Pro Grow News_FALL.26 DIGITAL EDITION

pro grow news Fall 2026

www.mnla.com

Celebrating the Day The Living Pharmacy: Nature’s Paradox Rethinking Landscape Water Restrictions

Life Embraced Outdoors

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pro grow news Fall 2026

contents

Features 12 Celebrating the Day: The Down to Earth Summer Conference and Trade Show 14 The Living Pharmacy: Nature’s Parade of Poison and Cure 18 Need a Reliable Fall Bloomer?

24 Rethinking Landscape Water Restrictions in Massachusetts 28 Practical Natives: Pycnantheum 30 AI Powered Sales Boost Your Process and Close More Sales 34 Hardscape Focus: Silica Hazards in Hardscape Work 36 The Elements of Design — Softscapes

Departments

40 Turf Focus: Cutting Smart in the Heat

6 President’s Message 8 Member Spotlight 10 Committee Reports 42 MCH Toolbox: Digital Tools Worth Knowing 44 Advertisers Index 46 My Favorite Plant — Liriodendron tulipifera Tulip tree

On the cover — Mature Ligularia take center stage in a Fall garden bed.

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pro grow news Fall 2026

committees

board PRESIDENT David Vetelino, MCH Vetelino Lanscape Inc. Tel: (781) 826-0004

EDUCATION & RESEARCH COMMITTEE Deborah Trickett, MCH The Captured Gardens (781) 329-9698

VICE PRESIDENT

Jim Stucchi, MCH Stucchi Landscape and Design, LLC. (508) 808-1071

FINANCIAL COMMITTEE (FINCOM) Steve Corrigan, MCH — Chair Mountain View Landscapes & Lawncare, Inc. Tel: (413) 536-7555

SECRETARY/TREASURER Justin Mortensen Farm Credit East Tel: (508) 635-5364 PAST PRESIDENT Kerry Preston, MCH Wisteria & Rose, Inc. (617) 522-3843 DIRECTORS

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE Chris O’Brien, MCH Howard Designs, Inc. Tel: (617) 244-7269 HISTORY COMMITTEE Philip Boucher, MCH — Chair Elysian Garden Designs Tel: (508) 695-9630

Steve Davis, MCH Bigelow Nurseries, Inc

Skott Rebello, MCH — Vice Chair Harborside P.S. Tel: (508) 994-9208

Laura DiCarlo, MCH Cavicchio Greenhouses, Inc.

MASSACHUSETTS CERTIFIED HORTICULTURIST BOARD (MCH)

Tim Dolan Chestnut Hill Realty Patrick Parent Mahoney’s Garden Centers Kelly Perry, MCH Swan Point Cemetery

Corinne Jean, MCH — Chair Wisteria & Rose (617) 522-3843 Advisor: Jack Elicone, MCH

John R. Elicone Consulting

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE David Ahronian, MCH - Chair Ahronian Landscape & Design, Inc. (508) 429-3844 PUBLICATIONS: Editorial Team: Amber Ahronian MCH, Ahronian Landscape & Design, Inc. Patrick Parent Mahoney’s Garden Centers Trevor Smith MCH Rena M. Sumner, MNLA Executive Director Rick Reuland, Association Publishing Partners EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Rena M. Sumner Tel: (413) 369-4731 mnlaoffice@gmail.com LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR John V. Fernandes Attorney at Law John@fplaw.net

pro grow news Massachusetts Nursery & Landscape Association P.O. Box 924 Palmer, MA 01069 mnlaoffice@gmail.com www.mnla.com www.mnlafoundation.org

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ProGrowNews is published quarterly by the Massachusetts Nursery & Landscape Association (MNLA), P.O. Box 924, Palmer, MA 01069, tel. (413) 369-4731.

Articles do not necessarily reflect the view or position of MNLA. Editorial coverage or permission to advertise does not constitute endorsement of the company covered or of an advertiser’s products or services, nor does ProGrowNews make any claims or guarantees as to the accuracy or validity of the advertiser’s offer. (c) 2014 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in print or electronically without the express written permission of the MNLA.

www.mnla.com

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President’s Message

When the Weather Is Right, Great Things Grow!

By David Vetelino, MCH

I

guess when you work outdoors and rely heavily on the weather to determine the ebbs and flows of your business, you tend to develop some strong opinions about its patterns. As I write this in late July, there is still plenty of Summer left, so I may end up eating my words. There really hasn’t been too many days above 90 degrees this Fall. I feel like the weather has been incredible for working in the field this year. Some timely rain events, combined with cooler temperatures, have made this so far one of the most productive Falls in recent memory.

Let us hope Mother Nature continues to cooperate through the rest of the season. We haven’t experienced a hurricane in a while. I think I will leave that alone...

Anyway, speaking of great weather arriving at just the right time, our Down-to-Earth Fall Conference could not have gotten a better day! There was not a cloud in the sky as we gathered at the beautiful Savage Farms. The event was graciously co-hosted by Savage Farms and Pioneer Gardens and featured legendary horticulturist Dr. Michael Dirr as our keynote speaker.

Every presentation was informative and engaging. Hearing Dr. Dirr was a real privilege, and attendees enjoyed not one but two presentations before meeting him during a book signing.

I also had the chance to explore the venue and visit with our vendors. We welcomed several new exhibitors, including Nex-Gen, a new vendor this year. This company featured different sized drones and demonstrated aerial drone spraying and fertilizer applications. Savage Farms demonstrated their sod-cutting equipment, while MTE offered demonstrations of autonomous lawn mowers, providing a glimpse into the future of landscape maintenance.

For all our plant lovers, of course, we cannot forget the flowers. The beautiful plant displays from our nursery vendors did not disappoint. Sugarloaf Garden Center generously provided the gorgeous shrubs that decorated our tents, while our nursery vendors displayed an impressive selection of trees, shrubs, annuals, and perennials throughout the event. Beauty was abundant across the sod farm.

Beauty as well as skill, took center stage during our Container Garden Competition. This event attracts the most talented container garden designers in Massachusetts, challenging them to create exceptional designs under demanding or in our case Deb’s conditions to determine a champion. I think the silly string really added a different element this year. Maybe, this was preparing the group for dealing with difficult customers? As always, it was an entertaining competition filled with creativity, laughter, and exceptional craftsmanship, made possible by the generous donations from Berry’s Greenhouse, Bio365, Cavicchio’s Greenhouse, Griffin Greenhouse, and Prides Corner Farm. Thank you, Deb Trickett, for your expertise and to all who participated this year!

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Excellent weather helped boost great attendance

While the education and demonstrations were excellent, what truly made the day memorable was spending time with friends in a non-work environment, catching up both personally and professionally, sharing ideas, and just decompressing a bit. This year being a throwback themed event, we had popular yard games from throughout the decades. We all enjoyed a bit of time playing frisbee, cornhole, throwing around the football, and simply spending time together. It is nice to have a bit of downtime to just unwind with others who understand the demanding nature of our professions and truly get it when you talk about work. Those conversations, shared laughs, and moments of friendly competition are every bit as valuable as the educational sessions because they strengthen the relationships that help move our industry forward.

That spirit of collaboration is what the MNLA is all about. We strive to create events where members can learn, grow professionally, build lasting connections, and enjoy themselves along the way.

The friendships and professional relationships formed at gatherings like this continue long after the tents come down, benefiting not only our individual businesses, but the green industry as a whole.

Much of this would not be possible without the support of our sponsors and vendors, whose partnership helps keep events like this affordable for our members. Especially for our vendors whose continued support, expertise, and beautiful displays help create an exceptional conference experience. We are equally grateful to our dedicated volunteers, whose countless hours behind the scenes make events like this a success.

I would especially like to thank our Board of Directors and Education Committee members. Their willingness to volunteer their time, talents, and energy is a true reflection of what makes this association so special. They work tirelessly — not for recognition, but because they believe in serving our members and strengthening our industry.

I also extend my sincere appreciation to Savage Farms and Pioneer Gardens for opening your doors and providing such a beautiful setting for our conference. Your hospitality created the perfect environment for learning, networking, and enjoying a truly memorable day.

As Summer winds down, I hope everyone continues to stay safe, productive, and finds a little time to enjoy the season. Thank you for helping make the Down-to-Earth Fall Conference such a tremendous success. I hope to see you all soon at our NEW Gather & Grow event highlighting our youth initiative on October 7th at Weston Nurseries, Hopkinton.

President’s Message, David Vetelino, MCH Vetelino Landscape, Inc. www.mnla.com

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Member Spotlight

Chris Laughton Farm Credit East

by Amber Ahronian, MCH

C

hris Laughton is the Director of Knowledge Exchange at Farm Credit East. That means that he oversees customer education and outreach programs and conducts agricultural economics research. He spends his time speaking at events, running webinar series, producing monthly newsletters, and training farmers on topics including financial management.

Tell us about your business/company Farm Credit East is a financial services cooperative, owned by its customers, who are the shareholders. This year, the business is 110 years old. They started as a farm credit system created by Congress in 1916 to support agriculture in rural areas of the country where credit was not as readily available as it was in cities. Today, their core function is to lend to the farming, fishing, and forestry industries in the Northeast.

While they specialize in helping businesses pay for land, equipment, and operating costs, they also offer tax preparation and financial consulting services. Greenhouses and nurseries make up the largest portion of their farm sector clientele in state.

How did you get started in the green industry?

Chris emphasizes the importance of being a member of the MNLA as a way to engage with the collective’s core customer base and support the industries they serve. Since they are specialized lenders, exclusively supporting natural resource industries, they are uniquely invested in the green industry.

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Chris values his personal history in the industry, as well.

He had his first green industry job at his family’s business, Laughton Nurseries, in Chelmsford when he was very young.

He recalls helping his Grampy, at age five, check for bugs on plants. He was familiar with the MNLA early on since his father, Charles, was a president of the organization. These experiences inspired him to further his education and connect with this industry as a long-term career path.

What advice would you give to a young person considering this industry for their career?

Thinking back through his time in the green industry so far, Chris advises young people entering it to be open to opportunities because this type of career sometimes has a winding road, and you never know where it will lead you. He says that one of the great things about horticulture is the variety of careers available to people of a range of skill and experience levels. Overall, this industry is great to grow with.

If you oversaw the whole industry, what would you change?

If Chris oversaw the whole industry, he’d encourage the continued trend of professionalizing and raising the bar. He believes in investing in employee training and development to, in turn, develop the industry.

www.mnla.com

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Fall | 2026

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Committee Reports MCH Report Earn credits for 2026!

A

wide variety of courses, workshops, and events are offered each year to ensure that every MCH has an opportunity to learn about particular areas of interest, as well as the latest in industry developments, newest products, and best practices.

Getting MCH certification benefits you, your business, and your customers. The next MCH Exam is on February 10, 2027.

Go to: www.mnla.com for more information on upcoming events.

Upcoming events with MCH and other CEUs available September 30–October 2, 2026 28th Annual Women in the Green Industry Conference October 7, 2026 Gather & Grow

October 20–23, 2026 Equip Expo February 10–11, 2027 Dreams & Solutions: Green Industry Winter Forum

NEW Credit Opportunity—

Submit your Favorite Digital Tool See example on page 42

Membership Membership Matters: Are You Ready for 2027?

T

he MNLA Directory is coming soon! And before it heads to the printer, we want to make sure your information is ready to go.

Take a few minutes to log into your MNLA member profile and give it a quick check-up. Is your company name correct? Address? Phone number? Website? Key contacts? Make any updates now so your Directory listing is accurate and your fellow members—and potential customers—can find you.

And speaking of 2027… renewal season is just around the corner! Membership dues renewals open October 1st, and early renewal is always appreciated. Why? Because every renewal helps our Board of Directors and committees look ahead and plan the educational programs, networking opportunities, events, and resources that make MNLA valuable to you and your business.

But membership is about more than renewing your dues.

This is YOUR association. Have an idea for a program? A topic you’d like to see addressed? A new opportunity MNLA should explore? Tell us! Your feedback helps shape the future of MNLA. So, three things to put on your MNLA to-do list: 3 Log in.

3 Update your profile.

3 Mark October 1 on your calendar.

Then stay tuned — the 2026 MNLA Directory is coming your way soon!

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Thanks for being part of MNLA. We’re stronger because you’re a member!

www.mnla.com

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thank you

to our

event SponSors

we want to hear from you!

Please visit mnla.com/event-feedback or scan the QR code to share your experience and help MNLA plan their next event with you in mind!

thank you to our event vendors Amherst Nurseries Ballard Truck Centers Berry's Greenhouses Bigelow Nurseries, Inc. Cavicchio Greenhouses, Inc. Charter Oak Landscape & Nursery Sales Connecticut Mulch Distributors, Inc. East Coast Nurseries Farm Credit East Farm Family Insurance Fall | 2026

Fourth Generation Nursery, Inc. Greenleaf Nursery Company Griffin Greenhouse Supplies, Inc. Hardscrabble Farms Helena Agri-Enterprises Ideal Concrete Block Co., Inc. Jobber J.P. Bartlett's Wholesale Greenhouse Mary May Binney Wakefield Arboretum

Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Mayer Tree Service, Inc. Medford Nursery MTE Equipment Solutions, Inc. Murphy Nurseries Mycorrhizal Applications New England Nursery Sales, Inc. NexGen Drone Northern Nurseries, Inc. NYP Corp.

OESCO, Inc. Pierson Nurseries, Inc. Pioneer Gardens Prides Corner Farms Radiant Leaf Consulting Savage Farms SiteOne Landscape Supply Sylvan Nursery Van Berkum Nursery Vermont Nursery & Landscape Association Weston Nurseries Wholesale

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Celebrating a Day to Remember!

W

hat an amazing day! Our Down To Earth Summer Conference & Trade Show, held July 23rd, brought the green industry together for a memorable day of education, networking, and fun. With our “Throwback Green Industry” theme, the event was a tremendous success, welcoming nearly 500 attendees!

A heartfelt thank you to all of our sponsors, vendors, and attendees for helping make the day so special. Your support, energy, and enthusiasm truly brought the event to life.

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And a very special thank you to our host, Savage Farms, and co-host, Pioneer Gardens, for helping create such a fantastic setting for this year’s event.

Now, take a look back at some of the highlights and memories from an incredible day!

Follow this URL for a list of the amazing supporters of our day!

https://mnla.com/education/ down-to-earth-trade-show/

www.mnla.com

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Fall | 2026

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Special Feature

The Living Pharmacy:

Nature’s Paradox of Poison and Cure

by Natalie MacLean

O

ized by boiling the bark of the adjacent Chacá tree (Bursera ften, we find ourselves in simaruba). In Australia, the excruciating sting of the Gympiethe middle of our work Gympie tree (Dendrocnide moroides) is traditionally soothed with the question of “what by the broad leaves of the underlying Cunjevoi lily (Alocasia got me?” Knowing the characterbrisbanensis) that happen to grow directly under the tree. istics of the culprit is important, Beyond localized pairings, individual flora serves as unibut what is equally informative is versal healers and medical historical milestones. Clinically, the cure for our discomfort in the Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum), or “Blessed Mary’s moment. When the panic arises Thistle,” acts as a proven opponent to the fatal toxins of the from the realization that Poison Ivy Death Cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides), while common (Toxicodendron Radicans) has dug plantain (Plantago major) uses its cell-regenerating allantoin its gnawingly itchy claws into our skin, we immediately run to pull out bee stings and clear skin infections when chewed for our Technu, dish soap, and other home remedies hoping into a poultice. for the immediate fix to soothe the need to scratch our skin For external trauma, Calendula (Calendula Officinalis) off. But what would “cure” our moment of burning hysteria? has been trusted for centuries to dress wounds, calm Look down! pain, and prevent scarring. Similarly, Willow (Salix), You will find a sweet, seemingly innocent, completely rewrote medicinal history as a pain and Impatiens Capensis or Jewelweed. Native to North fever reducer; trusted by midwives and wartime America and ready to be crushed and rubbed onto medics alike, its natural form remains fundamentally the annoying amount of urushiol oils you contacted superior to synthetic aspirin by targeting multiple while hiking or pruning or walking your dog along inflammatory pathways rather than just one. the Charles River.

Observed by the Sioux who named it “Elkroot” Jewelweed works like many common natural after watching wounded elk self-medicate, Echinacea antidotes in relationship with their poisonous coun(Echinacea purpurea) became a foundational terparts. It is called a sting and relief relationship.

Artemisia douglasiana defense against infections, viruses, and rabies.

This classic example is best known to us here in the Turmeric root (Curcuma) serves as a vital geoNortheast, but others can be found all over America graphic “time buyer” against venomous snake bites and the world. This is not thought of to be a symbiuntil modern antivenom can be reached. otic relationship. They do not help each other grow, There is a delicate balance of what poison but rather, enjoy growing in similar environments really is. Where raw Elderberry (Sambuccus Nigra, and therefore can be found in proximity to one Sambuccus Canadensis) transitions from a dangeranother with a keen eye for plant identification. ous toxin to a cooked immune powerhouse, and a Throughout the global wilderness, an intriguing tea brewed from raw Stinging Nettle ironically treats pattern emerges - where there is a modern poison, a hay fever by blocking histamine and inflammation. traditional remedy is almost always quietly waiting Silybum marianum Some of our deadliest poisons turn into our most nearby. potent cures.

Crushed Dock leaves (Rumex) can be found near Our understanding of the natural world is deeply Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) for a quick remedy rooted in generational folk tales, passing down wisand Mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana) will be thrivdom that often proves remarkably accurate despite ing alongside blistering poison oak (Toxicodendron a lack of formal research. The next time you find diversilobum) to soothe your pain. yourself cut, stung, or facing a sudden rash in the Throughout global ecosystems, nature balances great outdoors, do not just shake your fist at the its hazards with side-by-side remedies. plant that caused your distress—look around it. In In Central America, the chemical burns caused by that quiet, green space just inches away, an ancestral the Chechén tree (Metopium brownei) are neutralCalendula Officinalis

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Special Feature About— Natalie MacLean is a horticulturist proudly hailing from a fishing village in Nova Scotia. She has been a professional gardener for over 10 years, and is lucky enough to have learned from the land in many climates. From the high alpine desert in Colorado, to the Piedmont in Virginia, to the historic residences of Massachusetts. When not gardening, you can usually find her … gardening.”

Citations— https://explore-mag.com/Poisonous_Plants__Antidotes/ Trail, Jesse. Explore Magazine, Fall Issue, May 29, 2014 https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/7/1516 An Appraisal of Antidotes’ Effectiveness: Evidence of the Use of Phyto-Antidotes and Biotechnological Advancements Aruwa, Christiana Eleojo. volume 25, issue 7, MDPI, March 26, 2020

remedy is waiting to rewrite your misfortune, proving that the wilderness, Mother Nature, provides both the hazard and the healing, if only we take the time to read the landscape.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=%22Magowska%20 A%22%5BAuthor%5D Magowska, Anita. “The natural history of the concept of antidote.” Toxicology reportsvol. 8 1305-1309. 21 Jun. 2021, doi:10.1016/j.toxrep.2021.06.019

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Fall Bloomers

Need a Reliable Fall Bloomer?

Consider Ligularia

by Mark Dwyer

W

henever I see a robust specimen of Ligularia, also known as leopard plant, ragwort or bigleaf goldenray, I lament not using more of them in my designs and at home! These members of the Asteraceae family are notably not drought tolerant and require consistently moist, rich (humus-heavy), well-drained soil for them to really thrive. In fact, don’t let them dry out at all. All Ligularia benefit from regular, deep watering during hot Falls.

Striking, distinctive and bold, the wide range of Ligularia species (of which there are over 150!) and varieties that we can grow in the Midwest offer the solid contribution of superior foliage presentation and striking flowers in Fall. Native to primarily China, Taiwan and Japan, these selections (hardy in USDA z 4-8) are also quite shade tolerant which makes them invaluable in those darker, wetter garden positions. Some degree of wind protection is also recommended.

The large clumping, upright and bushy mounds of goldenray (my favorite common name) feature variable foliage (by species and variety) that can be large (up to 12-15” wide!) and appear round, heart-shaped or triangular. Deeply serrated leaves are notable on some selections. The foliage is often glossy and has a leathery texture which also makes them both rabbit and deer resistant.

Leaf color ranges from a deep green to a bronze or maroon. Many selections (‘Britt Marie Crawford’) emerge with near-black, glossy foliage which later transitions to a maroonish-green. The commonly available selections of ‘Othello’, ‘Desdemona’ and ‘King Kong’ have similar, large, rounded

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WORKING WITH YOU FROM THE GROUND UP.

Established in 1910, Cavicchio Greenhouses is a fourth-generation New England farm working more than 250 acres in Sudbury. As a horticultural grower and landscape distributor, we cultivate and supply an extensive variety of annuals and perennials, nursery stock, stone, masonry and landscape materials.

With a hard-earned reputation for service, quality, selection and sustainability, we work with professionals and garden centers throughout the area to keep our region beautiful.

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Fall Bloomers foliage that emerges quite dark in spring.

Green foliage selections like Ligularia chinensis ‘Chinese Dragon’ and Ligularia przewalskii feature amazingly serrated foliage on a very large plant which is an undeniable focal point in the partly shaded garden.

The Fall flowers of goldenrays are quite entrancing as well (to bees and butterflies, too!) and present themselves as daisies in a range of yellows and oranges.

The orientation of the flowers differs between species and varieties. Some varieties have the flowers arranged on elongated spikes that can reach many feet over the height of the foliage. The old classic, ‘The Rocket’, continues to be popular as are the reduced height forms of ‘Little Rocket’ and ‘Bottle Rocket’. Other selections may present their daisy-like flowers in flat-topped clusters closer to the foliage or on elongated stalks.

Ligularias are a very bold presence in the garden. Locations in moist shade gardens, woodland edges and sites near water are ideal. They are excellent companions for

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Fall Bloomers hostas, wet-tolerant ferns, Rodgersia and much more. Wilting of goldenray foliage is quite common in the heat of Fall as a water conservation technique. This drooping is not unusual. If they “bounce back” to form in the evening, they are just fine. Remember that intense afternoon sun can scorch the foliage so some dappled light is ideal. As a bold, architectural addition to the garden, Ligularia selections will thrive with a bit of TLC and thoughtful positioning.

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Water Restrictions

Rethinking Landscape Water Restrictions in Massachusetts

By Catherine Volić, Sweetgum Horticulture

M

assachusetts’ increasingly frequent droughts and erratic precipitation patterns have made water conservation an essential concern for the green industry. As horticultural professionals, we have a responsibility to use water efficiently and adapt our practices to a changing climate. At the same time, water restrictions need to recognize the environmental functions performed by landscapes and the practical realities of establishing and maintaining them.

I am a graduate of the Plant and Soil Sciences program at UMass Amherst. After more than a decade working on farms and managing garden centers and nurseries in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, I returned to Massachusetts, worked for a fine-gardening maintenance company, and eventually started my own business. For the past 15 years, I have owned Sweetgum Horticulture in Natick, designing and installing landscapes throughout MetroWest Boston.

Our company also provides ecologically oriented fine-garden care for dozens of

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properties every week. Because our work involves keeping plants alive through increasingly erratic cycles of drought and deluge, we closely follow the water restrictions imposed by the communities where we work and, increasingly, by the state.

Recent state-mandated restrictions have created significant challenges for landscape installation and maintenance businesses. In some cases, they make it difficult to establish new plantings or maintain existing landscapes, even when water is being used carefully.

Recognizing Landscape Companies as Commercial Water Users A recent Level 3 water restriction in one community where we work allows water use: “To meet the core functions to the commercial operations of a business,” including plant nurseries “as necessary to maintain stock,” golf courses for greens and tees, and certain watering at wedding and event venues.

This language raises an important question: Should landscape installation and maintenance be recognized as a commercial operation whose core function includes maintaining living plant material?

If nurseries are permitted to water plants to keep their inventory alive, it seems reasonable that landscape companies should be permitted to maintain www.mnla.com

those same plants after they are purchased and installed. For a landscape contractor, keeping newly installed plants alive is not incidental—it is fundamental to the service being provided.

Allowing tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of new plantings to die because they cannot receive establishment irrigation is neither good for businesses nor good for the environment.

them may not be the model of the future.

Rethinking “Drip Only” Water restrictions also frequently prescribe drip irrigation. After more than 20 years of collaborating with irrigation companies and managing systems on dozens of landscapes, I have become familiar with the advantages and limitations of different technologies.

I once specified drip almost exclusively, but experience has changed my view. In some situations, appropriately selected spray irrigation can establish diverse plantings of smallcontainer native shrubs, perennials and groundcovers more effectively.

We are also experimenting with deep-drip spikes that deliver water directly to the root zones of trees and shrubs.

The goal should be to use the least amount of water necessary for successful establishment, while allowing qualified professionals to determine which delivery method best achieves that goal.

Signs of the Time

What Are We Trying to Protect?

Water restrictions necessarily involve difficult choices. But those choices should consider not only how much water an activity uses, but also what that water accomplishes.

A well-designed landscape is more than ornamental. It can create habitat for pollinators and birds, provide native plant sanctuaries, infiltrate stormwater, reduce flooding, absorb pollutants before they reach waterways, increase tree canopy, mitigate heat islands, and sequester carbon.

This suggests that the type, purpose and ecological value of a landscape should be considered when determining appropriate water-use allowances.

One possible approach would be to provide greater watering allowances for landscapes that meet defined ecological criteria—for example, a landscape composed of approximately 75% native plants, particularly straight-species natives. A lower threshold might be appropriate when other important functions, such as evergreen screening, resistance to deer and rabbits, or tree-species diversity, are also required.

Native plants are not automatically drought-proof, especially during establishment, and responsible horticulture sometimes requires non-native plants. Functional diversity matters. We may need plants that tolerate difficult urban conditions, resist browsing, or diversify the tree canopy against future insect and disease threats.

In recent years, we have increasingly planted smaller specimens of native, seed-grown plants when appropriate. Given recurring flash droughts and water restrictions, the old model of installing very large specimens and relying heavily on irrigation to establish Fall | 2026

Start With the Soil Another opportunity to reduce irrigation demand is improving soil infiltration.

Compacted soils inhibit root growth and infiltration while increasing runoff. If we want stormwater to recharge groundwater rather than run off the site, preventing and alleviating construction-related compaction should be part of landscape policy.

Landscape design should begin with assessing existing compaction and creating a plan to improve infiltration where necessary. Construction practices should also minimize additional compaction.

The goal should be simple: A completed landscape should allow water to infiltrate at least as well as—and ideally better than—the site did before construction.

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Water Restrictions An Opportunity for the Green Industry The nursery and landscape industry can make a stronger case for regulatory flexibility by demonstrating that we are serious about conservation. We should promote native and seed-grown plants where appropriate, biodiversity, efficient irrigation, rain gardens and bioswales, improved soil infiltration, and climate-resilient landscape design.

MNLA can help lead this effort through education on flash-drought management, efficient irrigation, green infrastructure, soil compaction, and sourcing locally appropriate native plants.

The objective should not be unrestricted watering. It should be appropriate watering that protects valuable landscapes while using as little water as possible.

Massachusetts has an opportunity to develop water regulations that reward responsible landscape practices while recognizing that establishing and maintaining healthy landscapes is itself an important environmental function. The green industry should help lead that conversation.

Catherine Volić, is President and Principal Designer of Sweetgum Horticulture

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FINANCIAL AUTOMATION

Growth Has No Off-Season: Why Financial Operations Need to Keep Pace As green industry businesses expand beyond the traditional busy season, many are building more consistent, yearround operations. This shift allows businesses to create new opportunities for growth while becoming less dependent on the performance of a single season. While more predictable revenue can strengthen the business, operating at a steadier pace also puts greater demands on the financial side of the operation. AR and AP automation can help financial teams keep pace, giving businesses the efficiency, visibility, and control they need as they continue to grow.

Expanding is a strong growth strategy, creating opportunities for more consistent revenue and continued momentum throughout the year. But as operations expand, the rest of the business, including financial processes, needs to grow alongside them.

When business activity continues throughout the year, so does invoicing, collecting payments, paying vendors, managing expenses, and monitoring cash flow. This steady pace puts greater pressure on financial processes to remain

Keeping crews and operations busy throughout the year is only part of the equation. The revenue from that work still has to make its way into the bank. As green industry businesses take on a steadier flow of jobs and customers, staying on top of billing and outstanding balances can become a job of its own.

AR automation can help shorten the distance between completing the work and getting paid, while giving the office a clearer picture of what cash is still outstanding.

Keeping operations moving year round also brings costs that can occur well before customer

efficient and responsive throughout the year.

payments arrive. Materials, equipment, suppliers, and subcontractors may need to be paid while jobs are still underway. AP automation gives green

As financial activity increases, businesses may find that the processes that once supported their operations are no longer built for their current pace of growth.

industry businesses a more organized way to manage those obligations, helping the office stay on top of what is due, maintain control over payments, and better understand where cash is going.

For green industry businesses, growth also increases the workload behind the scenes.

More activity means more invoices, payments, vendor bills, and records to manage. When handled manually, these tasks can take valuable time away from supporting the business. Streamlining financial processes through automation can reduce repetitive work and help finance teams keep pace with continued growth.

For MNLA members, preparing for year-round growth means looking beyond the work happening in the field and considering whether the financial side of the business is ready to keep pace. Industry resources, education, and trusted partners like Service First Processing can help businesses find ways to improve how money moves through their operations. With the right AR and AP automation in place, green industry businesses can gain the efficiency, visibility, and control needed to support growth in every season.

Keep Your Financial Operations Growing Scan the QR code to see how AR and AP automation can help your business grow.

David Ramoy Director of Strategic Alliances

(866) 372 5551 Fall | 2026

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Practical Natives

Pycnantheum: Fragrance, Beuauty and Ecological Value

By Mandy Komes-Leifheit

W

hen selecting native perennials that provide exceptional ecological value, mountain mints are always near the top of the list.

Members of the genus Pycnanthemum may not have the showy flowers of Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) or Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata), but few native plants can rival their ability to attract an astonishing diversity of bees, butterflies, wasps, flies, beetles, and other beneficial insects.

Despite their common name, mountain mints are not typically found in mountainous habitats. These North American natives belong to the mint family (Lamiaceae), sharing the family’s signature square stems, aromatic foliage, and nectar-rich flowers. Their fragrant leaves have been used historically in teas and herbal remedies, while their blooms serve as critical mid to late season food sources for pollinators.

Research and field observations consistently rank mountain mints among the most attractive native plants for pollinator abundance and diversity. On a warm summer day, a single planting can host dozens of insect species at once, making these plants indispensable additions to natural gardens and ecological landscapes.

Pycnanthemum muticum

Clustered Mountain Mint / ShortToothed Mountain Mint Perhaps the most recognizable mountain mint, Pycnanthemum muticum stands out with its distinctive silvery-white flower bracts that appear to glow in the summer garden.

Fragrance Profile: Strong peppermint aroma with sweet herbal notes. The foli-

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age releases an intense mint scent when brushed or crushed.

Habit & Size: Forms a dense mound reaching 18 to 24 inches tall and spreading 24 to 36 inches wide.

It slowly expands by rhizomes, creating attractive colonies over time.

It thrives in moist, well-drained soils in sun to part shade.

Bloom Time: July through September.

Pollinator Highlights: If there were a “pollinator magnet” award, P. muticum would be a strong contender. The nectar-rich flower clusters attract an incredible diversity of native bees, honey bees, beneficial wasps, butterflies, skippers, and pollinating flies. Many gardeners report this species hosting more insect visitors than almost any other plant in bloom.

Pycnanthemum virginianum Virginia Mountain Mint Virginia Mountain Mint offers a finer texture than P. muticum and blends beautifully into prairie and meadow plantings.

Fragrance Profile: Clean, classic mint fragrance with subtle spearmint notes. The scent is refreshing and strong when foliage is disturbed.

Habit & Size: An upright, manybranched perennial growing 24 to 36 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide. Its fine-textured foliage creates an airy appearance while maintaining excellent garden structure.

It prefers moist, well-drained soils and performs well in full sun. www.mnla.com

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Bloom Time: June through September.

Pollinator Highlights: The dense clusters of white flowers support an impressive range of insects, including bumble bees, sweat bees, cuckoo bees, honey bees, butterflies, beneficial wasps, and numerous pollinating flies.

Because the flowers are accessible to insects with varying tongue lengths, this species becomes a feeding station for a remarkably diverse pollinator community.

Pycnanthemum tenuifolium Slender Mountain Mint With its needle-like foliage and delicate appearance, Slender Mountain Mint provides exceptional texture while delivering the same ecological benefits as its relatives.

Fragrance Profile: A lighter, sweeter mint scent than other mountain mints. Some gardeners describe subtle notes reminiscent of basil or thyme, which explains its historical nickname, “Virginia Thyme.”

Habit & Size: Forms an upright, bushy clump 24 to 36 inches tall and equally wide. The extremely narrow leaves create a soft, fine-textured appearance that pairs beautifully with prairie grasses and summer-blooming natives. It tolerates drier conditions than many mountain mint species and grows well in sun to part shade.

Bloom Time: July through September.

Pollinator Highlights: The abundant white flower clusters attract native bees, bumble bees, honey bees, butterflies, and a variety of beneficial insects. Its extended bloom period makes it especially valuable during midsummer when pollinator populations are at their peak.

Why Native Mints Matter

Native mints provide some of the highest-quality nectar resources available to pollinators. Their flowers are rich in nectar, bloom during the height of summer, and attract an unusually broad range of beneficial insects.

Beyond supporting pollinators, mountain mints also serve as host plants for several moth species and help sustain predatory insects that contribute to natural pest control.

Their aromatic foliage is generally avoided by deer and rabbits, making them reliable performers in challenging landscapes. Combined with their adaptability, long bloom period, and ecological value, mountain mints deserve a place in every native garden, pollinator meadow, rain garden, or naturalized landscape.

Whether you choose the silver-bracted beauty of Pycnanthemum muticum, the graceful texture of P. virginianum, or the fine foliage of P. tenuifolium, you’ll be adding one of North America’s premier pollinator plants to your landscape.

Fall | 2026

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AI-Powered Sales: Boost Your process and Close More Deals

by Meta L. Levin

T

he key to using AI to boost your sales success is putting good processes and procedures in place before even nodding at any AI tools.

“AI is only as good as the processes and systems” already there, says Frank Bourque, a professional speaker, writer, consultant and entrepreneur. He maintains that well defined inputs lead to better AI responses.

In the landscape industry, AI has been used to allow contractors to develop quotes faster, automate crew routing and produce digital visual images of proposed projects, among other things.

There are, says Bourque, more than 40,000 AI tools available now and that number, as well as what they offer, changes rapidly. There are several types of AI that can be used and help in different ways. Bourque focused on two: generative and agentic. Generative primarily generates new content, such as text and images.

The number one cause of burnout in the landscape industry is the amount of information contractors have to learn, he says. “AI can help you process and analyze that information.” It helps those in the landscape industry save time, win more work

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and run smoother by automating tasks and improving follow-up.

To do this successfully, try thinking of AI as another crew member. Just as a crew member needs information to do his job, so does AI. That is why Bourque emphasizes planning the task in plain terms and detail first. Have a clear idea of what role you want AI to play, i.e., write a script for the person who answers your phone and is a prospective customer’s first contact with your company, or generate a client ready proposal.

“The best thing you can do to have a competitive advantage is build a sales process and then tie AI into it, because that is going to create efficiency,” says Bourque. “It will make it easy for your clients to do business with you.”

First, create a clear, easy-to-follow process with regular client follow-ups built into every step so they always know what is happening. AI can make that much easier.

Start by drafting a standard operating procedure. Work on building sales scripts, let AI summarize meetings for you. Create job descriptions, outline necessary training and explain key performance indicators (KPI) and financials. Once you have entered those procedures and more into your AI program, it will summarize for you; it will create a check list for your crew www.mnla.com

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Design Debate and at the end of the day, it will even tell you if the check list has been completed or not. It starts, however, with getting information out of your mind and into your computer. “If AI knows your process, it is going to be able to do the work for you,” says Bourque.

For instance, in sales it is important to use the same kind of language that your client uses.

“Rapport is better,” he says. AI is good at doing these things.

Agentic AI at a basic level can, among other things, perform multi-step jobs using tools.

“You set rules and it works in the background,” says Bourque. “Once you have the process and procedures in place, agentic AI will know what to do at different times.” Using it, you will be able to pull information from different divisions in your company. AI will track what is going on and alert you if something happens.

Using agentic AI, you can take information and set some automation in place so that AI knows what to do in different situations. You can put a human in the loop. It will stop at different proscribed points and you can control where it needs to come in and make decisions.

It can help with sales follow-up, scheduling, job cost review, KPI monitoring, client communication and training reminders. “If something should just happen, that is AI agentic’s job,” says Bourque. “That is where AI does best.” It is good for accountability. It will always remember when it needs to do the next step.

When Bourque comes into a company as a consultant, his first action is to

look at a customer’s journey. “It tells me what to put in place to have a smooth process and operation from getting the lead, to how it is processed, how to sell, how to manage the job, how to nurture the relationship with the client,” he says.

But it does not stop there, once the job is complete, his clients should ask for feedback and referrals. How will Bourque’s

3.

Classify the lead: An “A” lead is your ideal.

Book a sales consultation.

A “B” is smaller, but viable.

Book a sales consultation.

A “C” is not your ideal.

It is low budget and a mismatch. Refer that to another contractor or politely decline.

4. Set up a call to get the information you need before meeting with the client. That way the salesperson can come prepared.

“If AI knows your process, it is going to be able to do the work for you,” says Bourque

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client get more of those types of jobs if he wants them?

So, when thinking about adding AI, take Bourque’s tour of your customer’s journey. Ask yourself, what kind of feedback are you getting about it? That way you can tweak the process and procedures before adding AI. “If you don’t have a clear standardized sale process, that is where I would start,” he says.

“You deserve a system that makes your expertise shine.”

Bourque provided a sample step by step sales process: 1.

Capture a lead from wherever it originates.

2.

Budget. Set expectations at the start

budget.

At this point AI can be useful. It can help the salesperson prepare for the meeting by generating a list of specific questions to ask the prospective client, which will help structure the conversation.

“When you set up the sales call, the goal is to control expectations,” says Bourque. The script or list of questions can help you confirm goals, identify decision makers, establish an agenda for the first meeting and qualify the

Once there, the salesperson should work to connect with the client in the first 90 seconds. “Clients want someone who ‘gets them,’” he says. Mirror the client’s style, pace and communication style. To do this he recommends complimenting the property or neighborhoo.

Reset expectations (“Here’s what we’ll do today.”). “People buy from people who “get them,” not people who pitch.”

Next, uncover the needs, the emotional drivers, the real why behind the project. “Get the homeowner talking more than you,” says Bourque. The questions programmed into the list AI provides you should include those that will elicit the most important outcome the client wants from the project (i.e. a place www.mnla.com

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to entertain or a place for the children to play), how he or she wants the space to feel and what frustrations do they hope to solve?

Share relevant stories. AI can help you call up visual examples on your tablet that reflect designs and other illustrations that show what you are hearing from the client, but also what you can do.

Translate these features into benefits and outcomes.

The next step is to present the cost or what Bourque refers to as the “investment range.” Let AI create different packages based on what you have learned, as well as what you have given it to work with. Initially, this can be done on your tablet while you are with the client.

AI also can be used to create a price range for the options. For each, AI can help you show visual proof, using photos, design examples and materials. Translate the features into benefits and outcomes.

Use AI to combine different possibilities

and give the client the price range right away.

If there are objections, AI can help there, as well. Bourque believes that objections “are requests for clarity,” he says. So, say something like, “would it help to see options at different price points?” Then use AI to generate some.

Finally, Bourque recommends offering one, clear next action, such as booking a meeting with the designer or getting a deposit. “Always close to the next commitment, not the final commitment,” he says.

You can, says Bourque, begin using AI now. Develop clear procedures from start to finish, even to what happens after the job is sold and installed. Once it is integrated, AI will begin to know the process. Deploy AI agents across your departments. They will listen to conversations, create recommendations and learn over time.

There are a few AI tools built for the industry, such as Landscaper AI, which Bourque describes as ChatGPT for landscaping. There also is Lean Scraper.

AI, which helps build systems and procedures, if you enter the right information. Currently Lean Scraper is free, but Bourque predicts that once it encompasses agentic AI, they will begin to charge.

There also is Outdoor Design, as well as AI tools that allow drones to measure property.

AI can do oh, so much now, but it will be doing much more in the future.

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Construction Focus

Silica Hazards in Hardscape

by Daniel Wood

The hazard: Respirable Crystalline Silica

Almost every material in modern hardscape work contains crystalline silica. When that material is cut, drilled, ground, chipped, or swept dry, it releases respirable silica dust — particles so small you can’t see them in the air, but small enough to lodge deep in the lungs. Once there, they cause permanent scarring.

Long-term exposure can cause silicosis (an incurable, progressive lung disease), as well as lung cancer, COPD, and kidney disease. Symptoms can take 10–30 years to appear — but the damage starts on day one.

Silica Content By Material

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Work What OSHA Requires (29 CFR 1926.1153) OSHA’s silica standard for construction has been in force since 2017. The two numbers every contractor needs to know: • Action Level: 25 µg/m³ of air, averaged over 8 hours — triggers exposure monitoring and medical surveillance.

• Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL): 50 µg/m³ — the maximum legal exposure.

Most hardscape cutting and grinding tasks will exceed the PEL without controls. The standard’s Table 1 lists specific tasks (stationary masonry saws, handheld saws, grinders, drills, etc.) and the engineering controls required for each — follow Table 1 and you don’t have to do your own air monitoring. Additionally, workers above the action level for 30+ days a year are entitled to medical exams every three years.

Every employer with exposed workers must have a written Exposure Control Plan, a designated competent person, and documented training. If you do not currently have a plan, templates can be found on the OSHA website, as well as from the Natural Stone Institute.

Be Diligent About Engineering Controls, Safety, and Training •

•

•

• •

•

•

Wet cutting. Run water directly to the blade on every saw — stationary, handheld, and tile saws. Water suppresses 90%+ of airborne dust. Check flow constantly; a dry blade is a dust generator.

Tool-mounted dust extraction. Use HEPA-filtered vacuums rated for silica (M-class or H-class). Match the vacuum to the tool — grinders, drills, and chipping hammers all have shroud kits.

Never dry sweep. Use a HEPA vacuum or wet methods to clean up cut debris and saw slurry. A broom puts a day’s worth of dust back into the air in 30 seconds.

Position the work. Keep cutting stations downwind of crews and away from breaks/lunch areas. Rotate workers off the saw to limit individual exposure.

Respirators when needed. Even with controls, some tasks require respiratory protection. N95 is the minimum; half-face elastomerics with P100 filters are better for full-day cutting. Respirator use triggers a written respiratory protection program, fit testing, and medical clearance — it is not optional.

Keep dust off clothes and out of trucks. HEPAvacuum clothing before breaks; don’t blow off with compressed air. Silica goes home with you on dirty clothes.

Require ongoing training and create a culture that makes safety a top priority. There should be no shortcuts and that emphasis must be company-wide.

Bottom Line for the Crew

If you can see dust in the air, you’re already overexposed.

Silicosis doesn’t hurt until it’s too late to fix. Wet-cut everything, vacuum everything, wear the respirator when the task calls for it, and never dry sweep. Following Table 1 protects your lungs and keeps the company out of six-figure OSHA fines.

Daniel Wood is a natural stone and material consultant. He is also Education Committee Chair for the Natural Stone Institute as well as a Past President of NSI.

Fall | 2026

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From the Landscape Lexicon

The Elements of Design:

by Nina A. Koziol

A

residential landscape design can embrace many elements. Here we explore some of the plant-driven components that can enhance a project, taking your clients’ gardens up a notch. All of these specific features require attention to detail and careful, consistent maintenance.

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Carpet Beds The fashion for carpet bedding or “bedding out” became popular by the 1860’s here in the Midwest. Beds filled with masses of colorful annuals were often plunked into the middle of lawns surrounding fancy Victorian homes. These spiraling, richly patterned designs often imitated Oriental carpets, or featured clocks, names and initials. Carpet beds in residential gardens went out of fashion by World War I. However, they were used in many city parks until about 30 years ago when they were slowly replaced by more naturalistic plantings.

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: Softscapes Parterre A parterre is a formal garden bed that sits on a level site and is surrounded by low, clipped hedges, generally boxwood. The interior of these geometric-shaped beds are often filled with vibrant annuals, roses, flowering shrubs or crushed, colorful stone. Parterre is from the French phrase “par terre,” which means “on the ground”. In 17th-Century France, parterres were meant to be viewed and enjoyed from windows high above—from castle or country house.

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Meadowscape Meadow-making. The New Naturalism. The New Perennial Movement. All speak to mimicking the look and feel of prairie, using perennials that evolve with the seasons. “Meadowscaping” has gained popularity as a sustainable alternative to lawns. The new meadow plantings feature sweeping drifts of ornamental grasses that meander through ribbons of perennials.

The plantings often mimic the Midwestern prairie, however, native and non-native plants are typically used in the designs and some include spring-flowering bulbs.

Topiary Topiary is the art of training trees and shrubs into decorative shapes whether in pots, in the ground, or as an undulating border or hedge. The word topiary originated from the Greek word “topos” meaning place, and the Latin word “topiarius” meaning ornamental gardener. Many private gardens in England feature yew and boxwood plants carefully clipped into animals, insects, birds, and other fantastical shapes. Formal or whimsical, topiary adds a focal point to a landscape.

Allée (al-LAY) An allée, based on the French word for path or way, is a formal walkway lined with identical trees or tall shrubs. The symmetry and repetition creates a feeling of order and a sense of grandeur. A good example is at the Chicago Botanic Garden between the Rose Garden and the English Walled Garden. Twice a year, a crew of four to five from the Grounds Department meticulously prunes all 28 Greenspire Linden trees in the allée—once in winter for shaping, and once in Fall for detail grooming.

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Espalier (es-PAL-yer) Espalier generally refers to a woody plant (such as a fruit tree) that’s trained to grow flat against a support (such as a wall or fence). They can also be grown as free-standing plants supported by posts and guide wires. Some training methods include supporting the branches so they grow horizontally, fan-shaped or diamond-shaped. The branches can also be trained to grow on a diagonal. Espalier techniques can be used for vines, such as wisteria and clematis, as well as climbing roses.

Standard A standard is a plant trained to a single trunk with all of its leaves and flowers or needles at the top. Many plants are suitable for training as a standard, including hydrangeas, hibiscus, boxwood, yews, arborvitae, and roses, along with annuals such as lantana, rosemary and lavender.

Some growers offer them already trained, pruned and ready for transplanting. Standards can be grown in the ground or in pots.

When grown in containers, many of these plants will need winter protection.

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Turf Focus

Cutting Smart in the Heat: Practical Strategies to Reduce Heat

by Dr. Aaron Patton

M

anaging turf well during the Fall months often comes down to how well we manage stress, and mowing remains the most frequent and influential cultural practice in turf. While we often associate mowing with creating a uniform, attractive appearance, it’s important to remember that grass does not thrive on mowing, but it does tolerate it. Every pass with a mower adds traffic stress, removes photosynthetic tissue, reduces carbohydrate production, and creates wounds that can increase susceptibility to environmental stress and disease. In the heat of Fall, these impacts are magnified, making mowing decisions especially critical for maintaining turf quality.

Proper mowing height

One of the most effective ways to reduce Fall stress is to maintain an appropriate mowing height. Closely mown turf has reduced leaf area, which limits photosynthesis and forces the plant to rely more heavily on stored carbohydrates.

This often results in shallower root systems, reducing the turf’s ability to access water during dry, hot conditions. This reinforces a simple but important recommendation to keep mowing heights as high as possible while still meeting client expectations. This helps to not only improve turf health but also to increase drought tolerance and reduce water use.

In practice, many turf managers choose to either maintain their standard height of cut or slightly raise it during periods of Fall stress. This approach increases leaf surface area, supports continued photosynthesis, and helps sustain deeper rooting. When advising homeowners, especially those accustomed to mowing too low, emphasizing the relationship between mowing height, root depth, and drought tolerance can be an effective educational tool. Lawns cut too short in the Fall are often the first to show signs of heat stress, thinning, and weed encroachment. It is also important to avoid mowing lawns that are showing signs of drought stress (i.e., wilting).

Know when to mow them

Mowing frequency is equally important. The one-third rule — never removing more than one-third of the leaf blade in a single mowing — becomes particularly valuable during Fall. Removing excessive tissue at once can abruptly halt root growth, compounding stress during already challenging environmental conditions. For professionals

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maintaining client properties, this means adjusting mowing schedules based on growth rate rather than sticking strictly to a calendar. For homeowners, it may mean mowing more frequently during periods of rapid growth to avoid scalping (i.e., removing too much green leaf tissue).

Sharp blades save the day

The maintenance of mowing equipment also plays a significant role in turf health. Sharp mower blades are essential. Dull blades strike leaf blades and cause injury or tear leaf tissues rather than cutting them cleanly. The result is injured blades with frayed, ragged leaf tips that increase water loss and create additional stress. This is a straightforward but often overlooked detail that can make a noticeable difference in turf health and appearance across large commercial properties and residential lawns alike.

Another consideration during Fall mowing is the management of grass clippings. Returning clippings to the turf rather than collecting them provides multiple benefits.

Clippings decompose rapidly, returning nitrogen and other nutrients back to the soil. This not only supports plant health but can reduce fertilizer needs over time. Additionally, returning clippings avoids the removal of valuable nitrogen — up to a significant portion of what was applied—and reduces labor and disposal costs. For both professionals and homeowners, this practice supports healthier turf with minimal additional effort.

Consider newer technology

Ultimately, Fall turf management is about balancing necessary maintenance with minimizing stress. Mowing height, frequency, blade sharpness, clipping management, and managing traffic all play interconnected roles in determining how well turfgrass withstands heat and environmental pressure. As a controllable variable, mowing offers one of the most effective tools available to influence turf health during the most challenging time of the year.

Beyond mowing practices themselves, mowing equipment is changing. Some are replacing gasoline-powered mowers with battery-powered autonomous mowers to reduce emissions, noise, and labor. Autonomous mowers, in particular, mow on a near daily schedule and as such they remove small amounts of tissue with each pass, adhering to the one-third rule and reducing plant stress. As adoption www.mnla.com

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t Stress increases, these technologies may provide a practical Fall advantage by maintaining consistent mowing without large fluctuations in turf height. However, the equipment still needs a human hand to maintain it as all mowing equipment does. Replace blades on autonomous mowers frequently. The recommended frequency varies by manufacturer and also turf species being mown. Inspect the leaf blades for the quality of cut as a useful gauge on when to replace or sharpen mower blades.

For landscape professionals, these mowing practices translate directly into improved turf performance and client satisfaction.

By approaching mowing with an understanding of plant response and Fall stress, we can make better decisions and provide customer education that supports long-term turf health.

Aaron J. Patton is a professor at Purdue University, where he serves as Indiana’s turfgrass extension specialist. His research program explores weed ecology and control, novel grasses, and agronomic practices in turfgrass systems. He mentors undergraduate and graduate students and teaches the senior-level turfgrass science course.

Mowing with dull mower blades leaves a poor, shredded appearance on the leaf blade.

Autonomous mowers mow frequently, helping to reduce scalping from cuts.

A well-cut and managed lawn brings value and beauty to a property.

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MCH — Tell Us Your Favorite Digital Tool

MCH TOOLBOX: Digital Tools Worth Knowing Submitted by: Aimeebeth McLynn, MCH | NPS MOBILE APP

PictureThis Looking for a quick way to identify an unfamiliar plant? PictureThis is a useful tool for plant identification and continues to add more information about the plants in its database.

One feature Aimeebeth particularly appreciates is the ability to save identified plants into folders or “gardens.” She has been using the app to create seasonal folders for different properties and projects—making it easier to keep track of what she encounters throughout the year.

Why it’s useful: Quick plant identification Save and organize identified plants Create seasonal or project-specific collections Increasingly detailed plant information

WEBSITE

Cornell University Beneficial Pests https://biocontrol.entomology.cornell.edu Aimeebeth recommends this Cornell resource for horticultural identification and information on pests, diseases, diagnostics, and beneficial organisms.

The site offers quick identification references and fact sheets that can be printed for easy field reference. Another helpful feature is that many identification pages provide a contact person for additional assistance when you need to dig a little deeper.

Why it’s useful: Pest identification resources Disease and diagnostic information Printable fact sheets Reliable horticultural information Access to experts for additional questions

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Advertiser Index

MARKETPLACE

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SPRING FALL

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My Favorite Plant

Liriodendron tulipifera ­— Tulip Tree Why This Plant Shines Liriodendron tulipifera, is wonderful tree for any site with considerable open space. It is a perfect fit for a park or open yard in need of both shade and beauty.

Tulip tree, often found in Apalachia, is a cousin of the magnolia. Both trees have a penchant for an abundance of showy flowers. Historially, Tulip tree was a resource for the Cherokee people as it towered over ancient forests Culture Botanic name: Liriodendron tulipifera Common name: Tulip tree Hardiness zone: 4-9 Exposure: Full sun Soil: Average Size: Up to 60 ft. tall and 50 ft. wide Growth rate: Fast Nicole Semeraro, MCH Bartlett Tree Service East Newton, MA

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