Thatch is the layer of dead and decaying organic matter between soil and turfgrass plants. Too much thatch is detrimental to lawns and other sites, and although it does serve a purpose on athletic fields, it’s important to control the thatch depth on lawns. Excessive thatch forms when plant growth exceeds the ability of microorganisms to break down the organic matter before it accumulates. The stem nodes, crowns, fibers of vascular tissues and roots are the most resistant to decay and make up the bulk of the thatch. (continue)

Weather affects nearly every aspect of turf and landscape management. Knowing how a site responds to weather conditions can influence future management practices. Environmental information has come a long way from the days of the local meteorologist. (continue)

Software systems such as Goalline (www.goalline.ca), Soccer Scheduler (www.soccerscheduler.com), and GotSoccer (www.got soccer.com) are sports-specific scheduling programs that coordinate multiple details for teams, camps, leagues and tournaments. (continue)

Randy Finch, owner of Finch Tree Surgery in San Gabriel, Calif., has been in business for many years, has a high personal credit score, writes checks for equipment when possible and borrows money only when buying a major piece of machinery.(continue)

In today’s world of low-voltage landscape lighting there is a vast array of transformers to choose from. While they are all meant to perform the same basic function of converting line voltage (120 or 240v) to low voltage (12 or 24v), they are not all created equal. Your transformer can be looked at as the heart of your lighting system. Wires might be thought of as veins and arteries to get the blood flow where it needs to be, while the fixtures and lamps are the muscles that get the job done. If the heart is not in good shape and functioning properly, you can’t expect everything else to work as intended. (continue)

Chris Pfeil ready to fire up his new evaporator. PHOTOS BY JAN SEVENE. When Chris Pfeil, owner of the Maple Guys LLC of Lyndeborough, N.H., and his wife, Kim, set out to make a significant change in their business, it was already a two-time recipient of the Carlisle Trophy, New Hampshire’s recognition for the best maple syrup in the state. (continue)

Irrigation has been the lifeblood of crop production in arid climates since prehistoric times. Although irrigation has come into wide use even in areas that receive ample rainfall, no location depends on irrigation for crop production more strongly than the American Southwest. (continue)

The only good thing about being at the bottom is that there’s nowhere to go but up. Assuming that the forest products industry—hit as hard as any industry in the recent economic downturn—has indeed reached the bottom, then there’s hope for improvement. (continue)