compromise natural ecosystems, but their potential to wreak havoc on lawn and landscapes is truly significant. Invasive & Destructive Invasive iguanas—of which there are three including the green iguana, black spiny tail iguana, and Mexican spiny tail iguana—were introduced to the area during the pet trade in the early 1960’s. Originally from central and south America, they found our environment to be co ..read more

Fairway continues its expansion in Central Florida with the addition of Dr. Jack’s. This will strengthen not only its lawn care business but also its pest control offering. Founded more than 50 years ago in 1972 by Dr. Jack Reinhardt, Dr. Jack’s is a recognized name for pest control and lawn care in the Orlando area.  Jack’s sons, Rick and Jim, have run the business for 20+ years, growing and expanding their father’s legacy. Photo courtesy of Fairway CEO Greg Harbison states, “Dr. Jack’s exemplifies Fairway’s values of service excellence and employee culture. Rick and Jim have grown their ..read more

John Deere, with the help of San Francisco 49er’s quarterback Brock Purdy, has launched an epic hunt for the company’s first-ever Chief Tractor Officer (CTO)! To qualify, you must be a witty, charismatic content creator who is ready to help the JD brand celebrate farmers, contractors, groundskeepers, and brand fans. Picture it: You’re making stops at some of the most iconic stadiums and sporting landmarks, capturing the perfect striping in the outfield. Another day, you’re at Yellowstone National Park creating a #DayInTheLife maintaining the most scenic roads in America. It’s all in a day’s w ..read more

The employee-owners of PBI-Gordon Corporation have announced that Matthew Crowther, Sean Lehr, and Chris Quinlan have joined the company as sales representatives. According to Tim Demerath, vice president of sales for PBI-Gordon Corporation, “Matthew, Sean, and Chris bring a wealth of technical knowledge to PBI-Gordon. We are thrilled to have them on our team and are confident our customers will not only benefit from their expertise but also from their ability to foster deep relationships with our partners.” Matthew Crowther Matthew Crowther Matthew Crowther will manage all sales initiatives f ..read more

By Christine Menapace From the April 2024 Issue   When it comes to specifying landscape plants, most of us start with the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Based on the average annual extreme minimum Winter temperature, displayed as 10˚F zones and 5˚F half zones, the Map is the standard by which one can determine which perennial plants are most likely to thrive at a location. In fact, an updated Map (the first since 2012) was just released this past November — with about half of the country shifting to the next warmer half zone. The 2023 map is based on 30-year averages and includes data mea ..read more

WAC Lighting has announced the promotion of Becky Li to President, following the retirement of former President Dirk Wald. Tony Wang will continue his role as Chairman of WAC. WAC Lighting Chairman Tony Wang and President Becky Li Wang, WAC founder, commends Becky Li, stating, “Becky has always been an integral and dedicated executive at our firm. With her wealth of experience in senior executive roles and adept strategic planning skills, we are confident in her ability to lead. We look forward to watching Becky at the helm as we continue to prepare this company for exponential growth.” In her ..read more

The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) has announced the launch of its new Elite Partner Program, a prestigious partnership with leading industry brands that demonstrate exceptional commitment to the success and growth of landscape professionals. The inaugural group of Elite Partners includes: Aspire in the software solutions category, Caterpillar in the construction category, Stanley Black & Decker in the mowing category, and STIHL in the handheld tools category. The NALP Elite Partner Program signifies a new chapter in the association’s commitment to fostering collab ..read more

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

By Brandy Hall, Shades of Green Permaculture From the April 2024 Issue   As the Founder and CEO of Shades of Green Permaculture, I’ve spent much of the last two decades exploring how permaculture fits into modern life, and it can be daunting. Permaculture is hard to define, and its practice can seem somewhat elusive. Many of our clients in urban and suburban areas have a preconceived notion that permaculture is an agriculture concept requiring them to grow almost all their own food. However, there are so many accessible and practical ways to practice the basic principles of permaculture ..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